Esprit de Corps

Chapter 6

"Hello, Harry. I trust you are fine?" asked Dumbledore as he entered the Hospital Wing, looking very old and very tired.

Harry nodded.

"I regret the lapse of your security, Harry," said the old man heavily.

"It's understandable, sir," said Harry soothingly, "I know that the Order members have other things to do."

"Your protection comes first, my boy."

"It needn't, sir."

"Where were you planning to spend the rest of your summer, Harry?"

"We haven't decided yet, sir. Ron and Hermione have decided to stay with me. I guess we can go to either the Burrow or to Hermione's place."

"Have you considered your home?"

Harry stared at him in shock.

"You want me to go back to Privet Drive after all this?" he asked incredulously.

"No, Harry, not your Aunt's house. It is unnecessary to go there now, your protection has been activated. I was talking of Grimmauld Place."

"That's not my house!"

"Sirius left it to you in his will."

"I don't want it. The Order can keep it."

"The house is already yours magically. We can use it till Sirius' will is read out; which has been delayed till your sixteenth birthday. We will require your permission thereafter."

"You can raze the building for all I care. I'm not going back in there. Not while Kreacher is there. If I see that elf, I will kill him!"

"He is already dead, Harry. He died of shock when he learnt that the house belonged to you now."

Harry laughed bitterly.

"I'm not going in there," he said coldly.

Dumbledore sighed.

"I won't force you, Harry. I know better now."

"Thank you, sir. I think we will go to Hermione's place."

"As you wish. Minerva lives in the vicinity. Maybe you can pay her a visit."

"Maybe. Does Hermione know?"

"I doubt it."

Harry leant back in his bed. Dumbledore caught a glimpse of the glowing flower on his wrist.

"Harry, what is that on your wrist?" he asked sharply.

Harry explained what had happened earlier that day.

"Where are Ron and Hermione now?" the Headmaster asked, his voice strange.

"They went to the kitchen to fetch us some snacks. Anything wrong, sir? Hermione said that this was the symbol of our love and friendship."

"She's right, Harry, she is absolutely right. They bound themselves to you?"

"Yes sir."

"Knowing about the prophecy?"

"Yes sir."

"You're very lucky to have such worthy friends, my child."

"Yes sir."

Ron and Hermione entered that moment, their arms full of food and Dobby behind them. They stopped short on seeing Dumbledore.

"Good afternoon, sir," said Hermione.

"Good afternoon, Hermione, and you too, Ron."

Ron nodded.

"Anything wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing. I was just asking Harry about his plans for the rest of the summer."

"We're staying with him wherever he goes," said Hermione immediately.

Dumbledore smiled at her.

"Such fierce loyalty! Gryffindor would be proud of you both," he chuckled. Ron and Hermione blushed.

"Your home, 'Mione," said Harry softly.

Hermione nodded brightly.

"Mum and Dad will be pleased to see my friends! When are we leaving?"

Dumbledore tossed a Galleon at Harry, who caught it deftly.

"Your Portkey. You may go whenever you wish to. And Hermione, Remus has your car. This will take you to him you can drive from there. I shall tell him to inform your parents. Yours, too, Ron."

"Thank you, sir," intoned the three of them together. Dumbledore left. It was only after they heard his footsteps die away that Dobby stepped forward.

"Hello, Dobby," said Harry. The elf flung himself at Harry.

"How is Harry Potter sir feeling?"

"I'm quite fine, Dobby."

The elf wiped his eyes.

"Dobby is glad that Harry Potter sir escaped. Dobby is thankful to Wheezy and Hermy for that."

"How have you been, Dobby?" Harry asked.

"Dobby was worried, Harry Potter sir. Dobby felt a jolt early this morning and knew something was wrong with Harry Potter sir. But Winky did not let Dobby leave. Dobby is very sorry for that, sir."

"Dobby, you are not going to harm yourself over it, okay?" said Harry sternly, "I forbid you."

Dobby nodded tearfully. Harry held out his hand. As soon as Dobby took it, there was a flash of light and the mark appeared on Dobby's wrist as well - but it was in three colours, red, gold and white. Harry's mark flashed red and gold for a second.

"Harry Potter has marked Dobby with his friendship...like an equal..." whispered the awe-struck elf.

Harry was looking bewildered.

"Dobby, it was your love for Harry that triggered it," said Hermione softly.

Dobby nodded as great tears leaked from his eyes.

"Thank you for caring for me, Dobby," said Harry, "I am honoured to be your friend."

"Dobby is honoured, too, Master."

"Dobby, I'm not your master. You're a free elf."

"Dobby knows that, Harry Potter sir. Dobby also knows that Harry Potter sir is a Master - a leader of men."

Harry blushed.

"I'm just a normal -"

Ron interrupted him.

"Dobby is right, Harry."

Hermione nodded. Dobby beamed at them.