Redo - Harry Potter Fanfiction

(Year Two) Chapter Two

Dobby appeared on Harry's bed with a poof. Saffi and Rio stared at him, Rio with wide eyes and Saffi with narrowed eyes. Dobby didn't notice the two snakes he'd appeared next to; his attention was on Harry. Big, bright green eyes lit up when he saw Harry.

"Harry Potter!" Dobby squeaked, both nervous and excited. It's been a while since he'd seen the elf so unsure around him. After Harry had freed Dobby, the elf had always been grateful. He was happy to see Harry whenever he could.

Harry didn't like seeing him like this. He was once more chained to the Malfoy household, dressed in his pitiful, filthy pillow cover. He didn't have the socks he delighted in wearing; Dobby barely looked like himself. He had his hands clenched together as if containing himself.

"Dobby has wanted to meet you. Harry Potter!" Dobby said with childlike wonder in his voice. He looked at Harry like Harry was a mythical creature, but Harry lacked a horn. He would know if such an appendage grew from his head.

"This is the creature? The elf?" Saffi asked, her eyes still on Dobby. Taking in his long nose and ears, bulging eyes, small stature, and pinkish skin. She tasted the air, and Harry saw how confusion shone on her face.

"Thank you, Dobby. Why are you here?" Harry said calmly, standing up and dusting himself off. Petunia didn't do much cleaning in this room. He decided not to acknowledge Saffi just yet. He didn't know how Dobby would react to Harry's Parseltongue.

"Oh, Sir Dobby has come to tell you something. It-It is hard to say what, sir." Dobby fiddled with his hands anxiously, ears lowering. Rio watched as Saffi very carefully slithered toward Dobby, somehow remaining unnoticed.

"Saffi, be careful!" Rio hissed, alarmed as she was getting rather close. Saff turned around to look at him with her dark eyes.

"Hush, young one, I know what I'm doing." Harry had to focus on Dobby, who was patiently waiting for his reply. Huge eyes looking up at him with unfiltered adoration. That look had consistently made Harry uncomfortable.

"Why don't you sit down, Dobby?" Harry had forgotten how little kindness Dobby must have been shown; he forgot how intensely Dobby had reacted to the same request. Green eyes filled with tears, overflowing.

"S-Sit down?" Dobby sobbed; Harry heard how shocked and awed he sounded. Harry walked up to the bed, which Dobby stood on.

"It's okay, Dobby," Harry said comfortingly; Dobby only sobbed louder. He felt sympathy for Dobby. Harry, in a way, understood. He was overwhelmed with how kind people could be outside his family too. He'd grown up thinking that's just the way people were.

Everyone treated him like garbage while he was young, and there was nobody to tell him anything different. Until he came to Hogwarts, kindness was something alien. He was easily lured in by how good it could feel compared to rough treatment.

But Harry made the mistake of going in blind. He fell right into the honeypot. He was there for the sweetness like a Venus flytrap, but he hadn't seen the teeth. Harry wouldn't do that to Dobby, though. Harry knew that sort of kindness hurt worse than any cruelty.

"Dobby has never been asked to sit down by a wizard-like-like an equal!" His sobs continued. Saffi had a look of pity on her face, and Rio just looked even more befuddled.

"You are an equal, Dobby," Harry said, wishing his younger self had said it. Before, he'd primarily been scared of getting caught and flabbergasted at the thing before him. But now Harry could give Dobby actual words of comfort.

Dobby's sobs dwindled into sniffs, and he looked at Harry with something Harry could only describe as hope. And Dobby clung to it with everything he had.