Chapter 2: Dumbledore's Assignment
Several weeks had passed since that astonishing moment when Dobby unexpectedly appeared in Harry's room. Since then, Harry often caught himself thinking about his little friend. At night, he would look at the photograph and think about how much his life had changed thanks to the elf. Every time his gaze fell on the photograph, his heart was filled with warmth and gratitude. He felt that their friendship had become something more than just a connection—it was a thread that connected their souls.
One evening, when the silence in the Dursley house was especially oppressive, Harry heard a familiar pop. His heart beat faster, and his eyes widened in surprise. Harry immediately knew it could only be HIM. This sound, which he had been waiting for so long, awakened excitement and hope within him.
"Dobby!" exclaimed Harry, jumping up from his bed, his voice trembling with joy and impatience.
Dobby stood by the window, his large eyes shining, but this time there was seriousness in them. He wore the same bright socks and cap, and the elf's movements were tense, as if he were worried about something. The air around seemed charged with energy, and Harry felt anxiety rising inside him.
"Harry Potter!" said Dobby, his voice hurried and anxious, as if each word was imbued with urgency. "Professor Dumbledore asks you to come to Hogwarts immediately!"
Harry froze, trying to process what he had heard. He was already used to Dobby always bringing him news, but now the elf's words sounded like some kind of warning. His heart was beating so fast that he could barely hear his own thoughts.
"What happened, Dobby?" he asked, approaching closer, his voice soft but full of concern. He wanted to calm his friend, show that he was there and ready to help, no matter how difficult the task might be.
Dobby shifted uncomfortably, his large ears slightly twitching, as if he was hesitating whether to say more. But his eyes looked straight into Harry's, and they conveyed sincere loyalty and care.
"Dobby cannot tell everything," he replied, lowering his head, his voice almost a whisper. "But Professor Dumbledore said that the matter is very important. He needs Harry Potter's help."
Harry felt a cold lump rising in his throat. He knew that Dumbledore never asked for help lightly. This was something really serious. But at the same time, he knew that Dobby would always be there to support him, and this thought warmed his heart.
"I'm ready," he said, nodding resolutely. "How do I get to Hogwarts?"
Dobby smiled, his eyes shining with hope again, as if he was sure that together they would overcome any difficulties.
"Dobby will help Harry Potter travel," he said, extending his hand. "But..." he paused, as if hesitating whether to continue. "Harry Potter must be careful. This task is dangerous."
"Don't worry, Dobby," Harry replied softly, placing his hand on the elf's shoulder. "I can handle it! We can handle it!"
Dobby looked at him with gratitude and at the same time with a deep sadness, as if he knew that their paths might diverge on this journey. But his eyes shone with faith and hope, and Harry felt his heart fill with strength.
"Dobby will be nearby," he said quietly, his voice full of promise.
Harry nodded, quickly gathering the things he might need, and glanced at Dobby. How he wanted to express all the gratitude and love he felt for his little friend. Their bond became increasingly intense, and Harry felt excitement filling him. It was something more than just friendship.
"I'm ready," he said, taking his wand. He slowly extended his hand, and Dobby gently took it in his own, their fingers intertwining, creating a spark neither of them could ignore.
Something changed in the air as they looked at each other, and Harry felt his heart pounding when their lips almost touched. This moment lingered, full of anticipation, and their breathing grew heavier. Harry could no longer hold back the feeling growing inside him as they stood so close.
In the next instant, the world around them spun, the air vibrated, and they disappeared from the room, leaving behind only a faint trace of freshness and magic. But this magic had changed, and an intimate note slipped through, promising new discoveries and thrilling moments in their lives. When the world regained clarity, Harry felt his feet touch solid ground. They stood at the main gates of Hogwarts. Moonlight illuminated the ancient stone walls, creating a mysterious atmosphere. Harry looked around, his heart beating with anticipation and fear. He knew that here, within these walls, something important and possibly dangerous awaited him.
"Professor Dumbledore is waiting for Harry Potter in his office," said Dobby, pointing towards the castle. "Dobby will guide Harry Potter."
They walked through the corridors of Hogwarts, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. He felt how excitement and anxiety mingled in his heart. Ahead, he awaited a meeting with Dumbledore, but his thoughts constantly returned to Dobby. He remembered how the elf had always been there, how his eyes lit up when he spoke of freedom, and how sincerely he rejoiced at every meeting. Passing through dark corridors, they reached the staircase leading to the headmaster's office. As they ascended to the top, Dobby stopped.
"Harry Potter should know that he is not alone; Dobby will always be with Harry," he said, looking at Harry, trying to instill confidence in him.
"Together," whispered Harry, and at that moment both figures seemed to merge into one, their mutual feelings becoming increasingly evident.
"Yes, together," Dobby said, infusing his words with certainty.
They knocked on the door, and it slowly opened, letting them inside. Inside the office, it was quiet. Only the flickering light of candles and the ticking of clocks broke the silence. In the old office of Dumbledore, there was a captivating spirit of magic, filling the space with warmth and light.
Harry's gaze slid over the walls of the office, adorned with portraits of great wizards from the past. Each portrait depicted wizards and witches in various poses: some reading books, others pensively gazing into the distance, and some even arguing with their neighbors in the frame. Harry couldn't help but smile, noticing how one of the portraits—an old wizard with a long beard—winked at him.
"Good evening, Harry," came Dumbledore's gentle voice, interrupting his reflections. "It seems you are interested in our ancestors?"
Harry nodded, not taking his eyes off the paintings.
"Yes, Professor. It's so... fascinating. Each of them seems to live their own life."
Dumbledore smiled, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
"And indeed they do. These portraits not only preserve the images of those who lived before us but also their knowledge and experience. Sometimes they can give us advice if we are attentive enough."
Harry turned his gaze to Dumbledore, who was now intently examining the scrolls lying before him. The old headmaster seemed so confident, so calm, that Harry involuntarily felt a bit lighter. He knew that no matter how difficult the task, Dumbledore would always find a way to help.
"Please sit down, Harry," the professor said softly, pushing one of the scrolls aside so Harry could comfortably settle on the chair in front of him.
Harry obediently sat down, his heart beating faster in anticipation. He attentively looked at Dumbledore, trying to understand what exactly would be discussed. Dumbledore looked attentively at Harry, then at Dobby, and his wise face lit up with a kind smile. He reached out to one of the books lying on the table, opened it, and began flipping through the pages until he found the right place.
"Here it is, listen, Harry," began the headmaster of the magical school. "I want to tell you about a legend. In ancient times, four great wizards: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin founded Hogwarts—a school for all those who sought knowledge. But one day, when their friendship began experiencing disagreements, they decided to create something that would unite their efforts and preserve their legacy for future generations. Thus, the idea of creating the Relic of Knowledge was born—an artifact that was supposed to store the wisdom and experience accumulated over the years of their lives. Each of the four founders contributed to the creation of this artifact. When the work on the Relic was completed, it became a true treasure, preserving many secrets and knowledge accumulated over the centuries. But soon after that, disagreements between the founders reached their peak, and Salazar Slytherin left Hogwarts, leaving his friends and students behind.
Harry listened carefully to every word, trying to remember all the details. He knew that any small detail could prove important on their journey.
To prevent the use of the Relic for selfish purposes," continued the professor, "the other three founders decided to hide this artifact in one of the oldest castles in Britain—the Castle of Lords. Before hiding the Relic, they placed several layers of protection on it. The first layer consisted of spells that could only be recognized by those who possessed a pure heart and a sincere desire to discover the truth. The second layer consisted of ancient riddles that required not only knowledge but also cleverness. The third layer consisted of guards whom no one could defeat without the help of a loyal friend. Over time, the legend of the Relic of Knowledge was forgotten. Many tried to find this artifact, but none of them could overcome all the protections. The Castle of Lords became a place surrounded by mysteries and dangers, known only to a few.
Harry's heart began to beat faster. He had already faced many dangers, but this mission seemed particularly challenging.
"What if we don't succeed?" he asked, not wanting to show his fear but still needing an answer.
Dumbledore looked at him with warmth and understanding.
"There is no need to fear failure, Harry. The most important thing is the pursuit of the goal and faith in your own abilities. Even if something goes wrong, there is always another way. Remember, you are not alone. You and Dobby make an excellent team."
Harry looked at Dobby, who at that moment had stopped jumping and was standing nearby, attentively listening to every word Dumbledore said. In his large eyes, there was complete trust and readiness to do everything possible for his friend. Harry took a deep breath, preparing to accept the challenge. Dobby enthusiastically patted his chest.
"Dobby is always ready to help!" he said excitedly, his large eyes shining with excitement.
Harry nodded and stood up from the table, his heart filled with determination. This assignment seemed difficult, and he felt that a new stage of his path was beginning right now.
"We are ready, Professor!" he asked, standing up.
Dumbledore looked at both of them approvingly and continued:
"Depart tomorrow at dawn," answered Dumbledore. "And remember, the strength of friendship and mutual understanding in difficult times is your best ally."
"See you later, Professor," said Harry, heading towards the exit of the office.
"See you later, Harry," echoed Dumbledore, watching as his student and faithful house-elf disappeared behind the door.
Now the fate of the Relic of Knowledge depended on Harry and his faithful friend Dobby. Their journey was full of dangers and trials, but they knew that if they managed to overcome all obstacles, they could change the course of history and bring light to the darkest hour.
