Hogwarts: I Am Such a Model Wizard

Chapter 329: Ron’s Train of Thought

Kyle finished his glass of lemonade in the Headmasterʼs Office, ready to head out. It wasn’t the weekend, and he had classes to teach later. Besides, Dumbledore seemed to have other pressing matters. Kyle opened the door, stepping out just as Fawkes vanished from the office, leaving behind the suitcase that held the Basilisk—untouched, exactly where it had been. Kyle had no intention of taking it with him. He closed the door and left.

Overnight, the entire castle seemed transformed. Even from the eighth floor, Kyle could hear the distant, steady sounds of cheering as students celebrated the end of the Chamber of Secrets ordeal.

On the staircase, he crossed paths with Harry, who had previously tried to sneak into the Headmasterʼs Office with the professors but had been caught by Professor McGonagall.

“Kyle, you’re finally here,” Harry called, waving him over.

Kyle approached. “Class is about to start, and here you are… Professors aren’t exactly planning a holiday celebration.”

“I know, but something happened. I ran into Mr. Malfoy,” Harry grinned. “And Dobby wants to thank you, too.”

From behind him, a House-elf peeked out, looking excited.

“Sir, you freed Dobby!” Dobby exclaimed in a high-pitched voice. “Dobby is a free elf!”

“What happened? I don’t recall doing anything,” Kyle replied with a smile. “All I remember is that you caught a diary with gloves.”

Dobby’s face broke into a huge smile. “Exactly! Master gave Dobby clothing—a glove! Dobby is free!”

“Congratulations.” Kyle reached into his Mokeskin pouch and pulled out a piece of licorice from a corner. “I didn’t bring anything special, so here’s a little gift.”

“It’s all thanks to you, sir!” Dobby cried, taking the licorice with trembling hands, looking as if he might burst into tears. “You not only saved Dobby, you also gave Dobby a present… You are just as great as Harry Potter!”

“Don’t say that. I really didn’t do much,” Kyle protested, shaking his head. “If anything, it was Mr. Malfoy’s doing—if he hadn’t let the diary slip, there’d have been no gloves.”

“No, sir…”

They had reached the staircase on the eighth floor by now. Dobby kept showering Kyle with gratitude, while Kyle continued denying any real credit.

Harry, watching from the side, felt growing admiration for Kyle. Good grades, strong skills, and humility… no wonder people liked him so much.

Kyle, unaware of Harry’s thoughts, was simply feeling that Dobby’s gratitude was a bit too enthusiastic. He changed the subject. “Dobby, what are you planning to do next?”

Dobby paused, then replied eagerly, “Sir, Dobby wants to find a job that pays!”

“Not a bad idea,” Kyle agreed, giving him a thoughtful look. “If you need help, you can find me in St. Catchpole Village during the holidays.”

Dobby’s eyes lit up. “Sir, are you offering Dobby a job?”

“If you need one.”

“Dobby would love to work for you, sir!”

“Not directly for me,” Kyle explained, shaking his head. Since he was mostly at school and his parents, Chris and Diana, were rarely home, they didn’t really need a House-elf. But Newt Scamander, nearly a hundred years old now, could use some help caring for his Magical Creatures. Dobby’s assistance would make things much easier for him. Alternatively, the Weasley family might be a good fit; they could likely afford Dobby’s modest needs.

Dobby listened carefully, nodding, and happily agreed to work for anyone Kyle recommended. “Your friends must be good people, sir—Dobby would love to work for them!”

“Alright, then.” A few minutes later, Kyle handed Dobby a letter, and Dobby promptly departed, unable to contain his excitement.

“I think he’s rushing to apply for the job,” Kyle remarked, watching Dobby disappear.

Harry looked on with curiosity. “Did you write the address for The Burrow?”

“Yes,” Kyle nodded, and the two headed down the stairs toward class.

On the way, Harry seemed hesitant, as if something was on his mind. He kept glancing at Kyle, as though he wanted to say something.

In truth, Harry wasn’t sure Dobby would fit in at The Burrow. While Ron had once mentioned that his mum had always wanted a House-elf, Harry knew Mrs. Weasley genuinely enjoyed caring for her family herself. Dobby’s help might unintentionally take away some of that joy for her.

But before Harry could decide whether or not to share his thoughts, he saw Ron running up to him.

“You’re alright!” Harry greeted, surprised.

“Yeah! Professor McGonagall said I was hit with a Petrification Charm—not attacked by the monster from the Chamber of Secrets. She just helped me reverse it.” Ron looked a bit disappointed. “It’s a shame, though… I mean, if I’d stayed in bed a few more days, I could’ve skipped exams.”

Kyle paused, thinking he’d misheard. Good grief, he’d rather be petrified than take exams? Ron truly had a unique perspective.

When night fell, Hagrid returned, and Hogwarts threw a grand celebration. Fred and George had stocked up on Zonkosʼ fireworks, and the festivities went on late into the night.

“This is brilliant! It doesn’t get better than this,” Ron said, his words muffled by a mouthful of chicken drumstick. “And soon we’ll have a House-elf in the family! I bet they’re even better cooks than Mum.”

Harry opened his mouth, intending to say that Mrs. Weasley’s cooking was better than the school’s, but his words were drowned out by the crackling of fireworks. He glanced at Ron’s eager expression, and the thought from earlier that morning returned to him—would Mrs. Weasley really want Dobby to stay?

...

As it turned out, Harry was right.

A month before the holidays, Kyle received a letter from Mrs. Weasley. She explained that since Dobby’s arrival, she’d had so little to do she felt she might go moldy from inactivity. She wrote that she couldn’t even water the potatoes in the garden in peace.

“All I can manage is watering the potatoes,” she wrote. “I can’t even pull up the spoiled ones and plant new seeds… because by the time I decide to do it, the House-elf has already finished the job.”

Regretting her decision, Mrs. Weasley asked Kyle if there was any way to gently dismiss Dobby without hurting his feelings.

In his reply, Kyle apologized and reassured Mrs. Weasley that she only needed to manage for another month—he would bring Dobby to Newt’s once school let out.

Mrs. Weasley agreed.