After leaving the library, the four of them walked through the Entrance Hall towards the Great Hall.
Hogwarts' Great Hall was not only where students ate, but also where various banquets and ceremonies were held; yesterday's Welcome Feast had taken place within its grand, candlelit walls.
They walked towards the Ravenclaw long table and each took a seat.
As soon as they sat down, lunch, already prepared, appeared on the table: roast chicken, beef stew, mashed potatoes, fresh vegetables, and pumpkin juice.
Wesley stared at the food that had suddenly appeared before him, his eyes wide with surprise. The previous Welcome Feast and breakfast had been prepared and placed on the table, but this time it had appeared out of thin air right in front of them, so it was no wonder Wesley was so astonished.
"How did this food appear?" he whispered.
"It didn't appear," Fabian gently explained, "It must have been made by the House-elves in the kitchen and sent over."
"House-elves?" Wesley blinked, "What are those?"
Ernesto snorted, about to speak, when a gentle voice came from beside them.
"It seems you're very interested in the Hogwarts kitchens?"
The four of them looked up and saw a Hufflepuff boy standing beside them.
He had deep brown hair and bright grey eyes, with a friendly smile on his face.
"Cedric Diggory," he introduced himself, "Second year Hufflepuff, I met Kevin on the train."
"That's right, Cedric is very kind," Kevin nodded in response, then introduced his three roommates to Cedric one by one.
Cedric sat down at the long table and asked curiously, "How was your first day of classes?"
"We had Charms Class, and Kevin succeeded on his first try! And he performed perfectly!" Wesley said excitedly, "Professor Flitwick even gave him extra points!"
"Not only that, he also helped Fabian and me adjust our spells," Wesley added, "If it weren't for him, our feathers might still be lying on the table right now."
Cedric showed an appreciative look: "Indeed, I wasn't wrong on the train, you really are very talented."
Kevin modestly shook his head: "I just prepared beforehand."
Ernesto glanced at him, seemingly wanting to say something, but in the end, he just lowered his head and took a sip of pumpkin juice.
Wesley was still curious about the food's origin: "So… are these foods really made by House-elves? Where are they?"
"The kitchens are directly below the Great Hall," Cedric smiled, "If you're interested, after we finish eating, I can take you to see them."
"Really?" Wesley's eyes lit up.
Fabian also showed an interested expression, while Ernesto seemed somewhat unconcerned: "Griffith Manor also has its own House-elves, and they're much more efficient than Hogwarts's."
"The history of House-elves can be traced back to the Middle Ages," Ernesto began to explain, "It is said that they were originally descendants of the elf race captured during ancient Wizard wars, and were subjected to magical contracts, serving Wizard families for generations."
"That sounds a bit…" Wesley frowned, "Unfair?"
"It's tradition," Ernesto's tone was cold, "They don't want freedom themselves."
Kevin did not interject, but he knew that the plight of House-elves was far more complex than Ernesto described.
However, now was not the time to discuss it.
After lunch, Cedric led the four of them to a painting on the side of the Great Hall.
The painting depicted a bowl of fruit, looking quite ordinary.
"This is the entrance to the kitchens," Cedric reached out and gently tickled the pear in the painting.
To their surprise, the pear suddenly giggled, then transformed into a green doorknob.
Cedric grasped it and pulled gently, and the painting opened like a door.
A warm aroma wafted out.
The kitchens were even more spacious than they had imagined, with dozens of House-elves bustling about; some were chopping vegetables, some were stirring large cauldrons, and some were wiping cutlery.
Seeing people enter, several House-elves immediately put down their work and scurried forward to greet them.
"Esteemed sirs!" a House-elf wearing a tea towel squeaked, "Is there anything Bobby can do for you?"
"We're just here to visit," Cedric said gently, "They're new students and very curious about the kitchens."
The House-elves immediately showed delighted expressions and gathered around them.
"Would you like to try some freshly baked apple pie?"
"This is freshly brewed cream of mushroom soup!"
"Esteemed sir, would you like to try some candies specially provided by Honeydukes?"
Wesley was startled by their enthusiasm but quickly relaxed, taking a bite of a chocolate cake, his eyes instantly lighting up: "It's delicious!"
Fabian gently thanked the House-elves, while Ernesto seemed a bit reserved, but eventually accepted a cup of hot cocoa.
Kevin observed the kitchen's operations.
In his Eye of Truth, the magical flow of the House-elves was different from that of Wizards, more pure and dense; if the magic on a typical Wizard was like a small stream, the House-elves were clearly like small rivers.
"How many people's food do you make every day?" Kevin asked.
"All the teachers and students of Hogwarts are our responsibility!" a House-elf named Kiki said proudly, "And the Professor's private meals, banquets, afternoon tea…"
"That's amazing!" Wesley exclaimed sincerely.
Cedric smiled and added, "The Hufflepuff common room is closest to the kitchens, so we often get to eat freshly baked pastries."
"That's too lucky!" Wesley lamented, "If I had known, I would have gone to Hufflepuff!"
Kevin joked, "If Cedric had met you on the train, Hufflepuff might have gained another member."
Everyone laughed, even the corners of Ernesto's mouth curled slightly upward.
After lingering in the kitchens for a while, the five of them bid farewell to the House-elves.
The House-elves reluctantly saw them to the door, even stuffing each of them with a bag of freshly baked cookies.
"You are always welcome to visit again, sirs!" Bobby bowed.
After leaving the kitchens, Wesley was still savoring the experience: "Those House-elves are so cute, and the things they make are delicious."
"They are indeed excellent," Cedric nodded, "But don't forget, they are not pets, but beings with their own will."
Ernesto was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "The Griffith family's House-elves… seem a bit different from those here."
Kevin glanced at him, saying nothing more, but he understood that Ernesto's views needed to be slowly changed.
"We still have Transfiguration Class this afternoon, we should get ready," Fabian reminded them.
Cedric smiled and waved: "Good luck to you all. If you have any questions, you can always come to Hufflepuff to find me."
"Thank you," Kevin said sincerely.