Hogwarts: From Luna's House to Godhood Through Intense Competition

The reason for this is that Lucius Malfoy only treated Dobby as a tool, an incredibly versatile household tool that could be beaten and scolded at will.

But without a doubt, Dobby also possesses intelligence and emotions, and is capable of exploiting loopholes to rebel in some way;

The way people perceive Dobby as an individual, and the different ways they interact with him, determine what kind of things Dobby will do.

……

Vizette reached out to Dobby, who immediately and instinctively backed away, his body trembling violently.

Nevertheless, Vizette grabbed Dobby's arm and pulled him back onto the stool.

Vizette let out a breath, her tone softening considerably. "Dobby, how do you see yourself? What do you like?"

Dobby gently twisted his arm, looking at Vizette with an incredulous expression, "M...Master?"

“Tell me everything without reservation,” Vizet added. “What do you like? What do you feel you need?”

Dobby suddenly shuddered, and tears welled up in his eyes. "No one...no one has ever asked Dobby...what he likes...what he needs..."

He cried for a while until he felt a little embarrassed, then choked up and stopped sobbing, "Master...Master, you shouldn't be...that person whose name can't be mentioned, right?"

Seeing that Vizette remained silent, Dobby continued, "That 'person whose name can't be mentioned'... he's brutal... terrifying..."

“But you didn’t do that…you even made me cry for so long…when Dobby was with the Malfoys, if I had nothing to do…they would make me punish myself…”

"But you're with me now," Vizette said calmly.

Tears welled up in Dobby's eyes again, but this time he calmed down quickly, and his voice no longer trembled. "Master, I like working, but I also want to wear clothes, and I want freedom!"

really……

Vizette nodded. Compared to ordinary house-elves, Dobby's most unique characteristic was that he longed to be a human.

Then the way of getting along becomes much simpler, and Wizette doesn't even need to make many changes.

Thinking of this, Vizette said, "From now on, don't call me 'master,' just call me by my name... Vizette, and my family, Luna and Mr. Lovegood."

Dobby nodded quickly, "Yes... Lord... Vizette..."

"You like working, you want clothes, you want freedom," Vizette said. "So you work for me, and I'll pay you a salary."

"You can buy clothes freely, and we'll also arrange vacations for you, including regular holidays and sick leave. Is that alright?"

“Lord…Vizet…” Dobby took a deep breath, his wide eyes filled with a dreamy and bewildered look. “Am I dreaming? I wouldn’t even dare to think like this in my dreams…”

Vizet continued, "But that's all there is between you and me. Because of your past behavior, I don't really trust you. That's something I need to make clear."

“These are my feelings for you, and I will tell you openly. You also need to do the same; I need you to tell me anything that involves other people.”

“The example is simple. It’s like Lucius Malfoy takes out the so-called key to the Chamber of Secrets, and you’re worried about Harry’s safety, so you’re going to rescue him. You have to notify me first.”

He pulled out his school uniform and placed it in front of Dobby. "If you can't do this... I know that if I give you a piece of clothing, you can gain true freedom..."

Before the words were even finished, Dobby jumped back as if he'd been electrocuted, shaking his head frantically, "No clothes! Dobby wants to work here!"

“Great Lord… Vizette! They won’t treat Dobby like this… They won’t pay Dobby! They won’t give Dobby vacations! They won’t give Dobby what he wants!”

"Dobby will stay here! Dobby will prove himself! Dobby will never let the great Vizette down! Dobby promises! Dobby doesn't want the clothes!"

“Alright!” Vizette nodded. “Welcome to work here…we should talk about salary.”

Chapter 27 A Gift in Return to Lucius

Dobby is easily satisfied; perhaps it should be said that he cares more about "freedom and respect."

After a brief negotiation, Dobby only wanted his weekly Gallon salary and a day off.

Vize wrote a contract with clear terms, though it didn't include any magical covenant. But when Dobby pressed his handprint on it, large tears still fell onto the parchment.

“Lord…Vizet, shall I begin my work now?” Dobby carefully folded the parchment, his fingers tracing the pillowcase he was wearing.

One corner of the pillowcase floated into the air, its silk threads dancing, intertwining, and binding together to form a small cloth bag, just the right size to hold the parchment contract.

Vizette gave Dobby a deep look. The house-elf was even more amazing than he had imagined. The precision and speed of his house magic alone were worth observing and learning from.

He took out a bottle of potion and handed it to Dobby, saying, "Could you please give this to Mr. Lucius Malfoy as a thank you gift?"

Unlike his previous potion bottles, this time he used a metal potion bottle.

The reason he didn't use glass bottles to hold the potions was because he was trying to imbue metal objects with properties through the "Elementary Magical Forging Techniques," and decided to take it a step further by forging them into potion containers.

The properties that "Elementary Magical Forging" can grant are extremely limited. After practicing for the past few days, he can only use and reliably grant one property for the time being—Repelling Defilement.

By imbuing metal with stain-repellent properties, the metal will repel dust and other stains, allowing metal objects to maintain a brand-new appearance even without regular wiping or maintenance.

“Master…Vizet…” Dobby raised the intricately patterned potion bottle, his lips trembling, tears welling in his eyes, “You have such a great love for Dobby…”

“It’s just a normal return gift, don’t overthink it or feel guilty,” Vizet explained. “Also, only speak if Mr. Lucius Malfoy asks you anything.”

“Vizet, Dobby doesn’t understand…” Dobby’s bat-like ears twitched, and he asked in a puzzled tone, “Should Dobby say something?”

"Since the Death Eaters used to gather often, you should have seen Voldemort at Malfoy Manor, right?" Wizette asked.

Dobby swallowed hard. "Dobby has seen... that 'person whose name can't be mentioned'..."

“That’s good then. Imagine…” Vizet smiled slightly, “how Voldemort would respond when someone gives him a gift.”

When dealing with people you don't know well, it's easy to say too much and make mistakes, so it's better to let Duobi speak freely.

Given the divergent thinking of Dobby and Lucius Malfoy, this subtle expression is more suitable for them.

Dobby looked at the potion bottle in his hand, his expression becoming hesitant. "But... Vizette..."

Wizette encouraged him, “Now that you and Mr. Lucius Malfoy are no longer in a master-servant relationship, you can have more confidence in yourself. As a free Dobby, confidence is also an expression of freedom.”

"Confidence is the embodiment of freedom!" Dobby's eyes shone, his expression no longer hesitant. "Dobby will do it! Dobby will never let Vizette down!"

-------------------------------------

Malfoy Manor, where swirling snowflakes blanket the world outside the window.

Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Malfoy settled into the dining room, where a fine, snow-white tablecloth covered the long table, and the silver cutlery gleamed softly, reflecting the snowy scenery outside and making it particularly eye-catching.

Steaming hot ham, roast beef, and fried eggs were served, and the aroma of the roast meat gradually filled the restaurant, mingling with the smoky scent of burning pine wood, creating a truly unique atmosphere.

Narcissa picked up a piece of bread, spread a layer of butter on it evenly, and placed it on Lucius's plate.

After doing all this, she looked at Draco Malfoy, who was unwrapping gifts in the distance, and said, "Draco, you should know what to do now."

“Okay, Mom.” Draco immediately put down the gift box and strode into the dining room.

"Thank you, Mom." After sitting down, he took the bread Narcissa handed him and chewed it carefully without making a sound.

“You seem a little distracted?” Narcissa glanced at Lucius, who frowned slightly, his eyes fixed on the silver cutlery in front of him, revealing a hint of anxiety.

Hearing Narcissa's words, Lucius snapped out of his reverie, picked up a piece of bread, and took a bite. "It's nothing, I probably just didn't sleep well last night."

Narcissa nodded, looking at the house-elf who brought the nut bowl, and asked softly, "It seems a bit busier at home than usual, do you think so, Lucius?"

“Oh…” Lucius froze for a moment, but didn’t take his eyes off the silver cutlery. “Perhaps it’s because it’s cold in winter, so his movements are a bit slow?”

“Perhaps? Although I haven’t said why yet…” Narcissa picked up her wine glass and took a sip of the steaming mead. “Since everything’s alright, that’s good…”

Draco slightly raised his head, looking at his stiff-moving father and his mother with a warm smile, and swallowed his bread even faster.

……

Around noon, while the house-elf was preparing lunch, a loud "snap" suddenly came from the living room.

Upon seeing the house-elf appear before him, Lucius's eyelids twitched, and he demanded sharply, "Dobby, why did you come back?"

Facing his former master, Dobby couldn't help himself and instinctively answered, "Yes... Master sent me back..."

"You want him to come back? He..." Lucius's tone was tinged with fear, "He rejected you?"

Dobby shook his head, holding up the potion bottle in his arms. "He told me to give this to you..."

Lucius's eyes flickered, and he asked impatiently, "Did he say anything?"

Dobby recalled Vizet's words and tried to imitate the way that "the one whose name cannot be mentioned" spoke.

“He said…you have shown loyalty to me, this is a reward for you…continue to serve me, and remember what you are supposed to do…”

After saying these words, Dobby seemed to have used up all his strength, panting heavily and covered in sweat.

“Looks like he accepted it…” Lucius exhaled, took the potion bottle from Dobbin’s sweaty hands, and a hint of annoyance appeared on his lips.

Snapped!

Watching Dobby disappear from sight, Lucius casually shook the potion bottle. "Wipe it clean for me."

A house-elf appeared and immediately took out a piece of chamois leather and wiped it twice.

Lucius raised an eyebrow. "Hmm? I told you to wipe it clean! Not a single sweat stain can be left! Do you want to be punished?"

“Master…” the house-elf bowed immediately in fright, “I’ve already wiped it clean… it didn’t leave a single trace.”

"It's clean?" Lucius brought the potion bottle to his face, frowning as he examined it. His expression then changed. "This is a goblin artifact?"

Chapter 28 was definitely the work of that old softie!

Lucius gripped the potion bottle tightly until he felt his palms getting hot and his whole hand was sweating before finally letting go.

The potion bottle remained shiny and untouched, without a trace of fingerprints, palm prints, or sweat.