Chapter 1227: A Deal
Chapter 1227: A Deal
The next day, when Harry was alone with Ron and Hermione, he told them about his conversation with Dumbledore the previous night.
Seeing the tense and shocked expressions on their faces, Harry felt an inexplicable urge to laugh, and the restlessness he had been feeling seemed to dissipate.
"So, the Horcrux..." Ron began, but Harry interrupted him.
"That thing," Harry corrected.
"So, there are only two left," Ron continued.
"Even in the worst-case scenario, if Harry has to go looking for it, there might only be one left to find?" Hermione interjected, remembering that Harry had mentioned Dumbledore would take him to find one.
"I don't know," Harry said, closing the Marauder's Map in his hand. He paced back and forth three times in front of the wall opposite the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy being beaten by the giant club, where the entrance to the Room of Requirement was located, only to find that it couldn't be opened again.
"What's wrong?" Ron asked, confused.
"Lately, this place hasn't been opening up," Harry said, frowning.
"Maybe there's a couple in there on a date," Hermione suggested, not finding it strange at all. "I remember Albert used to come here for dates quite often."
"I have a strange premonition!" Harry said, staring at the closed door, though he couldn't quite put his finger on what was bothering him.
"What do you sense?" Ron asked curiously.
"I'm not sure," Harry replied, shaking his head.
"I think Hermione's right," Ron said, patting Harry on the shoulder. "Maybe there's a couple in there, and if it were me, I'd probably choose to have my dates here too. Have you been feeling too stressed lately?"
Harry shot Ron a sideways glance, knowing that this guy must have been influenced by his frequent readings of Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches. Was he trying to emulate the book's methods to get closer to Hermione?
Changing the subject, Harry asked, "Do you know what Malfoy has been up to lately?"
"Why are you bringing up Malfoy again?" Ron asked, looking at Harry with suspicion.
"Well, Malfoy has been acting strangely this year. Remember what happened with Katie?" Harry prompted.
"You still suspect him," Hermione said, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, I suspect Malfoy is secretly plotting something," Harry said, cutting off Hermione. "At least by the end of this term, something will definitely happen, and it's likely to be related to Malfoy."
"This is just your speculation," Hermione said, clearly displeased with Harry's accusation. Although she disliked Malfoy as well, she would not make baseless accusations against him.
"Don't get worked up, Hermione," Harry said soothingly. "It's just a speculation, and we can wait and see. Well, we could even place a bet on it."
"Alright, Hermione, Harry said it's just a speculation," Ron interrupted before Hermione could argue further. "It's just a guess."
Although Ron didn't agree with Harry's belief that Malfoy was a Death Eater, he hated the Malfoy family even more and was willing to believe Harry's hunch.
After all, it was just a guess.
"I wish Dobby were still at Hogwarts," Harry said softly, feeling a pang of regret that Dobby had left Hogwarts. Of the house-elves he knew at Hogwarts, only Kreacher remained, and he wasn't sure if he could convince him to help.
"What do you need Dobby for?" Hermione asked sharply, picking up on Harry's intention.
"I want to go to the kitchen," Harry replied, as if he had made a decision.
"Are you going to look for Kreacher?" Hermione asked, growing more confused and unsure of what Harry was planning.
Hermione and Ron exchanged glances and hurried after Harry to the kitchen.
As always, the Hogwarts kitchen was unwelcoming to Hermione. The house-elves avoided her like the plague, making it clear that they did not approve of her presence.
Fortunately, one of the house-elves brought them some pies, and Ron took a few pieces from the plate, thanking the creature while offering a piece to Hermione.
"Let's not disappoint them," Ron said between mouthfuls.
"I'm here to see Kreacher. Do you know where he is?" Harry asked one of the house-elves.
The elf hesitated for a moment, then led Harry to a corner of the kitchen, where another house-elf was huddled over some task, looking dejected.
Harry could understand that since Dobby had left Hogwarts with Albert, Winky had no other friends left at the school.
"Winky," Harry called softly.
The house-elf lifted her head, her eyes dull and vacant.
The sight tugged at Hermione's heartstrings.
"I want to ask you for a favor," Harry said in a low voice. "After I graduate from Hogwarts, I invite you to come live with me."
Both Ron and Hermione stared at Harry, clearly surprised by his offer.
"If you don't want to come with me, I can help you find a new job. Dobby is currently working for Albert, and he's happy there. You could go and keep Dobby company." As he spoke, Harry held out his hand. "Either way, I don't think you want to stay here at Hogwarts."
Winky finally raised her head, her gaze falling on Harry's outstretched palm.
"Winky is a bad elf," she mumbled.
"That's not your fault. It's Voldemort's fault for bringing misfortune and ruining your life."
Harry placed his hand on the trembling house-elf's head and gently soothed her. "If you want to take revenge on Voldemort, I can help you with that too, because I happen to have a score to settle with him as well."
Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but Ron stopped her.
"What does Harry Potter want Winky to do?" The house-elf's body trembled slightly as she finally asked.
"I need you to keep an eye on Malfoy, Draco Malfoy. I want to know what he's been up to lately. If he goes into the Room of Requirement, I hope you'll come and tell me when there are no other outsiders around."
"After it's all over, you can wait for me to graduate, or I can introduce you to Albert." Harry gave the house-elf two options. "As you know, Albert has always been good to house-elves."
"Don't feel pressured to decide now. You can let me know later."
"Surveillance... on Draco Malfoy."
Winky reached out and placed her hand on Harry's palm, her eyes sparkling.
She had agreed.
"Okay, just be careful and don't get caught. Also, stay safe." Harry patted the house-elf's head gently.
Winky nodded stiffly.
"Harry..."
After the trio left the kitchen, Hermione glared at Harry, puzzled by his actions.
"Winky doesn't have any other friends here at Hogwarts anyway."
"But you shouldn't..."
"It's just a deal," Harry said, looking at Hermione with a slight smile. "A deal that benefits everyone."
"But..."
"I need to figure out what Malfoy is up to." Harry spoke softly. "And for Winky, whether she chooses to come with me or go to Albert, it's a good outcome. Ultimately, the choice is hers, and I think this is the best result for her. You must have noticed that the other house-elves at Hogwarts don't treat Winky very well."
"Of course, if you start your own family in the future, you can also invite Winky to live with you." Harry looked calmly at Hermione. "I know you've always wanted to advocate for house-elf rights, but to be frank, I don't know if, after what happened a couple of years ago, you've ever come to the kitchen to comfort Winky."
Hermione's mouth hung slightly open, unsure of how to respond. She had gone to the kitchen, but the house-elves there didn't welcome her, so her visits had been infrequent.
"But you shouldn't take advantage of..."
"Advantage? No, it's a deal," Harry interrupted directly. "I don't think house-elves need my pity."
"If you want to convince her, you'll need to use other methods," Ron added.
"Yes, that's right," Harry agreed. "If Winky is willing, I don't mind accepting her. And if I die, Albert certainly won't mind having another house-elf to help out. Their joke shop is always busy, and Winky can work there with Dobby. Being with a friend, I think she'll be happier than she is now."
(In the previous chapter, Dumbledore didn't mention that the crown had already been destroyed. That was actually Albert's request, as mentioned in the book.) (End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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