DOBBY’ S WARNING
“ Th-thank you,” said Harry, edging along the wall and sinking into his desk chair, next to Hedwig, who was asleep in her large cage. He wanted to ask,“ What are you?” but thought it would sound too rude, so instead he said,“ Who are you?”
“ Dobby, sir. Just Dobby. Dobby the house-elf,” said the creature.
“ Oh— really?” said Harry.“ Er— I don’ t want to be rude or anything, but— this isn’ t a great time for me to have a house-elf in my bedroom.”
Aunt Petunia’ s high, false laugh sounded from the living room. The elf hung his head.
“ Not that I’ m not pleased to meet you,” said Harry quickly,“ but, er, is there any particular reason you’ re here?”
“ Oh, yes, sir,” said Dobby earnestly.“ Dobby has come to tell you, sir... it is difficult, sir... Dobby wonders where to begin....”“ Sit down,” said Harry politely, pointing at the bed. To his horror, the elf burst into tears— very noisy tears.“ S-sit down!” he wailed.“ Never... never ever...” Harry thought he heard the voices downstairs falter.“ I’ m sorry,” he whispered,“ I didn’ t mean to offend you or anything—”“ Offend Dobby!” choked the elf.“ Dobby has never been asked to sit down by a wizard— like an equal—”
Harry, trying to say“ Shh!” and look comforting at the same time, ushered Dobby back onto the bed where he sat hiccoughing, looking like a large and very ugly doll. At last he managed to control himself, and sat with his great eyes fixed on Harry in an expression of watery adoration.
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