Hogwarts Assignment #12
Ancient Runes: Elder Futhark Runes
Task #1 - Gebo (ᚷ): Use one of the following themes in your story: Balance, Exchange, Partnership, Generosity
Warning for implied abuse towards house-elves
The life of a house-elf is centred around the idea of give and take. Give your service, receive punishment for that which is done unsatisfactorily. The bond between wizard and elf is a partnership, and a particular balance must be kept between the servitude of the elves and the resulting harsh treatment to remind them of the wizards' superiority.
At least, that is what the elfling, Donally, had always believed. How could he not after the life he'd led: first with his mother in England, then, after her death from a too harsh punishment (Bad Donally, 'tis not for house-elves to judge masters), living in the home of Master Patil in India. Master Patil had often kept his magic bound and encouraged the other elves to treat him cruelly in his stead. Yes, how could he not believe in the importance of balancing the scales?
Things were different after the bond was transferred over to Master Harry though. Mere minutes after he'd changed hands, Donally had managed to break an expensive-looking vase and briefly lost control of his magic. That should have warranted a severe punishment, right? Instead, Master Harry had used wizard magic to fix the vase and showed mercy for the elfling's first offence.
Donally's first night with Master Harry had been filled with oddities. He'd never even heard tell of a master who would allow elves to eat alongside him, to say nothing of the gentleness with which he'd tucked the elfling into a nest. Even so, he couldn't help but think that everything would balance out once he'd settled into his new home. Surely his chores and the resulting punishments would even the scales eventually, right?
Right?
Life at Potter Manor was just as bewildering. All the elves there were treated… Donally didn't quite have a word for it. Was it still favoured if everyone was shown more kindness and generosity than he'd ever conceived as being possible from a master? How was Donally to repay his debt to Master Harry (and oh, how it grew each day) when the few commands included things like resting when tired and eating his fill? When chores included joining in on lessons and learning things that would normally only be taught to a wizard?
Every day without a punishment felt like both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because, after a life of pain, any reprieve must be given its just dues, and a curse because every moment without punishment caused the scales to tilt that much more. The only thing Donally brought to the manor was a treacle tart recipe that was quickly passed on to the older elves.
Finally, the head elf, Ashen, had taken Donally aside. As the two kneaded dough for the famous treacle tart, he explained things. The Potters, as well as some other wizarding families apparently, did not hold as stringently as others to the old ideals of what a proper wizard/house-elf bond ought to look like. Master Harry took it to another extreme altogether, treating them as equals as he did, but two sides caring equally for each other's well-being was just as balanced as the more common method of balancing with equally opposing forces. There were no scales to balance, not at Potter Manor.
Shifting back on his heels as the pastry rested, Donally thought about his time at Potter Manor. Could there really be no debt to repay? A thousand moments danced in his head. The good food and rest were only one aspect of it, really... something that could almost be explained by a discerning master wanting his elves to give him their best work. Other memories could not be so easily explained away. Master Harry patiently sitting beside Donally and helping him to sound out simple words; Master gifting him with coloured wax and paints just because he'd accidentally shared his love of art; Master holding him after nightmares brought his mother's death too close to home, and an order to get Master Harry if he was distressed forcing Donally to disturb his rest. Pats on the shoulder rather than the anticipated slaps when his magic came on a little too forcefully. Hugs after a game (a game!) outside led to a scraped knee.
How could there be no debt? What had he done for Master Harry in return?
"Child, Donally, please calms youself, and let me explain. I promise no debts," Ashen called out.
Oops, Donally must have said that last bit out loud.
"As many memories as you has of Master Harry showing his care, I'm sure he has as many of you paying homage for that care," Ashen explained. "Every hug given, you returned. Every lesson taught was given the focus it deserved. Every gift given has been treated with care and used to its fullest. Every fear shared was you gifting him your trust. This is how Master Harry sees the world, and all he wishes for is your peace."
The creak of a floorboard told Donally that they were no longer alone, even as a rush of magic gave evidence to who had entered.
"Go to him, child. I'll finish dessert," whispered Ashen.
And so, Donally did, running into the welcoming arms of his master, and for once, unafraid of the comfort he offered.
