Being trapped in Dudley's spare bedroom was a lonely affair. Although it was an upgrade on the cupboard under the stairs, Harry still felt lonely and isolated. Downstairs, the Dursleys were enjoying a delicious dinner with Vernon's business contacts; he was hoping to secure a deal with the Masons for Vernon's drills. Harry scowled at the sounds of the laughter coming from the kitchen below; if only they knew how miserable they had made him feel.

He often contemplated what Draco would do in his situation, and envisaged his friend punching Dudley in the face. The thought of Dudley suffering from a bleeding nose made Harry giggle, but he simply could not bring himself to strike his cousin. Draco and their mutual friends Crabbe and Goyle had been giving him fighting lessons, where Harry had been making steady progress, and he knew the aim was to strike against Dudley. However, although he didn't like to admit it, and despite the bullying his cousin had subjected him to, he still cared about Dudley deep down. He knew there was some good in him.

As Harry sat on his bed, deep in his thoughts, he heard a sudden crack. At the end of his bed stood a tiny creature, draped in a dirty bed cloth and with huge batlike ears. His large, saucepan eyes stared up at Harry, who hurried over to him in shock.

"No, no, you can't be here," He muttered. "If the Dursleys see you…"

"Dobby has come to rescue you from the Dursleys," Dobby interrupted. "Dobby has been sent by Master Draco to take you home,"

"Malfoy sent you?" Harry's face lit up; he hadn't heard from Draco all Summer. "I thought he'd forgotten me,"

"Master Draco would never forget you, Harry Potter. Master Draco has talked about you all Summer," Said Dobby. "Master Draco says you are a great friend, Harry Potter,"

"Great. But can we keep it down please? If the Dursleys hear us, we're toast,"

Dobby nodded, and offered Harry his hand.

"Take my hand, Harry Potter. Dobby will set you free,"

Harry obliged, and with a flash of light they disappeared.


When Harry arrived at Draco's residence, he was astounded by the sight that greeted him. Harry had never been somewhere so posh. He stared in awe at the chandelier which hung over the hallway, and the grand staircase that led to the bedrooms above. Malfoy Manor reflected a family who clearly lived with great wealth and prosperity, and the stark contrast to his living arrangements at the Dursleys left Harry staggered.

Draco came hurrying down the stairs with his father Lucius.

"Potter, you made it!" He exclaimed. "Dobby, you can return to your duties,"

"As you wish, Master Draco," Dobby bowed, and headed for the kitchen.

Lucius looked less than pleased. He glowered at Harry with such fierce intensity, that he distinctly reminded Harry of Vernon.

"Cheers, Malfoy," Harry grinned at his friend, and tried to ignore Lucius's hateful look. "I don't know how much longer I can stand being with the Dursleys,"

Turning to face his son, Lucius glared at Draco.

"A word please, Draco,"

Harry watched as Draco followed his Dad nervously into another room.


A large, wooden desk stood in the corner of a huge library, as Draco followed his Dad through the door. Thousands of bookshelves littered the space, each filled with many books about spells, potions, and the Dark Arts. Draco had rarely visited this room, but his parents came in here often. He knew about their history regarding the Dark Arts, and was unsure how he felt about his parents being such avid users of these highly controversial spells.

Finally, after a long silence, Lucius turned to his son.

"What were you thinking, bringing that Potter child here?"

"I've told you, father. Potter and I are friends!"

Lucius tried not to let his frustration show. How could Draco not realize bringing Harry here was a mistake?

"Did it not occur to you that your mother and I were working for the Dark Lord, before he killed Potter's parents? Bringing Potter to our home is deeply inappropriate!"

"Are you saying I can't bring a friend home from school, father?" Draco sneered. "What about Reg Cattermole? Not planning another picnic with good old' Reg on the Shriveling Gardens?"

"Yes…but not…him!" Underneath the anger, Lucius looked agitated, and Draco could tell something was bothering him. "It's not safe, Draco!"

Draco looked confused by this statement.

"Not safe? What do you mean?"

His Dad's face turned bright red, when he realized he had said too much. He turned away from Draco, and became suddenly interested by a book on the desk about Cornish Pixies.

"That's of no concern to you. Just…leave, Draco. And send the boy away with Dobby!"

Perplexed, Draco left the library. When he was sure he was gone, Lucius rolled up his sleeve, and felt the Dark Mark tattooed on his arm. He could feel it burning, intensely, and in that moment, he knew that his family were no longer safe.