Chapter 434: Old Clothes and New Garments
Dobby sighed in relief as he stepped smoothly into the Gray residence. But the moment he did, he felt Kreacher’s piercing gaze burning into his back—his scalp prickled with unease.
—Kreacher was undoubtedly thinking: A House-elf shouldn’t act like a human.
But Dobby wasn’t a servant anymore. He was free. He was free.
He reminded himself firmly, trying to steady his racing heart. Then, lifting his head, he asked in a trembling voice:
"Mr. Gray… Have you seen any strange-looking people lately? The Home associates might have kidnapped you to force Wade to cooperate… Please recall carefully—this could be crucial in finding him."
He’d rehearsed these words over and over during his journey, refining them until he’d finally settled on the right phrasing. Now, in one breath, he blurted them out. His tiny heart pounded like a drum.
Friends… and their parents…
This was the first time a Wizard family had ever welcomed him—not as a servant, but as a friend. Every second of it felt monumental, epoch-making.
The nervous little House-elf didn’t notice that, the moment he finished speaking, Ferdinand’s hand trembled slightly, spilling scalding tea across the counter.
Dobby, having wandered the world alone for years, didn’t know that the Grays had been kept in the dark about their son’s disappearance. All they’d received was a letter—written in Wade’s name—saying he’d accepted an invitation from friends and would be staying at a classmate’s home for the holidays.
It was a familiar pattern. At first, the Grays had no reason to doubt. But when Wade failed to return home by Christmas Eve, and remained completely silent throughout the following weeks, Ferdinand began to suspect the truth.
He tried contacting Dumbledore—or even Moody, who lived next door—but couldn’t reach anyone at Hogwarts. Moody had simply instructed them not to leave the house, especially not to Diagon Alley.
The cloaked wizard had been flitting in and out, irritable and distant. Ferdinand never got a chance to sit down and talk. In truth, Moody was living secretly next door, watching over the Grays—but he pretended not to be home. Even though he sensed Ferdinand’s growing need to speak, he deliberately avoided him.
Moody didn’t believe Muggles could help. He hadn’t even considered discussing a rescue plan with the Grays. Though the two families were close, the thought of facing their tears and accusations made his head ache. He wasn’t good at comforting people. And he couldn’t lie—couldn’t promise, “Don’t worry, we’ll bring Wade back safe.”
The retired Auror was deeply pessimistic. He knew how formidable Gellert Grindelwald’s Wizard Purity Party was. He didn’t believe they’d be able to bring Wade back unharmed. In fact, he’d already mentally prepared himself to use a Forgetting Charm to erase the Grays’ memories of magic entirely.
After Sirius Black had sent Kreacher to protect them, Moody shifted his focus to the Phoenix Society’s operations. Though he had little hope, he gave it his full effort.
It was only because of Moody’s absence that Dobby hadn’t been kicked out immediately upon arrival.
The confused, wide-eyed little elf was, for now, Ferdinand’s only connection to the magical world.
He took a deep breath, wiped the tea stains from the counter, and used the quiet moment to calm himself.
Ferdinand placed a cup of black tea before Dobby. The little sprite took it with trembling hands, his eyes wide with awe—so overwhelmed he seemed ready to faint. Ferdinand studied him, recalling everything he knew about House-elves, then carefully chose his words.
“How is Wade?” he asked, his voice soft but intense. “As parents, not seeing him for so long… we’re deeply worried. Can you tell me about the progress of the rescue?”
Dobby flinched. He had no real progress to report. His only leads were whispers from Hogwarts’ House-elves and Michael’s theories.
Unskilled at lying, Dobby, under Ferdinand’s quiet pressure, spilled everything he knew—his entire intelligence network laid bare.
“So… Gellert Grindelwald… the Wizard Purity Party… Wade’s in their hands, but no one knows where they are…”
Ferdinand’s hands clenched into fists. His body trembled slightly. After a long silence, he said, “Lately, I’ve been seeing videos of them on the streaming mirror. So… these attacks are really happening? The footage… it’s real?”
“Yes,” Dobby said, nodding earnestly.
In an instant, Ferdinand’s limbs turned icy. A shiver ran through him.
Dobby watched him anxiously, fearing he’d said too much.
Ferdinand leaned on the counter, slowly rising. “Come with me, Dobby.”
Dobby scrambled to his feet. “Dobby! Please—just call me Dobby!”
He followed Ferdinand into the study, heart pounding. The man pulled aside a massive curtain, revealing a wall transformed into a sprawling map of chaos.
The entire white surface was covered in clippings, photos, and handwritten notes. Red and green lines crisscrossed the wall like a giant transportation network—overwhelming at first glance.
Ferdinand spoke calmly: “I noticed that Dark Wizards have been targeting Muggle elites lately—exposing their involvement in human trafficking, illegal experiments. So I hired someone to collect newspapers from Europe and America over the past few years, and I’ve analyzed the data in detail.”
Dobby stared blankly. He didn’t understand.
Ferdinand saw the confusion in his enormous green eyes. He sighed, smiling wryly. “Simply put, I collected all the public records—banquets they attended, business deals they made, speeches they gave. I looked for patterns, connections between them.”
Dobby still didn’t fully grasp it, but he nodded seriously, determined to memorize every detail.
He didn’t need to understand everything—there were smarter minds to help him. Like Michael.
Ferdinand studied the wall, sifting through the noise until he found the most likely thread.
He picked up a pen and circled a man in a colorful photo.
“The billionaire—John Adler. He’s connected to nearly every target. There are rumors… about some… unmentionable deals he was involved in years ago. So he’s very likely part of this network. If we watch him, we might find the Dark Wizards.”
Dobby nodded vigorously. “Can I have this photo?”
“Of course.” Ferdinand pulled a folder from the bookshelf. “All the information on John Adler is in here. Take it. You might find it useful.”
Dobby nodded again, carefully placing the photo inside the folder and clutching it tightly—aware of the effort behind it.
“Ferdinand? Who are you talking to?” Fiona rubbed her eyes and opened the study door, her gaze locking instantly on Dobby in the middle of the room.
Ferdinand’s expression snapped into alarm. He stepped forward to explain—but then came a sudden, delighted scream.
“Ah—!”
It wasn’t fear. It was pure, unfiltered surprise.
“Little Sprite!” she cried. “Oh my goodness!”
“Yes, ma’am,” Dobby removed his hat, bowing deeply. “House-elf Dobby, at your service, Mrs. Gray.”
“Oh! He’s so polite!” Fiona clasped her hands to her cheeks. Then she noticed his tattered clothes and hurriedly said, “Wait—just a second, Dobby!”
She dashed back up the stairs, her footsteps echoing.
Ferdinand exhaled, pressing a hand to his chest. He lowered the curtain and whispered to Dobby: “Don’t tell her about Wade. Fiona knows nothing.”
“I understand, sir,” Dobby whispered back, his voice barely audible.
Moments later, Fiona returned, holding a bag, eyes sparkling with excitement. “You must be freezing in that ratty old thing! These are Wade’s old clothes—only worn twice. I just checked, and they’ll fit you. Go try them on!”
Dobby clutched the bag, flustered. “I… respected lady… I’m not cold, really…”
“Nonsense!” Fiona laughed, sitting on the sofa, chin resting on her hand. “Go on, change!”
The instinct to obey was etched into Dobby’s very being. Even though this wasn’t his master, he instinctively began to pull off his rags.
“Cough! Cough!” Ferdinand suddenly coughed sharply, then fixed Dobby with a stern look and gestured toward the dressing room. “The changing room is over there.”
“Oh… yes… of course…”
Dobby carried the bag inside, closed the door, and stared up at the light above him.
What am I doing? Why did I just walk in like this?
But it was too late. He couldn’t just abandon the bag and run. After a long pause, he finally changed into the clothes.
It was a boy’s winter outfit—slightly oversized, but Fiona had included socks and shoes. Dobby rolled up the sleeves, then stared into the mirror.
The face looking back was unfamiliar. A House-elf in proper clothes.
He struggled hard to suppress the urge to drop to his knees and cry.
He’d never imagined his dream—of wearing decent, clean clothes—would come true so soon.
Tears welled in his eyes as he stepped out.
Fiona clapped her hands. “See? I knew this would suit you! But you’re too skinny—gotta eat more to fill it out!”
Dobby sniffled, voice hoarse. “Thank you, Mrs. Gray… I never thought… I’d ever receive such a gift…”
“It’s just old clothes,” she laughed. “You’re being too formal!”
As Dobby prepared to leave, Ferdinand looked at him, voice low and solemn.
“That matter… I’m entrusting it to you, Dobby.”
Dobby nodded firmly. “Dobby understands!”
He snapped his fingers—crack!—and vanished.
Ferdinand wiped his face, then turned to his wife with a small smile.
“Dobby’s Wade’s friend. He came to deliver a message. Wade won’t be back before school starts. He’ll leave directly from the Black home tomorrow.”
Fiona sighed. “That boy… never makes things easy. I hope he takes care of himself.”
“Don’t worry,” Ferdinand said, wrapping an arm around her. “Wade’s always been responsible. He knows how much you worry… he’d never do anything reckless.”
She rested her head on his shoulder, silent for a long moment, then murmured, “Mm-hmm.”
…
“John Adler?” The mirror echoed, a voice cold and sharp. The thick lens revealed only a single, deep blue eye.
This ancient double-sided mirror wasn’t as convenient as a Communication Pea. It was far more expensive than both the Pea and the Book of Friends. But it had one advantage: even if shattered, every fragment still maintained its connection.
Werewolf Donovan stared straight into the eye, whispering:
“Yes… This is John Adler’s estate. We’ve all been summoned. They’re certain the Wizard Purity Party will strike here. The net is already set.”
Donovan was a Muggle—once bitten by a Werewolf, he’d lost control during his first transformation and killed his own parents in a frenzy. After being hunted by police, he’d joined the organization to survive.
He’d thought it was just a clan of outcasts, helping each other. But he later learned the truth: his tragedy had been manufactured by them. They were creating more children like him—more monsters.
He drifted through life for decades, consumed by rage, yet too afraid to act.
Then came the day he was captured by Wade—and handed over to Dumbledore.
In their conversation, the old wizard gave him a sliver of hope: a chance to dismantle the organization from within.
Donovan, eager to repay the debt, offered to become Dumbledore’s spy.
But he’d already been branded a traitor. Returning would mean certain death.
So he was imprisoned. Later, he “accidentally” helped rescue a Vampire named Graynwhite—both testified for each other. After a thorough investigation, he was allowed to rejoin.
Even so, he never earned real trust. Important missions were never given to him. His so-called allies tested him constantly—sending rare Wizards to cast ancient, strange spells on him.
Donovan faced every test with open honesty. He wasn’t under any magic’s control. His loyalty was his own choice. That thought—his deepest truth—was hidden in the deepest layer of his mind, shielded by Dumbledore. No one in the organization could unearth it.
And he and Dumbledore had agreed: Donovan would only be called upon in the most critical moments.
Now, he thought, that moment had come.
(End of Chapter)
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