allendalepharm Chapter 288 House-Elves Relocated to Office
Chapter 288 House-Elves Relocated to Office
Chapter 288 House-Elves Relocated to Office
Speaking of the "House-Elf Relocation Office," it was originally part of the "Outliers Office," which was on the same level as Lockhart's "Beast Office," although the two offices often fought over each other's power.
They seize power but shirk responsibility; when it comes to taking responsibility, they push it onto the other party.
When Lockhart visited the Ministry of Magic on one occasion, Umbridge, in an attempt to curry favor, suggested setting up a department within the Beast Office that would house butlers and elves as a gift.
This proposal was endorsed by Fudge, the Minister of Magic, Dumbledore, and Scrimgeour, who were all present at the time. (Chapter 107)
P.S.: From now on, it will be referred to as "Little Elf Office".
The problem now is that the head of the Pokémon Office, which is under the Beast Office, is a member of the Yaxley family, and he lost his position during the time when everyone in the Cobblers was condemning him.
This resulted in the Elf Office under Lockhart's nominal Beast Office being merely an empty shell, with the Elf Office under the original Outcast Office remaining vacant.
now.
War broke out.
Then we'll handle this as a special case.
Without Fudge even needing to make any arrangements, Umbridge made the decision directly: the two elf offices would be merged and placed under the direct jurisdiction of the Minister of Magic's office, separate from the Others' Office and the Beasts' Office.
In this situation, no one would have any objections.
In this way, Fudge can ensure that the house-elves will not cause harm to the war, Lockhart can have real power, and all the employees in the office will be promoted one level at a time, making everyone happy.
Umbridge led Lockhart to the fourth basement level, checked into his office, and then left. As the Deputy Minister of Magic responsible for the Minister's actual duties, she had far too many things to do lately.
The elf office has only three employees.
A plump, middle-aged woman with a kind and shy smile. Lockhart had met her before when he visited the Ministry of Magic; she was a fan, and there was still a photo of her with Lockhart on her desk.
An old man reading a newspaper, who looked drowsy and weak, was actually the most skilled and experienced employee in the department, a vital member of the team.
The last one was a middle-aged man with a unique clarity in his eyes. He was wearing a Pudmiere United jersey (the Quidditch World Cup champions for 22 consecutive years) and seemed to be a Quidditch fanatic. His workstation was decorated with a magic poster supporting the World Cup that would be held a few months later.
All three welcomed Lockhart's arrival.
They were so happy to welcome it.
Umbridge just told them that they could register for a promotion after get off work, and their salary and benefits would be upgraded.
As for the former leader, old Yaxley was a rigid and pure-blood-obsessed man who was not popular at all. Who was he? Nobody wants to remember him anymore.
What does our department usually do?
Lockhart was somewhat curious.
The middle-aged man, looking somewhat embarrassed, stammered and couldn't give a proper answer.
In fact, it was a dead-end department where there was absolutely nothing to do. Lockhart knew this; Newt had worked in this department for two years and described the experience as "extremely boring."
The plump woman, however, said mysteriously, "Our department has always been on the guest list for parties hosted by the pure-blooded families, and everyone shows us respect."
House-elves are relocated; they are not needed most of the time, but are very important when needed, and everyone recognizes the social status of employees in this department.
The old man next to him rolled his eyes, coughed, and said, "Our office currently manages 109 stray house-elves. Our job is to act as intermediaries between house-elves and pure-blood wizards, earning high intermediary fees."
"Really?" The plump woman, always outspoken, paused for a moment, then said, "Shall we introduce them to house-elves?"
She's been working for five years, how come she didn't know?
The old man said with some helplessness, "Because of the war, too many pure-blood families have perished, and the places where house-elves can find refuge in society are decreasing, not increasing."
"I suggested to the Ministry of Magic that they make better use of them, or send them to the three major magic schools in Europe, but I have not received any response."
Got it, this is an employee who is genuinely dedicated to house-elves placement, but a political idiot.
Lohat nodded, indicating that he had a general understanding of these people and their work.
He issued his first task: "Summon all 109 house-elves to the department..."
As he spoke, he gestured to the old man, "You go and explain the wartime regulations to them."
"Wartime regulations?" The plump woman was shocked.
"Wartime regulations?" The middle-aged man looked bewildered.
"Wartime regulations?" The old man was shocked, looking at Lockhart with great anxiety. "Boss, is war about to start again?"
Lockhart smiled and reassured everyone, "Just do your jobs well, and I think I'm capable of providing you with shelter."
Immediately, the three men's expressions became respectful.
Despite being employees of the powerful Ministry of Magic, these three individuals are likely among those who cannot even cast the Ironclad Charm.
In fact, this is the norm. Too many wizards have lost the magical environment in their lives. They no longer need magic, so magic has naturally left them.
These three people, despite not seeming particularly capable, were extremely knowledgeable about the internal processes, procedures, and documents of the Ministry of Magic. They quickly contacted other departments and retrieved files as needed.
Lockhart stood alone in his office, drew his wand, squinted, and carefully contemplated his own social nature as an individual and as part of a collective, feeling that subtle, unseen sensation.
He said, "I need a roster of house-elves!"
Magical power surged.
From the chaos, it is drawn upon by one's own will and rapidly influences the material reality.
Soon, a cabinet by the wall opened its door automatically, and a book flew over and gently landed in his hand.
This appears to be a briefing.
It lists the names, origins, and current locations of the house-elves.
There are almost none that are purely wild; most are elves whose owners have passed away and who have no one to inherit their mantle. Some are even left behind in empty castles, waiting for death to come day after day.
The war between Voldemort and Dumbledore was so brutal that after so many pure-blood families perished, there were many house-elves like this.
Lockhart spotted the Caro family's house-elves on the list.
His children's book came from this family.
It was at this moment that he learned that the last member of the Caro family, Amicus Caro, whom he had found at Hogwarts, had been sentenced to the Dementor's Kiss, had his soul sucked away, and was declared dead.
At this point, the Carol family's house-elves had completely lost their master.
House-elves need owners.
They are all waiting for the Ministry of Magic to arrange new owners for them.
While it may sound cruel, as if they are born to be oppressed, even humans have to find ways to make themselves valuable.
If house-elves were no longer needed for work or to have owners, such dangerous creatures would certainly be placed on the Ministry of Magic's list of creatures to be under strict control or exterminated.
109 stray house-elves are enough to form an army that could easily destroy any Ministry of Magic!
That would only be a disaster for humanity, and of course, it would eventually become a disaster for house-elves themselves.
So...
Shouldn't we seize this opportunity to bring this power, this overlooked power, into our own hands?
Lockhart tapped his fingers on the table, pondering the problem. After all, the Duel Club was undertaking more and more projects and desperately needed some support.
His gaze was deep and unfathomable. He turned to look at the unjustly murdered fairy floating behind him and asked, "Can you manage these house-elves and ensure their loyalty?"
The fairy who died unjustly nodded. "I have the help of the ghost ship."
Ghost ship...
Lockhart was silent for a moment, then shook his head. "Don't push things to the extreme unless absolutely necessary. All living beings should have their freedom."
"Understood," the wronged fairy replied shyly from the side.
(End of this chapter)