"Come, Master Draco. Dobby will take care of you in your bedroom."

Draco nodded and followed Dobby down the hall and up the stairs.

"Ok, Master Draco. Dobby will help you now. But first, Dobby must ask a question. What happened to Master Draco?"

Draco shook. He was still shaken from the beating he received. It wasn't the worst his father had ever done to him, but it still terrified him. He knew it wouldn't be the last beating he would receive. His reflex was to lie, but he knew Dobby already knew the truth.

"Father did this to me."

Dobby knew that was the truth. He just hoped it wasn't. He couldn't help but feel guilty. If he hadn't gone to the Ministry to tip them off, Draco wouldn't have been beaten today. He knew on some level Lucius would still be an abuser, and still would have found some excuse to harm Draco. But he still felt guilty. All he had wanted was to help the boy, but it seemed like his actions had the opposite effect. He planned on burning his hands with the iron for doing this to Draco.

"Dobby is so sorry, Master Draco. Is there anything Dobby can do to make it up to Master Draco."

"It doesn't matter, Dobby. He'll still hate me. Why am I so stupid, Dobby?"

Dobby began treating Draco's wounds while talking. He knew both of them would be punished if Draco didn't look perfect for tonight's gathering.

"Master Draco is not stupid. Dobby is stupid for getting Draco in trouble today."

"It doesn't matter. I just can't learn. I'm so stupid. That's why he hurts me."

"No, Master Draco. That's not it. But Dobby must stop himself from talking. Dobby would speak ill of his master if he kept talking. But Master Draco must not call himself stupid."

"Ok. Dobby, could you help me with something else?"

"Anything, Master Draco."

"I need help writing a letter."

"Of course. Who is Master Draco writing a letter to?"

"Sa- I mean, Madame Alexsia."

"Pardon me for asking, sir, but who is Madame Aleksia?"

"The lady who was here trying to help me. She gave me her information to send her an owl. She promised she would help me. She's my friend now. She wouldn't break this promise. If I tell her the truth, she'll help me."

Dobby gulped. This didn't sound like a good idea. What if Lucius found out? What would he do?

"Master Draco, are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Yes. Madame Aleksia will help me. She promised."

"Master Draco, Dobby is sorry he has to keep protesting. Dobby will have to fling himself out the window when he is done helping Master Draco. But how can Master Draco be sure Madame Aleksia will help him? How does Master Draco know Master Lucius won't see it first and hurt Dobby and Master Draco?"

"Stop talking, Dobby! That's an order! Stupid House Elf! Father is right. House Elves aren't smart!"

Dobby was hurt. He was used to insults far worse than that, but he had never been insulted by Draco before. This made him hate Lucius even more. He knew Draco wouldn't have the rotten side that came out sometimes if it weren't for Lucius' abuse and rules.

"Forgive me, Master Draco. Dobby will fling himself out the window and hit his head with a kettle for this, sir."

"No! I still don't want you to hurt yourself, Dobby."

"Master Draco is too kind, sir. Dobby will help Master Draco write that letter."

"Thank you, Dobby."

"First Dobby must dress Master Draco. Dobby must hurry if Master Draco wants to write this letter tonight."

Dobby dressed Draco in the dress robes he had for having company over. He checked the time, and realized they had enough time to write a letter to Madame Aleksia.

"Dobby will get some parchment and we will write the letter for Madame Aleksia."

Dobby snapped his fingers and disappeared. After a second, Dobby reappeared with parchment in his hands. He took out a quill and handed it to Draco.

"This is what I wrote:

Dear Madame Aleksia,

Thank you for trying to help me today. Thank you for becoming my friend. But I need more help. Father beat me again after you left. Please, Madame Aleksia. I need your help. Please get me away from him. I need to go far away. Help me.

From,

Draco Malfoy.

Does that sound good, Dobby?"

"If that's what Master Draco wants the letter to say, it's perfect."

"Thank you, Dobby," Draco said as he knelt on the ground, looking for the slip of paper Sandy had given him. He panicked for a second, thinking he had lost it. Then he remembered he had put it in his pants pocket. He crawled to wear his pants were that he had just changed out of and pulled it out of the pocket. "Here, Dobby. This is the information Madame Aleksia gave me. Send this to her by owl."

"Of course, Master Draco. Dobby will do that right away."

"Thank you, Dobby. I know she'll help me. I just know she'll help me."