At Hufflepuff, You Never Lack Friends

What exactly was inside the drawer in Ravenclaw's Study constantly stirred Jon's curiosity, but there was nothing he could do for now. He still needed to find a key, or a way to make one.

"Let's take it one step at a time. It's only the first day of school."

Jon came down the Stairs. Students were already moving about the castle. He raised his hand to check the time; it was past seven.

"At this hour, breakfast should already be served in the Great Hall."

He tucked his wand into his ring and followed the route he remembered. After searching for a while, he finally returned to the Great Hall from yesterday.

Standing at the entrance and giving the room a quick sweep, Jon saw Bella, Cho Chang, and several Ravenclaw girls gathered around Cedric, chatting and laughing over breakfast. He immediately turned and left.

It was the weekend. If Bella latched onto him now, he would inevitably become the obstacle between her and Cedric. That was not a good choice.

He might enjoy breaking up couples, but for the moment, he could not beat his cousin.

Besides, Cedric had clearly shown no sign that he liked Bella. Whether this "puppy love" would happen at all was still up in the air.

Jon planned to go straight to the kitchens, grab something, and take it back to the dormitory to eat.

No one knew the location of the kitchens better than Hufflepuff students. The one who had once freed and protected the House-elves was his own Ancestor, and Hufflepuff's Golden Goblet had been the first magical vessel to help the House-elves transport food.

Speaking of the Golden Goblet, it should still be in Bellatrix's vault, shouldn't it?

Jon had no intention of bringing back that cup, which had already become a Horcrux. Though his identity had changed again and again in less than half a month, from a Pure-blood Wizard to a descendant of Hufflepuff, his thoughts and goals remained as they had always been.

Don't go looking for trouble!

Wouldn't it be better to leave Voldemort to Harry Potter?

In this magical world, which was gradually recovering toward a high-magic age, who knew whether Voldemort, once the Dark Lord, would benefit from the revival of the world's magical elements?

After grumbling to himself for a while, Jon finally returned to the floor where the Hufflepuff Common Room was located. Along the way, he nodded in greeting to several Hufflepuff students leaving the common room, though none of them knew one another.

Jon remembered the location of the kitchens more clearly than those of the other facilities. Perhaps because he had only heard about it last night, he found a painting of a huge silver bowl brimming with fruit without much effort.

The kitchens were hidden behind that painting.

Jon reached out and poked the large emerald-green pear with one finger. The pear began to move, then suddenly transformed into a large green doorknob.

Jon grabbed the handle, opened the door, and stepped inside.

The Hogwarts Kitchens were roughly the same size as the Great Hall above. Many sets of tableware sat on the cabinets, while four long wooden tables stood in the hall, arranged exactly like the tables of the four Houses in the Great Hall upstairs.

At this time, the tables were already piled high with food. This was the students' breakfast. Jon saw quite a few House-elves bustling about, apparently having prepared far more breakfast than necessary.

It seemed the House-elves did not yet know much about the appetites of new students.

"Hello, sir!"

A House-elf spotted Jon and hurried over. "Is there anything you need?"

"Oh, my roommate is sick and can't go to the Great Hall to eat. I thought you might have food that can be taken away. I need some porridge and pies. Could you get me some?"

"Oh, of course. Please wait a moment."

The House-elf hurried away. Before long, several more House-elves came running over, carrying pies, pumpkin porridge, and milk packed in paper bags and silver lunch boxes. It was enough food for four people.

"Thank you very much. This is enough. You've worked hard, little ones."

"To serve a descendant of Hufflepuff is forever our honor and duty. You need not thank us for that."

Jon froze and looked straight at the elderly House-elf who had spoken.

"Oh, you needn't be surprised."

The old House-elf broke into a smile. "We possess unique magic that allows us to recognize descendants of Hufflepuff's bloodline. To serve a true Hufflepuff is the honor of every Hogwarts House-elf."

"All right." Jon knew House-elves were remarkably magical creatures; their magic was always a little stronger than that of wizards. "But I hope you can keep my identity secret. You know, I really don't like drawing too much attention."

"Of course. Your humility and modesty are just like those of your Ancestor, Lady Hufflepuff. I, Treacher, assure you that all House-elves will obey your wishes and keep your secret."

The elderly House-elf Treacher bowed to Jon. The other House-elves followed suit, all bending at the waist.

"Oh, all right, all right. My name is Jon. Jon Smith. I'm currently studying in Hufflepuff House. If I need anything, I'll definitely come to you for help."

Surrounded by all the House-elves, Jon practically fled the kitchens. His hands and the pockets beneath his robes were stuffed with food the House-elves had prepared for him.

"At least I gained the House-elves' 'friendship.' That's not too hard to accept, but I probably won't be able to come to the kitchens for food again."

Those House-elves were simply far too enthusiastic. After all these years.

Muttering to himself, Jon opened the entrance to the Hufflepuff Common Room and immediately saw the portrait of Hufflepuff smiling at him from within.

It was hard to imagine just how much prestige this gentle witch had left behind at Hogwarts.

Jon had been about to take advantage of the empty common room to quietly say a few words to Helga when the barrel to the left of the portrait suddenly opened, and a boy climbed out.

He should have been a new student. Jon did not know him. During yesterday's Sorting Ceremony, he had not paid attention to who the new Hufflepuff students were. He had never intended to make friends with anyone in the first place.

Being too sociable could easily affect one's studies. Jon still remembered a saying from his previous life: not fitting in marked the beginning of success.

But while he intended to ignore this new student, the other boy clearly had no intention of letting him off.

"Good morning, Jon."

The new student walked over to Jon. "Want to go eat together? I'm your roommate, Stephen Watson. You came back a little late yesterday, so we didn't get to talk. Shall we go eat together?"

"No." Jon raised his arm. He wanted to refuse, but felt too embarrassed to do so. When the words reached his lips, they became, "I happened to bring some food back from the kitchens. Want to eat together?"

"Sure!"

Stephen happily pulled Jon into the barrel. Behind them, Hufflepuff continued smiling from her portrait.

The saying from his previous life no longer applied. Here in Hufflepuff, there was only one rule: you would never lack friends.