Hogwarts: Harry Returns from Azeroth

Chapter 107 106. Lucius's Sliding Knees and Hiring Dobby

The Malfoy family has served Voldemort for two generations - this is a bit inaccurate, because Lucius Malfoy's status is obviously lower than Voldemort, but his father Abraxas Malfoy is not the case.

When Voldemort was still called Tom Marvolo Riddle, he began to recruit like-minded people in Hogwarts under the banner of pure blood, intending to establish an organization headed by himself.

At that time, Voldemort was still a nobody, so the heirs of large pure-blood families such as the Malfoy family, the Black family, and the Lycerant family would naturally not submit to him as they did later. Therefore, they could only be regarded as members of the core circle at most, and provided crucial help to Voldemort's later development.

Including but not limited to providing one's influence in the Ministry of Magic, as well as support in wealth and resources.

But when old Malfoy died of illness and Lucius became the head of the family, Voldemort at that time had gradually begun to change his style. His former eloquence and insight into people's hearts turned into straightforward Legilimency, his personal charm that once attracted followers turned into intimidation through power, and even his means of doing things became directly using magic to eliminate enemies who disagreed with him.

Lucius grew up listening to stories about Voldemort. There was even a time when he was young when he truly admired Voldemort and wanted to give everything for him. Then he got his wish, graduated from Hogwarts and officially joined the Death Eaters.

Then he spent the whole day accompanying the gradually crazy Voldemort, watching Voldemort kill indiscriminately, watching Voldemort do whatever he wanted... Then Lucius learned how to please Voldemort, how to survive under Voldemort's hands, or how to protect himself.

Gifted with extraordinary talent, powerful magic and even more powerful strength, he has possessed strength far beyond his peers since he was a student. Lucius was very clear about these legends about Voldemort, so when he felt Harry's strength in the dark room just now, he put Harry into Voldemort's position without any hindrance - very smoothly, without any sense of incongruity.

It's an instinct, a conditioned reflex.

At least Lucius asked himself honestly that he was not able to melt the dark room to that extent, and a genius who has transformed his talent into strength is no longer called a genius, but can be directly called a strong man, and a strong man must have the status of a strong man.

For Lucius Malfoy, it is not shameful to bow down to a child who is much younger than him, or even his nephew. The Malfoy family was able to escape trial after Voldemort's fall because of his flexibility. In his opinion, those who are righteous and strong but ruined their family heritage and even the lives of their entire family are the most ridiculous.

It was precisely because of this that Lucius' attitude towards Harry took a 180-degree turn. Not only did he no longer look down on Harry as if he were his elder, but he also no longer judged him from a superior position. Instead, he became humble and fawning.

After all, Lucius had some idea in his mind. He knew what kind of reputation his family had outside, especially among Gryffindors. He didn't know how righteous Harry Potter was. What if this boy made his family pay the price for becoming a Death Eater?
There was no chance of luck. Lucius was very cautious. Any Death Eaters who were not careful in such matters had basically been killed by Voldemort.

"This..." Lucius lowered his head suddenly, "I have no choice, Harry... Because of my father, the Malfoy family and that person... are too deeply bound. I can only..."

"There's no need to be so nervous, Lucius," Harry said calmly, "I don't need you to call me Master or anything like that, that's Voldemort's hobby."

When he heard a certain word, Lucius trembled all over.

"Drak is indeed very talented in the field of shamanism. As long as he does not violate the taboos of shamanism, I will not harm him - and you don't have to worry about what I will do to your family." Harry is used to making things clear and then cutting the Gordian knot.

"It's an honor for Draco," Lucius said quickly, "Having mastered this power, he will surely be able to contribute his strength to your cause."

"That's enough. I think you've really stayed with Voldemort for too long," Harry said expressionlessly. "Voldemort is not dead yet, Lucius. When you receive any news about him, I hope you can make the right choice... I don't like fence-sitters."

"I swear to you." Lucius put on a serious look and said solemnly: "If that person summons us again, I will report to you as soon as possible."

As for Lucius's oath, Harry...he would just take it seriously.

He didn't know whether Draco would have a firm stand in the future, but Lucius definitely didn't.

At most, this man made a simple comparison in his mind - Harry Potter + Dumbledore > Voldemort.

That's it.

Harry did not spend the night in Malfoy Manor. To be honest, everything that happened today was too weird for him. The house-elves who were tracking the house-elves inexplicably broke into Malfoy Manor, and even showed elemental power to Lucius because of Draco's matter. Then he was shocked to see Lucius sliding to his knees at a very fast speed.

Mysterious, so mysterious.

Harry ate and took things, and finally left Malfoy Manor with gifts - not only the Grimaldi notebook, but also a house-elf.

Fearing that Harry might doubt him, Lucius transferred Dobby's contract to Harry with the most proactive attitude and at the fastest speed.

"Serve your new master well! Dobby! You lazy house-elf!" Lucius looked at Dobby and said sternly: "I don't want to see you being sent back. That would be a shame for the Malfoy family!"

"Dobby is not a lazy house-elf!" Dobby screamed. In fact, until now, Dobby was a little bit unable to understand what happened to him. "Dobby left the Malfoy family! Dobby is not the house-elf of the evil Malfoy family!"

Harry was sure that Lucius's face had darkened when he heard Dobby's description of his family.

Lucius was not worried that Dobby would reveal any secrets of the Malfoy family. Due to his unpleasant personality, Dobby's activities in the Malfoy family were limited and he was not allowed to get close to sensitive places.

"Of course Dobby will serve Master Harry well! Oh my god! Hero Harry!!" Dobby jumped up from the ground excitedly, raised his right fist and cheered: "Dobby can actually become Master Harry's house-elf! Dobby will make other house-elves envious!!"

His fists were clenched. If Dobby was still the house-elf of the Malfoy family, Lucius would probably have ordered it to punish him. But now, he could only pretend he didn't hear it.

"No need to send me off," Harry nodded and said, "See you at the beginning of the new semester, Draco. Remember to keep communicating with the elements and don't waste your talent."

"I'll try my best, mentor!" Draco said excitedly, "In fact, school doesn't have to start yet. I've already bought tickets for the Kenmare Red Kestrels vs. Ballycastle Bats. This is your first game as a Quidditch star! You must let those Irish people know how powerful you are!!"

"I'm not a star yet, Draco," Harry said speechlessly, "The Ballycastle Bats are not some unknown team."

"At least it's much stronger than Charlie's artillery team," Narcissa added, and then everyone laughed.

Charlie Cannons jokes have become a classic joke in wizarding society, and only some die-hard fans would get furious when they hear them.

"Our whole family will go," Lucius said with a smile, "Another student Quidditch player, you will be the pride of the whole of Britain...By the way, I will get that thing done as soon as possible."

Perhaps to prove his worth and show his loyalty, in the study, Lucius finally took the initiative to offer to arrange an opportunity for Harry to enter Azkaban - well, this did sound a bit weird, as if Harry had done something wrong and was going to be put in prison.

But in fact it was a good thing. Lucius promised to take Harry to Azkaban to meet his godfather, and after a moment's silence, Harry nodded in agreement.

After a few casual greetings, Fawkes took Harry back to a deserted corner of Privet Drive, and Dobby followed him. Taking out a handful of Dictamni leaves from his dragon skin bag, Harry put his hand in front of Fawkes, only to find that perhaps because he had eaten too well at the Malfoys' house today, the phoenix had become picky about food. It just sniffed, ate a piece, then raised its neck again and pecked Harry's hair, meaning that it was leaving.

"Okay," Harry stroked Fawkes' feathers, "There's nothing you can't tell me. If Dumbledore asks, just say you're here with me today...if he can understand."

Phoenix language or something.

The few gentle chirps Fawkes made just now were asking Harry whether he should hide what happened today. This phoenix really understands people's hearts.

But Harry didn't think he was doing anything shameful.

After putting the dill leaves into a bag, Fawkes hung it around Fawkes' neck as a travel allowance. After rubbing Harry's cheek affectionately, Fawkes left Privet Drive in the firelight.

Harry really thought that Dumbledore could transfer Fawkes to himself. It was a bit of a waste for such a good phoenix to follow the old man and hide in the headmaster's office all day eating cockroaches.

Taking his eyes off his shoulder, Harry looked at Dobby beside him. Dobby was clasping his hands together, looking at him expectantly, his big eyes twinkling.

Harry looked at Dobby's appearance carefully. He was sure that if such a house-elf with strange skeleton and appearance and the ability to talk appeared in his home, his uncle's reaction would probably not be calm... at least he couldn't appear suddenly.

"What are your plans, Dobby?" Harry asked suddenly.

"Dobby wants to serve Master Harry well!" Dobby answered loudly.

"No, no, no, I'm trying to persuade the servants, which is beyond the instinct of a house-elf," Harry shook his head and said, "your plans for your future."

"Dobby wants to serve Master Harry in the Potter family's ancestral home!!"

Dobby's voice suddenly became louder.

Harry sighed. He felt that communicating with a species like house-elves was a bit too tiring.

"I'm not one of those wizard nobles, Dobby." Staring into Dobby's eyes, Harry said seriously: "I don't need anyone to dress me or cook for me or anything else - maybe I can tell you this, Dobby, I plan to give you freedom."

As he said this, Harry simply did it. He took out a change of shirt from the dragon skin bag, and Dobby just stupidly took it - his brain didn't react at all.

For the group of house-elves, being given a piece of clothing by their masters personally means granting them freedom, and from then on they have severed their contract with the corresponding wizard family.

"Dobby is free?" His voice was full of disbelief. Dobby held up the shirt in his hand tremblingly. "Harry Potter - he gave Dobby freedom?! Harry Potter is much greater than Dobby imagined! He actually - actually -"

Dobby was caught off guard and surprised so suddenly that he seemed to have lost the ability to think continuously and began to stutter when speaking.

Seeing Dobby's excitement, Harry was even a little relieved - this house-elf with a mental problem became normal when faced with freedom.

Orcs will never be slaves, and neither will tauren. Harry naturally has no interest in forcing other races into slavery. Even within the tribe, the use of slaves is not allowed.

But wait, a house-elf with a brain problem longs for freedom... doesn't that mean that house-elves with no brain problems don't long for freedom... Recalling what he had read in the book, Harry suddenly felt like laughing.

So who has a problem and who doesn't?
Harry was certain of one thing, that is, Dobby was indeed a special house-elf. He broke free from the shackles brought to him by his own racial instincts and even came to protect Harry spontaneously - even though Harry did not know it and did not need its protection.

"So you're free, Dobby," Harry said again.

"Yes! Dobby is free! Great Harry!" Dobby said with his eyes wide open in excitement.

Its face was covered with tears and snot from excitement.

"So back to the question just now, what are your plans next?" Harry asked.

"Dobby wants to buy himself a new suit of clothes!" Dobby screamed. "Dobby, Dobby also wants to--"

It came to an abrupt halt, and this time, Harry finally saw a confused look on Dobby's face.

"Dobby... Dobby still wants his salary..." Looking down at the gray shirt in his hands, Dobby's voice suddenly became extremely frustrated, "Dobby likes to work, but no wizard will hire Dobby, and no one will pay a house-elf... Dobby doesn't know what he can do... Dobby has nowhere to go..."

Confused, lost, panicked, Harry saw some things in Dobby that were beyond the ordinary house-elf, but not much. It just wanted freedom, an unknown thing that it had never had in the past, but it had not thought about what it would do after it really had freedom.

Overall, it takes time to get used to.

"How about this," Harry thought for a moment and said, "Before you find what you really want to do, I'll hire you to work for me. As my assistant, your job will mainly be to help me take care of some magical animals or the herbs I planted, and to monitor the local natural environment and the food chain to prevent it from collapsing. Overall, it's not hard work, but you must keep everything you see confidential and not reveal it to anyone."

"In addition, you probably need to learn some relevant knowledge to complete these tasks. As for the salary..." Harry quickly calculated, "The standard salary for a shop assistant in Diagon Alley is about fifty Galleons a month. I will hire you at this price. How about fifty Galleons a month? Is it acceptable?"

"Fifty Galleons a month?!" Dobby nearly strangled himself to death. He shouted with eyes wide open, unable to believe what he heard. "That's too much!! Dobby can't accept it! Dobby is very willing to work for Harry Potter! And Dobby will never reveal what he saw! But Dobby only wants two Galleons a month at most - no, Dobby only wants one Galleon!!"

"Dobby is not some ungrateful, lazy house-elf! Harry Potter rescued Dobby! He is a great hero of the wizarding world! Dobby would not ask Harry for that much money! It would be too much!"

Dobby accepted Harry's employment without even thinking for a second and agreed without hesitation. He couldn't wait to start working. As he said himself, work was actually his hobby.

But on the issue of salary, Dobby had a long argument with Harry.

Harry's previous judgment was not wrong. Dobby was indeed different from ordinary house-elves, but the difference was not much. It still liked to work and liked to provide services to wizards. All of this was no different from ordinary house-elves. The only difference was that Dobby felt he needed a little salary - really just a little, more like a symbolic meaning.

In short, as a conclusion of the argument, Dobby finally accepted a monthly salary of ten Galleons. In Dobby's words, if it was more, he would rather die. But in fact, at this price, he could not even hire a student who had just graduated from Hogwarts.

(End of this chapter)