"What is that?" Dudley asked, pulling Ron into the room. Ron was raised by wizards, he would know what the stumped, pointy-nosed, bat-eared thing was. It was sat on Dudley's bed, looking up at them curiously.

"I am Dobby," it said. "Dobby is a house elf."

"A what?"

"House Elf, they sort of do work and chores. Many rich families own them," Ron explained.

"So why is one here? Make it go away." Dudley didn't like the look of the elf. It looked too weird.

Dobby lowered his head sadly. "Dobby wouldn't be here if Dobby had a choice, sir."

"Then why are you here?" Ron asked. "Did Dumbledore want you to clean our tower or something?"

"Not Dumbledore, sir," the elf shook his head. "Dobby came here to warn …"

It gave a spasm and without a warning, leapt off the bed and slammed its head into the wall. "Bad Dobby! Bad Dobby!"

Ron jumped forward and grabbed the little thing, restraining it from doing further harm.

"Dobby thanks good sir," the elf said, stopping its struggling.

"Why'd it do that?" asked Dean.

"it probably hasn't got permission to come here," Ron said, releasing Dobby. "Dad says Elves need to punish themselves if they disobey orders."

Dobby nodded. "Dobby has had to punish himself a lot. Sometimes, Dobby's master encourages Dobby to do extra punishments, just in case."

"Who is your master?" asked Ron.

"Dobby's master is …" he trailed off and ran at the wall again. Luckily, Ron managed to grab him.

"Thank you, Sir," Dobby said. "Dobby almost spoke ill of his master."

"So, why are you here … on my bed?" Dudley said, distastefully. He was wondering if he should have his sheets changed.

"Dobby came to warn … but first, this is Gryffindor tower?"

"Yeah," said Ron.

"Where dwell the bravest of the brave?"

"Yeah," said Ron, a little proudly.

"Where Dobby can find a mighty hero?"

"Yeah," Ron straightened up a little, sticking his chest out.

"Where Duddy Durzy is?"

"Yeah … what?" Ron deflated. "Dud?"

Dobby nodded. "Yes. Dobby sees and hears many things. Dobby knows Duddy Durzy saved the Philosy Stone last year. Dobby thinks Duddy Durzy is a great wizard."

"We helped too," Ron said, indignantly.

Dudley laughed.

"Then friend of Duddy Durzy must be a great wizard too!" Dobby said, his bulging eyes bulging even further. "Why, perhaps friend of Duddy Durzy can help Dobby too?"

"I'm Duddy Durz … I mean, Dudley Dursley," Dudley said, stepping forward.

Ron and Dean snickered.

Dobby bent down in a bow. "Dobby knew Duddy Durzy was a Gryffindor, but didn't think he would find him so soon!"

He peered at Dudley. "Duddy Durzy is very big …"

Dudley's eyes narrowed.

"… and strong."

Dudley relaxed.

"Dobby is sure Duddy Durzy is wise too."

Ron and Dean looked at Dudley who nodded. "Sure, I'm wise."

"The Dobby has secrets to tell Duddy Durzy."

He twitched and Ron grabbed at him again, but this time, Dobby didn't dive at the wall.

"Evil things are afoot at Hogwarts. There is a plot to awaken a great evil."

Dudley leant closer. "What sort of evil? Is it Quirrell again?"

"Quirrell died, Dud," Dean pointed out.

"Oh yeah, then is it Voldemort?"

"Not … You-Know-Who, sir," said Dobby, his eyes widening.

Dudley sensed he was trying to tell him something. "His son?" Dudley suggested, finally.

Dobby shook his head and jammed a fist in his mouth.

"What's this big plan, then?" Dean asked, sensing that they wouldn't get much more about the mastermind.

"Dobby … can't say, sir," Dobby said. "There is a plot to release an ancient evil that will cleanse the school."

"Sounds like a Slytherin thing," said Ron.

Dobby nodded, and then made a dash to the window as if he was going to leap out. Luckily, Ron grabbed him in the nick of time.

"Thank you sir," said Dobby. "Dobby asks that Duddy Durzy and his friends …" he trailed off and suddenly disappeared with a loud crack.

A few seconds later, the door opened and Seamus and Neville entered.

"What are you three doing?" Seamus asked, suspiciously.

"None of your business," Dudley growled, looking at Ron and Dean so that they got the message to keep quiet.