Dobby appeared on Harry's bed with a poof. Saffi and Rio stared at him, Rio with wide eyes and Saffi with narrowed eyes. Dobby didn't notice the two snakes he'd appeared next to; his attention was on Harry. Big, bright green eyes lit up when he saw Harry.
"Harry Potter!" Dobby squeaked, both nervous and excited. It's been a while since he'd seen the elf so unsure around him. After Harry had freed Dobby, the elf had always been grateful. He was happy to see Harry whenever he could.
Harry didn't like seeing him like this. He was once more chained to the Malfoy household, dressed in his pitiful, filthy pillow cover. He didn't have the socks he delighted in wearing; Dobby barely looked like himself. He had his hands clenched together as if containing himself.
"Dobby has wanted to meet you. Harry Potter!" Dobby said with childlike wonder in his voice. He looked at Harry like Harry was a mythical creature, but Harry lacked a horn. He would know if such an appendage grew from his head.
"This is the creature? The elf?" Saffi asked, her eyes still on Dobby. Taking in his long nose and ears, bulging eyes, small stature, and pinkish skin. She tasted the air, and Harry saw how confusion shone on her face.
"Thank you, Dobby. Why are you here?" Harry said calmly, standing up and dusting himself off. Petunia didn't do much cleaning in this room. He decided not to acknowledge Saffi just yet. He didn't know how Dobby would react to Harry's Parseltongue.
"Oh, Sir Dobby has come to tell you something. It-It is hard to say what, sir." Dobby fiddled with his hands anxiously, ears lowering. Rio watched as Saffi very carefully slithered toward Dobby, somehow remaining unnoticed.
"Saffi, be careful!" Rio hissed, alarmed as she was getting rather close. Saff turned around to look at him with her dark eyes.
"Hush, young one, I know what I'm doing." Harry had to focus on Dobby, who was patiently waiting for his reply. Huge eyes looking up at him with unfiltered adoration. That look had consistently made Harry uncomfortable.
"Why don't you sit down, Dobby?" Harry had forgotten how little kindness Dobby must have been shown; he forgot how intensely Dobby had reacted to the same request. Green eyes filled with tears, overflowing.
"S-Sit down?" Dobby sobbed; Harry heard how shocked and awed he sounded. Harry walked up to the bed, which Dobby stood on.
"It's okay, Dobby," Harry said comfortingly; Dobby only sobbed louder. He felt sympathy for Dobby. Harry, in a way, understood. He was overwhelmed with how kind people could be outside his family too. He'd grown up thinking that's just the way people were.
Everyone treated him like garbage while he was young, and there was nobody to tell him anything different. Until he came to Hogwarts, kindness was something alien. He was easily lured in by how good it could feel compared to rough treatment.
But Harry made the mistake of going in blind. He fell right into the honeypot. He was there for the sweetness like a Venus flytrap, but he hadn't seen the teeth. Harry wouldn't do that to Dobby, though. Harry knew that sort of kindness hurt worse than any cruelty.
"Dobby has never been asked to sit down by a wizard-like-like an equal!" His sobs continued. Saffi had a look of pity on her face, and Rio just looked even more befuddled.
"You are an equal, Dobby," Harry said, wishing his younger self had said it. Before, he'd primarily been scared of getting caught and flabbergasted at the thing before him. But now Harry could give Dobby actual words of comfort.
Dobby's sobs dwindled into sniffs, and he looked at Harry with something Harry could only describe as hope. And Dobby clung to it with everything he had.
"Really?" Dobby said, his voice somehow getting even higher in pitch. Harry nodded, and Dobby decided to sit down. But unfortunately, Saffi's tail was in the way. She didn't move fast enough. Maybe it was because she was old or because she was distracted by the conversation.
She cursed so much a sailor would blush. Rio slithered under Harry's pillow, terrified and not knowing what had just happened. Dobby noticed her then. And who wouldn't? She was making so much noise that even someone who didn't speak snake could hear her.
And when Dobby spotted the bright green, very angry, relatively large snake, his eyes turned the size of saucers. Harry hadn't registered what was happening, but suddenly, Dobby was behind him, shaking.
"Dobby sees a snake on your bed, sir!" The elf is holding Harry's leg. Saffi finally stopped cursing and saw how scared Dobby was.
"I won't hurt you, small creature." She said through tight lips, her pain had turned into annoyance, and she failed to mask it. Dobby didn't understand her anyway.
"That is Saffi, Dobby," Harry said with a sigh. He should have moved Rio and Saffi when he was expecting Dobby.
"Saffi?" Dobby asked, voice wavering. Harry looks down at the elf and meets his eyes. His pupils are blown wide with fear, and Harry feels worse for the little thing.
"The snake, yeah. She's my...friend." The word pet wouldn't have worked; she wasn't his pet. He almost wanted to say teacher or guardian, but he might've sounded crazy. Although, Dobby probably wouldn't have thought of Harry as insane no matter what.
"She won't hurt Dobby or Harry?" He asked cautiously; Harry noticed the tension was leaving him. Harry glanced at Saffi; she was observing Dobby.
"I promise she won't, Dobby," Harry said with complete confidence, and Dobby nodded, releasing his tight grip on Harry's legs.
"I trust Harry Potter." He noted hesitantly.
"I like this elf creature, Speaker," Saffi said with a grin before moving under the pillow to join Rio. He heard whispers from under there, but Harry was too far away to make them out.
Dobby was back on the bed again, teleporting. He looked around before he sat; he didn't want to sit on another animal.
"What have you come to tell me?" Asked Harry, bringing attention back to the reason Dobby was there. Dobby got incredibly nervous now. Harry remembered his habit of punishing himself.
"Don't worry, Dobby. You won't get in trouble. Just tell me what you're allowed to tell me." He was eyeing Harry's dusty bookshelf, wondering if he should go bash his head against it as punishment.
"Dobby has come to warn Harry Potter. Harry Potter is great and kind; Dobby wants Harry to be safe. Dobby will have to punish himself, but Dobby knows it's worth it. Harry Potter mustn't return to Hogwarts this year." Harry had waited for him to speak, but now he was just thinking.
Harry didn't have a car that could drive him to Hogwarts. If he told the truth to Dobby and Dobby locked the gateway, Harry had no way of getting to Hogwarts. But Harry didn't want to lie to him. Innocent green eyes were watching his every move. But he had to; It was a necessary evil.
"Why?" Harry asked, mostly just to humor Dobby. He knew exactly why. Rio and Saffi had come from under the pillow to hear this. Saffi watched the interaction with fierceness, Rio with simple curiosity.
"Dobby has heard of a scheme at Hogwarts. A plan that puts Harry Potter's life at risk. Terrible things will happen at Hogwarts this year, Harry Potter." He whispered. Harry pretended to consider it and let Dobby's words sink in.
"Fine. I'll stay here." And outraged hiss from Saffi and a concerned one from Rio. Dobby's eyes went watery, and Harry felt sick as the elf got off the bed. He looked up at Harry with joy.
"Dobby, thanks you, Harry Potter." Said Dobby thickly, and he grabbed something from inside his pillowcase, a letter. Harry was honestly surprised.
"Dobby had to keep this from you, sir, but now Dobby knows you will be safe." He explained, but Harry already knew. Dobby gave Harry one last smile before he disappeared with a pop. Harry was examining the letter.
"You're not staying here, Speaker," Saffi said with venom. Harry didn't appreciate her toxicity, and he decided to ignore her for a moment. In purple ink, there was the name Xira, and Harry smiled when he saw her recognizable handwriting.
"Don't you dare ignore me, Speaker." Harry sighed and looked up from the letter to lock eyes with a snake. Her eyes were narrowed, fury in her every movement.
"No, Saffi, I was lying to him," Harry explained, and Saffi sniffed. She said nothing else and slithered under the blanket. Harry rolled his eyes at her reaction; he didn't understand why she was so mad.
"She was scared. She feels less and less like herself here, and she wants to return. " Rio said, his golden needle eyes calm.
"Are you taking her side?" Harry asked coldly; there was a feeling of betrayal. Why was he jumping to her defense? Weren't they supposed to be friends? Rio was Harry's best friend, who knew all his secrets.
"No, I'm just trying to get you to understand her, Harry." Harry scoffed. It's not like Saffi had ever tried to spare Harry's feelings. She was always rough and to the point, abrasive.
"I don't care." Harry hissed, and right then, it didn't feel like a lie in his hurt and anger. Rio sighed and followed after Saffi, making Harry feel terribly alone. But Harry just pretended that feeling wasn't there. He went back into his corner, drawing himself into a tight ball.
He looked down at the letter in his hand, studying it before he ripped it open. Inside was a note addressing him, as Harry expected.
'Dear Harry, my mother said you could stay with us for a while. Maybe even until we go back to Hogwarts? I do hope you come. Also, Happy Birthday! I couldn't send you my present, but I'll give it to you when I next see you. Patiently awaiting your reply, Xira.' Harry chuckled.
He could picture her bright smile even though he wasn't there with her, making him feel better. It would be good for him to get out of here. Harry made up his mind right then. He got up and walked to the floorboard where his stuff was under.
He lifted the board, opened his chest, and got parchment and a quill out. He was thankful for getting the one that permanently had ink on it, exactly like a pen. Harry then returned to his spot and put down Xira's letter so he could write his own.
'Dear Xira, I apologize for replying so late, but I just received your letter. I think I might just take you up on your offer. I realize I never asked when your birthday was. I hope I haven't missed it. See you soon, Harry.' Harry was honestly excited to see her again. He'd been missing her bubbly attitude lately.
Yay Back again with another chapter! Hope ya'll like this one. Harry's like going through puberty again man, so many emotions all in one day. Yeesh...
-Lemon Nugget
