Harry Potter and the Order Of the Phoenix [118]
“When will she ever understand that I don’t like maroon?” asked Ron, looking disdainfully at his shirt. “Oh yeah, I almost forgot, Hermione wants us to bring our presents downstairs so we can open them all together… but I don’t think opening just one will matter much.”
Harry jumped out of bed, and grabbed his little pile of presents, Ron did the same. They ran down to the common room which was buzzing with excitement. They quickly spotted Hermione, who was waving frantically at them from a corner of the room. She also had a small pile of presents with her.
They spent the next hour opening gifts. Harry got mostly candy from people he knew: Ron, Hermione, Mrs. Figg, and Hagrid. Fred and George gave him some of their latest inventions: Soda Song Slurp, a beverage that forced you to talk only by singing, and you could stop only when you had a glass of water; Laughing Licorice, candy that, once you ate it, made you laugh after everything someone said, no matter how serious; and Six Second Salsa, a dip, that once you ate it, put you six seconds into the past or future, making for some very confusing situations.
All in all, it was a very good morning, made even better at breakfast. When they sat down at the table, there was no food in front of them. After a few seconds of being confused, Professor Dumbledore came up to them, dressed in an apron and chefs hat, with a few black marks all over him in various spots. Despite all this, he still had a smile on, and a twinkle in his eye.
“Good morning,” he said happily. “Excellent idea, Hermione, giving the house elves today off… it’s really made everyone realize how much they really help us.” Just then, Professor McGonagall came over, with a large pot of something, and some bowls. She was dressed exactly like Dumbledore, only she had many more burns marks, and she was definitely not wearing a smile. She dunked a giant spoon into the pot, and poured out a white liquid into three bowls which she gave to each of them.
“I hope you like porridge,” she said. “It’s all we have time to make… goodness knows how the house elves can do any more in the time they have.”
Ron dipped his spoon into his bowl, and it exploded, leaving a large burn mark all over his face.
“I don’t think it’s done quite yet, professor,” said Ron, looking paralyzed. Professor McGonagall just sighed, and ran to another group of students who had just come in. When Dumbledore had left too, Harry and Hermione made their breakfast disappear by putting a hiding charm on them. Ron did the same, after recovering from his shock. Since they had a late start this morning, they decided to get ready for the dance, which would be starting in only a few hours. The way back to the common room, however, was littered with house elves, bored out of their minds. They were desperately looking for work, asking all who passed if they needed any help.
“Need a shoe shine, sir?” squeaked one of the elves, sitting down and leaning against the wall, brandishing a cloth.
“How about a little snack, sir?” piped another. “Your shirt washed, perhaps?”
“Need a change of clothes, sir? An entire wardrobe maybe?” said another, grabbing onto Harry’s robes.
“No, that’s okay,” said Harry, brushing him off.
“What’s wrong with you elves?” asked Hermione, stopping, turning around, and looking slightly annoyed.
“We needs work, miss,” said three of them in unison.
“But this is your day off,” said Hermione. “You’re supposed to be out, having fun! Do something you like!”
“But, we likes work miss,” said one of the elves. “And besides, house elves are not supposed to haves fun! We is supposed to work!”
“Are you insane?” yelled Hermione, making the elves back away in fear. “Each and every one of you is entitled to live just as full and happy a life as any wizard is!”
“But miss,” said the same elf, “our lives… is work. We is supposed to work!”
“Can’t you see,” said Harry, now feeling an initiative to speak, “you’re not our slaves, and we don’t want you to feel as though you are! If we treat you like