Forrest was not someone to pick food too much, as long as it smelt nice, and he'd eaten well at the we-call-it-feast-out-of-old-habits dinner. He was in high spirits after the dinner, actually, and he followed their leader--Oakey?--to the Hufflepuff Common Room.

More stuff he didn't understand, but apparently this room was the most convenient place for the Hufflepuffs to hang out. Apparently, everyone had their own room and they couldn't see inside of each other's house.

If Hufflepuff room was really a secret to all other houses, then he wouldn't be the one to reveal it.

He'd taken his time following the group to where they would sleep, and when he arrived there were people already... apparently discussing something... he frowned to himself and got closer, trying to see what caused it (not that he could fix it, but).

So they had to pay one knut... okay. He listened to some of the conversation. They were apparently angry for having to pay to enter every time... though he could hardly see anything to discuss. The Headmistress had mentioned it in her speech too--school was in need of money. Period. If this was how they would contribute, so be it, as long as the school operated. Being a student who had ALWAYS attended a private school, paying for education didn't look odd to him at all, and he got a knut out of his bag coolly. With his little body, he could squeeze between them easily and he was already at the turnstiles. Putting in the knut without much thought, he simply passed inside and he gave them weird looks too as if he truly couldn't understand them.

What was the big deal, really?

Oakey eyed Renesmee as she seemed to be quietly freaking out. After she whispered to him again. "We'll go to Truebridges together, Hadley after if it's unnecessary " He whispered back and placed a hand on her shoulder to sort of calm her down.

He looked at Ella, and Alec who were both calming down an first year girl, and offering her sweets. "Ella, could you keep an eye on the Jar while Renesmee and I go for a walk." Their Captain was doing a great job already. He also turned to everyone again before leaving the Kitchen. "Get in a straight line! Don't push or shove, imagine this is just another line to get into the Chudley Cannon's Stadium or to get Black's Autograph!" She was the best Professional Quidditch Player in his Opinion.

Just as he finished telling everyone to get in line he spotted a first year boy who followed him here squeeze by everyone and pay the Turnstiles. Must have really needed to get in? Or maybe he didn't like the Cannons? Meh, Oakey shrugged his shoulders at it, probably wasn't that big of a deal. At least he understood to use his own money if he had it.

Oakey listened to Kaiden as he still seemed confused about what he had just done. "No, you only pay if you have the knuts. If you're flat broke, or if you need to break a galleon or sickle to get back into the common room, then you use my old Cuss Jar Money." He smiled to the Younger Puff. I'm doing this on a trust system Kaiden, so if you have the knuts to get into the common room you should use them first." It won't be fair to Hufflepuffs that don't have the money to get in and out of the common room, if those with Money just take from the jar whenever they pleased. Maybe he'll ask a Professor for help to put some kind of Hex or Jinx on it so those with money can't take from it.

Mellow. That firstie was not cryng, no.

The seventh year's first instinct was to hug the girl, which she didn't because Ella got to comforting the firstie first. Thank goodness for Ella and Alec, because Ness had tons to worry about already. She gave her two kiddos a smile then Ella got nod as Oakey told her to keep an eye on the jar. She wouldn't mind, right? She was sweet enough not to, Ness knew that.

Caaaalm right. Breeaaathe in and out. Oakey was good at this, she was lucky to have him. She nodded at him then turned to head out the corridor, except she got distracted.

Captain? Head turn...oh right Ella...oh..wait what. Nessie turned her gaze towards Kaiden one of her kiddos from last term. He still called her Captain and oddly that made her happy inside."Um...I think we're good for now, maybe help Ella keep an eye on the jar. We'll be back" She then headed off.

Boy, oh boy, would his Aunt love to take him away from the school if she caught word of the new changes here. So, they would be cleaning their own dishes, not a problem for Wade. It was something that he had to do back home, without magic, so this wasn't the problem...

Paying to go rest in their sanctuary.. Well, that was another matter. It was like Hogwarts became like one of those muggle cheap motels. Meh. Wade was too tired to think on this too much, as he walked towards the entry to pay his way.. only to see a small crowd.. Hmm? What was going on?



Wade silently gazed at the scene before him as it looked like they were coming up with a solution to the badgers in need of financial-assistance. Hmm.. The jar was generous, but.. was it too generous? Wade gave a sympathetic grin to the upset badgers as he walked over to Oakey and Nessie who were talking. He had a little idea in mind. "Hey," He lowered his voice with his suggestion towards them. "Maybe for those in need of money.. they could also work for it, like take on some of the house elves work or extra jobs around here." Wade looked towards the jar again, "Well.. just incase the jar gets empty."

Laura looked at them all and stopped shaking Ella, "I'm sorry Bestie, just wanted to make sure." And with that Laura gave her best friend a quick hug before looking suspicious. "I think..." Laura stopped searching for the right words. "I think I'll go for a quick walk before I come into the common room." Laura said nervously hoping no one would say anything about it. "You don't mind do you Oakey?" Laura wanted to make sure Oakey knew she was going somewhere.

What? They actually had to pay money, real live money to get into their own common room. Alexia was definitely not expecting this at Hogwarts. She wanted to complain to someone, but she really didn't know who to complain to. If only her auntie Amelia hadn't dropped out of the Board of Governors race and had gotten elected Lexi would complain to her.

Either way she wanted to get into her common room so Lexi grabbed her small coin purse out of her bag and shoved one knut into the turnstile. Pushing the turnstile she was finally able to make it into the common room. Now she was home, and she didn't want to leave ever again in fear of having to go through the dreaded money stealers again. And that wasn't fun loosing all of her knuts because Hogwarts was getting poor.

"Mhm." Ella was a bit worried that them being in the kitchen would distract the little house elf that Kaiden was now acknowledging. "It was really impressive and maybe...we could help out somehow?" Ella didn't like the thought of the house elf slaving away on its own. It didn't seem right to her. Tent? Oh..right. "Well that's good. You'll be set if we need to camp out anywhere."

Ella nodded at Oakey and Nessie. Watching the jar? She could handle that. "Alright you lot, go on. Head inside and if you need a knut, come over and grab one." Once in they could at least relax a bit while things were sorted out. The blonde lounged by the jar and rested her head against the wall, watching and waiting for her housemates to go into the common room. Good thing she had gummy worms.

"It's okay, no worries." Ella said to Laura, offering her a small smile. She still wasn't sure what she was going on about but she supposed she would find out later if it was important. And she was leaving? "Let me know if there's anything else we'll need to pay for, yeah?" Cause the blonde wanted to make a list for the common room.

Awar stared at the turnstiles, stunned. "We-we have to pay in order to get into our freaking common room?!" She turned to others to see if they were just as stunned as she was. "Is this for real?" She would have to now plan out her day, so she won't pay constantly. Even the slightest knut is worth something.

Well...it looked like she was going to be living in the hallway. If she had to come up with a knut every time she wanted in the common room. Maybe she could bribe someone to bring her clothes out. She made a pretty decent blanket fort and could probably manage one in a corner somewhere. She could make it happen...somehow.

Bay looked up as someone addressed her. Swiping at the tears that had formed in her eyes she focused on the face in front of her. Wait....he was familiar. Alec! Right. And he was offering her candy? She laughed a bit and then laughed a bit harder when yet another older Puff offered her gummy worms.

Her stomach wasn't complaining but they didn't seem to understand. "Thank you. I'm hungry so I won't turn down the sweets. But...I have no money." She swallowed. There were an awful lot of people here and some or more of them could hear. "I'm an orphan. I bought my school supplies by charging it to the School's account. I can't get into the common room."

Alec's mind was too busy trying to wrap his head around the fact that everytime he wanted to enter and exit the common room, he'd have to cough up. Just like everyone else here. And what happens if someone ran out to get to class and then realise that they've forgotten their textbook? Do they have to pay twice?

So many questions!

But before he could voice these questions or try and figure anything out, he was brought out of his train of thoughts by the touch of someone's hand. He looked over to his side and GRINNED at his girlfriend. "Thanks Ells!" he said, "Erm... and I'll pay you back later?" Even if it was a Knut. It was probably going to be very useful this term.

And LOOK! Were they both comforting Bay and offering her sweets? Were thy really that alike? GRIN!

And speaking of Bay, the girl was talking. To both of them. "Anytime, Bay!" he said, smiling, "Oh! That's not a problem! Erm... Head Boy Oakey has set up a small fund with knuts in a jar so if you find yourself short and can't pay... you can use that?" And... he'd be happy to lend her some.

... Oh. OH! Frown. He knew what it was like not to have a parent around but not to have both parents around must be really really difficult. Espeially on someone as young as Bay's age. And it sort of made the older boy wish he could share his Dad with the girl... except... that probably wouldn't work. Eh. "I'm really sorry to hear about your parents and... yeah..." he said softly before giving her a reassuring smile, "Whatever happens, erm... we'll make sure you're able to get into the common room when you want to, yeah?"

And speaking of common room... "Should we get up and start that Candy Party then?" Or whatever clever name the girl could think of? Because, really, Alec was not that great with creative things.

...

Awar-bear!

"Erm... I'm afraid so. We have a new... system," Was that the best way to describe this? As a 'system'? "Do you have enough money to get in for now?" And the sooner they got in, the better. Yeah.

Oh and Wade was here! GRIN! Awesome because... Alec felt like the two needed to have a long overdue conversation about the dude's hair. Just because.

Awar frowned. "Well...Hogwarts knows best. Whatever that may be." She stuck her hands into her pocket and fished around for spare change. "Yeah, I think so. It's just going to bug having to constantly be putting change into this." Her ears perked up, "Did I hear...CANDY?!" Whoa, whoa. Who's holding back on the candy, eh?? Some sweets would do this sour moment some justice.

As Kace was going to enter the common room, he noticed turnstiles. Wait a minute? They had to pay to get into the common room?? "Uhh..is this a joke?" he asked out loud. He wondered if the older students were playing pranks on the firsties.

He could not believe they had to put a Knut in the turnstile. I mean even the slightest money counted. Kace shrugged and put one in. He wanted access to the common room after all.

"This is absolutely preposterous! They should not be doing this."
*Walking up to the common room he frowned. It was odd that his cousin Cece sent him a bunch of knuts out of no where but now he understood. The school had gone completely mad or cheap... Romulus knew that it was one of the two. As he dug in the little bag of coins he over heard the girl and the others.*

"Here, my cousin is the healer here and sent me a load of knuts. Ill share half with you and you let me know when you run out."

*Pulling the pack open he went to give her a handful but noticed that he didn't have anything to put them in for her. Pulling the turkey sandwich his mum had packed him he put 247 of the coins in and handed the girl the bag.*

"Sorry it's not a better bag but it should get you by for awhile. I'm Romulus Tilstorm by the way."

*Turning to the group he cleared his throat a bit nervous.*
"And if anyone wants my mum sent me a charmed lunch box that fills with turkey sandwiches. She never trusted the food here and I kind of see why..."

Nope. Nashville only had one Knut left and he wasn't going to waste it on one trip to the common room, who had an endless amount of Knuts that they carried around with them at ALL times. He wasn't going to stand for this, this was dumb...stupid and so low for a very great school.

It took Nashville's parents six years to save up money to get him to this castle and be able to go here for his final two years of schooling and this is what they do about it.This school wasn't cheap but they are fine with taking money from the students and he really didn't feel bad for himself, he felt bad for the first years and the muggle borns that didn't have any extra money or any wizarding money.

Nashville had owl'd this grandmother and she had sent him, a very roomy tent, some snacks, a couple of his favorite pies, cookies, pumpkin juice and of course some blankets and some really comfy sleeping bags. He was ready to go to sleep but not at the moment.

He wants to be a fighter and make sure that this wasn't going to happen anymore. It could totally be like some little rebellion.

Ella smiled at Alec when he said he'd pay her back later. "Y'know, I'll just take hugs as payment, okay?" That was payment enough and really, she didn't need any more money. She'd saved loads from working all summer so it wasn't an issue. She just hoped she could help out whoever needed it.

The blonde frowned slightly when she heard what the younger girl had to say, nodding as Alec tried to reassure her that everything would be fine. "Yeah, we'll make sure you're taken care of." She added on, offering the younger badger a small smile. "I'm Ella, by the way. If you need anything, you just ask."



Ella smiled at the younger badgers as they tried to sort out what was going on and how they were meant to get into the common room. When Romulus handed Bay his money, she smiled but stepped towards him. "It's great that you guys are sharing and well, Oakey set out some of his money as well. He's the head boy." And she pointed to the cuss jar with a smile. "You guys take from that first, okay? Save your money for...Hogsmeade or something." At least for now until they knew how long they'd be dealing with this. As for the turkey sandwiches, "That's brilliant. I think...if we go into the common room maybe we could have a picnic of sorts? I know supper wasn't...so appealing. What do you guys say?"

The blonde then eyed the boy who looked to be about her age, observing him with a small smile. He didn't look happy and she understood why but she didn't know how to fix it at the moment.

...

When she was sure she could leave her post at the jar, the blonde cleared her throat and said, "I think we should head in and check out the common room. If the Great Hall was any indication, it'll probably need some sprucing up. Anyone up for some snacks and learning some cleaning spells?" Hmmmm?

And with that Ella took one of the knuts she'd had in her pocket and entered through the turnstile, hoping the other badgers would follow.

Nate, being the most bashful of his family didn't like this idea where you had to pay to get in to YOUR own common room. He didn't like it one bit. Despite all the warnings he knew what needed to be done. They probably said there was a force field overtop of it just so they can scare them. With those things being about maybe two to four feet, Nate easily towered over them at his staggering height of 5' 10". So he decided that he would jump it. Slowly he backed up until he couldn't go further. Then he waited for the perfect opening when people weren't blocking the path he would need to book it. After everything was in check he ran. Before he reached the bars he jumped.....

Well it turns out that there was a force field, and a very powerful one at that. Once he jumped, he hit his head on the force field and got knocked to the ground. Leaving him on his bum. That wasn't Nate's smartest idea in the world. Well when you look like you could be a quarterback to the New York Giants you'd expect to be able to break though. Since that was done he simply rubbed his head and said "Owwwww." While standing up he also said "Why in the world would we have to pay to get into our own common room?" That's the one thing that Nate wondered.

Nashville looked at the girl...she...that was the new Captain...or so he heard...hadn't he talked to her before? YES! Once. It was about being in Hufflepuff.

If he decided to protest? Which he IS going to protest, would that make him possibly lose a spot on the Quidditch team? No because she didn't seem like the person to be all like that. Nashville sighed and smiled a bit.

"I'm fine with my tent and food but thank you."

What was that kid doing? He was trying to break himself through? That was a really great idea but it was also really dumb as well, we are NOT in the muggle world, we are in our world, the wizarding world, he had to of known that it must be spelled?

Nashville turned towards the guy. He had to be about his age maybe just a year younger or so.

"Are you okay? I have tent. I'm protesting this. No one should have to pay."

Goodness how nice could some people be? It seemed since she first stepped foot in Diagon Alley she had known nothing but kindness from her peers. Adults treated her indifferently or tried to smother her with pity and if there was one thing she hated....it was pity.

Thankfully her fellow housemates didn't react with pity instead being incredibly understanding and helpful. Bay smiled at Alec. "Candy party sounds good."

And then yet another helpful Puff though this one more her age. The brunette took the plastic baggie filled with knuts gingerly and looked with wide eyes upon the boy. Romulus? Strange name. "You're serious?" Never...in all her short years...had anyone given her money. "Thank you." She whispered.

Bay held to bag safely in her arms as if it were priceless. "I'm Bay Turner." She smiled at Romulus. Wait....did he just say turkey sandwiches?! That sounded amazing! Candy was always good but she wanted some real food! Then yet another older student confirmed that she would get taken care of.

"Hello Ella. I'm Bay. And thanks!" Taking a knut from her "golden" bag she slipped the little coin into the turnstyle and entered the common room. There were turkey sandwiches to be had after all.

*Romulus nodded to the elder student but he still handed over the plastic bag of coins to Bay, only now it had about a hundred less.*
"I like the jar idea but here's in case you forget."

*Turning back to the group he spoke in the same nervous tone.*
"I should clarify, it's not endless sandwiches. Maybe about ten to twenty a day. Ill grab my brothers, he never uses his. So at best 38 sandwiches."

*Seeing the girls face that he had given the coins to he noticed the excitement at the talk of the turkey sandwich. He quickly handed over the one he had in his hand to her.*
"Turkey, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and a wee bit of mayo. Enjoy."

*Turning to the object blocking his way Romulus put the coin in and walked into the common room.*

Laura walked over to the turnstile and put in a knut, she had loads of them thankfully though hopefully it meant that she could lend some to some people if they needed it but for now she used the turnstile and decided to go and see what state the girls dorm was in.

Tobias yawned widely as he reached the common room of Hufflepuff house. It was a pretty sweet deal, if he said so himself, having his common room in an area where there was pretty much no stairs. He couldn't imagine being up at the top of the castle and having to go alllllll the way downstairs for breakfast and then allllllll the way back up for another class.

So this meant he could use all his extra energy on being young and carefree and kind of wild, and not boring old walking.

Right now, however, Tobias was tired, and very much looking forward to his bed, except-

Thump.

"Ow, wha-" the young Hufflepuff's sentence was cut off short when he saw the obstacle he'd sleepily walked into. A... turnstile?

???

"What even...?" Tobias mumbled, looking around to see what other students were doing and finding that, yes, he was indeed going to have to pay to get in.

Except he didn't bring any money to the feast, because NOBODY HAD TOLD HIM he'd have to pay to be able to go to bed. This was slightly distressing, and Tobias was tired, and this wasn't fair. He took a step back and stared at the turnstiles, starting to gently bite the tip of his index finger.

What do.

After going up to the dorm and pulling some knuts out of her trunk she made her way back down still pretty worried about the first year muggle borns or any first years that really wouldn't have any money.

Coming through the [s]stupid[/b] turners Minerva noticed a group standing there. Oh Bay was one of them. Frowning a bit, of course she probably couldn't get in, why didn't Min think of her before now. "Hey Bay if you need any money to get in just let me know I brought some extra down for anyone to use."

That's when she noticed another first year standing there. She had missed him at the feast, that was odd, she had tried to meet everyone. Walking over to him she smiled, "Hello, I'm Minerva.. Do you have money to get in?" She was assuming probably not since he was standing there with a shocked look on his face, "Don't worry this is a surprise to all of us, it's very interesting all the changes going on.. Here take these.." She gave him a handful of knuts hoping he would take them and use them when needed.

As someone spoke to him, Tobias' attention was drawn away from the contraptions and to the owner of the voice.

"No, I... the letters didn't say anything about having to pay for things here," he said with the teeeeeeeeniest hint of a whine in his voice. He looked down at his hands as she handed over the coins and resolved to himself that once he unpacked and remembered where he had put his money he would pay her back. "Thank you very much," Tobias smiled and cheered up a little bit instantly as he put in a coin and walked through before looking at her again and then down at the coins once more. Something she'd said made him think.

"So... so this is new then? All the paying stuff?" the small boy asked. It figured that it would be his first year that it happened. "Are we going to have to pay for everything else? Lessons and stuff?" Glancing the way he had to go next, Tobias added, "And like to get into the dormitories?" That would suck.

It didn't seem fair, and would his parents believe him if he asked for money and used this for the reason?

Oh. "I'm Tobias," he added hurriedly.

Yeah... Hogwarts did know best. And this was just a sort of sacrifice, right? And the sooner they all cooperated and helped chip in just a bit, the sooner the turnstiles would disappear and everything will go back to normal. ... That's what he liked to think.

"You're right," Nodnod. "It'll be hard trying to remember to pay at first," And what about having to wait and the lines it'll create? Like if everyone got up to go to classes at the same time? ... Did that even happen? "Yeah? You think you'll have enough for the year?"

... CANDY. "'Course! I'll give you some when we get in?" And they really should get inside soon...



Alec let out a small chuckle at the girl's suggestion before shaking his head. Trust the girl to think of hugs as a good enough form of payment. ... Which... now that he thought about it, it probably was, yeah? "Can I give you a knut and a hug then?" he asked, tilting his head and smiling at the girl.

And... Bay. Alec gave the girl a reassuring smile and nodded, secretly glad that a) she liked this idea and was willing to take part and b) she didn't think that the name 'Candy Party' was too tacky or cheesy. "Awesome!" he said, "I'll let you take first pick and everything."

... And... she was joined by someone. Someone who introduced himself as Romulus. "I'll be inside if you two need me," He gave the two a grin and a nod each before standing up and heading over towards the turnstiles. She could... enter when she was ready? Maybe with the Romulus dude? Nodding to himself, the guy inserted the Knut into the turnstile, turned it and entered the common room.

Min shook her head and smiled towards the boy, "Don't feel bad, no one did. This has been a shock to all of us." She looked back at the turners, yes a very big shock that was not welcoming. It needed to go away, she couldn't believe they were there.

As he said thank you Minerva's smile grew. Well he was a sweet boy, "No problem.. I'm happy to help all my fellow badgers. Why don't you keep the rest in your robe pocket so you will always have some in case you need it." She knew it wasn't enough for the entire year, but it at least could get him by for a bit. She was wondering where else these things had shown up around the school.

Just as she thought it he was saying it, "No.. no I wouldn't think they would make us pay to go to classes, they know better. Some students would never go to class and then what's the point of being here." She tried to make light of the situation, but she as a bit worried on what was going on. "This is the only one I noticed here in the common room, but anywhere else I'm not completely sure. I really wish they would tell us why the changes."

"Please to meet you Tobias" She was really glad she came back down to make sure others were able to get in now that she was able to help someone.