Chapter 196: Free Will

Words : 1245 Updated : Oct 12th, 2025

Wade knew that this house-elf, Dobby, could be rather stubborn. So instead of arguing about Harry Potter's safety, he asked: "I heard from Harry that you want to be free?" Dobby's previously excited expression froze. Slowly, he lowered his arms, and his large eyes darted nervously as he stared at Wade in fear. "Don't be afraid. I won't tell the Malfoys," Wade said seriously. "What I mean is, if you truly desire freedom, I can help you." "Help... help Dobby?" Dobby sniffled, and his voice trembled. "Why, sir? Dobby is just a slave. Dobby doesn't know you, and you don't know Dobby." "Why?" Wade chuckled softly and said: "Perhaps because you're the first house-elf I've ever met who longs for freedom. Tell me, do you want to be free? Do you want me to help you?" Dobby clutched his old pillowcase cloth tightly, and his body trembled slightly. Even his gaze seemed to shake. After a long pause, he finally closed his eyes and exclaimed loudly: "Yes!" "Dobby longs for freedom! Dobby wants to leave their house forever!" After speaking, Dobby seemed startled by his own voice. He froze for a moment before cautiously and fearfully adding: "But... but... Master will never give Dobby freedom! Everyone in their family is so careful, they wouldn't even hand Dobby a single sock!" The conditions for a house-elf to gain freedom were both simple and challenging. A house-elf would be freed if their master gave them clothes. However, discarded clothes—thrown on the floor, into a laundry basket, or merely handed over to be washed—did not count. The clothing had to be explicitly given to the elf to keep or as a gift, accompanied by the master's clear intent. A wizard's inner thoughts determined the direction of the magic. "Don't worry about that. I'll figure something out," Wade assured him. "Do you trust me?" Dobby looked up at him and stared for a long moment before saying, "Yes, I trust you." This is the first wizard to ever crouch down and speak to Dobby. How could Dobby not trust him? Wade smiled and said, "Then, until that time comes, please be patient. It shouldn't be much longer..." Before he could finish his sentence, a loud rumbling noise suddenly interrupted him. Wade blinked in surprise. Dobby, looking pitiful, clutched his stomach. Wade glanced at the candies and fancy pastries placed on the table and quickly understood the situation. Raising his voice to a normal volume, he said, "Maggie, could you bring us some food?" With a soft "pop," a round tray appeared on the floor. On the tray were bread, roasted potatoes, fried sausages, and a large bottle of tea. "Thank you, Maggie," Wade said as he slid the tray toward Dobby. "Hurry and eat; Malfoy might return soon." "And by the way, Maggie is the house-elf in charge of the Slytherin common room. While your master doesn't allow him into the dormitory, if you ever need help, you can ask Maggie, or have him pass a message to me. He'll hear it." Dobby stared at him in a daze, his lips trembled. He neither spoke nor touched the steaming food. "Well then, I'll take my leave." Wade stood up, smiled, and said, "Goodbye, Dobby. I hope the next time we meet, you'll be a free elf." He tapped his wand to his forehead and disappeared from the room. Dobby heard faint footsteps exiting the dormitory. The wooden door closed, and the sound gradually faded away. ... "Wade Grey plans to help that house-elf gain freedom?" As Wade left the Slytherin common room and walked down an empty corridor, Maggie appeared by his side and asked softly. "Yes," Wade replied. "You saw it yourself; his master treats him cruelly." "I don't like him," Maggie said after a pause. "He's odd—like an outcast." "Because he pursues freedom?" Wade asked. "He betrayed his master." Maggie thought for a moment and felt his earlier statement was imprecise, so he clarified: "He pretends to obey his master's orders while secretly defying them. No one will accept a house-elf like that! He'll end up a homeless spirit, wandering until he dies!" "I will," Wade said calmly. "I won't help him escape his current situation unless I've prepared a better life for him." Maggie was taken aback. He looked at Wade and repeated emphatically, "Dobby is a bad elf who betrays his master." "Do you think he's wrong?" Wade asked. Of course! That's what Maggie thought, but as he blinked and opened his mouth, he couldn't bring himself to say those simple words. While he hadn't witnessed it himself, Maggie had often overheard how Draco Malfoy treated Dobby. Dobby often cruelly punished himself, and sometimes even burned his fingers with an iron or put his ears into the oven. Late at night, he would find discarded old clothes, tear them into strips, and use them as bandages for his wounds. Maggie was a bit confused. Wade didn't press him for an immediate response and instead asked, "Did he eat the food you sent him?" "He's crying!" Maggie said. "Crying so loudly, it's awful." "Help him, will you, Maggie?" Wade said gently. "Bring him food every day. I left burn salve and white moss ointment in the umbrella room. Take a couple of bottles and give them to him." "...Alright," Maggie replied, somewhat reluctantly. "Since Wade Grey says so, Maggie can help him. But Maggie is not like him!" Maggie spoke seriously, "Maggie will never betray!" "Of course, I know," Wade said. He thought to himself that Malfoy might not entirely agree with that statement. In Maggie's mind, however, Malfoy—and the other Slytherin students—likely only counted as people he served, not those he truly pledged loyalty to. Maggie's sense of self-awareness wasn't much weaker than Dobby's, though he hadn't realized it yet. Life at Hogwarts was relatively peaceful and happy for the house-elves who lived there, making it difficult for any extreme rebellious thoughts to emerge. If Maggie and Dobby were to switch places, Maggie's actions might be even more drastic—just like Kreacher from the Black family, he might actively seek ways to harm his master. As Wade thought about Draco Malfoy, Maggie mentioned him too. "He joined that club called the 'Necromancer Society.' He asked them if the president was a Death Eater. They said no." "They also gave him a ring that can send simple messages, saying that..." Maggie glanced at Wade. "...saying that it was inspired by your Book of Friends." "Hmm, I see," Wade replied, unsurprised. The Book of Friends provided wizards with convenience, and that convenience wasn't limited to friends or ordinary people. Evil individuals would inevitably find ways to exploit it as well. After all, it is a double-edged sword. -------------------------------- ????????Please consider supporting this translation project by becoming a P@treon member!!! Your support is greatly appreciated! Available on my P@treon page for just $4!! 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Chapter 196: Free Will

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