Freedom and Dignity, Choosing to Sink into Depravity / A Stick to Beat Them, a Sweet Treat to Win Them Over

Extending these clues further, the theory of the four elements is often compared to the Five Elements theory of the China, and the one who perfected the Five Elements theory of the China Empire was the famous Zou Yan of the Warring States period... Incidentally, Zou Yan was also a wizard, and his name is printed on the Chocolate Frog Card, clearly marked as 'a famous alchemist of the China living in the 4th century BC'.

However, it is worth noting that Master Zou only perfected the Five Elements theory, while the earliest written record of the 'Five Elements' is in the Book of Documents (Shangshu·Hongfan) of the Zhou Dynasty, which is around 1000 BC.

So, based on all of the above, could Harry conclude that... the earliest known magical system in the world actually originated in China?

So, Harry sometimes really felt frustrated. Not only did these wizards fabricate history, but they also came up with all sorts of unfounded ideas on many important issues. Even if Harry wanted to sort things out, he found himself facing a complete mess, with no idea where to begin.

"I'll tell you about Runes later. Let's go to Hogwarts now."

After mentally criticizing a certain professor, Harry carefully checked the magic circle again. Once he confirmed it was working correctly, he had Dobby take him and Hermione directly to the Hogwarts Kitchen.

When they arrived, Professor Sprout was already waiting there.

Beside her were Sirius and Kreacher, as well as Harry's house -House-elf, Eliezer.

"Professor Sprout, thank you so much. It's a holiday, yet you still have to make this trip."

Upon meeting the Headmaster of Hufflepuff House, Harry quickly bowed gratefully to him.

"It's alright, it's alright," Professor Sprout quickly waved his hand amicably. "It was just a small favor, and I'm honored to be able to do something for Mr. Flamel and the others. House-elf from Hogwarts are here now; take as many as you need."

The Headmaster of the Hufflepuff House had been instructed by Dumbledore to know that Harry would need the help of Hogwarts House-elf when building the nursing home, which is why he made all the necessary preparations after receiving Harry's letter.

In some aspects... for example, respecting respected elders, Albus Dumbledore would never fail to do so.

Even though he and Harry had a secret conflict, they could still work together on these things.

"Thank you very much then." Harry nodded his thanks again and then looked around at all the House-elf present.

Apart from Eliezer, who remained calm, almost all the other House-elf were glaring at Dobby with eyes that held hidden anger and questioning, while quietly spreading out to the corners.

Kreacher went even further, looking at Dobby as if he were an unforgivable criminal!

"Hmm... sir, the situation doesn't seem very optimistic..."

Dobby clearly noticed the piercing gazes around him. His initially excited expression gradually faded, and his large ears drooped involuntarily...

(ps1: Study of Ancient Runes magic circles or barriers. This is not entirely a fictional setting. In the Goblet of Fire movie, Runes are faintly visible below the Age Line set by Albus Dumbledore.)

2. Zou Yan (c. 305 BC - 240 BC), Master Zou is indeed a wizard who appeared in Chocolate Frog Card in the Harry Potter universe. He is also the earliest wizard from China that Sanmiao can currently find. That's all~)

Chapter 508 Freedom and Respect, Self-Degradation

The reactions of the House-elf at Hogwarts were entirely within Harry's expectations.

Working like slaves without pay and without end is a creed forcibly instilled in the minds of House-elf; and for the vast majority of House-elf, being dismissed by their master is a great disgrace.

For example, given Kreacher's almost irreconcilable conflict with Sirius, do you really think Sirius didn't want to fire him?

But Sirius couldn't do that, because if Kreacher were expelled, he would surely die... and most likely by suicide.

However, their relationship should have improved somewhat now. Sirius has listened to Harry, and although he still hates Kreacher, he won't mistreat the House-elf as he used to.

Hopefully, once Regulus's body is fully recovered, both master and servant can find peace with each other...

Returning to Dobby's question, his well-dressed appearance indicates that he is an expelled House-elf, and has been in a state of expulsion for some time.

Looking at his delighted expression when he first arrived, he was clearly still enjoying himself.

Such 'unconventional' individuals are definitely someone the self-proclaimed honest and unassuming House-elf in Hogwarts' dining hall should keep their distance from.

And to be honest, Eliezer didn't necessarily like Dobby that Dobby. It's just that he had been with Nicolas Flamel for a long time and had enough knowledge and cultivation. Although he didn't agree with Dobby's actions, he didn't show the same obvious rejection as other House-elf.

His performance gave Harry a glimmer of hope.

Just as Harry had thought, there are individual differences among House-elf, and there must be individuals like Eliezer whose enslavement mentality is not deeply ingrained.

These House-elf are the ones Harry can win over.

Harry didn't say much to the dejected Dobby, just patted him on the back of the head comfortingly, while his eyes remained fixed on the House-elf of Hogwarts.

"All of you, line up in front of me."

The House-elf were absolutely meticulous in carrying out orders, so even though they disliked Dobby, they had no choice but to approach and stand properly in front of Harry.

"You all heard what Professor Sprout said. I now need to select at least ten of you to work for me from now on. However, I will not choose you myself; you will have to choose whether or not to leave Hogwarts."

As Harry spoke, he carefully observed the reactions of the House-elf. Some of them clearly showed signs of contemplation or denial, but most of them simply looked confused.

House-elf are not allowed any autonomous needs; they cannot even wash their loincloths unless ordered to do so by their owners, no matter how dirty the cloth may be.

Therefore, for the vast majority of House-elf, the choice Harry wanted them to make was a completely unfamiliar thing.

However, after Harry added a condition to this choice, a large number of House-elf immediately made their decision.

"I want to make one thing particularly clear: your work for me is contingent on... the very likely possibility that you will be working with Dobby."

Upon hearing this, the ranks of House-elf erupted in an uproar. The confusion in the eyes of many House-elf vanished, replaced by resolute denial.

Even worse, some of them had already started muttering curses under their breath.

"The House-elf of Hogwarts wouldn't want to work with him." "Exactly! Who wants to get close to that smug, degenerate guy who wears clothes but is still so self-satisfied!"

"This guy supposedly demanded payment when he was job hunting, that's utterly depraved!!" Even Kreacher, who had been hunched over, coldly cursed Dobby.

"Kreacher, shut up!"

"What, young master? Do you think Kreacher is wrong, and want to punish Kreacher for this scoundrel?!"

Seeing Sirius's displeasure, Kreacher even stiffened his neck, as if he were not afraid of being punished at all.

"I just want to order you not to punish yourself in any way." Sirius gave Kreacher a protective order with a cold face, but his eyes remained fixed on Harry and Dobby, with a hint of helpless apology in his gaze.

He knew about Dobby's story and envied Harry for being able to meet such an open-minded House-elf, but his own stubborn old man had hurt him with his words.

"I really don't understand, just because Dobby was wearing clothes and wanted to ask for his wages, you can't accept him at all?" Hermione finally snapped, unable to contain herself any longer. "What's wrong with someone who longs for freedom and doesn't want to be oppressed and enslaved by wizards anymore?"

"Asking for wages is a disgrace! House-elf never need wages!" "Freedom is the most despicable thing! House-elf would never act like him!"

"Can't you... can't you have even a little bit of self-respect?!" Hermione screamed in exasperation, but her voice was quickly drowned out by the cacophony of accusations.

"House-elf don't need that kind of thing!" "That's just self-degradation!!"

"Quiet!" Professor Sprout immediately called for a halt when he saw the House-elf arguing so fiercely with Hermione.

Hermione was dismayed to discover that even though Sprout hadn't used a harsh tone, most of the House-elf were still trembling with fear, some even pinching the backs of their hands.

"Why...?" This scene filled Hermione with a deep sense of loss.

"You can watch like Dobby for now, I'll handle this myself." Harry pulled Hermione behind him and looked at the House-elf. "I think this is better. I'll announce the selection method now... Anyone among you who doesn't want to work for me, Apparition to that corner over there. Anyone still there when I call it a day must leave with me."

"Of course, this method also has a condition: only one person can leave at a time. If many people Apparition away from the queue, they must return to the queue and make a new choice. Eliezer, you will supervise. Now... begin!"

Whoosh!*N

Just as Harry expected, the moment he finished speaking, more than 90% of the House-elf present Apparition to the corner, and then, unsurprisingly, collided with each other.

"Go back and start over."

Clearly, the first selection had failed. Under Eliezer's stern gaze, the House-elf had no choice but to slink back to their original positions.

"Okay, now for the second time, begin!"

Once again, a large group of House-elf crowded into the corner, though there were noticeably fewer impulsive ones than last time.

"I advise you to think carefully before casting your spells, otherwise we'll just have to keep wasting time. Third time, begin!"

The fourth time, the fifth time, the sixth time...

Harry calmly repeated his seemingly useless choices, while the House-elf of Hogwarts continued their futile Apparition.

Finally, after countless attempts, for the first time, a single House-elf stood in the corner of the kitchen.

"Very well, you don't have to work for me anymore." Harry nodded to the House-elf.

"But everyone else, continue!"

Chapter 509 A slap on the wrist, a sweet treat

More than a hundred House-elf, Apparition time and again, from day to night, Harry kept his word and truly outlasted the House-elf of Hogwarts until the very end.

If any two House-elf simultaneously use Apparition, they must start the selection process again.

Later on, whenever Harry shouted "Begin!", the House-elf no longer rushed off as before. Instead, they would all hesitate for a while before someone would seize the opportunity to slip away.

Later on, the House-elf were so tired that they couldn't Apparition anymore, so Harry simply changed the rules to run to the corner on foot. The first one to arrive could stop there, and the rest had to come back and line up.

"Harry, maybe we should just give up." Seeing the group of House-elf exhausted from Harry's antics, Hermione couldn't bear it and grabbed Harry's sleeve. "Just pick ten at random, and stop torturing them, okay?"

"Hermione, I'm not torturing them, I'm respecting their choice." Harry shook his head indifferently. "I gave them a chance before; if any of them volunteered to work with Dobby, I would welcome them to work for me anytime. But they refused to make a choice, so I had no choice but to resort to this troublesome method."

"But they're already very tired!"

"No matter how hard or tiring it is, isn't it their own fault?" Harry said coldly, showing no mercy. "You heard what they just said. They prefer suffering to freedom and dignity, preferring to do this repetitive and useless work! Next round, let's continue!"

"Why... why is this happening?" Hermione couldn't understand it at all, looking at Harry who was still doing whatever he wanted. "Harry, aren't you good to Dobby? Why are you so harsh on them?"

"Come on, Hermione ..." Sirius pulled Hermione back before the two could argue. "Harry has his own ideas, and Dobby is different from the House-elf here. He doesn't need Harry to use such a complicated method to change him."

Compared to Hermione, who failed to grasp the crux of the problem, Sirius, who frequently mistreated Kreacher, was better able to understand Harry's thoughts.

It was precisely because he understood this so well that he harbored an intense hatred for Kreacher, who was fundamentally unwilling to change his beliefs!

House-elf have been enslaved for so long that they are completely incapable of accepting what Hermione sees as 'for their own good'.

Therefore, simply treating them kindly is not enough to fundamentally change the problem.

So Harry simply changed his approach. He wouldn't abuse or scold the House-elf, but if they continued to cling to their erroneous beliefs, Harry would certainly make them quite exhausted.

They didn't want to work with Dobby, so let's just leave it at that.

The continuous repetition of useless work will severely deplete the House-elf's patience and perseverance. Over time, these House-elf will naturally begin to think, "Instead of wasting time like this, I might as well work with that scoundrel."

Even the slightest hint of such a thought is enough, because as the choice continues, they will inevitably have to think it over and over again, and their inner, erroneous convictions will begin to waver imperceptibly.

In the end, the House-elf chosen by Harry were definitely the ones whose views were more easily changed.

After that, as long as they are removed from the Hogwarts House-elf group and instead work at Harry's retirement home, and new ideas are constantly introduced to them in the new environment, their change in mindset will naturally become more and more obvious.

Now, after a long and arduous process, this exhausting screening has finally come to an end.

"Stop!"

As Harry spoke, the remaining ten House-elf in front of him froze, then, relaxing, all collapsed to the ground.

Two or three of them, even though they were completely exhausted, were still pounding their chests in frustration, while the rest showed little expression, as if they had already accepted the outcome.

As for those who escaped the selection, more than half of them breathed a sigh of relief, looking extremely fortunate.

Fortunately, not everyone is like that.

After thinking for a moment, Harry offered another condition. "If any of you ten genuinely don't want to work for me, you can say so immediately, and you won't have to leave Hogwarts. But there are only two spots available. Now... begin!"

As soon as the words were spoken, one of the House-elf, who had looked annoyed, immediately raised its hand, while the others, who were a step behind, reluctantly lowered their hands, which were halfway up.

Harry sent the House-elf away as promised, but after the second questioning, the remaining nine House-elf did not make a decision immediately. Instead, they hesitated for a while before one of them slowly raised its hand.

"Alright, you can leave now. The remaining eight, you'll be working for me from today onwards. Now, drink this."

After the final selection, Harry tossed eight vials from his ring, ordering the eight House-elf in front of him to drink the Potions inside.

Soon, the House-elf were surprised to find that their condition was rapidly recovering.

They clenched their hands, which were gradually regaining strength, in surprise, never expecting that Harry had given them a potion for recovery!

"This is a reward for your choice to work for me." Harry nodded calmly, but was inwardly very satisfied.

This was actually Harry's intention; he wanted to create a stark contrast between these eight House-elf and the other ninety-odd, so that all the House-elf would clearly see that... as long as they were willing to work for Harry, there would definitely be rewards.

A good beating followed by a sweet treat—this method works particularly well in many situations.

Moreover, the kind of "sweeteners" Harry offered them weren't what Hermione had previously thought—things like giving them freedom or improving their rights.

Taking such big steps is too ambitious; you have to eat one bite at a time.

Moreover, with the exhausted elves who couldn't get their Potions as a comparison, even House-elf like a Potions could have an excellent effect.