A Little Bat Who Surpassed His Master

When Snape and Harry returned to the girls' bathroom on the third floor, everyone was far more curious about the strange atmosphere between them than about the House-elf who had finally been caught.

"You don't need to be afraid." Hermione seemed like a different person, exceptionally gentle toward Dobby, who was hiding behind Harry.

Fred and George broke out in goosebumps.

Even Vincent found it extremely unsettling.

"No one will hurt you. I can guarantee it."

Snape sneered. "Miss Granger, I advise you not to waste your overflowing sympathy on an enemy."

"He isn't an enemy, Professor." Hermione instantly returned to her usual tone. "He knows about the Chamber of Secrets, and he knows Harry will be in danger."

"But he refuses to offer even the slightest hint."

She pursed her lips. "Maybe you frightened him."

"That is because he has a guilty conscience."

"He's scared. He's scared that you'll hurt him, Professor."

"You are only seeing the lies on the surface."

Hermione had no reply.

Not because Snape was right, but because their views differed.

Wizards believed House-elves were a class born to be enslaved. Whether they lived or died, no one found it regrettable.

As someone born into a Muggle family, she was the complete opposite.

She had searched through the entire thick copy of History of Magic, yet found nothing about the origins of House-elves.

There were a few rumors, though. One claimed they were defeated enemies turned into slaves; another claimed they had been created by wizards.

The goblins had once rebelled, yet they still managed Gringotts just fine.

Creation was even less likely.

House-elf magic belonged to an entirely different system from wizard magic.

So why was it like this?

She was more inclined to believe House-elves had been easy to bully, and that in