Hei Ge's words were just careless, but Harry's eyelids twitched, and he immediately looked at Hermione.
"Can you?"
"What?"
Hermione was taken aback by Harry's random question and asked confused, "What?"
Most people tend to underestimate the power of house-elves, but this prejudice will never appear on Harry. He deeply understands how wonderful the magic of house-elves is. In the first year of school, Dobby used its magic to seal the King's Cross Station and the entrance to the magical world, while Harry and Ron couldn't do anything about it. Moreover, Dobby easily knocked down Lucius Malfoy's father. If Hermione could take her loyal little elf to the game, she would definitely increase her chances of winning!
"I mean, allowing Dobby to participate in the Triwizard Tournament with you – is that permitted by the rules?"
Harry eagerly asked.
"Taking Dobby to the competition? No way, Harry. Crouch clearly said we cannot accept any help, and in the competition, we rely only on our wands."
Hermione stared at Dobby, her surprise turning into a puzzled counter-question. She instinctively wanted to refute it, but in the end, her delicate eyebrows lifted. Her expression brought a pleased smile to Harry's face.
"So, you're not explicitly forbidden, are you? Dobby is a house-elf, it's not a wizard, and it's yours, isn't it?"
"Can Dobby, Master Granger?"
The little fellow straightened up, trying to make himself look stronger.
"Dobby is willing to accompany Miss Granger to the competition, Dobby wants to help Miss Granger!"
Dobby tilted his head, his tennis ball-sized eyes sparkling with pleading.
Hagrid was quite surprised that Harry took his offhand remark seriously. He looked at Dobby, blinking his eyes and looking somewhat hesitant.
"No--"
Harry's proposal is indeed somewhat tempting. Having a helper in the competition would definitely reduce the pressure no matter what challenge is encountered. However, Hermione looked fragile and knew that Dobby was as tall as her thigh. After taking a deep breath, she decisively refused.
"I can't do that, Harry. It's too underhanded!"
"I can see that you still want to argue, Harry. So let me put it clearly, it is not acceptable!" Hermione spoke firmly.
"Have you seen the previous Triwizard Tournament events, Harry? It's too dangerous. Dobby is still a child, it hasn't even turned one year old yet. I can't risk putting it in harm's way when I know that it will be facing danger. Furthermore, Dobby doesn't belong to me, it's free to choose who it wants to serve. It doesn't have to take unnecessary risks for me!"
"Dobby belongs to Miss Granger, and Miss Granger gave Dobby clothes!"
Dobby grabbed the chest that Hermione had made for him, pleading desperately, "I want to help Miss Granger!"
"Dobby wants to help Miss Granger win the tournament!"
"Don't say anymore, Dobby..."
Hermione covered her lips, her front teeth ached slightly.
"If you really want to support me, then cheer me on during the competition!"
"Cheer on" can be understood to mean "help," but in the context of the conversation, it's more about showing support rather than providing physical assistance. It's a way to express encouragement.
Dobby blinked his eyes, not speaking anymore.
Hermione's refusal let Hagrid breathe a sigh of relief as well. He had been friends with Dobby for some time now, and he had to admit that house-elves are great assistants. Moreover, they can also keep him company during patrols and at night, something that Rufus couldn't do.
"Don't worry, Hermione--"
Hagrid was astute and looked outside, speaking in a low voice, "It's not like we're asking for much."
"Professor Blythe has sealed the information, Hermione. Besides him and Dumbledore, nobody knows the specifics of the first task yet. But if they want to smuggle something into Hogwarts, I'll always get wind of it."
Harry and Hermione stared at Hagrid, who was smiling shyly, speechless for a moment.
Hagrid subtly reminded Harry that he would help Hermione gather information, making Harry feel delighted. Knowing what they had to face beforehand would allow them to come up with ways to deal with it. However, Hermione seemed hesitant, as the competition was like an exam to her. For her, cheating in an exam was unimaginable.
Harry and Hagrid spent a lot of effort trying to change Hermione's mind completely, but it didn't work. However, by the time they left Hagrid's cottage, Hermione was at least less resistant to the idea.
Although Harry was no longer so angry at Ron after Hagrid's persuasion, neither Harry nor Hermione wanted to see Ron so soon. They had dinner with Hagrid, stayed until it was completely dark, and with the likelihood that there wouldn't be anyone left in the Great Hall, they made their way back to the castle.
"Oh, how did you manage to get your tooth into this mess?"
At the school hospital, Madam Pomfrey said while checking Hermione's tooth.
"I was thinking about the competition, Madam Pomfrey, and I didn't notice those disappearing stairs traps and fell--" Hermione said pitifully, "Can my tooth be fixed? My dad is a dentist, and if he finds out my tooth is crooked during the Christmas holiday, he'll definitely make me wear braces."
Harry stood next to the side, staring at Madam Pomfrey with a look of guilt, no matter who caused the argument, Hermione was injured in the end.
Madam Pomfrey was experienced and could tell at a glance that Hermione's tooth had been hurt for some time. However, she was a conscientious doctor who usually did not inquire about the bizarre reasons that made young wizards injure themselves.
"Who are you underestimating, Miss Granger?"
Madam Pomfrey said unenthusiastically,
"I can have your tooth back to normal, or even better, in the time it takes to make a chocolate milk. Please, Potter, wait outside the curtain. You should have some sense."
It's just a tooth repair, what's there to be ashamed of-- Harry thought indignantly.
Nevertheless, he obediently waited outside the door. In fact, Madam Pomfrey spent enough time that Harry could have drank a whole tub of chocolate milk. He heard the murmurs coming from behind the curtain between Hermione and Madam Pomfrey, and he couldn't make out what they were saying.
It wasn't until half an hour later that Hermione emerged from behind the curtain, her lips pursed tightly so that Harry couldn't see how her tooth looked.
"Come on, Harry, let's go back--"
Seeing that Harry didn't ask any questions, Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. In fact, she did take advantage of Madam Pomfrey to do a little more to her tooth. This was mainly because of the "odd idea" badge that Malfoy and Parkinson had made during PE class.
Moreover, according to Professor Blythe, this year's Triwizard Tournament will be live-streamed in many places, just like the muggle sports events.
Now, they were preparing to return to their dormitory, and Harry became preoccupied once again. Going back to the dormitory meant he had to face Ron again, and they had just fought earlier in the afternoon, which was unprecedented. Although Hagrid had reminded them to keep their tempers, it was far from easy!
"Are we forgetting something?"
Hermione also had her own thoughts. The two of them were preoccupied as they climbed the stairs slowly, returning to Gryffindor Tower and the common room in front. As Fatima was waiting for them to say the password, Hermione suddenly snapped her fingers.
"What?"
Harry subconsciously asked, then a cold shock went through his mind, and he immediately felt goosebumps all over.
"Oh, Professor Blythe!"
Two desperate and terrified screams echoed in front of Fatima's portrait.
"What time is it, Harry!"
The two turned and ran, fully utilizing the speed and agility they had honed during PE class. Hermione descended the stairs so elegantly that she even flipped over the stair railing like a parkour athlete.
"Nine o'clock!"
Panting, Harry glanced at the watch Bran gave him, and he despairingly shouted, "Nine o'clock!"
"It's over, Hermione. Professor Blythe might think we're defying his punishment; what will he do? He might give us a taste of his own medicine during the next PE class, like he did to George!"
"Don't ask me!"
Hermione leaped over another railing in despair and screamed,
"I don't know anything!"
"If you two don't come now——"
Ten minutes later, the panting duo finally arrived at Professor Blythe's office, knocking nervously on the door.
Amortentia was sitting in his chair, his eyes fixed on a large gift box on his desk. Seeing Harry and Hermione running in, drenched in sweat, he smiled unpleasantly.
"I'm going to go catch people in Gryffindor dormitory now." (This chapter ends.)
