A/N: This chapter features a conversation between Hermione and Luna about how Hermione a better way to handle the house elf situation down the road. For the purposes of this chapter, consider chapters 36 and 52 of Things That Should Have Happened in Canon to be background but also consider the Battle of the Department of Mysteries to have happened as it did in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I dedicate this chapter to Tinsy-girl, who was been asking for more Hermione-Luna friendship. I have also put up a poll to determine what chapter 56 will entail. I will leave voting open through the last nanosecond of November, Arizona time. Link to vote is in my profile.
It was Tuesday, June 27, 1995, and Hermione Granger and Luna Lovegood were sitting on a cozy white Ashley furniture sofa in the Room of Requirement.
Luna had wanted a word with Hermione one on one and while the discussion she intended to have with Hermione wasn't one that she minded being overheard, she did not want to be interrupted.
"So," began Luna warmly, wanting to start things off in a friendly way, "I'm glad to see you have finally gotten out of the hospital wing."
"Thanks, Luna," smiled Hermione, "I'm fully recovered now. I certainly don't miss having to take ten potions a day, but I'm grateful to be alive. It's very lucky that Dolohov couldn't speak that curse out loud."
"So," explained Luna matter of factly, "In the days since the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, I've been spending a lot of time with Neville and Ginny. Sometimes it's just been the three of us and sometimes Harry has joined us to make it a group of four. You see, Harry is struggling right now, going back and forth between wanting to have company and wanting to be alone."
"That's not surprising considering what he's going through," said Hermione gravely.
"True," acknowledged Luna, "However, the reason I wanted to talk with you one on one is because of something Harry has told me about during those times he's joined us combined with some information about wizarding culture that is known to myself, Ginny, and Neville due to our being purebloods and because of our being raised in wizarding households."
"Go on, " said Hermione simply.
"Harry told me all about your whole spew thing and how you want to free the house elves," said Luna calmly, "He told me about the time he had Dobby meet you about your spew thing and why you were in the wrong. So, I've talked a bit with Harry, Neville, and Ginny this past week about the role of house elves in the Wizarding World and how they are treated. I would like to give you some advice on how you can possibly help abused house elves without making the house elves decisions for them or being too holistically over the top about it. Look, I believe all beings are worthy of respect, but, as Hagrid, Harry and Dobby explained to you, you've gone about things in a very inappropriate way. I'd like to help you help abused house elves in a better way."
"What do you suggest, Luna?" asked Hermione, listening intently.
"First said Luna seriously, "You can't really do anything about it while you're still in school. To enact the changes you'll want to enact, you'll need some political power. As such, I suggest you run for public office once you've graduated from Hogwarts."
"Let's say I win an election for a position where I can make such decisions?" inquired Hermione, "What do I do?"
"My advice," said Luna calmly, "Is for you to focus specifically on the issue of abused house elves. Those are the house elves you should be trying to help. I recommend that you introduce legislation that would allow abused house elves to free themselves from their masters without their masters presenting them with clothes. It would help out abused house elves while still ultimately making the decision to walk away the house elves own choice. I believe that a house elf should be able to present memories of his or her master abusing him or her to a judge at the Wizengamot via the use of a pensive. If the judge determines a master has abused his or her house elf or elves, the judge should have the authority to remove the elf or elves in question from the abusive masters. It would be up to the house elf himself or herself to initiate the process so that only elves who wanted out from the masters would be involved. Remember that house elves can apparate or disapparate at will so they could sneak away from their house if needed. Any house elf removed from an abusive master should be free to either seek a new master or seek work at a larger institution such as Hogwarts. "
Hermione sat and thought for few minutes and a few nanoseconds and piped up, "That sounds good, but we also need to address the issue of masters killing old house elves. "
"That was very common back in Grindelwald's time," said Luna very sadly, "Some older house elves that are weaker and iller do wish to be euthanized and I do feel that the house elves should retain the right to euthanasia if they prefer to pass on rather than live on in a weak and sick state in their older years. However, older house elves who wish to live out their natural lives until such time as natural death occurs should the right to do so as well."
"The murder of a house elf should be punishable by a life sentence in Azkaban," said Hermione fiercely, "Murder is murder no matter who the victim is. And those masters whose house elves are taken away from because of abuse should never be allowed to have house elves again.'
"I agree with that," said Luna in a businesslike voice, "I also think house elves should be allowed to retire if they choose to once they reach a certain age, though I'm not sure what that age should be."
"Absolutely, " agreed Hermione instantly, "If a house elf wishes to retire, then if his or her master has treated him or her well and with proper respect, then he or she should be allowed to get a new house elf at that point. "
"Yes," said Luna briskly, "The right to have a house elf should be determined by how well the master treats the elves in his or her care. Older house elves who are healthy and wish to continue to work in their later years should be able to do so, but house elves should get the right to retire if they so choose once they hit a certain age. Retired house elves should have the option to either continue to live with their masters or live out their lives at house elf retirement homes."
"I think we've had a good conversation here," said Hermione seriously, "I think about what you've told me here tonight."
"The key," said Luna bluntly, "Is to fight for the rights of house elves while still leaving their own choices to be their own choices. And there's something you should do during your last two years at Hogwarts. You should familiarize yourself with Wizarding World politics. Look up information on how to run for office, which offices have which authority, especially with regard to what you most care about, and study the process of how laws get introduced and passed. Then once you've graduated, you'll be well prepared."
"Thank you, Luna,' said Hermione gratefully, "Now, I'd like to ask you a favor."
"What is it, Hermione?" asked Luna.
"You can see thestrals, " remembered Hermione, "And you could hear the voices behind the veil at the Department of Mysteries. This is because your mom died when you were nine. The favor I want to ask of you is this: I would like for you to speak with Harry and talk to him about how you felt when you lost your mom. I think Harry feels very alone after the loss Sirius and I believe it would help Harry with his feelings immensely if he could talk to someone who has also dealt with the pain of the sudden loss of a very close loved one. "
"I'll talk to Harry," promised Luna, "But I won't go out my way to seek him out. Harry doesn't need that right now. But I daresay the opportunity to have this conversation will present itself in due course and sooner rather than later at that."
"Thank you, Luna," said Hermione gratefully, "You may be the one best able to comfort Harry. And thank you for your advice on the house elves issues."
"No problem," smiled Luna.
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