https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-532-Is-That-Even-Humanly-Possible-/12538872/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-534-You-re-Approaching-This-the-Wrong-Way/12538874/
Chapter 533: House-elves and Centaurs
Chapter 533: House-elves and Centaurs
For most people, the first phase of the holidays is a time for unrestrained entertainment and play. It's only as the start of term approaches that they remember the existence of homework.
And so, on the last day of the Christmas break, this scene unfolded in the Hufflepuff common room. Gone were the cheerful voices from previous days, replaced by the frantic scribbling of quills as students frantically completed their untouched assignments on any available flat surface.
This was a traditional group activity for Hufflepuffs, occurring once or twice a year.
With only one day left before classes resumed, time was of the essence. Even during lunchtime, few students bothered to leave, making the usually bustling Hufflepuff tables seem sparse in comparison to the other houses.
Of course, it was also possible that the proximity of the Hufflepuff common room to the kitchen allowed them to eat lunch without venturing to the Great Hall... as some students from other houses were also acting rather peculiar.
Among them were Gryffindor's Harry and Ron, who hastily stuffed their pockets with roasted potatoes and dashed out after merely five minutes.
Hermione trailed behind them, lecturing incessantly.
However, as they reached the entrance of the Great Hall, she abruptly halted, opting not to accompany them. Instead, she turned the corner and made her way directly towards the Hufflepuff area.
Kyle, who had been discussing fire crossbows with Cedric, looked up and spotted Hermione seating herself at an empty spot across from them.
"Hermione?" Kyle asked instinctively. "Did you have another fight with Ron?"
"No," Hermione said. "I've realized that arguing with him only makes me feel worse, and it's completely pointless. This time, I came to find you."
"Me?"
"Because of this," Hermione said, producing a box and placing it on the table after opening it.
Kyle and Cedric leaned in to take a look.
The box contained several dozen badges of various colors, all bearing the same letters.
S.P.E.W.
"Spew?" Cedric blurted out. "You don't plan to use these to jeer at the champions from other schools during the second task, do you...? I don't think Professor McGonagall would approve of that."
"Not spew," Hermione said irritably. It was clear that many had misunderstood her already.
But she took a breath to calm herself and explained, "It stands for the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare."
"Elfish welfare?" Cedric looked at Kyle, thoroughly confused. "Have you ever heard of it?"
"No," Kyle shook his head.
"I founded it just two months ago," Hermione said decisively. "The goal is to fight for the rights and wages that house-elves deserve."
"Wages... for house-elves?" Cedric was even more bewildered, wondering if he had heard her correctly.
"Yes, that's right," Hermione said, her voice rising slightly. "I believe that many wizards are treating house-elves as slaves. They receive no wages, have no holidays, and the horrifying truth is that there are over a hundred such house-elves right here at Hogwarts..."
Hermione spoke passionately, her fervor increasing as she went on, as if she were delivering an election speech for the Minister of Magic.
Upon hearing her words, many students couldn't help but burst into laughter, and the nearby Slytherins were laughing so hard that they were slamming their hands on the table.
Cedric, with his impeccable manners, managed to maintain his composure and listen to Hermione's speech to the end.
"So, I think we should help them..." Hermione continued. "Would you like to join? It's just two Sickles for a badge, which will be used to print flyers later."
"I'm sorry," Cedric said, "but may I ask how many members you have so far?"
"Well..." Hermione said, "Six. Me, Harry, Ron, Neville, and Fred and George."
"Fred..." Cedric was incredulous. "They joined, too?"
"Yes," Hermione confirmed. "Although they said they won't participate in any activities, they still bought badges..."
Kyle raised an eyebrow, suspecting that Fred and Ron had paid the two Sickles primarily because they found the "spew" badges amusing. With a slight modification, the badges could be altered to display an image of a house-elf—perfect for jeering at Krum during the tournament.
"Would you like to join us?" Hermione asked hopefully, sliding the box forward.
"If there's no need to participate in the activities..." Cedric said as he took out two Sickles and handed them to Hermione, "I can buy a badge."
Conor, sitting beside him, did the same, offering his support as a friend... on the condition that he didn't have to wear the badge.
It was too reminiscent of the Weasley twins' prank badges, strikingly similar to the "Bighead Boy" badge they had once given Percy. Wearing it would be embarrassing.
Both Cedric and Conor paid, but Kyle remained still.
"You don't want to?" Hermione looked slightly disappointed, as her impression of Kyle didn't align with his current attitude.
However, she wasn't ready to give up.
In her mind, Kyle's stance was crucial. If he agreed to join, his status as a champion could help her attract more members.
Taking a deep breath, Hermione spoke louder, "This is slave labor. Every bite of food we eat is a product of the exploitation of house-elves. So, do you also think it's right to join in this injustice?
Before she could finish her sentence, however, someone pulled her back.
"I understand where you're coming from, Hermione." Kyle shook his head and said, "But your approach is wrong. I assume you've been to the kitchen?"
"Yes," Hermione said, "I tried to convince them to fight for their wages."
"And what happened then?" Kyle asked further.
This time, Hermione remained silent.
After a long while, she mumbled, "House-elves have been enslaved for too long, and that's why they need our help. I believe..."
"Wait a moment," Kyle interrupted. "A few words aren't enough to explain this. How about this: if you have the time, would you come with me? I'll take you to a place... and if you still feel the same afterward, I'll buy a badge."
"Okay!" Hermione said, "Where are we going?"
"Just follow me, and you'll see," Kyle replied.
Conor thought about it and decided to follow as well, and needless to say, so did Cedric, who even called over Cho, who was eating nearby.
The group walked out of the Great Hall, and then Kyle led them through the castle gates, heading in the direction of the Forbidden Forest.
Hagrid's cabin was closed tightly, and as they approached, loud roars could be heard from within.
Soon, the door opened, and Hagrid poked his head out, looking disheveled. Evidently, even in his current state of mind, he hadn't forgotten his most important duty...
"You lot." He called out to the group as they were about to enter the Forbidden Forest, "If you're here to see me, then go back. I just want to be alone right now.
And if you're thinking of going into the forest, go back as well. It's too dangerous in there. As long as I'm not expelled, I can't let you in."
"Sorry, Hagrid." Kyle stopped in his tracks and said, "We have something important to do. If we can't go into the forest... could you call for a centaur, please?"
"Oh, no, go back," Hagrid replied.
"We really do have something important," Kyle insisted. "Please, Hagrid."
This time, Hagrid hesitated before stumbling out of the cabin.
"Alright," he said, "But before I go back inside, you must promise not to take another step forward. Wait here."
"No problem," Kyle agreed.
Hagrid nodded and ventured deeper into the Forbidden Forest.
Kyle kept his word and stood there, continuing his discussion with Cedric about the Firebolt.
"To be honest, the Firebolt is amazing in every way. It's hard to imagine how you managed to hold off Harry for so long last year."
"Yeah, I was surprised myself," Cedric said. "You were incredibly agile when dodging the Snitch. The Firebolt is truly the broom of every Seeker's dreams."
"You can buy one too. After I get the thousand galleons from the Triwizard Tournament, I can lend you some money," Kyle offered.
"No need. I'll be in my seventh year next year, so it's not worth it for just one year," Cedric replied.
"What about after graduation, then?" Kyle asked, "You want to join a professional Quidditch team, don't you? You can't do that with a Cleansweep 1700."
"That's right, Kyle," Conor chimed in, "And if you still need more money, I can lend you some too."
As they spoke, Hermione stood silently by.
Soon, Hagrid returned with a centaur.
The centaur had strikingly blue eyes, and his platinum blond hair shimmered. He was very handsome, and his lower body was that of a pale golden horse, equally beautiful.
"Thanks, Hagrid," Kyle said as he stepped forward to greet the centaur. "Hello, Firenze."
"Hello, young one," Firenze said, "Oh, I recognize you. You're the one who rescued the baby unicorn from that Dark wizard."
"That was a few years ago," Kyle replied.
"Yes, that baby unicorn has grown up now," Firenze said, "But back to the matter at hand. Hagrid mentioned you wanted to speak to us centaurs. Is there something you need?"
"Just a simple question," Kyle said, "Firenze, what do you think of the fact that we wizards always wear clothes?"
"Perplexing,"
Firenze blurted out, "I cannot fathom why you would choose to punish yourselves in such a harsh manner when you are still young foals and have done nothing wrong."
"Wait, are you saying that our clothes are a form of punishment?" Hermione asked, unable to hold back.
"Yes," Firenze replied gravely, "In our tribe, only those who have committed grave mistakes are forcibly wrapped in cloth and leaves, depriving them of their connection to nature."
"Thank you, Firenze, that's all I wanted to know," Kyle said, "Please give my regards to Magorian."
"I will," Firenze said.
However, just before returning to the Forbidden Forest, he hesitated and added, "I truly suggest that you free yourselves from these shackles and embrace the allure of nature... After all, you have done nothing wrong."
"Er... no thanks," Cho said warily, taking a step back and eyeing Firenze with suspicion.
(End of Chapter)
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