Chapter 321: Changes at the Manor
"Dobby, has anything happened at Malfoy Manor recently?" Dudley asked.
There had been no word from Draco, and even Dobby had not shown up for some time. Clearly, something unexpected must have happened at the Manor.
"Yes, Mr Dursley. Malfoy Manor has not been very... good lately. I only managed to slip away for a short while yesterday," Dobby said.
"Young Master Draco was caught spying on the master's study in the middle of the night. The master was very, very angry and locked him up. He still has not been let out."
"What?"
Dudley's expression changed.
Draco had clearly gone to Lucius's study to steal the card after receiving Dudley's order and had been discovered. Even Draco himself probably had not imagined that trying to lift that card would earn him such a severe punishment.
"Since that incident, the master has conducted a strict purge of the entire Manor," Dobby went on. "He has dismissed many servants. Even the mistress was dragged into it because of Young Master Draco."
"And you?" Dudley asked, looking more closely at Dobby.
He could see that the house-elf was carrying his own share of injuries.
"Oh, Mr Dursley is such a good wizard. Only you would think to ask about Dobby," Dobby said, eyes turning misty, his expression sorrowful.
"The master has been in a terrible temper, always shouting and raging. All of us have been beaten," he added quietly.
"Vulnera Sanentur," Dudley murmured, wandlessly casting a healing spell to ease some of the worst-looking wounds. He was careful not to mend everything. If Lucius noticed Dobby had recovered too quickly, it could easily draw even harsher punishment.
"Dobby, if you want to leave, you can tell me. You do not have to stay at Malfoy Manor," Dudley said.
Dobby was a free house-elf now. He no longer had to work there. It was Dudley's task that had kept him inside the Manor, working day and night while also enduring Lucius's abuse. The thought left Dudley more than a little uneasy.
"No, no, no. Dobby wishes to continue this mission. It is Dobby's honour," the elf said hurriedly.
"In that case, since you are working for me now, how about I pay you?" Dudley said after a moment's thought. "We will start counting from the day you became free."
Dobby stared, stunned.
He had clearly never expected Dudley to offer him wages.
"If you do not like money, we can forget it. Or I can pay you with something else instead," Dudley said quickly, worried Dobby might take the offer as an insult.
"It is not that, Mr Dursley. Dobby is just... very happy," Dobby said, bouncing on the spot in excitement.
"As long as you like it," Dudley said, the corner of his mouth twitching a little.
Dobby's wild swings between misery and delight were always a challenge to respond to.
"So, other than Draco being locked up, has anything else happened at the Manor?" Dudley steered them back to the main issue.
"The master has completely sealed off the study," Dobby said. "No one is allowed near it, and he has put spells on that part of the house."
"And the master's temper has been very strange lately. Oh, I said that already. He is... very suspicious. Of everything."
Dobby's ears twitched as he spoke.
Dudley nodded.
Dobby did not know much, but for a house-elf, he had already noticed quite a few important details.
It seems the best way to find out what is going on at Malfoy Manor is to go there myself, Dudley thought.
"Dobby, if I wanted to sneak into the Manor, would there be an opportunity?" he asked aloud.
"Mr Dursley wants to enter Malfoy Manor?" Dobby's voice shot up half an octave.
"That is far too dangerous. The Manor is full of powerful magic now. Even we house-elves must be very, very careful. If you go in, you could be killed," Dobby said, his face unusually stern.
"My strength is not bad. I can handle most situations. And I still have you as my inside man," Dudley said lightly.
"That..." Dobby's brow furrowed as he considered it.
If Dudley broke in alone, he would likely be discovered quickly. He might not fear the Malfoys or their allies, but if a fight broke out, it would become very difficult for him to quietly investigate. Given the Malfoy family's standing, a confrontation would soon draw more wizards, perhaps members of other pure-blood families or even Aurors from the Ministry.
All in all, avoiding open conflict would be best. That would give Dudley the time he needed to check the Manor thoroughly, search for clues about Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes, and get his hands on that Emperor card.
"If Mr Dursley truly wishes to enter the Manor, it is not impossible," Dobby said at last.
"I can wait until there is a time when the master and mistress are all away, then bring you in and help you avoid as many magical traps as possible."
"But if we do that, I do not think I will be able to keep working there afterwards," Dobby added.
Dudley nodded. "That is fine. After this trip, it is unlikely I will need you to stay at Malfoy Manor as a spy."
"In that case, I understand," Dobby said, eyes brightening.
"If I see a good opportunity in the next few days, I will come to find you."
"All right," Dudley said.
With that, Dobby bade him farewell, snapped his fingers, and vanished from the bedroom.
It seems I really do need to visit Malfoy Manor, Dudley thought.
But I do not have to go as myself.
He still had a good amount of Polyjuice Potion from Hermione. That would let him take on a different face entirely. He could also bring Cole and the others. In a critical moment, they might prove useful.
Having settled on going to the Manor, Dudley began to work through the details, quietly drafting a plan.
"Before that, though, there is one other matter to settle," he murmured.
He moved to the window and looked out.
Though the street was pitch-black, Dudley knew that more than a few eyes were watching Number Four from the shadows.
Kingsley was responsible for security here, but he could not be on duty every hour of the day. Other Aurors were stationed nearby as well.
Among them, there were certainly people loyal to Scrimgeour.
The Head of the Auror Office clearly harboured suspicions about Dudley. If Dudley wanted to slip away from Privet Drive, he would have to deal with the Aurors first.
He opened his bedroom door.
Petunia and Vernon were still awake downstairs, seemingly in the middle of discussing Harry's birthday party.
"Mum, could you make some sweets tomorrow? I want to give them to a few friends," Dudley asked as he came down.
"No problem at all, my darling," Petunia said at once.