A day of learning magic at Hogwarts

"What do you mean, you can't give clothes to house elves?"

Ernie's words made Ian confused for a moment.

What does this mean?I didn't even take off my clothes and throw them to it. Besides, what does all this have to do with clothes?

Ernie quickly began to explain: "The condition for house elves to be free is that their master hands them a piece of clothing. Therefore..."

At the same time, he pointed to the box of gloves in Ian's hand.

"Master?" Ian still didn't understand.

"These house elves serve Hogwarts!" Ernie explained again, "We students are also members of Hogwarts; so in a sense, we can also be regarded as their masters... …So if you did give them the glove, potentially letting them go free, then we’d be in big trouble.”

That's it!

Ian vaguely understood.

This may be a contractual relationship between wizards and house elves.

The reason why wizards can "enslave" house elves is most likely because of the existence of this contractual relationship (formed by magic).Therefore, house elves are extremely loyal to wizards and cannot betray them.

Once the clothes (including gloves, socks, etc.) are given to the house elves, this relationship may be terminated.

Ian had always been limited to the content in books and lacked a real understanding of the magical world.

In the book "A Thousand Magical Creatures", house elves are described as "the wizard's most loyal servants" and "good companions when traveling at home". The relationship between wizards and house elves is described as quite "friendly", even It can be said to be somewhat romantic.

When I first read the book, Ian really believed it.

But now it seems that the romance in it is probably as innocent as "African laborers from the Port of Liverpool made an indelible contribution to the development of North America."

……

"Clothes?" The house elf in front of them suddenly let out a series of screams:

"No clothes! Klein doesn't want any clothes!"

"Klein don't leave Hogwarts!"

"Klein doesn't want to be free!"

The poor house elf had his head in his hands and looked in great pain.

The house elf's voice was so shrill that the three Hufflepuff children had to cover their ears.

At the same time, noisy voices came from every corner; countless house elves were screaming and complaining about their dissatisfaction and their hostility towards "clothes".

It seems that these house elves are extremely resistant to "freedom".

This situation is actually quite normal.The more backward a group is, the more stubborn they are; not to mention the house elves in front of them who are deeply affected by the contract (curse).

This sudden accident left Ernie and Justin completely at a loss.

"Shut up!" Ian opened his hands and shouted loudly, "Where are the clothes?"

The sound on the field suddenly stopped.

All the house elves' eyes were focused on Ian.

Ian calmly tore open a pack of masks and said at the same time: "These are not clothes at all!"

"Clothes are either made of cloth or fur. Look at this. Is it made of cloth or fur?"

As he spoke, Ian handed one of the gloves to Ernie: "Look carefully."

Ernie McMillan, who came from a magical family, had come into contact with such a rubber material for the first time.

After touching it several times, he shook his head awkwardly: "It doesn't seem to be true."

"Come here!" Ian couldn't help but point at the house elf in front of him and ordered: "What's your name? Come and take a closer look at this. Are you sure this is really clothes?"

"I...my name is Klein..." the house elf who shut up said timidly.

He walked tremblingly and the result was the glove.

Not even the "well-informed" wizard Ernie Macmillan, let alone a house elf, could tell the difference.

He shook his head slightly.

"This is just a decoration, a gift I brought to the chefs at Hogwarts," Ian said with a carefree look, "After all, I am a Hufflepuff house. I remember our house. The founder, Ms. Helga Hufflepuff, has a lot to do with the kitchens at Hogwarts."

The first half of this paragraph is Ian's nonsense; the second half is actually true.

More than 1000 years ago, when Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was founded, it was Ms. Helga Hufflepuff who brought house elves to work in the kitchens of Hogwarts; and ensured that their lives were smaller than those of other households. Elves are better and don't get abused.

"A gift...for us?" The house elf looked very touched:

"Ms. Hufflepuff is our Hogwarts house elf and most respected wizard... Mr. Ian Twister, thank you so much... welcome you and your companions to the kitchen, and serve you It is our honor to serve..."

His voice was stammering with excitement.

Countless house elves ran out of corners.

They were divided into groups of six, and the six house elves carried huge silver trays with various sumptuous delicacies on them——

There is a vat of fresh pumpkin juice, a large plate of cakes, and a pile of cookies, bread, etc...

Countless delicious foods were piled around them.

"Oh my God, am I not dreaming?" Ernie took a piece of cake in one hand and sighed with great surprise.

"I feel like the three of us can't eat so much!" Justin shook his head, "What a waste!"

Indeed, this mountain of food could feed the three of them for almost a week.

While gnawing on a piece of biscuit, Ian watched the group of house elves "divide" the gifts that Ian brought them.

Some of them tied the gloves around their necks, some put them on their feet, and some even stretched them out and put them on their heads... Obviously, they really regarded this thing as a decoration.

The house elf named Klein who first received them was one of the few who had mastered the correct usage.He put the gloves on his hands, although they seemed to be on them backwards.

Every house elf noticed Ian's gaze and saluted him.

"Ernie, Justin," Ian said softly, "does this count as winning the friendship of more than 100 house elves?"

"I guess..." Ernie's mouth was so full of cake that he couldn't speak clearly:

"But house elves are useless except for doing housework."