Contact the house-elves

You decide to go straight to the source and ask the house-elves for help. You enter the small classroom next to the Entrance Hall so that you have some privacy.

“Dobby, could I have some help?” you say to the air.

For a moment, nothing happens. You sigh and turn towards the door. Then, there's a loud crack and Dobby is standing in front of you.

“Dobby is happy to see Harry Potter”, the house-elf squeaks.

You smile down at him.

“How are you going, Dobby?”

“Dobby has been working in the kitchens. Dobby likes his job and gets all the free time he needs.”

“Could I ask you for a favour?” you ask.

“Dobby will do anything for Harry Potter.”

“I need some ingredients for a potion I’m brewing”, you explain. “I think I can find some in the kitchens. Could you help me find them.”

Dobby blinks at you with his large eyes. His smile has vanished.

“Dobby wishes he could help but there is a problem”, he says.

The hair on the back of your neck begins to rise.

“What type of problem?” you ask.

“Dobby thinks it is better if he shows it to you.”

Dobby extends a hand up to you. Hesitantly, you take it. There’s another loud crack. Now, you’re standing in the middle of a massive room. Five long tables, identical to the ones above in the Great Hall, lie in the middle of the room. The house-elves are gathered around the end of one of them. They turn at the sound of your apparition and stare at you. You can hear them muttering from where you’re standing.

“What is the meaning of this, Dobby?” one of the house-elves, larger than the rest, asks.

Dobby cringes slightly, but responds.

“This is Harry Potter, a friend of house-elves.” He turns to you to whisper. “This is Scoope, the elf in charge of the kitchens.”

Scoope walks towards you. He’s a head taller than the other house-elves and more rotund compared to their others’ slender build. The look in his eyes shows that he’s used to getting his way. Scoope stops not far from you and glares up at you.

“What brings you into my domain?” he asks menacingly.

“Do not speak to Harry Potter that way”, Dobby squeaks loyally.

Scoope turns his glare to Dobby, who wisely jumps behind you. You smile at the house-elf in front of you.

“What do you want, human?” Scoope asks.

“I wanted to ask if you had some ingredients I require for a potion”, you say. “The kitchens are always well-stocked, so I assumed you would have what I need.”

Scoope sniffs, expressing his opinion of wizards and his potions. He turns to look at the group of house-elves behind him, then returns his gaze to you. He sizes you up before responding.

“We do have a lot of ingredients”, Scoope says proudly, “and we may be willing to part with a few… but at a price.”

“What price?” you ask.

Scoope turns away from you.

“Come”, he orders.

You follow the house-elf, with Dobby at your heels. As you approach the cluster of house-elves, you see what they’ve been looking at. On one of the tables is a large plate with two desserts – a tart topped with fruit and whipped cream and a pastry stuffed with chocolate.

“Try one of these and tell us what you think”, Scoope says. “If we are satisfied with your response, we will help you.”

“That’s it?” you ask. “I just need to eat a dessert?”

The house-elves all nod. This seems like a really easy way to get the ingredients you need.