Author's Note: Ah, Dobby, I had to give this house elf his time in the sun for this story. His original scene didn't start right, and will probably go into the Dartboard of Discards but now that I have his elfin point of view, I've considered others. There will be a Ministry point of view and a Professors' point of view before I end this story and move on to the next Instructional Services story which will be Petunia focused.
Dobby was happy that he'd been given the job of personal house elf for the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, the Most Magnificent Harry Potter Sir, he who saved Dobby from the dark days of serving his former master. Dobby had personally prepared the Professor's treacle tart, and made sure everything was delivered exactly on time for the opening feast. Dobby had made sure Harry Potter Sir's bed was ready for him after the feast, too.
Now Dobby was back in the kitchen, making sure everything was ready for the morning breakfast. Professors had to get up a lot earlier than students. That was when Dobby encountered Goop, who had been the personal house elf for the last forty-two Defense Against the Dark Arts Professors.
"Don't get used to serving Professor Potter," Goop said. "No Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts has survived more than a year. They all do something stupid and get themselves killed, or worse, thrown out of Hogwarts."
"Professor Harry Potter Sir won't do either," Dobby said.
"Goop thought that several times," Goop stated in an unenthusiastic monotone voice that was strangely deeply pitched. There was very little of a manic house elf left in the barely middle age house elf. House elves always had something manic in them, be it work ethic, focuses, or even laughter. Dobby couldn't see anything like that in Goop.
"Dobby knows the Most Magnificent Harry Potter Sir won't die, and they won't throw out him either," Dobby replied. "Harry Potter has already defeated the Dark Lord multiple times. There is no way he's dying any time soon."
"Goop thought that, many, many times, but Goop was wrong," Goop responded flatly with his deep voice that seemed to be embedded in the floor. "Goop prefers to be right, so Goop now expects to Defense professors to die yearly if not more often. New one responsible for last five leaving in some way, so maybe Goop's trusted exceptions be wrong again. Goop don't think so, though."
"Dobby knows what happened to Professor Gildylocks, and how former master made sure rumors drove out Professor Wolfie," Dobby said. "Dobby also blames former master heir for it. Always was petty boy. Professor Maddie didn't really start his contract, as he was replaced before he arrived. And as for Professor Toady, Dobby is aware of your actions."
"Goop have standards," Goop looked up with sudden deep growl in his voice. "Professors should not hurt students. Goop wished he would have been able to do more than he did."
"Dobby doesn't deny Goop was right to erase Professor Toady from the board. Professor Toady was against Hogwarts, and Goop serves Hogwarts. Dobby glad Goop did that, as it got the Most Magnificent Harry Potter recognized as Professor.
There was a pop, and the Hogwarts Assistant Head Elf for Professorial Services, Dotty appeared. "Dotty has been looking for Goop."
"Goop has been helping Dobby understand the hazzards of his job as elf for Defense Against the Dark Arts Professors. Goop doesn't want Dobby to go the way of Goop."
"Dotty think Goop's idea is good. Dotty knows Goop was careworn by many, many professors. Dobby is new to Dotty's department and Dotty doesn't want to loose such a manic elf with such devotion to his primary. Dotty does think Dobby should take Goop's words with care, though."
"Dobby will do so, Assistant Head Elf," Dobby said with respect. Dotty was the third longest serving full time elf at Hogwarts, whose work at the school was most lauded. The tales of the great slime slide clean up were still whispered among the elves.
"But Dotty need Goop for a moment in the Hufflepuff prefecture. There be young students needing extra care, and Goop needs to be known among his new charge."
"Goop go now, but will talk to Dobby again." With a pop, Goop was gone.
"Dotty hope working within the badger den will revive Goop, but Dotty think hope is slim. Dotty should have switched him out after Professor Wolfie, or maybe let Goop go with Professor Wolfie, who really could use an elf. Dotty heard from cousin Kreacher how Marauders are now. Almost enough to make Dotty take workcation in Grimauld Place."
"Dobby talk to new owner Professor Harry Potter Sir about Grimauld Place. Perhaps young elves willing to take on renovation with Kreature?"
"Dotty talk to Kreature when have time. Then talk to Professor Potter. Dobby have good idea. Dotty wasn't sure Dobby was right person to join his team, but Dotty reconsidering. Don't let Dotty go back to earlier thinking." Dotty popped away.
Dobby looked over Harry Potter Sir's quarters one last time, before preforming his last duty of the night, making sure everything was in the right place for Harry Potter Sir in the morning. Only then did he find his elfhole and curl up for his night's nap.