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Chapter 268: Recognition
Chapter 268: Recognition
Hermione clearly expressed her thoughts, and Sherlock listened attentively.
When she finished speaking, the office fell silent.
Fleur leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, intrigued by how Sherlock would respond.
Hermione became visibly nervous again, her breathing slightly rapid, and her eyes fixed on Sherlock with tension.
Sherlock's expression remained unchanged throughout Hermione's speech. When her voice trailed off and both girls turned their gaze to him, he finally showed a look of admiration.
"From the perspective of all intelligent beings, this is a very good and excellent idea, Miss Granger."
His affirmation stunned Fleur and left Hermione speechless.
"A-are you, are you praising me, professor?"
Hermione asked, her voice trembling.
Sherlock looked directly into her eyes, unflinching, and said with utmost seriousness.
"Your idea is very good, very correct, and very noble. It is something that deserves recognition."
Hermione covered her face, her body shaking as if she were about to cry.
Since she proposed the idea of house-elves gaining independence, everything around her had been filled with opposition. Even her closest friends, her dorm mates, Hagrid, and other professors told her without hesitation that it was impossible and meaningless.
Sherlock's affirmation meant a great deal to her!
"Speaking out against oppression and seeking the liberation of the enslaved is the most righteous thing in the world, Hermione."
Sherlock's voice was calm, like a soothing sea breeze that calmed the waves. It made Hermione, with her red-rimmed eyes, lower her hands from her face and listen quietly to him.
"Regardless of the era or the country, anyone who stands for all intelligent beings and is willing to do this can be called a hero. But do you know why there is so much opposition when you propose this idea?"
Hermione sniffed and nodded vigorously.
"I know. Harry thinks that house-elves enjoy serving wizards, that this form of servitude is something they like. But he doesn't understand that such ideas are instilled in them by wizards. The adults who truly understand these things think that house-elves are not human and have no value in being freed. They believe that keeping house-elves in service to wizards benefits the entire wizarding community."
"But all my life, I've been taught that enslaving a sentient being is wrong. Any being with self-awareness should not be categorized. Books have always told us what is just, but the adults keep talking about benefits. I don't want that. Righteous things need to be done, even if only by me."
"But everyone says I'm wrong", Hermione's voice was tinged with tears.
"You stand on a much higher ground than others. No one is as generous as you. Most people only consider things from the perspective of their own group. Those who oppose you are standing from the wizards' perspective. From that standpoint, you are indeed doing something wrong, Hermione."
Sherlock's voice did not waver.
"True liberation has never been peaceful. The obstacles you face now will only multiply when house-elves truly seek freedom, perhaps by a hundred or a thousand times. The consequences of such actions will be the same as a goblin rebellion, sparking a war in the Magic World."
Hermione was taken aback, and she hurriedly said,
"There must be a peaceful way. If Wizards are willing to pay house-elves for their work in the future, everything will be better."
"These are just ideal scenarios in your imagination, Hermione", Sherlock calmly interrupted her. "You are a smart and hardworking student, and you must have read a lot about both Muggle history and the history of magic. History teaches us that in any civilization, the oppressed must wage a war to truly gain their rights."
"Only war can secure genuine benefits, and only sufficient force can protect the status and respect that has been fought for. Your current thoughts are actually the catalyst for a future war between house-elves and Wizards. For those Wizards who see the bigger picture, they will naturally reject your ideas, as no one wants to see a war that brings no benefit to the Wizard community, whether they win or lose."
Hermione sat in the chair with an empty gaze, speaking almost unconsciously.
"So, what I want to do now is still wrong?"
Sherlock folded his hands on the desk.
"It depends on where you position yourself, Hermione. I can't make this decision for you; you have to think it through yourself. I can only clarify the different aspects of your choices. At the same time, my support for you is genuine. You are doing a just thing, but justice is never absolute."
"A hero in one country might be a heinous criminal in another. That's the situation you are facing now—whether to stand with the Wizards or the house-elves."
The office fell silent. Hermione stared blankly at the ceiling, lost in thought.
Sherlock stood up and patted her shoulder.
"You can take some time to think about it, Hermione. What is your true belief? Which kind of justice are you pursuing, and for whom? If you have any more questions, feel free to come back and ask. I don't know everything, but I can offer some advice and guidance."
Hermione finally left Sherlock's office. She didn't get the clear answer she wanted, but she wasn't completely dismissed either. Sherlock had shared many insights that no one else had, giving her plenty to think about for days to come.
After Hermione left, Fleur spoke to Sherlock for the first time.
"Why didn't you just tell her it was wrong? Why did you have to say so much?" Fleur asked, puzzled.
Sherlock poured himself a cup of tea; he had spoken a lot and his mouth was dry.
"Hermione is very intelligent. She has just hit a mental roadblock. Moreover, she needs my validation, so I gave her the recognition she sought. Complete rejection won't help someone accept their mistakes."
(End of Chapter)
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