It had been a bad day. No, it had been a horrible day. Emmalyn wanted nothing to do with any of the other students at Hogwarts. All she wanted was to hide, and cry. Most of all, cry. The year hadn’t turned out how she had hoped. She thought being a second year would mean she was better at spells, better at potions, and better at all of the things she felt like she failed at the previous year. Her only highlight had been making the quidditch team, but that could only carry her spirits so far.

She fumbled along, near the doors to the Great Hall, and found a small wooden door. Her hand reached out to grab the knob and gave it a little turn. Much to her surprise, the door opened. Inside was dark and full of cleaning supplies, but had enough room for her to fold herself down on the floor and be alone. Her eyes darted back and forth, making sure no one spotted her, then she entered the closet and quietly shut the door.

Once sitting in the dark, the tears started to flow.

Tippin headed for the broom closet to stock up on supplies. Lots of chores meant lots of supplies.

He opened the door and scurried inside........

........ only to find one of the littler studentsies. Oh no!

"Little Miss! This cupboard is for cleaning bits and bobs not for studentsies to be hiding. Is Miss lost?"

Just as she was really getting into her ugly cry mode, the door cracked open and there stood a House Elf. There was nowhere for her to hide in the tiny closet, so all she could do was to attempt to cover her tear streaked face. She hoped the house elf wouldn't tell on her or go and get a professor. That was the last thing she wanted.

Sniffling and hiccuping she replied "I'm not lost and not exactly hiding. Not in a fun way." Maybe he thought she was playing a game. "I just..." she used the sleeve of her robe to try and wipe away some of the tears "I needed to be alone." The tears were streaming down her face as she finished her sentence. Now, not only was she upset, she was embarrassed as well.

Uh oh. Tippin sensed something not good.

The little house elf shuffled his bare feet tentatively. He wanted to be done with the cleaning because Toddles was making a mess as usual but.... poor poor Miss.

"Your eyes are doing leaking, Miss." If the leaking got too much it would mean more cleaning for Tippin!

"Would young Miss like Tippin to get her a cookie? Schmoop is making the best cookies." Nod, nod, nod.

She rubbed the tears from her eyes once more, trying to dry them up before splashing on the ground. "Sorry" was all she could say about her leaking eyes. She wasn't like her friends back home. They all seemed to be able to instantly stop crying and look like nary a tear was shed.

"What? Cookies? I do like cookies." Food was always a win for her, no matter how upset she was. Her sniffling started to slow at the thought of cookies. "Does Schmoop make chocolate chip cookies? Those are my favorite." A very tiny smile was starting to spread across her face.

Tippin didn't hesitate. With a *POP* he was gone.

And a few minutes later with another *POP* he was right back but this time with a plate full of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. The cookies smelled very good.

"Some of Schmoop's best chocolate chip cookies for you, Miss!!" He squeaked, ears wiggling happily. Tippin had done a good deed! "Cookies be making everything better! No more eye leaking, Miss!"

She nearly jumped when Tippin popped out of the room. Apparation was not something she was used to seeing and it always surprised her a bit. Emmalyn slowly got to her feet, smoothed out her robes, and tried her best to compose herself. She tired to feel how puffy here eyes were, hoping she stopped crying before they were a red swollen mess.

Just as suddenly as he left, Tippin appeared before her with "Cookies!" she squealed. He really brought her cookies. "Oh, thank you, sweet Tippin." She reached out to take the plate from him and grabbed a warm from the oven chocolate chip cookie. "Please tell Schmoop thank you for me." She took a bite. The gooey chocolate chip spread over her tongue while the crumbly cookie's buttery flavor fought for attention. It was, by far, the best cookie she had ever tasted. "Goodness, where are my manners, would you like one too?" She held the plate out in hopes Tippin would have a treat with her.

"Thank you for being so kind to me. I'm sorry I was in your closet." Her eyes looked towards her feet, once again feeling a bit embarrassed. "Is there anything I can help you with?" She wasn't great at magic, but she sure did know how to use a broom.

Tippin smiled widely because the young Miss was liking the cookies. There was less eye leaking and more cookie munching. Ths was good. Very very good.

"Ohhhh no. Tippin must not!" The elf squeaked when Miss offered him a cookie. Schmoop really did make the best cookies though....... But no! "Tippin is on duty.Tippin must not be eating cookies."

He shook his head so much his ears shook wildly.

"And thank you muchly young Miss but studentsies are not here for cleaning! Miss enjoy her cookies and Tippin will finish chores."

She shrugged at his refusal of cookies. They were amazing and it seemed silly to her that he could't have cookies while working, but she didn't know all of his rules. "Well, thank you again." Her eyes were completely dry and only slightly red rimmed. She munched on another cookies, making sure no crumbs fell to the floor.

Shifting to the side, she slid past Tippin and out the door. "Really, thank you, sweet Tippin. I'll get out of your way so you can finish the chores. And please do tell Schmoop the cookies are the best." She smiled, wanting more than anything to give him a hug, but she didn't know if house elves like being hugged. Instead she did a sort of awkward curtsy, giggled, and hurried off towards the Hufflepuff common room. It was time she got back to her studies.