Seeing Vid successfully distract Hermione, the others all gave him a relaxed smile, except for Michael and Padma, who looked thoughtful and furrowed their brows.
Theo whispered to Leian, "Once the investigation is over, Hermione will know—Hogwarts' house-elves are already the happiest elves; they don't want to leave at all."
Leian nodded and added, "Actually, if we want to change things, we should look at wizard families like the Malfoys; their practices are indeed cruel."
"Most families don't behave that way. My grandfather's family has a house-elf, and we consider him as part of our family."
Theo said, "Moreover, house-elves sometimes punish themselves and need their master's command to stop self-harm."
Leian nodded again.
Even though his family didn't have a house-elf, Leian felt that from the story of the Black family, one could see that some wizards truly cared about house-elves. Regulus Black would rather sacrifice himself than harm Kreacher.
While Hermione was busy with her survey, Padma and Michael sidled up to Vid's table.
Michael pretended to discuss a problem, setting a book upright, and whispered, "Is it my illusion, Vid? Do you really consider liberating house-elves?"
"If you've learned Muggle history, you'll know—the awakening of slave consciousness and resistance struggles have continued for thousands of years, from Spartacus leading a slave revolt to the modern abolition movements—it's only natural to make such comparisons, right?"
Vid said casually.
Padma also asked softly, "So do you actually support Hermione? But just think her approach is wrong?"
She glanced at Michael, and they exchanged a look.
Though... though Padma was reluctant to lose the life of having house-elves serve, if Vid thought Hermione's method was right, then perhaps they were wrong...right?
Friendship made them feel they could endure life's inconveniences, braving hardships for a friend's ideals.
But Vid sighed and shook his head.
He said, "If I really supported Hermione, I'd tell her—the truly effective way isn't giving house-elves clothes, nor is it a survey—because we all know Hermione is destined not to get the answer she wants."
"Then what do you think we should do?" Michael pressed on.
This time, Vid didn't answer, only smiled helplessly.
Awakening slave consciousness, making them realize they are being exploited, has countless successful historical precedents.
Hogwarts' house-elves aren't suitable objects of liberation because they live well, and the teachers and students at the school do not beat or mistreat them, nor do they suffer from hunger.
They are content and have no desire for change.
House-elves living in dire conditions, like Dobby, should be Hermione's primary focus.
To change the mindset of house-elves, one must guide their awakening, educate them on right and wrong, and make them aware that their rights have been deprived, their dignity trampled on, even their lives and reproduction threatened and controlled by wizards...to realize this life is extremely miserable and unjust.
They should narrate their suffering to each other, complain, and help each other, finding the emotional support and motivation within a similar community needed for change.
Start with giving them small choices in things like clothing and meals, gradually improving their lives; then, letting external changes break these choices, inspiring house-elves to strive for their rights and courage.
Some of them should have the chance to gain a truly safe environment, experience love, respect, equality, and justice, enabling them to truly realize how painful the past was, awakening their self-awareness as "intelligent beings."
However, this change is bound to be slow and painful, accompanied by war and sacrifice. When house-elves truly awaken, the disaster for wizards will follow.
Moreover, individuals with clear and rational thinking, who understand not to expand hatred indiscriminately, are rare. Awakened house-elves might hate all humanoid creatures and possibly ally with centaurs, werewolves, giants, and goblins to take revenge on humanity.
Even though Vid disagreed with the notion of enslavement, he could not bring himself to ignite a war in the Magic World.
...
In the following days, Hermione no longer bothered Vid and the others with her "S.P.E.W." and just grabbed a few strong helpers from Gryffindor to assist with survey and statistics.
Several times, when Vid returned to the dormitory at night, he saw Neville, Harry, Ron, and Hermione, clutching thick piles of parchment, tiredly emerging from the kitchen entrance.
Hermione modified her questions several times to get more ideal answers, but the pressure around her grew, and she didn't want to discuss it with others.
Because the elves' answers were always similar—
"Amy isn't tired. Amy loves working! Amy is very happy!"
"Bad elves make mistakes! Good elves shouldn't make mistakes, and if they do, they should punish themselves! This is correct!"
"Oh, don't mention Dobby. Dobby is a fallen house-elf, a disgrace to house-elves! He should be ashamed of himself!"
"Without the master's permission, house-elves shouldn't have children! But Becky's great-great-great-great grandfather once served the great Godric Gryffindor!"
"Such thoughts are dreadful! House-elves don't need freedom; Hogwarts is our home! Lola... Lola loves it here! Lola never wants to leave!"
Only a few house-elves, feeling very ashamed, as if doing something wrong, secretly expressed their desire for rewards.
But they didn't want wages for themselves.
"Zoe... Zoe wants to buy gifts..." The house-elf nervously twisted a corner of the tea towel on himself and said, "Zoe can only give Vid things picked up from outside, but a crystal ball from the shop would be a better gift..."
Another elf said, "If there were rewards, I'd like to buy Scurvy Grass. Madam Pomfrey is always complaining there's not enough Scurvy Grass..."
"I've said it before, they like being slaves, but Hermione wouldn't believe it." Ron complained, "We're nearly being treated like bad guys by the elves when we go to the kitchen now!"
Hermione was also frustrated, trying not to show her bad mood as she held her compiled data and said to Vid:
"My work is meaningful. Maybe we should start with something small, like securing some usable funds for the school's house-elves..."
"Sure, why not give it a try?" Vid encouraged.
After dinner one night, Hermione mustered her courage, sending a letter to Dumbledore. The next day she went to the kitchen and was delighted to find the funds were already in place.
Hogwarts provided 10 Galleons per month to the kitchen, allowing the elves to buy what they needed. Of course, most house-elves are very self-restrained, not even glancing at it.
"The house-elves at Hogwarts are very satisfied with their lives, but many house-elves outside are still suffering."
After her first successful try, Hermione excitedly said, "My next goal is to find ways to lessen or prohibit the mistreatment of house-elves."
"First, you'll need the authority to make laws and punish violators." Vid poured cold water on her enthusiasm, "Actually, the Ministry of Magic has stipulated what kind of treatment house-elves should have, but it has never been enforced."
"Is there such a law?" Hermione asked in shock.
Vid nodded, "There's truly such a law."
Hermione wasn't the first wizard to sympathize with house-elves.
Hearing this, Hermione immediately rushed to the library to borrow books with related legal texts.
Vid admired her initiative greatly, then spun a quill, jotting down plans for the next Magic Spell Study Group event.
Time flew by swiftly, and the following week, the schools participating in the tournament were due to arrive at Hogwarts.