At The Heart Of The Matter

Authors Note: Chapter edited 8/7/06. Thanks again to all my reviewers....Harry Potter is still not mine!

Dobby, Chuzzor, and Dumbles, Oh My!

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At precisely 8pm, Dobby popped into Harry’s room at Longbottom Manor and bouncing in place from foot to foot, all the while looking up with reverence brimming in his bottle bottom orbs, he said, “Oh! Mr. Harry Potter, sir, you be asking for Dobby to come and Dobby is coming. What can Dobby do for the greatest wizard, Mr. Harry Potter, sir?”

With a kind smile, Harry answered, “Hello Dobby, I’m glad you got my letter. I was wondering if you could do a friend a favor?”

“You is to kind to Dobby, sir. The greatest Harry Potter is being call Dobby friend! I is more than happy to help you sir.”

“Dobby, I am your friend, not your master, so you don’t need to call me sir or Mr. Harry Potter or any other such thing…just Harry. Okay?” With tears in his eyes, Dobby nodded his head yes, so Harry continued, “Do you have to stay at Hogwarts during the summer or are you allowed to leave and do other things until school starts up again?”

“Dobby can come and go as he is pleasing. I only stay there because Winky is being there, too. We is being good friends now that I is stopping her from bad drink. She is much happier now!”

“That is good to hear. I would like to know if you would like a job for the summer? I am going to be moving into one of my family homes in a couple of days, and was wondering if you’d like to help me get it ready, and also, do some work on the library for me? I understand that you like being at the school because of your friendship with Winky, but she could come and help if she would like. I will pay both of you for any work you do and you‘ll have plenty of time off to do whatever you want. Do you think you’d like to come and help me out?”

“Oh! I being love to help you Mr. Har…Harry, sir...I mean--Harry. Dobby will ask his Winky, too! When is you needing Dobby and Winky to come to your new house?”

“That’s great Dobby. I’m meeting Bill Weasley there on Tuesday, so I could meet you and Winky at 9:00 in the morning. My new home is called Thurox Manor. Will you be able to fi…..” Noticing that Dobby’s demeanor had changed from excited to nervous, he asked, “Dobby, are you okay? You seem nervous all of a sudden.”

“I is apologizing, sir, but is you saying Thurox Manor?” asked a scared Dobby.

“Yes, I did. Dobby, you know I’m your friend, so please tell me what is bothering you?”

“Dobby is sorry, sir. House elves is living long lives and hearing many things. Master Thurox was being not all wizard, Harry, sir, is you be knowing this?” he asked in almost a whispered voice.

“Yes, Dobby, I did know this. He was a Chuzzor. I’m not completely certain what that is yet, as the letter he left with his will only gave a brief description, but I still don’t know why this has you so upset?” Harry asked, becoming more concerned with his little friend.

“Harry, sir, I is being scared of Chuzzies. Chuzzies be taking house elf’s magic and we is dying without our magic. Dobby not wanting to be dying! Harry, sir is a, a, A Chuzzie! OOOOHHHH!!!! Please don‘t be taking Dobby‘s magic Mr. Harry Potter, sir…please….” By this point, Dobby was completely hysterical, pulling at his ears and wailing uncontrollable. Harry thought, ‘Well, this explains why there weren’t any house elves at the Manor the other day.’

“Dobby! Dobby!! Please calm down so I can understand what has you so upset. I would never hurt you, you know that! What do you mean when you say that a Chuzzor can take your magic?”

“When house elves is being bad, Chuzzies take magic and we die. I is not knowing how, Harry Potter, sir, but they is doing so!” Dobby had calmed some after seeing the concern in Harry’s eyes, but was still quite troubled.

Harry, seeing that Dobby needed to be reassured that he would never harm the scared house elf, squatted down in front of Dobby and looking him in the eyes said, “Dobby, I don’t know what being a Chuzzor will entail yet, but I will promise you that after my birthday should I find that I do have some strange ability to take someone’s magic, I will never use it against any of my friends, only against those that are evil. I’ll swear an oath if need be. Will you accept that? I don’t want to lose your friendship over something like this!”

In a reverent whisper, Dobby said, “You be swearing an oath for Dobby. Harry, sir, not wanting to lose Dobby as a friend?”

“That’s right Dobby, I will if you want me to. I’ll do it know if you would like?” Harry said, in the most caring voice he could muster.

“Yes Harry, sir, please….” said the little elf, wringing his hands nervously.

“I, Harry James Potter, swear on my magic that I will never use my ability to take someone’s magic against Dobby, Winky or any one that I consider a friend . So Mote it be!” Harry said, giving his oath.

“Dobby is accepting oath, so mote it be! Thank you Harry, sir….I is not knowing what to say…..” said Dobby, with tears of happiness in his eyes.

“You only have to say that you’ll still consider me your friend, Dobby.” said a smiling Harry.

“Oh yes! I is you friend Harry, sir, I…a…Harry, I is!.” said Dobby, again jumping up and down excitedly.

Seeing the distraught elf returning to his normally exuberant self, Harry smiled and said, “Thank you, Dobby.”

They talk for a little while longer and after getting Dobby’s guarantee that he would tell Winky about the oath, Dobby popped out with the promise to meet Tuesday morning. Harry made his way outside to where his friends were enjoying the warm summer evening and after explaining what had transpired, Hermione said, “Harry, I think we need to scour Thurox Manors’ library soon to find out what is going on with your Chuzzor heritage. There wasn’t a lot of information in Hogwarts library…just the basics stuff you already know.”

Neville spoke next, “Harry, I should’ve said this earlier, but the rumors and legend about the Chuzzor pretty much confirm Dobby’s story, but unfortunately that’s about all I know. It’s said that they can steal the magic of wizards, too. We definitely need to do more research and get the facts…not just rely on folklore.”

“I agree. Maybe you two should come with me Tuesday and start going thru the library, while I’m explaining to Dobby and Winky what I need them to do. I could meet you in there when I am done and we could all research until I have to meet Bill.” said Harry, beginning to get a little nervous over his heritage.

“Sounds like a plan. Don’t forget to let Koldbuk know that you’ve chosen Thurox Manor so he can tell Bill.” said Hermione. Harry chuckled at this and thought, ’Leave it to ‘Mione not to let any details slip by.’

The next morning, Harry sent a note to Koldbuk with Hedwig and was about to fire call Tony to see how things were progressing when an owl came for him. Recognizing the Headmaster’s curvy script, he untied the note from the owl‘s leg, and upon breaking the seal, he felt an odd, cold sensation wash over him, and knew instantly that whatever had just happened, could not be good. Feeling paranoid, he called Neville, Hermione and Mrs. Longbottom to where he was and read the letter aloud:

Dear Mr. Potter,

You have been able so far to evade me, but that is no longer the case.

Albus Dumbledore


With eyes bulging, he realized that the cold sensation he felt earlier must have been some form of a tracking charm. Harry quickly made his suspicions known to the group, when the wards alerted them that three persons had entered the grounds.

Taking control of the impending situation, Mrs. Longbottom called for their house elf, Smitty, and started handing out orders. “Hermione, go to the receiving room and fire call Tony and tell him he is needed here immediately! If for some reason Tony is unavailable, try Minister Fudge. Neville, take Harry to my private office, you know the password, and don’t come out. Smitty, wait until the children are out of sight, then let our company in. Bring who ever it is to me, irregardless of who they are seeking. Now, GO!”

No sooner had everyone done what Mrs. Longbottom ordered, then did Albus Dumbledore, Hestia Jones, and Kingsley Shacklebolt enter the formal living room. With a cool voice, Mrs. Longbottom said, “Good morning, Albus. What can I do for you today?”

“Good morning to you too, Augusta.” Letting his twinkle out full blast and giving his best benevolent smile, Albus continued, “I believe you know why I am here. If you would just get Mr. Potter for me, we will leave you to your day.”

“Save the twinkle for someone it works on, Albus. You know full well, with me serving on the Board of Governor’s, that it has no effect on me! Now, what makes you think if Mr. Potter is here that I will hand him over to you without an explanation? Awfully presumptuous of you Albus. You know I do not take to being ordered around by anyone…especially in my own home! Explain yourself!” said Mrs. Longbottom, hotly.

“Forgive me, Augusta, it was not my intention to offend you. I am here to bring Mr. Potter to his Aunt’s house, as it is the safest place for him to be. We both know that Voldemort will stop at nothing to get to young Harry, so for his own good I must insist he come with me.” said Dumbledore, trying to get the upper hand in this situation.

Mrs. Longbottom responded in a agitated tone, “Insist all you want, Albus. I have already checked with the ‘proper’ authorities and Harry is not under your guardianship during the summer, therefore, I see no reason for him to go with you. If you will excuse me, I have things to do today.”

“Surely, I have done nothing to warrant such hostility? I am, after all, only looking out for Mr. Potter’s well being. How would you feel if something were to happen to Harry while he was in your home? Why burden yourself with that responsibility. Harry will be much better off where I am taking him. Now, please stop stalling and get Mr. Potter for me. As you can see, the presence of Auror Shacklebolt here, confirms my authority in this situation and he will be making sure my orders are followed. Trust me, I know what is best for young Harry.”

In all her years, Augusta Longbottom had never met anyone who could presume to know everything like Albus Dumbledore did. She was about to retaliate when Tony stepped into the room and sensing that things were already starting to spiral out of control, he said, “I do believe that you are incorrect in your assumptions Mr. Dumbledore, and can confirm that you have absolutely no authority here.”

Looking angrily, Dumbledore curtly responded, “This conversation does not concern you! I don’t know who you are, but Mrs. Longbottom was just about to collect someone for me and then I will be on my way.”

“That someone, I presume is Mr. Potter? As I am Mr. Potter’s law wizard, Anthony Rooks, I feel sure in saying that this conversation does concern me. I believe you have heard of me before? It was you, after all, who absolved me and my firm from overseeing the Potter Estate, something I am proud to say has been rectified. I am also in the know, that if you attempt to take Mr. Potter with you, that kidnapping charges could be filed.” Seeing the shock and recognition on Dumbledore’s face, Tony continued, “Yes…I have spoken with Minister Fudge and I am well aware of the conversation you had with him recently. I believe it is time for you to leave.”

“Mr. Rooks, I don’t know how you are overseeing the Potter Estate again, but as I am Mr. Potter’s magical guardian, that will be corrected very shortly. I am sure in saying, Cornelius was only over excited during our conversation and that he has no legal leg to stand on concerning this matter. I, however, being the guardian, do. Now, I am rapidly losing my patience! Get Mr. Potter now!” said an angry Dumbledore.

“Very well, Mr. Dumbledore, as soon as you produce the proper, ministry approved paperwork proving your guardianship, I will hand Mr. Potter over to you.” Smirking inwardly, knowing that if Dumbledore did produce such documents, it would be the proverbial nail in his coffin. Gleefully, Tony watched as the Headmaster exploded in anger.

“I do not have time for this! Every minute Mr. Potter is here, he is in danger!” Bewildered and befuddled, Albus finally grasped that, somehow, he had lost control over Harry. Taking a few calming breaths to rein in his temper, he tried to rationalize with his adversaries, “After I have brought Mr. Potter to his relatives, I will produce the paperwork you need. I am sure you understand that young Harry’s safety is paramount. I do apologize for losing my temper, but if you could please assist me in this matter, we can get Harry quickly and safely back to his Aunt’s.”

Not backing down, Tony said, “That is not possible, Mr. Dumbledore. Until you can provide proof of your guardianship over Mr. Potter, I will only follow the wishes of my client. Auror Shacklebolt, am I correct in saying that this is the proper and legal way of handling this situation?”

“I’m sorry, Headmaster, but we will have to wait for those documents. There is nothing more I can do until such time. If we make our way back to the Ministry, we could have this all cleared up by tomorrow, sir.” said a helpless Kingsley.

With a resigned sigh, Albus said, “Fine, fine…I will expect your full cooperation tomorrow, Mr. Rooks, or I will be threatening my own legal action. Give my regards to Mr. Potter and I will see you all then. Good day, Mr. Rooks, Augusta.” and with that the three Order members left.

Harry, Neville and Hermione walked in a few moments after Dumbledore had left and Harry said, “He has some nerve! I can tell by the look in your eyes, Tony, that if Dumbledore produces this paperwork you asked for, that you will be extremely pleased…care to explain?”

“I already have copies of all his so-called, ‘legal’, documentation and none of it gives him any kind of guardianship over you. Buried deep in legal mumbo jumbo, all the documents technically do, is give him authority to oversee that your parents wishes are carried out. I’m a professional law wizard and it has taken my assistant and I over 2 days to get through all the wording he used to get at the facts…no doubt to completely debilitate anyone trying to look into this matter. He didn’t do to bad a job considering you are now almost 16 years old, but having him actually produce new documents is only going to bury him. I can’t wait!!” Tony said all this with a sparkle in his eyes and rubbing his hands together like an evil mad scientist plotting the end of the world. Everyone in the room broke out in gales of laughter.

When they all settled down again, Tony told them he had all the necessary documents ready for the confrontation and with a wink at the group, said that he also planned on inviting a few distinguished guest to the event. Retiring for lunch out on the portico, the group couldn’t wait for what would happen when the Headmaster showed up the next day.