Harry Potter and all characters, etc. belong to J.K. Rowling, not me.
If You Can Help Her – Chapter 22 – Preparations
"Ginny," said Hermione a week later. They were sitting in the common room while Harry and Ron were playing chess nearby.
"Yeah?" replied Ginny.
"Remember how on the first day you said there might be a way to help house elves?"
"Of course," answered Ginny.
"What if we formed a group for it?"
Ginny looked confused, "To do what?"
Hermione looked exasperated. "To work for elf rights. To start by making people aware of how badly elves are treated, and eventually work for their representation in the Ministry of Magic. I've been researching it in the library, and it seems their enslavement has been going on forever, and no one has done anything to stop it because, 'That's just the way it is.'"
"Hermione," explained Ginny, "from what Fred and George have told me, House Elves are happy. The reason Winky was so horrified was because she was freed, not because she was enslaved."
"What are you saying, then?" demanded Hermione, clearly frustrated, "that we, like everyone else, do nothing?"
"No," responded Ginny. "I just think you should talk to actual house elves and find out what they want before you start some society. You may find out that they simply don't want the kinds of tortures that people like the Malfoys give their elves. Harry told me about how Dobby had to punish himself all the time."
"I suppose that it may be a good idea to talk to them first, but they've been brainwashed."
"Then your ideas will do nothing but scare them away. They won't want to talk to you about freedom. Now, if all you're doing is trying to improve their situation, they might warm up to that idea. If you ever achieve that, maybe some kind of law limiting punishment of elves, then maybe you can slowly work on making the elves want equal rights."
"Hmm," muttered Hermione thoughtfully. "It might be better to start with baby steps like that. I guess we can talk to them before we do anything."
"Fred and George should be able to help you out there. I'll ask them how to get to the kitchens."
Hermione smiled, "Thank you. Now, let's talk about a name for the organization. I was thinking of calling it the Society for the Promotion of Elvish Welfare."
Ginny stared at Hermione for a few seconds before saying, "Are you sure you're the brightest witch of your age? Everyone will call it spew! No one will take it seriously! We need a name where the initials spell out something good like, 'help' or 'care.' Hmm," she said, thinking, "I've got it, the Community for Advancing the Rights of Elves. C.A.R.E."
Hermione beamed at the redhead, "I guess care does sound better than spew."
At that moment, they were interrupted by Ron shouting at Harry, "I can't believe it!" You never beat me! I'm the best! You cheated!"
Harry started laughing, "I told you that I've been taking lessons from Ginny, the only person I've seen beat you."
"Good job, Harry," Ginny shouted, walking up to her boyfriend and kissing him on the cheek. "Do you see how red Ron's face is?" At that moment, she noticed Colin in the room with his camera. She shouted, "Come here, Colin, quick! Take a picture of Ron!"
Colin apparently was very quick on his feet because he was snapping a picture before Ron could go anywhere. Ron's face was actually purple when Colin got the picture. Colin asked, "What happened?"
"An historical moment," explained Hermione, chuckling. "Harry Potter has just beaten Ron Weasley at chess."
"That's great, Harry! I always knew you could do anything! Would you like me to take a picture of the chess board? Want to go over the game, play-by-play?"
After fifteen minutes of enduring Colin Creevey's enthusiasm, they were interrupted by a burst of flames in front of Harry's face, and a red feather, along with a note, falling underneath it. Harry caught both before they hit the ground and commented, "That must have been Fawkes, Dumbledore's Phoenix."
"Wow!" exclaimed Colin. "Dumbledore sends you messages."
"Er, Colin," said Harry. "This is private."
"Er," replied Colin, his face falling. "I guess I should leave you alone, huh?"
"Er, yeah, but, er thanks for taking the pictures. Let me know when they're developed!"
"Okay," responded Colin excitedly, running off."
Harry then opened his letter. It said,
Harry,
Snuffles is at the castle and in my office. He's most anxious to see you and his other friends at your earliest convenience.
Professor Dumbledore
Harry immediately showed it to Ron, Ginny, and Hermione, so they made their way to Dumbledore's office immediately.
The password was still chocolate frogs, so they had no trouble getting into his office, where Harry was greeted by his godfather as soon as he got inside. It was a bit awkward as they stood facing each other. They couldn't seem to decide whether to shake hands or hug. Harry finally embraced Sirius.
"It's good to see you, Harry," exclaimed Sirius, "along with the rest of you as well." He shook Ron and Hermione's hands, but Ginny elected to hug her boyfriend's godfather.
"Well," came Dumbledore's voice from behind his desk. His eyes were twinkling merrily. "Now that you've properly greeted each other, I believe we should speak of this very important matter. I've convinced Minister Fudge to hold the trial in the castle, and he has agreed to not bring any dementors with him. I'm sure that he'll pull twenty aurors from their duties to protect him from one innocent man instead.
"I have reminded him that all four of you heard the entire explanation of what took place on the day of those murders. At the time, he was convinced that you were under the confundus charm, but if you stick to your story now, he, as well as others, may listen when each of you testify to what was said and most importantly done, in the shrieking shack. Don't speak of Sirius' escape from Hogwarts. That's irrelevant to the trial, anyway. I've also invited Remus Lupin to offer testimony at the trial. The date will be September nineteenth."
"My birthday," blurted out Hermione.
"Why, yes, Miss Granger," replied Dumbledore. "I'd forgotten. Hopefully, Sirius Black will be able to celebrate it with you, after the trial."
Ginny commented with a smirk, "Maybe we can get the House Elves to throw you a party."
"Don't you dare make them work any more than they already do! It's slave labor!"
"I quite agree," stated Dumbledore, "but most house elves are insulted if someone suggests paying them for their services. However, I have recently employed an elf that Mr. Potter is acquainted with, Dobby, to work here for wages. He wouldn't take as much as I'd offered him originally, but he is taking pay. His companion, Winky, who claims to be acquainted with all of you, wouldn't accept payment."
Hermione beamed at the news about Dobby, although her smile lessened for a moment at the mention of Winky. "Well," replied Harry, "I'm glad they've both found work."
-IYCHH-
The next day, Hermione was in the library while Harry, Ron, and Ginny were in the Gryffindor Common room. Harry whispered to them, "I think we should plan a surprise party after the trial. It will be both for Hermione's birthday and Sirius' freedom. It should be small, just us, Hermione, Sirius, and maybe Dumbledore. That way, if something goes wrong at the trial, we can easily cancel the party, since none of us will be in a mood to celebrate."
"I think that's a great idea, Harry," agreed Ginny. "I guess we'll have to owl order our gifts."
-IYCHH-
Chapter end