"It was you!" Harry said angrily. "You sealed the barrier at King's Cross, not letting us pass through!"
"Yes, sir, that was Dobby," said Dobby, nodding vigorously and flapping his large ears. "Dobby hid and waited for Harry Potter, then sealed the passage. After that, Dobby had to iron his own hands..."
Dobby showed Harry his long bandaged fingers. "But Dobby doesn't mind, sir. Dobby thought Harry Potter would be safe. Dobby never dreamed Harry Potter would find another way to school!"
Dobby rocked back and forth, his large ugly head bobbing.
Dobby sobbed, "Dobby was shocked to hear Harry Potter returned to Hogwarts and burned his master's dinner! Such a terrible beating Dobby had never experienced before, sir..."
Harry fell back onto his pillow, fuming. "You nearly got Ron and me expelled. You'd better hide before my bones heal properly, or I'll strangle you, Dobby."
Dobby only smiled strangely and wiped his nose with his dirty pillowcase.
"Why are you wearing that thing, Dobby?" Harry asked, perplexed that Dobby only wore a pillowcase.
"This, sir?" said Dobby, tugging the pillowcase. "It marks the enslavement of a house-elf. Dobby only becomes free when his masters give him clothes. They're careful never to pass Dobby even a sock, or he'd be free and leave their house forever."
Dobby wiped his bulging eyes. "Harry Potter must go home! Dobby thought his Bludger would succeed in..."
"Your Bludger?" Harry's eyes widened in rage. "What do you mean your Bludger? You made that Bludger try to kill me?"
Dobby took two fearful steps back, trying to explain. But then a grayish-white beam shot from behind a nearby pillar.
"Petrificus Totalus!" Irina emerged from the shadows, freezing Dobby with the Full Body-Bind Curse.
After retreating to the hospital wing, Irina and Lynn had been lying in wait by Harry's bed, watching for Dobby. When he appeared, they didn't act hastily but waited for him to let his guard down momentarily.
A house-elf's Apparating ability meant they couldn't capture Dobby if he noticed them. But now, distracted by Harry's accusations about the Bludger, Dobby was unaware of his surroundings - the perfect chance.
Sure enough, caught off guard, Dobby was struck motionless by the spell.
"Perhaps you meant well for Harry, but can't you see your actions only harm him?" Lynn said coldly, dropping his Disillusionment Charm to face the petrified Dobby.
Though body-bound, Dobby's eyes rolled in terror, aware but immobile.
"Irina? Senior Lynn? What are you doing here?" Harry asked, surprised.
"I heard the culprit often returns to the crime scene," Irina smiled. "So Lynn and I came early to lie in wait. Sure enough, this house-elf showed up!"
"Irina, do you know where Dobby came from? Who are his masters?" Harry asked urgently.
Irina shook her head. "How could I know?"
As she spoke with Harry, Lynn suddenly raised his wand at the petrified Dobby.
"Stupefy!" he said flatly, a purple beam knocking Dobby unconscious.
No telling what other tricks a house-elf might have - better to stun Dobby to be safe.
"Come out, Gale," Lynn called softly.
Pop! Gale, Lynn's house-elf in a clean blue-and-white pillowcase, appeared.
"Another house-elf?" Harry gasped.
"Gale belongs to Lynn's family, don't worry," Irina smiled. "He's here to help."
Lynn nodded at Harry, then instructed Gale, "Take this traitorous elf away. Don't let him leave until the year ends."
"Yes, Master," Gale bowed, taking the stunned Dobby and disappearing with another pop.
"Good night, Mr. Potter, pleasant dreams!" Lynn chuckled, signaling Irina to follow.
Irina waved goodbye, and the two disillusioned themselves, leaving a bewildered Harry behind.
After leaving the hospital wing, they dropped their charms, strolling the corridors.
"Lynn, I already had Dobby petrified," Irina said softly, ice-blue eyes on him. "Why did you attack too? Surely not just because you feared tricks?"
Lynn's tone was detached. "Actually, I dislike Dobby."
"Huh? Why?" Irina asked, puzzled.
Lynn turned to her. "Craving freedom is natural for any being, yes, but..."
His voice grew colder. "One has a station, duties, and responsibilities. I don't oppose Dobby wanting to escape the Malfoys' cruelty. But ultimately, he's their house-elf, not the Potters'."
(end of chapter)