Chapter 2 – The House-Elf’s Warning

The creature in the Dursleys’ living room was unlike anything Privet Drive had ever seen.

He was small — no taller than a coffee table — with enormous green eyes and bat-like ears that trembled as he spoke. He wore what looked like a pillowcase tied over one shoulder.

Uncle Vernon’s face had turned a dangerous shade of red.

“What is that?” he demanded furiously.

The creature bowed so low his nose nearly brushed the carpet.

“Dobby is a house-elf, sir.”

Harry and Y/N had reached the bottom of the stairs together.

The house-elf’s eyes widened the moment he saw Harry.

“Harry Potter!” he gasped, almost reverently.

Then he noticed Y/N standing beside him.

“And Y/N Potter.”

No dramatic pause. No special tone. Just recognition.

Harry stepped forward cautiously. “How do you know us?”

“The wizarding world speaks often of Harry Potter,” Dobby said quickly. “And of his twin sister. Dobby has heard many stories.”

Uncle Vernon made an outraged spluttering sound, but Dobby paid him no attention.

“I have come to warn you,” the house-elf whispered urgently. “You must not return to Hogwarts.”

The word seemed to tighten the air in the room.

Harry frowned. “Not return?”

“You must stay here, sir! Both of you must stay away from Hogwarts School!”

Y/N folded her arms, watching him closely. “Why?”

Dobby’s long fingers twisted in his pillowcase.

“Dobby cannot say,” he squeaked. “Dobby is not allowed to reveal secrets.”

“Then how are we supposed to believe you?” Harry asked.

“Because terrible things are planned!” Dobby cried softly. “Very terrible things!”

Silence stretched between them.

Y/N’s expression remained steady. “What kind of terrible things?”

Dobby shook his head frantically. “Dobby cannot speak of it. But if Harry Potter and Y/N Potter return… they will be in grave danger.”

The way he said it wasn’t dramatic.

It was fearful.

Uncle Vernon stomped forward. “That is enough of this nonsense! Get out of my house!”

As if tension needed encouragement, a loud crash suddenly came from the kitchen.

Aunt Petunia shrieked.

Everyone spun around.

The large pudding she had prepared for an important dinner guest was floating in midair.

Harry’s eyes widened. “That’s not me!”

The pudding dropped.

It exploded onto the floor.

Silence.

Then Uncle Vernon roared.

“You did that!”

“I didn’t!” Harry protested.

“Neither of us did,” Y/N said firmly.

Dobby lowered his head miserably.

“Dobby had to make a disturbance,” he whispered. “If Harry Potter stays home, he will be safe.”

Harry’s jaw tightened. “I’m not staying home.”

Dobby looked desperate. “You must!”

“I’m going back,” Harry repeated.

Y/N didn’t hesitate. “So am I.”

The certainty in her voice wasn’t loud. It didn’t need to be.

Uncle Vernon grabbed Harry’s arm. “Upstairs. Both of you. Now!”

Minutes later, their bedroom door slammed shut.

A key turned sharply in the lock.

Harry began pacing immediately. “He can’t keep us here.”

Y/N walked calmly to the window and pulled the curtain aside.

The street outside was quiet. Too quiet.

“He’ll try,” she said.

Behind them, Dobby stood in the center of the room, looking deeply ashamed.

“Dobby has failed,” he murmured.

Y/N turned toward him. “You haven’t failed.”

Dobby blinked up at her.

“You warned us,” she continued. “That counts.”

“But you will still return,” Dobby said miserably.

“Yes,” Harry answered without hesitation.

Dobby’s ears drooped.

“You do not understand,” he whispered. “Hogwarts is not safe this year.”

Y/N met his wide eyes.

“Then we’ll deal with it when we get there.”

There was no arrogance in her voice.

Just calm resolve.

Dobby looked between them — at the twins who refused to be frightened into hiding.

And for the first time, something like worry flickered across his face.

Because whatever danger he feared—

It wasn’t something that could be avoided.

Only faced.

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