Chapter 119: The Assistant (1)
# Lucius
"What is this—"
Lucius angrily yanked off the dirty robe that had covered his head and threw it to the ground in disgust.
## Orli
"Dobby!"
Orli cried out. Dobby reacted instantly, leaping up and catching the robe with both hands.
Lucius reached out as well, but his fingers only grazed the edge of the robe, just a fraction of a second too late.
# Dobby
"Master has given Dobby a robe."
Dobby held the wizard's robe high above his head, his eyes wide with excitement, as if he were gazing at a priceless treasure.
# Dobby
"Master has given Dobby a wizard's robe."
# Lucius
"What?"
Lucius's face contorted with rage, his features twisted in disbelief.
# Lucius
"What did you say?!"
# Dobby
"Dobby has received a wizard's robe," Dobby said, his voice trembling with a mix of shock and joy. "Master threw it, and Dobby caught it. Dobby—Dobby is free."
Lucius froze, staring blankly at his house-elf. Then, suddenly, he raised his wand toward Orli.
# Lucius
"You've cost me my servant—"
# Dobby
"You shall not harm Miss Orli Waters!"
Dobby shouted, his voice sharp and commanding. He waved his hand, and with a deafening bang, Lucius was hurled backward, tumbling down to the platform at the bottom of the stairs.
# Dobby
"You may leave now."
Dobby raised a long finger, its tip glowing with a menacing silver light.
Lucius glared at them furiously, his eyes burning with anger. Through clenched teeth, he spat:
# Lucius
"Orli Waters. This isn't over."
He wrapped his cloak tightly around his disheveled shirt and stormed off, disappearing down the stairs.
# Dobby
"Miss Orli Waters has freed Dobby!"
Dobby turned to Orli, his sharp voice ringing with exhilaration.
# Dobby
"Now, until the temporary master-servant contract ends, Dobby has only you as his mistress."
## Orli
"No, Dobby. Is there any way to end the contract early? You see, the Chamber of Secrets has been resolved, and Harry won't be in danger this year. You can be free."
Orli said gently.
# Dobby
"Dobby must fulfill the contract! Miss Orli helped Harry Potter, and they even killed the basilisk!"
Dobby looked up at her with his large, round green eyes.
# Dobby
"Dobby must abide by the contract's rules. Dobby will take care of Miss Orli until the one-year term ends on August 31st!"
## Orli
"Alright. If you insist."
Orli sighed, a hint of resignation in her voice. Originally, Dobby was supposed to be hired by Dumbledore, but if he wanted to stay by her side for another two months, it probably wouldn't cause much trouble.
## Orli
"But you don't need to do any work unless I summon you. Just appear when I call for you, alright? Do you understand?"
# Dobby
"Yes, Miss Orli. Dobby will await your call at any time."
He bowed deeply, snapped his fingers, and vanished.
As Dobby disappeared, Orli's shoulders slumped slightly. She walked back slowly, her steps heavy, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of that dungeon office and the dark figure seated behind the desk.
When she returned to the Headmaster's office, the other three had already left. To celebrate the closure of the Chamber of Secrets and the death of the basilisk, Professor McGonagall had organized a grand feast, and Harry and the others were attending. Dumbledore, however, seemed to have something to discuss with her privately.
# Dumbledore
"You don't seem very happy, Orli."
He gestured for her to sit in the armchair across from him.
# Dumbledore
"Then let's talk about something cheerful. Because you adhered well to our previous agreement and refrained from revealing everything about the Chamber of Secrets to Harry all at once, I believe Gryffindor deserves an additional 10 House Points."
Orli managed a faint smile. She felt she ought to thank him, but the thought of no longer having a legitimate reason to visit the Potions Master's office every week left her feeling rather glum.
# Dumbledore
"Oh, of course, there's another matter."
Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief.
# Dumbledore
"I had to cancel your weekend part-time position earlier, but I believe—Severus must have grown accustomed to having an assistant. Although the Board of Governors may no longer pay your part-time salary, if you're willing, you can still continue..."
## Orli
"Of course, I would!"
Orli blurted out excitedly before he could finish. Realizing her outburst, she quickly clapped her hands over her mouth, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red.
# Dumbledore
"Hahaha, you truly have a passion for Potions."
Dumbledore chuckled, stroking his long, white beard, giving Orli a moment to regain her composure.
# Dumbledore
"If you're not too hungry yet, you might want to visit Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Severus is currently in the Chamber of Secrets dealing with the basilisk's corpse. As you know, many parts of it are rare potion ingredients."
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