I lowered my hand slowly, letting the last of the magical energy fizzle out. The room smelled faintly of ozone, and the pile of melted practice armor hissed softly as it cooled. I hadn't realized I had an audience until I heard Harry's voice.
"Bloody hell," he muttered again, wide-eyed.
I turned, brow raised, smirking despite myself. "Harry, you're going to wear that phrase out if you keep watching me."
Harry took a slow step forward, glancing between me and the scorched remains, his brow furrowed. "Why are you pushing yourself like this?"
I brushed soot from my sleeve, trying for casual. "I want to see what I can really do." Internally though, I thought: Because I don't trust this world to protect us. I watched as Harry absorbed my words, a mix of worry and curiosity playing across his face.
He shifted, crossing his arms. "Is this about protecting us, or just proving something to yourself?"
I hesitated, feeling the weight of his gaze. "I'm not sure anymore." My voice was softer than I intended, and for a moment we both stood in the silence, the air heavy with unspoken fears.
Harry hesitated before speaking again, his voice lower. "Dobby said… well, he said I shouldn't trust you. That you might be dangerous."
I exhaled slowly, waving it off. "The way Dobby was exchanged from Malfoy's hands to mine doesn't exactly scream saint. If anything, I basically purchased a sentient being." The truth of that admission hung in the air, and Harry's eyes flicked away as he processed it.
"But you don't treat him like Malfoy did," Harry said quietly after a beat, almost as if trying to reassure himself.
I sighed. "Since we're questioning trust, how about we make a deal? I'll share what I'm willing, but stay silent on the rest. And let's bring Dobby in. Let's get all the dirty laundry out." I saw Harry hesitate, doubt and intrigue warring behind his eyes.
"Alright… but how do we even get Dobby here?"
"Dobby!" I called. He appeared with a pop, looking between us, clearly uneasy.
Raising my wand, I declared, "I swear on my life and magic that I will tell Dobby nothing but the truth for the duration of this meeting. Omission by silence may be allowed, but no lies." The silent Lumos flared, then Nox. My magic held.
Harry stared, mouth slightly open. "What did you just do?"
Dobby was the one to answer, voice hushed. "A magical oath, sir. It binds him to his words under risk of death and/or loss of magic."
Harry paled, his worry clear. "Was that a good idea?"
I smirked faintly. "I never half-ass anything." That drew a reluctant, almost amused breath from him, but the tension remained.
I conjured a egg timer from nowhere, winding it with a flourish. "You've got 10 minutes. Ask what you want. I'll answer what I can." The ticking filled the pause.
Dobby burst out first, his voice trembling. "Why did you buy Dobby?"
I met his gaze evenly. "Because I wanted to protect you from Lucius. Because I needed someone with your talents. Because no one should belong to a man like Malfoy." Dobby blinked, the answer sinking in, and the room felt smaller for it.
"What talents?" Dobby asked softly.
"Your magic, your courage, your ability to see what others miss." I saw Dobby's ears twitch, as if caught between hope and disbelief.
"But how could you know that before buying me?"
I gave only a gentle smile, silent. I lifted my hand, casting Lumos again without a word. "I cannot lie, and my magic's still intact."
The tension thickened until Dobby spoke, hesitantly. "Would you ever give Dobby his freedom?"
"Define freedom."
"No master. No orders. Just my will."
"And how will you survive without a master? Without one, your magic will fade away and then eventually you would as well, won't you?"
Dobby looked down, voice small. "Perhaps… but at least I will be free."
I watched him, then tilted my head. "What about Harry? If Harry were your master, would you accept?"
"Harry Potter is too kind. Dobby would not want to burden him."
Harry shifted, clearly uncomfortable, and I spoke to ease the weight. "Considering your Muggle background, it's not strange feeling uncomfortable about owning a sentient being." i say while patting Harry in the back.
"My plan is to keep Dobby, treat him kindly, and provide as much freedom as possible. That's why I've rarely commanded him beyond reading or sitting quietly. But if he truly desires it, and I can ensure his safety, I'll let him go."
Harry looked thoughtful, then asked, "What would it take for you to trust me with your plans?"
I smirked faintly, shaking my head. "What makes you think I have any? Any plans I had for this year are more limited actually. Next year though? Whew, that is another beast all together."
Harry pondered this, his brow furrowing, wondering what could possibly be coming that had me so cautious now, yet so wary of the future. After a long moment, he asked, "What do you mean? What might happen next year?"
"Lets make a deal Harry. Take the time to fully learn Occlumency. You might not know it yet, but this school has at least two very nosy individuals. That's why even Hermione was kept in the dark. Now she knows, and she knows far more than anyone else. Read the book I gave you."
Harry set his jaw. "Fine. I will hold you to it."
Dobby's voice trembled. "Is Dobby in danger because of what he knows?"
I pulled the Diary from my inventory, holding it up. "You mean this thing?"
Dobby recoiled. "Where did you find that? Who gave it to you?"
"I'll explain in private as truthfully as I can."
Harry rubbed his temples. "I think I've had enough secrets for one day."
As he turned to leave, I called after him. "One last truth. Ask Professor Snape about your mother. You might be surprised what you learn."
Harry froze, then frowned as he turned to face me. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Take it how you will." Harry left with more questions than answers, but at the same time, he dreaded what answers I might have.
Dobby lingered, voice small. "Are you a good master or a bad master?"
"I'm the master who wants you safe and happy. But good and bad will always be subjective."
"Dobby will remember that." Dobby gave one last uncertain glance before he snapped his fingers and apparated away.
Alone, I conjured a butterbeer, raising it to the empty space. "To honesty and omission." Candlelight flickered over the quiet as I savored the peace. Next time, I'm charging admission.