Here you are my lovelies!
Another chapter for your reading pleasure!
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"We need your help Luna." Harry said, his arms instinctively tightening around his girlfriend.
"Yes Harry." The small blonde girl said, nodding. "The eagle must keep watch over her lions." She said in her usual dreamy manner. Her eyes met Harry's and sharpened, wisdom beyond her years reflected there. "You need to leave and soon. Stay no longer than it takes to collect what is yours; to stay even until the morning would be a terrible miscalculation. The head of the pride is already on the hunt for the two of you."
"McGonegall." Hermione said softly, worry lacing that single word.
"Yes." Luna said. "But you must listen. Go directly to the goblins. There are things you need to be aware of, things that you will not believe of me but must see with your own eyes. Trust only Neville and the goblins outside of the castle. Take Dobby with you and keep him close. It is known that you hold affection for him and he would be killed to draw you out. While at Gringotts many new truths will be revealed to you but it is imperative that you do not linger there. Learn what you must, collect what you need, then go. You MUST be out of Diagon Alley by sunrise. Do you understand Harry?"
"Yes Luna, be gone from Diagon by sunrise." The boy replied.
"Exactly. Any longer and you will face exposure. Under no circumstances are you to go to Longbottom Manor as Neville's Gran would turn you over to the ministry." At that she paused only to send an apologetic look at the boy in question. "Stay away from Grimmauld Place. Dumbledore has traps all inside and about it and the wards are tied to him. You must go to the place of ancient snakes, of darkness and shadow. You will know it when you see it, it is in your blood if only you would have it tested and open yourself." She finished. "Hurry now, it is nearly twilight and you must be gone from this place before true night has set."
"Thank you Luna." Harry said, still trying to digest all that the blonde girl had said. "Dobby!"
With a loud crack the tiny elf appeared next to the coffee table. "Mister Harry Potter Sir! Dobby is being finished!" With a snap of his fingers two trunks appeared by the door. "Dobby is so happy to help Mister Harry Potter Sir!" the tiny creature squealed excitedly.
"Thank you for your help Dobby but I need a couple more things from you. Neville will be leaving with us, can you pack for him and fix his bed as well?" Harry asked hopefully.
"Oh Mister Harry Potter Sir! Dobby is being thinking yous Nevvie is leaving to and already dids his packing and his beds." And with another snap a third trunk appeared.
"Well done Dobby, thank you so much. Now, I have an offer for you." The raven-haired teen said anxiously. "I know you enjoy being a free elf but how would you like to be my elf? I would still give you one week off a month and your current wages, more if you wanted it. Soon there will be a baby and we are in danger, I need someone I can trust to help with the baby."
As Harry's words tumbled from his mouth, he could see the look on Dobby's face, tears started pouring from his bulbous eyes. "Oh Mister Harry Potter Sir! Dobby would bes honored to be your elf, Sir!"
"I'm so glad you accept Dobby." Harry said a relieved smile blossoming over his face. "How do I bind you to me, Dobby? I've heard that house elves are bound to their masters but never how."
Neville cleared his throat before Dobby could answer. "You have to bind with blood, Harry." He answered. "I know this is going to sound barbaric but to bind a new elf to a family, you have to slice open your palm and press it to their foreheads. They are magical creatures and it will absorb into them and your blood becomes part of theirs."
Harry blanched and looked down at Dobby, very well aware that his girlfriend was just short of seething next to him. He squeezed her hip, silently begging her to trust him. "Are you okay with that Dobby?"
"Master Harry Potter, yes!" The little elf squawked. "Dobby would be most honored to be bound to the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter!"
At that Luna stepped forward, knife in hand. As she passed it to Harry she whispered. "Hurry! The shadows descend upon us. Do this and run to the goblins. They will handle all else."
Harry nodded, grasping the knife in his left hand and taking a deep breath. Quickly and firmly he sliced along his right palm, blood welling up over his skin. As quickly as possible he pressed his hand against the little elf's forehead. The moment blood douched leathery grey flesh magic swirled up around them, bright and pure, a visible sign of the binding. "I, Harry James Potter, bind thee Dobby with my blood. To serve me and my house all the days of your life until death take you or your master release you." As the words ended the glow faded and Harry could feel the blood that had been between their skin soak into the little creature. Slowly he pulled his hand back and wasn't really surprised to see the wound healed, leaving only a small scar.
"Thank you Master Harry Potter Sir." Dobby said, bowing deeply.
"Thank you Dobby. But now we must go. Can you please shrink the trunks? I will handle getting you a new uniform when we are safely away."
"Yes Master." The elf said happily.
Harry stood and moved over to Luna. "Be safe and stay quiet about your association. If they know they will hurt you to get to me." He said softly.
"I know what to do Harry. I will walk amongst the shadows and find those who will stand by you. Trust no one unless they come to you through me." She said sharply. "But now you must go big brother."
He smiled down at her and kissed the top of her head. "Be well little sister." He replied.
Turning back around he saw Dobby slip the last shrunken trunk into a pocked on his pillow case. "Dobby can you apparate the three of us to Gringotts?"
"Of course Master." He said excitedly, reaching out his arms. Neville and Hermione too his little hands and harry firmly wrapped a hand around his upper arm and just like that, they were gone from the Hogwarts grounds.