The Boy Who Was Given Up

Chapter fifteen: Back to school

The next day was filled with excitement and hugs. Harry spent the whole morning talking and laughing with Dudley and Petunia, trying to squeeze the last bit out of the few hours they had left together before he left back for another year at Hogwarts. Don't get this wrong. He loved Hogwarts and could not wait to see his friends again, but sometimes it was nice to laugh with family.

Before they knew it, they were on the other side of the wall, waiting to join the loud scene that was always King's Cross. They were saying their goodbyes away from prying eyes.

"Have you remembered your scarf? How about your jumper? And you?"

"Mom, I remembered everything, don't worry, honestly," Harry promised Petunia.

"Okay," she replied hesitantly. "It's just, I have a bad feeling about this."

"It's okay, Mom. He will write and talk all he can, just like last year," Dudley comforted.

"No, it's not that. Just... oh, never mind. Let's go through the wall."

Dudley and Harry nodded as Harry ran at the wall with his trolley, Dudley following after. But before they could cross through, they crashed into it and went tumbling over each other, the contents of Harry's trolley spilling everywhere.

"Are you okay?!" Petunia cried, running over to her two sons lying on the concrete. Harry and Dudley were getting to their feet as she reached them.

"Yeah, Mom, we're all good. But why didn't it let us through?" As Harry finished his sentence, the bell chimed, signaling 11.

"What! No! We've missed it! The train leaves at exactly 11 o'clock," Harry frantically stated.

"Calm down, sweetie. We can go see Sirius and Remus and ask to use their floo," Petunia said. Harry let out a big sigh and nodded.

Once they reached the door, they knocked, and when Sirius opened it, he asked, "Hey, weren't you supposed to go on the train?"

They all nodded, and Sirius let them in to explain. Once Remus had been called and they were all sitting in the lounge, Petunia explained what had happened and what they wanted to do.

"Sure, you can use our floo," Remus said with a big smile. This made Harry's face light up at the thought of not being late to Hogwarts.

Although fate wasn't having it, because as they were walking over to the floo, a loud crack was heard. They all swung around, only to see a timid house elf.

"Are you okay?" Sirius asked the elf.

"Okay? Yes, of course! Dobby is okay, Sir, thank you for asking." The elf, Dobby, beamed.

"Then if you don't mind me asking, why are you here?" Remus asked politely.

"Dobby does not mind at all, Sir, but Dobby has to warn you. He has been sent here to warn Harry Potter that it is not safe to go to Hogwarts this year."

This time it was Petunia's turn to speak. "Warn him about what and why?"

"Well, Ma'am, there is danger at Hogwarts this year and my master fears for his safety," Dobby messily explained.

"Who is your master?" Remus asked, but before Dobby could answer, Sirius added,

"Wait. Dobby? That sounds familiar. Aren't you the Malfoys' house elf?"

Dobby shook his head. "No, Sir. I live there, but I tend to another person living in that house."

"Who?" Harry finally said.

"Master Harry Potter, Sir. It is a pleasure to meet you, and I cannot say, Sir. I have been given strict orders not to say anything until you have learned the truth."

"What truth?" Harry asked again.

"That you must find out for yourself."

"Well, in that case, if you cannot tell me anything useful other than Hogwarts isn't safe, which is codswallop, then I will be on my way," Harry said firmly before turning back to the floo.

"Do you remember what to do?" Sirius asked Harry whilst handing him some green powder.

Harry nodded, and Remus added, "Say Dumbledore's office."

Harry once again nodded before turning to Petunia and Dudley. "Thanks, guys. I will write and call you."

A big smile made its way to his face, and Petunia replied, "Yes, Harry. Stay safe." She looked a little worried by the house elf's words, but Harry didn't bat an eyelash before he was in the fire, saying, "Dumbledore's office."

The green flames erupted, and Harry was standing looking at Dumbledore and Fawkes.

"Harry?" Dumbledore asked, confused.

"Hi, Professor. The wall didn't let me through, and as a result, I missed the train, so we went to Sirius and Remus's to use the floo," Harry said casually, as if he were stating the weather.

"Oh, okay. Well, everyone will be here soon, so go and wait in the Great Hall for your friends to arrive."

Harry nodded and walked down the corridor, dropping his bags where the normal drop-off is. He walked into the Great Hall and waited where he and his friends normally sat.

Meanwhile, on the train...

"Where is he?!" Draco asked Theo.

"I don't know, man. We looked through all the carriages. We will locate him when we get to Hogwarts. Come on, we have to get changed." Draco huffed but complied and walked back to their carriage.

When they finally arrived in the Great Hall, Draco was the first one to spot Harry.

"Harry!" Draco yelled as he ran over to him. Harry's face lit up as he saw Draco running toward him. Harry barely stood up in time before Draco enveloped him in a bear hug. All of Harry and Draco's Slytherin friends laughed as they walked over, not surprised in the slightest at their behavior.

"What happened? You weren't on the train?!" Draco exclaimed as he let go.

"I missed it, but I will tell you the full story later," Harry replied quickly as he saw Dumbledore get up. They all took their seats and watched the scene in the Great Hall unfold. Being on the other side of the sorting was weird, but still amazing.

Clapping cheerfully when new Slytherins came to them. Without a moment to spare, the feast began, and Harry began to explain what had happened to him at the station.

"Wait. Dobby, did you say?!" Draco exclaimed as Harry finished.

"Yeah. Why? That's hardly the weirdest of it all," Harry replied casually.

"Dobby is a house elf that works for someone at the Manor. I will mail Mom and Dad and ask why Dobby went to you."

"Wait. Who does Dobby work for? He wouldn't tell me," Harry asked excitedly.

Draco looked uncomfortable with the question, which was unusual seeing as he would normally answer any question of Harry's in a heartbeat.

"I can't tell you that, Harry. Sorry. But one day, you will know and understand why."

Harry pouted but nodded anyway. The next few minutes were filled with light conversation about the holidays, and before they knew it, they were headed back to the dorms. For Harry, it was back to his room, which had a comforting feel to it. He couldn't for the life of him know why, but then it clicked. Draco and Snape knew, and they were fine with it that day in his room. It was then that he made it his mission to find out why.