The next morning, when Tver got out of bed, he discovered that the torrential rain that had raged the night before had finally stopped.
Much like his dissatisfaction with Dumbledore.
Since they were all attending classes together anyway, the additional students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons were only auditing. They wouldn't add to his workload in the slightest.
Having figured that out, and with the rare luxury of a free morning, Tver made his way to the Great Hall at an unhurried pace and enjoyed his breakfast without the slightest hint of guilt.
Dumbledore had kept his word. Compared to before, breakfast now came with an extra little cake, along with cranberry biscuits prepared especially for him.
All things considered, he had definitely come out ahead on this deal.
"Professor, may I ask you something?"
Before class began, Hermione hurried past the House tables and the staff table, stopping beside Tver.
He paused, momentarily surprised.
Questions on the very first day of term? Was this how top students operated?
"Go ahead," he said. "Just keep an eye on the time. I'm fine, but you still have classes."
Realizing how pressed for time she was, Hermione spoke quickly but clearly.
"I've noticed that house-elves live under long-term oppression by wizards. They work tirelessly and devote themselves completely to providing household services."
"But the problem is, wizards never take the initiative to give them even a single day, or even an hour, of rest."
"Let alone wages or allowances, the compensation they should be receiving!"
"In a sense, they're like slaves in the magical world!"
By the time she finished, Hermione had clenched her small fist in indignation. Then she remembered she was standing in front of a professor. Even though Tver was known to be mild-mannered, she quickly relaxed her hand and looked at him with eager expectation.
It was as if she were hoping for his agreement, especially after failing to gain understanding when she shared these thoughts with her friends.
"You're not wrong," Tver said, nodding in mild surprise.
He had held similar views ever since arriving in this world, and after Jeff had devotedly taken care of him while he was weak, that sense of moral discomfort had only grown stronger.
Even before all this, he had once imagined what it would be like to have someone care for his daily needs without asking for anything in return. But when that fantasy became reality, he still couldn't help feeling uneasy about it.
That was why Tver had given Jeff a clean set of clothes.
In fact, for anyone with a modern mindset, unless they were a pureblood wizard long accustomed to being served by house-elves, it was hard to see such devotion as something to be taken for granted.
House-elves, however, were different. The idea of serving wizards was ingrained in them by nature, rooted so deeply that it shaped their very worldview.
"The existence of house-elves can actually be traced back to ancient times," Tver said. "If you look closely at historical records, you'll find they were described as close companions of wizards."
As far as Tver knew, the house-elves at Hogwarts had originally been brought there by Helga Hufflepuff.
"But they were companions, not slaves, right?" Hermione asked again.
"That's right. The reason house-elves have ended up like this has a lot to do with wizards gradually instilling the belief that their purpose is to serve."
"So you think that's wrong?" she asked.
"Of course," Tver replied, meeting her gaze steadily.
"On an emotional level, house-elves have been our companions since ancient times. We shouldn't feel comfortable watching them wear tattered robes, and we certainly shouldn't subject them to constant, slave-like oppression."
"From a more objective standpoint, Muggle history has already shown us that any form of slavery will eventually be overturned. It's only a matter of sooner or later."
"If things continue until house-elves are forced to rise up against wizards, then no matter how it ends, it will be an outcome neither side wants to see."
Anyone who had studied history knew that slavery only led to low productivity and hindered social development.
It was just that progress in the magical world was slow to begin with, so the issue of house-elves had been conveniently ignored.
With her beliefs finally affirmed, Hermione was filled with joy, and an uncontrollable smile spread across her face.
"Then, Professor, shouldn't we be the ones to correct this injustice?"
"For example, we could fight for reasonable rights for house-elves, things like wages and sick leave."
"Or we could distribute clothes to them, grant them freedom, and let them look for work as free beings?"
This time, however, Tver had to dampen her enthusiasm.
"That approach is wrong, Hermione."
"You're still thinking from your own perspective, from the elevated standpoint of a wizard looking down at the situation of house-elves."
"In that position, any conclusions you reach will inevitably carry a trace of unconscious arrogance."
"What really matters is helping them genuinely realize that they deserve wages, not handing them money as if it were charity."
"If you do the latter, house-elves will only feel insulted."
"Only by doing the former will they truly internalize the idea of being paid according to their work, passing it down from generation to generation as a new labor philosophy."
Hermione frowned deeply, her eyes filled with confusion.
With her still-immature understanding of society, she could only see that both approaches involved paying money, and couldn't yet grasp the difference between them.
Tver didn't explain further. Instead, he gently patted her on the shoulder, pulling her out of her thoughts.
"If I heard correctly, the class bell just rang."
"Ah!"
Hermione let out a small cry, hurriedly scooping up her bag. She thanked Tver in a rush and jogged out of the Great Hall.
Just as Tver watched her figure disappear through the doors with an amused expression, an unexpected voice suddenly spoke up.
"I had no idea Professor Fawley had such in-depth research on those little… creatures."
Barty Jr, or rather, Moody, leaned on his cane, both eyes fixed squarely on Tver.
"There are plenty of things I'm good at," Tver replied, returning an impeccable smile. "No matter what questions students have, I can always give an appropriate answer."
A smile appeared on Moody's heavily scarred face.
"That's good. No wonder I've heard the students all enjoy your classes so much."
"It's only temporary," Tver said, waving his hand shyly. "Once Professor Moody's exams are handed out, they'll start hating me."
"Exams?" Moody froze for a moment.
"Yes," Tver said, looking at him in surprise. "Every year has a test every two months. And aside from Fifth and Seventh Year, you're the one responsible for setting the papers, aren't you?"
"I remember we wrote to each other about it during the summer. What, Professor Moody doesn't remember?"
He studied Moody's face with open suspicion.
"Ah, right, right," Moody said, slapping his thigh as realization dawned on him. "Look at me, I almost forgot. I'll head back to my office right now and prepare the exam questions for the students."
"That won't be necessary…"
Tver politely saw Moody off. Once he was out of sight, the smile at the corner of his mouth could no longer be suppressed.
Moody had never replied to any of his letters. What correspondence was there to speak of? He had never even mentioned exam papers at all!
(≖ᴗ≖)✧