Everyday Life of a Top Student at Hogwarts

Chapter 10 House-Elves

After leaving the library, Cullen and her three companions walked through the foyer toward the Great Hall. The Great Hall at Hogwarts is not only where students eat, but also where various banquets and ceremonies are held; yesterday's opening banquet was held here.

They walked to the Ravenclaw table and sat down. As soon as they were seated, a lunch that had already been prepared appeared on the table: roast chicken, beef stew, mashed potatoes, fresh vegetables, and pumpkin juice.

Wesley stared wide-eyed at the food that had suddenly appeared in front of him. The previous back-to-school banquets and breakfasts had been prepared and placed on the table, but this time it had appeared out of nowhere. No wonder Wesley was so surprised.

"How did these foods come to be?" he asked in a low voice.

"It wasn't conjured up," Fabian explained gently. "It must have been prepared and delivered by the house-elves in the kitchen."

"House-elves?" Wesley blinked. "What are those?"

Ernesto gave a soft hum and was about to speak when a gentle voice came from the side.

"It seems you're quite interested in Hogwarts' kitchen?"

The four looked up and saw a Hufflepuff boy standing next to them. He had dark brown hair and bright gray eyes, and a friendly smile on his face.

"Cedric Diggory," he introduced himself. "A second-year student at Hufflepuff, I met Karen on the train."

"Yes, Cedric is a very nice guy." Karen nodded in response, and then introduced Cedric to his three roommates in turn.

Cedric sat down at the long table and asked curiously, "How was your first day of class?"

"We were in Charms class, and Karen succeeded on her first try! And she did it perfectly," Wesley said excitedly. "Professor Flitwick even gave her extra points!"

"Not only that, he also helped Fabian and me adjust the spell," Wesley added. "If it weren't for him, we might still have the feather lying on the table right now."

Cedric looked at him with admiration: "I knew it, I wasn't wrong on the train, you really are talented."

Karen shook her head modestly: "I just prepared in advance."

Ernesto glanced at him, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just lowered his head and took a sip of pumpkin juice.

Wesley remained curious about the food's origin: "So... this food really was made by house-elves? Where are they?"

"The kitchen is right below the auditorium," Cedric smiled. "If you're interested, I can show you around after dinner."

"Really?" Wesley's eyes lit up.

Fabian also showed interest, while Ernesto seemed somewhat dismissive: "Griffith Manor also has its own house-elves, which are much more efficient than Hogwarts'."

"The history of house-elves can be traced back to the Middle Ages," Ernesto began to explain. "It is said that they were originally descendants of elves captured in the ancient wizarding wars, bound by magical contracts to serve wizarding families for generations."

"That sounds a bit..." Wesley frowned, "a bit unfair?"

"It's tradition," Ernesto said coldly. "They don't want freedom themselves."

Karen didn't interrupt, but he knew the house-elves' situation was far more complicated than Ernesto had described. But now was not the time to discuss that.

After lunch, Cedric led the four of them to a portrait on the side of the auditorium. The painting depicted a bowl of fruit and looked quite ordinary.

"This is the entrance to the kitchen." Cedric reached out and gently scratched the pear in the drawing.

Surprisingly, the pear suddenly giggled and then transformed into a green doorknob. Cedric grasped it, gave it a gentle pull, and the portrait opened like a door.

A warm, fragrant aroma wafted towards them. The kitchen was more spacious than they had imagined, with dozens of house-elves bustling about—some chopping vegetables, some stirring large pots, and some wiping dishes. Upon seeing someone enter, several elves immediately dropped what they were doing and trotted over to greet them.

"Gentlemen!" a little elf wearing a tea towel shrieked, "Is there anything Poppy can do for you?"

"We're just here for a look around," Cedric said gently. "They're freshmen, very curious about the kitchen."

The house-elves immediately showed delighted expressions and gathered around.

"Would you like to try some freshly baked apple pie?"

"This is freshly made cream of mushroom soup!"

"Sir, would you like to try some Honey Duke's special candies?"

Wesley was taken aback by their enthusiasm, but quickly relaxed, took a piece of chocolate cake, took a bite, and his eyes lit up: "It's delicious!"

Fabian thanked the elves gently, while Ernesto seemed a little reserved, but eventually accepted a cup of hot cocoa.

Karen observed the kitchen's operation. In his "Eye of Truth," the flow of magic among the house-elves was different from that of wizards, purer and more cohesive. If the magic of a typical wizard was a stream, the magic of the house-elves was clearly a river.

"How many people do you have to feed each day?" Karen asked.

"We're in charge of all the teachers and students at Hogwarts!" a little elf named Kiki said proudly. "And the professors' private meals, banquets, afternoon tea..."

"That's amazing," Wesley exclaimed sincerely.

Cedric added with a laugh, "The Hufflepuff common room is closest to the kitchen, so we often get freshly baked snacks."

"This is just too wonderful!" Wesley lamented. "I should have gone to Hufflepuff!"

Karen joked, "If Cedric had met you on the train, Hufflepuff might have gained another member."

Everyone laughed, even Ernesto's lips curled into a slight smile.

After lingering in the kitchen for a while, the five said goodbye to the house-elves. The elves reluctantly saw them to the door and gave each of them a bag of freshly baked cookies.

"Gentlemen, you are always welcome to come again!" Bobby bowed.

Even after leaving the kitchen, Wesley was still savoring the memory: "Those little elves were so cute, and the food they made was so delicious."

"They are indeed excellent," Cedric nodded, "but don't forget, they are not pets, but beings with their own will."

Ernesto was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "The house-elves of the Griffiths family... seem quite different from those here."

Karen glanced at him without saying anything, but she understood that Ernesto's views needed to be changed gradually.

"We have a Transfiguration class this afternoon, we should go get ready," Fabian reminded them.

Cedric smiled and waved. "Good luck. If you have any problems, feel free to come to Hufflepuff and find me."

"Thank you," Karen said sincerely.