Dobby didn't understand, he looked at Ferdinand blankly, wondering if he could ask him to explain in more detail.
From those unusually large green eyes, Ferdinand easily saw his thoughts.
The man smiled helplessly, and said, "Simply put, it's about gathering information on those exposed elites, looking at what parties and business activities they've attended, what public statements they've made, identifying the commonalities, and their past interactions."
Although Dobby still didn't fully understand, he nodded seriously and decided to write it all down.
It didn't matter if he couldn't comprehend at the moment; he could find other smart people to help explain... like Michael.
Ferdinand looked up at the colorful clippings on the wall, extricating the most probable outcome from the myriad of chaotic information.
He picked up a pen and circled a person in one of the color photographs.
"The famous billionaire—John Adler, he has connections with most of the people contacted by Dark Wizards, and in early years it was rumored that he was involved in some..."
Ferdinand turned to see Dobby's child-like eyes and glossed over the latter part of his statement.
"...some unspeakable dealings. So, greater chances are that this person is involved in those illegal activities, becoming a target for the Witch Pure Party's attacks. Keep an eye on him, and you might discover the whereabouts of those Dark Wizards."
Dobby nodded earnestly and asked softly, "Can I have this photograph?"
"Of course you can." Ferdinand pulled out a folder from the shelf and said, "Inside are materials about John Adler, take them, you might find them useful."
Dobby nodded earnestly, placed the photo in the folder, holding tightly to the information diligently compiled.
"Ferd? Who are you talking to?"
Fiona rubbed her eyes as she opened the door to the study, immediately spotted Dobby standing in the middle of the room. Ferdinand's expression changed, and he hurried to offer an explanation, only to hear a scream.
"Ah—"
Fiona shouted, not out of fear, but in sheer delight.
"A House-Elf!" she exclaimed.
"Yes." Dobby removed his hat and bowed: "House-Elf Dobby greets you, Madam Grey."
"Wow! He's so polite!" Fiona said, astonished, cupping her face. Then noticing Dobby's ragged clothes, she quickly said, "Wait a moment, Dobby!"
The mistress clattered away down the stairs, Ferdinand calming his racing heart, lowered the blinds, and instructed Dobby: "Don't tell her about Vid, Fiona knows nothing."
"Understood, sir!" Dobby said quietly, infected by his concern.
Not long after departing the study, Fiona reappeared with a bag, enthusiastically handing it to Dobby:
"It's so cold dressed like this in winter, isn't it? These are Vid's clothes from when he was young, only worn once or twice. They should fit you now, try them on."
Holding the bag, Dobby awkwardly said, "I... esteemed lady... I'm actually not cold..."
"Alright, alright, I understand!" Fiona said, sitting on the sofa, supporting her chin with a palm, smiling: "Go change!"
"Obeying orders" seems to be ingrained in the genes of House-Elves; even though she wasn't his master, Dobby instinctively prepared to tear away the rags on his body.
"Ahem!" Ferdinand suddenly coughed loudly, then seriously looked at Dobby and gestured: "The changing room is over there."
"Oh... okay..."
Dobby took the bag into the changing room, closing the door as he looked at the light overhead, thinking: "What am I doing? Why did I come in?"
But at this point, he couldn't just leave the bag and dash out; he finally changed into Vid's old clothes after a moment's hesitation.
The outfit was a boy's winter wear, and Fiona even thoughtfully included a pair of socks and shoes.
The clothes were a bit large for Dobby, he rolled up the sleeves twice, looking at the unfamiliar House-Elf in the mirror, he barely suppressed the urge to collapse and sob on the floor.
He never imagined his wish to wear decent clothes would be realized so soon.
With teary eyes, Dobby stepped out of the changing room, Fiona clapped her hands in delight, saying, "See, I knew this outfit was cute, but you're too thin, you should gain some weight to look better."
Dobby sniffed with his head down, his voice hoarse, "Thank you, Madam Grey... I never thought, never thought I'd receive such nice clothes."
"It's just an old outfit, you're too polite!" Fiona said with a smile.
At their parting, Ferdinand looked at Dobby, solemnly saying, "The matter... I'm entrusting it to you, Dobby."
Dobby nodded earnestly, "Dobby understands!"
He raised his hand, snapped his fingers, and disappeared on the spot with a "pop".
Ferdinand wiped his face, looked at his wife, and laughed, "Dobby is Vid's friend, he relayed a message for Vid... Vid... won't return before the school starts, he'll depart directly from the Black Family tomorrow."
Fiona sighed, "What a worrisome child... I hope he takes care of himself."
"Don't worry." Ferdinand embraced her shoulders, saying, "Vid has always been sensible. Knowing how concerned you are for him, he definitely... definitely won't act recklessly."
Fiona lowered her head onto her husband's shoulder, after a while she softly murmured "Hmm".
...
"John Adler?"
The voice from the mirror questioned, with the mirror's broad surface showing only a deep blue eye.
This ancient Two-Sided Mirror isn't as convenient as the Communication Pea, and it's much more expensive than both the Communication Pea and Friendship Book, but it has one advantage—even if the mirror is shattered, every fragment still connects to the other side's Two-Sided Mirror.
Werewolf Donovan stared unabashedly into those eyes in the mirror, speaking in a low voice: "Yes... we're at John Adler's manor, all of us summoned here. The upper echelon seems certain the Witch Pure Party is going to attack this place, they've already prepared a net to deal with them."
Donovan is a Muggle deliberately bitten by a werewolf, during his first Transfiguration, he lost sanity and unknowingly killed his own parents.
Afterwards, while being pursued by police, he joined the organization to preserve his life. Initially, he thought it was just a werewolf family huddled together for warmth; later he realized his tragedy was orchestrated by the organization, which was even producing more children just like him.
Donovan muddled through life into his thirties, utterly resentful of the organization but too cowardly to rebel.
Until one mission, he was captured by Vid and handed over to Dumbledore. Communing with the old man gave him hope of seeing the organization's eventual downfall, and he even volunteered to be Dumbledore's spy.
However, by then, Donovan was already labelled a traitor by the organization and returning would've meant certain death.
Thus he was temporarily imprisoned, later "accidentally" rescued a Vampire named Glanwhite caught by Dumbledore, they testified for each other, underwent thorough scrutiny, and thus rejoined the organization.
Even then, Donovan realized he never gained real trust, important tasks were no longer assigned to him, and supposed comrades continuously tested him overtly and covertly, while the organization sent precious Wizards to inspect him with strange spells several times.
Donovan accepted all observation openly; he wasn't under any magical control, betrayal was his own choice, a notion concealed deep within his memory by Dumbledore, beyond the organization's Wizards' reach.
Moreover, Donovan and Dumbledore had an agreement; he wasn't needed to relay trivial information, he'd only be activated during highly critical moments.
Donovan believed, that moment had arrived.