Kassandra Bauer and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4)

Chapter 22: Mr. Crouch goes mad.

We went up to the Owlery after breakfast on Sunday to send a letter to Percy. Just like Sirius suggested us to do. 

"Um... why are we doing this?" Ryan asked.

"We need to ask Percy if he's seen Mr. Crouch lately." Hermione answered.

"I get that. But why are we going to him?" Ryan asked.

"Because, Percy clings onto Mr. Crouch like a little lost puppy. So he's got to know where he is." Ron answered.

I laughed at that part with a little lost puppy.

Harry decided to use Hedwig, given that it had been so long since she'd have a job. And we watched her fly out of sight through the Owlery Window. Then Harry proceeded down to the Kitchens to give Dobby his new socks.

And just like before, the House Elves gave us a very cheery welcome. Bowing and making us all things again. And Dobby was ecstatic about his present. 

"Harry Potter is too good to Dobby!" He squeaked. 

"You saved my life with that Gillyweed, Dobby, you really did." Harry explained. 

"No chance of more of those eclairs, is there?" Ron asked who was looking around at the House Elves.

"You've just had breakfast!" Hermione exclaimed irritably. But nevertheless, a whole tray of Eclairs  zoomed towards us.

"Yeah, but I haven't had Second Breakfast." Ron countered. "And besides we have Gods with us. We need to treat them with the great respect that they deserve. And the only thing I can think of is to give them a food fit for a God." 

"Are we going to say something to him?" I heard Horus whisper to Anubis.

"It's free food. We'll let it slide." Anubis whispered back.

But I thought of Sirius eating Rats. "We'll also give some to Snuffles." I suggested.

"Good idea." Ron agreed. "Give Pig something to do. You couldn't give us a bit of extra food, could you?" He asked the House Elves who bowed and hurried off to get some more. "Such tireless workers." 

"Well... at least this one's going to Snuffles." Hermione caved in. She looked around then. "Dobby, where's Winky?" 

"Winky is over there by the fire, miss." Dobby answered.

I looked over at the Fireplace too. That poor House Elf was sitting by the Fireplace too. Sitting on the same stool. But she allowed herself to become so filthy that she did not look like herself. He And she clutched a bottle of butterbeer and swayed slightly on her stool, starring into the fire. 

I noticed Pitts walking by. "Pitts, what's going on with Winky?" I asked.

Pitts grunted. "Winky's been drinking on the job." He answered. "She goes through six bottles a day now." 

"Is it strong for her?" I asked as I saw Winky hiccup, and the House Elves disapproving looks as they returned to work. 

"Winky is pining, Harry Potter." Dobby whispered sadly. "Winky wants to go home. Winky still thinks Mr. Crouch is her master, sir, and nothing Dobby says will persuade her that Professor Dumbledore is her master now." 

"Correction." Pitts interrupted. "Pitts is Winky's Master now." 

"Pitts. You think you could be a little nicer to Winky?" I asked.

"Pitts reserves his respect for those who get to work." Pitts replied. "Say what Kassandra Bauer will about Jae Kim. At least he did his work making Food."