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Chapter 265: We're Friends, Right?
Chapter 265: We're Friends, Right?
Dobby felt as if a burning flame was raging within his chest, a powerful force that made his frail body tremble uncontrollably.
He wanted to shout to the world—he was free! He was no longer a slave to the Malfoy family!
"Dobby?"
A soft voice called from behind.
Dobby turned around and saw another house-elf, Lucy.
She, too, bore wounds, but compared to Dobby's pitiful state, she seemed much better off.
Lucy asked softly, "Are you okay? Does it hurt?"
Dobby's large eyes shone brightly, and he wanted to share his joy with Lucy at that moment. But...
The house-elf bit his lip, put the sock away, and said, "I'm fine... I have to go and carry out the master's task."
Without waiting for Lucy's response, he vanished from the spot with a loud "pop."
The next moment, Dobby appeared in the attic of Malfoy Mansion, a dim and cramped place filled with clutter in the corners.
Dobby casually sat on a dusty box, dug his long fingers into his ears, and pulled out a small scroll.
He unfurled the scroll and took out a thin pencil, writing a sentence on it—
[Dobby: Dobby got the sock, Dobby is free!]
Soon, flowing words appeared on the scroll:
[Vold: Wonderful! Congratulations, Dobby!]
[Dobby: Thank you for your help, Mr. Gre. I don't know how to thank you...]
Large tears fell onto the parchment, and Dobby quickly wiped them away.
[Vold: I hope you can live the life you desire. That's the best repayment you can give me.]
At this moment, even the cold words seemed to carry a warmth that touched his heart.
Dobby almost burst into loud sobs.
He covered his mouth tightly, curled up on the attic floor, and wept, looking both lonely and sorrowful.
Lucy had intended to call Dobby to apply medicine, but hearing the stifled cries from upstairs, she stood in silence for a while before quietly returning to the kitchen.
The other house-elves were preparing a sumptuous dinner, and one of them asked, "Lucy, how is Dobby?"
"He's crying," Lucy replied with sympathy.
The other house-elves fell silent.
After a while, an elderly elf spoke up, "Dobby probably needs some time alone... Don't disturb him until tomorrow morning."
"Okay."
...
In reality, Dobby didn't allow himself to wallow in his emotions.
The wind of freedom blew in his heart, and his tears were not of sadness but of joy and emotion.
However, Malfoy Mansion was not a place suitable for him to vent his emotions.
After crying for a while, Dobby quickly got up, wiped his nose and tears, and then cleaned his hands. He carefully took out the sock, stuffed the remaining box and FlowMirror into a corner of the attic.
The order from the master... former master was—
"Put it away! Put it somewhere I'll never see it again!"
Dobby understood it as: "Put the sock away! Put the box somewhere I'll never see it again!"
Of course, even without this forced 'translation,' the moment Dobby obtained the sock, he had gained his freedom.
The magical bond embedded in his bloodline had become as fragile as a spider's web due to his resentment towards the master, his defiance of orders, and his yearning for freedom. The moment an opportunity to break free presented itself, he would escape his bonds and embrace liberty.
However, Dobby didn't immediately rush to declare his freedom to Malfoy or boast to the other house-elves.
On one hand, through his communication with Vold via the Friendship Ledger, Dobby had gradually come to understand some truths.
For instance, if he immediately exposed the truth, Malfoy would realize that Vold had granted him freedom, which could cause trouble for his benefactor.
Furthermore, the other house-elves in the Malfoy household were different from Dobby. Although they suffered from the master's punishments, they didn't want to leave the Malfoy family and remained loyal to their master. They viewed Dobby, who longed for freedom, as an outsider.
--- Just a little longer.
Dobby told himself.
--- Just a few more days.
The Malfoy family often hosted grand parties, and as long as he left when there were many guests, his former master would only suspect those present and not Vold, who had been there days ago.
Dobby trembled with excitement at his own cleverness, knowing that he might still get beaten if he stayed at the Malfoy Mansion, but the thought of enduring the pain for his savior's sake made him feel happy.
--- Just a few more days.
The parchment warmed slightly again.
[Vold: Freedom without a penny is not freedom, it's just wandering. I've prepared some money and clean clothes for you, left at Lupin House. Remember to take them.]
Dobby couldn't hold back any longer. With a snap, he disappeared from his spot and reappeared in a forest, then fell to the ground, wailing.
...
There was no new reply on the parchment, but Vold didn't mind.
House-Elves were inherently emotional and easily excitable creatures, and he guessed that Dobby was probably hiding somewhere, crying.
Vold didn't take advantage of the situation to offer Dobby employment.
Dobby was a free-spirited elf who had already suffered greatly for his freedom.
Leaving the Malfoy Mansion only to enter the Gre household would be like jumping from one cage into another, even if the latter was more spacious and luxurious.
--- Even if it was more comfortable, it wasn't what Dobby wanted at this moment.
So...
Although Vold wished for Dobby to become his ally, he wouldn't make such a request now. Even knowing that Dobby would not refuse and would happily agree, he wouldn't do it.
Dobby wanted freedom, so he should have it.
But freedom came with a price.
In the current magical world, while everyone desired hardworking, loyal, and capable House-Elves, they struggled to accept free elves.
Wizards often had less magic than elves, and without the protection of a magical contract, the elves could turn on their masters at any time. How could employers feel at ease?
Dobby was destined to face rejection, but this was his dream.
Vold hoped that with his support, at least for a while, Dobby would truly be happy.
One day, two days, three days...
It wasn't until ten days later, on the weekend, that Vold saw Dobby at Lupin House.
He had already left the Malfoy Mansion, wearing the clothes Vold had given him, with bandages still wrapped around him, but he looked lively and hadn't taken the money.
"Dobby will survive on his own strength!"
The elf said joyfully, "Dobby will go to different places and find a job that pays me a salary."
Vold smiled helplessly, "Alright... If you need help, you're always welcome to come to me. I can also offer you a job here."
"So great! So noble! Not only has Ved Gre granted Dobby freedom, but he's also willing to continue helping him!"
Dobby was once again moved to tears, bowing deeply until his nose almost touched the ground; Vold had lost count of how many times this had happened.
Everyone laughed.
"We're friends, right, Dobby?" Vold said.
"Of course, of course—" Dobby sobbed, "—we're friends."
--- Why didn't the Malfoy family's elf hide?
1. Dobby said he heard death threats at least five times a day—perhaps an exaggeration, but one wouldn't curse an invisible elf.
2. After the diary incident, when Malfoy confronted Dumbledore, he had Dobby tucked under his arm (in the original text). During this encounter, Malfoy didn't make Dobby do anything and instead gave Harry the chance to free his elf. So why did he bring Dobby along?
It can only be assumed that the Malfoy family's rules were different from others, and they preferred to have their elf always in sight, even when they went out, to showcase their wealth.
Additionally, Kreacher often wandered around the house as well.
(End of Chapter)
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