Chapter 4 - Blueberry muffins

I walked quickly up the stairs, hoping that Ominis wouldn't try and follow me. Ominis and I had not discussed Sebastian at all since his departure last year. Even though we owled constantly during the summer, the topic of a certain Slytherin boy never came up. I was grateful. I needed to switch my mind off from all things Sebastian Sallow. Every time I thought of our goodbye in the library, it brought tears to my eyes. Not just because of the rejection, but the hurt of not seeing my friend ever again. For Ominis to even mention his name now, it almost tipped me over the edge. I made my way up from the dungeon area, not really thinking of where I was going. My head was still dazed from the intense dream and my throat was awfully dry. I found myself near the Hufflepuff common room, staring at a familiar painting of fruit.

During my exploration of Hogwarts, I discovered that this painting, near to the Hufflepuff common room, led to the kitchens under the great hall. If you tickled the pear just right, it would open a door to the kitchens. Last year I befriended a house-elf named Alfie here. I found him dancing in a barrel of grapes and I couldn't stop giggling at his questionable dance moves.

"Oh! Sorry didn't see you there miss. Would miss like something to eat? Miss looks awfully pale."

Alfie stopped his dancing and snapped his fingers and appeared next to me with a bowl of blueberry muffins, my favourite.

I smiled down at the little elf, "Thank you, I wasn't actually hungry, but I cannot pass an opportunity to try these delicious muffins."

I grabbed two as they looked so good and tucked them into my shoulder bag. I placed a very handy undetectable extension charm on my bag a while ago, enabling me to carry and hold all the necessary items for my adventures. Everything from my Wiggenweld potions, books, potion ingredients and now even some snacks.

"My name is Riley, Riley Dagworth. Nice to meet you." I held out my hand and the little elf shook it with a surprising amount of strength.

"Nice to meet you miss! My name is Alfie. It's not often that we get students visiting us house elves down here. All the other house elves will be so jealous that Alfie has a new friend!"

He beamed up at me. I laughed internally at the fact that I had just made a new friend in such a short period.

I shivered with the morning cold bringing me back to the present, and after tickling the pear in the painting, I made my way through to the kitchens. I had barely closed the door behind me when I has immediately tackled at the knees by a little elf, just able to keep my balance.

"Miss! Alfie has missed you. How was your summer? Did you eat enough during your holidays? Alfie has been waiting to see you. Alfie has a new recipe of blueberry muffins for you to try."

The little elf didn't take a breath between each sentence and just smiled up at me whilst hugging my knees.

"Hello Alfie, it is nice to see you too. I hope you managed to have a restful time over the summer?" I returned the smile and my mood started to lift.

"Yes Miss! Come try my new recipe, I have been perfecting it just for you." He led me by the hand to a small barrel and two stools where I sat and waited. Alfie returned with a plate of muffins, still steaming as if they had just been removed from the oven. My mouth started to water at the smell of them.

"Go on miss, try one."

You didn't need to tell me twice. How is it possible for something as simple as food to lift your spirits. The taste reminded me of the muffins my mother used to make for me when I was younger.

"Is that a hint of vanilla I am tasting Alfie? It's the most delicious thing I have ever tasted" I say with a mouth full of muffin.

"Yes, miss well done!" Alfie looked like he had tears of joy in his eyes from all the excitement. "I will make miss a pot of tea, miss looks cold."

I was very grateful for the soothing cup of tea, it calmed my scratchy throat, and I could feel some of the colour return to my cheeks.

"Thank you, Alfie, I feel so much better after this treat, and your company of course."

"Is miss excited for the new year? Alfie hears that headmaster Black has allowed quidditch to resume this year. Is miss going to play?"

I set my cup down and it instantly refilled with a snap of Alfie's fingers. After being exposed to all kinds of magic for this past year, you'd think I would be used to these sorts of things. I thought there some laws around food and drink when it came to magic, I'd have to do some more reading to find out. I knew elf magic was slightly different to wizard magic, there was so much for me still to learn. I had my work cut out for me this year.

"Uh-I hadn't really thought about it to be honest. I'd need to speak to Imelda, she's the Slytherin team captain and I believe try-outs are next week."

The cheers from the students on our first night back at Hogwarts when Professor Black announced the return of Quidditch made the floor in the great hall rumble. I had never seen a group of teenagers so excited. It was all the talk this past week and try-outs were to be hosted at the quidditch pitch next week.

"Miss should go! Alfie remembers miss saying how much miss liked flying around Hogwarts all last year. Alfie hears that miss even bested the top flying record."

Of course, Imelda immediately approached me saying that I was to try-out for the team. I told her that I needed to focus on my studies this year. She was not impressed with my response and was a little off with me since.

"Perhaps you're right Alfie, maybe I should try-out. Merlin knows I need the distraction and I've always loved flying. There's something very freeing about the feeling of the wind in your hair and the breath-taking views below. If reincarnation is real thing, I think I'd like to come back as a bird, perhaps an eagle?" I smiled at the thought.

"Alfie thinks miss would make a beautiful eagle." The elf started to clear the table and brought me a brown bag.

"Miss should run along now, classes will be starting soon. Miss must take some of the new muffins."

I was very grateful for this little elf's friendship, and impressive baking skills.

"Thank you, Alfie, I always feel better after seeing you. My stomach also always feels full."

I gave him a swift hug and headed out with more of a spring in my step. I had a new purpose, something new to keep me distracted from all the seriousness going on in my life. Now all I had to do was exceed at try-outs and make the team. Making my way back to the Slytherin common room to refresh and get changed, I realised there was one fundamental flaw in my plan. I had never played quidditch in my life.