Chapter 338 I Want to Go on a Hunger Strike
How fresh!
Of course, it was cooked by the house-elves.
If we don't let them do it, should we let the ghosts of Hogwarts do it?
Hearing Hermione's words, the nearly headless Nick turned his head sharply and almost threw his head off.
He hurriedly held his head and looked at Hermione in surprise, not understanding why she reacted so strongly.
"You can eat delicious meals every day, all thanks to those little guys." Nick said proudly, "Hogwarts has more than a hundred house-elves, which is more than any other wizard family in the UK."
"I've never seen them at school," said Hermione, frowning.
Before Nearly Headless Nick could say anything, Ron coughed lightly, drawing Hermione's attention.
"Hermione, a good house-elf won't let you know of its presence. It will quietly help you handle everything in secret."
"Honestly, our family has always wanted a house-elf."
"It's perfectly normal that you haven't seen them in school, they spend most of the day in the kitchen and then clean up when you're not looking."
Harry also took the opportunity to speak up: "I also know that the school's security guards also have them. If someone triggers the alarm, they will be the first to appear on the scene."
"Then you can choose to handle it yourself or report it to the professor according to the situation. Sirius once told me about the embarrassing incident of him being driven away by a house-elf."
"Sirius said that they are very hidden and you can't spot them if you don't pay attention."
"By the way, Sirius also said that the house-elves at Hogwarts are 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, no one had taken care of their dirty clothes since first grade.
These dirty clothes won’t clean themselves. They are all cleaned by the house-elves using magic.
House-elves are all-rounders in housekeeping. With so many little wizards in Hogwarts, they definitely need house-elves to take care of them.
Seeing her two friends' disapproving attitudes, Hermione felt a little angry.
During the summer vacation of her first year, she went to Swann Manor to celebrate Harry's birthday, stayed there for a week, and met Jeff, the house-elf in a suit.
She had always thought that house-elves were similar to Jeff, playing a role similar to that of a butler in a wizarding family.
But when I came into contact with Winky this summer, I discovered that the elves were all dressed in rags, had an extremely low status, and lived a life even harder than slaves.
You know, at that time in the Quidditch box, due to fear of heights, the little guy kept covering his eyes with his hands and didn't dare to look outside.
Most wizards are accustomed to this and have no objection at all.
Hermione looked at Nick who was almost headless and asked seriously: "Do those house elves have wages? Can they enjoy the holidays they deserve? Do they have sick leave when they are sick?"
salary?
sick leave?
Nearly Headless Nick laughed exaggeratedly. He laughed so hard that his head fell off, leaving only a little skin attached to his neck.
He quickly straightened his head again and said with a smile, "You are so humorous, Miss Granger. I have never heard of a house-elf asking for a salary. They don't need it."
"For house elves, wages and holidays are a naked insult to them. They just love to work."
In an instant, Hermione's filter for Hogwarts was shattered.
She thought that the house-elves at Hogwarts might live a different life, but she didn't expect that these poor little guys would still have to work day and night like Winky.
Being responsible for three meals a day for all the teachers and students in the school is such a hard job.
It is unreasonable that such hard work does not get paid or given any holidays!
"Nonsense! No one is born to like working all the time," Hermione said righteously, glaring, "They must be forced to do this."
"I think they would also like to live a freer life."
In Hermione's opinion, Winky's morbid concept of slavery is the result of long-term oppression by her master and should be corrected.
"Freedom?" Ron chuckled.
Seeing Hermione glaring at him, he quickly swallowed the food in his mouth.
"If you talk about freedom with those little guys, you will definitely scare them and then you will be listed as the most unpopular person."
"Honestly, Hermione," Ron took a sip of pumpkin juice, "you shouldn't worry about this. You're busy enough with your studies."
"It's so good like it is now. We can enjoy a convenient life, the house-elves can enjoy their work happily, and everyone gets what they need."
"In Professor Swan's words, this is a win-win situation."
Win-win?
What a win-win situation!
"Ron Weasley!" Hermione angrily punched Ron's arm. "Our convenient life is built on the suffering of house elves."
"This is exploitation, this is slavery!"
As she spoke, she pushed her plate forward and said angrily, "I'm not eating anymore! I'm going on a hunger strike in protest."
Thinking that the food in front of her was made by the house-elves who were like slaves, she felt so distressed that she couldn't eat a single bite.
Looking at the little witch who was about to go on a hunger strike, Harry reluctantly advised: "Hermione, there is no need to do this. These are all made by the house-elves with great effort."
"If they knew you treated their food like this, they would be heartbroken."
"After all, for chefs, if you can finish the food, it is the best compliment to them."
Do not eat!
Hermione shook her head firmly. She was doing this for the good of the house-elves and believed that the elves would understand her.
Seeing that Hermione was unmoved, Ron shrugged, picked up a piece of treacle pie and took a bite.
"Wow, it's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and it smells so good! I didn't expect that the house-elf's cooking skills have improved after just one holiday."
He raised his eyebrows at Hermione dramatically. "Are you sure you don't want one, Hermione?"
Hermione pursed her lips and glared at Ron angrily. Her gaze was so dignified that Ron immediately thought of Professor McGonagall.
He smiled awkwardly, ate the pie obediently, and said no more.
About an hour later, Dumbledore stood up, waved his wand, and cleared the food from the table.
After reiterating some old-fashioned things to note for the new semester, he gave the stage to Sebastian.
Amid the cheers of the little wizards, Sebastian first gave the freshmen back-to-school gift packages as usual, then cleared his throat and announced a big news.
"I regret to inform you that Hogwarts will stop all Quidditch-related activities this year."
"That is to say, whether it is the House Cup, the Magic School Quidditch Cup, or the Quidditch school team recruitment, all will be stopped."
why!
Harry and the twins looked at each other, both unable to believe their ears.
They were just discussing who was most likely to make the school team this year, but they didn't expect that their worries were in vain.
The students exclaimed, and they looked at Sebastian anxiously, waiting for him to give further explanation.
Sebastian raised his hand and pressed it down, saying with a smile.
“There will be a big campaign this school year that will run from October through the entire school year.”
"Believe me, this big event is more interesting than Quidditch, and you will all have a lot of fun."
"I am therefore delighted to report that this year at Hogwarts..."
Before he could finish his words, the door of the auditorium burst open, interrupting him.
