22. Forbidden
Harry stood at edge of Hogwarts. With a call of his name, Dobby appeared before the young wizard. "Dobby, I need you to bring us to your master's household. We are going to free you", Harry explained seriously.
The little house elf was in shock and was quick to dissuade him, "No this is too dangerous for Harry Potter. My master despises you and what you did to the foul one. Dobby cannot let this happen."
"I'm sorry, but we must. Day by day people are being attacked by some monster. If we do this, not only will you be free, but you can tell me all about the plan. Please Dobby, I beg you." Harry fell to his knees and bowed to Dobby.
Such a act of humility had rattled the servant creature to the core. A wizard does not simply bow down to a house elf! But he remembered, Harry Potter had always been spoken as someone special. He came to a decision, "Dobby shall help Harry Potter." With a snap of his fingers, both were gone.
Both reappeared in a supply room of sorts. "This is the Malfoy Manor."
At the sound of Malfoy, so many things began to make sense. Harry was now sure that they had something to do with the beast. "You remember the plan?"
Said plan was to earn Dobby's freedom. Dobby would transfigure as much clothing as possible into tableware. After lunch, the wizard would unknowingly give Dobby clothing, earning his freedom and making the Malfoys eat from possibly dirty clothing.
Dobby nodded and prepared lunch for the Malfoy head. Now alone, Harry took his Invisible Cloak and wrapped it around himself. He then followed Dobby, his role here was to be backup just in case Dobby failed. While he couldn't raise a hand against his wizard masters, Harry could.
Passing the living chambers, Harry noted the personal chambers of the Malfoy head. Rushing in, the first thing he noticed was how outrageously lavish it was. He was sure that the wizard would sooner die before living in a cupboard as Harry once did. By the bedside he could see the swelling of a protective charm. Already it was trying to convince him to leave the drawer. Harry would not be denied. Clutching his gloved fist, he reached out for it. At first he felt hesitant but his force of will bypassed the spell. Then there was a barrier preventing him from going further.
By the way his gloved lit up, he could only assume some nasty effect should've occurred. When Harry pushed harder, symbols floated on the space around his hand and he heard a pop as the barrier was destroyed.
Searching through the private cabinet, he found an item of worth. It was a well-used notebook. Inside there were a list of Death Eaters, their locations, and a number of future laws that were to be pushed through the Ministry of Magic.
Most incriminating was the portion that described the opening of the Chamber of Secrets through the use of Voldemort's old notebook. Harry's eyes rushed to take in all of this information. He shook his head, this was an astounding find. Shoving it into his robes, he caught sight of a more mysterious item.
Resting innocently on the top was an opaque vase. Etched on its surface were depiction of celebration and success. Emanating from the vase was magic like he never felt before. It was both grand and overbearing. Harry was almost drawn to it. As his hand brushed against it, he felt an explosion of energy and emotion. Hatred mixed with desperation before melding into solemnity. This artifact was important somehow.
Without further thought, Harry took it for his own.
"Harry Potter we must go. Old master was alerted of your trespass! Come!" Dobby warned as he appeared behind him. From the gleam in his eyes, the plan had worked. Harry didn't wait a second longer before he reached for the house elf's hand.
With a pop both were gone, leaving an enraged Malfoy household.
