Chapter 38: Dragons and Elves

Albus had escorted Ollivander to the front gates and bid him a fond farewell before he decided to head back up to his office and finish what felt like the millionth letter to the Ministry. Albus had searched and searched, but he had come up empty for trying to find some kind of loophole or any other way to get Harry out of this mess.

He felt tired and weak as he collapsed into his comforting seat… though his mood didn't change one bit after he heard a disturbing bit of news about one member of his own staff.

He heard a great deal of complaints about Severus lately, but this finally topped them all and made even someone as patience as him seethe with anger. He had heard how terrible the Slytherins have been treating Harry—as if punishing him for something he had no control over. He had tried again and again to talk to Severus about controlling his students, but either he wasn't listening, or didn't care for it only continued to happen.

He had seen the Slytherins walk around with SUPPORT CEDRIC DIGGORY badges and knew that those would only serve to make things even worse. And as he thought, they only served to pull the school apart and caused more diversity than ever. But what he heard today drew the line.

"He called Granger a Mudblood again!" Dilys said in outrage. "I swear that Malfoy boy has to be one of the worst, spoiled children I've ever seen!"

"Perhaps you just heard wrong," Phineas suggested coolly.

Albus ignored Phineas and asked what happened before Dilys could shriek insults at him.

"Malfoy insulted Hermione and Harry seemed to have snapped," she informed him. Albus nodded thoughtfully, knowing just how much more important Hermione's friendship was to Harry seeing that she was one of the only few who believed him. And with Ron now refusing to talk to him, Harry would become more protective over her, and all this anger he was forced to bear could've have been helping.

"Harry and Malfoy both tried to curse each other. Harry's spell hit Goyle and Malfoy's spell hit Hermione. Snape told Goyle to go up to the hospital wing," Dilys then said.

"What did he do?" Albus asked in concern.

"Grew fungi on his face," she said angrily. "But do you know what Snape said to Hermione? She was hit with a growing charm and her teeth started to grow and he said that he saw no difference. She then went running off to the hospital crying!"

Albus felt his anger grow towards Severus at those words. "I will have a word about this to Severus," he said coldly, and the temperature in the room dropped. "Showing favoritism I cannot stop, but when he treats the students like this…"

"And when Harry and Ron started yelling at him, he took fifty points and detention for them both," she went on.

"I had wondered that when I passed the hourglasses," Albus nodded tightly. He knew that Severus's dislike towards the trio had only grown since Sirius's escape last year, but to take it out on Remus was bad enough. "Anything else?" he asked, determined to get every detail.

"Not if you count that Potter got a letter from Black after the Weighing of the Wands today," she told him at last. "Said that he wants to talk to him through the fire in Gryffindor Tower at one in the morning on the 22nd of November?"

Albus groaned. He should've known that Sirius would pull something like this. He quickly fished out a quill and wrote a letter quickly informing him of the danger he will be in and try to talk him out of it—though his hopes weren't high. Once Sirius had decided to do something, no one and nothing can stop him. But he had to try.

Once he was finished, he handed the message to Fawkes and told him to bring it to Sirius immediately. Albus watched until Fawkes became a fireball and disappeared before he ran a tired hand through his beard. He was getting to old for this.

*Couple weeks later*

Albus had a lot to worry about for the next two weeks. The first task was drawing steadily nearer; and the idea that a fourteen-year-old was going up against a dragon unnerved him to say the least. Harry seemed as nervous as well—which he should. Albus would've been concerned if Harry hadn't been.

Another thing was Sirius. He had received a message from the fugitive telling him that he needed to see Harry with his own eyes and nothing that Albus could say would change his mind. But he had promised that he would be careful. Now that he was free, he wasn't going to back to Azkaban anytime soon.

So Albus had suggested a wizarding house whose occupants, he knew, would be out that night, but he clearly told Sirius to make it quick.

His portraits had also informed him about Harry and Hermione's plans to drop a bag of Dungbombs should anyone else be in the common room that night. While he figured that it was a good idea, he hoped that it wouldn't be necessary.

But for now, Harry was going through an even tougher time in the castle all thanks to Rita Skeeter. She had published her piece about the Triwizard Tournament, who merely wrote an article that was filled with nothing but lies and humiliate the poor boy.

She once again twisted everything that a person said and now Harry was going out of his way to hide from the rest of the school. From the moment the article had come out, Harry had been forced to hear insults, sneering comments, and tears of laughter whenever he had to walk past them.

Hermione was there with him, constantly telling him to ignore it—but Albus knew that was easier said than done. Ron still wasn't talking to him, the school mocked him, and now he was forced to endure the prophet as well as the tournament. Desperate to do something, he had banned Rita from ever coming onto the grounds again. But it did little good.

To his relief, he heard that Harry was going to Hogsmeade with Hermione on Saturday, but he would also be going under his cloak. Personally, he thought that it would be good for him to get out of the castle and not have to worry about anyone giving him a hard time. Though he felt sorry for Hermione as well. He had a feeling that her friends not speaking to each other hadn't been easy for her either.

The three of them were strongest as a team, and with them divided like this almost broke his heart. He hoped that they would make up soon…

However, later on that day, he learned something very strange when Dexter reported back to him.

"Hagrid wants Harry to what?" he asked, wondering if he heard wrong.

"He wants him to meet him at midnight at his hut," he reported with a shrug. "Some timing eh? The same night that Black wants to meet him and everything."

"It might make him late for Sirius if he goes," Albus said anxiously. "Is he going?"

"He says that he's going to check real quick," Dexter said with a shrug. "Hagrid's never asked him to do so before and he thought that it would be important. Dumbledore, what is it about?"

Albus however had a feeling what it was about… though he pretended not to have the slightest clue as he went down to breakfast.

*The next day*

Albus had awoken early the next day only for Dexter to tell him what Harry saw last night. And as he thought, Hagrid had seen the dragons.

"Should've known that oaf would break the rules and help Potter cheat," Phineas said in his usual drawing voice.

"Phineas," Albus told him warningly. "Harry had no idea what Hagrid was showing him… so he wasn't cheating… more like… he found out by accident."

Phineas snorted. "Sure makes excuses for him, you always do. And who's to say that he didn't ask Hagrid to show him before hand?"

"You are determined to hate him, Phineas," Albus smiled back. "Even if you think it's cheating, it's still an honored part of the tournament. Besides, I'm sure that Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime have told their champions by now. It would only be a matter of time until they found out…" But in truth, he was glad of this. Harry needed all the help that he could get just to survive the first task and knowing beforehand was good.

"But now… it looks like the only person who doesn't know is Cedric…" he muttered to himself.

"That hardly seems fair," Dilys said worriedly. "You don't suppose you could drop in a little hint for him as well?"

"Don't you start now!" Phineas yelled at her.

Albus interrupted the fighting and asked, "Did Sirius say anything?"

"Yes," Dexter said at once. "Harry spilled his guts out to Black. Told him everything that was bothering him… how no one believed him in the tournament, how everyone is giving him a hard time, even about Ron… that's when he told him about the dragons Hagrid showed him."

Albus felt conflicted. While he was glad that Harry finally had someone he felt he could turn to, a part of him was also feeling slightly jealous. He blinked in surprise. Why was he feeling that way? He gave his head a little shake before he simply told them to continue to watch Harry and report anything they find and how his progress was going. But after he left his office, he concluded that he was working too hard and that his anxiety for a child to be in the tournament was just getting to him.

But for some reason, those feelings didn't go away completely even long after he went to bed that night.

*A couple days later*

He had watched Harry and Hermione spend endless hours in the library pouring over every book on dragons they could find. It wasn't going to be easy. While dragon skin can resist most spells, while only some spells can affect dragons if aimed at the right spot, or if cast by several people at once.

The Conjunctivitus Curse for example… or a Stunning Spell however only multiple wizards casting it would have any effect… there was no telling what any of the champions would do. But he heard with great pride that Harry had told Cedric about them the very next day.

"Caused Diggory's bag to split and just walked right up to him and told him about the dragons when everyone else left," Everard smirked.

"That was very noble of him," Albus said smiling.

"Actually, I think that Harry just thought it was unfair that Cedric wasn't having nightmares like the rest of them," he teased and Albus laughed, though it was a little forced.

"So now they all know," Albus said, feeling a slight relief. But knowing about the dragons was the easy part. They still have to get past them.

"Yeah," Everard spoke up. And he also looked relieved. "And that was when Mad-Eye appeared."

Albus frowned. "What happened?" he asked worried, wondering what his old friend had done now.

"Took him to his office and gave the boy some advice," Everard shrugged.

"Oh?" Albus asked raising his eyebrows. "And what, pray tell, did he say?"

"He talked a little bit about how human you are, Dumbledore," he smirked.

Albus really did laugh at that. "Yes, Alastor has gone out of his way to remind people that I am human and far from infallible."

"He came right out and told Harry how to get past the dragons… well almost," Everard went on.

Albus felt his jaw drop. "What?"

"Well, he told Potter that he had strengths if he said he did," he said with a shrug. "And reminded Potter how good he was at Quidditch."

"Which means…" Albus said slowly, and then he brightened. Flying! Of course, Harry was going to fly. But in order to do so he needed his broom which meant… a Summoning Charm! Brilliant! But his happiness was muffled slightly by Alastor's behavior. That wasn't like him at all. He preferred to push people to their limits to see how well they did, but to give them a hint like that?

That concerned him a little. But other than that, Alastor wasn't acting any differently than normal. Sure, maybe a little less talkative, but he never was very social. He sighed and pushed those thoughts out of his mind for the moment.

So he had his portraits keep a close eye on Harry for the next day—and he was relieved to hear that he and Hermione had been practicing the charm for hours, but it wasn't until far past after midnight when they informed him that Harry finally got hang of it did Albus feel that he could get some sleep.

*The First Task*

Albus felt terrible the next day as he silently changed into his best robes and went down for his breakfast. However he didn't eat much as he sat there, mostly picking at his food. His eyes kept flying to each of the champions, trying to see how they were doing. None of them seemed to be hungry either as they also picked at their food. Not that he blamed them in the slightest.

After breakfast and the rest of the students went off to classes—the task wouldn't start until after lunch—Albus went down to the arena where the dragons would soon be dragged out. While he had helped put up a few Protective Charms on the stands to prevent any misfire hitting the students, Minerva had appeared at his side looking pale and worried.

"Albus?" she said anxiously. "I know that Potter has pulled off many amazing things since he has been here… but this? Isn't there… You can't really…?" she seemed unable to find the right words to express how scared she was for her student.

Albus sighed as he put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I know," he said sadly. "Believe me, Minerva, I'm not any happier about this than you are. But something tells me that Harry'll do fine today. I've been keeping a close watch on him, and I think that he might have a plan. But… please, go and retrieve him once the task is about to begin. I think that he'll need as much support as we can give him."

She looked as if she wanted to say more, but if she did, she didn't bother. Probably because she knew that there wasn't anything she could do about it this time. So instead, she nodded and headed back up to the castle—though Albus could've sworn that she was wringing her hands together and looked ready to cry.

Once Albus had made sure that everything was ready, he joined the rest of the judges and took their seats as Charlie Weasley and the other dragon handlers got ready to bring out the first dragon.

He took his seat as the hundreds of students began to make their way to their seats, laughing, shrieking, and talking animatedly about what they were about to see. And when the flow of people slowed, Albus waited, as the feelings of anxiety began to rise up within him.

"You seem nervous, Dumbledore," Ludo said happily as he leaned in to talk to him.

"Of course I would be anxious, Ludo," Albus said surprisingly cold, now feeling distinctly, annoyed by Ludo's air of excitement. "Not only is one of my students here for the task, I have two. And one of my younger students has to unwillingly battle a dragon in a tournament that he didn't willingly enter."

But he might've just been talking to the table for all the good it did. He wasn't even sure that Ludo even heard him and he got up and said that he would go and check on the champions. He grabbed the bag that held the statues of the dragons and the order and went running off towards the champion's tent.

Albus took off his glasses and rubbed his exhausted eyes. How that man became Head of a Department, he'll never know.

Finally, once everyone was seated and everything was ready, Albus heard the whistle blown, signaling the start of the first task. Ludo had come running out, almost bouncing on the balls of his feet and once again, Albus felt the urge to curse him.

But that was quickly extinguished as the handlers dragged out the first dragon and the students all screamed in horror, shock, and amazement. And the one feeling that had been in his heart since Halloween returned in full.

Albus was afraid. He wasn't ashamed to admit that. The four champions have to get past a different dragon each. A Chinese Fireball, Swedish Short-Snout, Common Welsh Green, and a Hungarian Horntail… and to make them even more dangerous, they were nesting mothers. Each has a golden egg that they are protecting as well as their own… and it's the egg the champions have to retrieve.

Ludo whipped out his wand, directed it at his own throat, and said, "Sonorus!" He was ready to commentate, though Albus knew that this would only serve to distract and make things worse for the champions just as the dragon was released and the handlers quickly fled to safety, though ready to leap into action should need arise.

The Swedish Short-Snout snorted rings of smoke as her silvery blue scales shined in the light as she looked around her nest. She let out a small jet of brilliantly blue flames in warning towards all the people around her—as if daring them to come any nearer.

Albus knew that those blue flames were hot enough to reduce timber and bone to ashes in seconds. And is one of the most dangerous species due to its agile flying as well as its hot flames. However, it is also much less agile on the ground because of its lack of forward limbs.

Albus wondered which dragon Harry'd gotten; though silently hoped that Harry didn't get the Horntail. He swallowed nervously as the whistle blew and Cedric Diggory came out.

For a moment, it looked as if Cedric had frozen when he came face-to-face with the dragon, but a split second later, he turned his wand onto a large rock on the ground and suddenly, a large black, Labrador was there.

Albus leaned forward and watched as the dragon went after the dog with a bout of fire, but missed.

"Oooh, narrow miss there, very narrow…" Ludo screamed as the frustrated dragon took a solitary step from her eggs, flapping her wings angrily. Albus could hear the crowd screaming; hear Ludo's voice, louder than them all, though he can't discern what he said as his eyes stayed on Cedric.

The Hufflepuff ran in the opposite direction of the dog, and try to get a good view of what the dog is doing. On the other side of the arena, the Lab was trying to play with the dragon, running in circles then darting off when it thought the dragon might chase him.

"He's taking risks, this one!" Ludo then yelled as Cedric crept closer to the nest and Albus was praying the dog would keep the Short-Snout at bay long enough for Cedric to get the egg. But then a burst of flame hit the ground to close to the dog, and he ran off in Cedric's direction.

Cedric noticed this as well and took this moment to bolt for the egg, but too late! The Short-Snout roared, furious, and took off into the air, flapping its wings and turning her attention onto Cedric. Albus watched as Cedric ran, dived, and ducked out of the way of the flames, to his horror, Cedric raised his arm to protect himself just as the dragon's flame missed his head by a feet.

"Clever move - pity it didn't work!" and Albus wondered if he could get away with stunning Ludo and shutting him up.

Albus could smell burning hair on the air and he could see that Cedric was burned as he made a run for it. Albus was so close to getting up and putting a stop to it when just at that moment, Cedric reached the nest and scoop up the golden egg with his unburned hand. Cedric rolled away from the rest of the eggs silvery-colored eggs, hugging the golden one to his chest as he ducked, landing on his burnt side.

And then she was restrained as the handlers came charging out and stunned her, getting ready to quickly move her. Albus hear the crowd screaming louder than ever, though he kept his eyes on Cedric, who picked himself off the ground, and Pomona Sprout came running towards him from the stands looking as white as a ghost.

"Very good indeed! And now the marks from the judges!" Ludo shouted over the crowd and Albus felt the need to shake him. Cedric was burned by a dragon, they shouldn't make him stand there in pain any longer than necessary! But Cedric looked barely able to stand as he continued to hold onto the egg and was being supported by Pomona as they looked at them.

The judges all shot up their scores. A seven from Madame Maxime, an eight from Barty, and Albus sent an eight as well just as Ludo shot up a nine… finally, Karkaroff shots six into the air.

Albus shook his head at Igor, but was relieved as he watched Pomona lead Cedric towards the medical tent. Albus sighed as he watched the handlers removed the Short-Snout and returned minutes later with the smaller green one with smooth scales. The Common Welsh Green.

This dragon is a relatively subdued breed compared to most. It prefers to avoid human contact altogether if possible. The Welsh Green's roar was rather distinctive and somewhat melodious as it was dragged out and it's earthy brown eggs that were flecked with green had replaced the Short-Snouts eggs this time.

"One down, three to go!" Ludo yelled as the whistle blew again. "Miss Delacour, if you please!"

Albus bit his lower lip. So Fleur got the Welsh Green… though, there's still the Fireball. He kept hoping that Harry would come next… the Horntail was the worst of them all for the youngest champion.

Fleur came out with her wand held tightly in her hands as she stared up at the dragon. For a moment she and the dragon just stared at each other and suddenly she raised her wand and shouted something.

A jet of silvery-green light had hit the dragon dead in the eyes and suddenly her eyes became slightly hazy. So Fleur was trying to put it into a Bewitched Sleep was she? That is a very difficult spell… and would normally have to be placed on a dragon several times before it begins to even show signs of dozing off.

Madame Maxime seemed to have realized this as well and she shifted in her seat uncomfortably as she watched her student run around the arena. "Oh I'm not sure that was wise!" Ludo shouted as Fleur dodged a jet of fire and was running around the dragon, shooting the same spell over and over again at her eyes.

She had been able to keep this up longer than Cedric had taken, continuing to duck behind rocks and boulders whenever the dragon roared, not daring dodge out any longer than she had to. "Oh… nearly! Careful now…" this time Ludo was right. Finally, the spell seemed to be taking effect and the dragon slowly began to sway slightly, as if tired.

Albus held his breath as she cast the spell one last time and the dragon slowly sank to its knees as she closed her eyes… not completely asleep but no longer aware of what was going on around her.

Fleur took this chance to run up and ducked under the dragon's wing; she had quickly made to pull the egg from the others… but just at that moment, the dragon let out a loud snore and fire shot out. Fleur screamed and ducked just in time but her skirt had caught fire. It took her about three seconds for her to realize that she was burning and she screamed even louder as she fumbled for her wand.

" good lord, I thought she'd had it then!" Ludo shouted as she dosed herself with a stream of water. Soaking wet, she grabbed the egg and ran from the sleeping dragon as fast as she could go. Albus could hear Madame Maxime sigh in relief as he applauded loudly, deeply impressed.

Fleur stood in front of the judges holding the egg to her as if it was her firstborn and they all put up their scores. She smiled brightly and Albus looked to Madame Maxime to see she was smiling proudly. She was then hurried off to the medical tent to ensure that she had no injuries as the team of wizards went out to drag the resting dragon away.

'Three down… only two to go… please let Harry be next…' he thought to himself.

"And here comes Mr. Krum!" at those words, Albus felt terror take root. That means that Harry's last with the dreaded Horntail. Why was he surprised? He should've guessed this with Harry's luck. Viktor Krum then slouched out just the Chinese Fireball had been pulled out.

The Chinese Fireball's scarlet and smooth scaled flashed in the sunlight as her fringe of golden spikes around her face swayed whenever she turned her head. She was angry… the mushroom-shaped flames coming from her nostrils was proof of that. Albus hoped that Cedric was feeling creative… for Chinese Fireballs are some of the fastest and cleverest of all dragons. The Fireball crotched down low over her crimson and gold eggs as she looked down at Viktor—as though she was daring him to try anything. As if he had this planned, Viktor went charging forward as if he wasn't afraid at all. "Very daring!" Ludo screamed.

Viktor raised his wand and shot a jet of red-orange light straight at the dragon's head. Almost at once, the dragon let out a horrible, roaring shriek of pain and everyone gasped as it shut her eyes and tossing her head wildly from side to side. The Conjunctivitis Charm…

The dragon roared and went trampling around in distress, trying to see, shooting off mushroom-haped balls of fire whenever it could, Viktor took shelter behind a boulder as the dragon's crushing weight was dragged over the nest. Albus could see that several of the real eggs were cracked.

After some time, Viktor seemed to have gathered up his courage and went charging straight towards what remained of the nest while the Fireball was trying to get its sight back. "That's some nerve he's showing - and - yes, he's got the egg!" Ludo screamed and Igor clapped loudly as the dragon keepers went out to gather up the remaining eggs and to deal with the distressed Fireball.

The judges were supposed to take off points for any damage towards the eggs and most of them gave up reasonable scores. All except for Karkaroff who, predictably, shot up a ten. The crowd clapped as Albus turned to see the large black dragon that now stood there—the crowd screamed louder than ever before. He watched numbly as the twelve wizards struggled with the Horntail. It truly was menacing, with her black scales, yard-long bronze spikes on its scaly tail, and bronze horns protruding from its head. Its cold yellow eyes glared at the crowd as it let out a roar of disapproval and stretched its monstrous leathery wings.

She let out fire that turned the stone under her feet red-hot in just a few seconds, warning the handlers to get away from her cement-colored eggs.

Without a doubt, the most dangerous dragon breed out there.

Biting his lower lip, he turned to the entrance to where Harry would be coming out any second. When the whistle blew for the final time, Albus saw Harry emerged and walked into the enclosure as if toward his execution. He entered, glancing toward the Horntail almost frozen with shock. The dragon looked down at him as if trying to figure out what he was here for and Albus saw its yellow eyes narrow hungrily. He looked back just in time to see Harry raising his wand and shouting something what he knew would be, "Accio Firebolt!"

Albus's hands clenched tightly. Hoping and praying that the spell worked… and finally after about ten seconds and the dragon seemed to have figured out that this child wasn't one of its keepers… it came.

He looked up to see the Firebolt soaring towards him and Albus felt hope rise in his chest. No one could beat Harry in the air as the broom stopped right next to him. He smiled as Harry kicked a leg over it and took off flying directly at the dragon. He flew around its huge head, dodging the bursts of fire that the furious Horntail sent his way.

"Great Scott, he can fly!" yelled Ludo as the crowd shrieked and gasped. "Are you watching this, Mr. Krum?"

Harry soared higher in a circle; the Horntail was still following his progress; refusing to take her eyes off him. Harry dove just as the Horntail opened its mouth, but while Harry dodged the fire, the Horntail's horrendous spikes caught Harry's arm and he plummeted, blood forming a red patch on his sleeve. He heard screaming and groans from the crowd but he ignored them as he continued to watch, scared to look away.

Harry had flown a little farther away, she continued to watch him, writhed and twisted, furling and unfurling her wings and keeping her yellow eyes on Harry, refusing to leave her eggs… He flew higher.

Harry rose a few more feet, and she let out a roar of exasperation. Harry was acting the part of annoying fly, and finally, exasperated, the dragon spread its enormous black wings and flew at him. But Harry was too quick, however, and made a spectacular dive underneath the dragon and his hand closed around the Golden Egg. And with a huge spurt of speed, he took off as quickly as possible as the handlers went running out to subdue the dragon.

Albus let out the breath he hadn't known he'd been holding in relief. It was over…

"Look at that!" he heard Ludo yell. "Will you look at that! Our youngest champion is quickest to get his egg! Well, this is going to shorten the odds on Mr. Potter!"

Albus turned to see Minerva, Hagrid, and Alastor waving him down. Albus rested his elbows on the table and pressed forehead against his clasped hands, silently thanking whatever deity that answered his prayer.

Albus knew that they had taken him hospital tent, and the crowd would wait until he returned before he would be able to get his scores. Ludo Bagman was beaming around—almost dancing with exhilaration as Madame Maxime was grudgingly acknowledging Harry's win, as for Karakoff… well, he continued to wear a scowl as if disappointed that Harry had done it.

He leaned back in his seat as he and the others waited—feeling as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He sat back and enjoyed a conversation with Barty until, about ten minutes later, Harry and Ron Weasley were coming towards them. Ron was talking animatedly to Harry, and Albus smiled, knowing that the two of them finally made up. Good… they just didn't look right without each other

They stood before the table and Madame Maxime put her score… an eight.

"Not bad!" he heard Ron yell over the noise. "I suppose she took marks off for your shoulder…"

Barty came next and he put up a nine and he too put up a nine as well… but when they reached Ludo…

Albus looked over at him in surprise at the number ten, but Ludo just shrugged at him, beaming. But before Albus could ask he heard Ronald yelling furiously at Karkaroff, "What? Four? You lousy, biased scumbag, you gave Krum ten!"

*That night*

Albus was relaxing in his office, feeling more tired than he had in days. But in a good way this time. It was over… at least for now. One task down, only two more to make it through and this was over. Now if only they can go as well as the first… though his exhaustion from the previous weeks were finally taking their toll and he started to doze off where he sat.

At least until two loud CRACKS echoed around his office and Albus sat bolt-upright, half thinking that he was under attack… only to realize that no one was there. Confused, he looked around his seemingly empty office…

And then heard a squeaky voice from the floor, "Professor Dumbledore, sir!"

Albus quickly looked over his desk to see two house-elves standing there, a male and female. The male, he recognized at once as the Malfoy's former elf, Dobby. He was dressed in the strangest assortment of clothes that Albus had ever seen. He was wearing a tea cozy for a hat, on which he had pinned a number of bright badges; a tie patterned with horseshoes over a bare chest, a pair of what looked like children's soccer shorts, and mismatched socks.

He sighed in relief and smiled at them both. "Well, this is a pleasant surprised. You both gave me quite a shock."

Albus then looked to the female elf, and with realization, he saw that it was Winky. Barty's former elf. He frowned slightly as he took in her dirty appearance. While she was dressed in normal clothes that fit her perfect, she looked rather like Mundungus after one of his drinking benders.

"Dobby and Winky?" he questioned politely as Dobby bowed so low that his nose touched the floor.

"Professor Dumbledore, sir!" Dobby said looking up respectfully. "Such an honor it is, sir! Dobby is glad that Dobby could talk to you like this."

Albus chuckled as he leaned back in his seat and started to relax again. "I am glad that we can finally properly speak as well, Dobby," he said smiling at him and Dobby bowed again.

"Professor Dumbledore, sir, Dobby and Winky has come to find work!" Dobby said hopefully as Winky sniffled at his side.

"Oh?" Albus asked interested. "Do tell."

"Well… you see sir," Dobby squeaked, looking at the floor. "Dobby has traveled the country for two whole years, sir, trying to find work! But Dobby hasn't found work, sir, because Dobby wants paying for his now!"

Albus didn't say anything for a moment as he surveyed Dobby over the top of his glasses with a kind smile. The elf just continued to look down however, as if he was afraid that he would get into trouble for saying something like that.

"Ahh, Dobby, and why did you come to Hogwarts looking for work?" Albus asked him curiously.

Dobby made another bow and addressed the carpet, "Ah, sir!" he squeaked. "Dobby has heard that Professor Dumbledore is a great Wizard, and is very kind towards house-elves! Dobby is wanting to be paid for his work and is also wanting Winky to have a job with Dobby!" Dobby told him, but Winky didn't help Dobby by saying anything.

"I see," Albus said looking at Winky who started to cry. "Is that so, Winky? Would you like paying for your work too?"

Winky stopped crying for a moment before she looked up at him miserably. "Winky is a disgraced house-elf!" she squeaked almost wildly. "But Winky will never sink to such a level!"

"Very well," Albus assured her kindly as he looked towards Dobby, who was looking more nervous by the second. "And tell me Dobby. How much would you like to be paid?" Albus asked him, and for a moment, Dobby looked stunned as he stared up at him through his large eyes.

"Sir?" he asked slowly and Albus laughed. "Oh, yes, I think that we could do with a couple more house-elves around here. And if you wish to be paid, then I will be more than happy to do so."

Dobby broke into a wide smile and bowed low again. "Oh, thank you sir! This means so much to Dobby sir! Dobby cannot tell you!"

"Now," he asked as he folded his hands together and surveyed him. "How much would you like to be paid? I am sure that we can come to something that we will be more than happy with."

Dobby looked confused for a moment, as if he never thought of it.

"How about…" Albus suggested, "I will pay you ten Galleons a week and give you weekends off?"

To say that Dobby was shocked would be an understatement. Dobby let out a squeak of amazement and fell over in astonishment.

"Sir!" Dobby squeaked again as he stared up at him in amazement. "Sir, Dobby knew that you were a kind and great wizard… but never… never has Dobby ever heard…"

"Oh, I am serious about this Dobby," Albus smiled at him. "We deserved to be rewarded once in awhile for our hard work. If this is what you wish, I will be more than happy to oblige."

Dobby suddenly shook his bat-like ears and said with a deep bow, "Sir! Dobby is honored to be working for one who is so generous and good and…"

Albus raised his hand up at once. He learned that too much praise will go to your head and Dobby finished by saying, "But, sir, Dobby cannot except sir. Dobby likes being free, but he isn't wanting so much! He likes works much better."

"I see," Albus said thinking that over. "Alright then Dobby… how about… a few Galleons a week and several days off a month?"

Dobby shivered as if unable to imagine such riches and shook his head. "Ah, sir is too good to Dobby! But that is still much too much sir. Dobby doesn't mean to be insulting to your kindness sir…"

"Why is that Dobby?" Albus asked him kindly, growing fond of the strange little elf.

"Dobby is liking his freedom sir," he said. "But it has been a long time since Dobby has been able to find work. Dobby misses his work, but he isn't wanting so much!"

"Do you not miss your old masters then, Dobby?" Albus asked, though he knew the answer already.

Dobby gulped and looked over his shoulder as if he expected Lucius to be standing there. But he then said in a brave voice, "Dobby is not missing his old masters sir, Dobby is not wishing to see his old masters again. Dobby was treated like vermin. He didn't like having to punish himself so often, and he is enjoying not having to do so anymore."

Predictably, Dobby ran straight to the desk and began banging his head against it screaming, "Bad Dobby! Bad Dobby!"

"Dobby, stop!" Albus cried quickly and the elf gave himself one last smack before he fell backwards, looking cross-eyed.

"Dobby, you must not talk about your masters that way," Winky said at once, sounding very angry. "Winky is not dreaming of speaking about her master Mr. Crouch in such a way! Winky wishes to see Mr. Crouch and go home, but she knows she is not able to!" Winky cried again, louder and harder than before.

"They aren't Dobby's master's anymore, Winky," Dobby answered her firmly. "Dobby is a free elf, and he is wanting to work for Professor Dumbledore in the kitchens here at Hogwarts. Winky should be happy to be having Professor Dumbledore as her master!"

"Winky is not happy, Winky is not wanting a new master," she peeped and tears began falling down her face.

Dobby then quickly turned back to him, as if afraid that Winky got them into trouble. "Sorry Professor Dumbledore sir, Winky is not being used to being a free elf," Dobby said quickly.

Albus merely smiled at them and said, "It is alright, Dobby. I know that change can be hard for us all. And you do not have to call me 'sir' Dobby."

"Yes, sir Dobby does have to call you sir, sir," Dobby said with another bow.

"I am just saying that, if you wish too, you may call me a barmy old codger, and it wouldn't matter to me," Albus smiled. "Dobby you are a free elf therefore you are not obliged to treat me as your master. You are my employer, not my servant. You are free to chose what you wish."

"But Dobby is not wanting to call you that sir," Dobby said looking shocked. "And Dobby wishes to have one Galleon a week and one day off a month sir! If that is ok with sir…?"

Albus laughed again and he got up to show the two of them to the kitchens. "Of course, Dobby. If that is what you want. But if you ever wish for a pay raise, the please feel free to come to me. Now, why don't I show you the kitchens?" he told them and they followed him out of his office and down the stairs.

(I solemnly swear never to abandon this story… I really hoped that you all enjoyed my idea of what happened here. In the next chapter, we move on towards the Yule Ball! Hope that you like it as much as the rest of the story. And for those of you who have been asking, yes some of my stories have been deleted, but I've moved them to another site. If you want to know where, just go to my profile and it should give you directions. :) thank you again.)