So on the last day of the Christmas holiday, this scene appeared in the Hufflepuff common room. The laughter and joy of the previous few days were gone, and everyone was lying on every flat surface, hurriedly making up for their homework that they had not written a single word.

This is also a traditional group activity of Hufflepuff, which occurs once or twice every year.

There was only one day left before the school term started, and time was tight and the workload was heavy, so not many people came for lunch. Compared with the bustling long tables in other colleges, Hufflepuff's seemed empty.

Of course, this may also be because Hufflepuff is closer to the kitchen, so they can have lunch without going to the hall... because some people in other houses also behaved abnormally.

Among them were Harry and Ron from Gryffindor. They stood up in just five minutes, each holding a bag of baked potatoes and hurried out of the hall.

Hermione followed behind and scolded them.

Then when she reached the door of the Great Hall, she suddenly stopped. Instead of going back with them, she turned a corner and walked straight towards Hufflepuff.

Kyle was discussing the Firebolt with Cedric. When he looked up, he saw Hermione sitting in the empty seat opposite.

"Hermione?" Kyle asked subconsciously, "Did you quarrel with Ron again?"

"No." Hermione said, "I've thought it through. There's no point in arguing with him except making myself feel bad. I'm here to see you this time."

"Looking for me?"

"Because of this." Hermione took out a box, opened it and put it on the table.

Kyle and Cedric looked over at the same time.

There were about a few dozen badges in the box, all in different colors, but all with the same letters on them.

SPEW.

"Vomiting?" Cedric said subconsciously, "You don't want to use this to boo the warriors from other schools during the second task... I don't think Professor McGonagall would agree to you doing this."

"It's not vomiting." Hermione was a little annoyed. Obviously many people had misunderstood her before.

But she still tried to calm herself down and explained, "It's the abbreviation for the Association for the Promotion of House-Elves' Rights."

"What's a house elf?" Cedric looked at Kyle in confusion, "Have you ever heard of it?"

"No." Kyle shook his head.

"I founded this two months ago," Hermione said simply, "to fight for the rights and wages that house-elves deserve."

"Huh?" Cedric was even more confused. He thought he had misheard. "Payment for the house elf?"

"Yes, that's right."

Hermione's voice was a little louder than before. "I think a lot of wizards are using house-elves as slaves. They don't get paid, they don't get any vacations, and what's even scarier is that right here at Hogwarts, there are over a hundred of them..."

Hermione spoke more and more excitedly, as if she was making a speech in the election for Minister of Magic.

After hearing her words, many people couldn't help but laugh out loud, and the Slytherins nearby laughed so hard that they slapped their hands on the table.

With his good personal cultivation, Cedric tried his best to remain calm and listen to Hermione's words.

"So I think we should help them... Would you like to join? It only takes two Sickles to buy a badge... The income can be used to print flyers later."

"Excuse me," Cedric said, "Can I ask how many members you have now?"

"Um... six," said Hermione. "Me, Harry, Ron, Neville, and Fred and George."

"Fred..." Cedric was a little incredulous, "They're joining too?"

"Yes," said Hermione, "even though they said they wouldn't be taking part in any activities, they still bought the badges..."

Kyle raised his eyebrows. He thought that the reason why Fred and Ron paid two Sickles was most likely because they were interested in the "vomit" badge... because this thing could change. Just shake it and it would change from "SPEW" to the image of a house-elf.

At that time, just make a slight change... For example, replace the image with Krum's, and it will have the effect of booing.

"Would you like to join us?" Hermione asked hopefully, pushing the box forward.

"If you don't participate in the event... I can buy a badge." Cedric said, and took out two Sickles and handed them to Hermione.

Kanna next to her also paid two Sickles, just to support her friend... Of course, the premise is not to let her wear this badge.

This looks too much like the Weasley brothers' prank badge, and is almost exactly the same as Percy's "big-headed boy". It would be a bit embarrassing to wear it.

Both of them paid, but Kyle didn't do anything.

"You don't want to?" Hermione looked a little disappointed, because in her impression, Kyle shouldn't be like this.

But Hermione didn't want to give up.

She thought about it and realized that Kyle's attitude was very important. If he was willing to join, then with his status as a warrior, she might be able to recruit more members.

Then, Hermione took a deep breath and said in a louder voice: "This is slave labor. Every bite of food we eat now is obtained by exploiting the house-elves. So, do you think it is right to go along with them?"

Connor frowned. She hated the tone Hermione had used when speaking to Kyle just now and wanted her two Sickles back.

"I don't want to buy it. Give me the money..."

But before she could finish her words, she was pulled back by someone.

"I understand your idea, Hermione." Kyle shook his head and said, "But you used the wrong method. I guess you must have been to the kitchen."

"Yes," said Hermione. "I persuaded them to get their own wages."

This time, Hermione was silent.

After a long while, she stammered, "The house-elves have been enslaved for too long, so they need our help. I think..."

"Please wait a moment."

Kyle interrupted her. "It's hard to explain in a few words. How about this, if you have time, can you come with me? I'll take you to a place... If you still insist, I'll buy the badge."

"Okay!" said Hermione. "Where to?"

"Come with me, you'll know when you get there."

Kyle stood up and walked out of the Great Hall, followed by Hermione.

Kanna thought about it and followed, not to mention Cedric, he even called Qiu who was eating nearby.

The group walked out of the hall, and Kyle walked through the castle gate and headed towards the forbidden forest.

The door to Hagrid's hut was closed, and as they approached, they heard Fang's loud shouting from inside.

Then the door opened, and Hagrid poked his head out with a haggard face. Obviously, even though he was in a bad mood, he had not forgotten his most important job...

"You guys." He called out to Kyle who was about to enter the Forbidden Forest, "If you are here to visit me, then go back quickly. I just want to be alone now.

If you want to go to the Forbidden Forest, go back quickly. It is too dangerous there. As long as I am not expelled, I will not let you go in."

"I'm sorry, Hagrid." Kyle stopped and said, "We have something important to do. If we don't go to the Forbidden Forest... Can you help call a centaur?"

"Oh, no, go back."

"We really have something to do, Hagrid, please." Kyle said again.

This time, Hagrid hesitated, then staggered out of the room.

"Okay," he said, "but until I come out, you must not move one step forward. Just wait here."

"No problem," Kyle said.

Hagrid nodded and walked deeper into the Forbidden Forest.

Kyle did not break his promise and just stood there, continuing to discuss the topic that Cedric had not finished before.

"Honestly, the Firebolt's abilities are so amazing. It's hard to believe that you were able to hold Harry back for so long last year."

"Yeah, I find it incredible, too," Cedric said. "You were so smooth in dodging the Bludgers earlier. The Firebolt is truly the broom that every Seeker dreams of."

"You can buy one too. Once I get the thousand Galleons prize money from the Triwizard Tournament, I can lend it to you."

"No, I'll be in seventh grade next year, so it's not cost-effective to use it for only one year."

"What about graduation?" Kyle said, "Don't you want to join a professional Quidditch team? You can't go there with your Nimbus 1700..."

"Yeah, Kyle is right." Kanna also said, "If it's still not enough, I can lend it to you."

While they talked, Hermione stood by in silence.

Soon, Hagrid came out, and with him was a centaur.

He had unusually blue eyes and shining white-gold hair, and was very handsome. His lower body was the light golden body of a silver-maned horse, which was also very beautiful.

"Thanks, Hagrid."

Kyle walked forward and greeted the centaur, "Hello, Firenze."

"Hello, little pony." Firenze said, "Oh, I recognize you. You are the one who rescued the little unicorn from the dark wizard."

“That was several years ago.”

"Yes, the little unicorn has grown up now." Firenze said, "Okay, let's get back to the topic. Hagrid said you wanted to find us centaurs. Is there something you want?"

"Just a quick question," Kyle said. "Firenze, what do you think of the fact that we wizards always wear clothes?"

“Unbelievable.”

Firenze blurted out, "I can't understand why you are punishing yourselves in such a harsh way when you are still foals and have done nothing wrong."

"Wait, you mean the clothes we wear are a punishment?" Hermione couldn't help but ask.

"Yes." Firenze's expression was serious. "In our tribe, only members who have committed serious mistakes will be forced to wrap themselves in cloth and leaves, depriving them of the right to contact nature."

"Thank you, Firenze, I'm done asking questions," Kyle said. "I hope you can give my regards to Magre."

“I will tell you,” Firenze said.

But before returning to the Forbidden Forest, he hesitated for a moment, then said: "I really suggest that you take off the shackles on your body and feel the charm of nature... After all, you have done nothing wrong."

"Um... no need." Qiu took a step back warily, and even the look in his eyes when he looked at Firenze changed.

(End of this chapter)