## 265 We're Friends, Right?
Dobby felt as if a fiery flame was burning in his chest, hot and full of power, making his small body tremble uncontrollably.
He wanted nothing more than to shout to everyone—he was free! He was no longer a slave to the Malfoy family!
"Dobby?"
A small voice came from behind him.
Dobby turned around and saw it was Lucy, another House-elf.
She also bore injuries, but compared to Dobby's wretched state, she looked much better.
Lucy whispered, "Are you okay? Does it hurt a lot?"
Dobby's large eyes shone brightly. He desperately wanted to share his joy with Lucy at that moment. But…
The House-elf bit its lip, hid the sock away, and said, "I'm fine… I'm going to carry out my master's task."
After speaking, it didn't wait for Lucy's reply before disappearing from the spot with a "pop."
The next second, Dobby arrived in the attic of Malfoy Manor, a dark and narrow space, with clutter piled in the corners.
Dobby casually sat on a dusty box, using its slender fingers to dig in its ear, pulling out a small scroll of paper.
It unrolled the paper, then took a very thin pencil and wrote a sentence on it—
Dobby: Dobby got the sock, Dobby is free!
Not long after, flowing lines of text appeared:
Wade: That's wonderful! Congratulations, Dobby!
Dobby: Thank you for your help, Mr. Gray. I don't know how to thank you enough…
Large tears splattered onto the parchment. Dobby quickly wiped them away with its hand.
Wade: I hope you can live the life you desire. That is the best reward you can give me.
At this moment, the cold text seemed to possess a heartwarming power.
Dobby was on the verge of sobbing uncontrollably.
It tightly covered its mouth, curled up on the attic floor, weeping mournfully, looking both lonely and sad.
Lucy had originally intended to call Dobby to apply medicine, but through the floor, hearing the muffled sobs above, she stood silently for a moment, then tiptoed back to the kitchen.
The other House-elves were preparing a lavish dinner. Someone asked, "Lucy, how is Dobby?"
"Crying," Lucy said sympathetically.
The other House-elves fell silent.
After a while, an older elf said, "Then Dobby probably needs some time alone… Don't disturb it before tomorrow morning."
"Okay."
...
In reality, Dobby didn't allow itself to remain immersed in its emotions.
The wind of freedom surged in its heart; its tears were not from sadness, but from joy and gratitude.
But Malfoy Manor was not a suitable place for it to vent its emotions.
After crying for a while, Dobby quickly got up, wiped its snot and tears, then cleaned its hands, carefully took out the sock, and then tucked the remaining box and Streaming Mirror into a corner of the attic.
The instruction from its master… its former master was—
"Put it away! Put it somewhere I can never see it again!"
Dobby's interpretation was: "(Put the sock) away! Put (the box) somewhere I can never see it again!"
—Of course, even if it hadn't forcefully "translated" it this way, the moment it got the sock, Dobby would have gained its freedom.
Because of its resentment towards its master, its defiance of orders, and its yearning for freedom, the contract rooted in its bloodline had long been as fragile as a spiderweb. The moment an opportunity arose to break the contract, it would break free from its shackles and embrace freedom.
But Dobby didn't immediately run to Malfoy to declare its freedom, nor did it show off to the other House-elves.
On one hand, through its communication with Wade via the Book of Friends, Dobby had gradually come to understand some principles.
For example, if it immediately revealed the truth, Malfoy would realize that Wade had given it freedom, which would bring great trouble to the person who helped it.
Another example was that the other House-elves in the Malfoy family were different from it. Although they also suffered from their master's punishments, they didn't want to leave the Malfoy family, remained loyal to their master, and viewed Dobby, who longed for freedom, as an anomaly.
—Just a little longer.
Dobby told itself.
—Just a few more days.
The Malfoy family frequently held large and small banquets. If it left when there were many guests, its former master would only suspect the guests present at that time, and not Wade from days before.
Dobby trembled with excitement at its own cleverness. It knew it might still be beaten if it stayed at Malfoy Manor, but being beaten to protect its benefactor, even the pain would make it feel happy.
—Just a few more days.
The parchment warmed slightly again.
Wade: Freedom without a penny to your name isn't freedom; it's just wandering. I've prepared some money and clean clothes for you at Remus's place. Remember to pick them up.
Dobby couldn't take it anymore. With a pop, they vanished from the spot, reappeared in a patch of woods, then threw themselves to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.
...
There was no new reply on the paper, but Wade wasn't bothered.
House-elves were inherently sensitive and easily agitated creatures. He guessed Dobby was probably crying somewhere.
Wade also didn't take advantage of the situation, using his kindness to pressure Dobby into accepting employment.
This was an elf who yearned for freedom, one who had already been through so much for it.
If they left the Malfoy family only to enter House Gray, it would merely be jumping from one cage to another.
—Even if the latter was more spacious and grand, it still wasn't what Dobby wanted at that moment.
So...
Even though Wade actually hoped Dobby could become an asset to him, he wouldn't make such a request now. Even if he knew Dobby wouldn't refuse and would happily agree, he still wouldn't do it.
Dobby wanted freedom, so he would give them freedom.
But freedom came with a price.
In the current Wizarding World, while everyone wanted diligent, loyal, and capable "House-elves," it was difficult for them to accept "free elves."
A Wizard's magic was often inferior to an elf's. Without the protection of a magical contract, the latter could turn around and bite them at any time. How could an employer feel at ease?
So Dobby was destined to face difficulties everywhere, but this was also their dream.
Wade hoped that with his financial support, at least for the initial period, Dobby would be truly happy.
One day, two days, three days...
It wasn't until the weekend, ten days later, that Wade saw Dobby at Lupin's house.
They had already left the Malfoy family, wearing the clothes Wade had given them, and still had bandages wrapped around them, but their spirits were high, and they hadn't taken the money.
"Dobby wants to survive on Dobby's own strength!"
The elf said happily, "Dobby will go to different places and find a job that pays Dobby."
Wade smiled helplessly. "Alright... if you ever need help, you're welcome to come to me anytime. I can also offer you a job here."
"How great! How noble! Wade Gray not only gave Dobby freedom but is willing to continue helping Dobby!"
Dobby was once again so moved that tears welled up in their eyes. They bowed deeply, their nose almost touching the ground. Wade had lost count of how many times this had happened.
Everyone laughed.
Wade said, "We're friends, right, Dobby?"
"Of course, of course—" Dobby said tearfully, "—friends."
Regarding why the Malfoy family's elf wasn't hidden away—
Original plot:
1. Dobby said it heard death threats at least five times a day—the number might be exaggerated, but you can't scold someone you can't see.
2. After the diary incident, when Malfoy went to confront Dumbledore, he had Dobby tucked under his arm (original text). During this process, Malfoy didn't make Dobby do anything; instead, he gave Harry the opportunity to free his family's elf. So why would he bring Dobby?
One can only assume: the Malfoy family's rules were different from others. They liked to have their elves constantly visible and even took them out to show off their wealth?
Also, Kreacher often wandered around the house as well.
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