Chapter 165 Dobby's Dilemma

Chapter 165 Dobby's Dilemma

Henry looked at Lucy and asked, "What did he say?"

Lucy said softly, "Dobby said he wanted to protect Harry Potter because he thought Harry Potter was a good person. He said he knew he used the wrong methods. He was very sad and regretful. But he didn't know what to do. He's just a house-elf, he can't go against his master's wishes, he can't do too much. He wanted to apologize, but he didn't dare."

Henry listened without interrupting.

Lucy continued, "Dobby said he was having a very bad time at the Malfoys'. Mr. Malfoy always punished him, thinking he couldn't do anything right. Mrs. Malfoy thought he was in the way and told him to stay out of sight as much as possible."

The young master, Draco, treated him a little better, sometimes giving him food, but he didn't dare to help him too much.

Her voice was filled with sympathy.

Dobby said he wanted to leave, but he couldn't. House-elves can't leave their owners unless they give them clothes.

"If he had the chance to leave, would he want to?" Henry asked.

"Dobby said he wanted to," Lucy said softly, "but he was afraid. He was afraid he would have nowhere to go after leaving, afraid of being looked down upon by the other elves, afraid—"

She trembled.

"I'm afraid I won't be able to survive."

"I understand," Henry said, looking at the distant hillside. "Could you contact him one more time?"

"Yes," Lucy nodded.

"Tell him that if he wants to leave, I have a way, and tell him not to be afraid," Henry said.

"Your Highness, are you really willing to help him?" Lucy blinked.

Henry glanced at her and said, "He helped Harry, albeit through the wrong methods, but his intentions were good. There's nothing wrong with him being mistreated and wanting to leave."

"Moreover, a little elf who is willing to take risks for others deserves to be helped," he added.

Lucy looked at him, her big eyes sparkling.

"Your Highness, you are a good person," she said, repeating the same words as last night.

Henry smiled.

"Go quickly, but don't let anyone find out."

Lucy nodded and then disappeared with a snap.

At noon, everyone gathered together for lunch.

The dinner table was lively. Harry was telling new stories about himself and Norbert, with William occasionally adding his own. George and Fred were discussing a "grand plan"—supposedly to add a "dragon wing mode" to the Ford so it could fly like a dragon.

Philip was very interested after hearing this and said he would be the first to try it once it was ready.

Ron muttered under his breath, "Here we go again—"

Harry couldn't help but laugh.

After dinner, Henry took the opportunity to speak with Ron and Harry alone.

They walked to a tree on the hillside, where it was quiet and there was no one else around.

"About the house-elf," Henry said, "I found out."

Harry immediately tensed up.

"Whose is he?"

"The Malfoys," Henry said, looking at him.

"Malfoy?" Draco's eyes widened. "The Draco family?"

"Yes," Henry said. "His name is Dobby, he's a Malfoy elf."

Harry's expression became complicated. He immediately began to wonder if Dobby was Draco's doing, that he wanted Dobby locked up.

"Then why did he help me?"

"Because he thinks you're a good person," Henry said. "He overheard Mr. Malfoy talking to those guests and knows you're the one who defeated the Dark Lord, so he thinks you deserve to be protected."

Harry lowered his head and remained silent for a moment.

"But he locked me up for three days."

"He knew," Henry said. "He was very upset when he found out. He wanted to apologize, but he didn't dare; he was afraid of being punished."

Ron chimed in, "Then why didn't he just say so directly? Why go through all that trouble?"

Henry glanced at him.

"Because he is just a house-elf. He cannot disobey his master's wishes, cannot reveal his master's secrets, and cannot use magic to harm others. All he can do is do what he thinks is right in his own way, even if it seems very clumsy."

Ron opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Harry was silent for a long time, then asked, "How is he now?"

Henry said, "Still alive."

Harry clenched his fist.

I want to help him.

"How can I help?" Henry asked, looking at him.

Harry thought for a moment, then shook his head.

"I don't know, but I want to help him."

"Alright," Henry said. "I've already had someone contact him. If he's willing, I can find a way to get him out of the Malfoys' house."

"Really?" Harry looked up.

"Really," Henry said, "but it depends on his own wishes. If he wants to stay, no one can help him. If he wants to leave, there will always be a way."

"Thank you, Henry," Harry said happily.

Henry waved his hand: "You're welcome. It was his own choice."

Ron, who was listening nearby, suddenly asked, "Your Highness, how did you do that?"

"What?" Henry looked at him.

"These things," Ron said, "rescuing Harry, investigating the house-elves, establishing the protected area, and all that—how did you manage to do all that?"

"If I wanted to do it, I did it," Henry said with a smile.

"It's that simple?" Ron was somewhat incredulous.

"It's that simple," Henry said with a smile.

Ron thought about it and felt that it made sense, but it also seemed too simple.

The sun was shining brightly in the afternoon.

George and Fred went riding the hippogriffs again, this time with William and Harry—of course, Charlie led the hippogriffs, letting them take turns riding on them for a short ride.

Philip watched from the side, smiling very kindly.

Newt sat on the hillside, holding a notebook and writing something down.

Ron and Harry sat under the tree, chatting.

Henry stood not far away, watching all of this.

Suddenly, a soft crackling sound rang out.

Henry turned his head and saw Lucy standing beside him.

"Your Highness," she said softly.

Henry looked around to make sure no one was watching, then led her behind a large tree.

"How so?"

"Dobby said—he wants to leave, but he's afraid." Lucy's expression was somewhat complicated.

"What are you afraid of?"

"He's afraid he'll have nowhere to go after he leaves. He's afraid Mr. Malfoy will find him, and he'll implicate those who helped him." Lucy paused. "He said he'd try if Your Highness would help him. But he doesn't know what to do."

"Tell him something," Henry said.

Lucy listened attentively.

"If one day Mr. Malfoy gets into any trouble—for example, if someone gives him a piece of clothing and tells him to keep it safe."

"Clothes?" Lucy blinked.

"Yes. Ordinary clothes, not the kind elves wear," Henry said with a smile. "If Mr. Malfoy throws that garment to him, he'll be free."

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