"Riddle," Harry answered. "Tom Riddle" Harry noticed Mr Malfoy's slight flinch when Voldemort's true name was mentioned. Dumbledore merely nodded as though confirming something he already knew.
Madam Bones turned to her Head Auror, saying, "Rufus, get an alert out for one Tom Riddle and have the school archives searched for any background on him."
Scrimgeour nodded. "We should pass it on to the continent too. He could easily be out of Britain by now." Bones nodded her agreement and the Head Auror left followed by his two Aurors and the still manacled Lockhart.
"Professor McGonagall?" Harry asked with a glance towards the Floo. His Head of House understood the glance.
"Professor Lockhart was found engaging in a… injudicious and illegal activity when we were locking down the school. He will no longer be your Defence instructor." Harry realized that was all she was going to tell him. Later he would hear about the two Sixth year girls drugged on Lust potions found in his personal quarters. These particular potions left the victim with complete memories of the event but thinking they were a particularly vivid dream.
"Excuse me, Professor Dumbledore," Mr Lovegood interrupted, "but I would like to take Luna home for a few days."
"Of course," Dumbledore agreed. "I am sure Professor Flitwick would be happy to take you both to Ravenclaw Tower so your daughter may collect her things."
Mr Lovegood acknowledged this with a smile. He then turned to Harry. "Mr Potter, I owe you a debt that can never be repaid. After losing her mother, the thought of losing my Luna as well…" The man's voice trailed off as if the thought was too much to complete.
"I understand," Harry said. "I wouldn't want anyone else to lose all of their family."
The Lovegoods left with Professor Flitwick. Then Mr Malfoy stood to leave.
"I shall take my leave, Albus. I expect a complete report of tonight's events to be provided to the Board within the week."
"Of course, Lucius."
The elder Malfoy gave a short, almost mocking, bow before turning and leaving the room.
"Professor," Harry asked, "may I be excused? It's been a long night."
"Of course my dear boy," Dumbledore allowed with a wave. "We shall talk in the morning when you have recovered your strength."
"Do you need assistance getting back to our tower?" McGonagall asked.
Harry declined, "No, professor. I should be fine."
As soon as Harry cleared the office door, he started running through the dark, empty Hogwarts hallways. He managed to catch up to Mr Malfoy in the Entrance Hall.
"Mr Malfoy, I found something you left here," Harry said causing Malfoy to whirl about.
"Something of mine, boy?" Malfoy hissed. "Well, give it to me and be quick about it!"
"Actually, it isn't really yours. You just gave it to someone to bring here. Actually it was Tom's."
"I had nothing to do with that!" Malfoy denied. "And I will take you for all the Potters are worth if you ever try to say otherwise!"
Harry smiled wolfishly. "Oh I don't need to take you to court, Mr Malfoy. See Tom was a bit angry with you and went off a bit on how you gave his diary to the wrong witch. He was really unhappy with you.
"I've heard Voldemort was never very forgiving of the servants that failed him. What would he say over the loss of this?" Harry held up the unblemished backside of the diary.
"Give that here, boy!" Malfoy demanded as he lunged for the diary. Harry was relatively weak but he still had something to give. The backhanded blow knocked the larger wizard to the ground and left four teeth scattered on the floor.
"Wow, that is two more than your son lost," Harry commented.
"I will see in you prison for this!" Malfoy threatened as he rose up.
Harry smirked. "You are going to testify that a twelve year-old beat you down with one hit? My think how the press will handle that." Malfoy glared impotently as Harry smiled.
"I have a deal to offer," Harry said. "The diary for something of yours. Dobby the house-elf."
"Dobby?" Malfoy spat. "That worthless cringing nothing? He was my mother's and always incompetent. Deal, Potter! Now give me the diary!"
"Dobby first."
"Dobby!"
A small pop and then "Master calls Dobby?"
"Here take it!" A small handkerchief was thrust out. "I free you. Never return to the Malfoy Manor!"
Dobby took the small cloth with a trembling hand. "Master free Dobby?" he asked in a wondering voice. Dobby turned to see Harry standing there. "Great Harry Potter! Harry Potter makes bad old master free Dobby!"
Malfoy sneered. "Now, the diary! Give it here, boy!"
Harry tossed the diary over to the elder wizard. The blonde wizard caught it but something felt off. He turned it over and saw the hole left from the basilisk's fang.
"You tricked me, Potter!" he roared while drawing his wand from the cane.
"You shall not harm Harry Potter!" Dobby proclaimed. The little elf threw his hands forward and a magical force pulsed out. It smashed into the surprised wizard and sent him flying out the front doors of the school. The doors then swung shut with a solid thud.
Dobby turned to look up at Harry with an adoring gaze. "Great Harry Potter has freed Dobby. Dobby hasn't even kept his promise to Harry Potter yet! Truly Harry Potter is as wise and kind as the stories tell!"
Harry had to smile at that. Dobby was always good for his ego. "What promise?" Harry asked.
"Why to get Harry Potter a new family so Harry Potter sir doesn't have to stay at Hogwarts all the time! But Dobby will soon! Soon the Dogfather will be back! And Dobby will take care of great Harry Potter and his Dogfather! I can't wait!"
Before Harry could speak, Dobby was gone with a pop.
Harry could only look at the place Dobby had just been with an odd mixture of fear and anticipation. Dobby meant well but Harry was sure Dobby's good intentions often had wildly unanticipated side-effects.
"Maybe the basilisk will let me stay with her," Harry mused as he made his way back to his dorm. "It might be safer."
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