"Mr. Kingston, a word before you go?"
The voice was smooth, deliberate, and just loud enough to cut through the quiet murmur of departing guests. I turned, the polished marble of Malfoy Manor's main hall reflecting the last flickers of chandelier light. Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy stood together like a portrait that had quietly stepped out of its frame.
I gave a short, respectful bow. "Of course, Mr. Malfoy. Mrs. Malfoy."
Lucius's smile was faint but calculated. "I wanted to clarify something before rumors turn it into scandal. My son's... performance in the hallway does not reflect the stance of this household."
Narcissa tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable.
"Of course," I said smoothly. "I assumed as much. It was a passionate display, but I've learned not to judge the beliefs of a family by the noise of a single member."
Lucius's expression shifted—just slightly—to something bordering on respect. "A sensible stance."
"I'm relieved to hear it confirmed," I added. "Actually, while I have you both, there's something else I've been meaning to inquire about."
Lucius raised a pale eyebrow. "Oh?"
"I'm in the market for a house-elf. Not the mistreated sort—I intend to treat them well. But I need one loyal, capable, and discreet. And I'm more than willing to pay handsomely for the right one."
Narcissa blinked in mild surprise. Lucius's gaze narrowed in appraisal.
"We may have one that suits," Lucius said. Then he turned his head slightly. "Dobby."
There was a soft pop and a quivering figure appeared. Big eyes, long ears, and the posture of someone expecting pain.
"Master called?" Dobby said, voice trembling.
Lucius gestured vaguely toward me. "Sky Kingston. Prospective employer."
I knelt slightly, getting a closer look. His tunic—more of a rag—was fraying at every edge. His eyes were enormous, and his hands twitched as though from years of self-inflicted punishment.
"He looks a bit beat up, I don't want to state that the elf in question was mistreated but..." I muttered. "Is he still functional?"
Lucius gave a single nod. "Capable. Loyal. Knows when to stay silent."
I turned back to Dobby. "Can you cook, clean, organize, follow complex instructions, and handle minor magical tasks?"
Dobby's ears flopped down in what looks to be desperation and fear. "Dobby can do all those things, sir! Dobby is very good, sir! Dobby only wants to serve well, sir!"
"Hmm." I looked back to Lucius in slight indifference.
Truth be told, I was excited but showcasing such outright excitement is never going to be good for any kind of business dealing. "How much?"
Lucius smiled. "I'd rather not deal in coin. Instead, a favor."
My eyes narrowed slightly. "Favors can be far more expensive than gold."
"Only if misused."
"Thats what I am afraid of." I said with suspicion.
Malfoy hearing this also narrowed his eyes "I hope that you are not insinuating that i am not a man of my word are you?"
"Lord Malfoy, this is a matter of trust. When it comes to business, I trust no one but the law and what is iron clad in ink and parchment." I reached into my coat and pulled out a scroll.
"So let's be precise," I said, pulling a blank scroll from my coat. I conjured a quill with a snap and began scribbling furiously. "One favor to the Malfoy family," I dictated as I wrote, "Redeemable before the end of the school year. Must be deliverable on the spot. May not exceed the market value of the house-elf in question. Cannot result in harm—physical, mental, or spiritual—to myself or anyone else unless I personally permit it. Once the request has been fulfilled, The letter of completion will be granted to Lord Malfoy as proof no later then a week. Any form of breach in contract will be covered by the responsible party through either monetary compensation or a return favor. All requests must be given by a Malfoy directly or by official letter, Ministry seal is required if the request is by letter." I blew lightly on the ink to dry it, then handed it over. "Now it's precise."
Lucius unrolled the parchment and scanned it.
Lucius looked up with a rather astonished and yet impressed expression. "Is this really necessary?"
"Absolutely," I said, completely serious. "I don't play with contracts. And I never offer open-ended favors lightly. I assure you that by doing so, I am granting you a huge favor of my own."
Narcissa smiled faintly. "If only my son were as cautious."
Lucius chuckled once, and then with a flick of his wand, signed.
"Very well. He's yours."
I quickly cast a duplication charm on the contract and gave him the copy.
"Pleasure doing business," I said.
The moment we were past the Manor's anti-Apparition wards, I raised my wand and snapped it through the air.
BANG!
A violently red triple-decker bus screeched into existence with a grinding of gears and a burp of smoke.
"Knight Bus! Emergency transport for the stranded, the sneaky, and the slightly unhinged!"
I grinned. "Stan!! When did you add those last two descriptions." I said with a chuckle.
"Since I got to know you." He replied with a cheeky grin.
Dobby clutched my arm as we climbed aboard. The interior was absurd with beds rolling around and chandeliers that changed shape midair.
"Where to, then?" asked the conductor.
"8 Heathgate, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London. Residential stop."
We lurched forward before I finished the sentence. Dobby screamed. I cheered.
The bus vaulted forward like it had something to prove to gravity. Street signs whooshed past, lampposts bent, and we slid between two buildings with less space than Dobby's shoulder width.
Dobby clung to a railing. "Dobby does not like this, sir!"
"That makes one of us!" I shouted joyfully as we catapulted over a roundabout.
We landed with a boom, rocking side to side.
"That's a personal record." I said proudly.
As we arrived at the Granger residence, the front door swung open before I could even knock.
"You're early!" Hermione said with excitement, eyes landing first on me, then widening at the sight of Dobby.
"Technically ten minutes ahead of schedule. Blame the Knight Bus and its love for thrill-seeking shortcuts," I replied, stepping in. "And this—this is Dobby."