The Serpent's Daughter

Chapter Eight: Dobby's Freedom, Lucius's Lesson

The commotion in the hallway outside Dumbledore’s office echoed as Lily stood by the grand stone staircase. She had just finished speaking with Snape, who was still keeping an eye on her after the incident with Ginny. But now, all of her thoughts were on Harry. She knew something important had happened, something connected to the diary and her father’s influence, and Harry had been at the center of it.

As she rounded the corner, Lily caught sight of Harry handing the sock to Lucius Malfoy. She watched from a distance as Lucius's face twisted in fury when Dobby caught the sock and realized he had been freed. Harry had outsmarted Lucius, using his own arrogance against him to free the house-elf. But while Harry’s bravery shone through, the pureblood hatred in Lucius’s eyes was undeniable.

Dobby's delighted cry echoed as he clutched the sock, his wide eyes gleaming with disbelief. "Master has given Dobby a sock," the house-elf muttered joyfully. "Dobby is free!"

Lucius turned towards Harry, his anger bubbling over. “You’ve lost me my servant, boy,” he hissed, venom dripping from his voice.

“Don’t you dare touch Harry,” Lily thought, her blood boiling.

Lucius glared at Harry as Dobby stepped in, protecting the young wizard. "You shall not harm Harry Potter!" Dobby declared, his small body standing between Lucius and the boy who had freed him.

With a growl of frustration, Lucius stormed out of the office, his robes billowing behind him. Lily slipped behind a nearby statue, waiting. Her heart raced in her chest as she watched him stride away, his hands trembling with fury. It was one thing to try to hurt Harry, but another to take his anger out on Dobby, who had suffered under Lucius’s cruel hand for years.

Once Lucius disappeared from Harry's sight and stepped into the next room, Lily acted on instinct. She moved swiftly, catching up to him in the shadows of the hallway.

Lucius barely had time to react before Lily was right in front of him, her face set in cold, determined fury. "You think you can get away with everything, don’t you?" she spat, her voice low and dangerous.

Lucius's icy gray eyes narrowed as he sneered at her. "Ah, Miss Riddle," he began mockingly, but before he could say anything more, Lily’s fist flew through the air and connected with his nose.

The crack echoed in the hallway. Lucius stumbled back, clutching his face as blood began pouring from his nose, staining his perfectly tailored robes. His expression was a mix of shock and outrage, completely thrown off by the sudden, unanticipated attack.

"You—" Lucius sputtered, his voice muffled as he pressed his sleeve to his nose. "You insolent little—"

“Shut up,” Lily snapped, her eyes blazing. "This is for everything you’ve done to Dobby, to your son, and for even thinking about hurting Harry. You’re nothing more than a coward hiding behind a name."

Lucius glared at her, his hand still pressed against his bleeding nose, but something in Lily’s fierce expression made him hesitate. She had grown up under Snape and Dumbledore’s guidance, but the darkness she fought so hard to control burned in her eyes. He knew she was more dangerous than she appeared.

“You’ll regret this,” Lucius hissed, but there was a note of uncertainty in his voice as he staggered backward. He turned and stormed down the hall, not daring to glance back at her again.

Lily watched him leave, her fists still clenched, her heart racing. The adrenaline coursed through her veins, and for a brief moment, she felt a flicker of satisfaction. Lucius Malfoy had gotten what he deserved, even if it was just a broken nose.

But as she stood there alone, the weight of everything crashed down on her. Voldemort was still out there, lurking in the shadows, and Lucius was still a dangerous pawn in the greater scheme. She had acted out of anger, yes, but also out of a need to protect the people she cared about—Harry, Draco, and even Dobby.

Taking a deep breath, Lily glanced down the hallway, making sure Harry hadn’t seen what had happened. She couldn’t afford to draw more attention to herself, not when her father’s shadow loomed so close.

With one last glance in the direction Lucius had fled, Lily turned and made her way back toward the stairs, her mind racing. She had protected Harry today—again—but the battle was far from over. As long as her father’s influence remained, as long as people like Lucius Malfoy still walked free, she would have to be ready for what came next.