Written for The Quidditch League Fanfiction Competition, Season 8, Game Day ; Round one.
Team: Wimbourne Wasps
Position: Seeker
Main Prompt: The Innocent- Goal: happiness OR Fear: punishment
Word Count: 1031
Dobby Wanted to Be Harry Potter's Friend
Dobby opened his saucer-eyes wide and blinked anxiously at Harry Potter, who crouched down and pulled a mass of envelopes from Dobby's filthy pillowcase. He reckoned Harry managed to stop yelling at him not to disturb Uncle Vernon who might come anytime soon.
'You've been stopping my letters…' Harry heaved a big sigh. Hermione's bright face and Ron's funny jokes had been thrown away all through that summer. Their letters should have been his only shelter after hard work, being utterly exhausted with mowing the lawn and trimming the flowerbeds, while Dudley enjoyed watching TV and eating ice-creams.
Dobby felt very sorry for Harry Potter. He wanted to tell Harry that his behavior was just for preventing Malfoy from doing harm to his hero. Harry Potter had become Dobby's hero ever since he had eavesdropped on what his master, Lucius Malfoy, told his wife in the drawing room:
'The Dark Lord has gone. The Boy Who Lived defeated him.'
He got excited to know the victory the baby Potter had achieved against the Dark Lord. Harry Potter was a ministering savior for his kind, house-elves. Dobby was determined to be his friend and to do anything to protect him from the bottom of his heart. He found a purpose for his life when he learned of Harry Potter. His feeling for Harry was the purest thing in the world. He made a pledge not to allow anything of misfortune to happen to Harry Potter.
Then there he stood in front of the savior of the Wizarding World. He didn't look happy at all.
'Harry Potter must not be harmed by any evil wizards. Dobby hoped if Harry Potter gave up his friends, Harry Potter might not want to go back to the Castle again. Harry Potter is Dobby's hero. Dobby must protect Harry Potter. Dobby will do anything to save Harry Potter.'
Dobby was very proud of himself. He was hired by the headmaster of the Castle, Albus Dumbledore, who was the most famous wizard in the Wizarding World. While taking care of Winky, who became a butterbeer addict since her master, Barty Crouch, gave her clothes and freed her, he made the acquaintance of Aberforth Dumbledore. He respected the Headmaster's brother as well.
It was his pleasure to collect knobby hats and socks Harry Potter's best friend knitted. He simply enjoyed his freedom as a free house-elf, with no stress caused by the Malfoy's dominance and the bondage with the Pure-Bloods. He thanked all humans around Harry Potter for their kindness. His innocent friendship with Harry Potter conveyed a happy atmosphere to the kitchen in the Castle. He loved the hustle and bustle of the kitchen. He smiled at the row of plates of Treacle Tart on the counter. Harry Potter loved Treacle Tart. He imagined his radiant smile when he had a bite of it.
Though he was sad when he heard of the death of the Headmaster, he didn't worry about Harry Potter. The Headmaster's brother was the great man who had supported the savior secretly. Dobby reset his mind to keep Harry Potter safe from any damage forever.
Dobby missed Harry Potter. The kitchen was still a sacred place where any Death Eaters couldn't intervene. The house-elves engaged solemnly in cooking for the teachers and students. Then he had a call. Aberforth Dumbledore summoned Dobby to help Harry Potter. His heart swelled with pride. It was time for him to prove his friendship for Harry Potter, who was the bravest wizard in the Wizarding World. Nevertheless, he was scared. The mission wasn't easy. He had to go back to Malfoy Manor to rescue Harry Potter and his friends. It was more difficult than the task five years ago, definitely. He was elated with the excitement to save the hero who he had admired for so long, but at the same time, he felt vulnerable envisaging the punishment his previous master and his family had done to him. He shook his body a few times, as if he would forget the worst memory at Malfoy Manor. He must do the mission. If he failed, he wouldn't deserve Harry Potter's friend. He wanted to be Harry Potter's friend forever.
When Dobby appeared in the backyard of the manor house, he glanced at the pavement to the elegant garden flanked by the cold rose trees. No diffused sunlight was seen. Dobby shuddered thinking what might happen. He snapped his fingers and landed inside the basement. Harry Potter was staring at him with his beautiful eyes open wide. It took a few seconds before he recovered from the trance. He spoke urgently,
'Dobby, take them to a safer place and come back again, please.'
His best mate, Ron Weasley added, 'Shell Cottage, the home of my brother Bill and his wife Fleur on the outskirts of Tinworth! I'm sure they'll help.'
Dobby did his best; he grabbed everyone's arms together and travelled faster, then dropped Luna Lovegood, Dean Thomas, Mr Ollivander. He vanished before Bill could ask him about the details.
He travelled back again with his strong will to save Harry Potter and his friends. His face went pale when he realized where he returned to. He had to do that. He needed to sacrifice himself. Putting aside his fear of the Malfoys and the mad woman, Bellatrix Lestrange, he cast magic on the crystal chandelier above them. He barely managed to open his eyes to witness the aftermath. He was ready to take all the risk—the risk to be punished terribly. His innocent friendship would shine forever, even after he saw the worst of his fate. All he needed was the courage to carry Harry Potter and his friends safely to the cottage. Holding his arms open towards his friends, Dobby was proud and filled with happiness. His perception was focused on Harry, not himself. Something might hit on the back, but he didn't care. He didn't mind pain, he was the happiest creature in the world with his friend, Harry Potter. Even a hint of sunshine left him the loveliest landscape around him. He would sleep in peace there held by his arms, Harry Potter's strong arms.
A/N : Many thanks to Janie-ohio for beta.