#338 - Chapter 338 I Want to Go on a Hunger Strike

How fresh!

Of course, the food is made by the house-elves.

If we don't let them do it, are we supposed to let the ghosts of Hogwarts do it?

Hearing Hermione's words, Nearly Headless Nick suddenly twisted his head, almost sending it flying off.

He hurriedly held his head, looking at Hermione in surprise, not understanding why she was reacting so strongly.

"You can eat delicious food every day, all thanks to those little guys," Nick said proudly, "Hogwarts has more than a hundred house-elves, more than any wizarding family in Britain."

"I've never seen them at school," Hermione said, frowning.

Before Nearly Headless Nick could speak, Ron coughed lightly, drawing Hermione's attention.

"Hermione, a good house-elf won't let you know it exists, they will silently help you with everything in the dark."

"Seriously, our family has always wanted a house-elf."

"It's very normal that you haven't seen them at school, they spend most of their time in the kitchen during the day, and then clean up when you're not paying attention."

Harry also took the opportunity to say: "I also know that they are responsible for the school's security, if someone triggers an alarm, they will be the first to appear on the scene."

"Then, depending on the situation, they choose to handle it themselves or report to the professor, Sirius told me about his embarrassing experience of being chased away by house-elves."

"Sirius said that their figures are very hidden, and you can't find them if you don't pay attention."

"By the way, Sirius also said that the house-elves at Hogwarts are a little different from those outside, at least the clothes they wear are pretty good."

Harry was also surprised that Hermione didn't know about the existence of house-elves, after all, everyone has never cared about their dirty clothes since they entered school in the first grade.

These dirty clothes won't clean themselves, they are all taken care of by the house-elves using magic.

House-elves are all-around housekeepers, Hogwarts has so many young wizards, it definitely needs house-elves to take care of them.

Seeing the indifferent attitude of her two friends, Hermione was a little sulky.

During the summer vacation of the first grade, she went to the Swan Manor to celebrate Harry's birthday, stayed there for a week, and saw the house-elf Jeff in a suit.

She always thought that house-elves should be similar to Jeff, playing a role similar to a butler in wizarding families.

But after getting in touch with Winky this summer vacation, she realized that the elves were all dressed in rags, their status was extremely low, and they lived even more hardship than slaves.

You know, at that time in the Quidditch box, because of her fear of heights, the little guy kept covering her eyes with her hands, and didn't dare to look out at all.

And most wizards are used to this and have no objection at all.

Hermione looked at Nearly Headless Nick seriously and asked: "Do those house-elves have wages? Do they get the holidays they deserve? Do they have sick leave after they get sick?"

Wages?

Sick leave?

Nearly Headless Nick laughed exaggeratedly, he laughed so hard that his head fell off, with only a little skin connecting it to his neck.

He hurriedly put his head back on, and said with a smile: "You are so funny, Miss Granger, I have never heard of a house-elf asking for wages, they don't need these."

"For house-elves, wages and holidays are a blatant insult to them, they just love to work."

In an instant, Hermione's filter for Hogwarts shattered.

She thought that the house-elves at Hogwarts might live a different life, but she didn't expect these poor little guys to have to work day and night like Winky.

Every day, they are responsible for the three meals a day for all the teachers and students of the school, which is such hard work.

And such hard work doesn't even have wages or holidays, it's really unreasonable!

"Nonsense! No one is born to like working all the time," Hermione said, glaring, righteously, "They must have been forced to do so."

"I think they would definitely like a freer life too."

In Hermione's view, Winky's morbid concept of slavery was the result of long-term oppression by her master and should be corrected.

"Freedom?" Ron chuckled.

Seeing Hermione glaring over, he hurriedly swallowed the food in his mouth.

"If you talk to those little guys about freedom, you will definitely scare them and be listed as the most unpopular person."

"Seriously, Hermione," Ron took a sip of pumpkin juice, "These are not things you should worry about, after all, your studies are busy enough."

"It's so good now, we can enjoy a convenient life, and the house-elves can enjoy happy work, everyone gets what they need."

"In Professor Swan's words, this is called a win-win."

Win-win?

Where is the win-win!

"Ron Weasley!" Hermione angrily punched Ron's arm, "Our convenient life is built on the suffering of the house-elves."

"This is exploitation, it's slave owners!"

Saying that, she pushed the plate forward and said angrily: "I'm not eating! I'm going on a hunger strike."

Thinking that the food in front of her was made by house-elves who were like slaves, she felt too sorry to eat a bite.

Looking at the little witch who was preparing to go on a hunger strike, Harry helplessly persuaded: "Hermione, there's no need to do this, these are all made by the house-elves with hard work."

"If they know that you treat their food like this, they will definitely be heartbroken."

"After all, for a chef, being able to eat your food clean is the best compliment to them."

Not eating!

Hermione shook her head firmly, she was doing this for the good of the house-elves, and she believed that the elves would understand her.

Seeing that Hermione was unmoved, Ron shrugged, picked up a treacle tart and took a bite.

"Wow, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, so delicious! I didn't expect the house-elves' skills to improve again after a vacation."

He exaggeratedly winked at Hermione: "Sure you don't want a piece, Hermione?"

Hermione pursed her lips and glared at Ron angrily, her gaze was extremely majestic, making Ron instantly think of Professor McGonagall.

He smiled sheepishly and honestly ate the pie, not saying another word.

About an hour later, Dumbledore stood up, waved his wand, and swept the food off the table.

After repeating some of the precautions for the new semester, he gave the stage to Sebastian.

Amidst the cheers of the young wizards, Sebastian first gave the freshmen a welcome package as usual, and then cleared his throat and announced a major news.

"I regret to inform everyone that Hogwarts will suspend all activities related to Quidditch this year."

"That is to say, whether it is the House Cup, the Magic School Quidditch Cup, or the Quidditch team recruitment, all will be suspended."

Why!

Harry and the twins exchanged glances, both a little unable to believe their ears.

They were just discussing who was most likely to enter the school team this year, but they didn't expect it to be a waste of time.

The students exclaimed, looking anxiously at Sebastian, waiting for him to explain further.

Sebastian raised his hand and pressed down, saying with a smile.

"A large-scale event will be launched this semester, lasting from October throughout the entire school year."

"Believe me, this large-scale event is more interesting than Quidditch, and you will all gain a lot of fun from it."

"Therefore, I am very happy to tell everyone that this year at Hogwarts..."

Before he could finish speaking, the door of the hall suddenly opened with a bang, interrupting his words.