16. Duel

Harry looked upon his empty clawed owl, Hedwig. Today was his birthday and he had yet to hear a word from his friends. Harry was disappointed but not too upset. He was used to this treatment.

Both of his adult relatives made it clear that they were not going to gift him anything, as though this was a major departure from their typical behaviors. At times, Harry felt that they wanted to push him at every turn to see him miserable. As long as he could remember, this house had been a battlefield. One where he wasn't given a moment's rest. Never did they let him forget that he was unloved and unwanted.

But Harry was now armed with fond memories and the truth of his parent's love, so he would not let them achieve victory.

Fondly, Harry cooed at his white feathered friend. She had been feeling quite caged, both figuratively and literally, this summer. To alieve her issues, he allowed her free passage in the little room he had, and she was let out whenever the Dursleys were distracted.

Tonight, he had been sent to his room while his relatives spoke with some businessman. It had been made fairly clear that Harry was to go upstairs all night and pretend he didn't exist. From the sound of his voice, Uncle Vernon was probably hoping that if he said it enough times, Harry would be wiped from existence. No matter, Harry counted this as a blessing.

He may not be welcomed in this house, but he truly felt he finally got a home here. It was right here in this room. On the back wall, where his bed was set up, the Raggedy Man's portrait was hung. Above his dresser was the water tank he received from Ys, a number of magical exotic fishes swam freely. In his closet were all of his magical school items. Grinning softly, he pulled his sculpting equipment from the closet and continued tapping away at his personal project.

There was a popping sound and Harry jumped away from the bed. On his bed was a creature with bat-like ears, bulging green eyes, a small frame, and a tattered pillowcase as clothing. Unsure of what to do, Harry softly greeted him, "Hello. Can I help you?"

The creature's green eyes grew larger with tears, "Oh great wizard Harry Potter wants to help me! What a kind wizard you are. No, Dobby is but a house elf. Bad Dobby." The house elf raised its fist to abuse himself.

Having seen enough, Harry grabbed the creature's clenched fist. "You don't have to hit yourself on my account. That's an order", Harry added in quickly when he saw the growing anxiousness in his guest. "Is there something you wanted to tell me, or did you just want to see me?"

Dobby shook himself out of his inner turmoil and spoke in urgency, "Harry Potter must not go back to Hogwarts; it's too dangerous."

Dangerous was an apt description of the school, as far as Harry had seen. But he had the feeling that wasn't what Dobby meant. "What danger?"

Dobby proceeded to smack himself, "Oh horrible Dobby has said too much! I can't speak so boldly of those I work for."

Harry took pause at that. That mentality was not unlike his own. In public, it was unwise to speak poorly of the Dursleys. It always came back to haunt him. Dobby seemed to be in just as bad, if not worse, situation.

Taking a moment, Harry tried to put as much of the Pale Lady in his next actions and words as possible, "Do sit down. There's no need to speak of such trifling matters. I'll brew us a cup of tea."

Dobby looked amazed at the amount of politeness he was receiving. Harry set the cup before himself and Dobby. "Now let's not speak of your wonderful… employers. Instead let us make a story. Once upon a time, there were these awful beasts called the Dursleys. They loath all things wonderful and magically. Their greatest enemy was this poor magical potted plant. So they made a plan to rid of it. How do you think they did it?"

Dobby's eyes grew wide and excited, "Yes! Those horrid beasts came about a book most vile, yes, they wished to get it into the greenhouse with all the potted plants."

Harry smiled vaguely. This was just another battle. This time it was with an unknown force. But he had any ally in this poor house elf. "That is quite frightening." If he was honest, he was feeling a bit giddy and clever. Imitating the Pale Lady's mannerisms made him feel rather intelligent and independent for a change. "But we are missing a bit of plot. I'm thinking the death of the potted plants, what do you think?"

Shaking his head, Dobby said, "Oh no. That's just good fortune for the vile cruel Dursleys. They wish to help their employers, yes. He's even nastier than those wretched Dursleys. At the potted plant's early blooming, it hurt the employer."

It all clicked and he smiled that mysterious smile that the Pale Lady loved to indulge in, "I believe our story is quite done. On to unrelated matters, I fear that I must go to Hogwarts, please wait a moment." Harry raised his hand before Dobby could jump up in denial. Once he was sure that the house elf was calmed down, he continued, "There is a greater wizard I must speak to. A quite wise one."

Dobby looked thoroughly amazed by Harry's intent, "Harry Potter is truly too marvelous. Yes, wizard Dumbledore shall know what to do. Dobby sees that he no longer needs these." With a snap of his fingers a bundle of packages landed on the table.

Harry had to remind himself that the Pale Lady was cool, calm, and reasonable even when she was in a foul mood or agitated.

It was difficult.

"Thank you for returning my letters and packages to me. I am most grateful. Do keep in mind that this sort of behavior earns one more enemies than friends", Harry advised.

"Of course Harry Potter." With a pop, Dobby was gone.

Just as Harry was collecting himself, a welcomed voice said, "Bravo. That was an excellent performance. I don't believe I could've done it better myself."

Harry flushed red from the neck up. Smiling embarrassedly, "It's great to see you. Can I help you?"

The Pale Lady only smiled knowingly. "So distant, Harry. Keep that up and I may believe I am not welcomed here."

"You're always welcomed here", Harry said in absolute conviction unfit for a child that young. Getting up, he pulled out the chair for her to sit. When she did, he removed Dobby's emptied tea cup and replaced it with a fresh cup with warm tea.

The Pale Lady smiled fondly, "Thank you, I appreciate the sentiment. Happy birthday, Harry."

"Thank you. By the way, have I told you about this interesting painter I saw recently?"

The rest of their time together that day was spent swapping stories. Like that, the goals of the Dursleys were utterly failed. Harry spent his Birthday night in the presence of one who care for him. It was a quaint and lovely night.