Chapter Eight: In Which Normalcy Is Overrated
"His life's ambition is to have his head cut off and stuck up on a plaque just like his mother," Ron said irritably. "Is that normal, Hermione?"
"That's a bit rich coming from someone whose life's ambition is to insult as many people as possible," scoffed Harry. "Aren't you the one who thinks it's normal for house elves to like being enslaved? Well, maybe Kreacher wants his death to be conducted in a certain way — what does it matter whether it fits in with our morals or not? It's justified if he wants it, isn't it?"
"Uh — of course, Harry," said Ron quickly.
"NO! It's not justified at all! Kreacher's freedom was taken away by his masters, and he has been brainwashed into thinking he's supposed to want it. Hermione was right, it's people like you who prop up lazy, unjust systems that oppress entire races. All this for what, exactly? Just because someone couldn't be bothered to wave their wands a few times, they enslaved an entire race of magical creatures?"
"Er — well — that is —" stammered Ron.
"Oh, just —"
Harry told Ron to go and do something that made him turn red.
"What in the name of Merlin are you doing?" said Ron, watching her as though fearful for her sanity.
"They're hats for house-elves," she said briskly, now stuffing her books back into her bag. "I did them over the summer. I'm a really slow knitter without magic, but now I'm back at school I should be able to make lots more."
"It seems I did unnecessarily work," Harry lamented. "I mean, all that time I could have just handed Dobby any one of my clothes and he would have been free. . . ."
"What?" said Hermione.
"Isn't that exactly what you are doing? Freeing house-elves that aren't yours?"
She gaped at him.
"I went to all that trouble of giving Lucius Malfoy a dirty sock so he could throw it and Dobby could — wait, did I never tell you how Dobby achieved his freedom?"
"You did, mate," said Ron.
"So . . . Hermione, you have done lots of research on house-elves. Where did you find this teeny-tiny bit of information?" inquired Harry.
"I didn't," she mumbled.
"Oh. Wait, what?"
"I didn't consider it at all," she said, head hung with shame.
"Hmmm. Want to play a game of Exploding Snap?" Harry said to Ron.
"Sure," said Ron happily.
Hermione stared at the two as they completely forgot about her hats.
She considered the situation and said to no-one in particular, "I think I sort of like knitting by now. Even if I don't free any house-elves, at least its a good way to unwind."
That is how Dobby gained quite the collection of woolly bladders.
AN: Wizards and witches can do household work in a matter of seconds by waving their wands. But nooooooo, we will make elves into our slaves because we are too lazy!
Plus, woolly bladders! *Insert evil laughter here*