by DrT - Sahits

ackground," Harry said. "Our choices will be to stay and fight for the civil rights of elves and
werewolves and such, or go to someplace like North America or Australia, where there aren't those
sort of problems at least."
"I say we stay and fight," Hermione said. "I grant you, we might change our minds."
"Then here," Harry said, handing Hermione three sheets of parchment. "House elves are not really
free anywhere, but they do have protection outside of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
This is the contract a wizard who is an elf contractor, as they are called in North America, has to
sign."
Hermione frowned and looked the parchment over, while Harry said, "You have to understand that
elves have to serve someone. If we can get the North American, or better yet the Australian rules
adopted, at least they can't be abused."
Hermione finished reading and glared at Harry, who said, "I know, it's far from what you'd like, but
you also have to consider what they would like, and what they've been conditioned to."
"Okay, say I do accept that. Then what?"
"There are two free elves here at Hogwarts."
"Dobby is one," Hermione said.
"Yes, and he's happy, but would be even happier employed by me with one of those contracts,"
Harry said. "Winky is here, too. She's very depressed and drinking a lot of butterbeer."
"And that's bad because?"
"Because even though it has only half a percent of alcohol, her drinking one butterbeer would be
like you drinking a bottle of stout and she's drinking about twenty a day. She really wants to bond
with someone the old-fashion way, but she might go for this." Harry pointed at the contract.
"So, you want to contract two elves?" Hermione asked.
"No, just Dobby. I thought you might want to contract Winky, with something like this added,"
Harry said, handing Hermione another sheet of parchment.
Hermione read it and sighed, since it was mostly about how she would have to treat her elf. "Was I
really so hard-nosed about elves' rights?" she asked.
"Yes," Harry said simply. "Dumbledore okayed their staying here, although we'd be paying their
wages, of course. Winky would be taking care of the Gryffindor girls' dorms, Dobby the boys. We
wouldn't see them unless we specifically called for them."
"I guess I really do trust you, Harry," Hermione said.
"Dobby!" Harry called.
Dobby popped into the room. "Harry Potter sir?"
Harry nodded, "She's agreed, Dobby."
"Thank you, sir, miss. Dobby will be right back!"
Dobby popped out and then popped back with a slightly swaying Winky. "Miss wants Winky?"
Winky asked.
"Yes, Winky," Hermione said.
"Miss wants Winky with nasty contract, or will Miss allow Winky to bond with her properly?"
"The contract is proper," Harry said. "It just isn't as strict."
"Please, Winky, contract with me," Hermione said, feeling sorry for the little elf.