A Magical Adventure (HP/GOT/MCU)

17th Aug 1992

Malfoy Manor

"Your Daily Prophet, master," a heavily bandaged Dobby quailed.

Lucius Malfoy snatched the paper out of the elf's hands. A single pointed look was enough to remove the creature from his sight. Then, with a crisp snap he opened the paper and began perusing the front page. Despite appearances, Lucius was actually in a good mood. He had finally managed to surreptitiously pass on the diary to a hapless boy, who was sure to carry it into Hogwarts, where that muggle-loving old fool lived.

Lucius still remembered the feeling of pride he had experienced when the Dark Lord had entrusted him with a most precious item, as well as his disappointment when he discovered it was an old blank diary. The few scans he ran though, told him that the object positively reeked of the darkest magic he had ever seen. So, even though he didn't know what it was, Lucius had hidden it away, content to keep it safe until his master asked for it.

Then, that damnable flea-bitten blood-traitor Arthur Weasley had introduced that Muggle Protection Bill in the Wizengamot. It hadn't been passed yet, but by the looks of things, it very well might. Already, the homes of some of his less than reputable associates have been visited by the ministry.

The name 'Malfoy' still commanded respect in their society, but in the unlikely scenerio that the Aurors came sniffing around, it wouldn't do to get caught with such a Dark artifact on his hands. There was the possibility of the Dark Lord returning, but it was looking bleaker by the day. So with great reluctance, Lucius decided to get rid of the diary, but of course in a way that benefitted him.

He had planned to inconspicuously plant the diary among the purchases of the Weasley girl. Unfortunately, he had needed to improvise. A pity, for now he won't be able to pin some of the blame for the upcoming chaos on Weasley. Still, with any luck, Dumbledore would soon be run out of the castle and someone more agreeable (Severus, perhaps?) will take his place.

A flash of light overhead and the sound of beating wings interrupted his musings. Speak of the Devil! Dumbledore's pet phoenix dropped a letter on the table and disappeared in another blaze of fire. Oh, how he hated that blasted bird! It was one of the reasons why the old fool was considered an equal of the Dark Lord. After all, even the strongest anti-apparation and anti-portkey wards meant nothing to a creature that can travel through otherworldly fire.

His good mood well and truly ruined, Lucius folded the paper and roughly opened the letter.

Dear Lucius,

It has come to my attention that yesterday, someone tried to pass off an incredibly Dark object to a Hogwarts student, with the intention of sending it to the school itself. Naturally, I've confiscated it.

I'd like to have a word with you before I ask the Aurors to get involved. I'll be expecting you in my office at 11 o'clock.

With regards,

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

Lucius read the letter twice to make sure he wasn't getting it wrong. Okay, so maybe he hadn't considered the worst case scenario. Dumbledore finding out about his scheme early was certainly disastrous. Frankly, he knew there was something wrong. He had suspected it when that boy had claimed the diary as his. Maybe it was the way he smiled, as if he knew Lucius was up to no good. Unfortunately, there had been no way for Lucius to deny the boy's claim without arousing suspicion.

Clamping down on his rising panic, Lucius forced himself to think rationally. The situation wasn't ideal, yes, but it wasn't the end of the world either. There was nothing tying him to the diary. After all, he was just being a good samaritan by picking up a fallen book. Given how resilient the diary was, it was highly likely that it was still intact. In which case, he could just take it off Dumbledore's hands to pass it on to the Ministry (and make any necessary switches in the meantime).

///////////////////////

17th Aug 1992

Headmaster's Office

I was sitting in front of the Headmaster's desk when a series of deafening knocks sounded out. Dumbledore waved his hand and the door swung open to show Lucius Malfoy standing at the doorstep with fury in his face. And cowering behind his legs, heavily wrapped in bandages was Dobby.

"Good afternoon, Lucius," said Dumbledore pleasantly.

"What is the meaning of this, Dumbledore?" Malfoy swept into the room, waving a letter in his hand. Dobby came scurrying in after him, attempting to finish cleaning Malfoy's shoes with a stained rag.

"Ah, but I thought I had conveyed my intention quite clearly, Lucius," said Dumbledore, smiling serenely. "You see, yesterday, someone tried to pass off a cursed diary that once belonged to Voldemort, to a first year with the intention of sending it to the castle." said Dumbledore in a level voice, staring Malfoy straight in the eye. "Thanks to young Mr Carter here" - Lucius gave me a swift, sharp look - "I was promptly informed of this, and took the necessary steps to remedy the situation." He took out the destroyed diary from a drawer and showed it to Malfoy.

Malfoy went even paler than usual, but his eyes were still slits of fury.

"I see..." said Lucius slowly to Dumbledore. "And why did you feel the need to involve me in this?

"Because you're already involved," I stated, turning around to face him. "After all, it was you who tried to pass off that book in the first place."

I saw Malfoy's hands clench and unclench, his face remaining carefully blank.

"Prove it," he hissed.

"Come now, let us not bother ourselves with trivialities such as proof. After all, Voldemort wouldn't." I said, standing up. "Can I call you Lucius? I'm gonna call you Lucius. Tell me, Lucius, you knew the book was valuable to Voldemort, but did you know why?" I said walking around him.

Malfoy said nothing. His face was suddenly mask-like.

"I'm gonna take that as a no. Next question....do you know what a horcrux is?" I asked looking him in the eye.

I didn't think it was possible for him to look even paler without turning into a vampire, but somehow he managed it. All the blood seemed to have drained out of his face.

"Are we starting to connect the dots?" I said with a smirk. "Voldemort gave you a part of his soul, his anchor to immortality, for safe-keeping....and you let it be destroyed....because you didn't want to lose a few galleons in petty fines." I gave him a moment to process this. "Let me show you something."

I went to the Headmaster's desk and put down my magical projector on it. I selected the perfect memory for this moment, the climax of the movie "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", and let it play.

I think I saw Malfoy's soul leave his body for a moment when he saw Voldemort nestled in the back of Quirrel's head. Unlike what happened in this timeline, we watched as Voldemort's wraith passed through Harry and fled the chamber.

"This happened in June," I continued once the clip was over. "He's out there, somewhere....no doubt, preparing to return." I stored the projector and rounded to Malfoy. "And when he does, what do you think he'll do to you? His trusted lieutenant responsible for the destruction of a piece of his soul?" Again, I gave him a moment to let his imagination run wild.

"Do you think he'll fly into a rage and strike you down with the killing curse? Or maybe, he'll torture you first....use the Cruciatus on you until your voice gives out and you can no longer scream?" I addressed each scenario with clinical detachment. "Or perhaps he'll put you under the Imperius and make you kill your own wife and son....it certainly seems to be in line with Voldemort's psychopathic tendencies....and then kill you."

"What do you want?" Malfoy finally spat out through gritted teeth.

"So many things," I replied easily. "But as for what I want, right now? I want to teach you a lesson, Lucius," I looked him straight in the eye. "If that diary had made its way into the school, it would have put the life of every child in this castle in mortal peril. So you need to be punished. And you'll accept that punishment unless you want us," - I pointed to Dumbledore and me - "to tell Voldemort what you did with his precious little horcrux, the next time we see him."

"You're blackmailing me?" Malfoy said with a disbelieving expression.

"What?! No, I'm not. I'm just asking you for something, which I'll reward you for by not revealing damaging information." I said innocently.

"That is literally the definition of blackmail," Malfoy pointed out.

"Is it? I don't know. I've never blackmailed anyone." I shrugged. "I'll have to take your word for it....I hear you're an expert on the subject."

"Are you just going to sit there and let this happen?" Malfoy snarled at the Headmaster, who had been enjoying the show.

"Lucius, I've tried to teach you on many occasions that actions have consequences," Dumbledore said with a grandfatherly smile. "Unfortunately, you seem incapable of learning unless taught in a language that you understand."

"So, here's what I'm thinking," I said, once Malfoy turned his seething gaze back on me. "How about a donation of 100000 galleons to the Hogwarts' Orphans fund?"

Malfoy looked ready to spit blood. "100000 galleons?! Have you lost your bloody mind?! He shouted out.

"Excuse me? I thought you were supposed to be rich? Draco certainly wouldn't stop yammering about how many Gringotts vaults his family has overflowing with gold." I said with a confused expression. "Are you trying to con me?"

"Alas, Ben, I'll have to agree with Lucius here," Dumbledore said with mirthful eyes. "Affluent though the Malfoys may be, they don't have that amount of liquid assets."

"So much for being rich," I scoffed. Malfoy had begun frothing by now while Dobby cowered with terror around his ankles. I cast a disinterested look at the house elf. "Alright, final offer - 10000 galleons to the Orphans fund, and I'll take that house elf off your hands. I could use a servant. Merlin knows mum's been complaining about the housework." I said dismissively.

"Absolutely not!" Malfoy barked out.

"Suit yourself, then. You know where the door is," I said, jerking my head towards the exit. "I'd give you three years before your master makes his comeback. By then, you'll have the same odds as your old friend, Karkaroff." I stated, sitting down. "But hey, look on the bright side. Maybe Voldemort wouldn't kill you himself. Perhaps he'll hand you over to dear Bellatrix to deal with. I'm sure she will have mercy on her brother-in-law. Although I may be wrong." I gave Malfoy a playful look. "After all, I've heard that she likes to play with her food before she eats it."

If looks could kill, I'm pretty sure I'd be dead by now, given how much vitriol Lucius was sending my way.

"Fine! Dobby!" Lucius finally yelled out. The house elf was instantly standing straight in full attention. "You belong to this boy now!" He pointed to me, before throwing a glove at his now former servant, who caught it excitedly.

"You'll have the money before the week is out," he spat out at the Headmaster, then turned to leave. Here he stopped and rounded on me, quickly invading my personal space.

"Mark my words, boy. This.isn't.over." He said with deliberate slowness.

"For your sake, Lucius, I hope it is." I answered calmly, matching his tone.

With a last incensed stare, Malfoy swung his cloak around him. Walking up to the door, he wrenched it open and hurried out of sight.

"That went well," I remarked, after Dumbledore waved the door shut.

"As well as can be expected," he said in a pensive mood. "Lucius is a crafty opponent. Well-connected too. Are you sure it was worth making an enemy out of him?"

I turned to look at Dobby, who still hadn't moved a step. He was gazing at the discarded glove as if it was the most wonderful thing he had ever seen.

"Definitely." I answered with conviction.

"Very well. I will see you next month, then." He said with a light smile. "And thank you for that donation....it'll help a lot of unfortunate children."

I inclined my head at his words and stood up to leave.

"Hello again, Dobby," I greeted the elf.

"Benjamin Carter freed Dobby," said the house elf with an astonished expression.

"Well, not entirely," I said apologetically. "You're still bound to me. But that's okay. I can set you free now." I took out my handkerchief.

"NO!" Dobby yelled out. I dropped the hanky in shock.

"Dobby?" I looked at him quizzically.

The house elf took a deep shuddering breath. "Dobby....wants to work for Mr Benjamin Carter sir." He said with wide, hopeful eyes, "if Mr Benjamin Carter sir allows it."

I looked at him, confused. "I thought you wanted to be free?"

"Dobby did want to be free, sir," he said nodding his head like a bobblehead. "Dobby wished to be free of the wizard family that treated Dobby like vermin. But Mr Benjamin Carter sir treated Dobby better than Dobby has known any elf being treated....like a friend." Dobby's eyes were brimming with tears. "And then, Mr Benjamin Carter sir freed Dobby from his bad wizard family. Oh yes, sir, Dobby would very much like to work for you, sir."

I thought it over for a moment. I had genuinely wanted to set Dobby free when I set today's events into motion. But if he really does want to work for me....

"Are you sure about this?" I asked him again, and he nodded seriously.

"Very well then, welcome to the family, Dobby." I extended my hand and the elf eagerly grasped it.

A soft golden glow blossomed engulfing both of us. I didn't feel anything out of the ordinary, but Dobby gave an audible gasp. The bandages littering his body fell away as all his wounds faded from view. I could be wrong, but he also seemed to grow an inch or so. All the dirt and grime that stuck to his pillowcase vanished as well.

"Wonderful," I remarked, taking in the changes in the elf. "Alright, now that we've confirmed your employment, let me tell you about your duties," I continued, as we exited the Headmaster's office and started going down the stairs. "In two weeks, Harry, Rachel and I would be leaving home for Hogwarts. Your job would be taking care of our house and my parents."

"Dobby can do that, sir," he said, nodding his head excitedly. "Dobby will be honoured to serve Master Benjamin Carter sir's parents."

"Stop calling me that. Just call me Ben, okay?"

Apparently that had been the wrong thing to say, for the elf immediately started going off how great, how marvelous, how humble I was. Finally, I was able to get him to calm down enough to listen to me.

"Alright, we've talked about the work, now let's discuss the renumeration," I said, stepping off the grand staircase. "How much would you like to be paid?"

"The great Master Ben wants to pay Dobby!" Dobby cried out, his eyes widening, before I found my legs wrapped in a sudden embrace by a clearly overwhelmed house elf.

"Dobby, could you let go please....so that we can talk about this properly?" I said, beginning to get a little exasperated at the elf's antics. "Thank you. Now, how much would you like to be paid per week?"

For a fraction of a second, Dobby appeared to be deep in thought. "One sickle!"

"A sickle! I'm not going to pay you only one sickle!" I exclaimed. "How about 10 galleons?"

"5 sickles!" Dobby countered.

I sighed, realising this could be a long negotiation. "5 galleons and weekends off."

Dobby shook his head wildly at the idea of days off. "10 sickles and no days off."

"Dobby, you're going to be looking after not just me, but an entire house and my family. If you don't accept my next offer, then you're going to have to find work somewhere else." I said as sternly as possible.

The fear in Dobby's eyes told me that I'd hit Dobby's negotiation tactics where it hurt.

"Two galleons with one day off every week." I stated.

Dobby appeared deep in thought for a minute, before he gave a happy sigh.

"Dobby agrees, Master Ben." Dobby said with a broad smile that nearly split his face in two.

"Splendid," I cheered. "Now, let's get you some new threads, my friend, because that old pillowcase is long overdue." I said, opening a portal near a Tailor's shop in Hogsmeade.