The Hufflepuff Table 2025-2026

Together. Such an interesting word. She would definitely write that one in her sketchbook, surrounded by images of train tracks, flowers, and maybe some faces. It was how Nora processed things sometimes. She filled her sketchbook with pictures and words as she worked through her thoughts.

This had been a day of open doors. It began with the train ride, where she met @Grace_Hodgkins_Quinn, who had opened the door of her compartment to Nora, inviting her in. Then came the doors of Hogwarts, opening to her and to all the new students. Then Hufflepuff, when she was sorted into that house. And now @Shelowyn_Bloomthorn, responding to Nora’s gesture of friendship by opening a door into her own world.

It was more than Nora could have hoped for. She did have positive expectations about meeting new people and making friends, but she had also been anxious, even a bit afraid, that it might turn out like when she moved back to Edinburgh, when people already had their friends, and she was the new one who had just arrived. She knew this was a school, and that she was starting her first year, and there would be others beginning as well. But somehow, she had never really thought there would be other people who, like her, didn’t know much about magic.

In her mind, she had pictured herself as the new girl walking into a world where everyone else had already been for a while before her arrival. How silly of me! she thought. Of course I’m not the only one new to this! She took a deep breath, feeling more at ease, grateful to have met @Shelowyn_Bloomthorn.

“I hope we do end up in the same dorm. If we get to choose, that would make things easier. So let’s stick together and find out!”

Zephyr went toward the Hufflepuff table and one would immediately noticed the hesitance in his steps. Every step he took, the floor seemed to go bigger in scope than it should be. The great hall itself was a big with floating candles above them. The ceiling displayed the dark sky outside and it was adorned with bright stars. Back in Swansea, to their farm, the sky was open and big, it's very different compared to this. His only thought was that it looks and feels magical, which he didn't fully understand yet. He went to sit on the available space at the end of the table, still feeling nervousness. Would he fit in here? Will he belong? The Sorting Hat’s words keeps circling in his mind, trying to believe it even though he had doubts. He tried to imagine what those words meant in practice. He was patient when feeding the animals, loyal to his family, and hardworking every day. Would it be applicable here too?

The smell of food reminded him it was time to eat. His stomach growled immediately. Not wasting anymore time, he reached for a small slice of bread, and took a bite into it, and focused on the simple comfort of eating. It reminded him of early mornings at home when his mother would give him a slice of fresh baked bread with butter before he started his chores. It was his mom who baked it herself. Thinking of the memory calmed him down in the middle of this busy table. He glanced around him and thought about his little sister, Zaria, and how she always managed to fit in with whoever she was with, and wherever she goes and make herself part of a group without putting too much effort. Could he do that too? The portraits on the walls were hard to ignore, he kept glancing there while eating. It was strange and amazing to see moving people in there, it was fascinating. What would it feels like to talk to one of them, or to hear a story from one that had lived hundreds of years or maybe even thousands? Everything in Hogwarts seemed alive quite literally.

He looked back at the ceiling and some stars twinkling, they were brighter than any he had seen at home, maybe because they're enchanted with magic? He remembered running across the fields at night, he liked listening to the wind in the hills, and smelling the grass after rain, it provided him comfort. That part of him, the part that loved the open space, fresh air, and taking care of animals, was still there deep inside him. Hogwarts was not the countryside, but he wanted to believe it could still feel like home, only in a slightly different way. He let his thoughts went to the Sorting Hat again, when he was being sorted to his house. Being in front of everyone and having that hat on his head was scary; he could see everything he was afraid of. And when it started talking to him inside his head, it asked questions and told him things he already knew about himself. He was told he was hardworking, loyal, patient but he also wanted to be brave, like Gryffindor, but maybe the Hat was right. Maybe Hufflepuff was where he could really be himself, where his kind of strengths mattered.

He eat quietly while deep in his thoughts. The hall was noisy and he was just one of hundreds of students, one of many faces but who wouldn't believe he's part of this community now? He's here. He made it through the train ride, through the sorting ceremony and through everything else that was overwhelming for a magic newbie like him. Sitting at this table, he could begin to learn this new world, step by step, little by little, slowly but surely. With that thought in mind, his shoulders relaxed easily. He was nervous, but he was also curious. If he only make an effort, he knew he would gain friends in no time. All he needs to do is be open minded about it. This place was huge and strange, but it was alive and full of people. I can do this! He would learn the rules, the spells, the ways of the school, and find a few places that reminded him of the farm.

He had never felt this many new feelings at once in his life. He spent his whole life on a farm, learning routines, caring for animals, waking up early, working hard, and helping his family. Now everything was different from that life. It didn’t have to be bad, it could be an exciting journey for him, too. He didn’t know the names of anyone yet, didn’t know the layout of the castle, or the rules, or what his professor would be like. He was patient, loyal, and hardworking just like what the sorting hat confirmed for him, which served him well on the farm. It would serve him here, too. He could discover other parts of himself in the process.

Word Count: 850

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SEP. 1st, MON___________ ___________ GREAT HALL
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___ ___ thinking • speaking • other dialogue @Aurelia Valentine Not open for interactions

sta 4 • eva 10 str 3 • wis 8 arc 7 • acc 8 [advanced casting] [perfectionist] ❝ a hufflepuff ❞

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𝕿he flicker of the lit, floating candles illuminated the entirety of the Great Hall as soon as the staff slowly opened the large double doors. Torches lined up the olden walls and columns, the fires dancing gently in this silent, monotonous rhythm which no one could hear. Sparkling eyes in various colours followed the stream of students—new and old—entering the hall, some of the people pictured in the moving portraits clapping enthusiastically. Every First Year's attention was captured by the view overhead, the high ceiling heavily enchanted in a way that it mirrors the night sky outside. It appears realistic that if one knows no better or had not read Hogwarts: A History, one would suppose that the castle has a large hole up there.  Starry night sky.  Living at the Scottish Highlands temporarily also has its perks, it seems like. The skies are always clear up here, sun beams actually graced the Hogwarts castle everyday, especially in spring—undoubtedly the best season whence the Highlands are in its most beautiful state. The said castle is built with large, high kaleidoscopic windows, which depict various distorted images one hardly makes out the meaning. The meaning is hardly important, however—the colours are. If one is most inclined in the right side of one's brain, they would notice the colours produced by these aforementioned windows when reflected by the sunlight, decorating the marble floors.  It is marvellous.  Unlike London, Aurelia thought. What is the point of placing suncatchers against the windows if it could not catch the light itself from the constant depressing weather? London is a scam in itself.  The young badger ambulated towards the Hufflepuff Table at a much slower pace compared to her peers, her dark, piercing eyes

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roaming the vicinity like a hawk, watching for a certain blur of black flash under the long, wooden tables.  Stalker—her Bewitched Midnight Stalker pet she adopted from the busy street of Diagon Alley last February—had run off for the umpteenth time since their journey from the King's Cross Station to Hogsmeade. It is because he got the zoomies like the multiple accounts from other people she had read online or that he is still nursing that grudge from when they visited multiple veterinary clinics to complete his shots last summer. Stalker is conscious enough to do that much in order to cause trouble for the poor girl. He disappeared and must be lurking somewhere in the shadows which the torches failed to illuminate.  It is a familiar scene, one that Aurelia Valentine already experienced last year. The Headmaster will share his piece through long, informative speech as soon as every student is already settled to their respective tables. For the First Years, they are standing in a neat line in the middle of the hall, waiting for the Sorting Ceremony. Aurelia tuned out her environment once she sunk down on the wooden bench, her attention focused solely on searching for her stupid, black feline.  This is one useless endeavour. Shadows are entirely his favourite advantage.  An unconscious shaky sigh escaped her lips as she turned her gaze on the illumined podium where the Headmaster stood. The young badger anticipated this school year with an intoxicating combination of dread and excitement. It is not a delightful feeling to acknowledge as they somehow cancel out each other. Oh, well. What she feels about the matter is not of high importance, in her opinion—Aurelia Valentine's performance and her path to excellence is.

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ISSUE NO. 001________________________________________________ 8 SICKLES
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code by the amazing Adeline Spinks
577 wc

It was his turn to get the hat on after some people before him got their turn, As much he wanted to be in Slytherin, so he wobbled his way up to the stool. He said quietly to himself, please be slytherin, please be slytherin. As he sat down, and got the hat on while saying in his mind that he wanted to be in Slytherin. The hat said in his mind “Slytherin ey? you could easily fit in there yes, but that isn’t right for you is it?” He asked and continued “you looking way up to your parents yes, I can tell. But that’s a good thing. But I also can tell that you are caring, want the best for others. You have respect for other people and their boundaries. But I can tell you have some traits being in Slytherin. . . . . Hmmm, oh I know now!! ” he was oddly surprised that the hat was so knowledgeable, he was right tho, he looked way too much to his parents that he didn’t think about himself at this point, and now he can. But he was so surprised that he could tell so much about him.

Finally the hat was finished pondering and called Eban out in his mind, Eban got a bit impatient sitting in that stool now, the hat shouted out “Better be Hufflepuff” Now the hat was finally off him, he wobbled his way to Hufflepuff table, the strange feeling that it was a right fit to be in the end. But he would be glad that his parents wouldn't be mad at him for ending up in a different house than what they were.
He looked around the table and greeted the others, and tried to socialise with the other students, but in the end he zoned out in the end. Looking at the interier of the room, he saw new things to focus on.

“Hufflepuff!” The sorting hat screamed and Denise practically ran to the few remaining spots left, excited and cheerful. The feast had begun, and Denise was brimming with excitement, but she was all alone once again. The Hufflepuff table, well Denise might have been biased due to her new placement there, was full of excitement and chatter. The feast was beautiful; with the most beautiful looking and well-smelling food she had ever had. She ate in happiness, the food was amazing (although honestly not as amazing compared to her grandmother’s cooking with love) and Denise, on her large plate, took a sample of everything.

She saw many other young students looking nervous and excited as well. Denise felt like she had been sorted to the best house, probably because well, you have got one house and that’s about that. She looked around at the nervous and excited first years, unsure on who to talk to. Should she just ignore them or strike a conversation with someone? Denise decided to take initiative, realizing that some friends are better than no friends, and tried to make eye contact with the boy across from her, with messy hair and green eyes, based on his expression, also a first year. “Hello, I’m Denise Yarbrough and I’m a first year. I’m from Comrie, Scotland. I honestly didn’t know that magic even existed until a professor came over to my home and told me about it. I was surprised. What is your name?”

The table was loud, students were talking over each other, laughing out loud, some were passing plates around. Food kept appearing, and the smells continue to made his stomach growled. Zephyr took smaller portions than most as everything happening around him was overwhelming. Still, he tried a little bit of everything. The bread especially reminded him of home, and that helped him continue eating, reminding himself that his mum would have loved him to eat properly.

Sitting quietly, his shoulders were slightly hunched while watching everyone else. He couldn’t help but wonder how people make friends so easily. On the farm, friendships just sort of happened over time, you work together, play together, and that was that. But in here, it feels like he was supposed to talk first. If his sister Zaria was here, she would be chatting with everyone at the table by now…

He was in deep thought when the Sorting Hat shouted another name. He looked up as he heard another Hufflepuff and watched a girl hurry over, almost running and looking excited. He smiled without really meaning to. It was then that he noticed the same girl was looking at him when she sat across from him. He froze at first. unsure if he was meant to look away or smile. But then she spoke.

She introduced herself as Denise, said she was from Scotland, said she didn’t even know magic existed until recently. Her story sounded a lot like his. When she asked his name, his ears warmed slightly, “Hello there.. I’m Zephyr Deakin, a first year too. I didn’t know about magic either, not until this year.” He smiled shyly. “I’m from Swansea. My family has a farm.” Gesturing vaguely at their surroundings. “This is all a lot to take in, but I’m also excited to explore it.”

Denise commented, “Oh, my grandmother wasn’t exactly a farmer, but there is a big farming community in Comrie, since we are a village, so almost everyone was a farmer since we are a small rural community. I used to visit farms with my grandmother while growing up. I’m not sure what my grandmother’s job was, but I think she was a nurse at a local hospital before she retired.” Denise didn’t exactly comment on her parents, hoping not lure in questions, but Zephyr didn’t exactly seem like the questioning type.

She was also relieved to hear that it was Zephyr’s first time as well. Denise was relieved, especially to find someone who was like her, who was new to everything. All this magic, the appearing food that could probably feed her entire village, the ghosts roaming around, the levitations and spells everywhere, it overwhelmed Denise, but for the first time, Denise felt like she belonged.

Denise didn’t know where to start, where to ask questions, where to comment, but she continued, “Honestly, being magical made kind of sense to me and answered everything. I remember strange things that happened, like curing my sick grandma to well… umm… setting clothes on fire. I can’t believe it, that’s it’s… real.”

Denise conveniently excluded that she set her bully’s clothes on fire and got expelled, but hey, she’s in a new place where she will hone that talent, and that’s all in the past. Denise continued, “What are you most excited about about attending Hogwarts? I was excited, well, maybe clubs, if that is a thing. If you went to Muggle school, you know that it’s quite popular and a great way to make friends. Are there any sports here? I always wanted to play a sport. I heard of Quidditch a bit. It’s a big deal that I saw a big store selling flying broomsticks on Diagon Alley during school shopping. What about you?”

"Comrie? That's in Scotland, isn't it?" He may not travel extensively, but he was familiar with the names of towns and cities around the UK, although not all of them, and had sufficient information for discussions like this. Growing up on a farm, regardless of whether you're part of a family of farmers or just living in the same community, will teach you a lot about patience and responsibility. He held the glass of orange juice and finished the remaining contents. "You must have had a nice childhood then if you're surrounded by land and greenery."

Hearing her concerns as well as seeing the relief look on her face, Zephyr realised one thing that night: he's not the only one feeling like that. They all are, the first years. Now he wondered if the pureblood ones felt the same way? Probably not as overwhelmed as those who were not accustomed to magic. Denise mentioned her own experiences of realising magic was real. "I know, right?" He remembered the moment he first realised he was magical, how strange it was to have a spoon float or to see fire coming from a fireplace without touching it. "It’s still hard to believe it’s real, even now that you're here.” It's like a dream coming to life, except this is no dream.

When asked about what he was excited for, he took some time to give it thought, as he hadn't really let himself think about it too much yet, mostly because he had been nervous and overwhelmed in the past few weeks leading up to their departure. “Hmm… I’m excited about a lot of things, including seeing the castle, exploring, finding the library, and checking out the courtyard. I want to learn spells. Imagine being able to do things I couldn’t do before.” He glanced at her to see her reaction to that. “And like you, club activities, school events, and gaining friends. I want to try new things, see what I’m good at." In here, he needs to put himself out there more.

After being Sorted, the shy boy, small even for his age, joined the Hufflepuff table, coming down from the Sorting as eager to join his new House as he was to no longer be the center of attention. His hands fidget with a nervous excitement as he walks over.

He smiles to those who acknowledge him and takes an available seat, remaining quiet unless spoken to directly. He seems hungry, eating with a nervous energy, enjoying the Feast as he listens to the conversation at the table, awaiting being engaged in conversation with his other first-year Hufflepuffs;

To those who ask, he introduces himself as Edward Bishop, from Canterbury, from a Wizarding family, but an only child; he mentions that his Grandmother was the only other Hufflepuff he had met before and that they were close when he could visit as she lived out in the Kent countryside while they lived in a townhouse in the city; that he didn't know what to expect from the sorting since his father was Slytherin and his mother Ravenclaw - adding that his grandfather had been Gryffindor so there was no strong affinity in his family for any particular house, though most of his cousins on the other side of his family were or are Slytherin.

While he only engages in conversation with others when spoken to first, he does so happily, only getting overwhelmed and socially turtling if the conversation starts to involve a large number of participants. [Interaction Welcome]