Chapter 85
"Hey, Harry," Hermione said, sighing in relief when she saw him and Ron on her way to the library.
"Hi, Hermione," Harry replied, turning to wait for her. "Where have you been?"
"Oh, um," Hermione said brushing it off. "I was just taking care of my ankle after lunch."
"I noticed you were limping since we arrived," Harry said. "What happened?"
"Oh. Well, I - I fell when Oliver and I visited Diagon Alley on Sunday," Hermione answered.
"Wouldn't have happened if you stayed with us," Ron said. "We didn't have to go get our supplies, mom got them for us while we were at the -"
"Quidditch World Cup," Hermione finished with him and rolled her eyes biting her tongue, trying to control her temper as it began to flare. "I know, I heard it from Fred and George already, and you have no way of knowing that, it could have happened anywhere. Besides, we didn't go just for my school supplies."
"What'd you go for?" Harry asked.
"Ash," Hermione said. "One of the Wood family's house elves was injured at the the attack at the Cup, and Oliver and I went to get some healing salve for him. They had taken him to St. Mungo's with them, when Mr. Wood went to get his injuries healed, but the healers there only did minimal healing for Ash. Oliver and I had to go get the healing salve for him because they won't sell it to house elves."
"That's awful," Harry murmured.
Hermione nodded grimly but fought a smile as hope filled her that Harry might feel like she did and lend support for her club project.
"I wanted to ask you, Harry," Hermione said. "Do you ever visit Dobby? Do you have to go to the kitchens to visit him?"
Harry squirmed. "To be honest, I haven't really visited him. Its a bit uncomfortable since he always has that hero worship attitude - even before I helped free him from the Malfoys. Why do you ask?"
"Well, I wanted to ask his opinion on this club idea I'm working on," Hermione answered. "The one I told you I'd tell you about when it was ready?"
"Oh, okay," Harry replied, nodding in understanding. "From what I understand, I don't think you have to go to them, you can just call them... I mean, that's the impression I got from Dobby and his interaction with Mr. Malfoy. It's kind of hard to tell how it would work here, I mean, I don't think anyone but the staff or the twins know about the elves here..."
"Okay, thanks," Hermione said with a smile. "I'll see you later, okay?"
"Where are you going?" Ron asked.
Hermione paused. "I'm going to the library," she replied warily. "I didn't think you'd want to go, at least, not till youhadto with school."
"You're right," Ron said. "We don't."
Hermione turned to go again and then stopped and turned back. "Oh, Harry," she said calling his attention once more, stopping their progress up toward the tower.
"Yeah?" Harry asked turning to her.
"I was asked to tell you that Myrtle would like it if you'd visit her," Hermione replied.
She suppressed the smile when she saw the shudder course through him. "Oh, okay," Harry said and waved her off.
It wasn't long before Hermione found Viktor in the back of the library.
"Thank you," Hermione said with a smile, noticing the books she needed where already on the table and sat down, removing her bag from her shoulder that she'd retrieved when she got her supplies from the dorm for her soak.
"You are velcome," Viktor replied. "How is your ankle?"
"It's doing better, thank you," Hermione replied.
"That is good," Viktor said. "Should not be long before your injury is healed?"
"No, not long at all now," Hermione replied.
"That is good," Viktor replied again. "Hogvorts has many stairs."
"Yes," Hermione agreed. "One hundred and forty-two, to be exact."
"Impressive," Viktor replied. "You learn that here?"
"Hogwarts: A Historyactually," Hermione replied. "But many don't useallthe stairways."
"So," Viktor asked. "Did you decide on name for club?"
"No," Hermione replied. "But I think I know who to ask for help."
"Oh?" Viktor asked. "Who is zis?"
"Dobby, the house elf I told you about before," Hermione replied. "I thought about talking to him before, but I think now is a good time. He might have some ideas I'm not thinking about."
"Is true," Viktor agreed.
"Dobby?" Hermione called. "Could you come here please?"
There was a pop and the house elf appeared before them, earning them a glare from Madam Pince for the noise.
"What can Dobby do for you, young mistress Granger?" Dobby asked bowing low.
"Please don't do that, Dobby," Hermione whinged, not liking the elf groveling.
"Whatever young mistress wishes," Dobby replied.
"Dobby," Hermione said. "This is Viktor Krum. He's a guest at Hogwarts this year, from Durmstrang."
"It is an honor to meet a friend of mistress Granger's," Dobby replied.
"Dobby," Hermione said drawing his attention again. "I was wondering if you could tell me anything about the house elves, do you know where they come from? Maybe when they began their servitude to wizards?"
Dobby shook his head his ears drooping. "Dobby is sorry, mistress Granger," Dobby said. "Dobby does not know. Dobby has known only life with Malfoy family or Hogwarts."
This news broke Hermione's heart. "It's okay, Dobby,"she assured the elf. "I was also wondering if you could help with another matter."
"Dobby will help if Dobby is able," the elf replied, and then looked around, shrinking and moving closer to them and around behind the table.
"What is it, Dobby?" Hermione asked.
"Madam Pince does not like house elves," Dobby murmured in hushed tones. "At least, that is what Dobby hears from other elves. Madam Pince does library cleaning alone."
Herminone glanced over to see Madam Pince eyeing her for a moment before turning away and wondered if it was true.
"I was wondering, Dobby," Hermione said when she turned back to the elf. "If you would like to be a liaison for the house elves."
"Liaison?" Dobby asked curiously.
"That's right," Hermione sadi with a smile. "Kind of like a spokesperson, or elf, that you would be the interum or speaker for the elves - as a free elf."
"Dobby is a free elf," Dobby replied. "But," Dobby said cocking his head. "Dobby does not know what mistress Granger speaks of."
"Well," Hermione said. "I'm making a club; an organization to bring awareness to the plight of the house elves and how poorly they are treated."
"They are treated poorly," Dobby agreed with a nod. "Though not so poorly at Hogwarts. But Dobby would behonoredto be liaison for the house elves. What is the name of your club?"
"Well, I -" Hermione began nervously. "I'm not sure yet. Do you have any suggestions? Everything I've thought of doesn't seem to fit and sounds too authoritarian for what I want."
Dobby cocked his head thoughtfully. "Society is a nice word."
"Society," Hermione reiterated, and Dobby nodded. "Well, there's the Society for the Reformation of Hags," she said. "Founded by Honoria Nutcomb around the seventeen hundreds... and then there's the Society for the Support of Squibs founded by Idris Oakby in the nineteen hundreds... Hmm... The Society for the Promotion of Elvish Welfare..." She paused and looked to Dobby and Viktor to see them both smile and nod. "I like it," she said. "It's perfect. Thank you, Dobby!"
"You're welcome, mistress Granger," Dobby replied. "But Dobby must be going now. Dobby does has work to do and does not want to bring Madam Pince's wrath upon Dobby, mistress Granger or master Krum."
Hermione nodded and glanced over to see the witch eyeing them again. "All right, Dobby," Hermione said. "Thanks again, and I'll let you know what is going on with the society soon."
"Dobby is always happy to help mistress Granger and her friends," Dobby said, and with a snap of his fingers, disappeared with a pop.
"I really wish he wouldn't do that," Hermione murmured, shaking her head.
"Do vot?" Viktor asked.
"Refer to me as mistress, or you his master..." Hermione said. "He's a free elf now, he's no longer a slave to wizards."
"Zat is true," Viktor said. "But zome things have happened for so long zay become ingrained. You have much work ahead of you for both wizards and elves."
Hermione nodded. "It will be worth it though, if I can bring awareness and change to their lives."
Viktor nodded and Hermione returned to taking notes. He watched her take out some wizarding coins after a while, studying their color thoughtfully. After a moment, she waved her wand and duplicated one. "Zat vill not vork," he said drawing her attention. "You can not spend. Zay vould know it is not real."
Hermione smiled. "That's okay," she said. "I don't plan on spending it."
Viktor arched a brow, intrigued. "Zen vy are you...?" he asked and trailed off.
"Watch," she said, and transfigured the copy of the coin into a button pin, the letters S.P.E.W. written across the front. "See?" she asked, holding it up.
"Ahh," Viktor said with a laugh, smiling at her. "Very clever."
4 September 1994
Dear Oliver,
Hermione wrote that evening after spending the day in the library with Viktor continuing to take notes from the books on house elves, but before dinner started.
I did it, well, I had a lot of help from Viktor as well as Dobby, but I did it. I have officially founded my club - though I should probably talk to Professor Dumbledore about it later, especially if it grows beyond Gryffindor like I hope.
Dobby actually helped come up with the name for it. I just couldn't find a suitable one. We've called it the Society for the Promotion of Elvish Welfare. I hope that you'll consider supporting it publicly... to help bring awareness. I've made pins, and have decided that it will cost two Sickles to join. This will buy the pin and fund our leaflet campaign. Each pin has the acronym for the club name on it; S. P. E. W. I was going to put Stop the Outrageous Abuse of Our Fellow Magical Creatures and Campaign for a Change in Their Legal Status - but nothing happened when I thought about that when putting the charm on the first button I transfigured, so I guess it just didn't fit. When that didn't work, I thought of the group name and the acronym appeared.
I haven't asked Viktor to join yet. I might not since he is so far away normally and wouldn't be able to attend meetings, though it might be possible for him to head a chapter of the group if it really grows. That's a possibility of looking into I think. Dobby said that he'd be the liaison for the house elves. I'm going to talk to Ron and Harry about it tonight after I've made enough pins to start. They asked what I was doing when I was experimenting with names, and Harry has already been sympathetic to Dobby's situation, freeing him from the Malfoy's and Professor Dumbledore hired him on here at Hogworts afterward, and Harry was also concerned about Ash when I told him about what happened. He's got nicer handwriting than Ron, so I think he'd make a good secretary, and since Ron's always so sore when it comes to money, maybe he'd be a good treasurer to take care of the money for the group. What do you think?
Hermione
Hermione folded the note when she was done and went back to making pins before heading down to dinner, stopping by the owlery on the way.
Oliver smiled when the school owl fluttered down on the railing with a letter in it beak and rose from the table, going to get it.
"Who's it from, dear?" Juniper asked.
"Hermione," Oliver replied coming back in and opening it when he sat down again.
"Well, what's it say?" Junper asked impatiently when Oliver didn't say anything, but began to laugh.
Oliver handed the note over to her when he was done, allowing her to read it herself. When she was done, she leaned over and smacked Oliver lightly on the arm, though she laughed softly herself.
"Care to share?" Hickory asked, arching a brow.
Juniper handed the letter back to Oliver who handed it to his father as they both watched him expectantly.
Soon, his booming laugh filled the air, joining the sounds of their own laughter.
"All right, all right," Juniper said after a moment, trying to regain her composure, and wiping her eyes. "She's trying, and that's something. We should be supportive. Hick, let's send her a couple Sickles to help her out."
"Not me," Oliver said shaking his head.
Juniper smacked him in the arm and he winced. "I'll not be wearing something that saysspewwhen I'm at a game. Not even if I'm just sitting there."
"Oliver!" Juniper scolded.
"Sorry, mum, she's got to come up with a better name," Oliver said. "Beside, I don't think they'd let me. It's not part of the uniform."
"Well,we'llsupport her, won't we," Juniper asked.
"You're right, Juni," Hickory said, nodding in agreement. "We'll get a couple of buttons." He rose to his feet and grabbed a nearby pouch before reaching into his pocket and drew out four Sickles, slipping them inside and tossing it to Oliver who tied it to the owl's leg. "You'd better write her back before you send back the owl."
"Wait for my reply to sender," Oliver directed the owl as he nodded and excused himself, going to his room to write a quick note. When he was done, he returned and gave it to the owl and it flew off once more after having some water and a treat.
That night after dinner, Hermione entered the common room intent on talking to Harry and Ron about the Society for the Preservation of Elvish Welfare when she noticed an owl swoop in and circle her. She followed it to the closest table where it dropped a letter before landing and holding out its leg, waiting as she untied the newly attached pouch. "One moment," she said, sitting down at the table and opening the letter.
4 September 1994
Hermione,
I'm sorry, lass, but I don't think its a good idea to purchase one of your buttons. I do not think I could wear it publicly once I go to train with Puddlemere United reserves as it is not part of their official uniform. I would get one to take with me when I'm not practicing with them or in a game, but I don't want to risk losing it before I move there. I hope you understand. Mum and Dad have enclosed 4 Sickles for some buttons to help support your club. We all hope that you do well with it. Perhaps I can get one later on?
Anyway, I think you're right; Viktor might like to help you by running a chapter of your group when he goes back home, but I would wait to ask him until you see how it does at Hogwarts, and yes, you'll need to get authorization from Professor Dumbledore to make it completely official if you expand it beyond Gryffindor. Good luck and talk to you soon.
Oliver
Hermione sighed as she opened the pouch and indeed found the four Sickles. Taking a fresh sheet of parchment from the desk, Hermione began scrawling a reply.
4 September 1994
Oliver,
I understand. It's a little disheartening, but I don't want you to get into trouble on my behalf, and I understand not wanting to lose it in a move. Thank your parents for me. I've enclosed their buttons as promised, and will send their pamphlet once I have it ready.
I know I told you about the row I had with Fred, George and Lee... we haven't made up yet, but I felt so upset when they completely disregarded the house elves, telling me that no one ever bothered with them to write more than the eight book series,House-Elves and Self-Hatred. I couldn't believe I had misjudged their character so badly. I don't know about Lee, but I thought that since the Weasleys didn't have any elves, they'd be a little more understanding of their plight and not so prejudiced . I'm not sure I evenwantto approach Ron about it now. I remember how he was last year with Crookshanks.
I think your right about Viktor though, it would be better to wait to ask him for his help, especially since I'm not ready for the Slytherins to know that I'm spending time with him. I really don't want them to treat him badly just for associating with me. And besides, I should focus on the club more at Hogwarts to start.
I know I'm probably over thinking things and psyching myself out, but I guess what I'm afraid of is how much opposition I could be facing. It just seems so daunting, especially with little to no support from people I thought I knew. I'd better go though. I didn't realize it was so late already, and classes start tomorrow. It's been a long day. I'll give the owl instruction to rest before returning. Good night.
Hermione
She folded the letter and then took two of the Sickles, making one copy of each before transfiguring the copy into a pin. Slipping them into the pouch, she gently secured the pouch to the owl's leg when it held it out, and gave it instructions to rest before returing to deliver the letter to the Wood's house.
Yawning, she headed upstairs, Crookshanks bounding up behind her with a meow. She fed him again and then changed for bed and laid her uniform out for the next day before crawling into bed. It wasn't long before she felt Crookshanks jump up and lay down near her feet, and she drifted into a restless sleep, her thoughts filled with anxiety over the club she hadn't even officially started.