[203] A Debt of Blood

After the busy Sorting Ceremony, Hall returned to his room. He lay down, letting out a long sigh. Having been busy, he suddenly felt like relaxing. After pondering for a while, Hall felt hungry.

He stood up, yawning lazily. He hadn't yet created the perfect invisibility cloak. It was difficult. He put on a very ordinary invisibility cloak, took out his Marauder's Map, and headed towards the kitchen.

"This is my third year at Hogwarts, and I just realised I haven't even been to the kitchen. That's really unacceptable."

Hall quickly found it. The kitchen was located below the Hufflepuff common room. One had to pass through Hufflepuff territory. In a brightly lit stone corridor, a painting of a bowl of fruit hung on the wall.

He gently scratched the pear in the painting. The pear chuckled. Hall, who had seen it all, wasn't intimidated. Then the pear transformed into a green doorknob.

"This is really amazing!" Hall exclaimed. Most people couldn't find this entrance.

He pressed the handle. The kitchen was incredibly spacious — almost as large as the Great Hall. Piled against the stone walls were gleaming copper pots and pans, and the room featured a large brick fireplace.

The moment Hall opened the door, a group of house-elves turned to look at him in unison.

"Hello? Perhaps there's still food at this hour?"

The house-elves shrieked. "There's still a student who hasn't eaten! Good heavens! How could this be! Food! Food! Lots of food!"

In three seconds — Hall was certain — a mountain of food appeared before him. He looked at the rickety mountain, expression somewhat embarrassed.

"Alright, a glass of honey water with sugar, and do you have pudding? And some lamb chops would be nice too. That should be enough."

The moment Hall finished speaking, everything appeared in front of him.

Are all the house-elves at Hogwarts this amazing? The speed was ridiculously fast. He ate, praising the food, and the house-elves cheered.

Just then, Hall noticed one house-elf standing beside him, looking remarkably calm.

In appearance, this house-elf wasn't much different from any other — large ears, large eyes, wrinkled skin. But upon closer inspection, this one was exceptionally clean. Though it wore a Hogwarts shawl, it was so clean it looked new.

Hall felt he should address this house-elf as "him." They were equals.

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"Hello? Have you been here long?"

"Yes, sir." The house-elf bowed very respectfully, one hand on its chest.

"My name is Hall. Hall Weasley."

"Mr. Weasley? That's a very nice surname. You can call me Little. It's the name my master gave me."

"Your master? Who is that?"

A smile appeared on Little's aged face, a gentle look in his eyes. "She is the best master in the world, and one of the strongest in this castle. I protect this place in her stead, protecting her sacred land."

Hufflepuff.

"It seems you've already guessed." Little saw what Hall was thinking.

"Yes." Hall nodded. "But why did you appear before me on your own initiative?"

Hall was certain this house-elf had come to him first.

"Because I sensed the presence of the aura my master has always cherished within you, and also my master's aura within you."

Hall's mind raced. The aura his master cherished — Salazar Slytherin? But Lady Hufflepuff's aura? Hall couldn't fathom where he'd picked that up.

Little, seeing Hall's bewilderment, showed no surprise. "My master and Lady Ravenclaw had a very good relationship. At Lady Ravenclaw's suggestion, my master, following her example, left notes in the library. Perhaps you were fortunate enough to see that book."

Hall paused. 101 Magical Kitchen Tips. This was originally a book he intended to give to Molly. But he'd forgotten to take it during the holidays — it was still in his dorm. Wait — why would he want to give Molly a library book? Even if he had this idea, shouldn't he at least copy it himself?

Hall rubbed his forehead in exasperation. "...Thank you for reminding me. I'll study this book carefully when I get back." He thought his strength was considerable, but he'd almost suffered a setback. Of course, this was Hogwarts, and Lady Hufflepuff was one of the four founders. It wasn't surprising she possessed power beyond his imagination.

After finishing his snack without tasting it, Hall got up to leave.

"Mr. Weasley, what are your favourite foods?" Little asked patiently.

Hall thought for a moment. "Sweet, extra sweet, and then rice and Chinese food."

The next morning at the Slytherin table, everyone fell silent.

"Wait? What's this?" Draco looked at the table full of steamed buns, dumplings, and shumai, with bread squeezed into a corner. He instinctively wanted to drink milk to calm his nerves. One sip — "Pfft! Cough cough cough!"

Sweet! It was so sweet!

"Is it really not like Hall secretly added sugar to the milk?" Draco frowned at Zabini.

Zabini couldn't smile either. "I thought so ten minutes ago, but I'm sure Hall hasn't gotten up yet." He sighed. Then his gaze shifted to a steaming bun. "What's this? Maybe I should try it?"

One bite — Zabini's eyes widened.

"Is it hard to eat?" Pansy looked nervous.

Zabini chewed and swallowed. "It's quite delicious. A very unique texture. The filling and dough mixed together... I think I could eat five more."

When Hall arrived, he saw a Slytherin table that looked completely out of place with the other houses.

"Hall, come quick! I saved this especially for you!" Draco waved. "If you don't come soon, you won't get anything hot..."

Before Draco could finish, Hall sat down and a steaming hot breakfast appeared before him alone.

All eyes were on Hall.

Little! He really couldn't handle the love of a house-elf! Where was Harry? He desperately needed a Harry!

Harry, called by Hall, looked confused. What did this have to do with him? He couldn't comprehend Hall's pain. He was still happily enjoying his breakfast.

Meanwhile, all the Slytherins' eyes were on Hall.

Draco asked without hesitation, "What's going on? Hogwarts changed its surname to Weasley?"

Hall sighed. The worst thing was when someone casually guessed part of the truth. "If that's what you want to think... it's not a big problem." He ate his delicious breakfast. Though it had caused him some serious anxiety, the food itself wasn't wrong. Besides, it was all his favourite dishes. He had to eat his fill.