Dobby trembled as he received the pencil case representing Vid's safety. After his initial burst of joy slightly subsided, worry immediately surged up again.
"But... but, Mr. Vid Gray... if Dobby takes away the pencil case, the Poppet inside won't be able to protect you at any time! You'll be all alone... that's too dangerous!"
Seeing the unease in Dobby's eyes, Vid smiled and said, "Don't worry, Dobby, I have other arrangements..."
At that moment, a rapid knocking sounded at the door, and Fiona hurriedly ran over to open it.
Before long, Alastor Moody's scarred face suddenly appeared at the doorway of the study, his sharp magic eye spinning wildly as always, as if swearing to examine every corner.
They had been neighbors for several years, but even now, whenever Moody entered the Grey home, he would occasionally exhibit this suspicious attitude, as if even the tea coasters might suddenly jump up and explode.
Subsequently, both of Moody's eyes fixated on the pencil case in Dobby's hand. His normal eye squinted, and the scars on either side of his nose slightly twisted due to the tension in his facial muscles.
"Vid, are you really going to entrust something so important to a... House-Elf?"
Moody said gruffly, "Listen, Dobby is great at cleaning, but this sort of thing... it's beyond his capability!"
Although he was verbally questioning Dobby's competence, the tense tone and scrutinizing gaze revealed a deeper meaning to Vid—
Moody's real suspicion always lay with Dobby's loyalty.
…
Soon after Dobby was officially employed by the Grey Family, the first time he appeared before Moody, Moody almost couldn't resist casting an explosive spell at him;
Afterward, having known Dobby's background, Moody had said more than once to Vid or Ferdinand—
"Hurry up and get rid of that little thing! He used to be the Malfoy Family's House-Elf!"
"Do you really believe he can betray his former master?"
"And taking a salary? I've never seen such an unconventional House-Elf! He must have a problem!"
Nonetheless, the Grey Family's attitude remained unaffected by Moody, and they even tactfully encouraged him to accept Dobby's presence—
Fiona said, "Oh, dear Alastor, you should really see how capable Dobby is! And so adorable, he's practically an angel!"
Ferdinand said, "Dobby is part of our family. Just spend a bit more time with him, and you'll see, he's truly a good kid."
Gray said, "I believe in Dobby, he's not like Malfoy, he's a kind child."
Moody: "…"
Have you all been put under some Imperio curse by that pesky Elf?
Go get it checked! Really, St Mungo's isn't far!
…
Anyway, Moody had by now given up trying to convince the Grey Family to expel Dobby. He expressed his distrust in more subtle ways.
But Moody didn't let his facial features play along; the icy look in his eyes clearly indicated his attitude.
Dobby opened his mouth wide in shock, a layer of moisture quickly covering his eyes. He looked at Vid, then at Moody, and lowered his head, his pointed ears drooping weakly.
Vid just said, "I believe he can do it, Professor Moody. Dobby is undoubtedly more reliable than most wizards you know."
At that moment, Dobby fixated on his new socks with different patterns on his feet, nearly bursting into tears, gripping the pencil case more tightly.
"... Believe? Believe again? Ha! You're bound to pay for this sooner or later!"
Moody let out a mocking laugh, clearly unconvinced.
But knowing it was useless to argue, he gave up trying to persuade Vid and instead cracked a somewhat fierce yet oddly satisfied grin.
"Alright, kid... but before you insist on trusting this little thing, take a look at my plan!"
"Professor, you also planned to help me 'smuggle' the pencil case to the United States?"
Vid asked in surprise. Professor Moody's meticulousness truly took him aback.
"Of course, without that thing, your safety is at least halved, so I naturally have to come up with a good plan for you—only I can do it!"
Moody suddenly stomped the floor. As Vid's eyes widened and his expression became increasingly bewildered, Moody skillfully began dismantling his prosthetic leg, causing creaking noises that made one's teeth ache.
"Wait... Professor... what are you doing?"
Vid asked anxiously.
—It couldn't be, right? Not what he thought, right?
"Can't you see, kid?"
Moody sat on a stool, huffing and puffing as he continued to unscrew his prosthetic leg from the joint:
"Important things should be carried with you! Who would think I would hide something in this thing? Even if they suspected... those checking folks, are they going to make me take off my leg to show them?"
Vid: ... Is this really what you're planning?
As they spoke, Moody had already split the prosthetic leg in half, revealing a hollow space inside like a cup.
He knocked the floor with the detached foot piece, making a hollow "thud thud" sound, saying, "Come on! Stuff that little bag in here, I guarantee it's foolproof!"
Vid said, laughing and crying, "I'm afraid not, Professor. If you're traveling with me, you're definitely also a focal point of attention for others... such a large leg, they won't foolishly overlook it."
Moody's magic eye spun cunningly, revealing a sly smile: "Who said this leg would be on me?"
Vid: "It... isn't on you?"
"It's on me for now, but not necessarily tomorrow."
Moody appeared especially reliable at this moment, giving Dobby a glance. The House-Elf suddenly jumped up, saying, "I... I'll go prepare dinner!"
Before Vid could stop him, he carefully placed the pencil case down and vanished with a pop.
Subsequently, Moody cast a Quietening Charm on the door and then said, "I'll take that thing out with the prosthetic leg, and then... Silvanus also has a prosthetic, two of them! He'll depart a few days earlier, discreetly bringing it to you!"
Vid: "Silvanus?"
The name sounded familiar, but he'd forgotten where he had heard it before.
"Oh, you probably don't know him either... Silvanus Kettleburn, taught Care of Magical Creatures at Hogwarts for decades, but retired before you took the course."
Moody praised, "Though that old guy only has one arm and half a leg left, he's absolutely reliable! Entrust the item to him, and you can rest assured."