Ravenclaw's Blue Gem

"So you try to let them rest in groups and give them an acceptable excuse-at least in your opinion, let them get used to such behaviors while changing their minds through behaviors?" Zoe looked around. , She couldn't find a trace of complaints and dissatisfaction from the elves, they were just like other house elves, indulging in the joy of work.The nature of this creature is truly unique, and I don't know whether it was because the wizards discovered it that they decided to start enslavement, or because the constant enslavement gradually made these creatures that were only naturally hardworking creatures look like they are now.

"This method is effective enough, although it is slow, even now, there are not a few elves who don’t know what to do during the break, and many are confused by this method. But what I can see is that they are Look, at least some elves are willing to do their own things, such as wearing sweaters. When they are used to this level, I will consider the next step."

"In the end, will you follow the example of a fairy or a horseman?" Luna asked probedly, "to fight for independence through war or deterrence?"

Kroc shook his head and sighed: "I just hope that my compatriots can know what freedom is, know that they can live in this way, know that there are other choices... but we don't want to be free from this. Society, we like to work, and wizards also need to be like us. Both of us can benefit from it. Then why do we ignite the flames of war? We are far from reaching that point with human beings. I just want The elves have abandoned their status as slaves."

"So when I discovered that there are wizards who are willing to fight for rights for a race different from their own, and are willing to treat us with equal eyes, those naive fantasies that I have buried long ago seem to have been ignited. You know What saddens me the most, I mentioned it to you in the letter." Hermione nodded.

"The enslavement of our wizards is only part of the status quo. What really pains me is that I have stopped thinking and resisting for a long time, taking slavery as a matter of course for my fellow citizens. The house elves succumbed. I can’t imagine that someday in the future, creatures of other races will consider the future for us. It is obviously our own thing that we should think about most. The wizard just puts the shackles on us, it’s ourselves Decided not to let it go. When we all obey wrong ideas from the heart, we won’t have a future either."

Chapter 45 The Murder of the Elf (Part 2)

"You are so strange," Luna said flatly, "but I like your point of view." Kroc waved his hand."It's finally got a few more listeners, and I unconsciously want to say a little more-today I beg you to say something business, about the murder." There was pain in its voice, "Tatar, Roy He Sisi, I don’t want to see more deaths."

"Can you trust these two, Hermione?" Hermione nodded without hesitation.Crocker asked them to find a place to sit down, because they didn't know how long they had to say.Before the three of them turned their heads, the clever elves placed the stools and put some fruits and snacks on the wooden table.

The finger biscuits must have been freshly baked, with a slight temperature in the hand. The elves don’t have to be too busy. In the previous conversation, the dinner time has ended. Apart from the working elves, they left the kitchen. , The remaining elves are either cleaning the kitchen and preparing for tomorrow, or they are aiming at the three of them. Whenever they show a little need, several elves rush to serve them.

"If I was served so thoughtfully every day, I would definitely become a useless person who could do nothing." Luna said happily while drinking hot milk."Let's get started, Crocker. It's time for the curfew in a while." Hermione also sat down, and she and Zoe sat on each side of Luna in a tacit understanding, separating her in the middle.

"The earliest victim was Tatar. It was more than half a month ago. It was mainly responsible for purchasing ingredients that day. We always go to Hogsmeade to confirm the meat, fish, and vegetables that need to be purchased, and for example A lot of seasonings and other things. If there are missing goods, we will report to the administrator Filch. He will report to Mr. Dumbledore... We need to bring the materials back. We have stable trading merchants and fixed ones. The course of action, I think Tatar and subsequent victims were killed because of this."

"They were all killed in the same way?" Zoe asked."Yes, it's the same way every time, being abducted to the depths of inaccessible alleys, twisting the joints of the limbs, and throwing them there like a rag..." Kroc clenched his fists.

"Could it be because of the ingredients in them? If it was to satisfy everyone in the castle, reselling would definitely make a lot of gold." Kroc denied Hermione's guess."It's just to kill. The backpack that contains materials has not been passive at all. It has been cast an expansion curse. If the prisoner is trying to rob money, he only needs to carry the bag and leave."

"But don't you need a reason to do this kind of thing? Does the prisoner have any hatred of the elf?" Luna asked softly.Zoe was silent for a moment and sighed."Hatred is not necessarily the only reason to choose the elf to start." She glanced at Kroc, and judging from the other's face, she knew Kroc must have noticed this earlier than she did, long before they came here. prior to.

"Kroc said about the death of those little elves before, which reminded me of something. Almost a month ago, the "Daily Prophet" published a report about a wizard who was also in Hogsmeade. Deep in the alley, he was killed by the same method. The report was published in the Daily Prophet. They believed that this was the work of a certain dark wizard, but so far the Ministry of Magic has not found a prisoner, Rita Skeeter arrived I still cite this incident from time to time as evidence of the Ministry of Magic's uselessness theory, just as it was published yesterday about Professor Moody’s trash can ejection and the chaos that occurred in the World Cup earlier.

"But what does it have to do with the killing of these little elves, unless you want to say that the criminals are the same, that's really possible. But why did the dark wizard suddenly change the target..." Hermione was confused.

"Don't you understand, Hermione. Because choosing humans will be hunted down, whether the Ministry of Magic or the Daily Prophet, as long as the victims are humans, everyone's nerves will be tense. Hogmore Germany is a very famous tourist attraction. Every year there are many tourists from outsiders, not to mention that we can only choose Hogsmeade when we go out. Whenever such a serious case arises, the Ministry of Magic will definitely try its best to catch them. Living with the prisoner, even if they haven't caught it yet, it will put pressure on the prisoner, making it difficult for him to continue to find another person to do it-if he is still in Hogsmeade."

"You mean..." Hermione shuddered, but Zoe didn't stop her words even sounding cold."Yes, but if the victim is a small house-elf, let alone three dead, even if thirty died, it is not as good as another human victim who can attract the attention of the Ministry of Magic... Don't worry. Refute me, think about the facts and reasoning that you are proud of, the appearance of the Ministry of Magic you have seen, and then think about the status of the house elf, you will desperately pursue the life and death of a slave with unknown ability Dark wizard? Maybe even encounter danger himself? I dare say that although not everyone in the Ministry of Magic, there must be many people who are relieved and feel that the prisoner has transferred the target to the elf-or some non-human race. It couldn't be better."

Zoe's attitude towards the Ministry of Magic has always been harsh. Even if she can be tolerant of Potter, she cannot be friendly to the Ministry of Magic.Depending on the person in power, the Ministry of Magic may sometimes show its positive and enterprising side, and sometimes it may be like a collection of old and conservative shadows in the wizarding world.

Cornelius Fudge is a useless man. He can catch the minister's ride only because he is in the right position at the right time, let alone his biggest competitor made mistakes.Although Fudge gave her greater freedom, people like him, as long as they have greater interests in front of them, will tear off the hypocrisy on their faces.

"So the Ministry of Magic will not actively intervene in this matter, unless it can directly catch the prisoner. As long as the prisoner is caught, they will judge him, because he not only killed the elf, but also had human victims, even if there was only one. But at least it will be punished."

"But we still have Professor Dumbledore! He is the headmaster of Hogwarts. If he goes to appeal, maybe the Ministry of Magic..."

"Yes, the Ministry of Magic will probably continue to investigate the incident on the face of Dumbledore, at least on the surface. We can't rely on Dumbledore too much. His reputation cannot be based on unreasonable troubles. Make a head start for a house-elf? People will say he is crazy. The legend will eventually be forgotten, and excessive demands will speed up the process."

"Then we can find it by ourselves?" Luna's tone was like just suggesting that they go out for an outing. "Anyway, you said that as long as you catch the prisoner, he will be punished. The victim can rest in peace."

"No." It was Crocker who spoke. "You are still children, and your opponent is a vicious dark wizard. I can't put you in danger." Luna looked at it."But you asked Hermione for help, isn't it because you want help?"

Crocker choked: "Yes...this is indeed my selfishness. Because I also want to get some advice from smart people, maybe I can resolve this incident more safely. I don't know the style of the Ministry of Magic, But I know that most humans-no, it should be said that mutual understanding between different races is very difficult. Just the difference in identity can trigger suspicion, let alone bleed for each other. This is the end of the matter. I don't want you to fall into such a crisis."

"Then what do you want to do? If you originally planned to deal with it alone." Zoe asked."I will cancel the schedule for the next purchase. I will go to Hogsmeade myself as a bait. The wizard can't help it. If he really loves the taste of killing, he will become addicted and can't help thinking. Desire to tear and twist. A fallen wizard, whose reason and soul are swallowed by black magic, their end is always surprisingly similar..." Suddenly a very sad expression appeared on the face of this little elf. "And it's not the first time I have seen such a scene."

"You can't go there alone!" Hermione called.The loud voice made the surrounding elves startled, "You are just committing suicide! You can't deal with a dark wizard alone. Although elves can use magic directly, they are not allowed to possess magic wands! You can only use them. His own magic power cannot be increased. The prisoner must be very dangerous. He may even be crazy. You can't win!"

"Don't worry, Hermione." Kroc said gently, his eyes full of soft gratitude when he looked at Hermione. "Before I die well enough, I can still see someone as honest and gentle as my little master. I can hear the care of human beings with my own ears. It is not meaningless for me to live so long after I walked through hell."

"Stop talking nonsense... this kind of sentence is like a last word." Hermione gritted her teeth and couldn't bear it anymore. "You are obviously afraid of wands, afraid of wizards! When we first met, the wizard said When the magic wand was pointed at you, you were shaking!"

"That also seems to have happened a long time ago." Crocker said, "I mean it, Hermione. You don't really know me. I'm afraid of wizards and wands, because I have been abused in every way. , I don’t want you to think about it, but it’s really hell-like days. As long as I see a wizard holding a magic wand, I will think of the human laughter, their wild, happy laughter, and my screams. ..."

"That's why I said you can't do it..." Kroc interrupted her, and it scanned the three girls one by one with its unique, wise, calm gaze, "I trust what you trust, Hermione ." It went to the corner and took out a slender object from the wizard's robe piled in the corner.The three girls opened their eyes in shock. They couldn't be more familiar with the thing on it.

Kroc held a magic wand in his hand, a wand that looked extremely new, a wand that a house elf could not have.

"I can do it. I have done it before. If necessary, I am willing to do it again." It took a deep breath and confessed."Ladies, with this magic wand, I have killed a wizard-my former master, the last one."

Chapter Forty Six

The trio's reaction to this was different.Hermione was stunned and overwhelmed. She usually fell into chaos before she calmed down on such sudden, uncontrolled events.After reading many books and determined to fight for the rightful rights of the elves, she consciously consulted many historical books and related books describing the elves. She knows how rare cases of elves killing wizards are, at least the first one. The recorded cases have to be traced back to more than 40 years ago, when a house elf named Hao Qi was poisoned at the dinner of its owner, Hepziba Smith, and murdered the poor witch.

When officials from the Ministry of Magic rushed to the scene of the crime and found that the elf almost tortured himself to death, he cried bitterly while confessing his crimes. Eventually he was thrown into Azkaban and died there.This case caused a great uproar at the time, because in people’s impressions, house elves are always resigned and they will never and should resist, but later when the dispute subsided, people just took Hao Qi’s case as an example. , Even those who are good deeds will forget them.

Although Luna was surprised, she accepted it very quickly, and then curiously observed the magic wand in Kroc's hand.It is undoubtedly a wizard's wand, but it is very new. The wand that has been carefully maintained has a completely different luster from the body, and it can be seen that its holder cherishes it very much.

The most violent reaction among the three was Zoe. She jumped up and drew her wand from her arms, and pointed at the house elf in front of her vigilantly.Compared to Luna and Hermione who didn't know the seriousness of the matter, she clearly understood what kind of existence the "killed" house elves were.House elves are not scourges, but they are by no means harmless creatures. They are born to drive magic. Wizards need to hold a wand to chant spells, but this is unnecessary for some non-human races. Wands are just for them. An amplifier.

The reason why the elves have become so docile is because of the hints and self-discipline that have been formed in their hearts. Those elves who violate the order will desperately torture themselves because of panic and despair, and even choose to die.This invisible shackle is the biggest restraint for the elves to become slaves.But if an elf breaks free and kills human life with his own hands, it is not only free, it can choose to do anything of its own will, including killing people casually.

"Calm down, miss." Crocker said slowly, not even afraid to expose his back to Zoe, but turned back and carefully put the wand into the box. "I won't hurt you, at least I will. To be honest about everything I have is an attitude in itself."

The elves around it continue to do their own things as if they have not seen the conflict. The elves are naturally required to turn a blind eye to secrets. They must ensure that they do not actively expose the privacy of their owners from their own mouths.The elves of Hogwarts belong to the principal of Hogwarts according to the regulations, but they have long been accustomed to not seeing, listening, or thinking about all secrets.

"This is your trump card?" Zoe's face was ugly. "As long as I stab this out, you will be thrown into Azkaban immediately. The Ministry of Magic will not be soft on a guy like you, let alone. You have confessed the crime you committed. They don't care whether you committed the crime yesterday or a century ago. Elves who have killed people will never tolerate it."

"Zoe!" Hermione stood up and stood in front of Kroc. "Don't do this! Kroc told us because of trust..."

"But how do you want me to believe in a "free" house-elf who has been hurt by humans, hates humans, and will not be restrained?" Zoe squinted, her gaze passed through Hermione and looked directly at K Rock, "It can kill its owner, why can you be sure that it won't kill its friends? Tell me, Elf, if you want me to trust you, give me a reason to be trusted!"

"You are making trouble for no reason, Zoe! If Kroc really wants to do something, he won't confess to us what he has done!"

"What if it wants to confuse us? Hermione, you underestimate the power of hatred, especially when you are severely hurt, and you cannot be trusted and forgiven... I understand this, Kroc." She called the elf's name, "Because I did too, I want to blow up the ugly faces of those people. If I can have power and authority, you think I have never thought about killing those adults who hurt me? Think I have never indulged in fantasies that torment them?"

Kroc touched the scars, deep and shallow, large and small that had long been scabs on his body. A long scarf alone couldn't cover them all, which made Kroc look like several scars. Ugly scarred potatoes spliced ​​together.

"Yeah, miss. I admit that you make a lot of sense—you don’t have to speak for me, Hermione. Your friend is right. She is indeed the same as me. She was insulted because of her weakness, but had to The tragic appearance of succumbing to power, I will never forget the time when I was tortured and the long shadow."

"You can't do it, miss." It was affirmative, blinking its sagging eyelids that were wrinkled because of old age, "Because you and mine have experienced similar experiences and felt similar pain, so I know, you understand The sweetness of being redeemed. It's impossible not to understand, the sudden ignited light in a hopeless life, even if the body is broken and bones, I want to hold that hand."

"After feeling this kind of warmth, do you still want to avenge everything, or would you rather lose everything and do something to the people you hate?" She hated the little elf's look through everything, as if she was in The same as talking to yourself.

Zoe thought of Dumbledore, that was the first salvation for her, which brought her everything afterwards.She knew that Kroc did not lie, because the gleam of light in its eyes was so familiar, she lowered her wand, but didn't put it away."I don't know if I should do this," she said, "I need more confirmation."

"I won't do anything that would defile this wand." Crocker said."... Prove it with actual actions, and give me a reason not to notify the Ministry of Magic. We will not let you track down this matter alone. We must act together. What if you lose control and hurt the innocent people? What if you are afraid of running away?" Hermione glared at Zoe, but said nothing.

"So, until halfway. You are a clever lobbyist, miss. Although not very clever." Crocker smiled tolerantly. "That's fine, at least there can be someone else I got out from the alley"

******

When the three girls left, Kroc finished his work meticulously.It is getting older and its hands and feet are not so neat, but as a member of the group, it must do its best job.If you do not set an example, you cannot lead others.

Maybe it shouldn't be strong from the beginning, it should implement the original intention when writing the letter and ask a trusted wizard to help.Although it still got the help of a few little wizards in terms of results, Crocker didn't have much hope for it.

Maybe it's just looking for death.This thought suddenly popped out of Kroc’s mind, and he insisted on holding this body for a long time to enter the grave, just because it didn’t want to die. It might be the only one left in the world remembering that home and remembering that family. When it dies, the proof of their existence will be wiped out.

"Take a rest early, Mr. Crocker." It nodded to the young elf who greeted it, let alone the kinsmen it couldn't put down.Sometimes it also feels painful. When everything you see is different from what people around you see, they can dream because they are blindfolded by the black cloth, but they have to look directly at it because the blindfold is removed. this world.