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English
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Part 2 of Mask of a Lion, Part 23 of Protect the Dark!Harry
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Published:
2022-04-22
Updated:
2022-04-29
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1,483
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3/?
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The Mask of a Lion 2

Summary:

To the Wizarding World, Harry Potter is brave, intelligent, and heroic, and Dumbledore's prodigy.
They are wrong.
In the shadows, a Dark Lord plots....

Chapter 1

Chapter Text

Ginny Weasley was so excited.

She was going to Hogwarts! And not only that, she would going with her crush, Harry Potter!

Her mother had told her many stories of the wonderful, kind, brave boy who had saved the world from You-Know-Who. Her heart fluttered whenever she thought about him.

A tiny part of her wondered how her mother knew Harry so well, but she immediately dismissed it. Everyone knew that was how Harry really was, and Ron's letters about his friend had confirmed it.

She started going through her things one more time, just to make sure everything was there.

Among her books was a small black diary.

Chapter 2

Chapter Text

Harry Potter had seen a house-elf before.

But the one standing on his bed was nothing like Kreacher.

Kreacher was old, wrinkly and grumpy. He and Sirius hated each other and were often at each other's throats. The only one the elf respected at all was Harry.

The one on his bed was very young and very shy.

"Who sent you?" Harry asked stiffly, hand in his pocket, fingering his wand.

"No one is being sending Dobby, sir," said the house-elf nervously, wringing his old pillowcase in his hands. "Dobby came himself, to -- to warn Harry Potter."

Harry relaxed a little. The elf had come on his own. "Welcome to Black Manor," Harry said calmly. "Sit down." This was both an offer and a command.

Dobby blinked in surprise and sat down. "Dobby has never -- Dobby has never been treated so kindly," he whispered.

"Well, in this house, we respect elves," Harry said shortly, remembering the fountain in the Ministry with disgust. "What did you want to warn me about?"

Dobby took a shaky breath. "Harry Potter is valiant and bold! He has braved so many dangers already! But Dobby has come to protect Harry Potter, even if he does have to shut his ears in the oven door later.... Harry Potter must not go back to Hogwarts."

Harry studied the elf for a long moment. Something in his expression made Dobby shiver. "Why?" he asked quietly.

"If Harry Potter goes back to Hogwarts, he will be in mortal danger," Dobby squeaked.

"Why?" Harry said again, calmly.

"There is a plot, Harry Potter, a plot to make the most terrible things happen at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this year," Dobby said, trembling. "Dobby has known it for months, sir. Harry Potter must not put himself in peril. He is too important, sir!"

"A few months," Harry whispered, a note of ice in his voice. "Why have you come now, if you've known for months?"

Dobby looked uncomfortable.

Silence. Then Harry chuckled darkly, making the elf cower. "I wondered who was stealing my mail."

"Dobby," the elf squeaked, "Dobby was only-"

"Only trying to make me think that my friends didn't want to write to me," Harry interrupted, his voice icy calm. "So that I wouldn't want to go back to Hogwarts."

Dobby paled. "Dobby is sorry, Harry Potter," he whispered.

"Who are your masters, Dobby?" Harry asked suddenly.

All color left Dobby's face. "The Malfoys, sir," he said, so quietly that Harry barely heard him.

"Tell me," Harry said softly, "what would happen if I told them you've been stealing my mail?"

Dobby didn't answer.

"Answer me, Dobby."

Harry's magic filled the room with cold malice. The elf jumped and stared up at him in shocked horror.

"They -- they would be angry at Dobby," Dobby rasped. "They -- they would punish Dobby."

"How would they punish you?" Harry continued.

The elf flinched, obviously unable to answer. Harry leaned closer, face inches from Dobby's face, and smiled. The elf almost fainted.

"Whatever punishment they give you," Harry said, oh so very softly, "would be nothing compared to what I would do to you. Unless..." he trailed off, letting his magic retract slightly. "You give me my letters."

Shaking, the elf pulled out a stack of scrolls and a wad of envelopes -- from Dean and Hermione, probably. Harry took them.

"Good," Harry said sweetly, his magic retreating. "I'm sure you won't intervene again. Won't you, Dobby?"

The elf shook his head quickly.

"What else can you tell me about what plot is happening at Hogwarts?" Harry continued, putting the letters on his desk.

Dobby swallowed.

Chapter 3

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Dear Harry,

I'm so glad you were able to find out how our letters were being stopped. I hope you've had a good holiday!

My parents have finally agreed to let me get a cat. I want to find one at Diagon -- Neville and I are planning to meet up next Wednesday. I don't suppose you could meet up with us?

There were so many new books this year! I'm very excited for Magic Theory. It's too bad we can't do Alchemy until sixth year, though.

I'll see you at school!

Hermione

-------

Harry,

A house-elf was stealing your mail? Why does chaos always follow you? I hope it's not as chaotic this year.

Hermione was even more annoying than usual when she found out about the new classes. I haven't even finished my summer homework yet, and now I have to read more books? Ugh. And Mia went on for hours about Alchemy! We won't start it for another four years!

The twins wanted me to remind you to try out for Quidditch this year. I asked why they couldn't write it in their letter, and they said I didn't want to know.

Ron

-------

Dear Harrikins,

It will be done.

Your Demons

-------

Harry-

I'm so sorry about Dobby! He means well, but often his attempts to save people end up... well, not saving them. I would know (don't ask). I don't understand why you don't want me to tell my parents about it, but I trust your judgement.

Mia just sent me an entire novel about which of the new classes she's looking forward to. I really don't want to read it. Did she send you one as well?

See you at school,

Draco

-------

Harry,

I have no idea how you found out about my mother, but she's willing to brew what you asked. I have decided not to ask why you need such a thing... for now. But I am going to ask later.

Blaise

-------

Hi, Harry,

Thanks for the Ignis Flower! It's amazing! I'd bring it to school, because I know Draco would love it, but I don't think it's allowed.

As for your advice about getting a new wand, I think I will. But it'll be hard to persuade my gran. She wants me to use Da's wand; she thinks it will make me more like them. Sometimes it's hard to be around her... I know she misses them, but I'm not her replacement son. I'm looking forward to going back to school, where I can be around people who like me for who I am, and not try to make me someone I'm not.

I'll see you at school,

Nev

-------

Harry,

Sorry we haven't been able to write. Our parents aren't as pleased as Lord Malfoy that we're friends with you. We had to write this in secret.

Thanks for the Theory books you sent us. They're easier to understand than the ones the school asked us to buy. You're the first person to treat us like we're smart. And thanks for the book on dys- dis -- that Muggle reading problem thing. We had no idea that wizards could have that, too.

Vince and Greg

-------

Dear Harry,

I don't know how you did it, but I know you had something to do with these new classes! I'm going to love helping Mia in Pureblood Politics, Manners, and Traditions. (Merlin, we really need a better name for that class. I don't think PPMT will cut it.) I hope they teach the different magics in Magic theory, so people don't get the wrong ideas in Dark Magic.

I'm sending you more hair products, like you asked. And I would love to take Ginny Weasley under my wing... although I don't know why you want me to.

Sincerely,

Pansy

-------

Magic is More, by Wish Whistle

'Well Met' and Other Wizarding Greetings, by Lord Pierre Malfoy

Yule and Other Wizarding Holidays, by Lord Pierre Malfoy

Pureblood Balls and Other Traditions, by Lord Pierre Malfoy

Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2, by Miranda Goshawk

(Harry's Books)

Dark Magic Theory, by Unknown

Dark Lords, by Unknown

Lady Magic, Lord Fate, and Death by Moran Peverell

Dark Magical Objects, by Lady Cassiopeia Black

Familiars, by Lady Cassiopeia Black

The Difference Between Animagi and Parselshifting, by Professor Salazar Slytherin

Dark Magic Addiction and How to Fight It, by Unknown

Necromancy At Its Finest, by Unknown

Evil Elixirs, Pernicious Potions, and Deadly Draughts, by Unknown

The Many Paths to Long Living, Illegal and Legal, by Unknown

~Parselmagic, by Professor Sylvester Slytherin-Gryffindor~

~Don't Judge a Snake By His Scales: A Slytherin's Tale, by Professor Sylvester Slytherin-Gryffindor~

Notes:

Sylvester is Godric's and Salazar's secret son. He wrote all of his books in Parseltongue, so he could keep his parentage a secret

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