The Kind Hufflepuff

Chapter 32: House Elves, a History

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The Kind Hufflepuff - Second Year

Chapter Thirty Two: House Elves, a History

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The walk to the kitchens had been quiet, the pair holding each other's hands tightly as walked along the walls in hopes of avoiding the young Argus Filch. Once they had made it to the kitchens, Cali cracked a smile at the soft giggle of the pear as the doors opened and house elves began surround them, guiding them into the kitchens with bright smiles and excited chatter. "What would you like?" a younger house elf squeaked, eager to provide.

"Got any vegan ice cream?" Cali asked, and the house elf paused for a moment and disappeared to search.

"And you sir, Mr. Black, what would you like?" another House Elf asked the young Slytherin, though this one seemed more fearful than the one assisting Cali had been.

"Chocolate ice cream," Regulus simply replied, and Cali kicked his foot before he added, "Please."

"Yes, of course, yes, Mr. Black," before the house elf ran off.

The two wizards gravitated towards a small table in the corner, clearly made for the house elves from leftover wood and brooms throughout the school from over the years and sat down, finally letting go of each other's hands as they did so. "I'm surprised that Hogwarts employs House Elves," Regulus mumbled, watching as the House Elves ran around frantically.

"Hogwarts has basically always employed House Elves, actually," Cali informed the boy. "Helga Hufflepuff herself had hired them, nearly a 100, to ensure that they could work without being abused. House Elves enjoy doing work, they want to be helpful."

"That makes sense," Regulus commented, nodding. "Seems fitting that it was your House founder."

"What does that mean?" Cali giggled.

"Just that you're the kindest person I've ever met, and you're just about the only person I could see doing that."

The house elves appeared suddenly, handing them bowls of ice cream. "Vegan pumpkin," the house sweet house elf told the girl, proud of herself while the other one simply handed the chocolate ice cream to Regulus and walked away.

"Merlin, I love the kitchens," Cali giggled once she took a bite of the ice cream.

The doors to the kitchen opened, a briefly the pair thought they were about to be caught by a professor but had been relieved to see Bertie, Rufus, and Tiberius. They had been discussing something passionately but stopped abruptly when they came across the two of them. "I guess great minds think alive," Cali told her brother as she took another bite of her ice cream.

"Yeah, I suppose so," Bertie nodded as he took a seat beside his sister, his knees bending awkwardly as he was clearly too tall for the small table. "What was that about?" he asked his sister, the concern returning.

"Pureblood classes," Cali told her, glancing at his friends. "How to be a good pureblood."

"Father asked for this?" Bertie asked, surprised.

"Lucius thought it was fitting due to my relationship with Reg," Cali mumbled. "Father approved."

Bertie gulped, glancing at Regulus who looked equally as concerned as he felt. "Are you going to these things too?" he asked the boy who nodded. "Good, good. Cali won't be alone with him, don't let him ever be alone with her," Bertie made the boy promise who nodded, confident that he could make that happen.

"Cali," Bertie turned towards his sister, his hands gripping both sides of her face as he forced her to look at him. "Be careful," he whispered, his eyes piercing hers as she nodded.

"I will be," she promised.

"Ok, with that out of the way, let's get our eat on," Rufus interrupted, and Bertie let go of his sister's face as they all told the house elves which ice creams they wanted, following the same thought process that Cali and Regulus had done. Bertie had asked for Peppermint Toad, Rufus had asked for Buttebeer, while Tiberius asked for Granny Smith.

"How are you enjoying Hogwarts?" Rufus turned towards Regulus. "I'm Rufus, not sure if we've met."

"Regulus," he mumbled. "It's fine."

"Favorite class?" Tiberius questioned.

"Probably Defense," he shrugged, and the boys looked surprise by his answer for a moment.

"Are you going to try out for Quidditch?" Rufus asked, directing his question at Cali causing Bertie and Regulus to laugh.

"No," Cali giggled, wrinkling her nose at the thought.

"Don't like Quidditch, I take it?" Rufus laughed, and she shook her head.

"Not really."

It wasn't long before the boys received their ice creams, and they began talking about their hopes for the school with the older boys acting as though they were ancient and providing wisdom and advice to the pair, telling them what they wish they knew.