After Kael finished his lemonade in the Headmaster's Office, he was ready to leave.
Today wasn't the weekend, and he still had classes to attend. Besides, Dumbledore seemed to have other, more important matters to deal with. Kael had just opened the door, about to step out, when Fawkes vanished from the office ahead of him.
As for the box containing the Basilisk… it was left in its original place, untouched.
Kael didn't intend to take it with him either; he left after closing the door.
Overnight, the castle had completely changed. Even on the eighth floor, Kael could faintly hear cheers echoing through the corridors.
Everyone seemed to be celebrating the resolution of the Chamber of Secrets.
On the stairs, Kael ran into Harry.
He had previously tried to sneak into the Headmaster's Office with the professors and was eventually caught by Professor McGonagall.
"Kael, you're finally here," Harry waved.
Kael walked over, "Class is about to start. Why are you still here... Professors aren't exactly planning to celebrate by giving us a holiday."
"I know, something happened. I encountered Mr. Malfoy."
Harry grinned, "Also, Dobby is determined to thank you no matter what."
A house-elf peeked its head out from behind him.
"Sir, you freed Dobby!" It said excitedly, its voice shrill almost to the point of pain, "Dobby is a free elf now!"
"Did something happen? I don't remember doing anything," Kael chuckled and said, "All I know is you caught a diary with a glove."
Dobby's face broke into a smile, "Exactly, Master gave Dobby a piece of clothing, and Dobby is free!"
"Congratulations," Kael rummaged in his Transfiguration Lizard Skin Bag and pulled out some Licorice Candy from a corner, "I didn't bring anything else, so consider these as gifts."
"This is all thanks to you, sir!" Dobby clumsily accepted the Licorice Candy, almost in tears, "You not only saved Dobby but also gave Dobby a gift… You are as great as Harry Potter!"
"Don't say that, I really didn't do anything," Kael shook his head continuously, "It's all Mr. Malfoy's doing; if he had caught the diary the first time, there wouldn't be any glove situation."
"No, sir…"
They stood on the eighth-floor staircase, where Dobby continued to thank Kael, who persistently refused to take credit.
Harry watched all of this quietly and found himself increasingly impressed by Kael.
Bright, capable, and humble… it's no wonder so many people like him.
Kael didn't know what Harry was thinking; he only felt Dobby was a bit too persistent. He simply changed the subject, "Dobby, do you have any plans for the future?"
Hearing his question, Dobby stopped thanking him and happily replied, "Sir, Dobby wants to find a paid job."
"Not a bad idea." Kael looked at him and said after a moment of thought, "If you need help, you can come to find me in Ottery St Catchpole during the holidays."
Dobby's eyes lit up, and he asked excitedly, "Sir, do you want to offer Dobby a job?"
"If you need it."
"Dobby is willing to work for you, sir!"
"Not for me," Kael shook his head. He stayed at school, and Chris and Diana were rarely home, so they didn't need a house-elf.
He wanted to send Dobby to Newt.
Newt was almost a hundred years old. Although he managed daily living fine, caring for those Fantastic Beasts was becoming a bit too much. If he had a house-elf's help, it might ease his burden considerably.
Another good option was the Weasley family. Dobby didn't require much pay, and they could definitely afford it.
After Kael explained the situation, Dobby immediately agreed and said he was fine with going anywhere.
"Sir's friends must be kind-hearted people; Dobby is willing to work for them."
"Alright then."
A few minutes later, Kael handed a letter to Dobby, who left eagerly.
It seemed he was going for an interview.
After Dobby disappeared, Harry curiously asked, "Did you write the address of the Shabby Residence?"
"Yes," Kael nodded.
The two of them walked down the stairs, preparing to attend class.
On the way, Harry kept hesitating as if he wanted to say something.
He had a nagging feeling that Dobby might not be suited to the Shabby Residence.
Though Ron once mentioned that Mrs. Weasley indeed always wanted a house-elf, he could tell that Mrs. Weasley actually enjoyed taking care of her family.
Once Dobby went there, it might take away her joy.
But before he could decide whether to mention this, Ron came running toward them.
"You're okay!" Harry greeted him joyfully.
"Professor McGonagall said I was attacked by the Petrification Spell, not the monster in the Chamber. Just now, she helped me lift the enchantment."
Ron looked a bit disappointed, "What a shame… I mean, if I could've stayed in bed a few more days, maybe I wouldn't have to take the exams."
Kael paused for a moment, almost thinking he'd misheard.
Good heavens, he'd rather be attacked than take exams?
Ron's thought process was indeed different from others.
By evening, Hagrid was back, and Hogwarts held a grand feast.
Fred and George bought all the fireworks from Zonko's Joke Shop, and the celebration continued late into the night.
"Fantastic, nothing beats this."
Ron mumbled through a mouthful of chicken leg, "And now our family's going to have a house-elf too, I bet its cooking is better than Mum's."
Harry opened his mouth.
He wanted to say that Mrs. Weasley's cooking was even better than the school's, but the sound of fireworks drowned out his words.
Looking at Ron's excited face, the thought he had in the morning surfaced again.
Would Mrs. Weasley really let Dobby stay?
…
In fact, Harry was right.
A month before the holidays, Kael received a letter from Mrs. Weasley.
Mrs. Weasley wrote in the letter that ever since Dobby arrived, she had been bored to the point of mold growing. She couldn't do anything every day and even had to water the potatoes in the garden stealthily, fearing making any noise.
"I can only water the potatoes now," she wrote in the letter, "I can't even dig out the rotten potatoes and plant new seeds… because by the time I decided to do it, the little elf had already finished the work."
Mrs. Weasley regretted it and wanted to ask Kael if there was any reliable way to dismiss Dobby without hurting his feelings.
To this, Kael could only express his apologies in the reply and comfort Mrs. Weasley by asking her to hold on for another month.
When school holidays came, he would take Dobby to Newt's place.
Mrs. Weasley agreed.
…