Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare

S.P.E.W. stands for the Society for the Promotion of Elvish Welfare. Founded in 1994 by Hermione Granger in response to what she saw as gross injustice in the treatment of hosue-elves. Hermione thought it cruel that House-Elves were neither paid nor given holidays for their work, and so she campaigned tirelessly for a change in their working conditions. She even brought a very reluctant Ron and Harry (who only joind so she wouldn't badger them about it). Through various tactics such as making badge and petitioning, Hermione fought the cause with very little effect. Eventually she started knitting hats and socks which she left lying around Gryffindor tower, hoping to free some unsuspecting elf who picked them up while cleaning the common room. The house-elves who enjoy their work found the attempts insulting and refused to clean the Gryffindor common room any more. Dobby was the only one prepared to carry out this task. Already being free himself (and being unique amongst House-Elves that this situation was alright with him) he took all the clothes himself and wore most of them (all at once)