bioinnovel Chapter 277 Speaking Out for Whom
Chapter 277 Speaking Out for Whom
Chapter 277 Speaking Out for Whom
Although Hermione wanted to help the house-elves fight for their rights, to help them regain their freedom, and to help them earn wages for their labor.
The starting point is good, but it's best not to start.
For house-elves, freedom would make them feel ashamed, and receiving payment would be an insult.
From the day they were "created," house-elves and freedom have been completely separate; they must be either domesticated or free, and having both is not permitted.
Serving wizarding families is their nature, and loyalty to them is the meaning of their existence. Even Dobby, the rebellious house-elves, remained true to his nature after gaining his freedom.
"Listen, Hermione, it's fine if you want to help the house-elves, but do you know what they want?"
In the long, quiet corridor, Belvina walked alone at the front, with Hermione following behind her like a little shadow.
As for Harry and Ron, they lagged behind at a leisurely pace, seemingly unwilling to participate in the two witches' conversation.
Belvina, who was walking at the front, continued, "You don't know. You just assume that they need freedom and a salary, but you don't realize that what you're doing is also harming house-elves, and there's no fundamental difference between you and those wizards who abuse house-elves."
These words were very harsh, completely negating Hermione's good intentions.
Hermione, who was following behind, paused, her increasingly mature face showing a hint of grievance.
"You have no respect for them, Hermione," Belvina said. "You forced Harry and Ron to accept your views, forced the house-elf to accept freedom and a salary. You have no respect for anyone."
As she spoke, she slowed her pace and turned to look at the pitiful little witch following behind her.
"How would you feel if someone forced you to accept pure-blood superiority?" Belvina continued, "even if that person meant well and had no ulterior motives."
"I can't accept it, even if that person meant well," Hermione said, her voice choked with emotion, her head bowed even lower.
Hermione couldn't accept pure-blood superiority, and the house-elves couldn't accept freedom and wages. Giving the elves "clothes" was less appealing than killing them.
To put it dramatically, if Hermione's behavior hadn't been stopped in time, it might have become increasingly outrageous, even resembling Voldemort's to some extent.
This was also a harsh word that Belvina didn't say aloud; she didn't want to continue to discourage Hermione, fearing that the young girl would become discouraged.
"Professor, I just wanted to improve the situation of house-elves and stop them from being bullied by wizards," Hermione said, feeling wronged. Once again, her good intentions backfired, and it was hard not to feel aggrieved.
"I know, I know all of this," Belvina said patiently. "But you should offer help with respect for them, instead of making decisions on your own and generalizing from limited examples."
If there happened to be a crack in the floor in the hallway, Hermione would definitely crawl into it without hesitation.
Hermione's habit of admitting her mistakes, correcting them, and then repeating them is truly shameful. She has unwittingly achieved the "refinement through countless trials" effect.
"You can advocate that wizards treat house-elves kindly and stop abusing and bullying them," Belvina continued. "And please, don't bring up the issue of freedom and wages again."
Hermione nodded weakly, tears welling up in her eyes but not falling.
"Besides, before you help the house-elves, don't you think there are some people who need help more than the elves?" Belvina stopped in her tracks.
Before they knew it, the four of them had returned from the castle's underground floor to the fifth floor.
Belvina's classrooms and offices are on this floor; the Gryffindor Tower continues upwards.
"Who needs help more than the poor little elf?" Hermione looked up, sniffling, forcibly holding back the tears that threatened to spill over at any moment.
Belvina didn't speak; she pointed a finger at Hermione.
"Me?" Hermione asked uncertainly.
Harry and Ron, who were lagging behind, were even more confused. How could Hermione need more help than the house-elf?
As a potential genius, Hermione is first in her class and the darling of all the professors (except Snape and Trelawney).
What kind of help does she need?
Although Belvina remained silent and offered no answer, Hermione quickly came up with the answer.
"I'm Muggle-born," Hermione said. "I'm what some people call a 'Mudblood.'"
"Hermione!" Harry and Ron said in unison.
The two boys scrambled up the last few steps and stood together in front of Hermione, staring incredulously at me, the Hermione who was cursing herself.
Harry grabbed Hermione's shoulders without a second thought and shook her violently, as if trying to get his best friend's muddled brains back into focus.
He exclaimed, "You are the finest witch I have ever seen—besides Belvina—I mean, you are the best!"
Best of all, ignore the nonsense spouted by those Slytherins!
Belvina, caught in the crossfire even while lying down, rolled her eyes helplessly, resigned to being nothing more than a bystander in the drama!
After Black's turn, Sirius Black's turn came in line—and after Sirius Black's turn, Slytherin's turn followed—when will this ever end!
"Harry's right, you're the best witch!" Ron instinctively reached out his hands, seemingly wanting to give Hermione a comforting hug. "Those gossiping Slytherins are just jealous of your excellence!"
All the comforting words had been said, but the comforting hug was still not given.
Ron eventually withdrew his outstretched hands, awkwardly scratched the back of his head, and stood there dumbfounded.
Belvina, standing to the side, was speechless again. Are all young boys these days so clueless? Harry is like that, and Ron is just as silly!
"Thank you, I'm fine. I was just stating the facts," Hermione said, breaking free from Harry's grasp. "In some people's eyes, I'm just a dirty, impure 'Mudblood.'"
Perhaps because of Harry and Ron's comfort, the tears that had been welling up in her eyes finally fell.
Hermione wiped away the tears that welled up in her eyes, sniffed, and continued, "Don't worry, you two, I won't belittle myself because of these prejudices and discrimination."
Seeing that Hermione wasn't talking nonsense, Harry and Ron, who had been worried sick, were finally relieved; at least she wasn't crazy.
"Professor," Hermione said, stopping her tears, looking at Belvina, "you mean I should strive to improve myself and fight to eliminate discrimination and prejudice, is that right?"
It sounded like a question, but Hermione's expression was resolute, even more so than when she founded the House-Elf Rights Association.
"Ah, more or less." Belvina seemed very calm, or at least appeared calm. "You may not know this, but since the Ministry of Magic was founded, only one Minister has been a Muggle."
Surprisingly, Ron, who usually only knew how to eat rice, spoke first: "I know, it's Nobi Richie! I heard he stepped down as minister because he was sick, or maybe he was ousted!"
After saying that, Ron looked smugly at his friends.
Ron saw admiration on Harry's face; Harry had never even heard of Nobi Ritchie before.
Ron saw no admiration on Hermione's face; her reaction was colder than a Scottish winter.
Both Harry and Hermione came from Muggle society, but Harry knew nothing about wizarding society, while Hermione began to learn about it before even enrolling in school.
Hermione not only knew that Nobi Ritchie was the first Muggle-born minister, but also that his resignation might be related to Abraxas.
It's related to Malfoy.
Hearing Belvina mention the Muggle-born Minister of Magic, Hermione's heart sank, realizing that her situation was not much different from that of a house-elf.
The little girl covered her forehead with her hand and shook her head repeatedly.
Even though she herself is Muggle-born, and even though Muggles need help, she only cares about house-elves, completely forgetting that her own situation is just as dire.
Wizarding societies have never lacked prejudice and discrimination; wizards discriminate against all living beings equally, including themselves.
For a long time, Muggle-born wizards faced severe discrimination and even persecution from pure-blood wizards.
However, compared to the discrimination and persecution by pure-blood supremacists, prejudice against Muggle-born individuals is more prevalent in wizarding society.
Even wizards who don't value lineage subconsciously believe that Muggle-born individuals have inferior magical talents, and the Ministry of Magic holds the same view.
Influenced by this misconception, Muggle-born wizards find it extremely difficult to get promoted within the ministry, while pure-blood wizards can easily obtain opportunities for advancement.
This doesn't even include Voldemort and his gang.
If you include ruthless killers like Voldemort and Death Eaters, the situation for Muggle-born individuals becomes even more difficult.
Even the most fanatical Death Eaters wouldn't kill house-elves without reason. In this respect, Muggle-borns are even less worthy than house-elves!
With this in mind, Hermione, whose political acumen was beginning to emerge, became even more determined. She resolved to eliminate discrimination and prejudice in wizarding society, starting with Muggle-born individuals.
"Professor, I've figured it out!" Hermione said, beaming.
A few minutes ago, the fifteen-year-old witch looked aggrieved, with tears welling up in her eyes; a few minutes later, the fifteen-year-old witch was exceptionally determined, and once again found a cause to fight for in her life.
"I want to join the Ministry of Magic after graduation and dedicate myself to improving the situation of Muggle-borns and eliminating discrimination and prejudice!" Hermione said excitedly.
Belvina clapped her hands with satisfaction.
The road to eliminating discrimination and prejudice is not easy, and it requires a stubborn young man like Hermione who fights and fails repeatedly but never gives up.
"If I can achieve this goal in my lifetime, then I'll fight for the rights of the Squibs so they won't suffer unfair treatment anymore!" Hermione began to construct her grand plan again.
Belvina clapped her hands perfunctorily.
Compared to Muggle-born individuals, Squibs represent the lowest rung of wizarding society.
After all, Muggle-born individuals can cast spells and have some ability to resist injustice.
"Finally, if Muggle-borns and Squibs can both secure their rights, then the situation of house-elves should also improve!" Hermione became even more excited, her cheeks flushing red.
This time, Belvina didn't even clap her hands.
So Hermione hasn't given up on her house-elf rights advocacy association after all!
Well, without this never-give-up spirit, the pressure of being a pure-blood family would be enough to crush Hermione.