Chapter 24

Near the foyer on the first floor, there was a set of stairs that lead to the dungeons. Going down those stairs, Albert reaches an empty corridor with barrels on one side and a portrait of a fruit bowl on the other. Albert heard a cat meow. He slowly turned around to see who it was. It was Ms Norris and Finch. They were most likely here to make sure I went directly to the kitchen, like I said. He was certain that if I did something on the way, Finch would give him a detention.

If he remembers correctly, Finch was a squib. Albert believes squibs should abandon the magical world and integrate into muggle society. He doesn't understand why a squib would stay here and be alienated by their peers. If he were a squib from a magical family, he would try to leave them as soon as possible. At least that way, he won't be bullied and it won't hurt as much.

"Where is the kitchen?" Albert said, as he walked closer to the portrait. He analysed the portrait, trying to find the key to opening the door. "Where is the pear?" Albert spent a few minutes searching for the pear. Once he found it, he tickled it and the young Gryffindor heard a click. The portrait gradually swung open to reveal a kitchen.

The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry had a vast and bustling kitchen. It was always filled with the sound of pots and pans clattering and the delightful smells of freshly cooked food. The kitchen was a warm and welcoming place, with long wooden tables and a massive fireplace that burned brightly, keeping the room cosy and comfortable.

A team of hardworking house-elves were responsible for preparing all the meals for the students and staff at Hogwarts. The house-elves small elf-like creatures with large, pointed ears and wide, mischievous eyes. They were fast and efficient, darting about the kitchen with lightning speed as they chopped vegetable, stirred cauldrons and baked bread.

Despite their hard work, the house-elves were treated poorly by most students at Hogwarts. They weren't paid for their labour and were often scolded and mistreated by the humans they served. However. they took pride in their work and were loyal to Hogwarts, always striving to serve the best meals possible to the students and staff. Despite the challenge they faced, the house-elves in the kitchens were a close-knit and happy community. They laughed and jokes with each other as they worked, and there was always a sense of camaraderie and belonging in the kitchen.

"Master, what is wrong?" A tiny house-elves said as she popped right in front of Albert.

"I woke up early and breakfast hasn't been served yet. I feel starving." Albert replied.

"Follow Dippy, master." Said the house-elf as she took Albert's hands and dragged him to an available table. "Wait here, please."

Soon, a plate of scrambled eggs, bangers, and toast with a glass of milk was placed in front of him. The boy dug in with gusto, savouring every bite of delicious food. Whilst eating the house-elf also brought a fruit salad and a mug of steaming hot pumpkin juices. He then wiped his mouth with a napkin provided by the house-elf. He couldn't help but look at the small creature in pity. They barely had anything on and the conditions they worked in were less the ideals.

"Thank you for providing breakfast." Albert said, as he got up to leave the kitchen.

"Do not worry, master. It is our duty." the house-elf said before handing Albert a basket of snacks and turning around and returning to work.

"Thank you, but this is too much." Albert said, as he stuffed three covered muffins in his robes. They were for his roommates. He then handed the basket back. "You can have these back."

"No, sir, Dippy could not. Take them, master." Dippy replied as she turned to face Albert with her big, pleading eyes.

Reluctantly, Albert took four more and handed back the basket. "That's all I'm taking. Good bye Dippy. I'll see you again soon."

"Dippy is looking forward to your visit." Dippy said as she once again turned around and continue to work.

Albert promptly left the kitchen and hurriedly went back to the Gryffindor common room before the muffins got cold. Once he got there, he saw nobody around, so he entered back into his dorm. As soon as he entered, he saw Lee Jorden exiting the bathroom. Lee turned around and faced him before letting out a shriek. He woke up the twins.

"Merlin. You scared me." Lee said as he sat down on his bed. "Where have you been?"

"I woke up early and went for a morning stroll. Then I had breakfast and came back here. I even brought back gifts." Albert said, as he went to sit down on his bed.

"What gift?" The twins said in unison as they jumped up and faced Albert.

"Muffins." Albert said smugly. He then got the muffins out of his robe and threw it to them. "Two each."

"Wow. Where did you get them? As far as I know, the Great Hall doesn't serve breakfast until half past." Lee said as he look at his alarm clock. "It's five minutes till breakfast time."

"I got it from the house-elves in the kitchen." Albert said, as he munched on his English muffin.

"Cool." George said.

"You found the kitchen!" Fred said excitedly.

"Tell us where it is." The twins said in unison once again.

"Wait a minute. You left without telling us." Lee said as he looked at Albert with a scowl.

"It was half-past seven, and you guys were a sleep." Albert said, as he threw his wrapper into the bin. "I would not wake you up from your beauty sleep."

The twins jumped up and quickly got ready. They had a whole day of exploring to do and they almost didn't wake up in time for breakfast.

"Don't forget to wash your face and brush your hair. It looks as if a bird is nesting in there." Albert reminded the twins.

"It's not that bad, is it?" George said, rushing toward the mirror in the bathroom.

"It is George." Fred said as he laughed at his brother. He then turned to face Albert. "How did you find the kitchen?"

"I walked around and found it. I was lucky." Albert said. "I asked Finch for directions. Heads up. If you sneak around at night, be careful of his cat. It's smart and could easily find me when it was on the other side of the castle."

"Noted." Fred said.

The three of them got dressed and followed Albert to the common room. They all sat down and finished their muffins. There was no-one else currently in the common room and the rain had stopped.

"Bill and Charlie said there are lots of secret passageways in Hogwarts." Fred said as he devoured his second muffin.

"But they didn't tell us where any of them are." George said, and he devoured his second muffin similarly to Fred.

"Maybe they want you to find the passageways by yourself." Albert said.

"I agree with you." Lee Jordan said.

"Before I forget." Albert said, as he rushed back into his room and returned with his camera. He snapped a few photos of the common room before putting it back in his room and re-joining the others in the common room.

"Why are you taking pictures again? Don't you have enough?" Lee asked.

"Its to show my family went I go back during the winter and you can't have too many." Albert responded.

"Anyway. I heard from Charlie that if Finch catches you making trouble, he hangs them by the wrist in the main foyer so everyone can see. If he caught you again, he would do the same thing and the whip you for a whole day." George said. "But they stopped that now. To catch so many people, he must know a few secret passages."