The House Elves
Later that day, Caitlyn and Vi found themselves walking down the corridor outside of the Hufflepuff common room with Finley. Eventually he stopped in front of a giant painting of a fruit bowl and turned to Vi.
“Alright Lanes. You want the honors?”
“Uh… sure?”
Finley grinned. “Great! See that pear in the middle of the painting?”
Vi took a look and sure enough, right in the middle of the fruit bowl was a pear. “Yeah. Yeah I see it.”
“Tickle it,” Finley instructed.
“Do what?”
Finley chuckled and repeated himself. “Tickle it!”
Behind Vi, Caitlyn stifled a laugh. Vi sighed. “Uh, alright then?” She reached out a long finger and, feeling quite foolish, tickled the pear. To her amazement, the painting swung open to a glorious smell. It was then, Caitlyn and Vi realized, they were in the kitchens.
“Oh!” A high pitched voice squeaked out, making Vi jump. She looked down and saw what she had to assume was a house elf. “Master Finley! How are you sir?” The house elf bowed low.
Finley chuckled. “Ah come now Tibby, I told you before, no need to bow.”
The house elf called Tibby just giggled. “And you brought friends!”
“Yeah sure did! Tibby, this is Vi Lanes and Caitlyn Kiramman. Gryffindors.
“Pleasure to meet you, Tibby,” Caitlyn greeted politely with a smile.
Vi nodded in agreement.
Tibby beamed up at them, her large ears twitching with excitement. “Oh, Master Finley’s friends are always welcome in the kitchens! What can Tibby get for you?”
Vi opened her mouth, ready to ask for everything under the sun, but Caitlyn shot her a warning look.
“Uh—just some snacks?” Vi amended. “If that’s alright?”
Tibby clapped her hands. “Of course! Oh! Grimble, come help!”
Another house elf shuffled into view, carrying an enormous tray of freshly baked mince pies. He had a sour expression, his wrinkled face pulled into a scowl. “More students sneaking in for food,” he muttered nasally, setting the tray down with a huff. “Hogwarts is not a tavern.”
Finley chuckled. “Grimble acts grumpy, but he’s the best cook in the kitchen.”
Grimble grumbled louder but didn’t argue. Instead, he flicked his fingers, sending a floating tray of hot cocoa and assorted finger foods toward them. “Eat, then get out.” Vi swore she saw a faint smirk on the old elf’s face.
Vi wasted no time grabbing a mince pie, moaning dramatically at the first bite. “Ohhhh, this is so much better than what they serve in the Great Hall.”
Caitlyn, more composed, took a small sip of her cocoa and sighed contentedly. “It really is wonderful.”
Tibby practically vibrated with excitement at the praise. “Master Finley and his friends can come to the kitchens anytime!”
Vi grinned, mouth still full. “Tibby, you’re my new favorite person.”
Caitlyn shot her a look. “You just met her.”
Vi shrugged. “I’m food-motivated.”
Finley snickered. “I told ya it was worth it.”
The four of them, Tibby included, sat at a small wooden table in the corner of the kitchen, munching on Christmas treats while the house-elves bustled around them. The warmth of the fires, the rich scents of baking bread and spiced cider, the soft glow of enchanted lanterns—it all felt strangely… cozy.
Vi glanced at Caitlyn, who was delicately picking apart a shortbread biscuit, looking more relaxed than Vi had ever seen her.
“Well,” Vi finally announced, stretching her arms behind her head. “This is officially my new favorite spot.”
Caitlyn rolled her eyes but smiled. “Just try not to eat the kitchens out of stock.”
“No promises.”
Finley laughed, and Tibby clapped her hands again. “Oh, Master Vi is fun!”
Caitlyn snorted into her cocoa. “You really don’t have to encourage her.”
But Vi just grinned, already plotting her next late-night snack run.