Harry Potter and the Eye of Isis

Chapter 3 - Dobby's Request

On the morning of July 31, two owls came flying through the kitchen window. One was Hedwig, who was giving Errol a break since she'd been there, with the Daily Prophet for Mr. Weasley, and the other owl was clearly a Hogwarts owl.

"Bit early for letters isn't it?" Ron asked as he untied the envelope.

"Probably your O.W.L.s." Ginny pointed out.

Both Ron and Harry nearly turned white as Ron set the envelope down on the table. Neither was overly excited about finding out how their marks were, and seemed content to just stare.

"For heaven's sake." Mrs. Weasley snatched up the envelope. "I'm sure the both of you did just fine." She opened the envelope and began reading, her facial expression not giving away a thing. When she was finished, she looked at Ron first. "You got seven." She handed him his letter. "Harry, you got eight." Harry took his letter and stared at his results.

Transfiguration - Outstanding

Charms - Acceptable

Potions - Outstanding

Herbology - Acceptable

History of Magic - Poor

Defense Against the Dark Arts - Outstanding

Astronomy - Acceptable

Divination - Acceptable

Care of Magical Creatures - Outstanding

8 Ordinary Wizarding Levels achieved

"Blimey," Ron looked at his parchment. "You got an Outstanding in Potions? How did you manage that?"

"I have no idea." Harry had doubted that he even passed Potions, so an Outstanding was completely shocking. "What could Snape have been thinking?"

"Professor Snape wouldn't have given you your marks, Harry." Mrs. Weasley answered. "The same group of wizards that administered the O.W.L.s, mark them."

"There you have it then," Ron said as he and Harry switched letters. "Snape didn't have the chance to fail you." He scanned down Harry's O.W.L.s and noticed his Divination mark. "You passed Divination too? What happened? I thought we'd fail together."

Harry started to chuckle but quickly realized that though Ron was half joking, he was also slightly upset that he had failed while Harry passed. "You got an Outstandings in Herbology," he pointed out as he read Ron's results. "And Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"You both did excellent," Mr. Weasley concluded.

"That's right," Mrs. Weasley, still standing over their shoulders, was wiping tears from her eyes. "I'm so proud of both of you." She scooped them both into an embrace, successfully pressing their faces against each other and making Ginny giggle.

"Mum!" Ron finally broke away. "Really, they're just O.W.L.s!"

Flushed from the smothering embrace, Harry was glad to have been released, but still embarrassed as Ginny was covering her face with both of her hands and making snorting noises as she attempted to hold back her laughter.

Regaining his composure, Harry decided it probably had been a funny sight. "We'd better send Hermione an owl and let her know," Harry told Ron.

"No need--" Ron seemed to want to continue talking but a sudden thud underneath the table made him stop in mid thought. Ginny had kicked him hard in the shin. "Ow, what'cha do that for?"

"Oh sorry." She smiled sheepishly as though it were all an accident.

Ron seemed to get some unspoken message. "I got to get to work before the twins claim I'm late and point out that I'm not free labour."

Ron bid them good-bye and went into the front room so that he could floo to Diagon Alley. Just after he disappeared there was a knock at the kitchen door. Mrs. Weasley let in a familiar face, and Harry was quite relieved to see him.

"Professor."

"Harry, don't call me that, I'm not your professor anymore. Call me Remus." The offer seemed to make Harry uncomfortable. "Or you could continue to call me Professor, what ever you're most comfortable with." Lupin had a seat in the recently vacated chair next to Harry. "I'm here to escort you to Diagon Alley."

"Really?"

"Oh," Mr. Weasley said while pushing aside his plate. "I forgot to tell you earlier Harry. Is today ok?"

"Yeah, of course, just let me go get dressed." Harry dashed off to throw on a pair of jeans, a jumper, and his cloak. When he returned, Lupin was reading at Harry's O.W.L. letter as he ate a piece of toast.

"Well done Harry." Lupin smiled at him. "You did better than your father, he only received six O.W.L.s."

"I bet my mum got more than me though."

"Of course," he chuckled as he put down the parchment. "Hermione reminds me of your mother in many ways. How many do you think Hermione received?"

"How many can you get?"

"Twelve," Mrs. Weasley answered.

"Then that's what my mum got and what Hermione got."

"Actually you're mum managed 12..."

"Only." Harry laughed as he and Remus stood in front of the hearth. "Are you going to come Ginny?" he asked as Remus lit the fire.

"No Harry, I told mum I'd help her this afternoon. Have a good time though!"

Lupin looked at the way Harry and Ginny were looking at each other, wondering if he really detected a flutter of emotion between them. Harry sensed the question on Lupin's mind.

"What?" He asked first, just in case he was wrong.

"Are you and--"

"No," Harry answered quickly. "We've just gotten closer this summer."

Lupin nodded, seemingly accepting this answer. He lit the fire and stepped in first and within moments he and Harry were stepping out of the fireplace at the Leaky Cauldron. Harry dusted himself off and took the cloth offered by Lupin in order to wipe his face of soot.

"Where to first?"

"Gringotts."

Lupin couldn't help but smile. "In need of funds?"

They both chuckled as they made their way out through the brick wall. Harry hadn't been to Diagon Alley in so long he felt as though it were his first time all over again. It had been three years since he'd been there and he couldn't wait to go everywhere.

After lightening his vault's load, Harry went to get fitted for new robes (his were already getting too short) and picked up some new clothes. He stared at a broom in the Quidditch supply window but fought the temptation to go in and look, reminding himself that he had the best broom in the world. Besides, he really wanted to get over to Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes.

The store was packed. Fred and George were proudly wandering throughout the showroom making sales pitches and talking up the products to their customers. Ron was behind the counter taking in the money from sales. Harry spotted Lee there, also selling the wonders that were now known as Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes.

"Hi ya Harry!" Ron shouted from behind the counter.

"Get back to work, help!" One of the twins joked with him as they both approached Harry.

"Professor Lupin...Remus," Fred corrected himself. "Nice of you to bring our investor in."

"Investor?" Remus asked.

"Yeah," Harry admitted. "I gave them the winnings from the Triwizard tournament. I thought it was the best thing to do."

"It was Harry," George put his arm around Harry's shoulders and led him away. "Just look at what you helped make possible." He gave him a guided tour of the shop, the back stock, and their testing centre underneath the store.

"I wouldn't touch anything down here if I were you." Harry informed Lupin. "You never know what kind of animal they'll turn you into."

"Tsk, tsk Harry," Fred swept in with a red hard candy. "This is one that I think the good Professor would be perfect to help us out with."

Lupin actually took the small orbed candy from Fred and stuck it in his mouth. "It's okay," he told Harry to calm the horrified expression on his face. "They've turned me into a large canary before."

Harry wanted to laugh as he pictured that in his mind's eye but was distracted by Remus grabbing his throat. Smoke was literally issuing from his ears and his head suddenly transfigured into a large, oddly shaped kettle.

"Um." Fred and George stared at him. "That wasn't supposed to happen."

"The smoke effect was great though," George decided.

After a few minutes, Lupin's head returned to its normal size and shape. "Whoa," he gasped. "Did you guys put firewhiskey in that one?"

"No, did it taste like it?"

"No," he rubbed his forehead. "It feels like it."

Lupin continued rubbing his throat slightly as Harry made a mental note never to try firewhiskey. They were on their way to Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour for a snack when Remus looked down at his watch and grabbed Harry's arm.

"Are you alright?"

"Harry, I just remembered that I have an appointment this afternoon. My goodness, I'm so sorry Harry, I'm going to have to escort you back to the Burrow, but I promise to make this up to you."

Harry was a touch disappointed but at least he'd been able to come into Diagon Alley for a few hours. It was better than missing it another year. "It's alright, I understand."

"Thanks so much Harry." Lupin gave his arm a gentle squeeze before letting go. "Let's get back to the Leaky Cauldron then."

Harry was first to go through the floo network on the way back. He still disliked twirling rapidly through the many grates of the floo network to get to his final destination. And when he arrived at the Burrow, he was meant with quite a surprise.

"Surprise!" A house full of people shouted at him as he stumbled into the room. Harry couldn't say anything at his reception. He felt tears welling up in his eyes as he looked around the decorated room filled with his friends.

"Happy Birthday Harry." Lupin put his hand on his shoulder. "You forgot didn't you?"

"Yes, I actually did. I've never forgotten before but this year it completely slipped my mind."

"Because your mind has been elsewhere, but today this is where it needs to be, with your friends and family."

It took a moment for Harry to adjust to the shock of the celebration but once he did, he was fully immersed in his first birthday celebration ever. Cakes, teas, gifts and dancing filled the afternoon and well into the evening. He was so excited to see everyone and tried his best to make sure that he talked to Luna and Neville and made them feel as close to him as Hermione and Ron.

Later that evening, when the party was finally dying down, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville and Luna were sitting together under a tree in the garden laughing about flying thestrals, and badges that stated 'rescue mission'. None brought up Sirius or Voldemort though. When the conversation seemed to be headed in that direction, Hermione was the one to change the subject.

"So Harry, we've spent the entire day together and you haven't bothered to tell me how many O.W.L.s you received."

"Well, Miss-I-got-twelve-O.W.L.s..."

"Who told you?"

"I guessed. Since that is the most anyone can receive, I knew that you had." He smiled at her. "I got eight." He looked to Neville. "How about you mate?"

"I only got six."

"Only?" Ginny teased. "That's great Neville."

"Good show," Harry smiled at him. "At least we didn't pull a Fred and George."

"Yeah, no wonder mum and dad were excited. I mean, look at the last O.W.L. letters they received. After seeing those threes, they must have been thrilled to see a seven and an eight."

"Oh great," Ginny scowled. "That means I've got to do better than you two by that theory."

"That'll be easy for you Ginny," Ron comforted her with a grin. "Just do what Hermione tells you and you'll be a Miss-I-got-twelve-O.W.L.s too."

"I foresee that I will get ten O.W.L.s," Luna said a bit sarcastically. "And Ginny will get twelve." They all laughed at her as she pretended to gaze into an orb and press imaginary glasses up her nose. Her voice changed to match the mousy tone that they all knew so well. "And Neville's plant will meet a grim fate, and Ron...you will be named Quidditch captain."

"And what about me Luna," Harry teased. "What am I going to do this year?"

"Nothing." They were all having fits of giggles as Luna continued. "Nothing ever happens to you Harry Potter."

"Thank goodness for that," Ron said as he suppressed his laughter. "'Cause I thought he'd surely get whisked away to Egypt or something."

They were all snickering when Mrs. Weasley stuck her head out of a window. "Neville dear, your Gran has arrived."

Neville stood up. "Well, I'll see you all later. Great party Harry. I hope you like my gift."

"I'm sure I will Neville." Harry had decided that there were too many gifts to open that night, he was going to save them for the morning, besides what he really wanted was to just be with his friends.

"I'll go with you Neville," Hermione rose. "I need to see what time my portkey is going to be activated."

Luna also stood. "Wait for me. I was supposed to be home by ten o'clock."

"I think you've missed that Luna." Ron told her with a smile.

"I know but I was enjoying myself. People don't often treat me the way that you all do. I find that I like it."

"I know exactly what you mean Luna." Harry stood and gave her a hug. "Thanks for coming."

"No problem Harry Potter."

When the others were in the house, Harry turned and looked at Ron and Ginny sitting there. This was how he liked his night to end, the three of them together. He was truly beginning to feel like they were his family.

"What?" Ginny asked finally. She wanted to know what he was thinking.

"I just want you to know that you guys have given me the best present possible this year." He tried not to get overly emotional. "I feel like I belong, and that's what I wanted more than anything -- to be normal."

"Too bad it took you so long to figure that out." Ginny smiled at him. "We've always been here for you Harry."

"That's right mate," Ron nodded in agreement. "I thought we'd gotten that through your thick skull in our fourth year."

It was the Weasley's who were with him on the last day of the Triwizard tournament when family was supposed to visit the champions. They had included him in many things over the years. Maybe Ron and Ginny were right, and the Weasley's had been as close as family all along.

"Let's go inside," Ron suggested. "I think now would be a good time to give Harry one of his presents."

"I agree."

So the three of them marched into the house and Ron went to fetch his parents. When he returned, Mr. Weasley was carrying the Weasley family clock, and Mrs. Weasley had an extra clock hand in her palm with Harry's face on the end of it just as the other hands had the face of each Weasley.

The clock was set down on the table in front of Harry. "You don't have to accept this offer Harry," Mr. Weasley told him with a soft smile on his face. "But we would like to ask you to become an official member of our family."

"I'd love to, yes." Harry took the new hand of the clock and stared at his own face smiling up at him. It was the first time he'd seen his own magical picture not trying to run out of view.

"You must prick your finger, drop a speck of blood onto the clock's surface and say that you solemnly swear that you are a member of the Weasley family. The clock will then take your hand and add it."

Harry held out a finger and pricked it with a needle that Mrs. Weasley handed him. He held his hand out and dropped some blood onto the face of the clock. "I solemnly swear that I am a member of the Weasley family."

It only took a moment for the clock to absorb the blood. Then it reached out, using the hands that held Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's faces on them, and took Harry's from him and placed it with others. Harry's hand immediately swung to home.

Mr. Weasley carried it back into place and they all stared at it for a moment. Since there were still several guests in the house, they all went back to mingle and talk with the others.

The party finally dwindled down until just a handful of people were left. Harry and Ron had already noticed that the only people left were those they knew to be members of the Order. It seemed that there was to be a meeting too.

Harry and Ron retired upstairs without having to be asked. As much as he would have loved the day to never end, Harry was quite content with his memories as he lay in bed thinking. He'd had a wonderful day: the morning in Diagon Alley, the party that lasted more hours than he could count, and now, a family to call his own. A slight smile spread across his face as he finally drifted off to sleep.

Harry was just starting to drift off to sleep when he sensed another presence in his room. He sat up quickly and glanced around; alarmed that he could see nothing. He reached to the bed stand to grab his glasses only to have them handed to him.

"Harry Potter..."

"Dobby?" Harry slipped the glasses on his face and stared at the friendly little house-elf. "Dobby, you must love coming into my bedroom and scaring me."

"Never scare Harry Potter sir. Dobby only wanted to wish Harry Potter a Happy Birthday sir."

"Thank you Dobby, but you could have just come to my party."

"Dobby is but a house-elf sir."

"You are my friend too, right?"

"Harry Potter is indeed a great wizard." Dobby's great big eyes filled with tears. "Treating Dobby so well, and now calling Dobby his friend. Dobby wishes to give Harry Potter a gift."

"You have a gift for me?" Dobby nodded but handed nothing to Harry when he fully expected to be on the receiving end of a pair of Dobby socks. "What is it?" he finally asked.

"It is Dobby, sir."

"What?"

"Dobby has told Headmaster Dumbledore that Dobby has been called to a new Master."

"You want me to be your Master?" Dobby nodded proudly, but Harry noticed that he squirmed a bit, like when he was trying to tell him that Lucius Malfoy was planning terrible things at Hogwarts in his second year. "You work for Dumbledore. And what about your freedom?"

"Dobby would be honoured to serve Harry Potter."

Harry was going to say no but the anticipation on Dobby's face told him that Dobby was invested emotionally in this decision already. He wanted to serve Harry and would be devastated if Harry told him no. There was also a little voice in his head telling him that Dobby would be of great use to him soon. He decided not to ignore his instinct.

"Thank you Dobby. Your loyalty is a truly wonderful gift."

"Dobby is humbled by Master. It is Master's gift to me."

"I wish for you to continue wearing clothes and to take a salary." Harry saw the little elf beam with happiness.

"Dobby has grown fond of socks, Master," he admitted.

"And you wear them so well." Harry chuckled while glancing at the socks Dobby had on. It seemed like he never took off the one Harry had used to free him years ago.

"Dobby wishes to be bound to Master."

"Okay, what do you need me to do?"

"Ask Dobby."

Harry nodded. "Dobby, will you be my house-elf?"

"Yes, Dobby will."

A sparkling gold light emitted from Dobby, and engulfed Harry completely, warming him from the inside out. Harry was suddenly aware that Dobby was his elf, not because he had asked him to serve but he felt it as if it had always been true.

After the light faded Harry felt tired again. "I'm going to sleep now Dobby. You're welcomed to as well." Then he recalled Kreacher's room at the Black house and didn't want that for Dobby. "Please stay in my room with me. I don't want you in some corner of the house." He got out of bed and took an extra blanket to a nearby chair. The plush chair would certainly be large enough for Dobby. "Would this be okay?"

"Master is too kind." Dobby climbed into the chair, curling his legs into the blanket. "Never has Dobby been offered a bed."

Harry patted him on the head and saw his green eyes were glistening with tears. "Good night Dobby."

"Good night Master. No one will harm Harry Potter while Dobby is here," he said proudly.

Harry realised that Dobby would sleep very little as he kept a protective vigil over Harry and this only intensified the feeling that perhaps Dobby was there for a reason, and possibly even sent by Dumbledore himself. House-elves did have powerful magic and Dobby was certainly going to protect Harry at all costs.