Douglas snapped his fingers lightly, and the battered Diary, with a stinky sock tucked inside, flew down in front of Lucius.
Lucius's expression changed dramatically, though whether it was because of the Diary or the stinky sock was unclear.
With anger mingled into his alarm, he quickly pulled the sock out of the Diary and tossed it aside.
The sock landed right in Dobby's hands beside him. Eyes wide, Dobby trembled all over as he stared at the sock in his hands, as though it were some holy relic.
Of course, every coincidence had been planned well in advance. Douglas had already enchanted the sock.
No matter how Lucius threw it, it would fly straight into Dobby's hands without fail.
And Lucius, in his anger, noticed nothing of what was happening behind him.
He examined the Diary carefully, forcibly suppressed his anger, and said in a calm voice:
"Professor Holmes, what is the meaning of this?"
Douglas shrugged and said:
"Returning something to its rightful owner, of course. Oh, I can't really call it that. Then sorry for the trouble, but please pass it on to..."
Before Douglas could finish, he heard Dobby muttering to himself:
"Master has given Dobby a sock. Master gave the sock to Dobby."
Malfoy immediately turned around. Seeing Dobby's state, he snapped:
"What are you talking about?"
Dobby said in disbelief:
"Dobby has got a sock. Master threw it, and Dobby caught it. Dobby-Dobby is free."
Douglas finally burst out laughing:
"Mr. Malfoy, you truly are a great wizard. I imagine giving something to a house-elf is unheard of even among pure-blood families, isn't it?"
Lucius Malfoy sat there dumbfounded, glaring at the house-elf. Then he suddenly drew his wand, pointed it at Douglas, and shouted:
"You've cost me my..."
Before he could finish, Douglas