The Hufflepuff Table 2022-2023

His ears were still ringing with the words of the Sorting Hat. Few, concise, yet mighty impactful. As he approached the Hufflepuff Table he felt an immediate sense of warmth emanating from its inhabitants. They were a jovial bunch it seemed, happily chattering amongst themselves, many shuffling along the benches to make room for the newcomers, and feasting on the hearty dishes laid out before them.

Hufflepuff. Home of the Badgers... It did have a nice ring to it, didn't it? He wondered what his Father would think, heck what Alina would think... Then he shook his head and set aside such thoughts. He couldn't think about that tonight, couldn't give in to the homesickness invading his stomach, so instead he watched as a group of students parted ways for him to sit - which of course, he did. "Thanks" the boy said to the older student at his right, then he began to peer down the length of the table in order to pinpoint the other First Years. Some of their names he tried to recall from when they'd been sorted, but it was such a blur that it was honestly rather difficult to do. No matter, he was sure in time he'd come to know most if not all of them to some degree.

Behind him the Sorting Ceremony continued on, and every now and then he'd turn his head to watch. Truth be told it became rather painful to keep doing so after a while, so he focused instead on waving at those who were joining the Badgers as they approached the table as his own nerves began to wane and excitement brimmed to the surface instead. Soon enough he was even able to eat, and he was sure to have his fill without overindulging. Chicken and turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and veggies... And when all of that was done with, there were sweets too. Pastries and puddings. It was enough to make his eyes widen with greed.

Of course, he only took one. Being raised among so many siblings it was hard to actually indulge in gluttonous behaviours, besides his Mother had taught him better than that. In the end he settled for a small single-portioned treacle tart. Delicious!

OOC: if anyone wants to interact at the table, feel free to tag me!

AngelFyre made her way to the Great Hall for the Sorting Ceremony and reflected how different her experience of it would be this year from last. Like last year, she was sad to have said goodbye to her family, but unlike last year, there was not a pit of dread and uncertainty shrouding her like a dark cloud. She knew what was happening and what to expect. She would be able to catch up with friends which would be entirely awesome, and of course, this year she would have Simon from the outset. What a difference a year makes. As she looked around, she saw so many new faces, not only at her table but at all the others as well.

Her heart immediately went out to the first years. Even those who came from magic had some surprises along the way last year. She knew that for a fact, so while they might have a slight edge, it was not anything that the muggle-born would not be able to overcome. She was certainly proof of that. She knew the loneliness. She knew the uncertainty. She knew the fear. She also knew they would come out the other side and have a year of fantastic adventures and stories to tell.

She looked towards the Slytherin table and saw Colin. Well, truth was she had heard him first. Everyone had heard him as he excitedly called to Clair. AngelFyre could not help but laugh at her kilted friend. When his heart was engaged, the boy knew no bounds. She breathed in deeply. Yet one more thing she and her kilted wolf brother had in common. Clair may not yet be completely aware of it, but she was going to be experiencing a whole different kind of magic this year. The best kind. Then she looked over at the Ravenclaw table and waved to Bailey Glade.

When Colin had finished his call, AngelFyre managed to catch his eye and waved madly at him while smiling widely. When the sorting was completed, she would make her way over to him and give him a little something she had made for him.



In fact, she had hurried into the Great Hall before most people had arrived and had placed a little something at every place setting in the Great Hall. It was a project she and her mother and Grandma Ruth had worked on off and on over the whole summer, and AngelFyre thought the results were actually quite nice. Grandma Ruth had read about something called "Kindness Rocks". The idea was to paint anything on a rock and leave it for someone to find to make them happy. Whether these would make her fellow classmates happy or not was yet to be seen, but it certainly made her family happy painting them. Even a tiny gift might help reassure some of the 1st years that they were not alone. That was her hope anyway.

She had determined that she was going to try to to engage more with her classmates this year, to the extent she could. She was not the social butterfly her boyfriend was, but she was going to give it her all. One thing was certain, however - it was going to be a fantastic year.

The meal was delicious. I felt the smooth Hufflepuff rock AngelFyre had given her. It had black and yellow stripes on it with a white H. I smiled and dropped it in to my pocket.
I looked over at Alma. “Thanks Alma. I really appricate that. I’ve never really tried anything like that.” I turned to Athena who looking at her rock from AngelFyre.
“Athena have you tried the tarts?” I asked. I reached for another. I gave part of it to Athena and ate the rest. I tasted the delicious sweet, mixed berry compote on the inside. The house elves are really good at cooking. I thought.
I remembered back to when I was younger and when I started helping my mum make deserts. The first one I tried to make all by myself turned out horrible. I was eight years old, and I was planning to make a peach cobbler pie. I had made it many times before and my mum had told me it was ok to make. I started making the crust. At the time I thought I had added to much flour but decided to continue. Then I popped it in the oven, set a timer, and made the peach filling. It was easy, take the sugar, and the pie filling base and mix them together. Then I took the pie out of the oven, and was proud of myself. I poured in the filling without letting it cool. I added the top and put it back in the oven. I went up to my room and read my book. I went downstairs because my brother was calling me. I remembered and immediately took it out. It was a burnt disaster.

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Date: 1/Sep/2022 | Time: 19:30 | Mood: Full of sweets | Location: Great Hall
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─────Sylvie couldn’t believe she was back at Hogwarts. The summer had seemed to drag on and on—in that perfect sunny, hazy, dreamy way a child’s summer can drag on, while simultaneously passing far too quickly. Towards the end of August she and her two fathers had spent time in Diagon Alley, buying her books, restocking her potions kit, and peering into the windows of Quality Quidditch Supplies to yearn for the latest broomstick. It had driven home the fact that Hogwarts, her friends, her classes, her ability to wave a wand and have things happen was waiting for her come September.

She looked up and down the Hufflepuff table, bursting with pride with every firstie that was added to the table. To think that was her last year! How tiny and timid some of them looked! How dwarfed by the grandeur of the hall, their small voices drowned out by cheers, whistles, and applause. Had she looked that way?

Being only in second year, Sylvie was still seated very low at the table, near where the firsties were joining them.

She noticed a first year boy that had barely touched the desserts. Maybe—just maybe—he was really full, but in the case that he wasn’t, she had to rescue him! The Sorting Feast was only once a year! (Though, of course, there was the upcoming Halloween Feast to look forward to.)

“Here,” she said, picking up an individual pudding and placing it in front of him. “You have to try one of these! They’re excellent—like creme brulee but better! They must use some sort of potion, I think. This won’t be at the Halloween Feast—I searched all over for it last year! I’m Sylvie, by the way. Sylvie Hawthorne. I’m a second year this year. What’s your name?”

Then she realized how stupid a question that was! She’d just seen him sorted as Sorrel, Sebastian. Oh well! It was always good to be polite.

It all became something of a hazy blur, but in the best way imaginable. Everyone was excited and jovial, there were so many voices jumbled together and built on top of one another, a general din fell over the Hall and in the end it was almost comforting. Like white noise.

Sebastian was just happy to take it all in. Every now and then he'd strain his neck to get a good look at some of the other tables and their newest inhabitants, he caught sight of a moving portrait or two too, but mostly his attention was on his fellow Badgers.

It wasn't until he'd just finished the miniature treacle tart that he was forced from his role of observer into conversationalist. Sebastian smiled in the direction of the girl who had just passed over the pudding. Crème brulee... He'd never actually had that before, added kick or otherwise.

He ummed and ar'd mentally for a moment, before realizing that there was plenty of food at the table. Enough for everyone to have more than their fill. With that in mind he nodded his head slightly.

"Uh, thanks" came his initial response, before he reached for his spoon to dig in and try the pudding. It was thick and silky. "Sylvie.. Thanks!" A quick bite had his eyes lighting up. "Oh you weren't lying" he said, "It's delicious!"

Second year... No classes together then, but hey at least she was a face he might be able to recognize in the Common Room. "I'm Bastian-- uh. Sebastian, Sorrel... First Year... Obviously..." Colour rose in his cheeks when he said that last part. "Halloween Feast? Oh that sounds exciting!"

@Sylvie Hawthorne