Hermione had not anticipated her proposal for a house-elf rights promotion association to be dismissed outright. Confusion and frustration clouded her judgment as she confronted John, her voice rising unintentionally. "You don't think house-elves enjoy being enslaved, do you? Like Ron seems to believe?"
John shook his head, his response gentle yet firm. "No, Hermione. But let me ask you, why do you feel compelled to help the house-elves?"
Caught off guard, Hermione paused before replying, "Isn't it obvious? It's unjust to see them enslaved. They deserve to be compensated for their work, not bound to servitude without choice."
John regarded her with a mix of patience and sorrow, as if explaining a harsh truth to a child. "You're mistaken," he said, his tone growing serious. "Do you understand how the status of wizards came to be?"
Before Hermione could respond, John continued, his words carrying the weight of history. "Through conflict and bloodshed. In the early days, wizards and certain magical creatures did not coexist peacefully. You're aware of the goblin rebellions, but house-elves were on the losing side of a different war."
A chill ran down Hermione's spine as John painted a grim picture of the past. "Many wizards lost their lives in those conflicts, and as a result, house-elves were subjugated and forbidden from using wands."
Hermione felt a knot form in her stomach as she began to grasp the complexity of the issue. "Victory and defeat dictate the terms. House-elves may appear pitiable, but that's partly because they were responsible for numerous wizard deaths."
John's eyes held a cold intensity as he spoke. "Wizards emerged as victors. This concept isn't unique to our world; throughout history, the outcome of conflict has often resulted in enslavement, regardless of species."
He paused, allowing the gravity of his words to sink in. "While there may be benevolent masters who free their slaves, the history of subjugation leaves deep scars. House-elves have been conditioned to serve, but the seeds of rebellion can lie dormant."
John's calm demeanor belied the seriousness of his message. "Consider the goblins of Gringotts. Despite their defeat, do you think they harbor no resentment towards wizards?"
Hermione's mind conjured images of the calculating gaze of a Gringotts goblin, and she felt a sense of unease. John's perspective was rooted in harsh realities, far removed from the idealistic narratives of novels.
He continued, "House-elves possess formidable magic, as evidenced by Dobby's ability to defy Hogwarts' anti-apparition enchantments without a wand. If we grant them equal rights, are we prepared for the potential consequences?"
Hermione left the conversation feeling unsettled, her convictions shaken. John wondered if she would cling to her ideals, but regardless, he valued their friendship.
Seeking solace in research, John delved into the library's resources, focusing on the spiritual aspects of magic. He pondered the plight of the Longbottoms, victims of the Cruciatus Curse, and the challenge of healing their tormented minds.
"Empathy is the key to unlocking their hearts," John mused, contemplating the daunting task ahead. "But how can I truly understand their pain without experiencing it myself?"
The thought of subjecting himself to the Cruciatus Curse was abhorrent, yet he recognized the necessity of aligning his mental frequency with that of the Longbottoms to facilitate their recovery.
"From zero to one, the journey is fraught with difficulty," John acknowledged, steeling himself for the challenges that lay ahead in his quest to heal and understand. In other words, Dumbledore wouldn't have kept a close eye on the Order of the Phoenix's hero if the situation were straightforward. After organizing his books, John stood up and departed.
---
It was a beautiful Saturday morning when John woke up and began his day with some morning exercises. Although Quidditch was not scheduled for this semester, he knew the importance of staying in shape. Draco Malfoy had left early; with Montague stepping in as the new Quidditch captain, there was no contention from Malfoy. Flint's graduation had left a gap in the team, necessitating a strategic overhaul. As a pivotal player, Malfoy's approach to the game was crucial. For a routine practice, the high-end Firebolts were not necessary, though Malfoy's Firebolt, a gift from Lucius for clinching the Slytherin championship, was en route. This reward was partly funded by Malfoy's winnings at the World Cup, aiming to edge closer to a professional Quidditch career, a goal John wholeheartedly supported. The windfall also allowed John to generously reward his employees, further solidifying his esteemed reputation.
Among this year's new students was a werewolf, whose admission John had discreetly sponsored. Given the precedent set by Remus Lupin, Dumbledore had allowed the werewolf's enrollment, albeit in Hufflepuff rather than Slytherin. This decision was beneficial, considering Hufflepuff's reputation for inclusivity. John had committed to supplying the Wolfsbane Potion for the werewolf, known as Little Jack, the adopted grandson of Old Jack, until his graduation.
After his morning routine, John made his way to Hagrid's cabin, having arranged to meet Luna Lovegood there. He also planned to venture into the Forbidden Forest in search of something mysterious. Upon arrival, Fang, Hagrid's boisterous dog, greeted John with boundless enthusiasm. John appeased Fang with some dog food before turning his attention to Hagrid, who was engrossed in studying the Horned Snorkack, a creature that had fascinated him with its apparition-like abilities and preference for dragon fruit.
Inside the cabin, John noticed Hagrid acting suspiciously, attempting to conceal a piece of paper. Upon closer inspection, John recognized the name "Madame Maxime" and, realizing Hagrid's bashfulness, tactfully shifted the conversation back to the Horned Snorkack. Before leaving, John offered Hagrid a piece of advice on winning over Madame Maxime with tulip perfume, a suggestion that left Hagrid visibly flustered.
In the Forbidden Forest, John encountered Luna, who seemed lost in thought, possibly in search of the elusive Crooked-Horned Snorkack. Her dreamy voice and whimsical ideas always had a calming effect. Amused by her conviction, John played along, claiming to have spotted the creature in a tree. Luna's reaction, a mix of curiosity and skepticism, made John realize the charm of their friendship, rooted in imagination and a shared sense of wonder. John, sensing the truth in Luna's words, said, "It's in the tree too, isn't it?" Luna nodded in confirmation. Together, they ventured into the Forbidden Forest. As they delved deeper, the surroundings grew denser and more mysterious.
"Shh," John whispered, halting in his tracks. Luna, following closely, accidentally bumped into him. Rubbing her head, she turned her gaze to where John was looking. Before them stood a majestic tree, its appearance unique as if two trees were entwined into one. A noticeable tree hole was visible on its trunk.
"There it is," John murmured.
Luna's eyes widened in amazement as she spotted a small creature attempting to emerge from the tree hole. Its curved horns seemed oversized for its head. It was clear from Luna's expression that she had never encountered such a creature before.
Suddenly, John accidentally rustled the bushes, causing the creature, a horned snoring beast, to retreat back into the hole. However, it quickly reappeared, locking eyes with Luna. Overwhelmed, the creature let out a fart and vanished with a pop.
"Where did it go?" Luna wondered aloud, her curiosity piqued. Then, she felt a slight movement on her shoulder. Turning her head, she discovered the horned snoring beast, clumsily trying to cling to her robe with its claws. Gently, she extended her hand and greeted it in a soft, dreamy voice, "Hello, my name is Luna."
Her sincere introduction seemed to perplex the creature, which paused before finally responding with a soft "moo." Luna's smile radiated warmth and joy.
"Thank you, John," she said, her gratitude evident. John, leaning against the tree, observed the scene with a quiet smile, feeling a sense of fulfillment. He simply waved his hand in response, content in the moment.
_________
If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge