Dobby’s Warning
Harrymanagednottoshoutout,butitwasaclosething.Thelittlecreatureonthebedhadlarge,bat-likeearsandbulginggreeneyesthesizeoftennisballs. Harryknewinstantlythatthiswaswhathadbeenwatchinghimoutofthegardenhedgethatmorning.
Astheystaredateachother,HarryheardDudley’svoicefromthehall.
"MayItakeyourcoats,Mr.andMrs.Mason?"
Thecreatureslippedoffthebedandbowedsolowthattheendofitslong,thinnosetouchedthecarpet. Harrynoticedthatitwaswearingwhatlookedlikeanoldpillowcase,withripsforarm-andleg-holes.
"Er-hello,"saidHarrynervously.
"HarryPotter!"saidthecreatureinahigh-pitchedvoiceHarrywassurewouldcarrydownthestairs."SolonghasDobbywantedtomeetyou,sir...Suchanhonoritis..."
"Th-thankyou,"saidHarry,edgingalongthewallandsinkingintohisdeskchair,nexttoHedwig,whowasasleepinherlargecage. Hewantedtoask,"Whatareyou?"butthoughtitwouldsoundtoorude,soinsteadhesaid,"Whoareyou?"
"Dobby,sir.JustDobby.Dobbythehouse-elf,"saidthecreature.
"Oh-really?"saidHarry."Er-Idon’twanttoberudeoranything,but-thisisn’tagreattimeformetohaveahouse-elfinmybedroom."
AuntPetuniashigh,falselaughsoundedfromthelivingroom.Theelfhunghishead.