I do not own Harry Potter, only the OC

Hello guys, Badger here. I would just like to take this moment to thank you. As of posting this chapter, I have [almost] 200 follows for this story, with over 100 favourites for the story, in the matter of, just over a month, which astonishes me. I'm not sure what it is about this Fanfiction that you guys love, but I am really happy that you guys are loving it.

Anyway, I am glad that people enjoyed the previous chapter and I am certain you want to see what happens next. This chapter, whilst filler, also has introductions to other characters, two of which that will become part of the friend group, as well as building up a little bit for the story for second year. I must also say, I was slightly worn out, when writing the Diagon Alley segment, but I think its ok and, I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 15

Dobby's warning and Gilderoy Lockhart

Harry was confused, as the House Elf bowed to him. Unlike Jinx, he didn't seem to be well cared for. He was small and really skinny. So skinny the rags he wore was incredibly loose and hanging off his body.

"W-who are you?" Harry asked

"I am Dobby sir" The elf replied "Dobby the House Elf"

Harry looked at James, wondering if Dobby was another one of his elves. James looked at Harry for a moment, before he answered the unasked question.

"He isn't one of my elves" He replied "I'm just as shocked to see him here as you are"

"If you aren't one of James' elves, then why are you here?" Harry asked, turning back to Dobby

"Dobby needed to see Harry Potter" Dobby answered

"Okay, I don't want to be rude or anything" Harry said "But now isn't really the best time for there to be a House Elf in my bedroom"

"Oh, yes sir, Dobby understands sir" Dobby said, wringing his hands together, as his big ears dropped slightly "Its just…Dobby finds it difficult sir"

"What do you find difficult" James spoke up

"Dobby has much to say, though Dobby doesn't know where to begin" Dobby answered, looking a little bit lost

"Well…why don't you sit down?" Harry suggested

"Sit down?" Dobby repeated, his big eyes widening, making them even bigger "You…want Dobby to…sit down?"

Whatever it was Harry was expecting, Dobby jumping off the bed and bursting into tears was not one of them, which caused him to panic slightly. James, meanwhile, looked at Dobby in sympathy, having already guessed the kind of treatment he receives.

"Dobby, I'm sorry" Harry said quickly "I didn't mean to…offend you or anything"

"Offend Dobby?" Dobby asked "Harry Potter could never offend Dobby…Dobby has heard of your greatness sir…but never has Dobby ever been asked to sit by wizard, as an equal"

"What?" Harry asked, confused "But James has an elf and treats her right"

"That's because I am different Harry" James spoke "There a few families who treat their House Elves like friends, but there are many that treat their Elves like slaves"

"That's barbaric!" Harry exclaimed

"It is the life Dobby lives sir" Dobby replied, softly "Dobby lives to serve"

Harry knew he was going to need to look more into House Elves, so decided to drop it for now and move on.

"Okay…Dobby, why don't you just say why you are here" He said

"Dobby is on a mission sir" Dobby replied "Harry Potter must not return to Hogwarts school this year"

"What, why not?" Harry asked, James also looking curious

"There is a plot" Dobby explained "A plot that will make loads of terrible things happen"

"What is this plot?" James asked, not liking what he is hearing

"Dobby cannot say sir" Dobby replied, shaking his head "But Harry Potter must not return here…Dobby tried stealing Harry Potters mail, but Harry Potters precious bird kept getting away…"

It was then when Dobby went a bit pale, as his eyes grew even bigger in size, as he looked at Harry and James in fear, when he realised what he said.

"Yeah, too late to take that back now" James said dryly "So our suspicions were true…but why were you trying to take his mail?"

"Dobby didn't want Harry to return to Hogwarts" Dobby cried "Dobby hoped getting no mail from friends would persuade him to stay…Dobby only wants Harry Potter to be safe!"

"But why Dobby?" Harry asked "Why do you want me to stay?"

"Dobby cannot say sir!" Dobby shook his head, his big ears flapping wildly "Dobby has already said to much…Dobby must punish himself…Dobby is a bad elf…Dobby begs Harry Potter not to return to Hogwarts!"

Before Harry or James could do or say anything, Dobby clicked his fingers, where he disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Harry stood staring at the spot he was just standing in, feeling uneasy, before he turned to James.

"What was that all about?" He asked

"I don't know" James replied "And I really hate not knowing…We will have to be careful this year though…and I'll have Jinx keep an eye out and let us know if Dobby ever turns up again"

Harry nodded, before he looked back to the spot where Dobby left. Harry wasn't entirely sure what to think, but whatever it was, it didn't sound good. Just when things were starting to look up, something just had to ruin it. He could only imagine how fun this year will be.

It had been over a week since Dobby's warning. It made Harry slightly paranoid. James had set up a few wards around the apartment and Jinx was keeping an eye out in case he came back. Now though, the two of them were heading to Diagon Alley to meet up with Daphne and buy what they need for their second year. Harry chose to wear the leather jacket that James got him for his birthday, along with the wand holster, that James taught him to use. Harry found the jacket to be very comfortable and seems to be tailored to fit his body, perfectly. He had a suspicion that some magic was involved. After a few moments, his bedroom door opened, where James' head popped in.

"You ready?" He asked

"Just about" Harry nodded

"How do you wish to travel to Diagon Alley, Floo or have Jinx take us?"

"I'd rather use the floo if you don't mind" Harry replied

"Of course" James nodded "Well, if you are ready, let's go"

Harry nodded, as he left his room, allowing James to go first. He watched in fascination as the green flames enveloped him, as he hadn't seen it happen from the other side before. When the flames died down, he stepped in himself and repeated the process, where he shot back out the other side a moment later, almost knocking over James, as he did so. Thankfully, James was able to catch him and stop themselves from falling.

"Yeah, I seriously need to teach you on how to travel through the floo…without flying through the other end" James smirked

"Shut up" Harry replied "Let's just get going"

"Okay, what's the rush?" James asked "We have all day"

Harry said nothing, as the two of them left the store, and into the busy street that was Diagon Alley. There must have been hundreds of people, mostly Hogwarts students, shopping for whatever it was they needed for their Hogwarts year. It took a moment for them to find Daphne, but they eventually did, outside of Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. She had grown a little bit over the past couple of weeks and her hair was now an inch past her shoulders. She was leaning against the doorframe, until she noticed their approach.

"Dear Merlin" She said, when they were close "You two are even dressing like one another now…how have things been for you Harry?"

"Things have been pretty good" Harry replied "Its been the best summer of my life"

"Good to hear, looking good too" Daphne said, taking in his new appearance, smiling at his blushing face

"Well, Hello Daphne" James spoke up, in a dramatic tone "Good to see you Daphne…come on Greengrass, where's the love for me?"

"I have none to give Badger" Daphne smiled sweetly

"Cold, Greengrass, very cold" James chuckled softly "So, why are you outside this place?"

"You'll see" Daphne replied

Before James or Harry could say anything, a young girl came out of the store, an ice cream in hand and an adorable smile on her face. She looked a lot like Daphne, except her hair was jet black, and had doe-like brown eyes.

"Took you long enough" Daphne sighed "What took you so long?"

"They had so many choices for flavours" The girl replied "I couldn't decide"

Daphne sighed once more, before she turned back to Harry and James.

"Harry, James, I would like to introduce my sister, Astoria" She said "Astoria, this is James Badger and Harry Potter"

"So its true!" Astoria said, whilst eating her ice cream "You two are really her friends…I thought she was making it up"

W-why would you think she would be making it up?" Harry asked

"You can never be sure with Daffy" Astoria shrugged

"I'm sorry, but…'Daffy'?" James asked, a look of amusement on his face

"It's a nickname I gave for her when I was younger" Astoria smiled

"Don't get any ideas Badger!" Daphne warned, which caused James to raise his hands in mock surrender, before she turned back to Astoria "Do you want to head to the book store, I want to catch up with these two"

"Wow, you just want to get rid of me" Astoria accused "Fine, see you in a bit"

The Trio watched as Astoria walked off, still eating her ice cream.

"So that was Astoria" James said "I like her"

"Don't even think about it James!" Daphne said "I already have Astoria making jokes and playful ribbing, I don't need you joining in"

"Okay, fine" James sighed

"I must say she isn't what I was expecting" Harry spoke up, ignoring his friends antics "she is very different to you"

"Yes, we have always been different to one another" Daphne nodded "She has always been more of a hyper child, more immature…I can't say how she will be in future, but I don't think she will ever lose her wild side…anyway, what has gone on with you guys?"

James and Harry looked at each other, before they started to explain everything that happened with Dobby, whilst they started walking towards the book store. Daphne listened with intrigue as they told her about Dobby's warning.

"So, a House Elf that you don't know, doesn't want Harry to go to Hogwarts?" She asked

"Yes" James nodded "He said there is a plot, but wouldn't say what that plot was…I would inform the DMLE about it, but seeing as we don't know what the plot is, I don't think they can do anything, so I've got Jinx keeping an eye out for him, in case he comes back"

"That's all you can do right now" Daphne nodded, just as they came up to the store.

They took notice of the sign outside. On it was a moving picture of a man with golden curly hair, blue eyes and dressed in some elegant robes, doing some kind of movement, before lightning struck behind him. Above the picture were two large words, in black letters: MAGICAL ME!

"Who is he?" Harry asked

"Gilderoy Lockhart" Daphne replied "He is apparently our Defence Professor this year…and from what I have seen, he has used his own books as the curriculum for all years"

"Dear lord, how egotistical could you be?" James sighed "Let's just get our books and leave"

Harry and Daphne nodded as they went inside. The store was jam packed with witches and wizards, each one holding books by Lockhart. Apparently he will be signing books. They tried squeezing their way through, when they came across the Twins, along with a younger girl with long, fiery red hair.

"Oh, Fred, look who it is" George said

"Oh yes, it is the Famous Trio" Fred continued

"We are happy to see you here" They finished in unison

"Same here" Harry smiled "How are you guys?"

"We are good" Fred nodded

"Though we wished we weren't here" George said, looking to the massive crowd

"Not a fan of Lockhart?" Daphne asked

"Mum has been going on about him for days" George sighed

"She has a bit of a thing for him" Fred continued

"Oh, this is also our sister" George said, as he remembered the third member that was with them "Harry, Daphne, this is Ginny"

"H-Hi" She said, looking at Harry nervously

"How are you Ginny?" James asked

"I-I'm good" She replied "Just…a little bit nervous…I'm starting my First Year"

"Oh god, why are you here?" A voice interrupted

The group turned to see Ron approaching them, looking at the Trio in disgust.

"I thought it was obvious Weasley" James replied "We are shopping for our school supplies"

"Why are you talking to my family?" He demanded

"Well, like it or not Ron, the Twins are our friends" Harry spoke up, as he has had enough of the red head already "So back off"

Ron opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted when a man spoke up.

"Ladies and Gentleman, I am glad to introduce, Gilderoy Lockhart"

The groups attention was now on the front of the store, as everyone began cheering. After a few seconds, Lockhart entered through a door, dressed in bright blue robes, his curly hair golden blond, blue eyes sparkling and he was smiling, flashing the whitest teeth known to man. Harry looked at the man with a bewildered look, whilst Daphne rolled her eyes and James gagged at the sight. Lockhart smiled as a photographer took his picture, where he noticed a boy with a certain scar on his forehead.

"It can't be Harry Potter" He said, causing everyone to turn his way

Before Harry could do anything, the photographer grabbed him and placed him next to Lockhart, who immediatley put his arm around him.

"Smile for the camera Harry, together, you and I could easily make the front page" He said, waiting for the next photo to be taken before addressing the crowd "Ladies and Gentleman, what an extraordinary moment this is…Harry is here today in Flourish and Blotts, to purchase my autobiography Magical Me"

The crowd clapped and cheered for Harry, except James and Daphne, who knew this was untrue.

"Which, incidentally is celebrating its 27th week on top of the Daily Prophets best sellers page" Lockhart continued "Though, he had no idea that he will, in fact, be leaving with my entire written works…free of charge"

Harry was just stunned at everything was going on, he didn't even react when he was given a bunch of books, before another photo was taken and was allowed to leave. He was able to make it back through the crowd and back to the others in one piece.

"I can't believe that" He said

"Well look on the bright side" James said, "You don't have to pay for Defence books this year"

Harry just glared at James, before he called for Jinx, asking her to take the books back to his room, not wanting to carry them around all day. After Jinx popped away, the Trio went out, to grab the other books they will need for the year, when they were interrupted by Malfoy, who appeared from who knows where.

"Bet you loved that didn't you Potter!" He snarled "The famous Harry Potter, who can't even walk into a book shop, without making the front page!"

"Leave him alone!" Ginny said, who had been following Harry around, for some reason

Malfoy looked at Ginny for a moment, before looking back to Harry with an amused look on his face.

"Oh look Potter, you've got a girlfriend" He said

He was interrupted, when he felt the head of a cane tap him on the shoulder, which caused him to stop in a mix of shock and fear. Harry looked to see a man, who he guessed to be his father. He was dressed in an elegant, jet black suit, with long bleach blonde hair. Harry also noticed the head of his cane was shaped like a snake.

"Now, now Draco" He said, silkily "Play nicely…well, Mr Potter…I am pleased to meet you, I am Lucius Malfoy"

He extended his hand to Harry, who looked at his hand for a moment, before he reluctantly took it, before he was pulled in closer.

"Forgive me" Lucius said, as he used his cane to push away the strands of hair currently covering his scar "Your scar is legendary…as was the wizard who gave it to you"

"Voldemort killed my parents!" Harry said, which caused Lucius to let go of him "He was nothing more than a murderer!"

"Well…you must be very brave to speak his name" Lucius said

"Well, Harry is braver then most" James spoke up

"Ahh…Mr Badger" Lucius said, in a forced politeness "How are you?"

"Oh, I am well thank you very much" James smirked "I am surprised you are here though…last I heard you were away on business"

"It ended quicker then I was expecting" Lucius replied, before he grabbed Draco's arm "Come Draco, we have places to be"

Harry watched as the two of them left, feeling more then confused. He looked at James, who just shrugged slightly, before he went back to looking for the necessary books.

Lucius left, still holding Draco's arm, fuming inside. He hoped to sneak the diary into the pockets of one of the Weasley children, but Badger just had to be there. He knew he had to get out of there, before he did something he shouldn't. He would have to risk sneaking the diary into their pockets on the platform, whilst the children were going to Hogwarts. He supposed he could wait just a bit longer.

It was later in the day, the alley almost empty, where Harry and James were heading back, to use the floo to head back home. They had now finished their shopping and had said goodbye to Daphne, who left along with Astoria. In all honesty, he was glad to leave. That girl, Ginny was bothering him slightly. There was something about her staring that made him uneasy. Also, there was something else bothering him. Something he wanted to ask James about:

"James…what was it with Lucius Malfoy?" He asked "He seemed to be restraining himself"

James looked at Harry for a moment, before he looked around to make sure no one would overhear, before he sighed.

"I guess I can tell you" He said "The Badgers and The Malfoys have always been at each other's necks…however, it wouldn't be until the early 1800's when the Lord of the Malfoy Family, Atticus Malfoy, will try to kill the Lord of the Badger Family, Tiberius Badger…thankfully, he survived…when they attended the next Wizengamot Meeting, Tiberius Badger would declare that if any member of the Malfoy Family try to kill or harm a member of the Badger Family again, then the Badgers will declare a Blood Feud against the Malfoys"

"A Blood Feud?" Harry asked

"Yes, a Blood Feud is an Oath to destroy another House" James explained "And, considering the Badgers have more money than the Malfoys and the Badgers have some dark Family Magic, the Malfoys wouldn't last long…because of this, Lucius and Draco have to walk on eggshells, around me"

"Do you think they will do something to make you declare the Blood Feud?" Harry asked

"Lucius, no" James replied "Draco, most likely…though, I can't imagine it will happen, but you can never be too sure"

Harry wasn't entirely sure what to think about that. It seems, the more he gets to know James, the more pieces of the puzzle get solved. Just what other secrets did he have.

Across the country, Dobby kept himself hidden, as he began planning. He had a feeling that Harry Potter wouldn't listen to his warnings, so he would have to do something to convince him to leave. His bad master had arrived home not too long ago, so he knew he had to do something and quickly.

There we are guys, I hope you enjoyed.

I kept the interactions between Harry and Dobby fairly similar to canon. I am unsure where I will go with his character, but I have a few ideas. Before you ask about it, James and Daphne will not know Dobby because, they either haven't been to one of the Malfoys parties, or they have been to a party, but the Malfoys had their 'servants' kept hidden away from the guests, knowing their bigotry.

We have also had the official introductions to both Astoria Greengrass and Ginny Weasley. They will become a part of the friend group, along with other characters. Whether they will remain as just friends, or become something more to James or Harry is still up in the air. We have also had the introduction to Gilderoy Lockhart. When writing this fanfiction, I almost made him a competent wizard, who isn't a fraud like he is in canon, but chose to keep his story close to canon in the end. Maybe some other time.

We also now know, why Draco is afraid of James. What did you think. I wasn't sure if it was too early to reveal it yet, but I felt it was the right time. I will admit, it was only recently when I had an idea, as when starting the fanfiction I didn't have the backstory for why Draco was afraid of James just yet. This was a recent development. I have seen fanfics, where Blood Feuds played a part to the story and I thought it would work well here. So, what do you think? Will James go through with the Blood feud? Give me your theories as to what you think might happen and how it will play out.

Pairing Poll results, so far:

James/Pansy: 2 James/Harry: 4 Harry/Susan: 6 James/Daphne: 5 James/Tonks: 3 Harry/Fleur: 2 Harry/Tonks: 2 James/Luna: 3 James/Astoria: 2 Harry/Daphne: 2 Harry/Astoria: 0 Harry/Ginny: 0

As you can see, there have been more votes to the poll. A Harry/Susan pairing and James/Daphne pairing are the most popular, so far, which is surprising. Poll will still be up for some time, so feel free to vote. I also see the Harry/Astoria and Harry/Ginny pairings don't seem to have any love, which I guess is understandable, but maybe that will change at some point.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one.

Badger out.