Chapter 66: 66
Chapter 66, "The Elves and the Portraits":
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Although Wade had enough galleons stored in his Gringotts vault to buy ten of the latest broomsticks, he genuinely appreciated the elves' gift and reciprocated with candies he had brought from home. As he changed into outdoor attire, he stuffed a pack of Muggle-made sweets into his pocket.
"These are made by Muggles. They don't have magic, but they're incredibly delicious," Wade explained, offering them to the elves.
The elves looked touched, hesitating briefly before accepting the candies. This wasn't their first gift exchange with Wade, and soon they were thanking him profusely.
"Would Wade Gray care for breakfast?" Phil inquired respectfully. "Most of it is prepared in the kitchen by now."
"Sure," Wade affirmed decisively.
Phil retrieved a clean, old mat from the jumble inside the Room of Requirement, while Zoe and Habi left briefly. Shortly thereafter, both returned, one carrying a large platter piled high with food, the other bearing a sizable pitcher of orange juice—Wade's favorite.
The elves knelt to spread out the mat, arranging the food and drinks. Wade joined them, noticing they stood nearby still clutching candies, smiling at him.
A thought struck Wade. He looked up, surprised. "Why are you all standing? Please, sit down. This is our breakfast gathering."
"S-Sit down?" Zoe stuttered in disbelief. "Us?"
"Of course," Wade replied, echoing her uncertainty. "Isn't that why you're here?"
The three elves exchanged glances, more excited now than when Wade had gifted them for the first time. The prospect of "sitting down" seemed an unimaginable honor, yet they appeared uncertain, as if unsure of their place.
Wade emphasized kindly, "Please, sit. Wouldn't you like to join me for breakfast?"
"Of course—yes!" Zoe gasped for breath, finally settling down beside Wade.
Happy followed suit, seating himself opposite Wade with a touch of bravery.
Phil hesitated, encouraged by his companions, he finally settled in a corner, slender fingers clasping the edge of the mat.
"Well then—" Wade looked around at the three elves and announced, "Let the breakfast party begin!"
He took the lead, picking up a meat pie and passing one to each elf, casually enjoying his own. After a moment, a faint sound of sniffles filled the air.
Tears welled up in the tennis ball-sized eyes of the house-elves.
"So strange—why am I crying?" Happy sobbed while wiping his tears. "Happy is so happy—"
Wade said nothing, patting its odd little head sympathetically.
Phil and Zoe ate heartily through their tears, swallowing sobs along with their bites.
In the shadow of old furniture, a wizard and three house-elves shared breakfast for the first time, in a place where light and darkness converged.
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Monday mornings at Ravenclaw commenced with the less popular Potions class.
Situated on the eighth floor of the castle, the Room of Requirement was a considerable distance from the basement Potions classroom. Rather than trudge down the stairs, Wade opted to descend on his broom, circling the castle twice before landing gracefully in the central courtyard.
When he touched ground, Wade's fingers were nearly frozen, his ears and nose tinged red from the cold.
Winter, it seemed, was not an ideal season for flying. Even with a warming charm, the biting wind still cut through.
"Snap!"
Happy appeared suddenly, handing Wade his schoolbag before eagerly taking the broom. He gazed at Wade with admiration, "Happy will stow Wade Gray's broom in the dormitory!"
"Thank you, Happy," Wade acknowledged with a smile.
The house-elf bowed deeply, his elongated nose almost touching the ground, before disappearing with the broom.
Having already eaten breakfast, Wade had planned to proceed directly to Potions. Yet, chilled to the bone, the dank, cold underground seemed unappealing. The warmth of the roaring fire in the common room beckoned irresistibly.
Wade ascended the steps, crossed the foyer, and lingered briefly in the common room.
Several fifth-year students sat at the long table, their hair disheveled, looking weary and despondent. Some were eating breakfast while attempting to read—or reading while attempting to eat—it was hard to tell.
Wade opted not to disturb these beleaguered upperclassmen. He sat quietly for a while, reviewing a chapter of Potions, before quietly slipping out once he had warmed up.
"Hey, Wade! Long time no see!"
As he passed through the foyer, a familiar voice called out.
"Griffiths?" Wade turned in surprise.
"It's me," the red-haired wizard confirmed, sprawled across a tall picture frame, having displaced the original occupant to the corner. The latter glared angrily but remained silent behind Griffiths.
"Haven't seen you since the holiday. Did you miss me?" Griffiths quipped cheerfully. "Hmm? Looks like you had a pleasant break! Your face looks a tad rounder... unlike mine—"
He rolled up his sleeve, pointing to a bruise on his arm. "See this? Someone gave me a thrashing! We've been apart a few years, and everyone seems so unfamiliar, my temper's become downright volatile—"
—Could it be because of you that they've become irritable?
Wade thought to himself, eyeing the unfortunate wizard whose frame was now overrun by the brash Griffiths. "Aren't you supposed to be in the corridor? How did you end up back in the hallway?"
"Nope, my painting's still in the corridor!" Griffiths wagged his finger with a grin. "They said there's no space in the corridor, but they didn't say I couldn't visit! Dumbledore won't mind me visiting old friends, reunited after so long!"
"Hey, little fella!" A portrait nearby, an old man in a top hat, suddenly called out to Wade. "You're the one who brought this guy out from the Astronomy Tower, right? Please, take him back!"
"Yes, yes!" Other portraits, seemingly roused from slumber, chimed in. "Take him back, take him back!"
"We finally got him to the Astronomy Tower, why bring him out again?"
"Do you have any idea how irritating he is? I'm practically losing hair in clumps!"
"—You're a painting, your hair can't fall out."
"I'm illustrating! Illustrating! Understand? Don't nitpick my words."
"I'm just stating facts... Why are you so worked up? Can't we communicate civilly?"
"Ahhh—someone get rid of this guy!"
The normally placid portraits erupted into argument. Early-rising students gaped in astonishment, watching the spectacle unfold.
Wade quietly exited the hallway, unperturbed by the ruckus caused by his departure. Griffiths paid little mind to the uproar he had stirred, trailing Wade through the portraits without hesitation.
"Quite the ruckus, aren't they?" Griffiths remarked with a grin. "House-elves are a lot quieter than this lot."
Wade halted, regarding Griffiths thoughtfully.
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