The Malfoy father and son naturally assumed that Dobby must have heard Draco complaining about Potter and his friends multiple times during the summer vacation, and thus took it upon himself to avenge his master.
Lucius Malfoy punished him for his unauthorized actions, but both big and small Malfoy considered Dobby very loyal and quite proactive.
Therefore, after Malfoy Jr. complained to his father that his classmates at school bullied him, Lucius Malfoy sent Dobby to the school to protect his son.
As he was a director of Hogwarts, his house-elf could bypass the school's protective magic and enter this seemingly impenetrable castle.
But ever since Dobby arrived at Hogwarts, his actions have been severely restricted.
On one hand, his master ordered him not to go out casually, and whenever he did step out for errands, he had to return immediately and avoid being seen by anyone or any house-elf.
On the other hand, Malfoy ordered the castle's house-elves not to enter his dormitory or touch any of his personal belongings.
Dobby naturally was considered a "personal belonging."
Cleaning the dormitory was entirely delegated to Dobby, and no one else noticed at all.
The castle's house-elves surely noticed the difference, but Lucius assured him that this level of change wouldn't prompt the house-elves to report to the school's management.
They were tools of the castle, and all they needed to do was clean up, prepare food, and follow orders.
They didn't have the power to "gather news, monitor students, or maintain school order."
Although Draco hid Dobby, he didn't have much concern.
Watching everyone, including the professors at school, who were completely unaware of this, he even developed a faint sense of superiority.
"What use are all those school rules?" Draco thought smugly: "As long as I wish, the school is simply vulnerable... those professors are all just fools and idiots!"
He completely didn't consider that among those silly and overly friendly house-elves in the castle, there was more than one who wanted to proactively "do something."
...
"The student won't let Maki clean the dormitory, but Maki heard it."
Maki showcased his big ears, saying: "Maki's hearing is the best, can hear very far."
"Thank you, Maki," Vid said: "I will find a way to meet that house-elf."
"Vid Gray, be careful," Maki said seriously: "That house-elf's magic power is very strong... stronger than Maki."
"I'll be careful," Vid thought for a moment, then asked: "Maki, among the castle's house-elves, whose magic power is the strongest?"
"Of course, it's Relf," Maki said.
"Relf?"
"He's over 160 years old, the oldest and the strongest."
Maki explained: "He tells us what to do."
Vid understood.
That Relf should be the manager of all house-elves?
Assigning tasks to the elves, maybe even bearing the responsibility of instructing them.
Over 160 years old... older than Dumbledore...
Although house-elves can live up to 200 years, in reality, it's not very common for an elf to live that long.
Some elves, when they get older, their masters might believe they're unable to continue providing quality service, and thus order them to end their lives prematurely.
Like the former Black Family.
Most elves have their lifespan and magic power impacted due to being poorly treated since birth.
Relf, being over 160 years old, really interests Vid for a chat.
That house-elf must have witnessed many stories worthy of history.
...
The next day, the brawl incident in Slytherin College spread throughout the school.
Everyone was very surprised, because Slytherin College has always been known for unity, which might only be second to Hufflepuff, whereas internal disputes are common in Gryffindor and Ravenclaw.
Of course, this isn't because the little snakes are all united and friendly, but because they are good at "covering up" — even if fighting fiercely within the common room, they wouldn't show it outside of College.
This gives people the impression that Slytherin is always advancing and retreating together.
Upon hearing about such a rare incident, students from the other three Colleges could not suppress their curiosity.
They flocked to the infirmary in groups, some claiming headaches, some claiming coughs, some saying they had insomnia the night before, some saying they've been anxious lately, but their true purpose was to take a look at those Slytherins lying in hospital beds.
Most of the second-year Slytherin boys were in there, affecting even two first-years.
Outside the ward, the Gryffindor students were shouting about their dizziness while laughing loudly.
Amid the chaotic crowd, the Slytherins looked very displeased.
They all pulled the curtains around their beds, but Gryffindors were still enthusiastic about watching the curtains.
After class, Malfoy came to visit his dorm mates, intending to entertain himself with their plight.
However, before reaching the ward's door, he encountered a few Gryffindor students walking arm in arm, laughing heartily as they passed through the corridor, and Malfoy's face turned dark.
Then, he stood at a distance, watching the students who had found excuses to run into the infirmary for sightseeing until Madam Pomfrey, who had reached her limit, drove them away.
Suddenly, a hand was placed on his shoulder.
"See that, Draco?"
Sixth-year Fry whispered: "Do you know why we Slytherin need to unite? Because if we are fragmented, the enemies will only laugh aloud from above, no one will sympathize, let alone lend a hand."
"What do you mean?" Malfoy frowned.
Beside him, Yaxley coldly said: "When you harm your companions, you think you've achieved a momentary, vengeful pleasure."
Fry continued: "But when you look back, you'll find you're also a subject of ridicule and disdain."
"Because you are Slytherin."
"Because we are Slytherin."
"Admit it, Draco. Coming from Slytherin is seen as an original sin by many!"
"Obviously, the Sorting Hat made the choice for us, but during the seven years in school and in the future life, no one will speak out for the injustices we encounter."
"Slytherin is innately a villain; haven't you heard that line?"
"To restore Slytherin's honor, to regain the glory of Pure-Blood Wizard, we must not engage in petty strife and mutual destruction, but unite and fight for the rights we deserve!"
Fry and several students beside him spoke one after another, and Malfoy nearly forgot what he had originally wanted to say, his mindset shaken by their words, and finally couldn't help but ask:
"So what should be done?"
The others exchanged a glance, someone smilingly nodding.
"Come with me, Draco."
Fry wrapped his arm around Malfoy's shoulder, saying while walking: "To cope with the harsh reality, we've formed a club with like-minded people, and I think maybe you'd like to join too..."
The two talked in low voices, then walked away surrounded by other Slytherin students.
The corridor suddenly became empty.
Soon after, a figure gradually emerged, as if a magical eraser had wiped the wall, revealing him.
Vid slightly frowned, watching those Slytherins disappear around the corner.
"Alright..."
He said to himself.
"You've only read a set of novels, it's impossible to know every situation in this world."
The good news is, since Malfoy was taken to some club, he probably wouldn't return to the dormitory for a while, which makes it the perfect time for him to meet Dobby.
Vid thought so, walked down the corridor for a bit, then suddenly said: "Maki?"
Behind the pillar by his side suddenly appeared a short figure, Maki peeked at him, saying softly: "I'm here, Vid Gray."
"Please help me listen to what they say, will you?" Vid said: "This isn't an order... if it would make you feel uncomfortable, forget it."
Maki softly asked: "Vid Gray worried they'll do something bad?"
Vid said: "How were the earliest Death Eaters recruited by Voldemort?"
Mentioning that name made Maki shiver, then he bowed.
"Maki understands, Vid Gray."