Keefer just stared at her as she delivered her speech. He felt as if Hufflepuff was being slighted. How could anyone live in our House and not feel as if they belong? He had thought that their House, perhaps above all others, did a good job of including people, making them feel wanted and appreciated. But here she was, saying that she didn't feel that way at all. He had never expected this from her of all people. Who else feels this way that I don't know about? He scanned the table automatically, wondering the whole way down.

And then there was the whole 'I'm not making a difference' bit. This he understood a bit more. "First, you have made a difference, even if only on our team. Second, you can't just give up because you haven't turned the school upside down after a year or two. These things take time. Don't quit, Lyss." He put his hand on her shoulder, looking directly into her eyes. "Don't quit."



He winked. "Who says I will?" he quipped, already forming plans to get in one last look before the train pulled out tomorrow. But thinking of the Cup made him think of something else. "Oh, Messer, I gave Alec a bunch of gummy bears. But he really shouldn't eat them all by himself. Think you could help him out with that?" he grinned, the question only half rhetorical.



He glanced at her hand on his. Eh...? he thought, right before she took it away. Treyen could have a girl all he wanted, but he, Keefer, would never understand their ways.

"You've never been to Scotland?" he asked, confused. "Where do you think you're sitting right now, Min?" he laughed. Maybe no one had told her Hogwarts was in Scotland? "But I've definitely never been to the States. What part?" Oh, maybe she didn't want to talk about that, given her trying year. He back peddled. "I mean, you're going to love London. You can go to Diagon Alley any time you want! And there's tons to do in the Muggle world as well," he finished, hoping he had not made her dwell on the past.