Everyone jumped at the loud scream and turned around together.
It was Dobby, the House-elf from Draco Malfoy's family. Oh, no-he was a free House-elf now.
Dobby shot into Harry's arms like a cannonball and hugged him tightly. Harry's face turned red, and he only managed to struggle free with considerable difficulty, speaking to Dobby between gasps.
A reunion after a long separation was a joyful thing, and Dobby had brought his new friend, too. Only then did everyone notice a cowering House-elf at the far end, beside the large fireplace, pressing herself hard against the wall.
"Her name is Winky. Like me, she's a House-elf who's only just come to the Castle," Dobby introduced her.
"Hello, Winky," Harry greeted the House-elf, who wore a neat little skirt and short blouse.
But something caught Harry completely off guard. The House-elf named Winky suddenly burst into loud sobs, tears rolling from her large brown eyes onto her soup-spattered blouse.
"Oh, dear," Hermione said, walking toward the House-elf with everyone following behind her. "Don't cry, Winky."
But Winky cried even harder. Standing nearby, Su Er also recalled where this House-elf had come from. If he remembered correctly, she was the one from Barty Crouch's family...
Sure enough, the next moment, Dobby explained to everyone, "Like me, Winky came from a wizarding family. Everyone in that family went to Azkaban. Winky was released early."
Hermione's comforting words did no good at all. The House-elf named Winky bawled even harder, mucus streaming from her nose, which looked like a squashed tomato.
At that moment, Kleis approached with several House-elves carrying a large silver tray. Kleis glanced at Winky with a look of pity, then at Dobby with an expression of deep shame at being associated with him.
"Have some tea, young master, young mistress."