Hogwarts: I Am an Exemplary Wizard-Chapter 535 - 533: You’re Heading in the Wrong Direction
Firenze’s words had a considerable impact on Hermione, leaving her unable to utter a single word she had prepared in advance.
"So, do you understand now?" Kael turned to look at her and said:
"In the centaurs’ eyes, wearing clothes is tantamount to punishing themselves in the harshest way... Isn’t this exactly how you view house-elves?"
"No, these are different things." Hermione shook her head, trying to refute Kael’s perspective, "What I mean is, centaurs have nothing to do with us, not liking to wear clothes is just their habit, right... But house-elves are part of us, they are in the school too."
"There’s no difference, it’s just that you refuse to admit it."
Kael said, "I met centaur members in an explorer team in Romania, they were the same way, and didn’t change their habits just because their teammates were wizards, nor did they force their teammates to accept their ideas, they got along very well."
"No... I think it’s different..." Hermione stammered, but she didn’t know how to argue.
She missed Harry and Ron a little, at least if they were also here, maybe they could help her say a few words... Oh no, Ron mocked her badge too, so even if he were here, he might not help.
"What are you guys talking about?" Hagrid asked somewhat confusedly.
Even though he was part of the entire conversation, and even called Firenze over, he didn’t understand a word of what was being discussed.
Centaurs, clothes, house-elves... He completely understood what these meant, but was left clueless.
"It’s like this..." Cho immediately walked over to explain the situation to Hagrid.
Meanwhile, Kael continued to speak to Hermione, who looked conflicted:
"There’s something else I must tell you, Hermione.
"You may not have realized, but you rushing into the kitchen to persuade the house-elves to demand wages is in some way akin to a centaur charging into the castle and asking everyone to take off their clothes.
"This demand is the greatest insult to them, bar none. Honestly, I’m surprised the house-elves didn’t throw you out."
"It was close..." Hermione mumbled almost inaudibly after a moment of silence: "I saw some house-elves grabbing frying pans and wood as I was leaving..."
"Then they were quite restrained, only wanting to take action as you were leaving." Kael shrugged and said, "Anyway, if a centaur were to persuade me not to wear clothes, he would definitely spend some time in the Hospital Wing."
*Pftt.*
Cedric couldn’t help but laugh... The thought of a centaur persuading everyone not to wear clothes was too amusing, it was funny just imagining it.
The next second, he got a harsh stomp on his foot from the returning Cho.
"By the way, what about Dobby?"
At this point, it seemed Hermione suddenly thought of something and regained some confidence.
"Dobby was the house-elf who blocked the platform entrance in the second year, causing Harry and Ron to miss the train. He demanded wages from wizards.
"This shows that house-elves don’t entirely enjoy slave labor, they’re just not aware of it yet."
"I don’t deny it... But that’s just an exception." Kael said, "This situation exists among wizards too, remember? At the Quidditch World Cup, there was a wizard who liked to feel the health-benefiting breeze on his backside."
Cedric laughed again.
He also remembered that wizard only wore a not-so-long floral nightgown and absolutely refused to put on pants.
"And speaking of Dobby..."
Kael thought for a moment, "He is living happily with Newt Scamander, earning a weekly wage of ten Galleons, half of which he uses to buy various Fantastic Beasts snacks, and the other half he gives to the Niffler... And this is all voluntarily, sometimes Newt tries to stop him, but he buys them secretly.
He also has one day off per week, during which Dobby goes out with his Galleons to buy things, then changes into his own clothes and goes back to work."
"For Dobby, it’s never about the Galleons; it’s about being able to work more freely... To be rewarded for his efforts, and the ability to refuse things he dislikes, that’s all.
And apart from the reward, Hogwarts has already achieved everything else."
"Yes." Cedric said, "If you drop by the kitchen often, you’ll find they’re always cheerful. Sometimes I’m just looking to grab some biscuits, and when I leave, I find myself with enough snacks for a week.
One has to admit, they are sometimes overly enthusiastic."
Hermione remained silent, her face growing paler, biting her lip, sinking into a state of despair.
The centaurs’ thoughts struck her hard, leaving her doubting if her actions were truly wrong, yet her inner obsession continuously negated this idea.
Hermione’s mind was in turmoil, filled with confusion.
"The point is, your direction was wrong."
Seemingly recognizing her thoughts, Kael looked toward the direction Firenze had left and said, "What you should do is find ways to change the general attitude toward house-elves, rather than forcibly demand they be paid.
I know a very old house-elf, who remains grateful because his former master treated him well."
"Do you mean I wasn’t wrong?" Hermione looked up and asked, excitedly.
"As long as you don’t storm into the kitchen demanding they be paid again." Kael said with a smile, "If there’s a next time, you’ll probably be the first to be kicked out of the kitchen."
"Then what should I do?" Hermione urgently asked: "What about distributing flyers or writing a letter to the Daily Prophet?"
"That’s not for me to decide." Kael spread his hands, "After all, it’s your choice, and you have to implement it. I still need to prepare for the second task of the Triwizard Tournament, very busy."
"If I no longer demand the payment of house-elves, would you buy a badge?" Hermione seemed not to have given up.
"Well..."
Kael recalled the badge that read "sick" and reached into his pocket, "How unfortunate, I was in a hurry today and didn’t bring any money with me.
How about this, next time, I will definitely buy one."
Conna shot him a glance.
She knew that Kael kept most of his belongings in his portable trunk, how could he have not brought money?
Of course, she wouldn’t voice this.
After a while, Hermione was ready to leave, but she didn’t have the confidence she came with, only lowering her head and walking forward in silence, lost in thought.
"Oh, by the way."
At this point, Kael suddenly called to her, "Though I can’t help much, I can give you a suggestion.
If you have the time, you could visit the school library and read more books about house-elves, to understand them more comprehensively and profoundly.
"At least you should familiarize yourself with their history, understand their personalities; only in this way can you better persuade others.
"Instead of deciding everything like before, based on what you think... I feel... That won’t work."
...
