Meeting someone on the way to the library

Hermione decided that she might as well finish the rest of her Easter homework. That way the only things she'd have to worry about were studying for the N.E.W.T.s and being completely naked at Hogwarts.

She grabbed her bag and began to walk to the library. As she went up the stairs, she saw the house-elf from earlier hiding behind a statue, peeking at her.

Hermione fought the urge to be mean to the elf, since she knew all about the House-Elves' Enslavement. She was the founder and head of the Society for the Protection of Elvish Welfare, after all.

"Hello, can I help you?" Hermione asked politely.

"Um, no miss. Sorry miss. Gilpy didn't mean to see miss starkers! Gilpy was just taking food to the sick people of the castle, miss! Gilpy isn't allowed to apparate with soup, see!"

"It-It's alright, Gilpy." Hermione was quick to pick up the elf's name. "So Gilpy... Did you tell anyone what you saw?"

Gilpy quickly shook his head, his large ears flopping. "Oh, absolutely no miss! Gilpy be doing no such thing! Gilpy doesn't care if miss would run around the whole castle unclothed!" His eyes suddenly got wide. "Not that Gilpy is having naughty thoughts, miss! Gilpy would never presume to think himself fit to do anything with a witch above his station!"

The more Gilpy spoke, the more Hermione felt pity for the creature.

"Listen, Gilpy..." Hermione spoke softly. One of Gilpy's ears perked slightly to indicate he was listening.

"Right now, I don't want more people to know how I've been dressing here... but I don't have a choice right now. Please, keep this quiet, and I.. I'll..." She paused to think of what reward a house-elf might want.

"I promise that I'll stop hiding knitted hats in the Gryffindor common room."

Gilpy's ears perked up. "Yes, miss! Of course, miss! Gilpy will only tell his fellows that Gilpy has convinced the young Miss Granger to stop leaving clothes for elves to find! Gilpy will keep miss's secrets!"

Hermione had another idea. "And..." She exclaimed before Gilpy could return to the kitchens, "If you find any... discarded Gryffindor robes, you please freshen them up and return them to their owners dormitories when you can!"

"Of course, miss! Gilpy will always be happy to pick up after the students of this school!"

And with that, Gilpy trotted off, happy as could be. Hermione felt ashamed that she'd have to abandon one of her own initiatives for the benefit of the house-elves, but it had been her only option.

But she was also pleased that, should she arrange to 'lose' any of the robes she had without the help of the Slytherins, the clothes would make their way back to where they belonged.

She turned and continued her walk to the library, her bare feet patting the stone flooring beneath her...