Chapter 1
June 20, 1993.
Abandoned House in Scotland.
"Dobby"
a loud crack filled the air, announcing the guest.
"Who is being calling Dobby?" the little guest squeaked.
"Pardon me for disrupting your day, Dobby. But I have a few requests, will you listen to them?" She spoke softly.
He nodded so hard I feared for his neck.
"Please calm down." he stopped "Have a seat, this will take a while." he burst into tears and started wailing.
"Dobby calm down" It only made him cry louder and hit himself
"Madam wishes for dobby to sit, Dobby doesn't deserve, Bad dobby bad dobby"
Elena exclaimed "Calm down" again but gently "Please calm down and listen. Can you do that for me please."
He nodded hard again and blew his nose on his dirty pillowcase.
She motioned to the seats and started asking questions about house elves and their magic.
Dobby answered all of her questions well. Apparently it was necessary for them to work, they were designed to work. Their services to their owners brought them great satisfaction and mistreatment brought depression. Depression makes them weaker. A good family bond strengthens their magic and helps them do more difficult work.
For example, apparating people in and out of places. They don't need human food but are able to consume them.
Dobby had been suffering due to the Malfoys and had gotten weak.
Elena knew she had to thread carefully here. An abused being will require time and patience to heal.
"Thank you for answering all of my questions, Dobby, and don't cry." when it looked like he's going to start again.
"Please have some tea and cookies, you said you can eat human food. But don't force yourself if you don't want to." He nodded and smiled with teary eyes.
"Dobby, I understand you have been suffering and I will not force you to do anything. However it would help me a lot if I could have a house elf. Now since you do not know me well, how about you work for me for sometime, I will pay you monthly and you can remain a free elf.
In case you feel you do not wish to continue working, you can just tell me and you can leave. On the other hand if you like working for me then you can become my house elf."
Dobby's eyes widened after Elena finished. He squeaked sounding vulnerable "Madam wishes to hire Dobby"
"Yes"
"Madam will pay Dobby."
"Yes. I will even give you a holiday if you wish."
"Madam is being too kind"and he was wailing again.
"If you really have to cry then you can but I hope you don't cry often. That is if you work for me"
"Dobby will work for Madam" he squeaked firmly, eyes still watering but there was a smile on his face.
Elena was relieved. She knew this was one individual she definitely needed.
"That is great. When can you start? You aren't working anywhere right?"
"No Madam. Dobby having no work. Dobby can start now."
"Alright then." Elena got her diary out and noted the date and his name.
"So now we will discuss your pay and holidays. And rules okay. I've never hired a house elf so how much would you like to be paid? A galleon a month?"
"No no no, A sickle is fine and Dobby gets half-day instead of holiday."
"Nuh uh we spoke of holidays right. For now we will go with what you want but as things turn out you will receive holidays and increase in wages." she shushed his insistence.
"We will have rules which you must follow, in case you cannot follow you will explain why to me okay?" seeing his acceptance she continued
"Rule#1 You are to never answer calls from your previous master or their associates.
#2- You will never reveal my identity or information about me, this includes my place, life, work, what I do, everything about me alright. And no one should know you work for me either.
#3- If you need help with something you will ask me. You will not punish yourself. These rules are very important to me. Understood"
"Yes Madam"
"Alright then my name is Elena Ivy Morgan, I want to help children and I'm not very rich. I'm not an evil person but I will do what I have to in order to protect people. I hope you will look after me and take care of me well."
He looked enthusiastic about my intentions. "First order of work, now Dobby, in order to work for me, I expect my house elf to be clean and tidy. So you will pick some new pillowcases from that chest, burn your old one and wash yourself up. After that I will give you other work."
Dobby looked like he would cry again but he held it in and went to pick his new pillowcase.
Elena had packed a few that were good quality and in an array of colours. Now she had to do something about this house.
The house was abandoned and bleak, it had been warded to the best of her abilities. The darkness, that was always a sanctuary, a place to recharge and forget the worries not now, there were things to be done.
Elena luckily found this and after confirming no one has lived here, she warded and cleaned the place. The place was in a bad state but it would do for now. It was merely a base for operations.
The house had 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom. It was really damaged. She had her work cut out for her. Elena started with the kitchen first and since the gas line didn't go from here. She repaired the ceiling, windows and doors. The kitchen counter was far gone even with cleaning charms, so she cleanly cut them out.
Dobby popped in looking neat and tidy. And was instructed to clean the bathroom and bedroom.
The kitchen was done. Onto the next room. A few days passed and Elena was amazed at the state of the house. House elf magic is brilliant, she realised. Roof, rooms and porch had been mended.
Elena got herself some necessary stuff like bed, blanket, and a baby bed mattress for Dobby. He had expressed his gratitude by cleaning the garden. Now it has lots of hydrangeas. Thanks to magic.
Elena knew it was time to carry out her plans.
.