章節 19: 19
Chapter 19: Zoe and Peeves
The pear wriggled as if tickled, emitting a chuckle before transforming into a green doorknob. Theo seized the handle, pulling the door open as the group filed inside.
It was an expansive room.
The dimensions and layout mirrored the Great Hall above. Four long tables stood bare, flanked by gleaming kitchenware along the stone walls. At the far end, a brick fireplace crackled with a barbecue aroma.
Numerous peculiar creatures populated the room. They sported bat-like ears, bulging frog-like eyes the size of tennis balls, pencil-thin noses, and spindly limbs. Each wore tea towels fashioned into robes, adorned with the Hogwarts crest.
At the sound of entry, the creatures turned, their gazes eager and expectant. Rather than swarm the students, they bowed and curtsied respectfully in every direction Wade and his friends glanced.
"Wow!" Michael exclaimed, eyes wide with amazement. "So many house elves."
"Welcome to the Hogwarts kitchen!" Theo announced, arms spread wide. "This is Hogwarts' best-kept secret!"
"You can ask them for anything you want to eat. The elves are incredibly accommodating," Ryan added.
"Hello," Wade bent down, addressing the nearest house elf. "Could we order something to eat?"
"Of course! Of course, sir!" the elf replied softly, beaming. "It would be my pleasure."
The house elves bustled forth, delivering a smorgasbord of delicacies—pies, steaks, baked potatoes, egg tarts, plum pudding, along with orange juice, pumpkin juice, vegetable juice, and even two bottles of butterbeer. Following the satisfying meal, a multitude of desserts emerged, ensuring no palate went unpleased.
"I can't eat another bite," Neville managed, after a tentative lick of an ice cream cone.
"Nearly every Hufflepuff knows about the kitchen, being so close to our common room. It's an open secret," Theo informed Michael. "Our common room is always stocked with various treats—Hufflepuffs never go hungry!"
"It's amazing," Michael sighed, sipping his butterbeer. "Why couldn't I have been sorted into Hufflepuff?"
"What are you talking about?" Ryan teased. "I heard someone say during Sorting—if they got into Hufflepuff, they'd rather drop out of school."
"There's nothing great about Ravenclaw," Michael lamented. "Ravenclaw Tower is too high—way too high—every day climbing those stairs to and fro after class... It's such a struggle..."
His words slurred slightly, hinting at the effects of butterbeer, his first taste. Just two chocolates filled with rum had Wade reeling, his vision doubling.
Propping his chin on his hand, Wade lazily scanned the house elves one by one.
"Coco, Amy, Becky, Happy, Lola, Phil..."
Being called by a wizard seemed a great honor to the elves. They lined up eagerly, each stating their name, as if partaking in a sacred ritual.
"Um, Zoe? Are you a girl?" Wade recognized the elf who first spoke to him.
The elves all bore wrinkled faces akin to those of octogenarians, making it hard to discern gender beyond their names, though Zoe's tea towel bore a tiny floral pattern, marking her as female.
"Y-yes, Mr. Grey," Zoe answered nervously, fingers twisting in excitement.
"Are you usually the ones who clean our rooms and do our laundry?" Wade inquired.
"Yes, yes, sir," Zoe nodded vigorously, gazing earnestly at Wade. "Zoe, Happy, and Phil take care of Ravenclaw Tower."
Examining closely, one could discern tiny floral patterns on the tea towels worn by the elves, confirming Zoe's gender.
"Do you also tend to other parts of the castle?" Wade continued.
"Yes, sir."
"Were you the ones who unloaded our luggage from the train?"
"Yes, sir."
"Thank you," Wade sighed. "That's a lot of work."
"No, no—how could it be?" Zoe quickly replied. "We enjoy our work! It never feels like a burden. Being without work—that's what's truly unbearable!"
The house elves all expressed their dedication, never shirking their duties, always preparing satisfying dinners, polishing every piece of silverware until it gleamed, laundering muddy student robes. They moved about silently, never intruding, exemplary in their roles as house elves.
Wade observed them in silence for a long moment.
...
As curfew approached, the elves eagerly stuffed the group with cream cakes and fried jam doughnuts before they returned to their common room.
Wade and Michael ascended the shifting staircases, panting by the time they reached the top. Suddenly, the armor on the wall clattered, and a ghostly figure leaped out, emitting a roar akin to a wild beast.
"Ah!" Michael startled, legs giving out as he collapsed.
"Hahaha..."
The ghostly figure doubled over, floating mid-air, belly shaking with laughter.
Amused and exasperated, Michael scolded, "Peeves! Hiding around to frighten people again!"
Peeves was a unique ghost at Hogwarts, capable of floating, possessing objects, and loved causing chaos. True to his name, he was mischievous and loved to play tricks.
"Look! We have two little wizards here! Sneaking around past bedtime!" Peeves circled Wade and the others in the corridor, taunting gleefully. "Just you wait—I'll call Filch! Catch you little rascals!"
Peeves enjoyed scaring students who roamed after hours, often chasing them back to their dormitories in a panic. Sometimes, he'd tug at their robes or pull their hair for fun. This time, however, he miscalculated—Wade waved his wand, conjuring a row of golden letters displaying the current time.
"Ha!" Michael gasped, grinning. "There's still seven minutes until curfew! You can't trick us, Peeves!"
Peeves rolled his eyes, smirking. "Seven minutes—won't get you back to Ravenclaw Tower in time."
"Maybe not. But by the time you fetch Filch, we'll already be gone," Wade retorted calmly.
Peeves sneered. "Hmph, boring Ravenclaw!" With that, he floated away, seeking other students to prank.
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