House-elves and Centaurs

For most people, the first phase of a holiday is a time for fun and relaxation, and they don't even remember they have homework until the start of the new school term.

So on the last day of the Christmas holidays, this scene unfolded in the Hufflepuff Common Room: the laughter and chatter of the previous days were gone, and everyone was hunched over every flat spot, frantically finishing their homework that they hadn't written a single word of.

This is also a traditional Hufflepuff group activity that takes place once or twice a year.

With only one day left before the start of the semester, time was tight and tasks were heavy, so much so that not many people came to lunch. Compared to the bustling long tables in other colleges, Hufflepuff seemed deserted.

Of course, this might also be because Hufflepuff is closer to the kitchen, allowing them to have lunch without having to come to the Great Hall... because some people from other houses have also been behaving very strangely.

Among them were Harry and Ron from Gryffindor, who stood up in just five minutes, each grabbing a bag of roasted potatoes and rushing out of the Great Hall.

Hermione followed behind, constantly berating them.

Then, as she reached the entrance of the Great Hall, she suddenly stopped. Instead of going back with them, she turned a corner and walked straight towards Hufflepuff.

Kyle was discussing the Firebolt with Cedric when he looked up and saw Hermione sitting in the empty seat opposite him.

"Hermione?" Kyle asked instinctively, "Did you and Ron fight again?"

"No," Hermione said. "I've thought it through. Arguing with him is completely pointless except for making myself miserable. I came to see you this time."

"Looking for me?"

"Because of this." Hermione took out a box, opened it, and placed it on the table.

Kyle and Cedric both peered over.

There were about a dozen badges in the box, all different colors, but all with the same letters written on them.

SPEW

"S.P.E.W.?" Cedric blurted out instinctively. "You're not planning to use this to boo the other schools' Champion during the Second Task, are you...? I don't think Professor McGonagall would approve of you doing that."

"It wasn't S.P.E.W.." Hermione said, sounding annoyed; clearly, many people had already misunderstood.

But she tried to calm herself down and explained, "It's an abbreviation for Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare."

"House-elf? What?" Cedric looked at Kyle, completely bewildered. "Have you heard of them?"

"No." Kyle shook his head.

"I started this, just two months ago," Hermione said crisply. "The purpose is to fight for the rights and wages that House-elf deserve."

"Huh?" Cedric was even more confused. He thought he had misheard. "Paying wages to House-elf?"

Yes, that's right.

Hermione's voice was a little louder than before, "I think many wizards treat House-elf as slaves. They don't get paid, they don't get holidays, and what's worse, right here at Hogwarts, there are over a hundred of these House-elf..."

Hermione spoke eloquently, becoming more and more excited as she went on, as if she were giving a speech during the election of Minister for Magic.

Upon hearing her words, many people couldn't help but burst out laughing, and the Slytherin nearby laughed so hard they slapped the table.

Thanks to his good manners, Cedric listened to Hermione's words as calmly as possible.

"So I think we should help them... Would you like to join? It only costs two Silver Sickle to buy badges... This income can be used to print flyers later."

"Excuse me," Cedric said, "May I ask how many members you have right now?"

"Um... six," Hermione said. "Me, Harry, Ron, Neville, Fred, and George."

"Fred ..." Cedric said incredulously, "They joined too?"

"Yes," Hermione said, "Even though they said they wouldn't participate in any activities, they still bought the badges..."

Kyle raised an eyebrow. He figured the reason Fred and Ron had pulled out two Sickle was most likely because they were interested in the "S.P.E.W." badge... because it could change shape; just by shaking it, it could transform from "Spew" into an image of House-elf.

With just a slight modification... like changing the image to Krum's, it will have the effect of jeering.

"Would you like to join us?" Hermione asked hopefully, pushing the box forward.

"If I don't participate in the event... I can buy a badge," Cedric said, handing Hermione two Sickle.

Kanna next to her also paid two Sickle, as a way of supporting her friend... Of course, the premise is that she doesn't have to wear the badge.

This looks too much like the Weasley brothers' prank badge, almost exactly the same as Percy's "Big Head Boy" badge. Wearing it would be quite embarrassing.

Both of them paid, but Kyle did nothing.

"You don't want to?" Hermione looked somewhat disappointed, because in her mind, Kyle shouldn't be like this.

But Hermione didn't want to give up.

She had thought it through. Kyle's attitude was very important. If he was willing to join, then with the Champion ' status, she might be able to recruit more members.

Hermione then took a deep breath and said in a louder voice, "This is slave labor. Every bite we eat now is obtained by exploiting House-elf. So, you think this is right and want to go along with them?"

Kanna frowned. She hated the way Hermione had spoken to Kyle earlier and wanted her two Sickle back.

"I don't want to buy it anymore, give me the money..."

Before she could finish speaking, she was pulled back.

"I understand your thinking, Hermione," Kyle said, shaking his head. "But you're doing it the wrong way. I bet you've been to the kitchen."

"That's right," Hermione said. "I persuaded them to fight for their wages."

"And what was the result?" Kyle continued to ask.

This time, Hermione remained silent.

After a long pause, she stammered, "House-elf have been enslaved for too long, which is why they need our help. I think..."

"Please wait a moment."

Kyle interrupted her, "It's not something that can be explained in a few words. How about this, if you have time, could you come with me for a moment? I'll take you somewhere... If you insist afterward, then I'll buy the badge."

"Okay!" Hermione said, "Where to?"

"Come with me, you'll see when we get there."

Kyle rose and walked out of the Great Hall, Hermione following closely behind.

Kanna thought for a moment and followed, and Cedric, needless to say, even called Cho, who was eating nearby.

The group walked out of the Great Hall, and then Kyle went through the castle gates and headed towards the Forbidden Forest.

The door to Hagrid's Hut was tightly shut, and as they approached, they heard Fang barking from inside.

Then the door opened, Hagrid poked his head out, looking haggard. Clearly, even in his bad mood, he hadn't forgotten his most important job...

"You lot," he called to Kyle, who was about to enter the Forbidden Forest, "If you've come to visit me, then go back now. I just want to be alone."

If you want to go to the Forbidden Forest, go back quickly. It's too dangerous there. As long as I haven't been expelled, I can't let you in."

"Excuse me, Hagrid," Kyle stopped and said, "We have something very important to do, and if we don't go to the Forbidden Forest ... could you help us call a centaur?"

"Oh no, go back quickly."

"We really have something to do, Hagrid, please," Kyle said again.

This time, Hagrid hesitated for a moment, then staggered out of the house.

"Alright," he said, "But you absolutely cannot take another step forward until I come out. Just wait here."

"No problem," Kyle said.

Hagrid nodded and walked into the depths of the Forbidden Forest.

Kyle kept his word and stood there, continuing his discussion with Cedric about the topics they hadn't finished earlier.

"Honestly, the Firebolt is amazing in every way. It's hard to imagine that you managed to hold Harry off for so long last year."

"Yeah, I think it's incredible too," Cedric said. "You were so smooth when you were dodging the Bludger. Firebolt is every Seeker's dream broom."

"You can buy one too. I can lend it to you once I win the 1,000 Galleon prize from the Triwizard Tournament."

"No need, I'll be in seventh grade next year, it's not worth it to use it for only one year."

"What about graduation?" Kyle said. "Didn't you want to join a professional Quidditch team? You can't exactly go there with your Nimbus 1700 ..."

"Yes, Kyle is right," Kanna chimed in. "If that's not enough, I can lend you some."

Hermione stood silently to the side while they spoke.

Hagrid emerged quickly, accompanied by a centaur.

He had unusually blue eyes, Winky platinum blonde hair, and was very handsome. His lower body was that of a pale gold horse with Abraxan, which was equally beautiful.

"Thank you, Hagrid."

Kyle stepped forward and greeted the centaur, "Hello, Firenze."

"Hello, little pony," said Firenze. "Oh, I recognize you. You're the one who rescued the little Unicorn from that dark wizard."

That happened several years ago.

"Yes, the little Unicorn from back then has grown up now," Firenze said. "Alright, back to the point, Hagrid said you wanted to see us centaurs, is there something you need?"

"It's just a simple question," Kyle said. "Firenze, what do you think about us wizards always wearing clothes?"

"Inconceivable."

Firenze blurted out, "I can't understand why you're punishing yourselves so harshly when you're still ponies and haven't done anything wrong."

"Wait, you mean the clothes we're wearing are a punishment?" Hermione couldn't help but ask.

"Yes," Firenze said solemnly, "In our tribe, only those who commit serious offenses are forcibly wrapped in strips of cloth and leaves, depriving them of their right to contact nature."

"Thank you, Firenze, I've finished asking," Kyle said. "I hope you can give my regards to Magorian."

"I will definitely pass on the message," Firenze said.

However, before returning to the Forbidden Forest, he hesitated for a moment, then said, "I really suggest you remove your shackles and experience the charm of nature... After all, you haven't done anything wrong."

"Uh...no need." Qiu took a step back warily, and even the way she looked at Firenze changed.