25 June 1993
To say students were upset that Aberforth Dumbledore was leaving his post was an understatement. After his bonfire, where students of all houses and years gathered around to burn Lockhart's complete works, classes picked up with detailed instruction on curses, dark creatures, history, and dueling. While the temporary professor scowled and grumbled at the students, many spent their free periods hanging around his class to learn from him. Even seeking him out during meals and on the grounds to ask questions they could never have answered before. A muggleborn Ravenclaw started a petition to keep him on, that was a flying success being passed around all houses. However, Aberforth Dumbledore declined again and went back to his pub in Hogsmeade, warning all students not to bother to come by and see him.
Hermione was quite happy with the old book the DADA professor provided them. It was obviously old and a simple introduction to defense, highlighting simple jinxes and dark creature identification markers. Their exam was rather short, since Aberforth refused to test them off information they learned from the blonde ponce, as he had called him.
The 5 Gryffindors and 1 Ravenclaw sat happily making summer plans by Black Lake, the day before the express would leave. Bill and Charlie promised they would come for at least a week, excited to tease Percy about his first girlfriend, Penny Clearwater. Eloise told them she would be visiting her brother in the states for 2 weeks at the beginning of August. Harry was invited earlier by Molly to come spend the entire summer, which excited him to no end.
"What about you, Nev? Wanna come to the burrow this summer? We can get you prepped for quidditch." Ron smirked.
"I don't think I'll be allowed. Gran's pretty strict with around the hols." Neville grimaced.
"Oh, what do you normally do?" Eloise asked curiously.
"Ahh, Gran is pretty old fashioned and wants me to take etiquette lessons...again." Neville flushed with embarrassment.
"Again?" Ron blurted, spraying cake from his mouth all over Hermione.
"Ronald! You're foul!" Hermione shrieked as she jumped up, trying to get the wet cake off her white Oxford shirt. "Ugh, tergeo!" Giving up and using her wand.
"Sorry." Ron said sheepishly, his ears turning red in embarrassment. Hermione just turned her nose up at him and moved to sit by Harry.
"What did you mean again, Neville?" Harry asked, shifting his robe so Hermione could sit on it as well.
"Uhh, well...I'm not like Hermione here and Gran wants me to be a proper pureblood wizard." Neville said sarcastically.
"Like that will ever happen, Fatbottom." Malfoy smirked as he walked up to the group, Crabbe and Goyle on either side.
"Shut your gob, Malfoy!" Ron shouted as Neville turned red with shame.
"What's wrong little Fatbottom can't fight his own battles." Malfoy snickered as his friends chuckled darkly.
"Ugh, would you leave us alone!" Hermione bemoaned. "Neville is 10 times the wizard you'll ever be!"
"Yeah, right. He's a squib! Don't see how he even got into Hogwarts!" Malfoy's face flushed momentarily but he shifted his gaze back to Hermione. "How are you, Weaslette? Another year embarrassing your kind by slagging around these twits."
"Oi!" Ron and Harry shouted at the same time, reaching for their wands. Neville beat them to it by jumping up and walking right up to Malfoy.
"That is not the way to speak to a lady." Neville growled, fingering his wand in his pocket.
"What are you going to do about,eh? Think you can take me out?" Malfoy scowled at the pudgy boy.
"How about a wizards wager?" Neville smiled grimly, staring the blonde boy down, thankful that he listened to his friends and got his gran to get him his own wand.
"Ha! What do you want?" Malfoy smirked.
"Dobby." Neville smirked.
"Dobby?" Malfoy questioned, looking clueless.
"The house elf your father was kicking about last month." Neville spoke evenly.
"You want a house elf?" Malfoy laughed incredulously. "Fine! I want your wand! No need for it since your a squib, right?"
"Fine, first to disarm. Hermione, count us down." Neville snapped and held out his hand for Malfoy to shake. Malfoys smile was bright as he grasped the pudgy boy's hand, they both felt the magic tying them to the deal. They stood 10 paces apart, scowling at each other.
"I'm so looking forward to getting your daddy's wand. It's only fitting, keeping it in my family." Malfoy smiled maliciously, Neville only seemed to look more determined.
"1-2-3!" Hermione shouted, glaring at Malfoy.
"EXPELLIARMUS!" The boys shouted at once. Neville stepped to the left, the spell missing him completely, Draco stayed where he was the spell slamming into his chest, sending him flying back into Goyle. As he sat up, his head pounding, Neville walked up to him with his wand in hand.
"You'll be calling your house elf now, yeah." Neville tossed him his wand and smirked.
"Dobby!" Malfoy snarled as he ripped off his tie. Dobby popped beside him, shaking. When Malfoy threw him the tie without even looking the elf started to hyperventilate with excitement.
"Little Master has given Dobby clothes?! Dobby is free?" Dobby cried, bouncing up and down.
"Go elf." Malfoy snarled and stormed away, Crabbe and Goyle following.
"Great job Neville!" Eloise broke the silence as she jumped up and hugged the blushing blonde. The cheers and congratulations were cut short as they noticed Dobby slowing advancing on them with wide eyes.
"You's saved Dobby?" Dobby squeaked.
"Errr, well. It was Eloise's idea to get you free. Hermione told me how but uh...the thing is I don't have any need for another house elf so..." Neville broke off sheepishly.
"Great Harry Potter, sir is in need of an elf." Dobby said excitedly, Harry froze as all of his friends turned to look at him expectantly.
"I uh- I don't have a house Dobby. I live with muggles but I stay with the Weasleys." Harry mumbled awkwardly.
"That is fine. Dobby stay with Harry Potter, sir. Here in the castle. At the Weasys. With the muggles. Dobby want very much to bond with Harry Potter,Sir." The house elf squeaked and looked up with pleading eyes.
"I guess, you would get pretty bored though. If you want to work at Hogwarts, you'll probably have more to do." Harry mumbled.
"Yes! Dobby accept" the house elf squealed and grabbed onto Harry's hand. A flash of light bonded them and Harry snatched his hand back, hissing in pain. "Dobby needed Masters blood."
"Could you just call me Harry?" Harry stumbled, blushing.
"Yes, Master Harry. Dobby work in kitchens until you call." Dobby nodded eagerly and popped away.
"He certainly is precocious." Luna smiled serenely as Harry continued to stare at the spot Dobby once was.
"There you go, mate. Your own house elf." Ron grumbled, a flare of jealousy rushing up in him, thinking about never having chores again.