This was my entry for the Winter 2013 SSHG Live Journal Promptfest. I was given an awesome prompt by Palathene: To teach Hermione the joy of serving, the Hogwarts house elves bind her to serve one Severus Snape until she truly understands why they don't want to be freed.
Here's what popped out of my brain as a result. I hope you like it! As usual...I own nothing except the Potter books.
I am a dunderhead to not have thanked my betas for this story when I originally posted it here. A pox upon me! Thank you...Onecelestialbeing, Velveteenbunny, OneRedShoe, and timandsophsmom.
Hermione hurried through the halls of the Ministry, hoping to get to her office before breaking down. Once again, her legislation to advance the rights of house-elves, including offering them freedom, was shot down by the Wizengamot. She flung open the door to her office, slammed it shut and flopped into her desk chair, bursting into tears.
She didn't notice that someone else had entered the room until a teacup was nudged toward her forearm. Looking up with a sniff, she saw the ever comforting smile of Harry Potter.
"Thanks," she said wanly.
"Shot down again?" Harry asked, sitting down next to her.
Yes. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, but I really thought this time..." she trailed off with a sigh.
"Hermione," Harry said softly, but hesitantly, "don't you think you should just pack it in? I mean you've tried seven times so far, and all have been—"
"But it's so wrong, Harry!" Hermione cut across him. "I can't stand to see them working all the time, punishing themselves or being punished by cruel, horrid masters. Dobby loved being free, why not others?" She stopped speaking when she saw the look on Harry's face. Even three years after the war, Dobby was a subject that still brought him much grief. "I'm sorry, Harry."
"It's all right," he said. "Dobby was singularly unique. I'll never forget him."
"It is in his honour I do this, you know." Hermione looked at Harry, taking a sip of tea.
Harry smiled. "Thanks, love. I know you do. But perhaps, in his honour, you could let this go?"
Hermione was torn. She loved Harry and would do anything to make him happy, but she also felt strongly about any being, human or otherwise, enduring the horrors of enslavement. She had to give it one more shot.
"Harry, I know how you feel about this, but you also know how I feel. I need to secure their rights. I need to try again." She looked at her watch. "I have an appointment at St. Mungo's this afternoon, and it's time to leave. Walk me to the Floos?"
"Is everything all right?"
"Yeah." She smiled. "It's one of 'those' sorts of appointments."
Harry looked confused, and Hermione laughed because she also saw the moment he realised what she meant.
"Oh; right, then," said Harry, his face reddening. "Come along." He offered her his arm, and they left the office together.
Later than night, as Hermione puttered around her flat fixing something to eat, she thought through the events of the day. Bitter disappointment struck her again as she thought about all the work she had done to present her newest version of the House-Elf Freedom Act. What was she missing? she mused. What would it take to finally sway the Wizengamot to believe that house-elves had every right to be free and work if they wanted to, and not simply because that's the way it always has been? All the members seemed to do is regurgitate the unexplainable mantra: they want to serve, they like to serve.
Deciding that a trip to Hogwarts was in order, she sent an owl to the Headmistress, seeking permission to come to the castle for some research. She would also speak to the house-elves while she was there. If she could help them understand what it was like to be free, help them see how proud they could be working and earning a living, they would see how much better off they would be. Little did she know how wrong she could be.
Hermione Apparated to the grounds two days later. It was a Friday afternoon when she arrived, and as she walked up the path to the doors, she admired the changes reconstruction had wrought upon the castle. New towers housed all the students, still by house, but above grounds. Interestingly enough, all four towers led to a single common room, where all of the students mingled. Hermione knew house competition was still strong, but a more united common bond between the students led to a richer overall experience in school life.
She entered the castle and made her way straight to the Headmistress' office. Since graduating she had kept in touch with Minerva, and she was eager to see her mentor and say hello. The women herself greeted Hermione at the gargoyles.
"Hermione, my dear, how lovely to see you!" exclaimed Minerva as she wrapped her arms around the girl. "Come up; I've got tea ready."
"It's wonderful to see you too Minerva, and thank you for tea! How are you? And the rest of the staff?"
These questions were asked and answered as the pair ascended the stairs and settled themselves in Minerva's small sitting room. Pouring a cup of tea and putting a few sandwiches on a plate, Minerva handed it to Hermione and asked, "So, you need to visit the library? Still working on your House Elf Freedom Act?"
"Yes," said Hermione, taking a sip of tea. "Unfortunately, it failed to pass again. I had hoped I could find something in the library that might sway the Wizengamot."
"Hermione," began the Headmistress carefully, "I know how much this means to you, but did you ever consider that the elves don't want this? That they are happy?"
"How can they be?" she cried. "They've never had a chance to experience anything else! Once they have freedom, they will enjoy it! Dobby did!"
"Dobby was a...rather individual elf, don't you think?" Minerva asked sceptically.
"I suppose." Hermione shrugged.
"Don't you think you should talk to them? To the elves, I mean. See what they think?"
"I've talked to Dobby and Winky."
"Is that the sum total of your encounters with an elf?"
"Well, Kreacher, but he won't listen either."
"Kreacher is a bit," Minerva tapped her temple with her pointer finger, "tetched in the head. I wouldn't put a lot of faith into what he says. But, I do think you should consider speaking to a few more of the elves. That may give you a better picture of what you're trying to achieve."
Hermione considered this quietly before Minerva began to question her about the other two-thirds of the trio. An hour later, she left Minerva's office and headed to the library. However, something pulled her toward the kitchens, and she soon found herself tickling the pear and slipping through into the very busy work environment.
As soon as a house-elf saw her, it 'eeped' and everything grew silent as the other elves turned to see why the elf made a noise. A general gasp rang through the crowd of elves when they realized it was 'Missy Hat Lady'.
Tinty, the current head elf of the kitchens made his way through the crowd. "Why is you all not working?" he asked, but then he, too, spied Hermione. "You is not welcome here. You will leave now!" his tone turned angry.
"Please I only want to talk to you," Hermione implored.
"We is knowing what you want to say. We is not listening. You go!" Tinty pointed to the portrait.
"Please, please let me talk to a few of you."
Tinty stood, looking menacingly at Hermione. For a moment Hermione thought he might use his magic on her, but he put his arms down and turned to the other elves. "Yous go to work now; I speak to Missy Hat Lady."
Tinty grabbed Hermione's hand, and the pair popped out of the kitchen and into a scullery of sorts. "You is sitting," he said.
Hermione did as asked and began to speak, "Please, you must know you'll be happy if you- "
"Nos! We will not be happy. What is it you don't understand, Missy Hat Lady? We enjoy serving, we like to serve!"
"But surely you'd want to be paid, have holidays, enjoy some time off?"
"We enjoy serving. We don't like to have time off."
"But how do you relax? And what about cruel masters?"
"Hogwarts masters are never cruel."
"I know that, but what about the elves in private homes?"
"I cans do nothing about that," said Tinty.
"But I can!"
Tinty heaved a sigh. "Missy Hat Lady...you is simply not understanding!"
"What do I need to understand though? All I hear is you like to serve; you don't want to be free!" Hermione stood, wringing her hands together in agitation.
Tiny looked at Hermione. "Missy Hat Lady," he began, "you is known for studying books. Lots and lots of books. Tinty has heard the teachers talk about you...how good you is in school. Were you not good?"
"I did well, yes," she replied, confused.
"And when you got your marks back, how did you feel?"
"Quite proud. I put a lot of effort into my homework."
"See? Now is knowing how we feels. We is proud of our work."
"But you work so hard! Long, long hours."
"Did yous not work hard too?"
"Yes, but..."
"But nothings!"
"But I didn't have anyone punishing me if I didn't do it correctly; well other than bad marks or detention."
"It is a house-elf's calling to serve, Missy Hat Lady. Our parents were punished, they punished themselves and so on all the way back to the first elf."
"I just don't understand how you can continue to do so!" Hermione spluttered.
Tinty regarded Hermione a moment. "Perhaps Missy needs to see what it is like?"
"How do you mean?" she asked suspiciously.
"Perhaps it would be a good idea...yes, yes. You is waiting here! I come back in a moment."
Tinty popped out of the scullery, and Hermione was left standing alone. She simply could not fathom why anyone would continue in indentured servitude when their skills could be converted to a value; to be paid, to experience the joy of time off and paying for what they wanted. As she stood waiting, she noticed how clean the scullery was. If she wanted, she could eat off the floor. Her mind whirled as she tried to figure out just how to persuade the elves to want their freedom.
After thirty minutes, a pop signalled Tinty's return. Hermione had no time to ask where he had gone when her hand was grasped, and she and Tinty Apparated to the Headmistress' office.
Minerva stood from her desk. "Ah, you're back. Hermione, please sit. Tinty, you may return to the kitchen until I call for you."
"Yes, Headmistress," the elf replied and popped out of sight.
"I take it your talk with the elves didn't go over so well?" Minerva asked, a look of bemusement on her face.
"Well, the head elf—"
"Tinty."
"Yes, Tinty, said some things that made sense, but they still won't see it my way."
"That's because, Hermione, you're not seeing it their way. You're applying human principles of ethics and morality to non-human beings."
"Regardless of their species, shouldn't they have the same rights if it will benefit them in the long run?" Hermione exclaimed.
"Yes, they should, but only if they want it." Minerva stood and came around the desk, facing Hermione. "Tinty and I had a discussion, and we feel that perhaps there is a way to show you their point of view."
"How so?"
"I've talked to your supervisor at the Ministry, and as of now, you are on indefinite leave."
"WHAT?" Hermione was outraged. "I've got several other cases..."
Minerva held up her hand. "I know. But your supervisor and I, as well as Tinty, feel that this will be one of the most important things you could do to advance your understanding of house-elves. We feel the experience could ultimately benefit any new proposals you may envision."
"And just how do you plan to do that?" Hermione asked, arms crossed over her chest.
"As of this evening, Hermione, you will be a house-elf," Minerva said matter-of-factly.
Hermione stared at the headmistress as though her head had just sprouted horns.
"You want me to be a what?" She blinked several times in confusion.
"A house-elf. Perhaps if you saw things from their perspective, it would shed some light on your own inability to understand why they serve and continue to serve as they do."
"How would this happen? I wouldn't have to wear a tea towel, would I?" She gasped as she realized how little of the body the elves' tea towels covered.
"You will be sworn into the service of a Hogwarts house-elf. You will, of course, be allowed to wear a suitable garment, but one that will identify you as an elf. You will take meals with the elves, sleep with the elves, all the things elves do."
"Sleep with the elves?" she gasped.
"Accommodations will certainly be made. As you know they sleep in nests, but a bed will be provided for you in a private area. You will be required to Apparate at a moment's notice at the request of the one staff member you will serve exclusively when they call, but also serve the rest of the castle in its needs. You will not be seen at anytime other than when your master or mistress or I call you. Do you understand?"
"I guess so."
"Are you willing?"
Hermione thought about the proposal. What could it hurt? If she could only learn why it was the elves wanted to continue on as they were, perhaps she would be able to revise the statements in her proposed legislature to their benefit. With determination lacing her voice, she replied. "Yes, yes I am. If it helps me understand them, I will."
"Good. Now, you must take the oath, and then you will be shown where to go and what to do by the elves. "Tinty!" Minerva called.
The elf popped into the office. "She is being ready, Headmistress?"
"Soon; we just needed a bonder to perform the oath, and that will be you." Minerva and Tinty stood on either side of Hermione.
"I'll need your wand, dear. You won't need it for the time being; with the oath, you will be given house-elf magic."
"Oh!" she exclaimed.
"Yes. You will still be able to protect yourself and do magic, just not with a wand."
"Okay."
"Tinty, take her hand; Hermione place your hand on my left shoulder." Hermione did as she was told. "Now relax, you'll feel the oath take place." Minerva began to speak the oath: "Sicut antiquis temporibus, Hermione, alligo ad cultum Hogwarts. Illa erit sine querela modestia superbia; et non patitur, donec omnia arcana violare militia. Sic erit."
Hermione felt a wave of magic envelope her body and then settle in her abdomen. It was a different magic, not at all like the familiar pleasant hum of her own. It felt as though she were being assaulted by noise, lots and lots of noise. She put her hands to her ears as though to stop it.
"She hears the castle, Miss," Tinty said to Minerva.
"It's like a million voices all at once," Hermione said. "How do you filter it?"
Tinty answered, "You will learn to hear what you must do. Yous will instinctually know where to be and what will need to be done. Yous will hear many requests, but yous must answer to your master immediately before all others."
"What do you mean?"
"The students will make requests, but if the Headmistress or your master or mistress calls, yous take care of them first, always. Your second duty is to the castle and then the students."
"Why aren't the students second?"
"Because as you take care of the castle, the students are taken care of as well. Come, dinner is needing to be made and sent to the Great Hall." Tinty popped out of the office.
"I'd better go. Can I Apparate?" she asked Minerva.
"Yes. Just like an elf, you may Apparate all over the castle at will. Good luck Hermione, I hope you find the answers you need."
"I hope so, too. I'm wondering, though, who my 'master' or 'mistress' is?"
"You'll know before too long. You'll be replacing Mitzy, who just had a baby and cannot serve for two months."
Hermione nodded, and popped out of the office. She landed in the kitchens where she instinctively moved to a large cooking pot and picked up a spoon.
"Nos, Missy Hat Lady, you needs to get dressed," said a nearby elf.
Hermione looked down at her robes. "I am dressed."
"Nos, you must wear the Hogwarts clothes."
At that moment Tinty came over. "Come Miss, you need to change. I will show you your place to sleep."
Hermione followed Tinty as they walked toward the scullery but veered to the left of it. A door she hadn't seen before appeared. "Yous will sleep here. It is private." Tinty handed her a long shapeless shift. "You wear this, too. Yous can keep your under garments on as we know humans have differences that are more noticeable than we elves."
Hermione took the shift and entered the room. It was small, practically cupboard sized. There was camp bed against the far wall, a small table with a bowl and ewer along with a candle stick and matches. She had never seen a house-elf carry a candle before, but then again, she'd never seen them at night. She suddenly realised that the elves must have remarkable night vision and that they knew she didn't. She wondered, given that she now had elf magic, if that would develop in time.
Slipping out of her robes, she pulled the shift on. It was then she realised that she would need more undergarments. Scourgify only went so far in cleaning things as she discovered while on the hunt for Horcruxes; eventually their clothes had begun to break down. Perhaps she could ask one of the female house-elves or Minerva to get her a few changes.
She stepped out of her room, feeling that strange pull again. She walked to the cooking pot and began to stir it. Tinty came over to her and began to instruct her in how meals were served at Hogwarts.
Hermione suddenly felt a pull, and with no conscious thought, she instantly Apparated. She appeared in a modestly sized room, with a couch to her left and wing chair in front of her. To her right, a fire crackled on the hearth.
"Mitzy, I will not be going to the hall for dinner; please bring me a plate of whatever is being served, pudding, and my usual drink."
Hermione gasped as the mellow voice washed over her, and she realized who her master was.
"Oh, fucking hell," both exclaimed at once.
A/N: Accourding to Google translate, the Latin oath translates as: As in ancient times, I bind Hermione to the service of Hogwarts. She will serve without complaint, with pride and modesty, and hold all his secrets until such time as he allows her to break from service. So shall it be.
Anyone conversant in Latin, please correct me if I am wrong!