Chasing Shadows || Draco Malfoy x OC

Year 4- Ch. 59

"Winky is having trouble adjusting, Harry Potter." Dobby said. "Winky forgets she is not bound to Mr. Crouch anymore; she's allowed to speak her mind now, but she won't do it."

"Are house-elves not allowed to speak their mind?" Asked Ron.

"Oh no, sir, no," said Dobby, looking suddenly serious. "'Tis part of the house-elf's enslavement, sir. We keeps their secrets and our silence, sir. We upholds the family's honor, and we never speaks ill of them — though Professor Dumbledore told Dobby he does not insist upon this. Professor Dumbledore said we is free to — to —"

He looked around nervously and the gestured to Harry to come closer.

"He said we is free to call him a— a barmy old codger if we likes, sir!" He whispered and then let out a slightly frightened giggle. "But Dobby is not wanting to, sir, Dobby likes Professor Dumbledore very much, sir.

"My poor Mr. Crouch, what is he doing without Winky?" Winky said, sobbing again, "he is needing me, he is needing my help."

"Winky," Hermione said firmly, "I am certain that Mr. Crouch is fine without you, we had seen him—"

Céline facepalmed herself. Winky looked up at Hermione with her tear stained face. "You is seeing my master?" She asked.  "You is seeing him here at Hogwarts?"

"Yes." Hermione said, "He's here to judge the Triwizard Tournament with Mr. Bagman."

"Mr. Bagman comes too?" Winky squeaked, and to the surprise of the four of them, she looked angry again, "Mr Bagman is a bad wizard! Very bad wizard, my master isn't liking him, not at all."

"Mr. Bagman— bad?" Asked Harry.

"Oh yes," Winky said, "very bad, my master is telling Winky some things! But Winky will not say... winky keeps her masters secrets..." her face turned sullen again as tears began to spill again. "Poor master, poor master!"

They were unable to get anything else out of her after that. They left here there by the fireplace after finishing their tea. Dobby spoke of his free life and his plans for his wages.

"Dobby is going to buy a sweater next, Harry Potter!" He said excitedly.

"Tell you what," Ron said, "I'll give you one that my mom knits knits me for Christmas, she's always making me one. You don't mind maroon, right?"

Dobby was absolutely delighted by this.

As they prepared to leave the little elves offered snacks to take with them, Hermione refused, but Harry and Ron stuffed their robe pockets. Céline only took one to  eat on the way back. She thanked them and headed for the door.

As they left and walked up the staircase, Ron spoke up. "You know what?" They all looked at him, "all these years, I always wondered how Fred and George were always able to nick some food from the kitchens." He looked down at the pastry in his hand. "It's not exactly difficult, is it? They can't wait to give it away."

"I think this is the best thing that could've happened to those house-elves." Hermione said, "Dobby coming to work here, I mean. The other elves will see how happy he is being free and they'll soon want the same too!"

Céline sighed, a lot louder than she intended too. Hermione looked at her.

"What?" She asked.

Céline stopped at the top of the stairs and looked at her.

"Look... Hermione— and I say this with as much love as possible... but I can't tell if you're truly oblivious or you're just ignoring them." Céline said.

Hermione frowned, looking at her confused. Ron and Harry looked between the two girls with wide eyes.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

Céline sighed again, knowing that there was no turning back, and it'll likely cause Hermione to be upset with her.

"What I mean is, you clearly see that these elves don't want what you're trying to offer, you've been told by multiple people that the house-elves like what they're doing and you've been ignoring it. Like Hagrid said, you'd be doing them an unkindness."

"I'm trying to help." Hermione reported.

"And I completely understand that and I admire you for doing something you're so passionate about. But you can't help someone who doesn't want it. The house-elves don't want it. Isn't it more selfish that you're pushing something on them that they don't want or aren't looking for?" Céline said a bit more firmly.

"Oh boy..." Ron mumbled to himself. He knew Hermione is stubborn, Céline had a point, and he was sure Hermione understood, but she is also very stubborn.

Hermione's eyebrows were not furrowed and her cheeks had turn a bit red. "Dobby is happy to be free." She said hotly.

"And it would be amazing if they all thought like Dobby, but they're happy where they are now." Céline said calmly

"Can you say the same thing about Telly? Is she happy with how he's treated in your home?" Snapped Hermione.

"Hey, Hermione." Harry said quietly, but she ignored him.

Céline frowned at her, "as I've told you before. I have never treated Telly poorly."

"Yes, you haven't, but your parents-"

"My parents treat anyone who they deem beneath them poorly. Myself included." They all looked at her a bit stunned. She took a deep breath to try and calm herself again. "Look Hermione, I know you mean well with your movement, and I hope you find more Dobbys, but if they don't want it, don't push it on them."

Hermione didn't know what to say to that. She stood there with her hands clenched. She then turned around and walked away towards the marble staircase without another word.

"Hermione." Ron groaned. He looked back to Harry and Céline, "I'll go after her, don't worry Céline. It's just Hermione." She nodded, looking a bit glum. He turned around and quickly walked away after Hermione, leaving Harry and Céline alone.

Céline sighed again and looked down, "Maybe I shouldn't have said anything." She said.

"No, I think she needed to hear that." Harry said patting her back to comfort her.

"Was I too harsh about it?" She groaned, "why did I say that? You and Ron finally started speaking with each other, and now I went and did this. What if she doesn't want to talk to me anymore?" She ran her hands through her hair in frustration.

"Hey, Cél. It's okay. Hermione needed to hear that. She might be a bit upset about it at first, but out of everyone, I think she would listen to you the most." Harry said trying to comfort her. "She's values your friendship too much, to stop talking to you for this. Don't worry, she'll come around."

Céline looked at him and he gave her a reassuring smile.

"Thanks Harry... I appreciate it." Said Céline. She sighed and looked at her watch. "I suppose studying is no longer an option for me. I think I'll head back to my room now."

"Do you want me to walk you there?" He asked. She smiled at him and shook her head.

"No, I think I'll be alright by now." She said. He contemplated for a moment whether or not to push, but decided against and nodded to her. She waved to him and walked down the corridor towards the Slytherin dungeons.