Chapter 09 :

After his Herbology class, Harry was seen walking toward the kitchens in company of a young Ravenclaw girl with radish earrings. Ever since she and Cedric's « girlfriend » saved him from bullies once, he hung out with her from time to time. Her name was Luna Lovegood and she was utterly fascinating. Her wise mind worked in ways unknown to the common mortals and her bright eyes seemed to see things from other realities.

"It's very nice of you to come with me, Luna" happily thanked the Gryffindor boy. "Dobby isn't really welcomed by the other elves at Hogwart since he is a Free Elf. Meeting another friendly face is sure to make him happy !"

"It's okay, Harry Potter." Smiled the younger girl. "I know what it's like to be isolated by your own kind. People fear what they don't understand and what is unknown to them. I have not met your Dobby but I understand his situation a little. He is like a lone warrior of the Old, surrounded by Nargles eating away at the brains of his allies." She frowned sadly. "How cruel the World can seem when the enemy wears the face of kin..."

Harry put a comforting hand on Luna's shoulder. It was depressing to see such a kind heart being dejected.

"You're not alone anymore, Luna." He said with a gentle look. "I'm your friend now. And if your fellow housemates bully you again you should tell it to Cho, she will kick them for you."

The smile that answered him was more radiant than the sun itself.

Reaching the kitchens, they tickled the pear of the painting and entered. Just as they passed the door, a blur of wrinkles and wool tackled Harry in a joyful cry :

"By Dobby The First ! The Great Harry Potter has come to visit Dobby ! Dobby be's so happy !"

"Good morning, Dobby..." Sighed the bemused Gryffindor, barely able to stay standing. "I see that you are in good health."

"Yes ! Now that The Great Harry Potter is here, this day has already become Dobby's second greatest day ever ! Dobby will tell about it to Dobby's grand children in the future ! It shall be's a day remembered dearly by Dobby's descent !"

Luna giggled at the elf's exuberance :

"If you react like that to just seeing him, I wonder what you will do once you get Harry's present."

Dobby turned toward her his giant eyes blinking with curiousity. Who was this girl ?

"This is Luna." Presented the green eyed boy. "She's my friend."

Wow. It was the first time The Great Harry Potter brough a friend to meet him... Dobby couldn't help smiling.

Suddenly, the young Gryffindor took out of his bag a small package artistically wrapped in tinfoil and kraft paper.

"Here." He said as he timidly offered the parcel to him. "For you."

"A present..." Whispered the elf with deep emotion before opening it with excessive care.

As the paper revealed its hidden treasure in his hands, Dobby squealed in a delight so strong that all the House Elves of Great Britain felt it in their bones :

"SOCKS !"

Indeed, between his fingers a wonder of colorful wools unveiled its masterful stitches. Two pairs of mismatched socks too big for his feet -just like he liked them-, offered by The Great Harry Potter himself...

"I bought them fluorescent this time." Shyly explained Harry. "I know you like them bright."

Two pairs of mismatched socks too big for his feet, offered by The Great Harry Potter thinking about him... ! Dobby could not contain himself anymore : he erupted in happy tears.

Not long after they left the kitchens, just as they came near the Great Hall, Luna stopped walking and turned toward Harry, a whimsical sheen in her eyes.

"You are too nice of a being, Harry Potter." She softly said.

"Huh ? I didn't do anything though ?"

"So you didn't purposefully introduce me to the one person who would accept me without question and be my friend ?" She teasingly asked with a raised brow.

As she had seen through his plan, Harry was unable to come with an excuse and started stammering clumsily. The younger girl chuckled a little before lightly kissing him on the cheek, eliciting a gasp from the nearby students.

"Thank you, Harry Potter." She smiled cheerfully. "You are a good friend."

She then sauntered away, leaving a bright red Harry behind her.