The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 66: Runic Biscuits

Technically, there was no rule that said students were not allowed to be in the school kitchen.  The location of the kitchen was not formally given to any students, and those that found out were not punished.  The House Elves had complete authority over the kitchens and they determined who could enter and who could not.  They loved to feed ever-hungry students so more often than not, they delighted in visitors and showered them with treats and food no matter the time of day.

Inky and Fanny looked up at the black-haired boy they met two years prior.  Well, they did not meet him formally that night.  It could be forgiven; he was distraught at the time.  They had felt the boy's pain keenly that day and had gone at length to take special care of his dormitory ever since, gladdened to see him slowly lose his deep-seated pain ever since.

He was a nice young wizard, speaking very politely and kindly to them.  They could still feel the magic of butter-hair and angry-sleeper on him, as well as the magic of others that felt warm and kind.  Fanny smiled brightly at him.  "Nest-hair really wish to do that?" she squeaked with surprise.

Harry grinned and touched his messy hair.  "If that's okay.  I didn't know if it's against the rules or not."

"House Elves decide rules in kitchen," Inky said officiously.  "As long as student good, then is okay."  Her eyes narrowed slightly.  "How Nest-hair know how to cook?"

Harry flushed a little.  "I...had to learn when I grew up.  I hated cooking for my...the people I grew up with but I like to cook otherwise.  I wanted to make things for my friends so I wanted to ask if it's okay."

"They made young wizard cook?"  The two House Elves stared at each other with open disbelief.

"And clean and all sorts of things."

They gaped at him.  "They treat Nest-hair like House Elf!" Inky said, scandalized.

Harry grinned.  That observation was not too far off the mark, considering all the ways Dobby said he was punished by the Malfoys.  "Maybe that's why I like House Elves so much," Harry said, mostly sincere.  He did like Dobby a lot more when Dobby stopped trying to save his life in his own way.

Inky and Fanny dabbed at unshed tears.

"But yeah, if I could cook a bit here in a corner, I promise I won't get in the way and will clean up after myself.  I'll be happy to share what I make too."  He was alarmed when the two House Elves started to openly cry.  "I'm sorry!" he stammered.  "I didn't want to offend you.  Do House Elves eat?  Did I say something wrong?"

"Nest-hair is kind wizard!" Fanny squeaked.  "No offend, we is happy!  We eat!"

The two House Elves pushed Harry exuberantly into a corner of the kitchen and with some snaps of fingers and gestures, a small stove appeared with a counter top.  "What all is Nest-hair wanting?" Inky asked excitedly.

Harry grinned and rolled up his sleeves.  "I want to make biscuits with frosting, and some small meat pies.  So let's see..."

-0-

Percy shooed some first years along, gently but firmly making sure they found their way to the library.  He sighed with relief mixed with exasperation as he watched them walk through the doors, resisting the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose.

"They must be as bad as the twins to make you do that," Harry said as he walked up to the seventh year boy.

Percy snorted.  "Not like that, thank Merlin," he said wryly.  "No, they were apparently lost.  I found them wandering about one of the upper-level hallways.  You would think that they would at least know basic directions by second term but apparently not."