"This is Dobby, sir" Toby formally introduced the house elf that he had led into the parlour.

Harry gave Dobby a small bow "Please, take a seat." He indicated to an armchair whilst taking one himself.

A brief look of panic crossed Dobby's face. Toby leaned forward and whispered in Dobby's ear. He very slowly walked over to the chair opposite Harry. He sat down on the very front of the arm chair, his body held rigid, with his hands on the arms as if to propel himself out of the armchair at the slightest sign of disapproval.

Harry looked the elf appraisingly, he seemed a lot better dressed than when Harry had seen him in the past. Gone was the tattered and dirty tea towel that he had always worn, and now he appeared to be wearing something resembling normal attire, if somewhat bright and colourful. And gone were the bruising and bandages that seemed to be a permanent feature of the young elf whenever their paths crossed.

Dobby was appraising Harry in return. The much talked about Harry Potter. Dobby remembered when they had first met, Harry was younger and pretending to be Henri Greengrass, a grand joke on Professor DumDum. All the house elves knew his actual identity of course, but no one had asked them, and it was not their place to reveal the ruse.

He had grown into such a powerful young wizard, talk of his exploits in the Snaky Common Room had reached his ears from his friends amongst the Hogwarts elves.

Dobby had seen the fear in the eyes of the young Malfoy when he spoke of Harry Potter and overheard the conversations in the Malfoy manor where Lord Malfoy spoke of him as if he was a threat, not just a young boy.

And killing the King of Snakes. Dobby shuddered just thinking about it. Yes, this young wizard had the makings of a great and powerful wizard. But he had once felt the same about a young Lord Malfoy until power and wealth had corrupted him. No, this time he would be more careful.

"Would you like some refreshments?" Harry asked. Dobby just about leapt out of the armchair.

"I will get something appropriate master Harry" Toby said before leaving, closing the door on his way out.

"Before we get down to business, I must first thank you Dobby. Twice you gave me warnings at what must have been a great personal cost to you. I am in your debt, if there is anything, I can do for you, please ask." Harry was truly grateful for what Dobby had tried to do.

He had discussed at length with Toby, a house elf's obligations when in a position like Dobby's. While they did not know the full story, Toby knew enough to stress that what Dobby had done in warning them before term, and warning them of his Master's imminent attack would have had very serious consequences for Dobby. Toby did not go in to details of what those consequences would have been, but Harry had seen and heard enough horror stories about the way house elves were treated by some families to know that Dobby would have suffered.

"I mean it Dobby, ask and it is yours" Harry said earnestly staring at Dobby.

Dobby stared back, his top lip started to quiver and he burst in to tears.

Toby reappeared at that moment with refreshments. He placed the tray on the table and went to stand in front of Dobby. He leaned in and started whispering in Dobby's ear again. After a couple of minutes Dobby gave a big gulp, wiped his eyes and sat up straight again.

Harry meanwhile had been helping himself to the freshly baked scones, splitting one and piling one half with strawberry jam and whipped cream. He made quite a mess as he stuffed it into his mouth diligently focusing on the scone to give Dobby time to compose himself.

Harry was just finishing off the second half when he heard Dobby gulp and sit up in his armchair. Harry grabbed a napkin and wiped the excess cream and jam off his face. He poured a cup of tea for Dobby and then himself. Looking at Dobby again he apologised for his poor table manners, stating that he had only had a light breakfast and he was starving.

Dobby was amazed, he had never seen such understanding and consideration from a wizard before. He had been in the service of Lord Malfoy since he was a very young elf where he had only been shown indifference, contempt, and outright hatred.

"Dobby does have something to ask master Harry Potter sir, maybe after we finishes with our businesses"

Harry agreed and waited for Dobby to continue.

"Master Harry Potter sir. As yous may be aware, Dobby is currently looking for employments. We is be needing to work in a magical household" Dobby started. Harry nodded, well aware of house elves need for ambient magic to survive.

"Dobby is having lots of experience serving a young master, master Harry Potter, sir."

"Yes, I am aware of that" Harry said "But I am not sure that service to Lucius Malfoy is any sort of recommendation"

Dobby looked at Toby who urged him on, they had discussed how Dobby should approach this. Toby knew Dobby was a troubled elf with poor social skills, so he had advised him to just tell the truth, anything that he was willing and able to share. He assured Dobby that Harry would be fair and respect any confidences he shared.

Harry by now had realised that Toby had been helping Dobby prepare for this. A definite stamp of approval from Toby.

"Dobby was a very young elf when he started being Lord Malfoy's elf. I was... I was an only elf, sir. The rest of Dobby's others has been gone. Dobby needed to find a position and Lord Malfoy was very persuasive, even as a young Lord." Dobby paused as a look of remembrance passed over his face before it hardened.

"Dobby spent many years helping Lord Malfoy rebuild the family monies. But Dobby can't talks about that" Dobby shook his head making his ears flap.

"Now that you bring it up" Harry said "If you were to work for me, would that cause you problems with any prior oaths, promises, secrecy rituals that may bind you?"

Dobby thought on that for a long time. "I was not a families elf, I was Lord's elf, only the Lords elf. He would use me to hides all his nasties. We be having a secrecy oaths. Lord Malfoy would be telling me all his dirties, and then nobodies could be forcing him to tells as he was under magicals oaths."

That was quite brilliant, thought Harry. Lucius telling Dobby his secrets meant no one could force Lucius to reveal anything, magic would not let him.

"But nows Dobby has been set free by Lord Malfoy, the oaths has been ended" Dobby continued "So Dobby has forgets everything."

"Dobby was bonded" he said with a scowl "Dobby was tricked. Lord Malfoy said to be workings for him, Dobby must be bonded. Bonded elves be having special relationship with masters. Master be making Dobby do bad things. Master was evil wizard." Dobby started rocking backwards and forwards in his chair, his arm wrapped around himself.

Harry got out of his chair and went and crouched down in front of Dobby. "But you escaped, you out smarted him and got free"

Dobby stared at Harry. Such a fine young wizard "With master Harry Potter sir helps"

"It is what we do for our friends, help them" Harry said softly.

"Friends?" Dobby asked

"Maybe, if you come and work for me, once we get to know each other" was Harry's reply. He could see that Dobby was barely holding it together by this point, and truth be told, he wasn't much better himself. The young elf had lead such a hard life, very much like he himself, Harry thought, until Roxanne and Cyrus had saved him.

"But I is not looking for a bonded position" Dobby said shaking his head firmly, his ears flapping again. "Dobby is a free elf. Dobby has learned his mistakes. Dobby is looking for a paid position. One years only starting, maybe more if ok."

Dobby watched the young wizard, hoping he understood that it was not a reflection on Harry Potter.

Harry understood Dobby's fear of bonding again, not wanting to get caught in servitude to another evil master.

"That would suit me just fine" Harry said. He stood up from his crouch and held his hand out. "Do we have an in-principle deal?"

Dobby only thought for a second before standing up himself and clasped Harry's hand in his. "Deals" he shook Harry's hand firmly. He had been forced to make many deals in his life, this was the first one he had made willing and for himself. He tried his best not to bounce on the balls of his feet.

"Now, unfortunately I have to leave, I am meant to be back at Hogwarts this morning and I am running a little late." Harry grimaced when he saw how late it had become, Daphne would kill him. "For now, if you let Toby here know the terms of your employment, wages, accommodation requirements, and days off, he will get the details to me. I have a few weeks left of the year and I have missed so much I will be very busy. So how would you like to start at the end of term?"

Dobby nodded excitedly, no daring to speak least his voice betray how happy he was.

"You can of course stay in the manor to replenish your magic" Harry offered. Dobby thanked him, he had a huge smile on his face.

"Now our business is done, about that favour, ask anything" Harry offered.

Dobby didn't hesitate, it was something he had wanted for as long as he could remember "Dobby is not a dumb elf master Harry Potter sir, Dobby is clevers"

Harry nodded his head in agreement, no arguments from him, Dobby had shown himself to be very smart and resourceful.

"Well, master Harry Potter sir" Dobby braced himself to ask "Dobby would like to learns how to be better. Talkings and dressings and doings things like the ways Toby does, master Harry Potter sir " Dobby looked at Toby with admiration "Dobby would be liking to be the best elfs he can be"

Harry could relate to that. He looked at Toby who was beaming with pride at Dobby and figured he would be more than willing to help.

"If Toby agrees, you can start on that straight away." Harry checked with Toby who was nodding vigorously "Just one thing though. You really must call me Harry, just Harry. None of this master Harry Potter sir business. Master Harry, if you must"

"And what should I call your other self?" Dobby asked.

Harry looked confused. Dobby didn't have the words so again turned to Toby for guidance. A whispered conversation had them both chuckling merrily.

"He hasn't realised yet" Toby told him "but soon" he assured Dobby "Soon"

Just then there was knocked on the door and Daphne poked her head around the door "Sorry to interrupt" she apologized "But we really must be going."

Toby and Dobby watched Harry's eyes light up at seeing Daphne, and the little green flames flaring from the ruined side of his face.

Toby and Dobby shared another look. Yes, they thought, very soon.