"Slavery -" began Hermione, but was again cut off.
"The bond between a house-elf and a witch or wizard has existed for tens of thousands of years. That is the way for them to survive. Without the bond, their existence has no meaning; they were born to serve. Unlike in your precious Muggle world where humans enslave other humans, we don't do that. Because Mother Magic herself has created a species who serve us to help better ourselves so that we can improve our society. Every society needs others who cook, clean, do the housework, and take care of the children. In the Muggle world, it is done by other humans, while in the magical world it is done by house-elves. You can't expect them to accept wages because they have no use for it. What do you think they would do, go to a party? Watch a movie? Their inherent magic itself provides them with whatever they need, and coupled with the magic they get from witches and wizards ensures that they are self-sufficient. They use the magic received from the bond to reproduce, and you trying to free them shows that there is someone out there who wants to kill them all! Please, don't try to bring in your vaunted Muggle ideas into the magical world where it is neither wanted nor necessary," said Harry quietly, but firmly.
"But of course you need Muggle ideas!" screeched Hermione furiously. "The wizarding world is still stuck in the dark ages with backward and outdated traditions and only by adapting to the Muggle world can bring them out of stagnation! There isn't even the concept of divorce in the magical world, while it exists in the Muggle world. There is so much more… Polygamy, the Ancient and Noble House system… Only if we remove such barbaric laws and traditions could the magical world ever hope to be as advanced as the Muggle world."
This comment brought outrage from many of them sitting in the common room. Nobody missed the part of Granger called them all barbaric, and many of the purebloods couldn't believe that she would think that the Muggle world could even compete with the magical world in any way.
"Let me tell you something Granger," sneered Harry. "Don't compare the Muggle world to the magical world, and don't you dare question our traditions and beliefs and impose your beliefs on us just because you consider them beneath you. We don't want that. You think the Muggle world is superior, isn't it? Please, enlighten us. Just what do Muggles have that we don't? You mentioned divorce, right? Well, let's test that. Hey, Fred, George, do you know what divorce is?" he asked the Weasley twins sitting there.
"Ahem, no idea, Harry," said George confused. "What is that? Is it some kind of cure for a disease?"
"Aha!" said Hermione triumphantly. "See? They don't even know what it is. This proves that -"
"- divorce doesn't exist in the magical world," finished Harry calmly. "Do you know why, Granger? It's because unlike Muggle marriages, in the case of witches and wizards, the husband and wife are bonded for life. To those who don't know, divorce is a Muggle term that describes a situation where a husband and wife split after marriage and go their separate ways. You see, Granger? They're disgusted to even hear of such a thing. That's because when two people are married through blessings of Magic, it creates a sacred bond between them. They don't cheat on each other; they don't feel the need to divorce the other. Whatever we do, we have a reason. There's a similar bond between parents and their children as well. As for Polygamy, if you're interested to know, has not been seen in our world for a hundred years. It exists only in law, in case the heads of families decide to marry another to continue their line or in case people marry for love."
"The Ancient and Noble House system is archaic," said Hermione stubbornly. "It shows the magical world isn't democratic like the Muggle world. This clearly discriminates Muggle-borns as they don't have access to such influence as the Ancient Houses. We Muggle-borns face so much prosecution and we don't get high position jobs!"
"Oh, give me a break!" said Harry through gritted teeth. "Just what is it with you wanting to bring more of the Muggle world into everything? Get your facts straight Granger. Elected representatives and Magical governments have existed for much longer when Muggles were still struggling with corrupt monarchy. The Ancient Houses exist for a reason. The Most Ancient Houses are those families who were appointed by King Arthur to take care of the welfare of the British magical community nearly fifteen hundred years ago. Since King Arthur was the last magical king, we had to govern ourselves. Newer families were introduced, creating the Ancient and Noble Houses and a few centuries later, the Noble Houses. They were the ones who founded the magical governments and enacted all those laws in the first place; they were the ones to introduce the concept of elected representatives and thus, for all the work they have done, they have hereditary seats. This system of governance exists not only in Magical Britain but all over the world. Everything is regulated by the International Confederation of Wizards!"
"In our Ministry of Magic, the Wizengamot is comprised of Ancient and Noble Houses, Ministry department heads, those who are young and elderly alike, holders of Orders of Merlin and the remaining nearly half of them are elected by the people! Even being the Lord of an Ancient and Noble House isn't easy. While no one can deny us the seat, just because we were born in the family doesn't give us the right to sit there. We are evaluated by a panel of Wizengamot members who test our knowledge about magical law and if we're worthy to sit there for legislative and judicial sessions. I'm not saying those in the nobility aren't privileged, but if the society had equal standing for all its citizens, then there would be no chaos at all; unfortunately, such a society is but a distant dream."
"You mentioned Muggle-borns and their rights," said Harry, cutting off Granger who wanted to speak. "Do you realise that you're talking to the son of a Muggle-born? I'm a half-blood myself. Who told you that Muggle-borns don't get top jobs? I can give you the names of five elected members of the Wizengamot who are Muggle-borns. My mother was an Unspeakable when she was alive, and she was a Muggle-born. Dirk Cresswell, the newest Head of the Goblin Liaison Office is a Muggle-born. Twenty-five per cent of the Ministry workers are Muggle-borns. Are you saying that they aren't successful?"
"Why, have you heard of Miller's Magic Mirrors? Of course, you have. The proprietor is Serena Miller, a Muggle-born! She was named the Businesswoman of the Year in the International Magical Business Magazine and has received several awards globally and was also awarded the Order of Merlin, First Class, by our Ministry of Magic. So, tell me, in which sense are we barbaric ?" he sneered at the last word. "Atlantis was a thriving magical city thousands of years ago while the Muggle world was still developing rudimentary huts. Stop judging the magical world by your knowledge of the Muggle world! They're completely different! We believe the laws of Mother Magic should -"
" Mother Magic?" snickered Hermione triumphantly, as if her theory of wizards not having an ounce of logic was validated. "Now that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Magic is just a tool which can be used -"
" SHUT UP !" hissed Harry furiously in Parseltongue, losing control for the first time while other purebloods too shouted in outrage. " This is what we don't like! You were introduced to the magical world just three years ago, and you're already spitting on our traditions and beliefs which have existed for thousands and thousands of years! For Merlin's sake Granger, stop trying to convert the magical world to your so-called advanced Muggle standards! We don't want it ! I'm not saying that we are perfect; yes, there is widespread corruption; yes, there is stagnation, yes, there are dangerous Dark Lords in the society, and yes, Muggle-borns do face scorn, but this is the reason for it! You enter into our world, spit on our beliefs and try to change who we are! And no one likes that!"
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