The other House-elves nearby heard the commotion and stopped their work, looking at Hermione warily.
Hermione stood stunned, completely unprepared for such a reaction.
Undeterred, she walked towards another House-elf who was chopping vegetables.
"Listen to me, Wizards shouldn't enslave you..."
"Enslave?" The knife in the House-elf's hand nearly dropped to the floor.
"House-elves are not enslaved, House-elves serve voluntarily."
"But you don't even get paid."
"Wages are an insult," the House-elf's voice became sharp.
"Are Young Wizard here to humiliate House-elves?"
With that, it also ran off.
Hermione stood there, her face filled with frustration. She turned to the third and fourth House-elves, receiving the same reaction. Some House-elves even saw her approaching from a distance and immediately hid.
Finally, Hermione could only walk back to Charlie's side.
"They all ignored me," her voice was filled with confusion and disappointment.
Charlie leaned against the wall, watching her struggle for a long time before speaking.
"Everyone achieves self-worth in different ways."
"Especially different races."
"If you impose your own ideas on House-elves, of course they won't understand."
Hermione frowned: "But they are oppressed..."
"In your view, it's oppression," Charlie interrupted her.
"In their view, serving Wizards is where their value lies."
Hermione bit her lip, clearly still unable to accept it.
"But they are so loyal, so dedicated, giving everything to Wizards, should they be abused?"
Charlie raised his hand and pointed to the depths of the kitchen.
"See for yourself, are these House-elves being abused?"
Hermione followed his gesture.
In the kitchen, the House-elves were performing their respective duties. Some were washing dishes, moving deftly and humming off-key tunes. Some were preparing ingredients, gathered in groups of three or five, occasionally whispering to each other.
They were busy, but their faces were all adorned with contented smiles.
They were not like Winky at the time, casually beaten, scolded, and abandoned.
Hermione suddenly realized that by chasing the House-elves and asking those questions, she was acting more like an abuser herself.
Her face felt a little hot.
"Dumbledore also knows the plight of the House-elves," Charlie said calmly, leaning against the wall.
"He once tried to give House-elves freedom."
Hermione immediately looked up, her eyes brightening.
"But those House-elves who gained freedom became depressed instead," Charlie continued.
"They drowned their sorrows in alcohol every day, and their entire mental state collapsed."
Hermione was stunned.
"Later, Dumbledore understood that respecting the House-elves' choices was truly what was best for them," Charlie turned to look at the busy figures in the kitchen.
"So he let them work at Hogwarts. There are indeed no wages or holidays, because they don't need them at all."
Hermione opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but swallowed it back.
"But Dumbledore still provides each House-elf with what they need."
"Not what you think is important, but what they truly need."
Hermione lowered her head, twisting her fingers together.
"You can't impose holidays and wages on them just because you think they're important."
"It's like you can't force someone to be a vegetarian just because you don't like meat."
"Don't treat them as objects to be saved; treat them as lives worthy of respect."
Hermione looked up, her expression complex, but she seemed to understand a little.
Charlie turned to face her.
"If you really want to help them, why not accept their service and then go after those Wizards who truly abuse House-elves?"
Hermione's eyes slowly widened.
"Like Crouch," Charlie added.
"I understand."
She looked up, appearing much more relaxed.
"How do you know all this?" Hermione suddenly asked.
"Did Dumbledore tell you?"
Charlie shook his head.
"Billy told me."
"Billy?"
"The House-elf in the tuxedo just now," Charlie pointed to the depths of the kitchen.
"I've known him for a long time."
For a moment, Hermione felt a little ashamed.
She had been clamoring to free the House-elves, but had never considered what they truly needed. She had simply imposed her own ideas on them.
Charlie, on the other hand, was completely opposite.
He said nothing, but truly respected every life.
The Basilisk, and every life that had felt Charlie's iron fist: Feed me peanuts!
At this moment, Hermione's stomach suddenly rumbled.
She paused, a little embarrassed.
In the Great Hall, her mind was entirely on the House-elves, and she had no appetite. Now, after all the commotion, her stomach began to protest.
"Your big stomach digests quite quickly," Charlie squinted at her.
Hermione bit her lip, lowered her head slightly, and gave Charlie a punch, her earlobes showing a faint pink.
"You're the one with the big stomach!"
Charlie smiled and raised his hand to call Billy.
"Billy, please get her some food."
Billy immediately bowed and ran towards the depths of the kitchen. In less than a minute, he returned with a tray.
On the tray were steaming meat pies, roasted potatoes, and a glass of pumpkin juice.
Hermione took the tray and ate in small bites, her head bowed.
"Thank you, Charlie."
Hermione said softly.
"You're welcome," Charlie replied casually.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"