Half-Blood Princess Book Two

Chapter 2 - Dobby the House-Elf

Third Person POV

31st July 1992

The past week had been nothing but boring; Tilly wished nothing more than to be back with her Dad or Draco. Oh, what Tilly would give to be back at Malfoy Manner, running away from Draco, as he chases her for having the last cookie; or something similar. Draco had started to take his quidditch much more seriously; something his Dad told him to do. Tilly was staring up at the roof when Harry shocked her out of her thoughts.

"God, James." Tilly scolded Harry.

"Sorry, I just wanted to give you your birthday present." Tilly is taken off guard, not expecting Harry to get her anything. "Yes, I got you something." Tilly laughs after Harry guesses what she was thinking. "It's not much, but," Harry hands Tilly a box that weighed a severe amount. Tilly took off the lid and pulled out a weighted blanket. "I wasn't able to get anything magical, but I've been told the Slytherin Common Rooms are freezing."

"Thanks, James, I love. And yes, it gets so cold down there." They both laugh, and Tilly takes out a small ring box for Harry. "Here," Tilly hands Harry the box. "I thought you might want to have those." Harry opens the box and stares at the rings inside for a moment.

"Are these wedding rings?"

"Yes, Lily and James's. I was given them after their deaths, but you should have them, not me."

"This is why you also gave Aunt Petunia the necklace; so, I could have these," Harry spoke and nodded his head.

Most of the day was spent cleaning up the house for Harry and Tilly.; this was for when The Mason's would come over that night. Petunia was now finishing the touches on the cake. Dudley and Vernon were making themselves look presentable, while Tilly and Harry were upstairs looking through the photo album Hagrid gave Harry. The rattling of Hedwig's cage and squawking coming from having her cooped up all day, was only increasing.

"Hedwig, you have to stay quiet," Tilly told the bird, who only made more noise.

"HARRY POTTER!" Vernon yells from downstairs.

"Now you've down it," Harry said, standing up.

The two quickly dash down to the kitchen; Petunia tilts her head to where Vernon is.

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

"But she's bored if I could only let her out for, an hour." Vernon laughs,

"So, you can send secret messages to your freaky little friends; no sir." Harry sighs, he hadn't received any letters at all from anyone. Not Ron. Not Hermione. Not even Tilly and she was now staying with him.

"I haven't gotten any letters; not one." Harry looks down, sadness written all over his face.

"Who's want to be friends with you?" Dudley snaps, bumping his shoulder into Harry as he walks past. "Of course, Tilly you are an exception to his freaky friends. You're lovely to have around." Tilly bites her inner cheek so hard; she can taste a metallic liquid. Blood. In Tilly opinion, The Dursley's were an odd bunch. Vernon has a temper and is mean. Petunia is a bit snarky but could be kind. And Dudley, he is a spoilt baby that is unstable.

"I would think you'd be a bit more grateful." Vernon snapped inching closer to Harry; Tilly protectively steps in front.

"Not now bobkins." Petunia taps Dudley hand way from the cake. "For when the Masons arrive."

"Which should be any minute. Let's run through the schedule once more. Petunia when the mason arrive you should be?"

"In the lounge waiting to welcome them graciously to our home." Petunia gestures to the room.