Chapter 425 (2/2)

”Figures,” Rowan privately thought to herself, before starting to write. The poem was quite dark, to be honest, and was about a man haunted by the loss of his lover and the raven that can speak only in reply, ”Nevermore.” But who was Barty Crouch mourning for? What had he lost that this poem spoke to him? Then again, she had heard from Barty Jr. that his grandmother had passed away only two years ago.

Shaking that trail of thought away, Rowan returns to the task at hand and solemnly concentrates. With some difficulty and the occasional scribbling out, she finally managed to finish her essay an hour after Severus. The brat was better than her at writing Mermish. But then again she had an easier time when speaking the screechy language.

Turning in the exam, Mr. Crouch nods as Dumbledore says, ”Let's take a break for lunch, Barty. We'll resume the verbal exam afterward.”

”Yes, Professor,” Mr. Crouch grumbled as Dumbledore summoned a house-elf.

Mr. Crouch simply stares at the elegantly dressed house-elf that says, ”We bring in the lunch now, Headmaster?”

”Yes, please and thank you, Habby,” Dumbledore said with a smile.

”It is Habby and the rest of the elves are honored to serve, Headmaster!” Habby proudly said, before apparating away.

Dumbledore catches Barty Crouch Sr. staring and says, ”Wonderful creatures, really. They've really changed these past years; they produce such wonderful meals! I'm quite happy to see the change in them.”

Mr. Crouch can't quite seem to wrap himself around the idea, no doubt thinking about his own house elf, Winky. A group of house elves pop into the office the girls in their tidy French maid outfits, while the males in their elegant coat and jackets. The house elves happily provide an array of food, before bowing and popping away back to the kitchens.

Mr. Crouch stares at the food as Dumbledore says, ”This here is Thai noodles with vegetables, quite tasty might I add. That's a meat dish from Mexico called, Carne Asada. And we can eat it with fresh salsa on its own or put the meat on these round thin flour crepes called, Tortillas.” While Dumbledore chatters about introducing all the food, Mr. Crouch can't seem to believe his eyes.

After a while, Mr. Crouch tentatively serves himself and apprehensively watches Dumbledore put meat and fresh salsa on a Torti-ya and eats it with his bare hands. Not one to eat food with his bare hands, Mr. Crouch instead serves himself a scoop of the grilled mean with said salsa. He hesitantly takes a bite as his entire face brightens it up, it was delicious!

Chewing, Dumbledore hums and catches Rowan's eye. ”Oh yes, the Hogwarts house elves are paid and given on day per month. The things they've gone out buy for themselves such a proper clothing or going out to learn new recipes. Oh yes, it most certainly has paid off!”

”House elves being paid how utterly ridiculous,” Mr. Crouch snorts.

”Tadbey, our house elf is free and is paid,” Rowan knowingly interjected. ”And as for Dawn, his wife, despite being traditionally tied to the Prince family she is allowed to order and purchase things for herself from a Prince fund that has been set up for her personal use.”

Mr. Crouch looks startled by both ideas, but the appeal of setting up a fund for his house elf to use appealed to him greatly. And especially if his house elf, Winky learned how to comport herself properly like the house elves of Hogwarts and no doubt that of the Prince's. He rather liked the idea.

Not much was said during the rest of the meal nor during the verbal exam, but slowly the wheels of fate were turning. By the next day, Winky was sent to Hogwarts to learn how to be a proper higher severing elf.

Naturally, the Headmaster had to first allow the foreign house elf into Hogwarts, but an oath must be sworn to never bring harm to Hogwarts in any form or manner nor much less reveal her secrets. Once the oath was given by the master and house elf, Winky was permitted into Hogwarts kitchens.

Over the course of the next week, Winky was brain washed by the Hogwarts house elves, before being sent back with the proper spirit to serve. Later in May, when Mrs. Crouch invited her friends over, they were all shocked how neatly Winky looked and the delicious new treats she presented them with.

Naturally, Mrs. Crouch gave all the credit to the Hogwarts House Elves and the Prince Household. After that, any pureblood family or those with house elves were sending them to be taught and trained at Hogwarts. Slowly, but surely the wizarding society had begun to change for the better in regard to the House Elves. It wasn't a very big change and the house elves weren't free yet, but it was one giant step in the right direction. And one day, maybe, just one day there would be a house elf who'd like to serve independently within the Ministry of Magic.