THE ALCHEMIST OF HARRY POTTER

Near the entrance hall on the first floor of Hogwarts Castle, just past the grand marble staircase, lies the concealed entrance to the Hufflepuff common room and the vast Hogwarts kitchens. The passage leading to them is hidden behind a large painting of a silver fruit bowl, known only to those who know the trick to entering.

Albert took a moment to wander around the entrance hall, passing the great double doors of the Great Hall, and noticed two doors along the corridor. Filch's office, dimly lit and filled with confiscated magical items, was tucked to the side. The castle's caretaker, Argus Filch, stood nearby, his ever-watchful cat, Mrs. Norris, glaring at Albert with her lamp-like, bloodshot eyes.

"What's her name?" Albert asked, nodding toward the feline.

Filch scowled, clutching Mrs. Norris tightly, and without a word, retreated into his office, shutting the door behind him.

"It must be jealous," Albert muttered to himself, recalling that Filch was a Squib. He had always thought that if someone lacked magic, they should integrate into the Muggle world rather than linger in a place where they would always feel out of place. Why did Filch choose to stay at Hogwarts, where he found nothing but frustration?

Now that the irritable caretaker was gone, Albert faced his next choice: which door to take?

"Where's the kitchen again?" He pulled a coin from his pocket and flipped it. It landed heads-up, so he turned left, descending a narrow, dimly lit stairway.

Beyond the door lay another stone staircase leading downward into a wide underground corridor. As Albert proceeded, torches flared to life on the walls, casting flickering shadows over the passage. The corridor's walls were decorated with paintings of food—bowls of steaming stew, golden loaves of bread, and towering cakes, all enchanted to waft tantalizing aromas into the air.

"Good sign." Albert smirked as he reached a large portrait. The painting depicted a lavish silver fruit bowl brimming with ripe apples, oranges, grapes, and, most notably, a large green pear.

He reached out and tickled the pear. It squirmed, giggled, and transformed into a brass doorknob.

"Perfect." Albert was pleased with his luck. After successfully discovering the Room of Requirement, finding the kitchens had been his next goal.

Grasping the doorknob, he pulled open the entrance. The Hogwarts kitchens were vast, mirroring the Great Hall directly above. The four long wooden tables aligned perfectly with those in the Great Hall, enabling house-elves to magically send food upward at mealtimes. Gleaming pots, pans, and copper kettles hung from the walls, while the air was filled with the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread and simmering soup.

Before Albert could take another step, a small figure dashed toward him. A house-elf, no taller than his waist, with bat-like ears and enormous, round eyes, peered up at him.

"Sir, may we help you?" the elf inquired eagerly.

"The Great Hall isn't open for breakfast yet, so I thought I'd come here." Albert offered a polite smile.

"Please, sir, this way!" The elf grabbed his hand and led him to a table. Moments later, a group of house-elves bustled forward, carrying a silver tray laden with breakfast: a jug of fresh milk, ham, fluffy omelets, crisp toast, a fresh salad, and a steaming bowl of pumpkin porridge.

"Thank you." Albert poured himself half a glass of milk. Though he hadn't been accustomed to drinking milk in his previous life, he had grown to appreciate the habit, and as a result, he had become much stronger.

"This is our pleasure, sir!" The elves beamed, bowing deeply at his gratitude.

Albert enjoyed his meal, savoring the ham and eggs, two slices of toast, and a warm bowl of pumpkin porridge. As he finished the last of his fruit salad, he noticed how the elves were all clothed in tea towels emblazoned with the Hogwarts crest.

"I should go now. Thank you for the breakfast." Albert glanced at his magical exploration tracker—7.3% progress.

"This is our duty, sir." The house-elf bowed again. As he turned to leave, several elves gathered around, pressing various treats into his hands.

"These are for you to take, sir."

"That's plenty, thanks." Albert packed four pies into a brown paper bag, tucking it into his robes. He had every intention of sharing them with Fred, George, and Lee Jordan.

The house-elves watched him leave, their large eyes gleaming with satisfaction. They cherished appreciation, and Albert's gratitude had made them feel valued.

Retracing his steps, Albert returned to Gryffindor Tower within minutes. The common room was empty, even the ghostly presence of the Fat Lady absent from her portrait.

Back in his dormitory, Fred and George were still sound asleep, but Lee Jordan was already awake. He glanced up in surprise as Albert entered.

"Where have you been?"

"Went for a walk—and grabbed breakfast." Albert grinned. "I even brought you something."

"What is it?"

Fred stirred from his bed, rubbing his eyes sleepily. "Did you say breakfast?"

"Pies." Albert pulled the paper bag from his pocket, taking a bite of one before handing the rest to Lee Jordan.

"Where did you get these?" Fred asked curiously.

"The kitchens."

"You found them?" George, now awake, sat up abruptly.

"Yeah, and you didn't even wake us up?" Fred accused, finally alert. "That's just cruel."

"You should brush your teeth first."

"Oh, right." George put down his pie and stretched. "How'd you find the entrance?"

"Just wandered around, really," Albert shrugged, recounting his brief run-in with Filch. "His cat is too smart—she always seems to be looking for trouble."

"I bet Filch is fuming." Fred chuckled. "He hates when students sneak around."

After getting dressed, the trio headed to the Gryffindor common room. The rain had finally stopped outside, and Albert lit a fire in the hearth before settling into a cozy chair.

"Bill and Charlie said there are tons of secret passages in Hogwarts," Fred mused between bites.

"But they won't tell us where they are," George grumbled.

"Maybe they want you to discover them yourselves," Albert suggested. "That's half the fun."

"True," Lee Jordan agreed.

"By the way," Albert added, pulling out his camera, "I need to take a few pictures for home. Muggles would find everything here fascinating." He snapped a few shots of the common room and even one of the Fat Lady's portrait.

"You and your pictures," Fred teased.

"I heard from Charlie that Filch loves catching students out of bed at night," George continued, finishing his pie. "He still wants to bring back the old punishments—hanging students by their ankles and whipping them."

"Yeah, and he knows all the hidden passages," Fred added. "He always shows up when you least expect him."

"Most students caught wandering after hours end up with detentions and lost house points."

Albert chuckled. "Guess I was lucky."

Fred grinned. "Hogwarts really is the best place for adventures."