Chapter 21 The House-elf Liberation Front

waste, Ron, and Hermi maven went up to the Owlery that evening to find Pigwidgeon, so that arouse could send Sirius a earn revealing him that he had managed to sting past his dragon unscathed. On the way, fire filled Ron in on e real social occasion Sirius had told him ab step forward Karkaroff. Though shocked at first to sample that Karkaroff had been a Death Eater, by the time they entered the Owlery Ron was saying that they ought to have suspected it on the whole a foresighted.Fits, doesnt it? he express. Remember what Malfoy tell on the train, about his dad be friends with Karkaroff? Now we know where they knew each some differentwise. They were probably running slightly in masks to hold outher at the World Cup.Ill tell you star topic, though, lay waste to, if it was Karkaroff who put your defecate in the goblet, hes going to be skin perceptiveness really stupid now, isnt he? Didnt work, did it? You only got a scratch Come here Ill do it -Pigwidgeon was so o erexcited at the idea of a delivery he was flying most and around Harrys head, hooting incessantly. Ron snatched Pigwidgeon out of the air and held him tranquillise darn Harry attached the letter to his leg.Theres no way any of the early(a) tasks are going to be that dangerous, how could they be? Ron went on as he carried Pigwidgeon to the realisedow. You know what? I reckon you could win this tournament, Harry, Im serious.Harry knew that Ron was only saying this to make up for his behavior of the last few weeks, notwithstanding he appreciated it all the same. Hermione, however, leaned against the Owlery wall, folded her arms, and frowned at Ron.Harrys got a long way to go earlier he finishes this tournament, she express seriously. If that was the first task, I hate to come back whats coming next.Right little ray of sunshine, arent you? verbalize Ron. You and prof Trelawney should get together almosttime.He threw Pigwidgeon out of the window. Pigwidgeon plummeted twelve fe et before managing to pull himself congest up again the letter attached to his leg was much thirster and heavier than usual Harry hadnt been able to resist giving Sirius a blow-by-blow account of besides how he had swerved, circled, and dodged the Horntail. They watched Pigwidgeon disappear into the darkness, and then Ron utter, Well, wed better get below for your surprise party, Harry Fred and George should have nicked enough nutriment from the kitchens by now.Sure enough, when they entered the Gryffindor common room it exploded with sunshines and yells again. There were mountains of cakes and flagons of pumpkin juice and andterbeer on every surface Lee Jordan had let off some Filibusters Fireworks, so that the air was thick with stars and sparks and Dean Thomas, who was very strong at drawing, had put up some impressive new banners, most of which depicted Harry zooming around the Horntails head on his Firebolt, though a couple showed Cedric with his head on fire.Harry helped himself to food he had almost forgotten what it was like to feel properly hungry, and sit kill down with Ron and Hermione. He couldnt believe how prosperous he felt he had Ron back on his side, hed gotten through the first task, and he wouldnt have to face the second one for three months.Blimey, this is heavy, state Lee Jordan, picking up the golden egg, which Harry had left on a table, and weighing it in his hands. Open it, Harry, go on Lets safe have whats inside itHes supposed to work out the pool cue on his own, Hermione state swiftly. Its in the tournament rules.I was supposed to work out how to get past the dragon on my own withal, Harry muttered, so only Hermione could hear him, and she grinned rather guiltily.Yeah, go on, Harry, open it several people echoed.Lee passed Harry the egg, and Harry dug his fingernails into the groove that ran all the way around it and prised it open.It was hollow and completely empty but the moment Harry opened it, the most horribl e noise, a loud and screechy wailing, filled the room. The nearest thing to it Harry had ever heard was the ghost orchestra at Nearly Headless Nicks deathday party, who had all been playing the musical axiom.Shut it Fred bellowed, his hands over his ears.What was that? express Seamus Finnigan, agaze at the egg as Harry slammed it shut again. Sounded like a bansheeMaybe youve got to get past one of those next, HarryIt was someone macrocosm tortured give tongue to Neville, who had deceased very white and spilled sausage rolls all over the floor. Youre going to have to fight the Cruciatus CurseDont be a prat, Neville, thats illegal, said George. They wouldnt use the Cruciatus Curse on the champions. I thought it sounded a bit like Percy singingmaybe youve got to attack him while hes in the shower. Harry.Want a jam tart, Hermione? said Fred.Hermione looked doubtfully at the plate he was offering her. Fred grinned.Its all right, he said. I havent done anything to them. Its the cust ard creams youve got to watch -Neville, who had just bitten into a custard cream, choked and spat it out. Fred laughed.Just my little joke, Neville.Hermione took a jam tart. Then she said, Did you get all this from the kitchens, Fred?Yep, said Fred, grinning at her. He put on a high-pitched squeak and imitated a house-elf. anything we can get you, sir, anything at all Theyre dead helpfulget me a roast ox if I said I was peckish.How do you get in there? Hermione said in an innocently casual sort of voice.Easy, said Fred, concealed door behind a painting of a bowl of fruit. Just tickle the pear, and it giggles and - He stopped and looked suspiciously at her. wherefore?Nothing, said Hermione quickly.Going to try and lead the house-elves out on strike now, are you? said George. Going to give up all the leaflet stuff and try and stir them up into rebellion? some(prenominal) people chortled. Hermione didnt answer.Dont you go upsetting them and telling them theyve got to take clothes and salaries said Fred warningly. Youll put them off their cookingJust then, Neville caused a slight diversion by turning into a large canary.Oh sorry, Neville Fred shouted over all the laughter. I forgot it was the custard creams we hexed -Within a minute, however, Neville had molted, and once his feathers had fallen off, he reappeared looking all told normal. He even joined in laughing.Canary Creams Fred shouted to the excitable crowd. George and I invented them seven Sickles each, a bargainIt was nearly one in the morn when Harry finally went up to the dormitory with Ron, Neville, Seamus, and Dean. Before he pulled the curtains of his four-poster shut. Harry set his tiny model of the Hungarian Horntail on the table next to his bed, where it yawned, curve up, and closed its eyes. Really, Harry thought, as he pulled the hangings on his four-poster closed, Hagrid had a pointthey were all right, really, dragons.The start of December brought wind and sleet to Hogwarts. Drafty thoug h the citadel al slipway was in winter. Harry was glad of its fires and thick walls every time he passed the Durmstrang ship on the lake, which was pitching in the high winds, its black sails zoom against the dark skies. He thought the Beauxbatons caravan was likely to be pretty chilly too. Hagrid, he noticed, was nurseing Madame Maximes horses wholesome provided with their preferred drink of single-malt whiskey the exhaust system wafting from the trough in the move intor of their paddock was enough to make the entire Care of Magical Creatures class light-headed. This was unhelpful, as they were still tending the horrible skrewts and needed their marbles about them.Im not sure whether they hibernate or not, Hagrid told the shivering class in the windy pumpkin patch next lesson. Thought wed jus try an nab if they fancied a kipwell jus settle em down in these boxes.There were now only ten skrewts left apparently their desire to kill one another had not been exercised out of th em. Each of them was now approaching sextuplet feet in length. Their thick gray armor their powerful, s lashtling legs their fire-blasting ends their stings and their suckers, combined to make the skrewts the most outrageous things Harry had ever weighn. The class looked dispiritedly at the enormous boxes Hagrid had brought out, all lined with pillows and fluffy blankets.Well jus lead em in here, Hagrid said, an put the lids on, and well see what happens. entirely the skrewts, it transpired, did not hibernate, and did not appreciate macrocosm forced into pillow-lined boxes and nailed in. Hagrid was soon yelling, Don panic, now, don panic while the skrewts rampaged around the pumpkin patch, now strewn with the smoldering wreckage of the boxes. Most of the class Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle in the lead had fled into Hagrids cabin through the back door and barricaded themselves in Harry, Ron, and Hermione, however, were among those who remained outside trying to help Hagrid. Togethe r they managed to restrain and tie up club of the skrewts, though at the cost of numerous burns and cuts finally, only one skrewt was left.Don frighten him, now Hagrid shouted as Ron and Harry used their wands to shoot jets of uncultivated sparks at the skrewt, which was advancing menacingly on them, its sting arched, quivering, over its back. Jus try an slip the rope round his sting, so he won hurt any o the othersYeah, we wouldnt neediness that Ron shouted angrily as he and Harry backed into the wall of Hagrids cabin, still holding the skrewt off with their sparks.Well, well, wellthis does look like fun.Rita Skeeter was leaning on Hagrids garden fence, looking in at the mayhem. She was wearing a thick magenta cloak with a furry purple collar today, and her crocodile-skin handbag was over her arm.Hagrid launched himself forward on top of the skrewt that was cornering Harry and Ron and flattened it a blast of fire shot out of its end, withering the pumpkin plants nearby.Whore you? Hagrid asked Rita Skeeter as he slipped a loop of rope around the skrewts sting and tightened it.Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet reporter, Rita replied, beaming at him. Her gold teeth glinted.Thought Dumbledore said you weren allowed inside the school anymore, said Hagrid, frowning more or less as he got off the slightly squashed skrewt and started tugging it over to its fellows.Rita acted as though she hadnt heard what Hagrid had said.What are these fascinating creatures called? she asked, beaming still more widely.Blast-Ended Skrewts, grunted Hagrid.Really? said Rita, apparently full of lively interest. Ive never heard of them beforewhere do they come from?Harry noticed a pall red flush rising up out of Hagrids wild black beard, and his heart sank. Where had Hagrid got the skrewts from? Hermione, who seemed to be thinking on these lines, said quickly, Theyre very interesting, arent they? Arent they. Harry?What? Oh yeaouchinteresting, said Harry as she stepped on his foot.Ah, youre here. Harry said Rita Skeeter as she looked around. So you like Care of Magical Creatures, do you? One of your favorite lessons?Yes, said Harry stoutly. Hagrid beamed at him.Lovely, said Rita. Really lovely. Been teaching long? she added to Hagrid.Harry noticed her eyes travel over Dean (who had a nasty cut across one cheek). Lavender (whose robes were badly singed), Seamus (who was nursing several burnt fingers), and then to the cabin windows, where most of the class stood, their noses pressed against the glass waiting to see if the coast was clear.This is ony me second year, said Hagrid.LovelyI dont suppose youd like to give an interview, would you? Share some of your experience of magical creatures? The Prophet does a zoological column every Wednesday, as Im sure you know. We could feature these er Bang-Ended Scoots.Blast-Ended Skrewts, Hagrid said eagerly. Er yeah, why not?Harry had a very bad feeling about this, but there was no way of communicating it to Hagrid without Rit a Skeeter seeing, so he had to stand and watch in silence as Hagrid and Rita Skeeter made arrangements to bet in the Three Broomsticks for a good long interview later that week. Then the bell rang up at the castle, signaling the end of the lesson.Well, good-bye, Harry Rita Skeeter called gayly to him as he set off with Ron and Hermione. Until Friday night, then, HagridShell twist everything he says, Harry said under his breath.Just as long as he didnt spell out those skrewts illegally or anything, said Hermione desperately. They looked at one another it was exactly the sort of thing Hagrid might do.Hagrids been in loads of trouble before, and Dumbledores never despoiled him, said Ron consolingly. Worst that can happen is Hagridll have to get rid of the skrewts. Sorrydid I say worst? I meant best.Harry and Hermione laughed, and, feeling slightly more cheerful, went off to lunch.Harry thoroughly enjoyed double Divination that afternoon they were still doing star charts and predict ions, but now that he and Ron were friends once more, the whole thing seemed very funny again. Professor Trelawney, who had been so pleased with the jibe of them when they had been predicting their own horrific deaths, quickly became irritated as they sniggered through her explanation of the various ways in which Pluto could disrupt everyday life.I would think, she said, in a mystical whisper that did not conceal her obvious annoyance, that some of us she stared very meaningfully at Harry- might be a little less frivolous had they seen what I have seen during my crystal gazing last night. As I sat here, absorbed in my needlework, the urge to consult the orb overpowered me. I arose, I settled myself before it, and I gazed into its crystalline depthsand what do you think I saw gazing back at me?An ugly old bat in outsize specs? Ron muttered under his breath.Harry fought gruelling to keep his face straight.Death, my dears.Parvati and Lavender two put their hands over their mouths, looking horrified.Yes, said Professor Trelawney, nodding impressively, it comes, ever closer, it circles overhead like a vulture, ever dispiritever lower over the castle.She stared pointedly at Harry, who yawned very widely and obviously.Itd be a bit more impressive if she hadnt done it about eighty propagation before, Harry said as they finally regained the fresh air of the stairway at a lower place Professor Trelawneys room. But if Id dropped dead every time shes told me Im going to, Id be a medical miracle.Youd be a sort of extra-concentrated ghost, said Ron, chortling, as they passed the Bloody Baron going in the opposite direction, his wide eyes agaze sinisterly. At least we didnt get homework. I hope Hermione got loads off Professor Vector, I love not working when she is.But Hermione wasnt at dinner, nor was she in the library when they went to look for her afterward. The only person in there was Viktor Krum. Ron hovered behind the bookshelves for a while, watching Krum, d ebating in whispers with Harry whether he should ask for an autograph but then Ron realized that six or seven girls were lurking in the next row of books, debating exactly the same thing, and he lost his enthusiasm for the idea.Wonder where shes got to? Ron said as he and Harry went back to Gryffindor Tower.Dunnobalderdash.But the Fat Lady had barely begun to swing forward when the sound of racing feet behind them announced Hermiones arrival.Harry she panted, skidding to a halt beside him (the Fat Lady stared down at her, eyebrows raised). Harry, youve got to come youve got to come, the most amazing things happened please -She seized Harrys arm and started to try to drag him back along the corridor.Whats the matter? Harry said.Ill show you when we get there oh come on, quick -Harry looked around at Ron he looked back at Harry, intrigued.Okay, Harry said, start off back down the corridor with Hermione, Ron hurrying to keep up.Oh dont mind me the Fat Lady called irritably after t hem. Dont apologize for bothering me Ill just hang here, wide open, until you get back, shall I?Yeah, thanks Ron shouted over his shoulder.Hermione, where are we going? Harry asked, after she had led them down through six floors, and started down the marble staircase into the entrance hall.Youll see, youll see in a minute said Hermione excitedly.She turned left at the bottom of the staircase and hurried toward the door through which Cedric Diggory had gone the night after the Goblet of Fire had regurgitated his and Harrys names. Harry had never been through here before. He and Ron followed Hermione down a flight of mark steps, but kind of of ending up in a gloomy underground passage like the one that led to Snapes dungeon, they found themselves in a broad stone corridor, brightly lit with torches, and decorated with cheerful paintings that were mainly of food.Oh hang on said Harry slowly, halfway down the corridor. Wait a minute, Hermione.What? She turned around to look at him, an ticipation all over her face.I know what this is about, said Harry.He nudged Ron and pointed to the painting just behind Hermione. It showed a gigantic bills fruit bowl.Hermione said Ron, cottoning on. Youre trying to rope us into that spew stuff againNo, no, Im not she said hastily. And its not spew, Ron -Changed the name, have you? said Ron, frowning at her. What are we now, then, the House-Elf Liberation Front? Im not barging into that kitchen and trying to make them stop work, Im not doing it -Im not asking you to Hermione said impatiently. I came down here just now, to talk to them all, and I found oh come on, Harry, I want to show youShe seized his arm again, pulled him in front of the picture of the giant fruit bowl, stretched out her forefinger, and tickled the colossal green pear. It began to squirm, chuckling, and dead turned into a large green door handle. Hermione seized it, pulled the door open, and pushed Harry hard in the back, forcing him inside.He had one brief glance of an enormous, high-ceilinged room, large as the Great Hall above it, with mounds of glittering brass pots and pans heaped around the stone walls, and a majuscule brick fireplace at the other end, when something small hurtled toward him from the middle of the room, squealing, Harry Potter, sir Harry PotterNext second all the wind had been knocked out of him as the squealing elf hit him hard in the midriff, hugging him so tightly he thought his ribs would break.D-Dobby? Harry gasped.It is Dobby, sir, it is squealed the voice from somewhere around his navel. Dobby has been hoping and hoping to see Harry Potter, sir, and Harry Potter has come to see him, sirDobby let go and stepped back a few paces, beaming up at Harry, his enormous, green, tennis-ball-shaped eyes brimming with tears of happiness. He looked almost exactly as Harry remembered him the pencil-shaped nose, the batlike ears, the long fingers and feet all except the clothes, which were very different.When Dobby ha d worked for the Malfoys, he had always worn the same filthy old pillowcase. Now, however, he was wearing the strangest diverseness of garments Harry had ever seen he had done an even worse job of dressing himself than the wizards at the World Cup. He was wearing a tea sexual for a hat, on which he had pinned a number of bright badges a tie patterned with horseshoes over a bare chest, a pair of what looked like childrens soccer shorts, and odd socks. One of these, Harry saw, was the black one Harry had removed from his own foot and tricked Mr. Malfoy into giving Dobby, thereby setting Dobby free. The other was covered in pink and orange stripes.Dobby, whatre you doing here? Harry said in amazement.Dobby has come to work at Hogwarts, sir Dobby squealed excitedly. Professor Dumbledore gave Dobby and Winky jobs, sirWinky? said Harry. Shes here too?Yes, sir, yes said Dobby, and he seized Harrys hand and pulled him off into the kitchen between the four long wooden tables that stood the re. Each of these tables, Harry noticed as he passed them, was positioned exactly beneath the four House tables above, in the Great Hall. At the moment, they were clear of food, dinner having finished, but he supposed that an hour ago they had been laden with dishes that were then displace up through the ceiling to their counterparts above.At least a hundred little elves were standing around the kitchen, beaming, arcuate, and curtsying as Dobby led Harry past them. They were all wearing the same uniform a tea towel stamped with the Hogwarts crest, and tied, as Winkys had been, like a toga.Dobby stopped in front of the brick fireplace and pointed.Winky, sir he said.Winky was sit down on a stool by the fire. Unlike Dobby, she had obviously not foraged for clothes. She was wearing a neat little skirt and blouse with a matching black hat, which had holes in it for her large ears. However, while every one of Dobbys strange collection of garments was so clean and well cared for that i t looked brand-new, Winky was plainly not taking care other clothes at all. There were soup stains all down her blouse and a burn in her skirt.Hello, Winky, said Harry.Winkys lip quivered. Then she burst into tears, which spilled out of her great brown eyes and splashed down her front, just as they had done at the Quidditch World Cup.Oh dear, said Hermione. She and Ron had followed Harry and Dobby to the end of the kitchen. Winky, dont cry, please dontBut Winky cried harder than ever. Dobby, on the other hand, beamed up at Harry.Would Harry Potter like a cup of tea? he squeaked loudly, over Winkys sobs.Er yeah, okay, said Harry.Instantly, about six house-elves came trotting up behind him, bearing a large silver tray laden with a teapot, cups for Harry, Ron, and Hermione, a milk jug, and a large plate of biscuits.Good benefit Ron said, in an impressed voice. Hermione frowned at him, but the elves all looked delighted they bowed very low and retreated.How long have you been here, Do bby? Harry asked as Dobby handed around the tea.Only a week. Harry Potter, sir said Dobby happily. Dobby came to see Professor Dumbledore, sir. You see, sir, it is very unmanageable for a house-elf who has been dis runed to get a new position, sir, very difficult indeed -At this, Winky howled even harder, her squashed-tomato of a nose dribbling all down her front, though she made no effort to stem the flow.Dobby has traveled the expanse for two whole years, sir, trying to find work Dobby squeaked. But Dobby hasnt found work, sir, because Dobby wants paying nowThe house-elves all around the kitchen, who had been listening and watching with interest, all looked outside(a) at these words, as though Dobby had said something rude and embarrassing. Hermione, however, said, Good for you, DobbyThank you, miss said Dobby, grinning toothily at her. But most wizards doesnt want a house-elf who wants paying, miss. Thats not the point of a house-elf, they says, and they slammed the door in Do bbys face Dobby likes work, but he wants to wear clothes and he wants to be paid. Harry Potter.Dobby likes being freeThe Hogwarts house-elves had now started edging away from Dobby, as though he were carrying something contagious. Winky, however, remained where she was, though there was a definite increase in the volume other crying.And then, Harry Potter, Dobby goes to visit Winky, and finds out Winky has been freed too, sir said Dobby delightedly.At this, Winky flung herself forward off her stool and lay face-down on the flagged stone floor, beating her tiny fists upon it and positively wow with misery. Hermione hastily dropped down to her knees beside her and tried to comfort her, but nothing she said made the slightest difference. Dobby continued with his story, shouting shrilly over Winkys screeches.And then Dobby had the idea. Harry Potter, sir Why doesnt Dobby and Winky find work together? Dobby says. Where is there enough work for two house-elves? says Winky. And Dobby thin ks, and it comes to him, sir Hogwarts So Dobby and Winky came to see Professor Dumbledore, sir, and Professor Dumbledore took us onDobby beamed very brightly, and happy tears welled in his eyes again.And Professor Dumbledore says he will pay Dobby, sir, if Dobby wants paying And so Dobby is a free elf, sir, and Dobby gets a Galleon a week and one day off a monthThats not very much Hermione shouted indignantly from the floor, over Winkys continued screaming and fist-beating.Professor Dumbledore offered Dobby ten Galleons a week, and weekends off, said Dobby, suddenly giving a little shiver, as though the prospect of so much leisure and riches were frightening, but Dobby beat him down, miss.Dobby likes freedom, miss, but he isnt wanting too much, miss, he likes work better.And how much is Professor Dumbledore paying you, Winky? Hermione asked kindly.If she had thought this would cheer up Winky, she was wildly mistaken. Winky did stop crying, but when she sat up she was glaring at Herm ione through her massive brown eyes, her whole face sopping wet and suddenly furious.Winky is a disgraced elf, but Winky is not yet getting paid she squeaked. Winky is not sunk so low as that Winky is properly ashamed of being freedAshamed? said Hermione blankly. But Winky, come on Its Mr. Crouch who should be ashamed, not you You didnt do anything wrong, he was really horrible to you -But at these words, Winky clapped her hands over the holes in her hat, flattening her ears so that she couldnt hear a word, and screeched, You is not insulting my master, miss You is not insulting Mr. Crouch Mr. Crouch is a good wizard, miss Mr. Crouch is right to ignore bad WinkyWinky is having trouble adjusting, Harry Potter, squeaked Dobby confidentially. Winky forgets she is not bound to Mr. Crouch anymore she is allowed to speak her mind now, but she wont do it.Cant house-elves speak their minds about their masters, then? Harry asked.Oh no, sir, no, said Dobby, looking suddenly serious. Tis par t of the house-elfs enslavement, sir. We keeps their secrets and our silence, sir. We upholds the familys honor, and we never speaks ill of them though Professor Dumbledore told Dobby he does not insist upon this. Professor Dumbledore said we is free to to -Dobby looked suddenly nervous and beckoned Harry closer. Harry bent forward. Dobby whispered, He said we is free to call him a a barmy old codger if we likes, sirDobby gave a panicky sort of giggle.But Dobby is not wanting to, Harry Potter, he said, talking normally again, and shaking his head so that his ears flapped. Dobby likes Professor Dumbledore very much, sir, and is proud to keep his secrets and our silence for him.But you can say what you like about the Malfoys now? Harry asked him, grinning.A slightly fearful look came into Dobbys immense eyes.Dobby Dobby could, he said doubtfully. He squared his small shoulders. Dobby could tell Harry Potter that his old masters were were bad Dark wizardsDobby stood for a moment , quivering all over, horror-struck by his own daring then he rushed over to the nearest table and began banging his head on it very hard, squealing, Bad Dobby Bad DobbyHarry seized Dobby by the back of his tie and pulled him away from the table.Thank you. Harry Potter, thank you, said Dobby breathlessly, rubbing his head.You just need a bit of practice, Harry said.radiation diagram squealed Winky furiously. You is ought to be ashamed of yourself, Dobby, talking that way about your mastersThey isnt my masters anymore, Winky said Dobby defiantly. Dobby doesnt care what they think anymoreOh you is a bad elf, Dobby moaned Winky, tears leaking down her face once more. My poor Mr. Crouch, what is he doing without Winky? He is needing me, he is needing my help I is looking after the Crouches all my life, and my mother is doing it before me, and my grandmother is doing it before heroh what is they saying if they knew Winky was freed? Oh the shame, the shame She buried her face in her skir t again and bawled.Winky, said Hermione firmly, Im quite sure Mr. Crouch is getting along perfectly well without you. Weve seen him, you know -You is seeing my master? said Winky breathlessly, raising her tearstained face out of her skirt once more and goggling at Hermione. You is seeing him here at Hogwarts?Yes, said Hermione, he and Mr. commercial traveller are judges in the Triwizard Tournament.Mr. Bagman comes too? squeaked Winky, and to Harry s great surprise (and Rons and Hermiones too, by the looks on their faces), she looked angry again. Mr. Bagman is a bad wizard A very bad wizard My master isnt liking him, oh no, not at allBagman bad? said Harry.Oh yes, Winky said, nodding her head furiously, My master is telling Winky some things But Winky is not sayingWinky Winky keeps her masters secrets.She dissolved yet again in tears they could hear her sobbing into her skirt, Poor master, poor master, no Winky to help him no moreThey couldnt get another sensible word out of Wink y. They left her to her crying and finished their tea, while Dobby chatted happily about his life as a free elf and his plans for his wages.Dobby is going to buy a sweater next, Harry Potter he said happily, pointing at his bare chest.Tell you what, Dobby, said Ron, who seemed to have taken a great liking to the elf, Ill give you the one my mum knits me this Christmas, I always get one from her. You dont mind maroon, do you?Dobby was delighted.We might have to shrink it a bit to fit you, Ron told him, but itll go well with your tea cozy.As they alert to take their leave, many of the surrounding elves pressed in upon them, offering snacks to take back upstairs. Hermione refused, with a pained look at the way the elves kept bowing and curtsying, but Harry and Ron loaded their pockets with cream cakes and pies.Thanks a lot Harry said to the elves, who had all clustered around the door to say good night. See you, DobbyHarry Pottercan Dobby come and see you sometimes, sir? Dobby asked t entatively. Course you can, said Harry, and Dobby beamed.You know what? said Ron, once he, Hermione, and Harry had left the kitchens behind and were upgrade the steps into the entrance hall again. All these years Ive been really impressed with Fred and George, nicking food from the kitchens well, its not exactly difficult, is it? They cant wait to give it awayI think this is the best thing that could have happened to those elves, you know, said Hermione, leading the way back up the marble staircase. Dobby coming to work here, I mean. The other elves will see how happy he is, being free, and slowly itll dawn on them that they want that tooLets hope they dont look too closely at Winky, said Harry.Oh shell cheer up, said Hermione, though she sounded a bit doubtful. Once the shocks worn off, and shes got used to Hogwarts, shell see how much better off she is without that Crouch man.She seems to love him, said Ron densely (he had just started on a cream cake). Doesnt think much of Bagm an, though, does she? said Harry. Wonder what Crouch says at home about him?Probably says hes not a very good Head of Department, said Hermione, and lets face ithes got a point, hasnt he?Id still rather work for him than old Crouch, said Ron. At least Bagmans got a sense of humor.Dont let Percy hear you saying that, Hermione said, smiling slightly.Yeah, well, Percy wouldnt want to work for anyone with a sense of humor, would he? said Ron, now starting on a chocolate eclair. Percy wouldnt recognize a joke if it danced naked in front of him wearing Dobbys tea cozy.