NOVEL WEB Chapter 56: Chapter 56 Dobby
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"House-elf who intercepted Harry's letters, by the power of a witch, I command you to appear!" Orli made an intricate gesture, forming a square with her thumbs and index fingers while threading her remaining fingers straight through the middle.
While house-elves typically only obeyed their masters, this gesture, taught to Orli by Porgy, held special significance. Any house-elf who witnessed a wizard making this sign was bound to obey, provided the command didn't conflict with their master's orders or wellbeing.
With a faint pop, a small creature materialized before them. The being had enormous bat-like ears and bulging green eyes the size of tennis balls. He wore what appeared to be an old pillowcase, modified with crude holes for his arms and legs.
"Good heavens, what is that?!" Hermione exclaimed, startled.
"A house-elf," Orli explained calmly. "My family used to have one. They're magical servants to wizarding families."
"Greetings, Miss Witch. Dobby is honored to be summoned," the creature said, bowing so deeply his long nose brushed against the carpet, though his reluctance was evident.
"So you're the one who's been stealing my letters?!" Harry demanded, anger evident in his voice.
"Harry Potter!" Dobby squeaked in excitement. "Such an honor it is... Dobby has longed to meet you, sir..."
"Th-thank you..." Harry shifted awkwardly before squaring his shoulders. "Now return my letters!"
"Harry Potter must not be angry... Dobby hoped... if Harry Potter thought his friends had forgotten him... perhaps Harry Potter would not want to return to school..." Dobby blinked his large eyes and pulled out a thick stack of letters from his pillowcase. There were letters in Hermione's and Orli's neat handwriting, Ron's messy scrawl, and even one from Hagrid.
Harry lunged for the letters, but Dobby nimbly jumped away.
"Harry Potter must not return to Hogwarts! Dobby came to protect Harry Potter, to warn him - even if Dobby must shut his ears in the oven door later..."
"Why would he shut his ears in the oven?!" Hermione cried out in horror.
Orli had to explain the peculiar ways of house-elves and their daily duties. Hermione listened with growing dismay.
"But I have to go back!" Harry protested. "I don't belong here - I belong at Hogwarts!"
"No, no, no," Dobby squealed, shaking his head so vigorously his ears flapped. "Harry Potter must stay where he is safe. He will be in mortal danger if he returns to Hogwarts!"
"Why?" Harry asked, bewildered.
"There is a plot... terrible things are planned for Hogwarts this year..." Dobby trembled, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"What terrible things? Who's plotting them?" Harry pressed.
Dobby glanced between Harry, Orli, and Hermione. He made a choking sound, then suddenly began banging his head against the wall.
"Stop! Stop it!" Hermione reached out to pull him back while Harry grabbed for his arm.
"Make him stop! Orli, what's wrong with him?"
Orli made the gesture again and commanded: "Dobby, I order you to stop! You are forbidden from punishing yourself!"
Dobby froze mid-motion. He shot Orli a slightly resentful look.
"Dobby has stopped, Dobby obeys your command, but Dobby cannot speak... Dobby cannot tell anyone."
"Does this have anything to do with Vol- with You-Know-Who?" Harry asked.
"Ah! Not the name, sir, please not the name!" Dobby moaned, covering his ears.
"Alright then - does this have anything to do with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?"
Dobby slowly shook his head. "No sir, not He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named..."
"Who else could it be? Are there other dark wizards?" Harry wondered aloud.
"Let me handle this, Harry. I know better how to deal with house-elves," Orli said, crouching down in front of Dobby, who shrank back slightly.
"Dobby, for the questions I'm about to ask, you only need to nod or shake your head. And no matter what, you are not to punish yourself, understood?"