Harry Potter: From Baldur's Gate to Hogwarts

After enduring an onslaught of Bludgers, rocks, tables, ink bottles, and other flying objects, Harry, caught off guard for just a moment, ultimately found himself in the hospital wing after being struck by a rock the size of a human head.

"I strongly suspect that someone is targeting me," Harry grumbled from his hospital bed, addressing Ron and Hermione, who had escorted him there. "Including that inexplicable closure of the King's Cross barrier earlier, there's definitely someone out to get us."

"It's definitely that foul Malfoy!" Ron gritted his teeth. "You should've seen him—he was practically beaming when he saw you getting chased by that rock from who-knows-where! It must've been him!"

Perhaps Ron's voice was a little too loud, or maybe it was just Madam Pomfrey's professional instinct kicking in. Either way, she promptly marched over, holding a bottle of healing potion, and shooed Ron and Hermione out of the ward.

Under Madam Pomfrey's watchful eye, Harry swallowed the potion, suppressing his urge to gag. Left alone in bed, he lay there idly, enduring the relentless itching sensation spreading through his body as he waited for his fractured arms, chest, and left leg to mend.

Harry didn't know when exactly he had drifted off, but suddenly, just as he was swimming in a dream, he woke with a start—someone in the darkness was wiping his face with a damp sponge.

Instinctively, he rolled away from the unseen hands, his right hand casting Darkvision upon himself.

Then, Harry saw it—the peculiar creature standing frozen in place, still clutching the wet sponge, utterly bewildered.

Frankly, whether in Faerûn or in this world, Harry had never encountered anything quite so bizarre.

Judging by its height and limbs, it could be classified as a gnome. But those large, bat-like ears and its bulging green eyes, darting about uneasily, set it distinctly apart from any gnome Harry had ever seen.

"Who are you? Was it you who sent that barrage of things to attack me today?" Harry demanded, raising a hand in preparation to cast Detect Thoughts.

To his surprise, before he could even cast the spell, the strange little creature confessed everything of its own accord.

Tears welled up in its enormous eyes as it whimpered in a sorrowful voice, "Harry Potter has returned to school… Dobby tried so hard to stop Harry Potter from catching the train… But why didn't Harry Potter just go home?"

"Wait—you were the one who blocked the passage to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters?!" In the darkness, Harry glared at the sniveling creature, his irritation flaring. "Do you have any idea how much trouble that caused me?!"

"Dobby waited by the passage, sealing it off the moment Harry Potter tried to pass. Afterward, Dobby had to iron his own hands as punishment, but Dobby did not mind, sir, because Dobby thought he had successfully protected Harry Potter! But Dobby never imagined… Harry Potter would find another way to reach the school!"

The little creature clutched its head in despair, spinning in frantic circles on the spot.

"When Dobby heard that Harry Potter had returned to Hogwarts, Dobby was so shocked he burned his master's dinner… Dobby was whipped terribly for it, worse than ever before! But that doesn't matter—not compared to Harry Potter's safety! Harry Potter must leave Hogwarts—something terrible will happen this year, sir! Perhaps it has already begun! Dobby cannot let Harry Potter stay, because history is about to repeat itself—the Chamber will be opened once more…"

"The Chamber? What Chamber?" Harry asked curiously.

Dobby froze, his expression twisting into one of sheer terror. Then, as if panicking over his own words, he seized the water jug from Harry's bedside table and smashed it against his own head. The jug clattered to the floor, rolling away, while Dobby stumbled, swaying dizzily before vanishing into thin air.

Just as Harry bent down to retrieve the fallen jug, Dobby reappeared right in front of him, muttering under his breath, "Bad Dobby… very bad Dobby…"

Seeing the pitiful state of the little creature—his hands wrapped in bandages, his ragged pillowcase barely passing for clothing—Harry felt his anger subside slightly, though he wasn't sure why.

At that moment, footsteps echoed from outside the ward, and Dobby visibly tensed, clearly hearing them as well.

"Dobby must leave…"

Before he could finish his sentence, he froze mid-motion, like a statue. Harry exhaled in relief, having successfully cast Hold Person on him.

The hospital wing doors swung open as Madam Pomfrey stormed in, holding a lantern, her expression thunderous.

"Who's making all this racket at this hour?! If I catch—Potter? What are you doing up?" She frowned at him. "Was that commotion your doing?"

"Madam Pomfrey, the noise wasn't me—it was him." Harry stepped aside, revealing the immobilized Dobby.

"A house-elf?" Madam Pomfrey scrutinized the peculiar little creature, her gaze lingering on his filthy pillowcase. "Shouldn't they all be in the kitchens at this hour? What is one doing here in the hospital wing?"

"Wait—an elf?!" Harry was dumbfounded. "You're telling me this thing is an elf?!"

"This is indeed a house-elf," Madam Pomfrey affirmed, looking at Harry as if he had asked whether water was wet. Then, with a snap of her fingers, another creature, identical to Dobby but wearing a neat apron, appeared with a pop.

"House-elf Erdo at your service, honored madam, sir. How may I assist you?" the newly arrived elf bowed politely.

"Take this house-elf back to the kitchens," Madam Pomfrey instructed, eyeing Dobby again before adding, "And give him something clean to wear—this is far too filthy to be in the hospital."

"But… this house-elf does not belong to Hogwarts…" Erdo hesitated, twisting his hands together anxiously.

"Not from Hogwarts?" Madam Pomfrey turned to Harry with a puzzled expression. "Mr. Potter, is this your house-elf?"

"No," Harry shook his head, casually reinforcing the Hold Person spell on Dobby. "But, Erdo, could you do me a favor and inform Professor Dumbledore? Tell him—I think I've caught the trail of whoever tried to smuggle that diary into Hogwarts."

Erdo glanced at Madam Pomfrey. Seeing that she had no objections, he vanished with a sharp "pop."

Moments later, Erdo returned with Dumbledore in tow, another "pop" announcing their arrival.

Harry couldn't help but grin as he took in Dumbledore's attire—a long woolen nightgown and a sleep cap perched on his head. It was clear the Headmaster had been roused straight from bed, not even bothering to change before coming.

"Harry, where is the house-elf?" Dumbledore asked, his expression serious. That notebook was one of Voldemort's Horcruxes—if Harry hadn't discovered it in time, Dumbledore dreaded to imagine what might have transpired this year.

"Right here, I've got him held in place." Harry gestured to Dobby, who was frozen behind him.

Dumbledore pulled out his wand.

"Headmaster, surely you're not planning to—right here in the infirmary?!" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed, alarmed by his actions.

"Poppy, please. This is important," Dumbledore said gravely, looking at her with a solemn expression.

"...Alright, but just this once." With a sigh, Madam Pomfrey left the room, setting down her oil lamp before shutting the door behind her.

"Erdo, fetch another house-elf from the kitchens. The rest of you, make sure this one doesn't escape," Dumbledore instructed.

"Yes, Headmaster!" With another "pop," Erdo vanished. Moments later, a double "pop" signaled his return—this time with another house-elf beside him.

Dumbledore began muttering incantations, his wand sweeping in broad, deliberate motions. Harry could feel a thin layer of magic gradually enveloping the entire infirmary with each wave of the wand.

"Alright, Harry, release the spell. I need to ask it some questions," Dumbledore said, turning to him.

Harry nodded and lifted the body-binding charm on Dobby. Immediately, the terrified house-elf vanished from where he stood—only to reappear at the far end of the room, slamming headfirst into the wall. He then began shrieking and darting frantically about, popping in and out of sight as he scrambled around the infirmary in a panic.

After over an hour of chaotic dodging, he finally collapsed onto the floor, panting heavily.

"For such a small creature, he's got quite a bit of energy," Harry remarked, lowering his wand. The crude little stone figure he had conjured—a tiny warrior wielding a stick—was promptly disarmed for the twentieth time by Dumbledore's stone knight, which swung its sword again to behead the hapless opponent.

"Harry, excellent Transfiguration work—though you could refine the details a bit more." With a flick of his wand, Dumbledore transformed the two stone figures back into a wooden chair. "Now, it's time for some answers."

Dobby's lips were sealed tight, but against two skilled wizards capable of extracting information directly from a person's mind, his resistance didn't last long. Soon, Harry and Dumbledore had the entire story out of the despairing house-elf.

"Professor Dumbledore, what are you going to do?" Harry asked after learning of Lucius Malfoy's involvement. His first instinct was to take Malfoy out of the equation entirely, but this wasn't the wilderness—society had rules, after all. So, he looked to Dumbledore for guidance.

"Harry, I think we should ignore Lucius Malfoy for now," Dumbledore said thoughtfully, stroking his beard. "Compared to ensuring Malfoy gets the punishment he deserves, the monster inside the Chamber of Secrets is the greater threat. Fifty years ago, it was responsible for Myrtle's—wait! Why didn't I think of this sooner?!"

A flash of realization lit up Dumbledore's deep blue eyes. "Harry, I believe I've figured out where the entrance to the Chamber is."

"Where is it?"

"We'll discuss the details tomorrow. It's late—get some rest." With a wave of his wand, a gentle force lifted Harry and placed him back onto his bed. Then, gathering the three house-elves, Dumbledore left the infirmary.

"Always leaving things half-said. Why can't he just finish his sentences all at once?!" Harry grumbled into his pillow.

—

The next morning, during breakfast, Dumbledore made an announcement that sent the entire student body into an excited frenzy:

In celebration of the Halloween holiday, he was extending the break by an extra day—and, in an unprecedented move, allowing all students to visit Hogsmeade!

Hogsmeade—the only all-wizarding village in Britain.

A charming little settlement of over a hundred homes and numerous magical shops, Hogsmeade was a favorite destination for Hogwarts students and staff alike. Dumbledore himself, as well as Hagrid, were frequent visitors. During the holidays, the trees in the village would be adorned with enchanted candles, creating a breathtaking sight. Located by the Great Lake, from which the village originally sprang, Hogsmeade was also home to the station where the Hogwarts Express terminated. A small path wound along the lakeshore, connecting the village to the castle.

Normally, only third-year students and above were permitted to visit, and even then, only on designated Saturdays with parental permission. But today, Dumbledore had granted special permission for all students to explore the village!

An hour after breakfast, Hogwarts Castle was nearly empty. The students, buzzing with excitement, lined up in high spirits. Under Filch's disgruntled gaze, they clambered onto the enchanted, horseless carriages and set off for Hogsmeade.

But the exodus wasn't limited to the students—the only faculty members who remained in the castle were Dumbledore and the four Heads of House.

"Albus, are you certain about bringing young Mr. Potter along?" Professor McGonagall asked, glancing at the eager-looking Harry. "Fifty years ago, the creature in the Chamber of Secrets killed a student..."

"No need to worry, Minerva. After speaking with Myrtle, I specifically asked Nick to prepare six pairs of enchanted glasses that can shield against the basilisk's gaze." Dumbledore tapped the yellow-tinted spectacles perched on his nose. "As long as we wear these, even if we stare directly into its eyes, we'll be safe. Besides, you all confirmed Harry's abilities last night, didn't you?"

"To hold his own, even briefly, against a combined assault from Pomona and Filius—and to counterattack effectively at that... Based purely on his skill, Potter is indeed capable of fighting alongside us. However—"

At last, after Dumbledore's repeated assurances, Professor McGonagall reluctantly agreed to let Harry join the operation.

Under the puzzled gazes of the portraits, four Heads of House, one Headmaster, and one student filed into the second-floor girls' bathroom—ready to uncover the secrets hidden beneath the castle.

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