BACKSTAIRS AT HOGWARTS
Chapter One - Winky Faces Her Future

After the horrible night when Winky the house elf discovered that her former young master had murdered his own father, she returned to the Hogwarts kitchen and started work, or at least work of sorts.  She put herself in charge of carrying wood for the fireplace and tending the fire, and stopped drinking six bottles of butterbeer a day, but continued to mope and kept muttering things like "my poor old master.  He needed Winky to take care of him... Young master was a very bad boy.... Winky is a bad elf for saying so!"  

Unfortunately, her appearance hadn't improved at all-- she remained filthy and the clothes that had given her freedom were in a terrible state.

Finally Toby, one of the senior house-elves, approached her and said "Master Dumbledore wants to see Winky in his office after dinner tonight at 7:00."

Winky answered in a frightened voice "Master Dumbledore is wanting to see Winky??  Is you sure?"

"Yes, Toby is very sure," he answered.  "Toby will come a few minutes before 7:00 and take Winky to Master Dumbledore's office."  With that he turned and walked quickly away.

Winky squeaked "Master Dumbledore is wanting to see Winky!  Winky is surely in much trouble!"  She then started to cry, though not as loudly as she had in the past.

Teeny and Tiny, two elves who were sisters, and who despite their names were in fact the largest elves at Hogwarts, overheard and turned to her.

"Winky is ought to be ashamed of herself!  She is a disgrace to Hogwarts and all house-elves!" squealed Teeny.

"Winky is not going to see Master Dumbledore looking like this!" squealed Tiny even louder.  "Even if she isn't caring what she looks like, WE is!"

With that, they each grabbed one of Winky's arms and dragged her into the scullery, completely ignoring her squeaking protests.  A large wooden tub was already full of warm water, and they pulled Winky's clothes off, then threw her into it.  

"You is drowning me!" she shrieked as they poured buckets of water over her head and scrubbed her with very strong soap.  As they worked, the water became darker and darker.

Pinky, one of the laundry elves, heard the commotion and went to see what was happening.  She looked around quickly, then spotted Winky's filthy, ragged clothes on the floor.  She picked them up, saying "Pinky will take care of these.  Winky isn't ought to wear them like this when she sees Master Dumbledore."  She then left the room with Winky's clothes.

In the meantime Teeny and Tiny had begun dunking Winky's head under water repeatedly to make sure all the dirt and soap were rinsed off.  "Stop!  Stop!  You is really drowning me now!" she squealed, but the two other elves continued to dunk and scrub until they were finally satisfied she was clean.

"Be quiet," Teeny told her.  "You's cleaner now than in months, you is!"

"And soap and water is never hurting anyone!" Tiny added.

They finally released Winky.  After she shook the water out of her ears, they gave her a teatowel which she used to dry off, then wrap herself because Pinky still had her clothes.  Water had splashed everywhere, so they shoved a mop into her hands, telling her to clean up the mess.  Winky started pushing the mop across the floor, angry and shaking at first, but as she worked, her technique became more expert, and very quickly the scullery floor was dry and shining clean.

A short time later Pinky returned with Winky's clothes, which now looked brand-new.

Winky stared in amazement, then asked "how is you making them look like that so fast?"

Pinky answered "house elves at Hogwarts is doing many things they is not doing other places.  Pinky has never done this for a house elf before, but Winky and Dobby is the only free elves she has ever known."  She helped Winky into her clothes, making sure every button was buttoned, and every seam straight.  Finally she put Winky's hat on her head, carefully adjusting her ears to make sure it was properly in place.  

"You is ready to see Master Dumbledore now," she said with satisfaction.

In a very small voice Winky squeaked "thank you, Pinky," then stepped into the kitchen, where dozens of elves stopped their work and stared at her.  She meekly crossed the floor to meet Toby, who was just coming to look for her.  

At first he didn't recognize her, but quickly realized his mistake, saying "it is time, Winky."  She quietly followed him out of the room.

Toby led her through the hidden passageways which were used by house elves to get around the Hogwarts castle.  The passageways were protected by a special kind of elf magic, and didn't even show up on the "Marauder's Map."  

Toby ignored Winky's questions about why Dumbledore wanted to see her, but did say "Master Dumbledore is a very great wizard and master.  He is very good to house elves."

Finally they arrived at the entrance to Dumbledore's office, where Toby gave the password, then rode the rotating stairway to the door above.  He knocked, and heard Dumbledore say "come in."

Toby opened the door and said "Winky is here to see you," Master Dumbledore, sir."

"Ask her to come in, please."

Toby motioned for Winky to come into the room, which she did, trembling with fear.

"Thank you, Toby," Dumbledore said.  Toby bowed low and left the room.

"Winky," Dumbledore said kindly," there is nothing to be afraid of.  I will not harm you."  

Winky continued to stand still with her eyes down.  

"Would you like to sit down?" he asked.

"Master... Master Dumbledore is asking Winky to sit down?" she asked in amazement, her brown eyes even larger than usual as she raised her head slowly.

"Of course."  Dumbledore stepped from behind his desk, reached down, picked Winky up, and set her in a side chair.  He then took the chair next to it himself.  "I think this is nicer, don't you?" he asked.

Winky could only squeak softly "yes... yes, Master Dumbledore sir.  Winky thanks you."

"Winky, we have to make some decisions about what you're going to do with yourself.  I know you were devoted to the Crouch family, but they're all gone now."  Dumbledore paused, then continued, "even if Mr. Crouch hadn't freed you himself, you would probably be free now anyway because there's nobody left in the family to inherit you."

Tears started to trickle from Winky's eyes but she didn't cry out loud.  "Poor old master!  He is thinking he could keep Master Barty under control and Winky thinking so too.  Master Barty was very, very bad!  Killing his own father is terrible" said Winky, trying to stifle a sob.

"Winky," Professor Dumbledore said, "nothing is going to bring your old master back, but there is one last thing you still can do for him."

Winky started at him for a moment before saying "Winky is not understanding, Master Dumbledore, sir."

"Do you remember what your former young master said he did with his father's body?"

Winky couldn't suppress another sob before she said "he is making him into a bone.  Just one bone in the ground!"

"That's right, Winky.  We have found the bone and reversed the transfiguration spell, so we now have Mr. Crouch's body.  We think he should have a decent burial and want to ask if you will help us."

"Oh yes!  Winky is wanting to help very much!" she exclaimed.

"Then we should go to Hagrid's hut now.  Come along, please."  Dumbledore led Winky down the long flights of stairs and through the front doors, finally ending up outside Hagrid's hut.  They could hear two indistinct voices, one high and squeaky, and the other very deep.

They continued walking around the hut where they saw Hagrid, a casket on two stands, and... Dobby.  His, sweater, shorts, and tie were immaculate, and he was wearing his newest and best socks.  

Winky squeaked "what is you doing here, Dobby?"

Before Dobby could answer, Dumbledore spoke to her quietly.  "Dobby is a very good friend to you, Winky.  It was his suggestion that we do this."  Winky was speechless.

Would you like to see your old master one last time, Winky?" Dumbledore asked kindly.

"Yes, Master Dumbledore, sir, please."

Hagrid slid the casket lid off, and Winky climbed onto a small stool next to it.  In death, Crouch looked at far greater peace than he had been in life.  Winky cried softly but did not wail or scream.  She reached down and grabbed a bunch of wildflowers, which she put in the casket, saying  "I hope you is at peace and with Mistress now, Master.  Goodbye."

Winky stepped down from the stool and asked "where is you burying him, Master Dumbledore, sir?"

"Hagrid has found a very peaceful spot in the woods, and we have put spells on it to keep dangerous and evil creatures away from it.  You can visit it at any time, but you must remember not to go any farther into the forest."  Dumbledore motioned with his eyes to Hagrid, who replaced the casket lid and started to nail it down.

"I knows, sir," Winky answered, "Winky is a good elf and will not go where she isn't ought to."  

She then turned to Dobby and said in the most decisive voice she had ever used "Dobby!  You is here to help.  Now is the time!"  She then walked to one end of the coffin as Dobby went to the other, and the two of them lifted it over their heads with ease.

Hagrid stared.  "I never knew house elves was that strong."

"Yes, Hagrid, they can be very strong when there is work to be done.  Please lead the way."

Hagrid grabbed a lantern, creating a strange procession of a giant, two elves, a casket, and a headmaster walking into the forest.  Shortly, they came to a small clearing where a grave had already been dug.  They slipped ropes under the casket, then gently lowered it into the ground.  Everyone remained silent out of respect for the dead.

Dumbledore spoke softly "Winky we shouldn't leave you alone. Take as long as you like, but please tell us when you're ready to go."

Winky looked up and said "Master Dumbledore is very kind.  Winky is ready to go now."  She slowly sprinkled a handful of earth into the grave, then followed Dumbledore out of the woods.  Hagrid and Dobby began to fill in the grave.

As they crossed the lawn, Dumbledore spoke again.  "Winky, you are a free elf and may go wherever you please.  You are most welcome to stay at Hogwarts, but I really must insist that you find something to do if you stay.  Do you have any idea of what kind of work you might like to do?"

Winky stopped in her tracks and stared up at Dumbledore.  "Master... Master Dumbledore is asking what Winky is liking to do?"

"Yes, I am," he returned.  I know that a house elf without something to do is usually not very happy."

There was a long pause.  Finally Winky began "Winky... Winky is liking...."

"Yes?" Dumbledore asked.

"Liking taking care of sick people."  She looked up, fearful that she had demanded too much.

"That makes sense, Winky.  I know you have a lot of experience nursing members of your old family."

"Master Dumbledore sir is right.  I is knowing many things about sickness and helping sick people."  She stopped abruptly, again fearful she had too much.

"Well, Winky," Dumbledore answered," I will have to speak to Madam Pomfrey about this.  In the meantime you may continue to do the work you have been doing in the kitchen.  I will also ask Pinky to provide you with a long apron to protect your clothes."

Winky was in shock again.  Finally she managed to say "Winky thanks you, Master Dumbledore, sir!"  By this time they had reached the main entrance hall of the castle.  Winky hesitated, not sure what she should do.

"Goodnight, then," Dumbledore said.  I will let you know when I've had a chance to talk to Madame Pomfrey, Winky."

"Goodnight Master Dumbledore sir, thank you," responded Winky as she dropped him a  deep curtsey.  As she walked towards the kitchen door, she passed a mirror and was startled by the image she saw.  It took a moment for her to realize that it was her own reflection.  When she first had acquired clothes, she was much too upset to really look at them.  Now she realized that she really did like the idea of wearing neat, clean clothes.  Would she ever be happy wearing a teatowel or pillowcase again?  She didn't think so now.

House elves normally get up very early, but in the female elf quarters everyone was amazed the next morning to see Winky's bed vacant, the covers made up so tightly that a galleon coin could have been bounced off of them.  As they stumbled sleepily into the kitchen the elves found the fire already blazing and their morning tea brewing.  Winky stood near the fire, her sleeves carefully rolled up, and the long apron Dumbledore had promised her tied neatly around her neck and waist.  One top corner of the apron displayed the Hogwarts crest, and Winky's name was in the other corner.  

Most of the elves were too surprised to say anything, though several gave Winky looks that indicated their approval.  

"Winky," Dobby squealed, "what is you doing up so early?"

"I is showing everyone a free elf can work as hard as any elf, I is!"