The Great Hall[1]$1$

[Dobby]

A seat with a witch? Oh my lady! Such an honour for Dobby this is!

*hops up onto the seat*

You are very kind!

[Olivia Lillywhite]

*Pats the little elf on the head gently.*

And you are very adorable, I could just hug you!

*She squeals as if she's looking at a cuddly puppy.*

I'm Olivia, but everyone calls me Livvie, what's your name, little one?

*Shoves her book further away with her elbow, and tilts her head to rest in her palm as she looks down to the elf.*

[Dobby]

A hug? A hug! That would be very kind! A witch to hug an elf? That is a very special thing!
And Dobbys name? You want to know Dobbys name? Dobbys name is Dobby ma'am.

[Olivia Lillywhite]

*Giggles at how cute he talks.*

Yes a hug, you're so sweet I could just eat you up.

*Holds out her hand toward Dobby.*

Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Dobby.

*Beams at him.*

Have you been at Hogwart's long?

*Can't remember ever seeing the elf, let alone any elves for that matter.*

[Dobby]

Mr Dobby? No ma'am. Just Dobby. Dobby is not a mister. Dobby is an elf. Dobby was Master Malfoys house elf until Harry Potter gave him a sock.
Now Dobby works here in the kitchen. Dobby gets one Galleon a week. Dobby likes working here. Dobby can see his friends whenever he wants.

[Olivia Lillywhite]

*Nods in understanding.*

I see, do you have a lot of friends here, Dobby?

*Brushes a bit of hair out of her eyes.*

[Dobby]

Friends yes! Dobby has friends. Harry Potter is Dobby's friend. Hermione is Dobby's friend. Wheezy is Dobby's friend. Professor Dumbledore was Dobby's friend. Dobby has a lot of friends. They are Dumbledore's Army. Dobby helps them.

[Olivia Lillywhite]

*Gives him a puzzled look, she's never heard of Dumbledore's Army*

What exactly is Dumbledore's Army? I've never heard of it.

[Dobby]

*Dobby pulls his ears down*

Oh no. Dobby should not have said anything. It is important. Harry Potter and his friends. They protect the school.

[Olivia Lillywhite]

*Frowns at the sight of the elf pulling on his ears, and pats him gently on the back. She's has seen a house elf act like this before when she spent a few weeks at a school mates home over the summer holiday.*

It's alright, Dobby.

*Without drawing attention to her or Dobby she looks up and down the table checking that no one is listening, how could they though over the usual evening din in the great hall? Sometimes it's almost impossible to hear yourself think.*

No one's listening.

*Flashes her icy blue eyes happily at him, nodding to everyone nearby.*

It's much too loud, anyhow.

Dobby can you tell me what they protect the school from?

*Very curious she leans close to the elf so he doesn't have to speak too loudly.*

[Dobby]

*looks around nervously, then turns to face her*

He-who-must-not-be-named and He-who-must-not-be-nameds followers. They practice magic so that they will be ready if he comes.

*Pulls his ears even harder*

[Olivia Lillywhite]

*With wide eyes she sits back gasping quietly, and pats him again.*

It's alright - It's fine.

*Blinks trying to remove the shock from her face. Still curious to hear more she leans forward once more, almost whispering.*

Is You-Know-Who going to come here?

Where do they pratice?

How do they know he's coming?

*Rattles off as many questions as she can in one breath.*

[Dobby]

*Jumps to his feet on the seat. Grabs a plate and hits himself over the head with it.*

He-who-must-not-be-named might come at any time. He-who-must-not-be-named might never come.

*Hits himself with the plate again*

Longbottom and Luna and little Wheezy and friends practice in the secret room the seventh floor.

*Hits himself again*

Dobby must go. He has said too much. Dobby just wants to help

[Olivia Lillywhite]

*Jumps up in horror as the elf begins to break plates over his head.*

Dobby! No! Dobby please stop!

*Tries to grab the plate from his tiny hands.*

I'm sorry! Please Stop It!

*Yells, tears streaming from her eyes while everyone in the great hall watches them. She cannot stand the sight of the little elf punishing himself, it isn't right.*

Dobby you've helped so much, thank you, please, please stop!

*Reaches for the elf.*

[Dobby]

*Stops shocked*

Why do you cry for Dobby?