The next day, when the three of them were alone, Harry told Hermione and Ron about his discussion with Dumbledore the night before.
Looking at the two people who were nervously holding their breath, with shocked expressions on their faces, Harry didn't know why he always wanted to laugh, and the irritation that had been accumulating also decreased.
"So, soul..."
Ron was interrupted by Harry before he could finish his words.
"That thing," Harry corrected.
"So... there are only two left of that thing."
"Even if the worst happens, maybe Harry only needs to find one thing?" Hermione did not forget that Harry had told them that Dumbledore would take him to find a Horcrux.
"I don't know. There is still one unknown item. It may be Gryffindor's treasure or Ravenclaw's diadem."
Harry closed the Marauder's Map in his hand and walked back and forth three times along the wall opposite the tapestry where the troll beat Barnabas silly with his club, only to find that the door to the Room of Requirement could not be opened again.
"What's wrong?" Ron asked in confusion.
"This place has been blocked lately." Harry said with a frown.
"Maybe, there are couples dating here. I remember Albert used to date here often." Hermione didn't think there was anything strange about it.
"I have a strange feeling!"
Harry looked at the closed door and couldn't say anything, but he always felt that there was something wrong here.
"What did you foresee?" Ron asked curiously.
"I don't know." Harry shook his head.
"I think Hermione is right. Maybe there are couples dating here. If it were me, I would probably choose to date here too." Ron reached out and patted Harry's shoulder and said, "You've been under too much pressure recently."
Harry glanced at Ron secretly, knowing that this guy had probably read too much "12 Secrets to Charming Witches". Was he planning to learn the methods in that book to get close to Hermione
"Do you know what Malfoy is doing recently?" Harry suddenly changed the subject.
"Why are you talking about Malfoy again?" Ron looked at Harry puzzled.
"Well, Malfoy has been acting very abnormal this year. Remember what happened with Katie?" Harry reminded.
"You still doubt him." Hermione raised her eyebrows slightly.
"Yes, I suspect Malfoy is secretly planning something." Harry raised his hand to interrupt Hermione and continued, "At least after the end of this semester, something will definitely happen, and this thing is likely to be related to Malfoy."
"That's just your guess."
Hermione really didn't like Harry doing this. Although she also hated Malfoy, she would never find excuses to slander him.
"Don't get excited Hermione, this is just a guess, we can wait and see." Harry smiled and comforted, "Well, we can also make a bet."
"Okay Hermione, Harry said it's just a guess." Ron interrupted Hermione who was about to refute and reminded her, "It's just a guess."
Although Ron also disagreed with Harry's view that Malfoy was a Death Eater, he hated the Malfoy family even more and was willing to believe Harry's guess.
After all, it's just speculation.
"If only Dobby were still in Hogwarts." Harry sighed softly. It was a pity that Dobby had left Hogwarts, and the only house-elf he knew in Hogwarts was Winky. He didn't know if he could convince Winky to help him.
"What do you want Dobby for?" Hermione asked sharply.
"I'm going to the kitchen."
Harry seemed to have made a decision and walked quickly towards the moving staircase.
"You're going to look for Winky?"
Hermione was even more confused, not understanding what Harry was trying to do.
She and Ron looked at each other and hurried to the kitchen with Harry.
The kitchen at Hogwarts was as unfriendly to Hermione as ever. The house-elves avoided Hermione like the plague, and everything seemed to show that they were not welcome to her.
However, it was gratifying that the house-elves brought them pies. Ron reached out and took a few pieces from the plate. While thanking the house-elves, he did not forget to pass a piece to Hermione.
"Don't let them down." Ron said as he ate.
"I'm here to look for Winky. Do you know where it is?" Harry asked the house-elf.
The other party hesitated for a moment and led Harry to the corner of the kitchen, where a house-elf was doing his work with his head down, looking very depressed.
Harry could probably understand that Winky had no friends at Hogwarts since Dobby and Albert left.
"Winky," Harry called softly.
The house-elf raised his head numbly, with little light in his eyes.
This scene made Hermione extremely heartbroken.
"I want to ask you for a favor!" Harry lowered his voice and said his purpose. "After I graduate from Hogwarts, I welcome you to my home."
Hermione and Ron looked at Harry in surprise, obviously not expecting Harry to say such a thing.
"If you don't want to come to my house, I can introduce you to a new job. Dobby is now employed by Albert and is living a happy life. You can go and keep Dobby company." Harry said, extending his hand to Winky. "Anyway, you probably don't want to stay in Hogwarts any longer."
Winky finally looked up, her eyes falling on Harry's outstretched hand.
"Twinkle is a bad elf."Twinkle murmured.
"It's not your fault, it's Voldemort's fault. Voldemort brought misfortune and ruined your life."
Harry put his hand on the trembling house-elf's head and whispered to comfort him: "If you want revenge on Voldemort, I can help you, because I happen to have a grudge against Voldemort."
Hermione was about to say something, but was stopped by Ron.
"What does Harry Potter want Winky to do?" Winky's body trembled slightly, but she finally spoke.
"I need you to monitor Malfoy, Draco Malfoy. I want to know what he has been doing recently. If he has entered the Room of Requirement, I hope you can tell me when there are no other outsiders around me."
"After this is over, you can wait until I graduate from school, or I can introduce you to Albert." Harry gave the house-elf two choices: "You know, Albert has always been very good to the house-elves."
"Don't answer now, tell me later."
"Watching Draco Malfoy."
Winky reached out and placed her hand on Harry's palm, her eyes twinkling.
She agreed.
"Well, be careful, don't get discovered, and be safe." Harry said, patting the house-elf's head.
Twinkle nodded stiffly.
"Harry..."
After the three of them left the kitchen, Hermione looked at Harry sternly, not understanding why Harry did this.
"Winky doesn't have any other friends in Hogwarts anyway."
"But you shouldn't..."
"It's just a deal." Harry looked at Hermione and raised his lips slightly. "It's a deal that benefits everyone."
"But… "
"I know exactly what Malfoy is doing." Harry said softly, "As for Winky, whether it goes to my house or to Albert's in the future, it's a good ending. It's up to it to choose in the end. I think this is the best outcome for Winky. You should have noticed that the house-elves at Hogwarts don't like Winky very much."
"Of course, if you start your own family in the future, you can also invite Winky to your home." Harry looked at Hermione calmly and said, "I know you have always wanted to maintain the rights of house-elves, but if I may be frank, I don't know if you have ever been to the kitchen to comfort Winky after what happened two years ago."
Hermione opened her mouth slightly, not knowing what to say. Of course she had been there, but the house-elves in the kitchen didn't like her, so she didn't go there very often.
"But you shouldn't take advantage of..."
"Use, no, this is a deal." Harry interrupted directly, "I don't think house-elves need my pity."
"If you want to convince it, you need to use other methods," said Ron.
"Yes, that's right." Harry did not deny it. "If Winky is willing, I don't mind accepting her. If I die, Albert will definitely not mind having another house-elf to help. Their joke shop is always busy. Winky can work with Dobby and be with her friends. I think she will definitely be happier than she is now."