[Discontinued] When Shadows Collide, The Game Begins

Chapter Twenty One

"You look terrible," said Draco as he and Harry got ready for the day.

"Gee, thanks," said Harry as he attempted to make his hair presentable. Unsurprisingly, he failed and soon gave up. Instead, he went to wash his face and was surprised to see dark shadows under his eyes. He swore, then yawned and left the bathroom, rubbing his eyes. He grabbed a pen and some paper and scribbled a note for his dads.

Hi guys. I'm exhausted and they don't serve coffee here. Could you send a pack of instant coffee, please?
Thanks,
Harry.

Harry shoved the note in his pocket and began walking to the great hall for breakfast. Hedwig came with the post owls, but she didn't have any mail, she just wanted toast. Harry gave her some before giving the note to her and sending her off.

"Let's get some coffee from the kitchens before you fall asleep again," said Draco, looking down at his exhausted friend.

"They have coffee here? And students can get to the kitchens?" asked Harry. Draco nodded.

"We'll have to skip the first class, though," said Draco. Harry nodded and the two of them walked out of the great hall, through the school, and down a staircase before arriving at a brightly lit corridor. A painting of a fruit ball was hanging on the wall. Draco walked over and tickled the pear until a doorknob appeared. He twisted it and a door opened in the wall. He and Harry climbed through into a massive, warm kitchen, filled with dozens of small creatures.

"They're house elves," said Draco upon noticing Harry's inquisitive look. Immediately, one of the creatures ran up to the two boys.

"What do masters require?" he asked, bowing low to the ground. Harry saw he was wearing a sort of teatowel toga with the Hogwarts crest stamped over his chest.

"A coffee, please, if that's okay," said Harry, feeling a bit awkward. The house elf immediately ran off and began making a coffee.

"I guess these guys are where all the school funding goes," said Harry as he took a seat at one of the tables that had most definitely been put there for the students benefit.

"What do you mean?" asked Draco.

"Well, there are a lot of house elves, so a lot of funding will go towards their wages," explained Harry.

"Harry, house elves don't get paid. They find it offensive. They're born into serving wizards, they want to do it," said Draco. A race of slaves. How convenient, thought Harry, but he didn't say that.

"So they're like the Ood," said Harry, knowing full well Draco had no idea what he was talking about.

"The what?"

"The Ood were this alien race of slaves. They had a hive mind and humans sold them, saying that they had evolved to be slaves, then it was discovered that their shared brain was being controlled by humans and that they were being operated on so that they couldn't make their own decisions, but everyone just thought it was natural. Then there was a massive Ood uprising and they were freed from slavery," said Harry. Maybe Doctor who wasn't the best way to explain it, but that's how it seemed. Draco was about to say something, but was interrupted by a house elf holding Harry's coffee and a plate of cookies.

"Your coffee, sir," said the house elf.

"Thank you," said Harry taking the cup. "What's your name?" the elf looked shocked.

"S-Sigmy, s-sir," said Sigmy.

"Nice to meet you, Sigmy, I'm Harry," Harry held out his hand and Sigmy shook it, looking terrified. Harry smiled as warmly as he could, trying to calm the elf. The moment he let go of his hand, however, the elf practically sprinted away. Harry frowned.