A bit taken back by the gesture of elf-murder, Hermione resisted the sound of disgust that tried to make it's way out of her mouth. She set her sandwich back into the bag, crossing her arms in thought.
"There are a lot of causes for dementia amongst house elves, you know. It could be a natural cause that might be treated by a proper professional with the right potion. Or maybe there's something from his past that traumatized him? Or there may even be something in your own home that makes him a little crazy?"
She sighed to herself before continuing, thinking that perhaps she was coming off like a bratty know-it-all like she was so prone to doing. She was always so passionate when someone to spoke to her about this particular subject. Maybe it was too overwhelming.
"When it comes right down to it, talking to them about their problems never hurts. House elves like pleasing you, but if you're not being responsive in a positive way at all, they'll be very disgruntled and won't be happy. They'll try their best to please you, even if they're doing the complete opposite of what you want. They need clarity and reassurance."
"Well...he's very old," Theodore said, "He was supposed to be taking care of my grandmother and forgot about her because he was digging a hole or something, I can't quite remember. He used to belong to my father but...I don't think he treated him that badly, Ewling adored him; hates me, or did at least, 'til he became mine."
"I think he is trying to do right, but he's...destroying everything I own, and either me or my pets are going to get hurt soon. I've tried relieving him of duties and he goes nuts, and no one I know will take him. Do you do this...counseling thing?"
Hermione nodded. "Yes, they do tend to become quite...unpleasant is the only word I can think of really, when you tell them that they shouldn't be working for you day-in, day-out."
She quirked an eyebrow, thinking about the concept of her counseling a house elf. "I'm not certified or anything to be a counselor," she started, making a mental note that there really should be a position like that, if there wasn't. "But I'd gladly do it for you, if Ewling doesn't object."
"He might...if we don't mention your name," he said after a moments thought. Ewling knew the phrase 'Granger' well enough by now, the number of times he and his father had cursed it after Edric had been caught (entirely her fault). Theodore didn't expect Ewling would take too kindly to her given this, and the last thing he needed was the bloody elf attacking Potter's best friend all in the hopes of pleasing Edric.
Hermione flushed slightly. "I...that would be just fine, yes," she replied. "Where would you like me to counsel him?"
She was certain that Theodore wouldn't want the likes of her in or around his home, but she also didn't think that Ewling would be partial to leaving his master's home. Ewling would be even more persistent about not going if he was as insane as Theodore let on.
He hesitated a moment before answering. "...My flat should work, it's in a muggle neighborbood, but I have the floo set up. It's 6A Bingham Rd., Radcliffe on Trent, Nottingham. I can owl you the address." It would be all right...Father would never find out.
"Alright then, I'll look forward to receiving it."
She wasn't sure how she felt about going to his flat, though she wanted to help this house-elf in need.
"Oh, by the way, I don't really know if it will help, but until I come over, it would probably be best to just try to let Ewling do as he wishes. Just make sure to watch your pets, since an unruly house-elf can be rather dangerous...and lock up any of your breakable possessions that you're greatly attached to."
She tapped her fingers along the under-side of the bench she was sitting on, smiling to herself. She was glad that he had stumbled upon her, and that he asked for her help with such a dilemma. "When should I come over?
"Day after tomorrow how 'bout? Early afternoon? I'll need some time to clean up, and there's the rain issue. If all of England washes away I suppose we better push it back, but why don't we leave it as is for now?" he offered, fiddling with his cane.
"That sounds just fine," she answered, accidentally getting her foot wet in a puddle underneath the bench.
She thought about what Theodore's flat what be like, but more so about what Ewling would be like. She'd dealt with very excited and abused house-elves, but not really with elderly or insane ones.
Hopefully I'll be able to diagnose him properly...
"There are a lot of causes for dementia amongst house elves, you know. It could be a natural cause that might be treated by a proper professional with the right potion. Or maybe there's something from his past that traumatized him? Or there may even be something in your own home that makes him a little crazy?"
She sighed to herself before continuing, thinking that perhaps she was coming off like a bratty know-it-all like she was so prone to doing. She was always so passionate when someone to spoke to her about this particular subject. Maybe it was too overwhelming.
"When it comes right down to it, talking to them about their problems never hurts. House elves like pleasing you, but if you're not being responsive in a positive way at all, they'll be very disgruntled and won't be happy. They'll try their best to please you, even if they're doing the complete opposite of what you want. They need clarity and reassurance."
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"I think he is trying to do right, but he's...destroying everything I own, and either me or my pets are going to get hurt soon. I've tried relieving him of duties and he goes nuts, and no one I know will take him. Do you do this...counseling thing?"
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She quirked an eyebrow, thinking about the concept of her counseling a house elf. "I'm not certified or anything to be a counselor," she started, making a mental note that there really should be a position like that, if there wasn't. "But I'd gladly do it for you, if Ewling doesn't object."
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She was certain that Theodore wouldn't want the likes of her in or around his home, but she also didn't think that Ewling would be partial to leaving his master's home. Ewling would be even more persistent about not going if he was as insane as Theodore let on.
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She wasn't sure how she felt about going to his flat, though she wanted to help this house-elf in need.
"Oh, by the way, I don't really know if it will help, but until I come over, it would probably be best to just try to let Ewling do as he wishes. Just make sure to watch your pets, since an unruly house-elf can be rather dangerous...and lock up any of your breakable possessions that you're greatly attached to."
She tapped her fingers along the under-side of the bench she was sitting on, smiling to herself. She was glad that he had stumbled upon her, and that he asked for her help with such a dilemma. "When should I come over?
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She thought about what Theodore's flat what be like, but more so about what Ewling would be like. She'd dealt with very excited and abused house-elves, but not really with elderly or insane ones.
Hopefully I'll be able to diagnose him properly...
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