When the graceful elf bowed, he somehow conveyed all of his newfound confidence, without drifting too far into arrogance territory. "You forget Harry. I know your life thus far. I'm surprised that you're walking and talking, let alone capable of being concerned about the taste of anything. I will never allow your life to resemble what I found when I studied your past in my memories."
The elf looked completely vengeful for a second, to the point that Harry wondered about the Dursley's continued health.
"It appears I have an apology to make by the way." Suddenly Dobby looked nervous, which had become out of character ever since the binding.
Canting his head to the side in his confusion, Harry gestured for his house elf friend to relax. "Apologize for what Dobby? You've been a fantastic help to me."
Very suddenly, Dobby looked like he might just cry or maybe even hit himself, despite the fact that he was no longer in the habit of punishing himself. "I... I had the best of intentions and it was hard to work within the bounds of my old master's orders, but... I wasn't a help to you last year. Quite the opposite in fact. I was a hindrance to you on several different occasions..."
Reaching out, Harry took a hold of Dobby's shoulder because he understood what his friend was referring to and he didn't want him to worry. Dobby was talking about the floating cake, the barrier at Kings Cross Station and the rogue bludgers hunting him down during one of last year's Quidditch matches. Over the next couple of seconds, Harry stared into Dobby's eyes to impress upon him how serious his next words were going to be. "In all honesty, Dobby... I forgave you long ago for all of those things, for one very important reason. You are one of perhaps three people that I've met since coming to the magical world that have only ever acted in what you thought was my best interest. There was no way that helping me would benefit you and yet you tried to do so anyway. I saw you hurting yourself every single time you came to see me, and I could never hold those events against you. You're a valued friend to me Dobby..."
Tears were slowly leaking down the elves face, as he nodded slowly and seriously to his new master's words. "I didn't have the intelligence at the time to better circumvent my old master's orders. I am glad I will be better capable of serving you... Harry."
Harry was extremely pleased with both Dobby's attitude as well as the fact that he was calling him Harry now. On the other hand there was a problem with Dobby's last statement that he needed to address. "Dobby... I expect us to have an open exchange of ideas from now on. There will be no need to circumvent me. Just act as you think is necessary and then explain the whys to me after the fact. Are we understood?"
The house elf smiled and bounced around in his enthusiasm. "Ohhhhh, Harry. I'm so fortunate to have you."
After cheering the elf in return with his smoothie, Harry drained the drink in one large chug. He smacked his lips exaggeratedly and lay back in the water for a few more seconds to ease his shoulder pains a bit. "And I'm lucky to have you, my friend. I'm freezing to death now, do you think you can pass me a towel?"
After his bath, Harry quickly made his way towards the room of requirements. As he entered the hallway it was hidden in, he ran into a man that he hadn't seen in quite a while.
"Harry, my boy! I was waiting for you here. I have a new article to add to your already burdensome daily schedule." Dumbledore was leaning against the wall exactly where the Room of Requirements would open.
While walking up to his Headmaster, Harry smiled in greeting and rolled up his sleeves. "Okay sure, but first I want you to test out my Occlumency shields." Truth be told, Harry had been waiting for a chance to try out an intrusion attempt for at least a week now.
"Are you sure Harry? The usually enigmatic Albus Dumbledore was unable to hide the surprise from entering his face. "Surely it's too soon for you to have built up any true defenses."
While his first instinct was to laugh like a lunatic, Harry just smiled guilelessly instead. If Dumbledore's mind was blown than it was his own fault for underestimating him. "Well... I have been working pretty hard on this after all... Humor me please?"
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