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Chapter 296: Hermione's Resignation
Chapter 296: Hermione's Resignation
But Hermione was undoubtedly intrigued by Dobby.
"When did you start to think that the master's words aren't always absolute commands, and that you should sometimes make decisions for your own life?"
Dobby was a bit unfamiliar with Hermione, but because she was Harry's friend, he didn't refuse to talk.
"Dobby's old master was very cruel to Dobby. Whenever he was unhappy, he would make Dobby punish himself." At this point, Dobby's eyes were filled with fear. "Sometimes Dobby did nothing wrong, but still had to punish himself, because only then would the old master be pleased."
"Back then, Dobby wondered why Dobby had to do this when Dobby did nothing wrong. The master Dobby served was... he was an evil, bad wizard!"
It seemed to take all of Dobby's strength to say those words. Then, as if he couldn't control himself, he started banging his big head on the table.
"Bad Dobby! Bad Dobby!"
Fortunately, Hermione immediately grabbed him and stopped his self-harm.
"Thank you, Harry's friend", Dobby panted. "Dobby still needs practice, he still needs practice."
Upon hearing this, Winky immediately screamed, her anger reaching a peak.
"You should be ashamed of yourself! Not practicing! Dobby! How dare you speak about your master like that!"
"He isn't my master anymore!" Dobby retorted. "Dobby has no master now; he is just working for Dumbledore!"
"You are a bad elf", Winky sobbed, tears streaming down her face. "I can't imagine how Mr. Crouch would live without me. His wife is long gone, and he has no one to take care of him. He is all alone at home, sobbing."
Hermione watched Winky with a thoughtful expression. She didn't say anything bad about Crouch in front of her but instead asked tentatively.
"Can you tell me how you lived as children? Did you receive any education?"
But Winky was deeply saddened and didn't answer Hermione's question. Instead, Dobby spoke up.
"House-elves don't have schools of our own. After we are born, we are usually educated by our parents. House-elf magic doesn't need to be learned specifically; it comes naturally with age."
In front of Dobby, Hermione didn't have to be as cautious.
"So, what did your parents teach you?"
Dobby recalled.
"They taught me how to better serve the master and the family. My mother passed on her cooking skills to me, and my father taught me how to maintain the garden. They also told me how to make the master happy and what taboos house-elves should avoid."
"Is that all they taught you?" Hermione's eyes held a hidden sympathy, but she didn't show it.
"What else could there be?" Dobby didn't feel particularly pitiful about it. "Their lifelong dream was to have their heads cut off and hung on the wall after they died, as that is the highest honor for a house-elf. In the end, they got their wish. Compared to Dobby, they were very much loved by their masters."
"If you ever have children, Dobby, would you educate them the same way?" Hermione asked carefully.
Dobby had never thought about such profound matters before, but after Hermione asked, he hesitated for a moment before shaking his large head.
"Dobby will tell his children the benefits of freedom! House-elves don't have to be slaves to any wizard! We like to work, but we should also be paid! This is... this is..."
He struggled for a long time but couldn't articulate the reason. Hermione, with a serious expression, helped him finish the sentence.
"This is the right of every intelligent being!"
Dobby looked delighted.
"You're right, I'll remember your name, Hermione. This is the right of every intelligent being!"
Dobby then chatted with them for a while, excitedly talking about how he planned to spend the wages he would earn.
He puffed out his bare chest and said he wanted to buy himself a sweater.
Ron, though uninterested in Hermione's previous House-Elf Liberation Front, really liked Dobby's independent spirit.
He said he was willing to give Dobby one of the sweaters his mother had knitted for him. Mrs. Weasley always made a new one for her children every Christmas.
Dobby was thrilled. He said he could shrink Ron's sweater a bit to fit his size.
They talked for about two hours before Harry and the others finally prepared to leave the kitchen.
The house-elves were extremely enthusiastic, stuffing their pockets with all sorts of small snacks and bowing respectfully as they escorted them out.
Before leaving, Hermione took a deep, meaningful look at the house-elves and at Dobby, who was happily returning to work.
"I don't need to think about how to liberate these house-elves anymore."
Ron and Harry looked at her in shock.
"You've changed your mind?"
"You finally see that these house-elves really enjoy their work?"
Hermione shook her head, a relieved smile on her face.
"It's not that they need me. I am a wizard, and I am one of those who benefit from their service. Even if we manage to help them achieve equal status from the wizard perspective, it won't be solid."
"To gain true respect and equality, they need to make an effort from within. Only freedom gained from the bottom up is true freedom. Some of them are already starting to think this way."
"Dobby is the first, but certainly not the last. His awakened thoughts will influence his descendants, and his descendants will influence more house-elves. The appearance of house-elves like Dobby is far more important than the existence of wizards like me."
Harry and Ron exchanged glances, not fully understanding Hermione's long speech.
But neither of them delved into the meaning of her words. As long as Hermione wasn't insisting on leading a house-elf rebellion, which was a ridiculous idea, it was a good thing for them.
The three of them walked down the castle corridor, heading back to the Gryffindor Common Room, when they suddenly noticed that it was snowing heavily outside the castle.
"Hey, it's almost Christmas!" Ron said excitedly.
Harry shrugged.
"I'm actually curious about how we'll spend this Christmas."
(End of Chapter)
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