The Hufflepuff Table 2022-2023

Athena bustled into the great hall, bracing to be greeted by the sounds and smells. Instead of cheers she heard chatter, and so she knew the sorting had finished before she had arrived. Slightly disappointed to see all the first years all ready situated, she continued her quick trot towards the hufflepuff table, filled with the yellows and golds. Shooting a quick glare at the Gryffindors she found the nearest open seat and slid in between the people, filling her plate with a few things that she knew wouldn’t make a mess. Just because she was a second year didn’t mean she was a good role model. As she started on her food she listened to the conversations around her. Spotting George, she nodded her head in greeting but didn’t interrupt the animated discussion that was happening between him and some first years, a boy and two girls. The uniform she wore bore a badger, but she had added a party hat and cake with some paper and tape. She made sure it was visible to the whole table as she ate, double and triple checking. Surely she wouldn’t get in trouble for school spirit, would she? Maybe in another house, she reasoned, but not my own.

Mentions: @George Henry, @EmmaLee LeDames, @Alma Stoll, @Oliver Harding

Athena grinned at the girl who had introduced herself.
“I’m Athena! Athena McClenin.” Athena said after she had finished chewing her bite. She badger seemed so friendly, she had to open up to her a little.
The mention of her badger made her laugh. “This is my first time doing it, but you’ll be seeing a lot more customized badges in the future!” Her mind filled with images of badgers holding wands, potions, brooms, and such. “Well, as long as I’m not breaking tomany rules.” with that Athena took a bite out of something that tasted like chicken. She scanned the other tables to see if she recognized anyone, but all she saw was hair, hats and hints of there faces. Being on the far side of the room, the hufflepuff were out of the way of the traffic of any late comers like herself or anyone who was leaving early. It gave her the perfect spot to watch and observe anyone who looked like trouble.
“That’s George, captain of the badgers broom racing team. Not sure if you already know that so,” She trailed of sheepishly, and being somewhat embarrassed she attempted to redirect the conversation to broom racing, “I’m also one of the badgers fine racers, though not the finest I’ll tell you. You got a game you want to compete in? I hear quidditch is fun when your not getting hurt, and broomracing is spelndid until Hugh starts hurling rocks at you. Oh!” She ranted on, listing each popular sport with a flourish of her hands. “Once you learn a few charms and such you can join the dueling team!”

Mentions: @George Henry, @Hugh Lowe,
Interacting with: @EmmaLee LeDames

It was the start of my second year at Hogwarts, and I was super exited to be here. I sat down at the table and began to watch the sorting. I tried to looked for anyone I knew, but couldn’t find anyone. That didn’t bother me. I lived in a muggle area anyway.
I looked around the great hall. I remembered back to my first time, walking I with all the first years and seeing how big the hall actually was. I was amazed. Now that I was back, the same excitement flooded back in to me.
I looked at the Gryffindor table, which was decorated with lots of red and gold with lions. The Slytherin table had green and silver with snakes- my least favorite animal. The Ravenclaw table had blue and silver with ravens, and some Ravenclaws had books with them. The good old Hufflepuff table was decorated with yellow and grey, and our awesome mascot, the badger.
I returned my attention to the sorting. It had just finished and a few new Hufflepuffs sat at the end of the table. Suddenly, my friend Athena squeezed in next to me. I smiled and noticed the badger patch on her sweater had a little bit of decor on it, she had drawn a small party hat and cake and taped them to her shirt. Such and Athena thing to do.I thought as she loaded up her plate. I began to load up my plate with mashed potatoes, chicken, carrots, and green beans. Athena began to talk to a first year that was seated next to her. I ate my mashed potatoes in silence.

George raised an eyebrow at EmmaLee as she described the eclectic collection of educations received by her parents. A mix of European and American, one had to wonder how she ended up in Hogwarts of all places. Perhaps her parents were just hoping that their family could have a wizard educated at each of the major schools as a point of pride. "Ooh. That must be exciting... Hogwarts is the best wizard school in the world, so, you can go home and tell them that at Christmas, hm?"

He grinned broadly. As much as he loved to complain about it, there was no place in the world he'd rather be than Hogwarts. Staffing and security left something to be desired, but that was about it. He wagged a chicken bone at EmmaLee as he continued. "Beats me. They probably chose something different than a raven because they're all kooky or whatever," he said, swirling the chicken bone in the air by his temple in a 'crazy' gesture. "Eagle's a fair bit more majestic. Ravens are something you scare out of your garden."

The entrance of Athena distracted him from Emma's answer, the older boy giving miss McClenin a clap on the back in greeting. It wasn't hard, but it wasn't gentle either, making a loud thump that disturbed a few diners at the neighbouring table.

"McClenin!" he said, beaming at her. "Good to see you up and walking. Wasn't sure if we'd still have you around for a second race..."

George put his hands on his hips and held his nose high in the air as Athena made introductions for him, although he was quite sure he had made his identity clear before. "Hugh's a nice guy off the course," George assured Athena, although he doubted she would believe it. He was a real piece of work on the course.

As Athena ran through sports for EmmaLee, George was quick to tack on his own suggestion. When he was this excited about the subject, his filter tended to disappear fast, and he did not consider just how threatening his next words might seem to the poor first-years he was chatting with. "You could also get on the wait list for Broom Racing. I'm sure one of us will get killed on the course soon enough - that'll open a spot up!"

@Athena McClenin, @EmmaLee LeDames

Athena shoved Cara partially then back to George.
“Nothing can keep me from the sorting ceremony!” She scoffed, waving him off like she wasn’t on pain medication. “I’m fit as a fiddle! Anyway, I couldn’t leave this one to eat alone!” She gestured at Cara who she could tell was listening in on the conversation.
“I’m sure the giant is friendly enough, I just can’t say the same on the field.” She shoved another bite of food in her mouth, some mashed potatoes, and looked at the first year who seemed to be choking.
“Of course it’s intimidating! That’s the fun of it! Well, fun until you on the ground unconsciously dancing,” Athena grinned then took another bite of the potatoes.
“We’re sure to have one of us quit from injury, I reckon, I just can’t recall that ever happening!” She was sure to finish chewing before turning to face Cara.
“You’ve got a little something on your face.” She pointed at a glob of gravy that had managed to get on Cara’s cheek. After handing her a handkerchief she turned back to tghe last thing on her plate, a salad. She made a show of picking out some unwanted vegetables before finishing it off in three large bites. She washed it down with some juice then leaned against Cara.

Mentions: X
Interacting with: @George Henry, @Cara Smalley, @Alma Stoll

Athena was sitting next to me and talking to George about her broom racing fall. She then told me I had some gravy on my face and I wiped it off. A first year Hufflepuff was sitting next to me, silently listening to the conversations going on around her. I remembered how I felt in my first year, nervous and overwhelmed, but I had my best friend Athena with me, so it was so much better. I decided to talk to her, well because, I don’t like to make others feel lonely or left out.
“So…” I said as I turned to face a fist year sitting next to me. “You’re Alma, right? I’m Cara. Broom racing and Quidditch is a little much for me, so that’s why I’m joining the dueling team. I turned and Athena gently leaned against me. I patted her on the back, a nice friendly gesture, not a romantic one. I grabbed a small cookie and began taking bites of the warm chocolate chips that were melting on top of it. I smiled at Athena and reached for another cookie. “Do you want one Athena?” I asked, offering her the cookie. I ate my cookie and grabbed a piece of chocolate cake.