Su Er was a little flustered. He had not expected to open the door and immediately see a predecessor who should already have belonged to history, and he did not know how to face or address her.
What unsettled him even more was the word Helga Hufflepuff had used-"outsider."
Why had she used that particular word instead of another? He could not help reading into it.
"Don't be nervous." Helga Hufflepuff seemed to see through Su Er's thoughts. She smiled slightly. "I meant nothing more by it. I was simply welcoming you here."
As she spoke, Helga Hufflepuff snapped her fingers softly. A house-elf appeared out of thin air with a tray. Its head was lowered and its body trembled, yet its hands were rock-steady. It raised a finger to place the teapot and teacups on the table, along with a few exquisite little treats.
"Thank you," Helga said softly to the house-elf that had brought the tea and treats.
"To... to serve the gr... great Lady Hufflepuff... is... is Kleis's honor." Kleis bowed deeply at its slender waist, which was probably only a palm's width across. Its head, disproportionately large for its body, almost touched the floor.
"Don't be nervous, child. Your name is Kleis? What a name full of memories." Helga Hufflepuff's voice was filled with nostalgia.
"Y... yes, honored, great Lady Hufflepuff." Kleis's voice trembled, and it was almost crying. Su Er could hear that it was not fear in its voice, but excitement.
"He was my great-great-grandfather. He felt immensely honored to devote himself to the great... sob... great Lady Hufflepuff."
"Kleis is infinitely grateful to have been born, infinitely grateful to the great, honored Lady Hufflepuff for giving us the chance to survive."
"We are infinitely grateful."
"If Great-great-grandfather knew Kleis could meet the great