𝐊𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍 | 𝘍𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘞𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘺

Chapter 16 - Molly Weasley, the Banshee

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Knowledge is the key.

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"So— What's the real story, Harry?" Ron asked his friend impatiently. Betelgeuse had moved early during the flight in the front seat beside George, wanting to see better the stars from the front window.

Harry told them all about the mysterious house-elf named Dobby and how it was his spell that the Ministry detected. A shocked silence followed his speech, everyone was trying to find a reason for the elf's actions.

Betelgeuse broke the silence first. "This is not normal for a house-elf. They are bound to their master's want."

"Definitely dodgy," Fred agreed with her. George nodded, "So he didn't tell you who's supposed to be plotting all this stuff?"

"I don't think he could," Harry mused. "I told you, every time he got close to divulge something, he started banging his head against the wall." The twins shared a look above Betelgeuse's head.

"Do you think he was lying to me?" Harry asked, watching the back of Betelgeuse's head.

As sensing his stare, Betelgeuse turned to the boy. "House-elves are very loyal creatures, Potter. They do as their master commands. Always, they cannot reject their master's demands. No question asked. Possibly, this elf was punishing himself because he succeeded in resisting his master to a certain degree. He came to you by his own will, he warned you, and I believe his master wanted to do you harm, Potter."

They all took her speech into consideration, Fred nodded. "House-elves have got powerful magic of their own, but they can't use it without their master's permission. I reckon Dobby was sent to stop you from coming back to Hogwarts. Someone's idea of a joke. Can you think of anyone at school with a grudge against you?"

"Yes," Harry and Ron said together. "Draco Malfoy."

"Not Lucius Malfoy's son?" George turned around from his seat.

"Must be, it's not a very common name, is it?" Harry asked. "Why?"

"I heard Dad talking about him," George replied, glancing out the window. "He was a big supporter of You-Know-Who."

Betelgeuse decided to intervene then. "I do not reckon that Draco is involved," she earned a scoff from Fred, but she paid him no mind. "I believe that Draco is just a lonely angry boy who follows his father example. This matter, Potter, is bigger than him, bigger than you and definitely bigger than your little grudge. No, this elf, Dobby, did not follow his master's want, he beat himself in front of you. Dobby came freely and against his master's wish. He could be Malfoy's elf, yes; it would make sense that his master did not want him to warn you of an alleged danger to your person," she continued, pondering out loud. "The Malfoys are an ancient pureblood Family, but not as ancient and noble as mine," she paused, turned to Fred and exclaimed, "Bloody Baron, my grandmother could have been so proud of this speech." 

Fred laughed with George; the younger boys exchanged confused looks. 

"Lucius Malfoy has always believed in notions of blood purity and the superiority of pureblood wizards. It is widely known that he was one of the most trusted Death Eaters of You-Know-Who," she informed the four boys with a stiff voice. Harry and Ron were listening to the older girl with rapt attention. "After his first defeat," Betelgeuse turned to Harry, pointing to his scar, "Malfoy managed to avoid imprisonment by claiming that he had been acting under the Imperius Curse," Betelgeuse finished, loudly scoffing. Similar noises of disbelief could be heard in the flying car.