After fidgeting around, trying to remember which barrel to tap for a few minutes, Harlan entered the common room and grinned to herself, this looked AWESOME. She noticed the portrait of Helga Hufflepuff and smiled at it.
She noticed a few other students in the common room already, but chose to sit alone first.. They probably already knew everyone anyway. And she should write her brother a birthday letter..

Harlan chose a comfy looking chair and sat down in it. She stared out over the common room with a smile on her face, her home for however long it'd take for her nan to get better.