Disclaimer: I do not own the copyright to either Harry Potter or Hogwarts Legacy, although I own all the books, movies, and a copy of the PC game.
A/N: This is a major spoiler for a quest in the game. If you have not completed the quest about Deek's friend, please do not read this yet. I played through that part, and I hated how it ended, so I wanted to change it as only a fanfiction author can. The character in this story is female, as is my own character, but is not named, so that you can put yourself into this story better if you so choose. Happy reading! - C B
Rescuing a House Elf
The fifth-year student made her way through the spider-infested caverns, cringing at the mass of webs and dead spiders. She'd killed all of them, even the acromantula. Now all she had to do was find Tobbs, and give him the message from Deek.
Upon making her way into the last chamber of the cave, she came upon the body of the house-elf. Rushing forward, she gently lifted his fragile body, taking note of the spider bites scattered amongst self-inflicted wounds on the elf's emaciated body. Reaching into her robes, she grabbed as many potions as she could, glad she'd taken her studies seriously and thus knew which healing potions would work best on house-elves. Some that she carried for her own use would have done nothing had she used them.
A loud pop sounded behind her, and she paused in her ministrations to spin quickly around. A man stood in the cave with her, glaring between her and Tobbs. She knew instantly it must be Tobbs' master. When he spoke, he confirmed it.
"What are you doing with my servant?"
"He was badly wounded. I'm trying to heal him."
"Good for nothing elf deserves to die if he can't follow simple instructions," the man replied, taking a step forward.
Anger grew within the fifth-year student, such that she suddenly understood what it would be like to cast an unforgiveable and not care that you hurt the other person.
"Sir, he won't ever be as he was, but if I could make him better a little, could I please buy him from you? I've always wanted an elf."
The man paused to consider her before glancing around. "You took some of my leeches. I can tell. Maybe I'll just kill you and the elf."
She opened her mouth to respond but the man cut her off. "Tell you what kid, I'll give you a fair chance." The grin that crept across his face was foul. "If you can beat me in a duel, I'll give you the elf and let you keep the ingredients you stole from me."
Under no misconceptions that he would let her or Tobbs live if she lost, the fifth-year nodded. She'd taken out hordes of spiders, a very large acromantula, a troll, and more poachers and goblin loyalists than she could count. She knew she was fierce in battle, and knew that the ancient magic that she could sense swelled fiercely within her when she was protecting someone else.
"O-okay. B-but if I win the duel, you have to keep your end of the bargain."
The man grinned again. "Of course I will."
And the duel began. He fired first, a dark curse that would have caused immense pain had she not deflected it. But she did. Her shield was strong. And so were her spells. In only a matter of minutes, she had won. The man fell to one knee, panting heavily.
The student panted from where she stood over him. "I won. The elf is mine, as are the ingredients."
"I won't ever give him to you," the man yelled.
The fifth-year stood tall, unwavering. "Yes. You will."
Pointing her wand at him one last time, she uttered the spell that would take his life. When the man collapsed to the ground, no longer breathing, she rushed back to Tobbs, finishing her task of healing him. It was dangerous to stay, so the student took Tobbs in her arms, and made her way slowly out of the cave. When she exited, she called for Highwing, who kindly took the student and house-elf on her back and flew them back to the tower where she could take Tobbs into the Room of Requirement.
The room set up a small bed for Tobbs, and Deek helped the student to nurse his friend for a week before Tobbs woke. Disoriented and confused, the elf almost fled before Deek stepped into his line of vision.
"It is good to see you my friend," Deek said. "My friend here is a student at Hogwarts where Deek works. She saved your life."
Tobbs sat up gingerly. "Then Tobbs is grateful to Deek's friend."
"It was my pleasure to help you," she replied. "Is there anything you need now?"
"No. Thank you. Tobbs must return to his master."
"Tobbs," the student began. "I don't know how to tell you this, but your master is dead."
Tobbs just stared at her in astonishment.
"Did your master have a family," Deek asked.
Tobbs shook his head. "No. He had no family. Tobbs has no master. No one to serve." He hung his head in shame. House-elf culture was strong, and Tobbs would not be able to function without someone to serve, without something to do.
"Would you like to be a free elf, Tobbs?"
Tobbs vehemently shook his head. "No. Tobbs is a good elf. Tobbs wants to serve a wizarding family."
There was silence in the room for a long time, broken only by Tobbs' heartbroken sobs.
"Would…would you like to be my elf, Tobbs," the student finally asked.
Tobbs head shot up, large tears in his eyes. "C-could Tobbs do that? You would want Tobbs?"
The student noticed Deek watching her closely, but did not look at him. "Yes. If you would want to."
"You saved Tobbs. Tobbs would be grateful to serve you. Thank you master."
Magic washed over both of them as the bond fell into place.
"What would you like Tobbs to do first?"
"Well, there is one thing. You see, I need a friend more than I need a servant. I would appreciate it if you could help Deek with this room. It has all the things I need for my extra studies. He can show you what to do. And I don't need you to call me master. I do want us to be friends."
Tobbs' eyes welled with tears again. "Tobbs would like to be your friend, master. Thank you."
The student smiled gently. It would take time for Tobbs to act differently. She wished she could free him, but he had rejected that offer. Perhaps one day he would let her, but for now, he was safe. She would make sure of it.