Renouncing Magic's Child

Harry thoroughly enjoyed double Divination that afternoon;

"The world just stopped spinning," George said aghast.

they were still doing star charts ... very funny again.

Sirius smiled. It was good that they were back to being friends. Even if there were things Sirius didn't like about the other boy, he had to concede that he had been an exceptionally good friend at times.

Professor Trelawney, ... Pluto could disrupt everyday life.

Trelawney glared at them both.

"I would think," ... I saw gazing back at me?"

Severus sighed. Sybill was not one of his favourites among the teaching staff.

"An ugly old bat ... under his breath.

"Ronald!" Mrs Weasley said crossly. "That's no way to speak about your teacher."

Harry fought hard ... "Death, my dears."

Sirius barely held back a growl.

Parvati and Lavender ... ever lower over the castle... "

Harry grimaced. She didn't know how right she was. He'd been surrounded by death ever since that blasted tournament. First Cedric. Then Sirius. The the headmaster. Moody. The list just kept growing.

She stared pointedly ... I'd be a medical miracle."

"You already are," Astoria said. People didn't just survive the killing curse.

"You'd be a sort of extra-concentrated ghost," said Ron, chortling,

That got a round of laughter from everyone in the chamber.

as they passed ... I love not working when she is..."

That elicited a sigh from Mrs Weasley.

But Hermione wasn't at dinner, ... he lost his enthusiasm for the idea.

"That's just creepy," George said with a shudder, causing Ron to glare at him, his ears pink.

"Wonder where she's got to?" ... most amazing thing's happened - please -"

Everyone sat forward. It would be nice for something good to happen to Harry for a change.

She seized Harry's ... back along the corridor.

"Hermione, dear, we do not drag people," Mrs Granger said. "I should hope there's an emergency. I can't think of any other reason to be dragging someone around by the arm."

Hermione just rolled her eyes.

"What's the matter?" ... oh come on, quick -"

The adults all sighed. While children did that sort of thing all the time, adults would never stand for it. You didn't expect someone to go somewhere without telling them the details. It was just rude. It wasn't exactly surprising though. These children were practically left unsupervised for nine months of the year. The school clearly needed more teachers.

Harry looked around at Ron; ... until you get back, shall I?"

"She's such a drama queen," Ron huffed.

"Yeah, thanks!" ... "Wait a minute, Hermione..."

"The kitchens?" Cedric asked. What was so important about the kitchens that Hermione couldn't stop and explain?

"What?" ... rope us into that spew stuff again!"

And they were back to the bickering. It was actually proving to be a bit of a relief whenever Harry fell out with one of his friends because the incessant bickering paused. At least that's how most of the adults felt about it anyway.

"No, no, I'm not!" ... the House-Elf Liberation Front?

"Better name than SPEW," Theo muttered to Draco.

I'm not barging into that kitchen ... to talk to them all,

"That's quite mature of you, Hermione." Mrs Granger smiled. "I hope you listened to them."

and I found ... "Harry Potter, sir! Harry Potter!"

"Huh?" Fred asked.

Next second ... thought his ribs would break.

Sirius smiled at that. Elves could be very loyal. Kreacher certainly was to his brother.

"D-Dobby?" ... which were very different.

"Freedom suited Dobby," Lucius said. "A short period of freedom wouldn't do much harm, but he needed a family."

His voice was full of grief. Dobby's death clearly bothered him.

When Dobby had worked for the Malfoys,

"The pillowcases were a punishment," Lucius said. "My father told them that they had to wear a dirty pillowcase whenever they thought he would be displeased with them. Unfortunately, he was always displeased with them. When I took over as Lord, I revoked the order, but Dobby... well, he always did listen to Father more than I'd like."

he had always worn ... The other was covered in pink and orange stripes.

Lucius smiled at that. Dobby had always loved bright coloured.

"Dobby, what're you doing here?" ... Winky's had been, like a toga.

"I've never understood the tea towels and pillowcases," Harry said. "Sure, you can't give them clothes. But what is stopping you buying them material to make their own? They could all have smart little uniforms."

Everyone just stared at him in bewilderment. Harry was pretty sure this wasn't the first time he'd said as much either. But they were acting like it had never even occurred to them.

Dobby stopped ... a burn in her skirt.

"Oh, dear," Narcissa said softly. "That poor elf."

"Hello, Winky," ... But Winky cried harder than ever.

Barty frowned. It wasn't right. Winky had been good to their family. She didn't deserve this.

Dobby, ... a large plate of biscuits.

The younger ones were fascinated by what they were hearing. Most of them had never seen a house-elf until coming to Mother Magic's realm. Most families - even pureblood families - weren't old enough or rich enough to have them.

"Good service!" ... they bowed very low and retreated.

"I thought you said they don't want to be thanked or praised," young Hermione said.

"No. We told you that isn't why they help us," Lucius said patiently. "Everyone likes to be thanked for their hard work."

Hermione looked confused. "I don't..."

"How long have you ... very difficult indeed -"

Hermione huffed at that.

"You have to consider Miss Granger," Narcissa said, "that an elf is usually only removed from the family for doing something unforgivable, like endangering children. Who would risk allowing such a person, human or elf, to be around their children? Joining their own family?"

At this, Winky howled ... no effort to stem the flow.

Barty could only remind himself that it would be different in the future. He would be able to protect Winky. He glanced at Harry Potter and wondered if he was being a fool for believing that Harry Potter might save him from his father. His Lord - Tom - certainly seemed to think the younger wix would. And T-tom was not a fool.

"Dobby has traveled ... Dobby wants paying now!"

Lucius chuckled. He would have happily given Dobby money to buy his own clothes if that was something the elf had wanted. At least, he would have if he knew that it wouldn't break the oath. He'd need to look into the Prince's suggestion of buying material for the elves. An elf like Dobby should be surrounded by colour.

The house-elves all around ... rude and embarrassing.

"I still don't get it," Hermione said. "You said Hogwarts is full of elves that have been badly treated?"

"Well, many of them have, yes," Lucius said. "Although still more have grown up in the castle."

"Then why is what Dobby said so shameful?"

"It's a culture thing," Harry said. "They serve because they care. They don't do it for praise or recognition. Or to be paid. But because it is honourable to them. It's an act of service. A kindness that they bestow upon those that safeguard their magic."

Hermione frowned. How did Harry know that.

Recognising the expression on her face, Harry said, "I read about it in a book."

"I didn't find that in any of the books in the Hogwarts Library."

"I read about it at Grimmauld Place," he said.

Hermione, however, ... Dobby likes being free!"

Lucius smiled. He could respect that. While he'd prefer giving Dobby to the Prince so that he could have the security of an oath, he would give Dobby his freedom if that's what he truly wanted. Even if it would eventually take his life. It would hurt him deeply to do it but he respected the little elf's wishes too much to ignore them.

The Hogwarts house-elves ... shouting shrilly over Winky's screeches.

Barty nearly got to his feet and left the chamber. He didn't want to hear about this. Even second hand, it broke his heart.

"And then Dobby had the idea ... Professor Dumbledore took us on!"

Albus smiled. It was a Hogwarts tradition. They never turned away an elf in need. It was written into his contract as headmaster.

Dobby beamed ... one day off a month!"

Lucius smiled sadly. He felt strangely happy for Dobby.

"That's not very much!" ... screaming and fist-beating.

"Hermione!" Mrs Granger shook her head in frustration.

"Just what do you think Dobby will spend the money on?" Neville asked. "His food is provided by the school, his living-arrangements are also provided. Everything he could possibly need is provided for him. So, Dobby is probably going to spend it on fun stuff... I'm guessing socks. He seems to like socks. But there's only so many socks anyone can own."

"It's the principle of the matter," Hermione said.

"No. It's really not. If food and lodging is provided, you could argue that is already a large part of his wages," Mr Granger said.

"It's not dissimilar to the Hogwarts staff," Minerva said. "We do not earn as much as most masters. Because the cost of our rooms and food are taken from our wages. Of course, staff that live off site, make more, but they also have to spend more. The cost of living at Hogwarts is significantly less than owning or renting a property anywhere else in magical Britain."

"Professor Dumbledore ... he likes work better."

Lucius grinned. He still held hope that Dobby would be willing to bond with Harry instead of being free.

"And how much ... Winky?" Hermione asked kindly.

Barty glared at the girl. "Why would you ask that?" he demanded. "She clearly feels ashamed that she's been dismissed."

"I was trying..." Hermione sighed. "I didn't consider that it might upset her."

If she had thought ... Winky is properly ashamed of being freed!"

Barty frowned. "Winky shouldn't be ashamed. If anyone should be ashamed, it's my father."

"Ashamed?" ... he was really horrible to you -"

Barty sighed. While he agreed with the girl, there was no point telling that to Winky.

But at these words, ... Mr. Crouch is right to sack bad Winky!"

Barty disagreed. Winky had always been kind to him.

"Winky is having trouble ... but she won't do it."

Lucius chuckled. That was just like Dobby. He always was a cheeky little one.

"Can't house-elves ... the house-elf's enslavement, sir.

It broke Lucius a little to hear Dobby talk about being a member of his family as enslavement, even if he did understand. Narcissa took his hand in silent comfort.

We keeps their secrets and our silence ... a barmy old codger if we likes, sir!"

Albus smiled brightly at that. And Lucius nodded at him, gratitude in his expression. He was relieved that someone was showing Dobby kindness.

Dobby gave a frightened ... his secrets and our silence for him."

Hermione frowned. She really didn't understand all this. It just didn't make sense. "Is that part of the oath? I can't remember hearing that..."

"The house elf gives an oath to honour the master of the house and his family and treat them as kin," Narcissa said. "Keeping their master's secrets and their silence, is just one of the ways they do that. Much like you would hopefully not dishonour your parents in public."

"But you can say ... Dobby's immense eyes.

Lucius struggled to hide a wide grin. He would like Dobby to lose the fear he had of the Malfoy family.

"Dobby - Dobby could," ... bad Dark wizards!"

Lucius sighed. The elf wasn't wrong. Not exactly. Yes, they were dark. And yes, he had done terrible things. It really didn't matter that many of them were under direst. 

Dobby stood for a moment, ... a bit of practice," Harry said.

Lucius outright laughed at that. He'd love to see Dobby bad mouth his father. Preferably right at his portrait.

"Practice!" ... what they think anymore!"

"But if the oath is broken why is Winky still acting like..." young Hermione asked, not quite knowing how to finish.

"She might no longer have a place in the Crouch family," Narcissa said gently, "but she still loves them. It isn't a bond built on slavery but a bond of love."

Hermione nodded. That did sort of make sense. She'd still love her parents even if they sent her away and never spoke to her again. She'd be angry, of course. But would she stop loving them? She didn't think so.

"Oh you is a bad elf, ... "You is seeing him here at Hogwarts?"

"I'm not sure that will help," Seamus said.

"Yes," said Hermione, ... "Bagman - bad?" said Harry.

Everyone sat forward, wondering what that was about. The aurors knew he'd been accused of passing information to the death eaters during the first war. Was that what the elf was referring to?

"Oh yes," ... his plans for his wages.

"He's an odd little elf," Sirius said with a grin. He'd definitely warmed to the elf. He hadn't been overly enthused when they'd first met him in the second book. His idea of saving Harry involved far too much endangering Harry for Sirius's liking.

"Dobby is going to buy .... You don't mind maroon, do you?"

Mrs Weasley wasn't sure how to feel about that. On one side it was very kind of Ron to give away his jumper. But she would be making it for him. Did he not appreciate them? Or was it her fault for forgetting that he didn't like maroon? She needed to start remembering that. And if she couldn't, she'd do well to write it down.

Dobby was delighted ... bowing and curtsying,

Several people rolled their eyes.

"Miss Granger, please don't think I'm telling you these things to be cruel," Narcissa said, "but I just... Well, I appreciate to you it might look like they are bowing because they are slaves who see us as their masters."

"What do you mean to ME?" Hermione asked crossly.

"You're muggle-raised," she said. "And I mean no offense in pointing that out. But our cultures are very different. In many ways, the wixen world is more traditional. We bow to one another often. It doesn't happen at Hogwarts, obviously. But when you're out in the wider world, you'll see it often. It's part of our culture and to not give an appropriate bow to someone of a higher rank than yourself is seen as dishonourable. It is nearly as bad as not shaking an offered hand. The elves culture is different again but in many ways Wixen culture is actually closer to the house-elve's culture than the muggles'."

Hermione thought about that. Perhaps she was mistaking things because she was seeing it through the lens of her own culture. She'd read about that sort of prejudice.

but Harry and Ron ... Dobby beamed.

Lucius smiled at the Prince.

"You know what?" ... They can't wait to give it away!"

George looked scandalised that the secret was out.

"I think this is the best ... they want that too!"

No one said anything. They could only hope that they'd said enough on this subject for the two Hermiones to consider that things might be different to how she perceived.

"Let's hope they don't ... she is without that Crouch man."

Barty thought that was unlikely.

"She seems to love him," ... "At least Bagman's got a sense of humor."

The chamber had mixed responses to that. Some agreeing. Others, while not liking Crouch, couldn't help but think that Bagman was highly suspicious. Why had he tried to help Harry?

"Don't let Percy hear you ... wearing Dobby's tea cozy."

"HEY!" Percy glared at his younger brother.