Vid pondered for a moment and said, "Thank you, Professor, for considering so much for me... but I have decided to leave this matter to Dobby."
Moody's Magic Eye suddenly stopped rotating, and his expression looked somewhat frightening. Yet, when he spoke, there was no anger, just a muffled tone mingled with a bit of helplessness:
"Don't you trust Silvanus? I can take you to see him right now! Once you see him in person, you'll know what a reliable man he is..."
"No, Professor, it's not that I don't trust Professor Kettleburn."
Vid interrupted, shaking his head, "In fact, I noticed him even before he retired. I knew Professor Kettleburn was a humorous and upright man. But..."
He paused for a moment, organizing his thoughts, then clearly and solemnly explained:
"A promise is a promise. I first asked Dobby for help, and he agreed. Then, should I abandon Dobby just because there are other options? This is not just a betrayal to him; it also denies my prior judgment."
"In any situation, breaking a sincere agreement is not my style."
"Moreover, when I asked Dobby for assistance, I already entrusted him with my trust. This trust is not just in his ability, but also a recognition of his character and loyalty."
Vid looked at Moody and sincerely said, "So, Professor, just as I believe in your experience and judgment as an Auror, please also believe in my choice and trust Dobby."
Moody's stern gaze swept over Vid's face, seemingly trying to find any hint of wavering, but found none.
In the end, Moody let out a heavy snort through his nose and reattached his prosthetic leg.
"Hmph! Then go with your method!" He mumbled stubbornly, "Just don't regret it if things go wrong!"
Vid smiled but said nothing.
Moody, however, felt as if he had been slightly burned by that pure trust. Impatiently, he waved his hand and swiftly brought the conversation back to business:
"Time waits for no one! To ensure the mission's success, we should head there early—pack your things, and I'll prepare some stuff too. The day after tomorrow morning, I'll come to pick you up and set off together."
Vid hastily spoke before he left, "Professor Dumbledore mentioned that Remus will also be going?"
"I know!" Moody said, "I'll discuss the itinerary with him, and tomorrow, before those bureaucrats start work, I'll get all the procedures done!"
Once the decision was made, Moody wasted no time and strode out decisively.
As he passed the first-floor living room, he saw Dobby, who was standing on a small stool in the kitchen preparing dinner. After thinking for a moment, Moody walked over.
Seeing the former Auror coming towards him, Dobby immediately stopped what he was doing, nervously wringing his fingers and cautiously glancing up at Moody's expression.
Moody glared down at the House-Elf, letting out a distinctly audible and warning-laden cold snort from deep within his throat:
"That boy has given you more trust than you deserve. You'd better not mess it up! If you fail him..."
He paused meaningfully and then grinned with a fearsome smile that could stop a baby from crying at night.
Dobby stared at him, momentarily unable to comprehend what Moody's words meant.
After speaking, Moody did not spare another glance, turned, and quickly left. Immediately after, joyful shrieks from the House-Elf echoed from the kitchen.
He paused and looked back once more.
The Greys came out, drawn by Dobby's shouting. Although they weren't sure why the House-Elf was jumping around in the kitchen, they were infected by Dobby's happiness and also started to smile.
Oddly harmonious and warm, that scene of two humans and one House-Elf was unexpectedly pleasant.
Moody snorted through his nose and turned to leave.
Trust... Trust is a luxury.
Back in the day, how close were James Potter and his group! They were together from their first year, nearly ten years of old friends, often inseparable during the Order of Phoenix days—their intimacy and understanding made many envious.
And the outcome? Betrayal came just as easily...
Decades as an Auror made Moody uncomfortably aware of one truth:
No matter husband and wife, parents and children, or siblings and friends—no matter how inseparable the relationship appears, betrayal and harm can happen.
Until life and death are at stake, no one knows whether those around are people or demons... especially when it comes to a House-Elf.
He sighed deeply, carrying an omnipresent suspicion and the profound anxiety it spawned, and slowly left.
...
Meanwhile, upstairs, Vid saw Moody off with a sigh.
He certainly understood Professor Moody's concerns. After all, not everyone had read the original like him. But there was another reason Vid refused Moody's suggestion:
He trusts Moody and Kettleburn, but... anything involving humans warrants caution.
This is not due to emotional detachment, but because Kettleburn, whom Moody trusts, could be perfectly impersonated by any wizard using Polyjuice Potion.
Moody's Magic Eye doesn't share the same ability as Vid's eyes to instantly discern identities.
But House-Elves are different; no wizard would transform into a House-Elf for disguise.
For one, the two species are utterly distinct, and rashly using Polyjuice Potion brings unpredictable dangers, as shown when Hermione accidentally added cat hair to her potion in the original, rendering antidotes and Anti-Curses powerless to restore her instantly.
Secondly, even if appearance were identical, it would be challenging for a wizard to mimic a House-Elf's unique behaviors and speech habits, let alone replicate their distinctive inner magic, revealing clear discrepancies within moments.
Additionally, wizards are more susceptible to control through Confundus Charm and Imperio, whereas House-Elves, with their uncanny habit and wizards' usual neglect and disdain of them, are comparatively safer in this regard.
Vid briefly shared these analyses with Dobby, who took them as compliments, bursting into tears.
"Mr. Riddle... No one has ever trusted Dobby with such an important task... Dobby would never let Mr. Riddle down... Dobby will show Mr. Moody..."
"Then hold your head high."
Vid squatted down, handing him a handkerchief, speaking warmly yet powerfully:
"Dobby, I chose you because you are completely deserving of this trust... Because you are an extraordinarily capable House-Elf, which is why I entrust my life to you, understand? So don't cry, just go ahead bravely."
These affirming words seemed almost magical, diminishing Dobby's cries to mere muffled sobs. He looked up with tear-filled, blurry eyes at Vid. His nose still twitched, but a glimmer of brightness had returned to his gaze.
"Yes... Mr. Gray! Dobby... Dobby is setting off immediately! Time waits for no one, and Dobby must keep up!"
Hugging the pencil case he had just set down tightly to his chest, he nodded vigorously, still teary-eyed but with a crooked smile on his face.
With a soft "pop" and accompanied by a slight explosive sound, Dobby vanished from the room.