The marble steps of Gringotts were hot under Harry's shoes as he climbed, his heart hammering not from the climb but from the sight of Dobby. The little elf's skin had gone a sickly gray, his limbs trembling so violently Harry half-feared he'd collapse right there on the white stone steps. Harry crouched beside him, wrapping an arm around Dobby's thin shoulders.
"Just a little longer, Dobby," Harry whispered, throat tight. "We'll get you help inside."
Dobby gave a watery smile, though his enormous eyes were glazed. "Harry Potter… is too good to Dobby. Dobby will try… to stay."
The words cut Harry. Dobby should never have had to try to stay. He should have been safe, happy, free.
Inside the bank, the goblins looked up as the boy approached, eyes sharp with suspicion, then curiosity. One of them—a tall, lean goblin with polished onyx eyes—stepped forward.
"Potter," he rasped, bowing slightly. "I am Griphook, your account manager."
Harry straightened but tightened his hold on Dobby, who was swaying dangerously.
" You have decided to come finally. Why you weren't replying to the letters sent to you for taking over your account and you have also not replied to our query whether you want to continue with me as your account manager or do you want to change." Surprised, Harry asked " what do you mean you sent me letters? I have not received any letter from Gringotts ever."
Frowing Griphook looked at Harry in amazement and then asked him to follow him to the room across the hall. It was a small room with furnished humbly with four chairs and a big round table in between. Griphook asked Harry to sit down and rang the bell. A clerk named Ironrod came and asked Griphook, "what can I do for you Sir?". "Bring the copies of letter sent to Mr. Potter here and also bring the charm detection tool while you are at it," replied Griphook. Ironrod left immediately and came back with the letters and took Griphook asked for. Till then Harry was at unease and waiting impatiently. When both the items arrived, Griphook tell Harry, "Here are the copies of letters Mr. Potter which we have sent to you.". Harry looked at the letters but said, " Look Mr. Griphook I am not interested in these letters. All I want for you to please explain to me why Dobby is dying. Help him if you can, please.
"Harry Potter must come for his inheritance testing this instance. The procedure requires a full magical and physical scan—"
"No." Harry's voice cracked like a whip.
Griphook blinked, unused to wizards denying goblin ritual. "No?"
"Not until Dobby is treated," Harry snapped, his eyes flashing with something that reminded the goblin of old warlords who had once commanded goblin respect. "He's dying.
Griphook studied the elf and sneered. "House-elves are not our concern."
"They're mine," Harry shot back, his voice rising. His hand clenched into a fist as he added, softer but with steel, "If you want me to trust you with anything, you'll help him. Now."
There was silence. The goblin muttered to himself and then Griphook inclined his head.
"Very well, Lord Potter. But know this—your insistence has meaning. Goblins remember who demands justice… and for whom."
Harry nodded, jaw tight. He helped Dobby onto a conjured goblin stretcher, and they hurried deeper into the bank, past hallways of gold and runes, into a dim chamber heavy with wards.
The ritual began quickly. Goblins drew runes around Dobby's fragile form; silver fire burned in patterns that twisted in the air, revealing threads of magic that bound and strangled. Harry stared, his heart thudding painfully.
"What is that?"
Griphook's voice was flat, though his eyes gleamed with anger not aimed at Harry. "Chains. Old magic. When Lucius Malfoy freed this elf, the Headmaster of Hogwarts claimed him immediately—through Hogwarts' ancient contracts. This elf has been enslaved not by the Malfoy family, but by Albus Dumbledore."
Harry felt as though the floor had dropped away. "What?!"
"Yes. The elf has believed himself free… but in truth, his life force has been siphoned, his magic suppressed. Without a true bond, he withers."
Dobby moaned softly, clutching at his chest. "Harry… Harry Potter must not… must not be sad… Dobby wanted to serve… wanted to help…"
Harry knelt, gripping his hand. "You never had a choice, Dobby. He tricked you. But I swear, you'll never be bound like that again. Not by him."
The goblins worked swiftly. A blinding crack of energy split the air as the contract shattered. Dobby screamed, his body seizing violently.
"His core destabilizes!" barked one goblin. "He will not survive without immediate rebinding!"
Harry's heart stopped. "Then bind him to me!"
The goblins shook their heads. "Not here. The ritual must be performed in a place of safety, with wizard willing and elf consenting. Else both will perish."
Dobby's body arched, his magic bleeding out in sparks of white light. Harry clutched him desperately.
"Then we go. Now.". Harry, Griphook and Dobby all went to the next room where walls are filled with ancient runes and magic. At the floor there was circle made out of red lines like someone carved the floor in circular shape. Once in room, Griphook asked Harry to stand in the circle along with Dobby. "So… how does it work?" asked Harry.
"You must hold Dobby's hand," Goblin explained eagerly, "and say, 'I accept Dobby as my house-elf from this time till the end of time.' Then Dobby will accept you in turn."
Harry reached out, his palm trembling slightly as Dobby's small hand slipped into his. He took a deep breath.
"I accept you as my house-elf, from this time till the end of time."
A silver rope of light burst forth from Harry's chest, coiling around Dobby in bright strands before sinking into his tiny frame. The elf gasped, his frailty vanishing in an instant. His skin smoothed, his eyes gleamed, his very being seemed to vibrate with renewed power.
Dobby straightened, Stronger. Younger. Brighter.
Harry stared in awe. "You look… incredible, Dobby."
"Harry Potter has given Dobby life again," the elf whispered reverently. "Dobby is whole. Dobby is strong."