Sorry for such a long wait. My computer has been in the shop the last couple weeks. But thank you so much to those who've reviewed so far.
Once the breakfast was cooked and served, Hermione, Fred and George were allowed to eat their own. "I'd love it if you two would reconsider joining the Society for the Promotions of Elfish Welfare," she looked at them hopefully.
"Hermione, we are not joining sp-"
"If you call it spew, so help me I will put a leg locking curse on you," her eyes narrowed.
"Fine," George put his hands up in defense. "But we still maintain our original answer. We can't possibly join. Without the house elves we wouldn't eat."
"And why not? I'm not saying they need to go away. I'm simply saying that what we're doing to them here at Hogwarts is slave labor. They should be paid. And get time off. I don't think it's too much to ask," she gave them a smug look.
Fred shook his head, trying hard not to laugh. "Hermione, they don't want to be free. I know you've heard all this before, but seriously. You need to give this up. Look at them," he gestured to the elves skipping around the kitchen happily.
"They're miserable!" she almost shouted.
"You're mad!" Fred looked stunned, looking from the elves to the young girl.
"Listen, Hermione, let's just say for a moment that they are unhappy, which I'm not saying is a fact. But if we were to join sp-" he stopped himself at her glare. "If we were to join your cause, what's that going to change?"
"You just don't understand!" Hermione and Fred were glaring at each other now.
"So make us understand then," George urged softly, putting a hand on her shoulder. He could tell she was frustrated. He knew the whole situation was difficult for her, considering the only people who would help her were her two best friends, who couldn't refuse. He did feel bad, upsetting her about the subject. And he knew his twin wasn't helping. Fred was hot headed. And she was passionate.
"I'm trying to do something good. You didn't see Winky out in those woods the night of the World Cup. She was so upset and just trying to get away. But because Mr. Crouch had told her to stay put, she barely did. And the way he spoke to her," she shook her head, unwilling to say the things that were popping into her head. "Everyone treats this like a joke. But it's not. How would you like to work hard all day every day and never get paid or time off or even get to make your own decisions?"
"I know it's hard for you to understand, but we just don't agree. These elves, they're happy here working. They're helping people. You might get a few nutters like Dobby, but honestly, most of them love it. If you can get one elf to tell you he wants to be free, we'll join," George replied.
"And Dobby doesn't count," Fred added quickly.
"Easy," she said confident.
"Don't go counting your dragons before they've hatched," Fred smirked.
"Before the day's end I'll find one," she retorted.
"And what do we get if you don't?"
"You don't have to join the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare."
"I feel like we should get something more," Fred grinned.
"Don't push her, mate," George muttered quietly.
"Fine, fine. I'm only trying to get a rise from you, Hermione," Fred laughed.
The smallest of smiles crept on her face. She tried to hide it, as she had been glaring at Fred for the last several minutes. "I think we should get started," she said quickly as she turned and headed toward the main kitchen. Not that any of it was dirty, so it would only take them a couple of hours to detail. She knew they'd have plenty of time back in the common room before the rest of the house got back from Hogsmeade. Nevertheless she was ready to be done with cleaning.
"When do you want to start your dance lessons, love?" she heard one of the boys behind her. He was so close to her it made her jump. She immediately stepped forward a few steps before turning to face him.
"Oh, about that," she blushed.
"Don't tell me you're backing out. Are you embarrassed?" Fred laughed.
"No!" she replied indignantly.
Fred and George looked at each other before bursting into laughter.
"I'm not embarrassed! I just-" she paused.
"You just don't want to be close to us then," George pretended to pout. "We're not good enough for her," he sighed before turning away, hiding his smile.
"Oh no, that's not-" she started laughing when she noticed the boys both laughing. "Alright, fine. I'm a little embarrassed."
"See was that so hard to admit?" Fred grinned at her.
"No laughing at me, alright?"
"I feel like we've had this conversation before," George laughed. "We promise."
"Should be plenty of time before everyone gets back to Hogsmeade," Fred suggested
"Alright," she sighed
The rest of the morning was spent cleaning as well as the twins laughing when Hermione was trying to find a house elf who would say he wanted to be free. Every elf she spoke to looked insulted and then pushed food at the trio. Finally after about the 20th elf she gave up for the day. "It'll take some time for them to understand," she shrugged, still determined that she would prove them wrong.