Beauty and the Unexpected Beast

Loosing and Missing

I can feel Dobby turn on the spot next to me but I don't expect it to work, at least I don't expect it to bring me with them, but it does. I am disapparated away with my eyes locked with Cookie and Draco's. When we hit solid ground and the smell of a salty sea hits me, I smile for a brief second realizing Draco must have terminated the contract.

"Dobby!" Harry screams from somewhere to my left and before I black out I catch a glimpse of a bloody elf.

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I lie awake for a moment but don't open my eyes. I could feel someone dabbing my forehead with a damp cloth obviously trying to be gentle yet failing at this immensely. My eyes fluttered open to be greeted by the overly beautiful face of Fleur Delacour.

Fleur Weasley, I remind myself.

"Ah you est awake now." She says, her english getting better however still annoying.

"How long have I been out?" I ask sitting up a little but when I get light headed I lie back down.

"Only a 'our or so." She replies. She sits back and leans against a glass table that was behind her. I move around and find myself on a couch with little space and energy to move. "The house elf that arrived with you, Dobby, he-"

"I know." I interrupt her. I had seen Bellatrix throw the knife at us as we disapparated while Cookie stared at us horrified and Draco looking as if he was scared for me again. When we had arrived before I fainted, I saw the little house elf fall into Harry's arms. "Where is Harry?" I ask, knowing how much he loved Dobby and how close he was to the elf.

"Outside digging a grave." Fleur said, she stood up and placed the cloth on my forehead before walking towards an open door that seemed to lead into a kitchen. I didn't question why Harry wasn't using his wand to create a grave, he knew Dobby the best and he knows what Dobby would have wanted.

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"We should close his eyes." Luna says from beside me as we walk towards Harry, Ron, and Dean. They are all covered in dirt from digging the grave but I don't comment on it only focus on getting up the hill with the little strength I have left. I meet Harry's worried and dejected eyes but look away after a moment, instead I begin messing with the hem of my gown that was too long and for someone skinner than me. Ron moves towards me to help me stand up but I shift towards Dean as he does.

"There." Luna says, I look up to see her fingers lingering on Dobby's now closed eyes. "Now he could be sleeping."

Harry places Dobby in the grave and a few people said something. Luna's little speech summoned up what most of us were feeling, I was thinking of something to say to the elf, feeling I was obliged to with the S.T.E.W. program and being so close to Cookie. Before I could think of intelligent words to say Harry speaks up.

"Good-bye Dobby." Harry said and after the words ended Bill raised his wand and the pile of dirt filled the grave in.

"D'you mind if I stay here a moment?" Harry asks quietly. Everyone murmurs something different and leave him there. Ron and Dean walk on each side of me and when Ron tries to take my hand I yank it away and walk slower so that I walked behind everyone and watched them walk into the house. Before I followed them inside I turn around and see Harry still kneeling over the grave. My heart aches at his pain and I wish I could take it away but I knew Harry had more experience than I did at loosing people and that he would be ok. Watching him care for Dobby so much made me miss talking to Cookie in the kitchen before I began eating meals with Draco in the dinning room and library.

I hurry inside, not allowing myself to think too much about missing the manor. I couldn't break down in front of Harry and Ron without them getting suspicious about what went on in the Manor. Their forever growing trust in my strength made them forget to ask their many questions about the events in the Manor.