Seeing Wade successfully divert Hermione's attention, everyone else let out a relaxed smile, except for Michael and Padma, whose brows were thoughtfully furrowed.
Theo whispered to Ryan, "Hermione will realize after her investigation—the House-elves at Hogwarts are already the happiest elves, and they don't want to leave at all."
Ryan nodded and added, "Actually, if there's to be change, it should target old wizarding families like the Malfoys. Their practices are indeed very cruel."
"Most families don't do that. My grandfather's family has an elf, and we all treat him like family."
Theo said, "And House-elves sometimes punish themselves. Their masters have to order them to stop self-harming."
Ryan nodded.
Although he didn't have an elf in his family, Ryan felt that the Black Family's story showed that some wizards truly cared about House-elves. Regulus Black would rather die than harm Kreacher.
While Hermione was busy with her survey, Padma and Michael sidled up to Wade's table.
Michael pretended to be discussing something, holding his book upright, and whispered, "Am I imagining things, Wade? I somehow feel like you've actually considered freeing the House-elves?"
"If you've studied Muggle history, you'd know—the awakening of slave consciousness and the struggle for resistance lasted for thousands of years, from the gladiator Spartacus leading slave revolts to the modern abolitionist movements—considering that, it's quite natural, isn't it?"
Wade said casually.
Padma also whispered, "So you actually support Hermione? You just think her method is wrong?"
She glanced at Michael, and the two secretly exchanged looks.
Although… although Padma was very reluctant to give up a life served by House-elves, if Wade also thought Hermione's approach was right… then it meant they were wrong… right?
Their friendship made them feel they could endure life's inconveniences and go through fire and water for their friend's ideals.
But Wade sighed, then shook his head.
He said, "If I truly supported Hermione, I would tell her—the truly effective approach isn't giving elves clothes, nor is it a survey—because we all know Hermione is destined not to get the answers she wants."
"Then what do you think should be done?" Michael pressed.
This time, however, Wade didn't answer, only smiling helplessly.
How to awaken slave consciousness and make them realize they are being exploited has countless successful precedents throughout history.
Hogwarts's House-elves are not good candidates for liberation because they live a privileged life. The teachers and students at the school don't beat or abuse them, nor do they suffer from hunger.
They are immersed in contentment and have no desire to change.
Elves like Dobby, whose living conditions are dire, are the prime targets for Hermione's work.
To change the elves' minds, they must be guided to awaken, educated about right and wrong, and made to realize that their rights are stripped, their dignity trampled, and even their survival and reproduction are threatened and controlled by wizards… to realize that this life is extremely tragic and unjust.
They need to describe their suffering to their peers, confide in each other, help each other, and find the emotional support, motivation, and encouragement for change within a collective of similar circumstances.
They must be given small choices, starting with clothing and food, to gradually improve their lives; then, external changes must disrupt these choices, sparking the House-elves' desire and courage to fight for their rights.
Some of them must have the opportunity to live in a truly safe environment, to receive love, respect, equality, and justice, so they can truly realize how painful their past was and awaken their self-awareness as "sentient beings."
But this change is destined to be slow and painful, and it will inevitably be accompanied by war and sacrifice. When the House-elves truly awaken, the wizards' disaster will come.
Moreover, individuals with clear, rational minds who understand not to indiscriminately spread hatred are rare species. Self-aware House-elves might hate all humanoid creatures and might unite with Centaurs, Werewolves, Giants, Goblins, and other species to seek revenge on humans.
Even if Wade disagreed with slavery in his heart, he couldn't personally ignite a war in the Wizarding World.
...
Over the next few days, Hermione no longer bothered Wade and the others with her "S.P.E.W." Instead, she recruited a few Gryffindors to help her with the surveys and data collection.
Several times, when Wade returned to his dormitory at night, he saw Neville, Harry, Ron, and Hermione emerging from the kitchen entrance, clutching thick stacks of parchment, looking utterly exhausted.
Hermione revised her questions several times to get more ideal answers, but her overall demeanor grew increasingly subdued, and she completely avoided discussing it with others.
Because the elves' answers were always similar—
"Amy not tired, Amy loves work! Amy very happy!"
"Bad elves make mistakes! Good elves should not make mistakes, and if they do, they should punish themselves! This is right!"
"Oh, don't mention Dobby. Dobby is a fallen elf, a disgrace to House-elves! He should be ashamed of himself!"
"House-elves should not have children without their master's permission! But Becky's great-great-great-great-grandfather once served the great Mr. Godric Gryffindor!"
"That idea is horrible! House-elves don't need freedom, Hogwarts is our home! Lola… Lola loves this place! Lola never wants to leave!"
Only a few House-elves, looking very ashamed, as if doing something wrong, secretly expressed a desire for compensation.
But they didn't want wages for themselves.
"Zoe… Zoe wants to buy a gift…" The elf nervously twisted a corner of the tea towel on itself, saying hesitantly, "Zoe can only give Wade things found outside, but a crystal ball from the shop would be a better gift…"
Another elf said, "If there was pay, I'd like to buy Scurvy Grass. Madam Pomfrey always complains there isn't enough Scurvy Grass…"
"I told you they like being slaves, but Hermione just wouldn't believe it," Ron grumbled. "Now when we go to the kitchen, the elves almost treat us like bad guys!"
Hermione was also frustrated. She tried not to show her bad mood, holding the data she had compiled, and said to Wade:
"My work is meaningful. Perhaps I should start with small things, like securing some usable funds for the school's House-elves…"
"Go for it, why not try?" Wade encouraged.
After one dinner, Hermione bravely sent a letter to Dumbledore. The next day, when she went back to the kitchen, she was delighted to find that the funds had already been allocated.
Hogwarts would provide 10 Galleons to the kitchen each month, allowing the elves to purchase what they needed. Of course, most House-elves were very self-disciplined and didn't even glance at it.
"The House-elves at Hogwarts are perfectly content with their lives, but there are many other House-elves out there who are suffering."
Her first attempt was a success, and Hermione excitedly declared, "My next goal is to find a way to reduce, or even prohibit, the mistreatment of House-elves!"
"For that, you'd first need the power to enact laws and punish those who violate them," Wade said, pouring a bucket of cold water on her enthusiasm. "In reality, the Ministry of Magic has already stipulated how House-elves should be treated, but it's never been enforced."
"There's a law like that?" Hermione asked, utterly surprised.
Wade nodded. "There really is."
Hermione wasn't the first Wizard to sympathize with House-elves.
Hearing this, Hermione immediately dashed into the Library to borrow books with relevant legal statutes.
Wade greatly admired her initiative. He then twirled his Quill and began writing down the plans for the next Spell Study Group activity.
Time flew by. The following week, the schools participating in the tournament would be arriving at Hogwarts.
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