The Two Boys
A/N: Here we are, the day of Harry's birth. Updated version.
Dobby watched silently as his master and Lord Voldemort wore a path into the ancient carpet. It was nearing midnight on the 30th of July, and Dobby knew they were waiting anxiously to hear from their spies in St. Mungos whether Alice Longbottom or Lily Potter had given birth. He could tell that Voldemort was intensely worried, he kept cracking his neck.
Dobby also knew that the prophecy had referred to a boy, so that narrowed it down even more.
Suddenly a portrait of one of Lucius' ancestors appeared back in its frame.
"The Longbottom girl just gave birth to a boy!" He chortled. Dobby drew in a sharp breath. This particular portrait had a counterpart in St. Mungo's, so it couldn't be wrong.
"Any news on Lily?" Lucius asked.
"Not yet, although I doubt we will have long to wait."
"Return and tell us when there is fresh news," Voldemort snapped. His face looked very dangerous at this point, and he looked deep in thought. Once again he paced, for about an hour or more, while Dobby watched, hidden from view in a passageway he had found a few weeks previously. The passages were obviously meant for a house elf to use, as they stretched all over the house with entrances in every room but were only about 3 and a half feet tall.
Dobby heard a baby cry in the distance. That would be his new master Draco, who had been born only a few weeks ago. He had the classic Malfoy look: Blond hair and almost colourless eyes.
The clock in the hallway struck midnight and Dobby was about to give up watching when the portrait returned abruptly.
"Sir, she has given birth to a boy!"
Voldemort froze. He didn't move for about a minute, and Dobby could almost see his thoughts. When he spoke it was in a low voice, full of decision.
"It is the Potter boy."
"My Lord, how do you know? The boy is but a half blood. Surely you do not expect this boy to be more powerful than the pureblood Longbottom boy?" Lucius seemed agog.
"Lucius, what I think is none of your concern!" Voldemort screamed at him.
Lucius flinched. "My Lord, I was merely suggesting that you should take the blood status of the two boys into account."
"Lucius, I have done so and I believe it is the Potter boy." He turned to the portrait. "What have they named the boy?"
The ancient Malfoy replied, "Harry, they named him Harry."
"Harry Potter, how very interesting."
Dobby smiled to himself in his little hidey hole. He sounded the name out.
"Harry Potter."