Aria was pleased that Erik had spoken up and could speak on behalf of the house elves to the council. She smiled at Erik and nodded her approval of what he had said.

Magnus seemed to be excited about the idea that Aria had brought up. Furthering the thought along that vein of thought Aria continued. "If we could convince a few house elves to write, perhaps the public could be made more aware of their situation." Aria thought for a moment and her eyes widened at a new thought. "Oh! I have an idea!" Aria exclaimed to Magnus and Erik. "What if the house elves were given a column that they could write in each week in the newspaper. I think that would be very amazing. What do you think?" Aria asked Magnus and Erik. ( )

"It 'ave to depend... I mean we don't want it becoming propaganda."

Fade was intrigued by the idea of a column. But not enough to go volunteering for any positions at the school paper. In fact, he wasn’t even sure this school had a paper… His mind was wandering. Chase seemed to have noticed and bopped him in the face a few times with a twitching tail. Fade swatted the cat's tail away, refocusing on reality. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted someone sneaking away. () “Wonder where he’s off to…" He said it when he only meant to think it. Probably.

(( couldn't resit the temptation :c ))

( - you are welcome to join in :D )

(and everyone at the workshop)

Eirik considered what Aria had to say. " I think a lot of it would depend on the house elves themselves...whether or not they wanted to talk about themselves, whether or not their families would even allow it, and then in what publication. I don't think that any of the so called reputable papers would even be interested in what house elves have to say, or think, or anything about them."

He paused, thinking. "That leaves either non reputable publications, which would publish them, but leaves the whole situation of them as sentient beings with something to say coming off as some sort of a joke. That wouldn't help anyone. Or, we publish the information ourselves, which again, would depend on the many factors already listed."

"I don't even think interviewing various house elves and then compiling those stories into a book would garner much interest either...not in any sort of commercial way. Academically speaking, it could serve to further enhance the study of house elves, to inform future generations, and perhaps change the way that house elves are viewed, or it could be completely dismissed."

"I think, personally, that changing the way that witches and wizards perceive house elves as a whole is going to take a lot of time, and maybe it should, since they aren't striking or causing a rebellion. It's going to take a very long time to change the way that the house elves think as well. So, with all that in mind, perhaps publication at this time is something that should be reconsidered for the present, but kept in mind for the future."

"Now, if the student newspaper was interested, I would be more than happy to gather the information up from the Council's studies to share with the student body, on this or any other topic of non human rights and plights, with, of course, permission given from the interviewees. "

Magnus had to stifle a laugh when Chase whacked Fade in the face. He saw Merlin wander off and didn't say anything. Hopefully he would come back. Then Eirik was speaking and Magnus nodded. "Yeah, we 'ave ta get wizards to view things different and that will take a long time."

After a little hike in the woods, Merlin returned to the workshop with his owl sitting on his shoulder since it has shortly arrived back from a trip home. He entered as silently as he could and got on his seat wondering what he missed.

Eirik gave a small smile when Merlin came back in. "Glad to see you back," he whispered, " I thought I did something to offend you."

Merlin smiled at Eirik. "Of course not, I just prefer to be on open spaces and nature, I get bored in long lectures. I still wanted to listen to the rest, just wish it was outside." Merlin smiled and pet his tiny owl. "Did I missed anything important?"

Eirik smiled and relaxed. He quietly filled Merlin in on what had been said while he was out in nature. (ooc you can read what was said, if you haven't already lol ))

Kyros smiled slightly at the approval of his words. He wouldn't think he would be that well-received, but he liked where the discussion was going. He kept quiet listening to the conversation for a while, pondering over the idea of a publication. Eirik was right - nobody would believe them if something like the Quibbler published the column, and a serious newspaper such as Daily Profet would decline them immediately. The only way out seemed to publish it by themselves.

"Do Hogwarts even have a school newspaper, though? I know of students who submited articles to outside publications, but never of something being published inside the school." He hummed thoughtfuly. "I think focusing on Hogwarts students for now is the best bet for us, given that we have limited resources and we can expand the idea later. I likeAria's idea of columns, not only by the elves, but by other beings as well. And to avoid propaganda, like Magnus said, we could open up to wizards and witches to write about other subjects with a connection to the rights of magical beings, such as Ministry policies." That would avoid the potential publication becoming a generalist magazine like Witch Today, in his opinion. Quietly greeting when he returned, he wonder what the others would think of that.

Magnus didn’t know if the school had a paper but decided to not say that… what if they did? He’d look like a complete fool, wouldn’t he? No it was better to keep quiet.

Summery

Mistreatment is something that plagues house elves. Mistreated elves can and have found loopholes to skirt some of their master’s orders. Well treated elves are seemingly happy to bend over backwards for their masters. Finding a way to help house elves looks will take time and wizards willing to help them. Changing attitudes of house elves and wizards will take time though.

House Elf Magic 5 Feb- 7 Feb

Magnus was relieved when the previous topic was running out of steam and was relaxing more. “It looks like its time to shift to next topic. ’Ouse elves ‘ave their own magic, obviously. We don’t know what their limits are, but their magic is extremely versatile. It allows ‘em to do almost anything needed to ‘elp in their daily tasks. In fact, their magic is impressive without a wand and if they carried wands, I think they would be as powerful or even more powerful than wizards. They aren’t allowed a wand though, because of the ban in place for magical creatures. They can do pretty powerful magic. Dad told me that Dobby used powerful magic to stop ‘Arry Potter from going to ‘Ogwarts at Platform 9 ¾, which might be considered dark magic. If their family is threatened, I don’t doubt they’d use some amzing magic. And I learnt of the ‘ouse elf Winky who used her magic to keep escaped Death Eater Barty Crouch Jr under ‘er control. They can apperate in and out of places wizards can’t. For example, wizards can’t apperate in or out of ‘Ogwarts or Azakaban because of the wards and spells. However, the ‘ouse elves can. In fact, I think Mimsy can come back now…don’t you? Mimsy,” the boy called, “I’d like you to come back.” With a crack, Mimsy returned with a low bow and beaming smile. “See? She apperated without problems yet, none of us could do that even if we ‘ad licences. They only way is if those wards are lowered.” ((moving on a few hours early as this topic seems to have petered out. Summery has been updated in the first post.))

@/Gaia @/Ambition @/MerlinPendragon @/Nik @/BitterLimeParakeet @/Paddy @/Turokai @/raven

Merlin listened to the others and nods to Kyros greetings then wondered if there was no newspaper, then maybe they can start one, if they get permission but that was a vague thought.

Merlin was excited about the elf's magic and clapped at the sight of Mimsy. "Welcome back, Mimsy, I hope you could show us a bit of your own magic, which I believe is quite remarkable and I think maybe even stronger than many wizards." He smiled. "With just having Magnus call you can apparate which means you can know or hear when you are called by your owner. Can you explain how that works?"

Mimsy smiled and nodded eagerly. "What is you wanting to see Mimsy do, sir?" she asked. She looked very proud when Merlin said her magic was strong. "Mimsy is listening for Master Magnus. She is knowing he is calling; she is using magic to hear him."

"Ah yes Mimsy I know you are using magic, I was just wondering how you are able to hear him, what kind of magic spell or an amulet, anything else you use in order to hear him call you." Merlin smiled. "And I would love to see how you, for example, trim Magus hair with magic." He grinned and waited for him to protest or something.

Mimsy gave him a look of deep thought. "Part of House elf bond sir. Mimsy is hearing Master Magnus like...echo in ears. He is calling but further away than at home, sir. It is fainter. Mimsy is hearing her name and comes. Mimsy is thinking if he further away, Mimsy is not hearing though Mimsy increase Master Magnus' and Mistress Aira's calls to her hearing when they is away, sir."

"What?" Magnus spluttered. "I like me 'air. Best charms accident ever. Let 'er cut your 'air."

pre topic change

Eirik looked thoughtful. "Well, if they don't have a paper, and we got permission AND had the time I suppose we could create one. Then I think that opening the publication up to various beings, and subjects, would work out well." He laughed. " I would love to have a column that was devoted to the ghosts, actually, I bet they have a lot of very interesting things to say."

Eirik wasn't too happy to see the house elf again, but he was eager to learn about house elf magic. He listened and watched, not wanting to interrupt this section of the workshop. His family didn't have house elves, and neither did his maker, so this was all new to him.

Merlin nods listening to Mimsy and made a few notes, then laughed when Magnus protested. "Sorry, no one is touching my pretty hair." Merlin covered his head with both hands. "It's the only thing I like about my looks, so shoo!" Merlin then laughed hard. "I'm sorry Mimsy, maybe you can show me other hidden talents."

Merlin looked at Eirik "I'm probably not good at writing but could help with other things."

Magnus laughed when Merlin counter objected to his hair being cut. "'Ow about something else then... Mimsy, er, ow about you pick something. You can do it to me as long as it ain't gonna change me looks or you know 'urt me."

Mimsy nodded and suddenly Magnus was levitated in the air, as if he in a chair and cradled in large invisible hands. The boy made a startled cry as he was risen in the air and nearly touched the top of the pavilion. Then Mimsy snapped her fingers and Magnus started gently rocking in the air--like a small infant. "If Master Magnus was young, this is how Mimsy is calming him." She lowered Magnus and the boy laughed heartily.

Merlin smiled at the view. "Awww baby Magnus surely enjoyed that." Merlin made a sound to his owl and it flew up toward magus and landed on his head, the tiny owl was now singing 'hoo hoo' to Magus. Merlin was grinning. "That's how Spellz like to make me fall asleep."