Chapter Two.

It really was rather clever to hide the door inside a painting. She watched as the pear squirmed and turned into a green door complete with a knob before looking back at an amused Cedric and anxious Cho. She grinned.

"Thanks. I will probably be a while so you two can go off without me." They didn't move. "Unless, of course, you need to talk to the house elves too?"

"Hufflepuff won't have a party until the first match of the season and we just had dinner." Cedric said. Cho was silent. Emeree saw her want to make sure that the first year under her care was accounted for but at the same time wanted to be alone with Cedric.

"In that case, maybe Cho can walk you to your common room? I would say you could walk her to ours, but yours is nearby." Cho was blushing profusely at this point and Cedric chuckled.

"Never say that I am chauvinist. Cho, if you would be so kind?" He held out her arm and while the girl looked down briefly he threw a quite look and wink at Emeree which told her that he knew exactly what she was doing. "'Til next time little raven." She didn't bother to follow their departure, but instead opened the green door and went into the kitchen.

It looked like a replica of the Great Hall with the addition of multiple cooking spaces, a large fireplace, cleaning stations, and various other doors that led elsewhere. As soon as she entered multiple voices vied for her attention.

"Miss wants something from the kitchens?"

"What can Flopsy get Miss?"

"We's just made cookies."

"Chocolate chip!"

"Oatmeal raisin!"

"No, Miss wants cake!" There was a small argument erupting between a few of the house elves and Emeree couldn't help but laugh quietly. She took a seat at the nearest bench and smiled kindly and waited for them to become a bit less excited. Eventually all eyes and floppy ears were facing her direction.

"Thank you for the hospitality. I'm actually here to talk to someone about the menu. Who would be the best elf to talk to?" All movement stopped. She continued to smile.

"Is there's somethings wrong with the food?" An older elf asked. Emeree followed the female's movements through the crowd as the elf easily glided past all the younger workers before standing before her. There was a defiant look in the elf's eyes that Emeree admired.

"No, the food is delicious actually. However, I've noticed that the menu is the same for every meal." The elf frowned.

"The Great Missus Helga Hufflepuff taught us these recipes." Emeree was surprised that the menu had changed as much as it had then.

"I'm glad that you keep her traditions. I'm not asking that you change everything, but I've noticed that there is a diverse group of students who attend this school, more diverse than when the Founders started the school. While you take into account the cuisine from around this area, what about for the students who are more ethnically diverse?" The elf flapped her left ear and was silent for a moment before speaking.

"We's not gotten any complaints so far." Emeree glanced around and saw that many of the elves were now very interested in the conversation.

"Yes, I'm sure. But, that may be because the students do not think they have a choice. We, as students, board here for a good portion of the year with the only available outings available to the upper years at the nearest village. As a premiere school, shouldn't Hogwarts offer a diverse menu that allows students to sample international faire? I'm sure that some of you," she made a sweeping motion with her hand, "have served those who have eaten cuisine from France, Italy, India, China, Russia, Bulgaria, the States, as well as other places abroad. This would allow you to improve your skills and perhaps meld the styles of cooking and flavors into a menu that could be unique to Hogwarts." There was a burst of conversation at this point as the younger elves looked excited, but it became silent again as the older elf raised her hand.

"And what you's want? Why come to the elves and not the Headmaster?" Emeree sighed.

"Honestly, I'm a bit tired of roasts. Sometimes I want to eat fish or sometimes I watch some of the Indian students try to pick through the roast vegetables. I don't want you to change everything. I'll settle for having designated nights for specific cuisines." She gave a bit smile and leaned down and whispered, "I also miss eating Filipino food." The elf laughed, the sound was scratchy and deep, almost guttural but it made Emeree smile wide.

"Okays, I's talk with Headmaster. Maybes we's start with specific nights a week." Here her demeanor changed and became more authoritative. " Flopsy, Bugsy, Caddy, Bailey, yous in charge of planning." All four specified elves bowed deeply and before going to gather more elves to work on the change in menu. "Anythings else elves can help for Miss?" Emeree looked at the tables and brought up something that had been tickling the back of her brain.

"Well, there is actually." The old elf raised an eyebrow. "Hogwarts doesn't have an introductory class to wizarding customs. I was wondering if the elves could help with that too."

"We's elves, not wizards."

"I am aware, but you all know about food, and wine, and cutlery. Most students who aren't purebloods, and even some that are, don't know about table settings, or what fork to use for salad versus dessert. I don't know about wizarding traditions and how you prepare for them, or any dishes or drinks that are popular within the magical community. If I am going to be in this world, these are some things that I can't just read out of a book. When I graduate, I want to know how to conduct myself properly. Imagine what would happen if I were invited to a foreign delegate's house and embarrassed myself. I'm sure I would smear Hogwart's reputation." She knew she had them when the elf's lips pursed and seemed to understand why this might be important.

"I's sees. I's bring up with Headmaster." She looked around and barked a few names that she couldn't make out and assumed it was in their language. "Miss is welcomes in kitchen anytime." The elf made to leave but Emeree stood.

"Sorry, you never said your name." The old elf pulled back her lips in a menacing smile before saying some guttural yet whimsical noises. Emeree, being a natural observer and sponge of all things, immediately tried replicating what she heard a few times before settling on something close. She looked at the elf for approval and was met with a look that was something akin to respect.

"Miss mays call me Coco." Emeree bowed.

"Thank you Coco. My name is Emeree Reyes and I really appreciate you listening." She was startled when she felt paper whack her across the head. Coco was holding a balled up edition of The Prophet.

"Firsts lessons. No bowing to elves. Disrespectfuls." Emergee rubbed her head sheepishly.

"Okay, then what do I do?" Coco looked her over for a moment as if wondering if it would be worth teaching an outsider anything.

"Flap ears." Emeree blinked before attempting to make her ears move. She felt them wiggle, but couldn't do much more than that. Coco seemed to find her attempts and her face amusing because she stated, "That do. Radish bring you back to dorm room." Emeree stood at the dismissal and turned to an elf that was tugging her skirt. Radish didn't seem to look anything like a radish so the name must have been arbitrary.

"Missy Mer follow Radish. I's take you to dorm now."

"Thank you Radish. I will follow you then." She turned and waved her goodbyes to the kitchen before following Radish out of the portrait hole. Behind her all the elves spoke loudly in their language about the Ravenclaw first year who deigned to visit them with a purpose besides just getting snacks. An old elf, male this time, wandered over to Coco and had a conversation. The Headmaster would have some interesting talks within the coming week.