adored by him | *under editing*

second year × 16

"I can't let you out, Hedwig. I'm not allowed to use magic outside of school, besides, if Uncle Vernon--" Harry's reasoning was cut short by the man's gruff voice yelling his name. He sent a sharp look to the screeching owl. "Now you've done it." With a huff, Harry made his way down the stairs to be met with his purple-faced uncle.

"I'm warning you, boy. If you can't control that bloody bird, it'll have to go!"

"But she's bored." Harry protested. "If I could only let her out for a few hours--"

"Uh-uh. So you can send messages to your freaky little friends? I don't think so."

Harry's heart sunk. "But I haven't had any messages. From any of my friends. Not one."

Dudley scoffed, knocking Harry's shoulder as he plodded past. "Who'd want to be friends with you?"

"I should think you'd be a little more grateful." Vernon fumed. "We've raised you since you were a baby, given you the food off our table. We've even given you Dudley's second bedroom purely out of the goodness of our hearts." Harry laughed internally as Petunia had to steer Dudley away from the cake she had baked.

"Not now, bopkins. That's for when the Masons arrive." Vernon's eyes widened and he straightened up.

"Which should be any minute! Now, let's go over our schedule again, shall we? Petunia, when the Masons arrive, you will be..?"

"In the lounge, waiting to welcome them graciously into our home." She plastered a sweet smile onto her face and positioned herself by the fireplace.

He nodded in approval. "And, Dudley, you will be..?"

"I'll be waiting to open the door." He deepened his voice, attempting to sound more sophisticated as he gave a mock bow.

"Excellent." All three then turned to Harry, all eyes narrowed. "And you?"

"I'll be in my bedroom, making no noise and pretending that I don't exist." Harry deadpanned.

"Too right, you will. With any luck, this could be the day that I make the biggest deal of my career, and you will not mess it up."

With a sigh, Harry retreated back to his bedroom, immediately freezing at the sight of a peculiar creature jumping on his bed. It had overly large green eyes, bat-like ears and appeared to be wearing a soiled, old pillowcase. It beamed at the sight of Harry. "Harry Potter. Such an honour it is."

Harry creased his brows. "Right. Who are you?"

"Dobby, sir. Dobby, the house elf." He hopped off the bed with a smile.

"Not to be rude or anything but, now's not exactly a good time for me to have a house elf in my bedroom."

Dobby's eyes widened and he nodded with a sheepish smile as he played with a loose thread on his pillowcase. "Oh yes. Dobby understands! It's just that, well, Dobby doesn't really know where to begin."

Harry offered him a chair. "Well, why don't you sit down." Dobby gave Harry a look of offence.

"S-sit down?" Suddenly, he buried his head in his hands and began to sob uncontrollably. Harry panicked.