House-elves

What happened? Why wouldn't it lift off the ground? I did everything she told us to do. I spent half of last night pouring over any broom riding book I could find and I still couldn't do it? Was it because of-

"Oh, Catlyn- I didn't think you'd com'." Hagrid's gruff voice rebooted my mind to reality as I noticed I'd been walking to his hut. Looking up to his voice, I see him leaving the homely, bordering on cramped, groundskeeper's house on the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

Still a little out of it, I take a second to respond, 'Serg left before I could give him my response back.' The energy of two introverts desperately trying to talk brings the conversation to a snail's pace, as if every response has to be followed by a snail race before the silence can be filled with my awkward retorts.

"Well? Com' in," He invites, waving me in. Taking a second to mull over it in my head, I only shrug and follow him in. Stepping through the open door, soft whimpers meet the damp air. Clutter and nick-nacks lined the shelves and tables of the main room, and probably one of the few rooms considering the size of the room.

"Fang? What's got you all in a puff?" Hagrid asks as he kneels in a corner, comforting a dog hidden from view.

'That might be my fault,' I write, standing impatiently as I wait for Hagrid to turn and see my message.

"Ah, Fang you bloody coward, she's nothin' ta be 'fraid of. Are you Catlyn?" At his motion towards me, I take my mask off and squat down. I extend my hand out to her, making sure not to show my teeth as I give her a smile.

Cautiously, the Neapolitan Mastiff slowly approaches me and sniffs my hand. I watch his tail in anticipation until it starts wagging like crazy. Fang pouncing, I let him drag me to the ground; slathering my face with dog slobber.

"There you ar' Fang!" He laughs, moving away to start on the tea. Finally deciding I've been drenched enough, I shake Fang off me and plonk myself down on the sofa.

"You know, Mendrix had a very difficult time training Sargent! Begged Dumbledor' ta sell the bloody beast. Ended with me haven ta treat it like a hippogriff!" Hagrid's roar of laughter almost overpowered the ring of hot tea coming out of the tea kettle.

Hagrid's laughter continued as he came over with two teacups only to stop as he was about to pour mine, "You can have tea, can't ya?" He asks carefully, afraid to offend. With a nod, Hagrid's concerned expression lights up as quickly as it left; shaking the hut as he slouches into his armchair.

"So, what's on your mind?" Hagrid asks, arms on his knees as he stares at me trying to hide my surprise.

'What do you mean?' I try to fane ignorance.

"I can tell you have somethin' eat at you," his comment pushes the internal discussion in my mind to center stage. Why did I come? It isn't even the time he agreed upon. Could it be that-

The pop of Apparation shifts our attention to the small house-elf standing on the coffee table; about to ball their eyes out.

"Miss Catlyn!" She cries, springing off the table and wrapping her arms around me.

'Why are you here? How did you even know I was here?' I ask after Cimsy finally lets go of me.

"Cimsy is here with Miss's Blood, Cimsy remembered Miss Catlyn's telling Cimsy not to randomly search for Miss Catlyn so Cimsy asked Master Flitwick what class Miss Catlyn was in, and then asked Master Hooch where Miss Catlyn went and Cimsy found Miss Catlyn!" She explains proudly, jumping up and down on my lap.

'Cimsy, you know you don't have to find me every time I don't come, right?' I ask softly so she doesn't get upset; ignoring every time her feet dig into my feet and the misgendering of Madam Hooch.

"Cimsy knows, Cimsy finds Miss Catlyn because Cimsy wants to," Cimsy squeaks, handing me the blood bag, and sits next to me; legs swinging and big eyes staring up at me.

'Well so long as you do your work I guess it's fine,' I reply, widening her grin even more. I can feel my mouth mimicking hers as a thought bumps into me.

'You were leaving to get lunch weren't you?' I meekly ask Hagrid, with his face answering for him.

'Cimsy, can you do me a favor and pop by the kitchen to get Hagrid some lunch?'

"Cimsy can, Cim- Cimsy c-" Her thrill over being asked to do something causes her to slip off the couch and land face-first on the floor.

Panic snaps in me as I start to rush to Cimsy side only for her to get up and speed to hagrid; not so patiently waiting for Hagrid to tell her what he wants.

"Uhh, er, Can you grab me som' mint humbugs an' peas? If'n not then a Hamburger?" Hagrid asks, slightly uncomfortable as Cimsy speeds out of the hut, jumping in joy with every step.

"Poor Cimsy," Hagrid says under his breath, forgetting about Vampire's exemplary hearing.

'Why is that? I know she isn't treated the best and emotionally unstable but what are you getting at?'

"A House-elf's life revolves around serving a master an' Cimsy's clumsiness' caused the other House-elf's ta not trust 'er and take all of 'er work. It ain't right," Hagrid says in a huff, sipping his tea.

Just like me, not able to do the basic things others around me can. House-elves, in general, aren't in a great place. I don't think we should force rights upon them or anything like that. I just think we should treat them better, outlaw the binding curse that's common practice, and just keep the choice open for them to gain rights and leave bad masters.