To settle Mabel in, Vid arrived home much later than expected. As he pushed open the door, he saw the Greys in their pajamas, sitting on the living room sofa, waiting for him.
Hearing the door, both turned their heads simultaneously. Seeing him enter, they both showed relieved smiles.
"Dad, Mom, I'm back."
Vid stepped forward and hugged each of them.
"Mm." Ferdinand patted his son's shoulder, speaking calmly, as if he had never been worried, "It's good that you're back."
Fiona yawned, rubbed her eyes, and said, "The bathtub has hot water already. Take a bath and go to sleep. Don't read tonight, rest well!"
"Alright, you two rest early as well," Vid said with a smile.
...
After washing up, Vid poured himself a glass of water, drinking as he walked to his bedroom. He paused slightly as he grasped the door handle.
There seemed to be someone in the room...
It was a subtle feeling, as if magic was telling him that beyond the door, there was another person's magic power.
The wardrobe space and other important alchemy items were stored in the bedroom, but Vid always kept his magic wand on him, even when at home for a bath.
He placed the glass gently on the floor, gripped his magic wand with one hand, and pushed the door handle with the other, pushing the door open while swiftly dodging behind the wall to the side.
"Creak—"
The door slid open silently. An unexpected guest stood in the middle of the room, eyes as large as tennis balls shining with hope, ears trembling slightly, fingers nervously gripping the corner of his clothes.
"Dobby?"
Vid paused, then put down his wand and smiled, "I've heard from my parents that you were also helping look for me earlier—thank you, Dobby. Don't just stand there, please sit."
"M-Mr. Gray..." Dobby didn't sit down, the house-elf looked up at him, his voice trembling slightly, "Dobby... Dobby wishes to ask you something."
"What is it?" Vid squatted down halfway, looking at him, and said, "You're my friend; just say whatever you need."
Dobby took a deep breath, summoning courage he said, "Could Mr. Gray employ Dobby? Dobby can do many things... Dobby can bake bread, clean, tend the garden, and even raise peacocks..."
Vid was taken aback, then showed a warm smile.
"Of course, I'd welcome you as a member of our family, Dobby. But I should be mostly at school, so you'll need to stay with my parents, can you accept that?"
"Of course, Dobby likes Mr. Gray and Madam Grey very much..."
Dobby's face first lit up with bright joy, then hesitantly tugged his clothes, nervously asking, "But Dobby is a house-elf expelled by his master, sir... sir doesn't mind?"
"I very much like your longing for freedom because I'm the same," Vid said seriously, "But I also have a few requests, which I hope you can agree to."
Dobby swallowed nervously, "Y-Yes. Dobby will surely agree... what are the requests?"
"First," Vid raised a finger, "If you make a mistake—like burning the food or something, you're not allowed to punish yourself! The most important thing about making mistakes is to correct them, not to hit your head against the wall—can you do that?"
Dobby's large eyes instantly filled with tears as he looked at Vid's solemn expression, unable to tell what he was feeling inside. After a long silence, he nodded vigorously, "Mm!"
"Very well," Vid continued, "Second, since you're my employed house-elf, your dignity is my dignity, and the Gray family will continue to give you clothes as a respect, not as a humiliation or an expulsion, can you accept that?"
Dobby stood there motionless, eyes unblinkingly watching Vid, biting his lip, slowly nodded.
"And third," Vid smiled as he said, "Dobby, my friend, even if you accept employment, your body and soul remain free."
"If you believe someone in the family has made a wrong decision or made you uncomfortable, you can voice your opinions; if one day you wish to leave, you can leave, but please say goodbye properly, can you?"
Dobby shook his head desperately, crying softly, "Dobby won't leave! Dobby likes Vid Gray, likes the Gray family! Dobby will never leave his family lightly!"
"Then, welcome to join our family, Dobby."
Vid extended his hand, and Dobby, tearful, looked at his hand, slowly reaching out to shake it.
At the moment their hands clasped, the house-elf could no longer hold back and burst into tears.
Vid quickly cast a Quietening Charm on the door to avoid waking his parents downstairs.
"I'm sorry, sir."
Dobby said through sobs, "No one... no one has ever treated a house-elf this way... no self-punishment, and... and being allowed to wear clothes... nobody wanted Dobby because he was dismissed... Dobby, Dobby didn't mean to cry... Dobby is just too happy..."
Vid gently patted the house-elf on the head, allowing him to vent his emotions and silently handed him tissues, patiently waiting for Dobby to finish crying, while also drafting a Magic Contract.
After a while, Dobby controlled himself, hiccuping as he wiped his tears and snot, quietly apologizing over and over.
"There's no need to apologize for this, I know the Malfoy Family treated you harshly before."