The Hufflepuff Table 2021-2022

Kate thought about that, tilting her head to the side. “Was it? That’s interesting… but yeah you’re right, there’s really a lot of spells for all kinds of things. We’ll have to find out who did it. I bet they were a really powerful person for sure! Now I’m even more curious who bewitched the Sorting Hat. I mean… can you imagine how many people have worn that thing over the years?! I wonder how many students have been through Hogwarts…” Now her brain was starting to think about all sorts of things.

She nodded then and said, “Yeah, I would love to go and explore the library with you! I’m hoping we’re not gonna get too much homework. I mean… I really don’t know anything about magic, so I feel really unprepared for all of this… I don’t even know if I actually will be any good at the spells. I only did magic once… and I didn’t even mean to. But man was my uncle proud of me when it happened! It was the weirdest thing… Hey, where are you from by the way? I didn’t even ask. I’m from Inverness, Scotland. Have you ever heard of it?” She really hoped she wasn’t being too talkative, but Kate was just excited to have -someone- to talk to.

Open!

While standing in line to be sorted, Sarah began to nibble on her thumb's nail. Her stomach flipped multiple times, causing nausea and panic to set in as she watched the others be sorted into their houses. The second it was her turn, she almost froze. Her heart felt like it was about to come out of her chest from pounding so hard.

All eyes were on her as she managed to scrape herself off the spot she felt glued to, and made her way towards the hat which was held in mid air until Sarah sat on the stool.

"HUFFLEPUFF!!!" the hat yelled, its voice echoing all around the great hall before Sarah scurried nervously towards the Hufflepuff table to join the others, where she sat silently with the rest, fiddling with her robes sleeve that she tugged down over one of her hands. It was a coping mechanism. One of them.

Everyone was lovely already, but she still couldn't get rid of the anxiety that persisted to plague her. She felt her chest tighten. "Oh god..." she thought. What if no-one was going to like her because they think shes weird? a girl who spent more of her time with animals and plants than actual people. She quickly took hold of a chalice which automatically filled with water, and tossed the liquid down her throat that was dry as a desert. She choaked slightly, but the coolness of it began to help her settle down.

Rosemary looked around the Great Hall in awe, the bright burning candles above her catching her eyes as she turned her head. She turned her attention back to the Sorting only to see The Professor staring into the crowd of First Years with a confused look. "Rosemary Featherwood?" The voice rang out again before Rosemary jumped up and raised her hand. "Oh! Here! I'm so sorry." She quickly scurried forwards,her cheeks tinged red as she sat on the stool with a sheepish smile. She looked up at the Professor with a brighter smile as the torn hat was placed on her head. "My my! A Featherwood! I haven't seen one of you since your Mother was up here. She was a brilliant Ravenclaw. Now child, lets see..Very loyal to your family..A little absentminded but the best people are! Oh you like plants and animals..Well I know exactly where you belong dear." There was a prolonged silence before the booming voice rang out and the tables began to cheer. "HUFFLEPUFF!"

Rosemary jumped down from the stool and happily skipped over to the Yellow and Black table. She was immediately greeted with friendly smiles and waves and she couldn't help but feel like the Hat was right. This was where she belonged. She plonked herself down in-between two older looking students and gave them a bright smile before looking around the table at the other first years. She felt like this was going to be a good year!

Finius was dumbstruck at the great hall, there was somehow a night sky above and the castle was enormous with floating candles and hundreds of students all at tables looking at the new group arrivals. He felt like he was being analysed by the students and teachers and he hadn't even gotten up to the front yet. He was shocked when his name was called so early in the order "Allred, Finius". Everytime it happens he forgets about last name alphebetical order. Why such a public display? He would have to try not and do anything embarassing for a minute, he definately didn't want to be remembered as the muggle born kid who screwed up his first impression.

When he put the hat on there was a strange gruff voice in his head that started asking him questions but before he even completed one answer it would move on to the next, what it reading his subconsious somehow? He felt sorry that the strange being had to deal with his complex series of downward thoughts but tried to focus on the questions themselves intead questions brought up by them. When the hat calls out, "Hufflepuff!" He was honestly surprised and a bit stunned, wasn't Hufflepuff for all the socially adept and extroverts? He wished he could be someone like that but he had to work through his nonstop ongoing thoughts just to try and manage small talk.

He noticed the next name being called and was relieved to go sit down taking the hat off and handing it to the next person as they passed. Oh, shoot was he supposed to leave it on the chair? He had been lost in thought when or if any intructions were given. He tried shrinking down as he got to the chair, hopefully he would be forgotten in the vast number of new students after him. He hoped someone would stand out in a way that made a good impression and he could just fade into the background.

Why did he have to be so dang tall? It was like his body was saying "look at me" when all he wanted to do was not be noticed. He shook hands with the people he sat next to and endured the back pats and shoulder grabs allowing himself to be caught up in in the enthusiam of becoming a new member of this group.

Mary sat down looking at her new housemates

"Huh...so this is Hufflepuff...it's...BRILLIANT!!"

She looked around at all the faces, listened to all the voices, and smelled ALL the smells.

"Look at all this food!!"

She grabbed a glass of pumpkin juice and began to pile food onto her plate.

"Let's see...ham, cheese, mashed potatoes, cupcake, green beans, creamed corn. That should be enough food. I would hope!

She began to eat enjoying each and every bite of food. Savoring every new and familiar flavor as it hit her taste buds.

"I think I'm gonna like it here."

She smoothed her robes looking up at the ceiling. It reflected the weather outside the walls of the castle.

"Magic always amazes me...even if I have known it my whole life. There are still some things that surprise me to this very day!"

She thought about what classes would be like and when Pip-Squeak would be able to come to school.

"I wonder which class or even classes I will be good at. I guess I'll have to wait and see. Hopefully, I will make friends. Er, maybe I won't. Oooh so much to think about. I wonder if I'll be able to see the flying horses! So much awaits this year."

Rita waited quietly in the line, while others are being sorted, thinking "I cannot wait to be sorted! I am fairly certain I will be sorted to Hufflepuff since I am such a nice person and am always there to help others." When her name was called, Rita walked to the chair calmly, lifting her wardrobe, and as soon as the sorting hat touched her head, it shouted "Hufflepuff!" All the Hufflepuff students sitting at the Hufflepuff table gave big applause and shouted excitedly "Welcome!" Rita felt a little bit overwhelmed by the warm atmosphere, as she waves to the Hufflepuff classmates with her face brushed. Seeing Rita being so shy, a friendly student sitting next to her patted her back, saying " There is nothing scary here, we treat every Hufflepuff student as our family members, and welcome to the Hufflepuff family! Now, you can help yourself to some food and enjoy the feast with us!" Hearing those words, Rita felt reassured as she grabbed a chicken leg and start devouring the food. The yellow light in the great hall makes the environment warm and cozy, and Rita gradually began to chat with other Hufflepuff students about their life at Hogwarts and their hobbies while savoring the tasty food. She gradually felt comfortable about belonging to the Hufflepuff family, and cannot wait to experience the brand-new life in Hogwarts!

Sarah had settled in nicely since last year, and she had already made friends which she didn't expect to happen. Not because she thought she wasn't a nice person, but how shy she was at times with her social anxiety and just anxiety in general. It had always been a pain to live, maybe there's some sort of potion or spell that could help? she'd have to ask one of the professors if there was any time after the feast.

Hogwarts always displayed delicious food, but that of course was thanks to the house elves that worked down in the kitchens, so Sarah had heard. She looked around at the other faces she had seen many times. A smile caught her lips. This school now felt like home.