Winky crawled into her cot that night, curious as to how anyone could figure out Ancient Runes. She had peeked at Hermione's homework, which had been left out in the Gryffindor common room and shuddered to think of translating the Runes into comprehendible English.

She was jealous, some days she wished she wasn't a house elf, sometimes she wished she could be in class, a student learning magic instead of cleaning up after them. She wiped a tear that trickled down her cheek, her floppy ears flapping with the motion, turned over and fell asleep, dreaming of a different time.