Oh! Oh, she knew this one. Hand up. "Um, their status is 'being'. They're only freed if their master presents them with clothes." And.. Alice knew more, right? There had to be at least one extra fact she could name. The fifth year rubbed her chin thoughtfully before tossing her hand up again. "And they deliver dangerous man-eating plants to the Headmistress." Deathly delivery service for the win.

She nodded seriously at the professor and grinnnnnned a toothy toothy grin.

His face was so pretty. Sigh.

Yep, all was well here. Kinda.

Meh, the Professor wouldn't have cared about his problems, anyway...So, there would be no sharing. Dylan was just going to jump right in and answer.

"They used to wash my clothes..." Yep, he remembered that fondly... "They're also classified as Beings...according to the Ministry.".....What else.....Hmmmm. Oh..."...and they have to do whatever their masters command of them." He'd read about that stuff....and when he said 'Whatever' their masters commanded of them...he meant 'whatever'...

There.

TOBY KNEW THIS ONE.

He flung his hand up into the air, sitting up straight as he did so because there was something about this man that made Tobias want to look like he was paying attention and was a good student and stuff like that. You know... it made him want to impress the guy.

As for house elves, Tobias definitely knew the answer to this. His grandfather had told him ALL about the one the man had had as a kid, once Tobias got his letter and stuff. So Tobias KNEW.

"They have funny names. They're really nice, too."

True story.

It was pretty cool that there weren't many rules for this class. She just had to make sure she was clean and respectful and that was about it. Which was no problem at all cause she was usually those things all the time anyway so... She sat down. Hopefully there wouldn't be any more dementors around...but if there were, she knew that Vinteren was more than capable of scaring them off. So that was a comfort.


House elves? Hmm... She thought they were awfully cute, but she didn't think that was what he was looking for. Then again he did say to tell him everything. She raised her hand and said, "Professor, they're magical beings that have a little different magic than ours, though I'm not entirely sure how it's different or what all they can do, since so many of them are so oppressed - they don't get to show it off much. But I do know that they're pretty cute and good at helping!" She figured that was enough for now. Is he going to tell us how to get the house elves back? Or how to become better friends with them? Maybe what kind of magic they use or how?! That would be awesome!! She sat very still, ready to learn.

Nigel nodded at West as he sat next to him. No need to talk. It was just the perfect time to relax. Ah, House Elves. Easy enough question. Nigel raised his hand and answered

"They obey their masters. They cook, clean, or whatever else they are told to do. They can be freed though."

Nigel wished the Castle had more than one house elf. They did cook some good food.

She didn't mind waiting for the Professor to show up. She just sat doodling in her notebook like she always did. It always made time fly by enjoyably, not thinking just doodling. Then when the Professor entered, Cassia looked up from her notebook closing it and resting her folded hands over it. First thing she noticed that THERE WAS A LEAF STUCK TO HIS JACKET! Didn't tickle him? Or like irritate him? It looked fun! The smile on her face widened at the situation. It'd be rude to burst out laughing, right?

Okay, she should be focusing on what he was saying. House elves, yeah she knew those. Raising her hand she spoke, "Like the others said they are loyal and obedient to their masters whom they serve without complaining," They have a pretty hardworking life. "They are sensitive. I found that out after personal encounter with many of them," Here in the castle. "They can also preform magic without a wand," Wicked huh!

That was her answer...But...But..

She couldn't help it so she blurted out the next words, "And there's something stuck to your jacket, professor," Cassia would've wanted people to tell her if something was stuck to her jacket. The blond sent a bright smile towards the man. Could happen to any history of magic professor, no big deal!

OH MY GOODNESS.. SERIOUSLY PEOPLE.. Was it her muggle background or did most of these students only think of the elves as servants to them. Beaming at Eliza as she actually gave a great answer Minerva turned, putting her hand up to the amazing professor. She waited as a few others talked about cooking and cleaning and obeying. She knew that was what they did, but she always hated that. They really shouldn't be forced to do it and that's what most of them were forced.

Finally when it was her turn, "Professor, I think Eliza said it best. As everyone has said something about them, but the house elf is a very unappreciated creature. I think many students this term have come to find how important they are to our everyday life. House elves are very loyal and can be great protectors of their masters. They can only be freed by being given clothing from their master." She beamed towards the professor, because he was super amazing hero professor now in her eyes.

House elves. Hmmmm.

West put his hand up, eyeing the leaf on the man's back. "There's a leaf on your back, sir." Pause. As for elves, "The Dark Wizard Santa Claus has a whole lot of them enslaved because they work for free and tirelessly according to the whim of their master."

"True..." Erik answered slowly, wondering if the Hufflepuff had anything else to add aloud. "Who are they loyal to?" This was important to note.

"Were known to work in vhe kitchens here," Erik kindly corrected the Hufflepuff. He was young, so he would be forgiven the mistake. "You are correct to say vhat vhey have limited rights; however, speaking ill of vheir masters is more of a...cultural custom amongst house-elves vhan it is a 'right' by law. Most house elves know vhat to speak ill of vheir master is to tempt vheir master to give vhem clothes." And he would elaborate more on that later.

"Vhey can be offended vhen a wizard tries to keep vhem from vheir work, yes, correct." House elves were indeed hard-working creatures.

Erm...and there was Alexa's answer...different, as always. Erik put all of his focus on the girl as he tried to sort out her answer. He hadn't ever made a house elf cry as far as he knew but her...well that was some sort of accomplishment, wasn't it?

"Good," he replied eventually. "House elves have vhe tendency to self-punish vhen vhey feel vhey are disappointing vheir master."

He tilted his head at this Hufflepuff's response. Elves liked pudding...really... "Vhey do perform household chores for wizards, yes." He wouldn't address the pudding rumour. It seemed made-up by the lad.

"Vhat kind of trouble or punishment vould your gran give one of her house elves who misbehaved?" Erik asked curiously. "Please, share vith vhe class." This information was part of the house-elf identity.

Odin be kind today...was the Gryffindor captain really grinning at him and mentioning man-eating plants in the same sentence? Erik didn't like that at all. He winced but made himself make eye contact with the girl... she did have a good response to his question...

"Very good, Ms. Fischer. House elves do as vheir masters command them." Which apparently included doing dangerous tasks. "Can you tell us vhat house elves wear, if clothing is vhat frees them?"

The poor Slytherin captain almost sounded wistful about the missing Hogwarts elves...hah. One would think an almost-graduate of this school would know how to wash his own clothing by now.

"Can you tell us more about vhat a 'being' classification means, Mister Montmorency?" Erik asked quietly. "And yes, yes vhey do." He could tell that the boy understood the power behind the word 'anything' in his own sentence. Goooood.

"Do you haff any examples of 'funny names'?" Erik prodded the boy, though not literally. He remained quite content to stay where he was at his desk. "Perhaps your name is funny to vhe elves." Just pointing that out.

Good, good, he remembered this Ravenclaw's thought-provoking answers from his previous lesson. "House elves are good helpers," he nodded to her, as he would know. "We vill discuss vheir specific powers later on...are vhere any examples of house elf magic you can vhink of?" To share with the class?

Always so straightforward, this one was. "Correct." Erik found himself answering just as simply to the boy.

Here was another good answer. "Excellent points," Erik gave the Slytherin a solid nod of approval. But...oh, he had something on his back? Erik reached back to see what it was, but he didn't have eyes back there and didn't feel anything immediately so he put his arm back down. Hmm...

He was unsurprised to hear such a kindly answer from Wheatborn. "Vhis is a good point, Minerva," he acknowledged her with a small smile back. "And perhaps vhy I chose vhem as vhe subject of our last class." Hint. "You summed vhem up well."

It was a leaf on his back, oh, oh.......oops. Erik reached back to his suit jacket with a small frown and felt around for longer this time, finally plucking the leaf and setting it down on the desk beside him. Never mind that dumb thing. "Vhank you," he said simply, then refocused on the boy for the rest of his answer.

Aha, he had been wondering if this story would come up. A small smile twitched at the corner of the professor's lips. "Vhey do...usually....vork for free, and vhey are hardworkers. However, let's keep today's lesson on vhe topic of local house elves, not mass slaves as Mister Claus vould use them." IF Mr. Claus was even real.



"Does anyone in here haff a house elf in his/her family? Or more vhan one elf?" He was curious to see a show of hands...and the responses to his follow-up questions. Surely the students could tell them more about the creatures that lived in their own homes and up until this year, had taken care of them in this very castle...

"They're loyal to their masters, Sir." And lots of others had touched on that as well. It was a sad thing, though, the way they were bound to their masters. Ella couldn't imagine having to do everything someone told her to and then feeling the urge to harm herself if she messed said thing up. It just didn't sit well with her.

As for having a house elf, Ella didn't. Muggleborn and all that. She simply sat quietly and watched, wondering who did own one. She'd give hers ice cream and hugs if she had one. Just saying.

What did Anya know about house elves? Well... that Carter had one. And that... ... ... ... she had a bad experience with the baby!elf.

She shuddered at the thought and because of that she actually missed the first question. ... Of course... that wouldn't be the first thing that that elf had caused her to lose.

She blinked those thoughts away. She raised her hand slowly. "My brother has one." she said.

Alexa was beaming because he said her answer was good!!! See? She KNEW things, practical things. Now for the next question!!

That one was a no brainer as well. "We don't have any at home, Daddy wants one but my step-mum freaks out about everything magic. My grandparents do though!!! They have three really nice ones that make me cookies and sneak me sugar when my grandmum isn't looking." In exchange for her leaving them alone of course.

She didn't do ANYTHING wrong but apparently house elves, no matter where they were, didn't like being tackled to the ground and cuddled like a teddy bear. Especially when they were in the middle of cleaning with an impatient master in the next room.

Eh. Secretly she knew they liked it because Toddles said he liked hugs!! That was all the proof she needed.

Minerva beamed at him.. He was starting to become one of her favorite teachers below Hadley of course. He liked her answer, well of course he did. He was always saying she had good answers. He was a super hero dementor crusher and he knew she was right.. Yes this man in her book was amazing and she just kept a big smile on her face.


She looked around the room with his next question. Of course she didn't have any since her mother pretended to be a muggle and her father was a muggle. She grew up muggleborn basically, but Ethan had an elf and that elf hated her being in the kitchen.... It was like offended when she would try to cook or something. "I don't have one, but my boyfriends family does and I've noticed they are very protective of their job. I love to cook and he doesn't like me in the kitchen, because it's his job." She hated that he felt that way, she would cook for him as well if he would let her.

She got a 'very good' from the pretty professor AND her own question? Alice ignored the wince and grinned, baring all her pointy pearly whites at the man in a huge smile. He was even making eye contact, first time ever. His eyes, those were really pretty too, did he know? "Um, usually discarded household items, rather than clothing, 'cause that's what's used to free them and they'd consider it shameful." Did he need more elaboration?

"Like pillowcases, tea cozies, towels.." Was that good enough? Could she have more praise?

And West had a house elf, Alice knew for reasons. But she didn't have one of her own, so she remained quiet.

Tobias grinned even wider. "Yeah! Like Dinky and Noodle and Wibble and Flakey and Jigglypuff," he rattled off excitedly, and then he even giggled slightly at what professor man said next. "My name is Tobias Nestor Tempus, sir. My name is funny to everyone."

But he accepted that.

He kinda sorta raised his hand again. "I don't, but my grandfather used to have at least one, and like his dad, and his dad's dad. I don't think they have one any more though because-"

Tobias stopped suddenly and bit his lip. He wasn't sure he wanted to share that particular piece of information and ended the sentence differently than originally intended, but still just as cheerful as before.

"-they just didn't want house elves any more. He told me loads about them though."

The topic of house elves was interesting for Wade, since he had a soft spot for creatures in general. Other than last term here and the very few at Durmstrang, he didn't have much knowledge on house elves that wasn't already spoken, or least he thought so.

Instead, he wrote the confirmed and somewhat amusing facts down in his notebook..hmm.. wait, now there was one thing he didn't hear from the others yet, prompting his hand raising. "House elves deserve money for their work." Least that's how Wade figured.

Yes, Sky had been here the entire time. But was also still determined to not be a parrot. So, she'd glossed right over the first question, letting the others repeat each other if they wished. But the second question, well that was more personal and she couldn't let the others answer for her. So, here it goes. "No, my family doesn't have any elves at home. We believe in the muggle way of doing things, unless it's a situation where it's to our benefit to use magic. Or in an emergency." Besides, using elves just meant you were arrogant and lazy.

House elves had to follow orders from their owners, Tag knew that. Oh! And he knew something else about them. He wasn't sure if anyone else had given out this answer, so he raised his hand and said "They can only be freed if their owner gives them some sort of piece of clothing. Whatever it is." Otherwise, that basically meant 'no clothes, no freedom'. An that's such a shame to those poor house elves because, Tag wondered, who would, those who had house elves, be kind and considerate enough to give them some clothing. Hopefully some people did give their house elves clothing. He would. It just didn't seem right.

What.............even.

Dylan lulz'd momentarily about the mention of Santa Claus...This had been a topic of debate among some of them...and it was amusing that West had brought it up...Ahem. Anyway...


Hmmm. Why was the Professor asking him that all quiet-like? Dylan just kinda looked at him curiously for a moment and then carried on with answering. "Well, yes, sir. It's in all the books...'.....any creature that has sufficient intelligence to understand the laws of the magical community and to bear part of the responsibility in shaping those laws'...House elves aren't stupid. They know our laws and their rights...but they still remain loyal to whatever families they serve..."

Seemed a little silly...but when the House Elf race had only known one way of living for so long...It had to be hard to accept change. "They also consider it disgraceful to get paid....or, at least, I'd read that somewhere."

"...And no, my family doesn't own House Elves. Their faces creep me out."

House elves.... Daichi disliked this subject because he thought it was sad they had to work without getting paid anything. Yes, Professor Flamsteed explained to him once that they liked working but still...no the Slytherin was against it, he always worked hard himself to accomplish things.

So his answer was a direct and simple "No"

Oh. Hey. He showed up after all and they were talking about house elves. Her peers gave each of their own ideas almost immediately so Beezus stayed quiet on her seat as she listened intently to what was being said.

Most of the answers she already know. She made it a point to read about Hogwarts, A History when she was on her first year at the school...so of course, this included the all even those former inhabitants of the castle.

When the man asked the class if they had house elves in their homes, she hesitated for a while. They didn't have one in their house, but her Grandmother did. With this, she raised her hand up in the air. "My family doesn't own a house elf sir, but my Grandmother does. Usually, she sends her house elf to clean my house at least thrice a week since no one is basically living there while I'm at school." She'd explain more on why no one else was living in that house but she didn't deem it necessary. Those who knew why would know why....and those who didn't....well, too bad for them.

Theo didn't know MUCH about house elves, other than they were a little annoying. But they cooked the food and cleaned, so they weren't THAT bad. Hogwarts certainly seemed to have struggled without them this year. He raised his hand, "They speak in their own language." Kinda anyway.

Nope.

His parents would be freaked if Theo ever brought a house elf home one day. Theo didn't bother to say this, though, and just started to doodle on his piece of parchment.

West watched the governor put the leaf on his desk, his expression thoughtful but not overly curious. Last time he'd got leaves on himself it had been... well. No point thinking about ex-girlfriend things now right? Right.

Not mass slaves? Noted.

As for house elves... West put his hand up. "We have one called Chaucer. He's been coming here and helping out a bit when my dad can spare him." He volunteered.

WHY did the professor have a leaf on his back? She was more interested in that than in anything else. Was he at the greenhouses or something? Or did he just like to stick leaves to his suite. Unique kind of fashion maybe? Naah, else he wouldn't have removed it. This piece on information that she couldn't find out was going to haunt her for a long time until she found another thing to be curious about.

Did they have a house-elf?

She stuck her hand up perkily and spoke, "My grandmother did have a house elf but she died," Cassia didn't remember much because she was like three years old. No one could have solid memories from that age?

But then she paused and added quickly, " The house-elf died not my grandmother," Just to clear everything out. Her grandma was VERY alive.

Asher was surprised to hear that there were still families that had House Elves. He didn't think people did that anymore, large places like Hogwarts maybe, but not households. "We do not have a House Elf. My mom says that's why she has children. To do the chores around the house."

It was then that Asher remembered his long list of chores he had to do at home. He had been looking forward to summer, but now he was thinking about how nice it was not being responsible for weeding and de gnoming the garden.