65

Chapter 65, "Room of Requirement":

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In the early morning, the bedroom remained dark and quiet. As Wade stirred from his sleep, he sensed someone watching him.

Alone in the dormitory, the unfamiliar presence stood out starkly.

Drowsily, Wade opened his eyes to a row of large, luminous eyes in the darkness, resembling small floating lanterns.

Boom!

His heart pounded fiercely as Wade abruptly sat up, instinctively grabbing his wand and pointing it forward. "Who's there?"

"Master Wade is awake," came the shrill voice of a house-elf. "Zoe knew Master Wade would return today, so Zoe waited."

With a snap of its slender fingers, an oil lamp ignited in the dormitory—

Three house-elves stood before Wade, arranged neatly on the floor. Their sudden appearance in the dead of night would have been eerie to anyone. Yet, they gazed warmly at Wade, smiles stretched across their faces.

Wade felt his heart rate slowly ease. Taking a deep breath, he felt warmth return to his cold fingers, though his scalp still tingled from the surprise.

"Zoe, Happy, Phil," Wade greeted as calmly as he could manage. "Long time no see. Why have you come at this hour?"

The elves bowed deeply, their large ears twitching with delight.

"Well, you see," began Zoe, "for Christmas, Phil received another gift from Wade Gray—"

"But Wade Gray must have noticed—Happy didn't receive any gift," interjected another.

"Not because there weren't any gifts, but because Zoe had prepared a better one—" Phil chimed in.

"Phil wanted to give Master Wade the gift he truly desired. But what did Wade Gray want? Phil pondered and pondered—"

"While cleaning in Ravenclaw Tower, Hubby overheard first-years talking, and that's when Hubby figured it out—"

The three elves beamed in unison. "Wade Gray surely wants a broom!"

"I do want one," Wade affirmed, still seated on his bed. "But school rules prohibit first-years from bringing brooms."

Otherwise, he could have bought one himself during the Christmas break.

"The rules do stand, but Master Wade needn't break them," Zoe declared, spreading her arms. "The broom is already within the school, and Master Wade can use it."

Indeed, talented first-years often borrowed older students' brooms for a spin after flying lessons. During Quidditch team practices, eager young wizards often lingered nearby, hoping for a chance to borrow a broom once training concluded.

However, it was inconceivable for a house-elf to steal a student's broom, let alone gift one that belonged to the school.

"Have you discovered a lost broom, then?" Wade asked the elves, surprised.

"More than one," Happy wagged his ears excitedly. "Several, in fact! Ownerless brooms—"

"Come with Zoe, Master Wade," another elf beckoned, tugging at Wade's sleeve. "Zoe wishes to present Master Wade with his gift."

"Alright, just a moment. Let me get dressed," Wade said, pulling back the covers. "Could you all turn around for a bit?"

...

On a January morning, the sky remained dark, frost clinging to the windowsills as a cold wind rattled the windows. Wade followed the three house-elves through the deserted castle corridors, his footsteps echoing faintly.

It was still early, with even Filch absent from his usual patrols—no doubt awaiting any students breaking curfew. Wade seemed the sole inhabitant of a painting come to life, wandering through an ancient scene.

Wade, bundled in thick clothing, glanced at the elves in their scant tea-towel attire. "Aren't you cold?"

Phil shook his head. "We don't feel the cold. Phil can adapt to any environment, be it summer or winter, hot or freezing."

—Such peculiar creatures.

Wade regarded them thoughtfully.

These beings possessed innate magical abilities, unlike wizards who relied on wands. Their magic was unique and formidable, capable of apparating limitlessly.

Had wizards not ingrained thoughts of "absolute obedience" and "enslavement of house-elves," these creatures might have posed a greater threat than dragons.

In history, goblins had staged numerous uprisings, fighting tirelessly for their rights. Yet, even when mistreated and abused by wizards, house-elves neither rebelled nor disobeyed their masters.

Thus, most wizards coveted their own house-elves, though few treated them kindly. Those at Hogwarts fared better than most, with students generally refraining from abusing them.

Wade lowered his gaze, trailing the elves down a long corridor. They descended flights of stairs, ascended several floors, until they stood near the entrance to Gryffindor Tower.

One side of the corridor bore a plain white wall, while opposite hung a tapestry depicting a giant wizard in a hat teaching trolls ballet. The trolls' heads turned to watch them pass.

Suddenly, Wade recognized their destination and excitement surged within him. "What is this place?"

"The Room of Requirement, Master Wade," Zoe explained. "We also call it the 'Come and Go Room.' It only appears when someone truly needs it."

"You must walk past this wall three times, concentrating on your need," Happy added, pacing in front of the wall. "Happy needs a place to conceal things... a place to conceal things... a place to conceal things..."

Back and forth he went, until on his third pass, a smooth door materialized in the wall, adorned with a gleaming copper handle.

Phil stood on tiptoe, grasped the handle, and slowly swung the door open.

Wade couldn't help but hold his breath.

Before him sprawled what seemed like a city enclosed by high walls, littered with abandoned items forming "streets"—broken furniture, rusty weapons, statues severed by dark magic, Muggle artifacts, countless books, banned dangerous toys, and glass vials containing mysterious potions.

His heart raced.

The elves proudly presented a broom, carefully cleaned and adorned with an old red ribbon.

"This is Master Wade's Christmas gift!" they announced joyfully. "It's the finest here!"

"It's a bit old, but it still flies beautifully," Phil added softly.

—No.

Wade thought.

—This Room of Requirement, long sought after, is the true gift!

Grasping the broom, a delighted smile spread across Wade's face, brightening the room. His infectious joy mirrored on the faces of the three elves, who beamed back at him, utterly content.