Chapter Two

Try Try Again

Friday June 24

Third try

Harry woke up at 6:30am and there was one word on his mind – Dobby. Everyone underestimated elves. He was a great friend and resource. After a quick trip to the bathroom, where Dean and Neville wished him good luck, the teen finished getting dressed, walked up to the seventh floor and softly called, "Dobby."

Little D popped in, gave Harry a great hug and asked, "How can Dobby help you, Harry Potter?"

"I need to talk to you about something that has happened to me. I need your help."

Harry then walked back and forth three times with his eyes closed, thinking hard. When the door appeared, he said, "Come inside so we can talk in private about something serious."

They walked in to find a training room, including targets, dummies, a warded and shielded spell area, an exercise area with weight machines, and a running track. It also had what appeared to be a toilet with shower in the corner and a nice siting area with two appropriately sized comfortable chairs for them and a coffee table.

"Dobby, I need to be sure you'll keep my secrets. I can't afford for anyone to know what we discuss. As a free elf, I have to ask for a vow of secrecy from you."

Little D hemmed and a very faint blush rose on his cheeks as he took one long ear in his hands and stroked it. It was a habit Harry had noticed of his friend when he was nervous.

"Ah, Harry, you've treated Dobby like a friend and equal since you freed me from old bad master Malfoy." He spat on the floor at the name. "Dobby never told you, but elves need a bond to keep their magic. When freed, an elf must bond within a year, or his magic fades away and the elf does too. Dobby will never betray your secrets, Harry Potter."

Harry shivered. "Did you bond with someone?"

"Please remain my friend, Harry Potter, but Dobby bonded to you."

Harry face split in a huge grin. "Well that makes things much easier. Just don't let Hermione know."

"Very good, Mr. Harry Potter sir." The little guy beamed at him.

"Dobby, you're speaking much better than when I first met you."

Dobby smiled. "Dobby has been working here and takes much time sitting in class rooms listening. Dobby follows Luna and listens to her talk."

In spite of her quirkiness, Harry replied, "That's awesome. Let me explain what happened. There's strange magic affecting me. I've lived today twice over before. Today is the third time. I'm stuck in a loop. Three days ago; for me anyway, you showed me this room and I trained in here. I found a bottle of Felix Felicis and I drank it."

"Dobby gasped. "Was it fresh? Did you take entire bottle?"

"I don't know how old it was and I can't believe I drank the whole thing!"

"Not good, Harry Potter. Old potions can have wonky effects," as he held out his hand palm down and waggled it back and forth. "How many times will you go through this trial? It may be many times until Fate determines that the luck potion worked. Dobby thinks that we must treat each time as the last time and strive to do the best we can."

Harry nodded and admitted, "Yes, I'm realizing that now. I have the day to practice, then I'll go into the maze and grab the cup which transports me to a graveyard where Voldemort will get a new body with the help of Scabbers-the-Rat Pettigrew. He calls for his Death Eaters and then he'll torture me, then we duel. I fight him and get away. Dumbledore and others ask me questions but never answer mine. When I wake up, it's the start of the same day again."

Dobby replied, "Dobby saw a movie like that two years ago after Harry freed Dobby from bad master Malfoy. It was called Groundhog Day."

Surprised at his explanation, Harry asked, "Do you go to many movies?"

"Many times, Harry Potter. Dobby gets the small person rate... and sometimes Dobby sneaks in. Dobby really likes the hot buttered popcorn."

"Where do you get the money to get in the pictures?"

"Dobby uses Old bad master's household expense jar in elf's butler's pantry. Lucy forgot to ward me out of the manor. Dobby pops in to get money sometimes when needed," answered Little D with a big grin.

Harry smiled and replied, "Only you, my friend. I do need your help."

"How can Dobby best help you?"

"Help me plan a different outcome. I don't know what I don't know!"

In a calm voice, Dobby asked, "Is it exactly the same each time repeat, or can Harry Potter change anything?"

"No, it can be different. Both times I was in the maze, cemetery, and returned, I tried something different with mixed results. I tried to save Cedric from being killed in the graveyard and my solution had him eaten alive by Hagrid's giant spider in the maze instead of being killed by Pettigrew. Being polite to Voldemort helped me, but confronting Moody who is really Barty Crouch Jr, a Death Eater, resulted in three dead students. I need to learn his sweeping cutting curse."

"Oh my. Wait a minute Harry, Dobby will be back."

… - ...

Less than a minute later Dobby popped back into the room with a book. "Dobby has have a better cutting curse than the sweeping Diffindo. This potion book was Professor Greasy Hair's when he was student. He invented a cutting curse, Sectumsempra. Very nasty, Harry Potter. Very hard to close with magic. People bleed out fast. Dobby has seen Professor Greasy use this with old bad master. Learn this one."

Harry smiled. "Good job, Dobby. I like using their own work against them."

"So, Harry, do you want to save Cedric and capture the not-Moody?"

"Right. He's Barty Crouch Junior."

Dobby walked back and forth pacing, much as Harry did when thinking. Barty Crouch Junior was a very dangerous wizard. Harry smiled at the thought of his little Minnie-Me.

"Dobby thinks you should do the Bombs-Away! spider drop onto Bad-Man's head."

"What?"

Dobby pointed out, "It's in the rules that you're allowed to use spells to move obstacles. They can't prove that you knew that the impostor was standing on the other side of the maze hedge in exactly that spot. Levitate the big spider up fifteen meters, then drop it on not-Moody's head and two problems are solved. Do it to him before he does it to you."

Harry asked, "What if he's not there? I can't send the spider all the way over to the other side of the maze."

"Then just drop the spider out of the maze. It will run back into the forest where it belongs. Not as good as Bombs-Away! but solves one problem. Dobby thinks Harry could also make sure Cedric doesn't grab the cup. Stun him and send up red sparks. All's fair in war, Harry and you have to start thinking this is war.

"Now, tell me about Lily's conversations; were they exactly the same, or were they different?"

Harry replied, "They were different."

"Then Harry must think to ask her one or two questions quickly when you go again. You must also start thinking about who your enemies are also. Like Bagman, Professor Greasy Hair and Dumbledore. They all supported pushing you into the tournament. Harry and Dobby have to take care of all of them."

Finally he asked, "What about other people knowing any of this?"

Harry replied, "I don't think so. It seems I'm the only one."

"Can Harry remember everything?"

"Not as well as I'd like to. It all happened so fast. I recognized way more details from the do-over than the first time."

"Harry, please remember that and tell Dobby tomorrow as Dobby probably won't remember any of our conversation today, but Dobby has something to help you remember. Talk tomorrow, and Dobby will get it. Now we're out of time, you have to get to the hall for some dinner. Make yourself eat something. You'll need the energy."

… - ...

"OK, in you go Potter," said Bagman as he pushed him into the maze.

Harry tripped at the unexpected shove and sprawled into the dirt face first. "Eff'ing Arse," as he rolled and whipped his wand out and cast a Stupefy and hit a surprised Bagman in the chest. He stalked over to him and put his foot on his chest and pressed hard as he revived him. He bent over with his eyes blazing killing curse green as he grasped his throat. "Listen up, Bagman. I've had enough of this tournament and the bull shite from the adults involved. If you ever lay a hand on me again, I will hurt you."

He shoved his head down and walked away with out a backwards glance.

Harry went to the first junction, used aguamenti to wet himself and cast accio at all the leaves and sticks lying about on the path which coated him head to foot. He leaned back and disappeared into the shrubbery. It was but a few minutes when Cedric came careening around the corner and ran by Harry hidden in the shrubbery. Harry stuck out his wand and stunned Cedric, wrapped him in ropes, sprayed him down with water and rolled him in the leaves and twigs from his first summoning, then stood him up against the shrubbery and lashed him securely in place. "If you knew what was to happen Cedric, you'd thank me."

I need a shrubbery, thought Harry. He then transfigured a wall of shrubbery across the path to make it a dead end. As he walked away, he laughed and exclaimed loudly. "The Knights of Ni creating havoc! Let the other two contestants and the adults figure out why this section of the maze dead ended fifty feet from the entrance." He began to run to the center of the maze rushing to find the Acromantula.

Just as it happened the past two nights, Harry spied the giant spider coming at him. He pointed his wand and levitated the giant arachnid into the air and tossed him towards the stands where he hoped that the Moody imposter was patrolling. But fate was not kind tonight. Harry hadn't levitated the spider high enough to kill it from the fall. It was incandescent with rage when it landed on the caretaker Argus Filch. It ripped the old man's left leg off with one of his pincers and then leaped towards the stands. Harry could hear the screaming start but just shrugged his shoulders and continued on. Oops, he thought.

Harry ran to the cup, took a big breath and grabbed the handle. Fate was most displeased by the carnage Harry had already left in his wake and Voldemort's resurrection played out the same as the previous two nights.

Harry redoubled his efforts and forced the light ball back into Tom's wand. The shades of the dead began pouring out. "Mom, Dad I have questions!"

"About quidditch, Son?"

"Quidditch Dad? Are you out of your mind at a time like this? Never mind. We don't have time for that, so be serious. Mom, do you know what and where all the Horcruxes are?"

"The diary was one, Hufflepuff's cup is in Bellatrix Lestrange's vault at Gringotts. There are more but you must go now."

Harry was shocked and lost his concentration and the connection dropped. He rolled to the side casting piercing hexes as the golden dome collapsed and the ghosts ran at Riddle. He had hit with all four curses, Jasper Nott, fatally, and three unknown others were laying on the ground screaming and holding shattered limbs.

Harry only had a moment to take all this in as Riddle cast the killing curse at him. He did the only thing he could and ducked and rolled towards the cup. Riddle's curse sailed over his head and hit Yaxley in the face dropping him instantly. Harry ran dodging left and right, diving behind gravestones as Riddle cast vile curse after vile curse at him.

"You can't hide, Harry Potter. Come out and face me like a man. I command my followers not to cast at Harry, he is mine to kill tonight."

Harry was panting and out of breath. He could see the cup about thirty feet away. He'd already killed one and Riddle killed one other. Harry stood up and stepped out from the shelter of the large monument he was hiding behind and took two steps backwards towards the cup. As he did so, he kneeled and turned to the right and let loose six reductors in a row, dove behind the stone again and summoned the cup to him. As he felt the hated hook to his navel, he saw Narcissa Malfoy and Walden McNair laying dead on the ground all from his rapid-fire cursing.

… - ...

Malfoy sought permission to leave immediately once Voldemort calmed down at Potter's escape. He had to get to Fudge first. Malfoy, lungs heaving from running to the judges reviewing stand from Hogwarts gates corralled Fudge and pulled him aside. Casting a privacy charm, he handed Fudge two large bags of galleons.

"Cornelius, a little contribution to your favorite charity," said Lucius with a wink. "The Potter brat has caused untold mayhem in the maze. He somehow turned the cup into a portkey and caused deaths when he arrived at a meeting of fine upstanding citizens at Nott's home. He landed right on top of them, casting curses and claimed the Dark Lord was back. My poor wife, two of your Ministry Officials, and an upstanding citizen - Walden McNair, Yaxley, and Nott are all dead because of a mentally deranged boy. You must arrest him."

"Dawlish, take your detail and arrest Harry Potter. He's caused all sorts of crimes tonight. Detain him in the Ministry. I'll be along shortly."

Harry was dragged away screaming.

"Don't anyone listen to his ravings. He's obviously had a mental breakdown," yelled Fudge.

Harry would do a lot of thinking in his cell that night.

… - …

Fourth try

Harry awoke at 6:30am when his trusty mechanical alarm clock rang. He sat up, looked groggily around his surroundings and thought, Wow, I feel good, I knew that I would! Merlin, I got another do over - number four. I need to get moving; there's a lot to do.

He quickly grabbed a change of fresh clothes and headed to the showers. Neville and Dean wished him good luck in the third task. After very quick morning ablutions, he headed to the Great Hall for breakfast. He scanned the hall and other than Cedric and Cho, there were very few people in it at 6:45. He grabbed a plate and made six sandwiches of toasted cinnamon bread over hard fried eggs, bacon, and sliced tomatoes. He carefully wrapped each one and put them on a plate. He grabbed a jug of orange juice and asked for a house elf to give him one of coffee. It appeared only a minute later. Placing the two jugs, the plate of food, and two cups on a tray he headed to the seventh floor. Arriving in front of the dancing trolls, he called for Dobby, then walked back and forth three times until the door appeared.

Stepping inside, he saw shelves of books on the wall, a small facsimile of the Gryffindor common room with table and chairs, an athletic track for running, along with a work out area that had various machines and a protected spell casting area.

He sat down and called, "Dobby."

Dobby popped in and looked at Harry with fondness. "The Great and Wonderful Harry Potter Sir calls for Dobby! Dobby is ready to help his friend Harry!"

Harry smirked. "Cut it, Dobby. Sit and eat with me, I don't have time for fooling around today. Have a sandwich, these are my favorites." Harry continued while sharing out the sandwiches.

"Dobby, do you remember us having a discussion yesterday morning, err I mean this morning?"

Harry threw his hands up. "This is so confusing, Dobby."

"Mr. Harry Potter Sir, Dobby is confused, I did not talk to you this morning. Is Mister Harry feeling A OK?"

Harry just looked at Little D for a moment. He recognized that while he remembered the details of all of the do-overs, Dobby and any others would not. "OK, I'll be quick; I'm in a bad magic loop, doing the same day over and over just like Ground Hog Day movie that you saw. This is try number four for me. I know you are my bonded elf and I'm OK with that. "

Dobby sighed in relief. "Dobby be glad he is Harry Potter's elf and does not need to be sneaky anymore, Harry Potter."

"That's good, Dobby. Now I'll tell what's been happening." Harry covered the high points quickly, including all the important events. When he was finished Little D was focused.

"So, are things are the same, or you can change things by what you do? Now tell Dobby what has been different from the previous times."

Harry replied, "A good thing is I found out about another Horcrux. Mom told me the diary was one and Hufflepuff's cup is in Bellatrix Lestrange's vault at Gringotts. Thinking back on it, I only get about 15-20 seconds with her at a time before I'm forced to act. On the other hand, I made mistakes. I needlessly confronted Bagman this last time, when he pushed me into the maze. I don't like him, but he's not a priority problem. Then I needlessly kept Cedric out of the contest and created another person who was angry with me.

"I'm so disappointed in Professor Dumbledore. Apparently, his version of knowledge transfer is 99% towards him with 1% admonishment for asking what he considered to be bothersome questions. He's no help at all. I actually think he wants me to fail by how he acts."

"Dobby thinks Harry should not waste time on things that don't matter. Keep a list of the bad men for after. Keep old whiskers at arm's length so he cannot meddle."

"You're right, Little D. I can get through it far faster now that I've seen it a few times. Your Bombs Away! idea missed the target though. I caused a bit of mayhem when the spider didn't get Moody. Not that I care about Mr. Filch and the crowd in the stands."

"Dobby fixes the problem. Dobby will help with the spider drop and will find Harry Potter a good watch to tell time with."

"Thanks Little D. Based on where I was standing, different people died in the cemetery. Dawlish and Malfoy didn't get killed this last time."

Dobby asked, "How did you know that it was Auror Dawlish?"

"Riddle identified him and Avery by name this time. They hadn't been called out before. I think Dawlish and Malfoy rushed back to Hogwarts to protect Dawlish's undercover secret. They came back at almost the same time that I did and got to Fudge first. They'd made up a cock and bull story, then I was arrested like my godfather. No investigation, money changed hands between Malfoy and Fudge and I'm tossed into a cell. Dumbledore just sat there and watched."

"Dobby thinks Fudge is an enemy to go on the list with Dumbledore, Malfoy, Pretend Professor Peg Leg and Professor Greasy. Also, Harry Potter needs to immediately ask Lily Potter direct questions and ignore James Potter, if possible, especially if he won't stay on point with important questions. Dobby be right back, Harry."

He returned seconds later, handed Harry a muggle pocket watch and said, "Harry Potter, here is a watch for you to wear. It's a fancy top-of-the-line mechanical Timex. 'It takes a lick'en and keeps on ticking! It has a stop watch feature. Harry Potter sir wears it and starts watch when you step into maze. We needs to keep track of time. When Harry Potter gets by first spider, call for Dobby, who will have watched for Not-Moody and shall direct Bombs-Away! over the target. Dobby makes sure that false Professor Peg Leg be there for spider to snack on. Dobby puts sneaky, sneaky compulsion on spot in back of the maze. No one will see me so no one will know what we do on purpose, Harry Potter. Then Harry Potter waits to see how long it takes Cedric to get to the cup. Then you take the cup to the graveyard and note how long it takes to get back to the school."

Dobby paused a moment and snapped his fingers as he remembered something Harry had said earlier. "Dobby will be right back."

A few minutes later, Dobby was back with a big muggle notebook and a package of Biros. He took a miniature chalk board out of an invisible pocket and resized it and handed Harry a piece of chalk.

"Now you write down all the things that happened and what you saw or believe in the note book. We most likely will be doing this again tomorrow. Writing them down will help you remember things for our planning. Do it now, then Dobby will show you a spell to transfer to the chalk board."

Harry took ten minutes and filled two pages of the notebook with everything that happened.

"Now Master Harry, hold out your wand and make almost a circle over the notebook pages yous want to put on the chalk board, then flick your wrist and point at the board and say Scribble Volans, and notes be on board."

"That's absolutely amazing, Dobby. Thank you."

"Now you must practice your spell casting. You must learn the sweeping Diffindo curse and the Sectumsempra curse. Best you know both. Try them and see which works best."

A half-hour before dinner, Harry made his way down to the Great Hall for dinner. He sat down at the end of the table closest to the doors and Hermione joined him just before the elves started serving. He was tired and needed a boost, so had a big plate and extra pudding. While he was eating, he reached out and grabbed Hermione's hand. "Do me a favor tonight. Watch Fudge and note who he talks to during the third task. I want you to be careful and don't go anywhere alone. Stay in a group and stay away from Professor Moody. He's really creeping me out. I don't like how he looks at us."

"Harry, I'm sure everything will be okay."

Harry squeezed her hand then got up and left for the last task.

Luna breezed in to the Great Hall and sat down with Hermione. "Please sit with me tonight. Things don't feel right."

On the way to the maze, Dobby handed Harry a vial of pepper up for him to down before he grabbed the cup. "Good luck, Harry Potter. Remember do it to them before they do it to you."

Harry knelt down and hugged Dobby. "Thanks, Little D. I'll see you later."

…

Later that evening, after Harry had summoned the cup and returned from Little Hangleton, he rolled away from a group of people as he hit the ground behind the winners stand and quickly put on his invisibility cloak.

He made his way through the crowd, then made a fast bee line to the hospital wing; successfully evading Dumbledore, Fudge, and any classmates. He was in no mood for any questions from anyone.

As Harry checked Madam Pomfrey's domain, confirmed it was deserted then quickly raided the potions cabinet. He downed a pain reliever, and pocketed a dreamless sleep potion for later. He then ran to the seventh floor and walked back and forth in front of the dancing trolls to open the Room of Requirement and called for Dobby.

Little D appeared as Harry was configuring the room. He asked, "How did everything go, Harry Potter?"

Harry replied, "Little D, I left Bagman and Cedric alone as we discussed, went through the maze the normal way and reached the second spider in less than 20 minutes. Your idea of setting up a spot in back where Junior would stop and inspect worked very well. Right before you left the maze, you pointed, and the spider fell 15 meters. They were both flattened when I dropped it. Cedric took 80 minutes to get through the maze.

"Just after I spotted Cedric by the finish, I took the cup portkey to Little Hangleton. Riddle didn't torture me this time. That made a huge difference in my mobility. I stood in front of Dawlish, and kept inching over so Dawlish and Lucius were in line of each other. Tom tried to AK me and I rolled out of the way and the curse killed Dawlish. He accidentally got Lucius the next time."

"When our wands connected, Mum told me that Slytherin's ring is hidden at the Gaunt's shack just off the road on the left side, a kilometer north of the old Riddle house."

Harry added, "I tried the Sectumsempra curse. It was brutally effective, I cut someone in half, but it's slow to cast and I couldn't sweep it to use on more than one person at a time. The sweeping Diffindo was much better. I tried it after I was knocked over by a bombarda that landed near me on the ground. I cast at ankle height. I don't know who I hit but five Death Eaters went down when I cut their legs off at the ankle. It was hard to fight and get away from all of them."

Dobby observed, "One verses so many might not be the best plan; especially if the Champions' wands are checked after the tournament. Harry needs to be able to travel fast. Harry needs to learn how to make port keys, and/or apparate. What else do we know?"

"Well, my mother continues to expand his list of horcruxes that would need to be destroyed. I don't know how many he made. I'll have to ask her next time. What can we do about all of the Death Eaters?

Dobby suggested, "Perhaps you have to ensure that they cannot leave the graveyard."

Harry replied, "I don't know how, but we'll think of something. They're all together and Riddle had told them not to attack me because he wants to kill me himself. It may be the best opportunity to get them all at one time."

Dobby added, "One last thing, Harry. Think about who could help you. You don't have to tell them what's happening but ask them to research how to do things. Like your friend Her-my-oh-knee, the witch with wild and crazy hair!"

Harry was exhausted but managed to smirk at the thought of Hermione. "Thank you for the help today. I have to get to sleep. I'll call you in the morning and we can pick this up. I don't know when the clock starts over, so you should think about things as long as you can."

Dobby hugged his friend and popped away.

Harry celebrated the small success that they'd had. Junior was killed, Cedric was unhurt, and they'd learned of a third horcrux. Harry thought about his transportation limitations and agreed with Little D that he needed to learn how to apparate, and or make portkeys. That would allow him to leave the maze 60-65 minutes earlier.

All in all, Harry was resigned to the fact his progress would likely be two steps forward and one back.

… - …

Fifth try

Harry was out of sorts this morning and stood in amazement amid the largest pile of junk he'd ever seen in his life. He slowly turned in a circle trying to take the enormity of it all in. The room was easily bigger, much bigger than the Great Hall. It was similar in height at about forty feet high, perhaps twice as long, with the dust covered detritus of ages piled almost as high as the ceiling in rows with narrow passages between them.

His day had started out poorly. He had set his alarm to get up at 5am hoping to have another ninety minutes to work and plan but it rang at the usual time. The note book Little D had given him was also gone. He guessed that the Fates did not approve and he was unable to change the starting point of the loop. He reviewed in his mind the details so he wouldn't forget. Then he wanted to slip in and out of the Great Hall for breakfast, but his best friend Hermione, along with Neville had ambushed him and made him sit and eat with them. That was something different. He'd spoken a bit longer with Neville earlier in the morning. Perhaps that had initiated the change. She was worried about him and the last task. He only escaped by distracting them with a request for information on magical travel. He hugged her. It was the first time he ever initiated such a thing and then kissed her cheek. If he had the courage to face Riddle and crew on a nightly basis, he certainly had the courage to hug and kiss Hermione. "Please ask Neville to leave the results of your investigation and one-page essay on my bed." He left them at the table with Neville talking about the Knight Bus, portkeys and apparition while Hermione was shocked but had a gleam in her eyes like a hound on the scent while writing copious notes.

It was now 8am and he had no idea how this vast room of junk had appeared. Hell, I know I was distracted but I asked for a room to help me in the last task, thought Harry.

"Little D, I need you."

"Harry Potter calls for his Dobby?"

Harry went through a quick synopsis of his past four do-overs. "So that's what's happening, Little D. What is this room?"

"We's being in the Room of Lost Things, Harry. Anything that is lost in Hogwarts and owner does not find or forgets when they leave finds its way here. This has been here since the castle opened."

"Are you saying that there has to be something in here that can help us?"

"There has to be, otherwise the room would not have appeared. Maybe money to bribe Fudge?" asked Dobby with a laugh.

"Accio money," yelled Harry and swept his wand in an arc.

Suddenly a swooshing sound was heard and Harry looked up with horror at the cloud of approaching coins, pulled Little D to him and cast a protego shield over them as thousands of coins pelted the shield for over a minute.

"Sorry, Little D. I didn't expect that!"

"At least you know that when this is all over you can make a few galleons from the room," answered Dobby.

"Maybe there's something here that can help me fight in the graveyard?"

"Dobby has an idea, don't say Accio, let Dobby try." Little D proceeded to walk back in forth deep in thought. Harry startled when the room made a ten-foot table appear in front of them and weapons started to pop into view on it. In less than a minute the table was full of edged weapons. Some were rather ordinary and some were fancy jewel encrusted works of art, but all were deadly looking.

"Dobby this is incredible."

"These be Goblin forged arms. The best there is made anywhere. Knives, swords, machetes, bow and arrows, pikes. These two are brilliant Kukri and Falcata weapons."

Harry picked up the Falcata and swished it around. "This feels good in my hand, very balanced." He put it down and picked up the bow. He tried drawing it but its pull was more than his strength.

The 14 year-old wizard observed, "Nice thought, but these weapons don't seem practical for this situation. How can I fight over 30 witches and wizards with a short blade or sword? I can't even pull the bow and I'm sure I can't learn how to shoot it in one afternoon. I'd have to practice for months to become proficient."

"Maybe you need better spells, plans or weapons. But you should take a dagger anyway. Being in close, you could stick an enemy."

Harry became thoughtful about the better spells and weapons idea. He looked at the room of junk and then at the table of edged weapons. He concentrated for a minute and a white marble pedestal appeared. An old revolver appeared on it. Harry stared at it dumbfounded and picked up the old handgun to inspect it.

He explained, "I asked the room for firearms in different ways. I asked for pistols, rifles, and machine guns. This is incredible."

"That's a big muggle pistol, Harry."

"Yes, it's a Webley revolver. It says so on the grip. It's a Mark VI. I think I've seen this before in a police film in primary school. When I push this lever, the barrel falls forward to open up for the bullets." As he was speaking, they all popped out of the cylinder. "Oops it's loaded. Just six bullets, Dobby," said Harry as he bent over to pick up the cartridges from the floor.

Harry took the six bullets and put them in his pocket and snapped the revolver shut. "This is a heavy gun. I'd say over two pounds. It has a long barrel; it looks about six inches. Too bad only six bullets. This should be very accurate. The bullets are about 45 caliber. A heavy bullet. This will have good stopping power. I'll figure out how to use this later. Now back to our discussion. This could help me in the graveyard, but I don't even know if I should fight them in the graveyard. I just don't know what to do."

Dobby flushed a little bit and stroked his ear. "Dobby be thinking; maybe Harry will not like what Dobby has to say. From what Harry Potter has been telling Dobby, Harry hasn't been listening to Dobby the past few do overs. Dobby wants to tell you to 'Do it to them before they do it to you.'"

"It's okay, Little D. I value what you say. It's hard to think of dueling and hurting and maybe killing someone. I'm just a kid. Why me?"

"Fighting, not dueling, Harry. Great Prime Minister Winnie the Churchill said something in a speech. "It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required." Very few people want to fight, Harry, but the Dark Lord and his followers are out to kill you, to end the Potter line forever. It's a jungle out there, Harry. Voldemort and his followers declared war on you Harry. Albus too-many-whiskers' headmaster chooses to be no help. Ministry is no help; Fudge is corrupt. Would you trust him after what happened in second and third year with him? How about what you know from do-overs?"

The teen wizard replied, "Dumbledore is always giving second chances and calling for redemption; he never ever punishes horrible behavior. At the same time, he also seems to be controlling me. He tells me where to go and what to do. Why? He's nothing to me but the headmaster. Why the power? What does he want from me? All the adults in my life are useless. I don't know how Sirius can help, being on the run. I can't trust the professors; I can't trust the Ministry and the head of the Government seems to be concerned only with who gives him the biggest bribes."

"Dobby replied, Those all be bad guys, they've upped the ante on you. You have a right to defend yourself. Fighting is not dueling. Whether you like it or not, they've made it kill, or be killed. If you find yourself under attack, don't think, act immediately, don't be kind, you be harsh. Be tough. Be ruthless. Let your attacker worry about his life. Don't hold back, Harry Potter. That's the way to survive and come back.

"As for Sirius, Dobby thinks that he'll play a vital role in all of this. He'll have a far easier time getting into the Lestrange vault than you or Dobby would. When Lily has given you information on all of the Horcruxes, you should contact Sirius and we can discuss the best way that he can help."

Little D sat down and stroked his ear. He was sad he had to be so blunt with his friend. Harry sat down and put his face in his hands. Both were silent for several minutes.

"How did you get so wise, Little D?"

Dobby just blushed. "Elves live a long time. Dobby has been around a long, long time. Dobby is older than Harry Potter – as old as you Grandfather, but still young for an elf. Dobby has seen too much war and pain in my lifetime."

Harry looked at him for a few moments. "You did not answer me - why me, Little D?"

"It doesn't matter, Harry. Fate, manipulation by the old meddler whiskers, drunk fortune tellers, who knows? My fault, your fault, somebody's fault, nobody's fault? Who knows. We are the only ones being here. No one else. Bad guys hate you for what you stand for. For what you or parents did. Defending oneself is not a selfish act. Many people are made to join armies and fight in wars. They do what they have to to survive. You must too."

"So, you think I should fight in the graveyard? Is this society worth it?"

"No Harry, as it stands, the magical society here is not worth it. It's all rotten and corrupt. Too few good people, too many Malfoy and Fudge types. Too much money is in the hands of people who are either willing, or actively seeking to harm those who have just been born into their magic. No, you do this for freedom, for yourself, and maybe a few others who love and support you like your Her-my-o-nee. She is good for you Harry, don't forget that. She loves you for just being you. No, most magicals are not worth you doing what needs to be done. You fight to not be a victim. Make them fear you. Then what happens, happens. You be young; it's not your task to save sick society from itself."

"Heavy words, Little D. I have to think about what you said. So let's assume I fight back hard in the graveyard. Should I kill Riddle before we destroy all the horcruxes?"

"Nope. Dobby thinks even if you shoot and kill Riddle, he's still out there because we haven't destroyed all of his soul containers first. At least we currently know exactly where he is and where the soul items are at this point in time. If you kill him then he becomes a ghosty wraith again, he could come back and then move them. We need to be careful. Killing Riddle tonight might be for practice, or it might cause the do-over to stop. Either way, Dobby is certain that Harry Potter will only be given a limited number of do-overs.

"Even if Harry Potter, shoot Riddle with big revolver, Harry Potter still be completely outclassed against 32 Death Eaters. Most likely any survivors will run to Fudge and would publicly accuse Harry of murdering anyone who was killed. Harry has to fight more than one battle to survive."

The frustrated teen admitted, "I didn't think of that. He just came back and I want to end this once and for all."

"You only have six bullets, Harry. You can't take out more than thirty Death Eaters with just six bullets. Dobby doesn't know where to get more, at least not in the time we have before the task. You need to save them for Riddle. But we need to figure out how to take out the rest of them at the same time."

"What do you mean, Little D?"

"Think about this, Harry. There's Riddle and his henchies. Then you have old Whisker Puss, who is manipulating your life for his unknown purpose, probably to get the Potter fortune, and the glory for killing Riddle after you die fighting him. Then there are the unmarked followers who are as bad as Malfoy. Finally, there is corrupt Fudge and the Ministry."

"So, two dark lords need to be offed and a corrupt government needs to be neutralized while we find and destroy all of Riddle's Horcruxes, fight to survive the graveyard and do it all in one day, without leaving any trace leading back to me that I had anything to do with it. Is that all Little D?" questioned Harry, with a bit of smirk.

"Almost, Harry Potter. You have to make sure no one leaves that graveyard alive to tell tales. Last but not least, we have to point the attention elsewhere. We need to figure out how to do that also."

"He's got good fighters. I get the impression Snape is very good. He'd tell Dumbledore what happened there for certain."

"Well, you know that at least Malfoy and Dawlish need to be put down fast and early. You need to be calm in the graveyard. If you must shoot, be close to target. You don't have any experience with shooting."

"You're right, Little D. I think tonight this stays in the room. I must think on how to use it."

"That's good idea. Harry must get all info on horcruxes as soon as possible. Ask her how many in total so we can estimate how long it will take to destroy them. Ask Lily, not James. This can take several sessions but it most important to finishing this once and for all."

…-…

That evening, after Harry dashed away from Riddle and grabbed the cup for the second time, he was exhausted. He was having a harder time getting back to the castle and the Room of Requirement than the previous times. For some reason, people were milling about. Many aurors were posted and roving groups of them appeared to be searching for someone. He heard his name several times. Hiding, he cleared his wand by casting many innocuous charms - lumus, nox, point me, banishing, aquamenti, freshening, and several for transfiguration from his last class of the day.

Harry quietly called Dobby. "Little D, do you know what is going on? They seem to be searching for me."

"Yes Harry, Auror Proudfeet is checking everyone's wand, as it was discovered that someone used an unforgivable crucio on Fleur. I saw professor Peg Leg do imperious on Krum. You should let them check your wand and I'll tell them what I saw. Give you a chance to get to the come and go room."

Harry stumbled out of the woods holding the cup. He was immediately sighted and surrounded. Dumbledore strode up and tried to take control.

"Harry, what happened?"

Hermione pushed into the circle surrounding Harry and tried to hug the stuffing out of him. "Oh Harry, I was so worried about you."

Proudfoot interrupted. "OK missy, unhand the boy. Potter, let me see your wand, now."

"Why, what for? I grabbed the cup and it took me for a long ride into Hogsmeade. Something malfunctioned with the portkey. I had to walk all the way back."

"Just give me your wand; someone used an unforgivable in the maze on the Delacour witch."

Harry handed over his wand and Proudfoot did the priori incantantem spell. Innocuous spell after innocuous spell issued forth. Finally, when it was into his class room spells, he handed the wand back to Harry.

"He's clear, Dumbledore. Just like Ms. Granger asserted that he'd not cast anything like that and isn't going dark."

Not yet satisfied, Dumbledore asked, "Harry, did you see anything strange in the maze?"

Proudfoot glared at Dumbledore. "This is my investigation, Headmaster. Harry, did you see anything?"

"Well, there were strange creatures in the maze, the kind that will give me nightmares for years. For some reason, Professor Moody was stomping around inside the maze. He was very angry about something. He even bumped into me and told me to 'Get a move on Potter' then hit my arse with a stinging hex. I ran but did not see him again."

"About Professor Moody, he's dead. Know anything about that?"

"What? No."

Dobby popped in and started tugging on Proudfoot's robe.

"Dobby be in maze and sees what happens to Professor Peg Leg, Mr. Auror sir!"

"What were you doing in the maze, Elf?"

"I be Dobby and I work in kitchen. I bring meat to the hungry, scary half-lion women. I see Professor Peg Leg cast imperious curse on Victor Krum who then tortured blonde witch. Then big spider comes around hedge and grabs professor Peg Leg by real leg and professor use blasting and levitation charms and both go over the top of maze and Dobby no see any more. Dobby help hurt witch cast sparks in air then Dobby goes back to kitchen where he belongs."

Dobby hung his head and was stroking his ears. "Did Dobby do the right thing helping witch?"

"You did what any good elf would do, Dobby," said Dumbledore as he patted him on the head. Go on back to the kitchens."

Dobby winked at Harry as he walked past and popped away.

Proudfoot took Moody's wand out of an evidence bag and checked the last spells. When the imperious spell was highlighted, he sighed. "Well, that solves that mystery. I have to go to Madam Bones and report," as he turned and walked quickly away.

Harry started back to the castle. Hermione had her arm wrapped tightly around his and chattered away. When they got through the portrait hole Harry stopped abruptly. "Hermione, I need a shower and change of clothes, then I need a few minutes with Dobby. I'll just meet you down here at ten." Seeing the party that was going on, he doubted she'd get a word in.

She looked at him and was going to ask questions but one look at his face and she simply smiled and said, "OK." She went and took over their couch by the fireplace to wait.

Harry sprinted upstairs, grabbed a change of clothes and took a fast shower. He went to his bed, put Hermione's essay on magical travel in a pocket and closed his curtains casting a privacy charm, then called Dobby.

"Little D, pop us to the Room of Requirement, please."

Once inside, Harry got down to business. Listen, I don't have a lot of time. Hermione is waiting for me."

"You be sure to pick her brain on the travel Harry. Now tell me what you learned."

"Well first off, I presented an even meeker, more contrite image to Riddle after he came out of the cauldron. He made a big strutting speech to the Death Eaters . It changed slightly from his usual. He told them, 'You are my strength, I am your leader. Tomorrow we shall free our brethren. Tonight, our guest of honor shall provide our entertainment.' Then he attacked without warning."

"Dobby thinks that is big clue. He's going to Azkaban to get his people out."

"I agree, Little D. That is bad news. We need to consider that possibility and plan to stymie him."

"Did you ask you mother about the Horcruxes?"

"Yes she told me, 'The easiest one for you to get is the diadem that can be found in the room of lost things at Hogwarts.'"

"You must remember that tomorrow and we must find it first thing. Now we also know about the Diary, Hufflepuffs cup and Slytherin's ring. That will make four with one destroyed. But how many did he make?"

Harry admitted, "I don't know yet."

"You must ask that question the next time that you talk with her. Have her tell you the rest. What new things did you learn?"

"I got out OK, but Riddle and most of his Death Eaters are still on the loose."

"OK Harry. That's enough for tonight. You go talk to Her-my-o-nee. Pick her brain about magical travel. Learn it tonight. That way you can set her off on a new research project if needed."

… - …

An hour later, as Harry closed the curtains around his four-poster bed, he thought about the conversations that he'd had with Dobby today and the wand check from the Auror. It felt like Dobby was pushing a Kill them all, let God sort them out, methodology, yet Harry was certain that he'd never have any success in a street fight against dozens of Riddle's Marked Death Eaters.

Harry wasn't at all certain that Professor Dumbledore had done anything to warrant being called a Dark Lord. He'd talk with his mum and Sirius about it when he had the chance.

The wand check had been a game changer for him. It was happenstance that he hadn't fired any serious fighting spells this try and flat-out luck that he'd had a minute to cast a dozen diversionary spells. Even more-so, he'd been lucky that Dobby had come up with the bald-faced lie about Junior/Moody accidentally levitating the spider out of the maze.

He looked at the essay that Hermione had written about magical transportation methods. Ten seconds later, he was disappointed. Knowing the dates of the development of flying carpets wasn't going to benefit him in this situation. Harry realized that in the few hours that he'd have with Hermione on any given do-over day, she wasn't going to be the answer that would solve his problems.

He went over the events of the day one more time. He was certain that he'd missed something.

… - …

A/Ns

Two steps ahead, hopefully only one back. This Dobby has a fair bit of advice, but Harry will find that only half of it is useable.

Is Dobby wrong with his hard-line attitude toward the Death Eaters? What about their kids?

On a different subject, I've barely read anything in the last year. If you have a new tale, or you have one that you found, please leave a note. I'd love to read something good.

I was tempted to put in a Ned Ryerson character, but I didn't think people would want to hear, "Herry, it's me, Stan Shunpike" over and over.

Thanks for reading. Thank you for all of the kind notes. In every sense of the word, they make my day and they're fun to show to Mrs. Crow.

Tom and Crow

… - …