Dobby dared not put its feet completely on the ground; it tiptoed and nimbly followed Lorne like a ballerina.
This is a rule in the Malfoy family: House-elf must not make a sound when they walk, cannot walk in front of their masters, and must always bow to show respect to their masters.
Lorne patted its back. "You're already short, Dobby. Don't walk hunched over. Stand tall and hold your head high, like me. Yes, just like that. Then come up to me. You'll be hidden by my shadow if you follow behind me."
Dobby felt like he was living in a dream. "Master—I mean Malfoy —just gave Dobby a piece of clothing, and now Dobby is free?"
Lorne persisted, "Yes, he is no longer your master. You are free, Dobby."
He held down Dobby, who was trying to jump around, and thought for a moment, "Don't you want to tell Harry Potter something this important?"
Dobby nodded. " Dobby wants to tell Harry Potter that he's also Dobby's benefactor."
"Take me to Harry's house, I need to do a home visit anyway," Lorne said, stroking his chin. "If possible, I'll bring him along, but don't go straight to his house."
Harry had helped him a lot this semester, not only in capturing Dobby but also in defeating the Basilisk. Harry had played a significant role in both. He had also promised Harry in the Hospital Wing that he would show Harry his reward at the end of the semester.
I don't think I have anything to give him, so I might as well bring him to my shop. Whether he's getting tutoring or playing on his phone, it's much more convenient than having him at home.
And it can also help him manage Dobby.
As for the Bloodline Protection Charm on Harry, it only works under the protection of his closest relatives—please, Voldemort won't be resurrected for another year or two, and besides, Harry stayed at the Burrow quite well last year, didn't he?
In Harry's room.
For other children, summer vacation is the most relaxing and enjoyable time, but for Harry, vacation often means endless worries and waiting.
Even after Vernon learned that Harry could not use magic freely in the Muggle world, he did not stop torturing him. He would take off his shoes and socks that he had deliberately walked in muddy water to wash Harry, and he would deliberately leave the sink untidy so that Harry would have to wipe it with his hands.
At times like these, Harry would think of Filch.
He felt that their situations were very similar: they knew that magic existed but could not use it; they had to spend countless hours on things that could be solved simply by waving their wands.
Harry was relieved that he had proven he wasn't the murderer. Filch may not be likable, but nobody wants to be hated by others for no reason.
At the end of the term, the Mandrake that Professor Sprout had grown was used by Professor Snape and Madam Pomfrey to successfully cure Mrs. Norris. Harry saw Filch's excited smile for the first time, and he even opened his arms to hug Director Lorne was watching.
Gryffindor has once again won the House Cup —to be honest, Harry thinks the House Cup is practically dead; aside from the final banquet on the last day when their House Cup is raised, there are no real rewards.
In comparison, Director Lorne's activities were much more generous. For this Chamber of Secrets activity, Director Lorne even gave away more than a dozen Magic Mobile Phone as rewards. Unfortunately, the top spots on the leaderboard were all taken by senior students.
Now they don't say that second year is the Hogwarts Prince of Year anymore, because they've also benefited from it.
Harry thought it would be great if Director Lorne could be in charge of their year. They already have a head of General Affairs Office, so having a head of the year wouldn't be a problem, right?
"It would be great if there were more events organized by Director Lorne during the holidays," Harry said listlessly, resting his chin on his hand.
Knock knock!
Harry looked up curiously from his bed. Who would be knocking on the door so late? The Dursley never treated him with such respect. They would just push the door open and come in. If they wanted to call him for dinner, they would just stand at the bottom of the stairs and call out. If he didn't hear them, he would go hungry.
Harry quickly got out of bed. "Come in."
Lorne pushed open the door. "If you don't want to stay here, you can pack your things now."
Harry's expression of surprise upon seeing Lorne hadn't faded when Lorne's words surprised him a second time. "You're going to take me away? But—"
"Your aunt's family has agreed, and they'd be delighted if I took you away," Lorne said, glancing at a non-existent watch on his wrist. "We need to hurry; Dobby's still hiding in the bushes. I don't know if House-elf ' skin is resistant to mosquitoes."
Harry didn't ask any more questions. He trusted Director Lorne completely. When he finished packing and carried his things downstairs, the Dursley, who were standing by the stairs, stared at him.
Harry paused.
Lorne gently nudged his shoulder from behind, then smiled easily toward the stairs, "Well then, Mr. Dursley, Mrs. Dursley, and Dudley, I'm taking Harry away now."
Vernon's face chuckled as he laughed. "Please, Mr. Myles."
Petunia followed Lorne, warmly seeing him off. "Next time you come, please let me know in advance. It's my lifelong regret that I didn't let you have dinner with me."
Dudley, holding a stone statue, escorted Harry and Lorne to the door.
Harry, struggling to carry the bag. "?"
He really wanted to ask Director Lorne if he had cast a spell on them to make them so humble and polite.
Once they were outside the Dursley family, Lorne explained, "I bought a piece of land in a remote part of the Muggle World and, while I was at it, purchased some drill bits from Mr. Dursley's company."
"I'm one of his biggest clients, and I even brought them gifts. Did you see the stone carving in Dudley's hands?" Lorne boasted. "It depicts their family of three, but not you."
Harry: "..."
"You're being hurtful, you know that, Master?" Harry said helplessly. "Besides, what's the point of buying land in the Muggle World?"
"Perhaps you'll find out when you graduate," Lorne said, playing the riddle game once again.
Dobby, bored in the bushes, was tugging at the grass when he saw Lorne and Harry approaching. He couldn't resist knocking on the steps. " Dobby's here!"
Harry stared at the empty space in the stone fence in front of Dobby, then glanced at Lorne and asked, " Lorne, Master, you didn't steal the stone you used for carving from here, did you?"
Lorne touched his nose, choosing to ignore it. " Dobby, let's go back to the Magic Mobile Phone Shop."
"Wait, I'm not ready yet!"
Harry's protests faded into the distance. In the Quiet night, no one noticed the bits of grass and leaves scattered across the greenbelt, or the stolen brick.
Inside the Magic Mobile Phone shop, Quirrell was startled by the sudden appearance of three people.
He stepped forward. " Lorne, so you asked me to prepare two rooms to welcome Harry and Dobby?"
"It's getting late, Harry, you should go to sleep. Your room is on the far right of the stairs."
Harry wanted to say that he hadn't packed his things yet, but seeing Lorne's confident expression, he tentatively went upstairs first.
Pushing open the door, Harry was stunned by the scene before him.
Pale gold wallpaper, a round wooden cabinet, a large red bed—isn't this the carriage from Wizard Legend?
Even the flowerpots were in the same position. The only difference from the scene inside the carriage was that there wasn't a single House-elf named Yaoyao in the room.
There's also an extra white sculpture on the round table with its edging.
It is carved from moon-white stone, depicting Harry and his parents with delicate and lifelike lines. Both the material and the workmanship far surpass Dudley's Dudley knock-offs.
There was a note under the stone sculpture, with Director Lorne's elegant handwriting on it—the reward I promised you before.