Norah had sprinted aaaalll the way from the carriages just so she could be the very first-est one to the Puff table. And here she was. Except really it hadn't been worth the effort at all 'cause now she was all alone here with nobody to talk to except for her reflection in the shiny table. 'Cept everybody would laugh if they saw an actual fourth year talking to herself. Lame lame lame. She could talk to herself all she wanted, okay? Even if she WAS already fourteen.

"Hi Norah how are you today Norah?" She squinted down at the table and stuck her tongue out at her reflection, raising one eyebrow at a time and crossing her eyes. Nothing changed. Typical. NEWS FLASH: reflections were NOT very good conversation partners. With that, the fourteen year old looked up from the table so she couldn't see how sad her reflection looked 'cause that meant SHE looked sad and sad was the wrong way to look on the first day back at school. Lonely was too, though, and she sure looked that one. Where were all the peeeeeeeoooople? Peoplepeoplepeople? Anybody? This Puffer needed hugs.

Emmylou really didn't want to go racing off to her house table yet. She wanted to see if there were any new students or old students that she didn't know or haven't met yet. This year was going to be different for her, she wasn't going to sit around and let dumb drama that she really couldn't control make her all sad and mopey. Nope not at all. The six year Gryffindor made her way over to the Hufflepuff house table. She was going to mingle and everything. She knew more people at the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables than at the other two tables. She really needed to get out more.

The panda obsessed sixteen year old waved at the people at the table, she had a big smile on her face. Anyone could tell that she was happy to be back at Hogwarts. "Hello." She smiled more, semi-thick southern accent alert.

HUFFLEPUFF PEOPLE! Your guy Prefect was HERE! Hehe. And the said guy Prefect was beaming, so happy he was to be back there. "Heya, Norah. Why are you talking to yourself?'' he asked curiously as he sat down next to the younger girl before giving her a one armed hug. "How's it going with you?''

And look! They had a visitor. Visitors were ALWAYS welcome. "Hello, Emmy! How are you? Visited the frogs over the summer?" Seeee? Adi remembered all about that family of froggies. Anywaaaayyy, Emmy must be here for the Puffer called Kace, yes? Adi wished his Housemates would get here already. Hufflepuffs Unite!

People? PEOPLE! Well, person. But Adi was all sorts of cool and probably counted as way more than one person anyways. Norah immediately brightened and sat up straighter as she gave Adi a smile and returned his half hug with a big 'ol squish of her own because YAY HUGS! "Hi hi." Um. Umumumumuum. He saw that? Dangit. "I was the only one here, so....y'know." She grinned sheepishly, 'cause the lonely thing wasn't really as bad now that there was a whole entire prefect here. Mostly, anyways. She could pretend it wasn't bad at all. This fourth year was a professional pretender, almost. "It's gooooooood." Right? Right. It was good. "I'm excited for the firsties! How 'bout you? Didja have a good holiday?"

People people people? Any people? All the people? She needed lots of people.

This was Kace's last time at the start of term feast. I didn't hit him till he made his way into the great hall. He looked around and noticed all the new faces and the old ones. He realized he wouldn't be able to do this next summer. Jeez what was he gonna do in the summer? He had NO idea. Possibly work part time at the diner down the street. Who knows? As he made his way over to his favorite table, the Hufflepuff table which is like his second home. He loved his house and everyone in it. He saw Norah, Adi and oooohhh lookie here, it is Emmy! She was never here before him.

He grinned and made his way over and hugged Emmy from behind. "Hey Emms. Didn't think you would be here before me.." he smiled and kissed her cheek. Then for fun he went back and raspberried her cheek *insert evil cackle here* He waved to Norah and Adi and asked, "Did you both have good summers?"

Torie felt about 2 inches tall now as he slowed down as he approached the Hufflepuff table. Everyone looked so big now and he was so little. He glanced up to the sorting hat as Jay's name was called, maybe he should wait until Jay got sorted. Oh no! What if he didn't get sorted into Hufflepuff like he thought he was going to be! He now feared he might be all alone in Hufflepuff and know no one! Chris was already at the Ravenclaw table!

He didn't realize he was backing up until he bumped into a bigger girl behind him at the Hufflepuff table and squeaked as he turned around quickly wide eyed and fearful. "Sorry" he murmured.

James approached the Hufflepuff table behind his brother and smiled at him as soon as he got close. "You okay, Tor?" His mum and dad had said to just watch out for Torie and he was going to do that! "Well done for Hufflepuff!"

After asking his fellow puffs about their summers, he noticed two first years (Torie and James) that needed some welcoming. He walked over and saw they were talking to each other. Awww how cute. He grinned and plopped besides them. He cleared his throat so he wouldn't scare them and said, "Heyyyy guys. Welcome to hufflepuff. I am Kace Lecium. I am a seventh year but lemme tell you this house is one of the coolest.." he winked. "Seriously you will love it here because you have access to all of the food." Like seriously who wouldn't love food?

The smile that had replaced Norah's totally mature pouty face got even bigger when Kace showed up for his last feast EVER. Well, last start of term feast ever. Unless he came back as a professor one day! That'd be awesometastic. "Hiya Kace!" She leaned over to give him a quick hug even though he was making funny noises on Emmy's cheek, which was just weird. "Mine was okaaaaaaaaay," she answered, shrugging 'cause it was the weirdest holiday in the history of ever, probably. Fourteen was strange. She wasn't sure she liked it anymore. She shook her head a little so one of her curls whacked her in the nose and resumed her grinning again. "But how was YOURS? Didja do cool stuff? Didja do magic at home? DIDJA BLOW STUFF UP?" That was the REAL QUESTION hehehe. Seventeen was probably LOADS better than fourteen, uh huh uh huh. 'Cept fourteen was supposed to be awesome so maybe the entire world was a lie.Norah had pulled her knees up to the table to rest her chin on them when suddenly there was s squeaky someone bumping into her. After wobbling (apparently she wasn't very good at balancing on her bottom) she put one purple trainer back on the floor and turned around to see who it'd been. HOLY BANANAS. A FIRSTIE. The fourth year grinned at the ickle, who was even ickle-er than her 'zactly 5 feet of height. "Don't you worry!" she said, grinning to widely her dimples were probably in danger of falling off. She almost had to physically restrain herself from patting him on the head 'cause if he was anything like Rusty he reeeeaaaally wouldn't like that. But look how CUTE! "I'm Norah! Welcome to the bestest house ever. D'ya like hugs?" She'd sooooo give him one if he liked those. Patting the empty seat beside her, she added, "You can sit by me, if you'd like. I'd like that for sure." Duh. She wanted to sit by ALL the people, 'specially ickle people because it was hard to mope around all that cuteness, yep.

She was smiling as she was standing near the Hufflepuff table and saying hello to everyone. The sixth year beamed when she saw Adi "Hey Adi! I'm doing amazing! How are you?" Amazing yes, amazing summer no. "I kinda snuck in a couple frogs into my Aunt and Uncle's house over the summer. I think their still there." Oh no! She forgot to put them back outside! "OH MY GOODNESS! I HOPE THEY DON'T DIE!" Slightly panicking. She didn't mean to yell. "I forgot to bring them back outside when I left." Goodness. Emmylou looked up at him. "How is Gus?" Emmylou really needed a pet but she wants a puppy and you can't take those to Hogwarts.

While she was talking to Adi she stared beaming again when she felt someone's arms around her and then hearing his (Kace) voice she basically just melted. "Hi." She letting out a giggles. "I didn't think I would be either but I didn't want to go to my house table right away." BOYFRIEND ALERT! It was her penguin. He's so handsome. Was she really just thinking that? She knew that there was WAY more to Kace than his looks. She was hanging around Cinna way to much right now.Emmylou flailed and let out a really loud giggle when Kace raspberried her cheek.

Torie looked up as Jay appeared, relief showing as he had heard the word 'Hufflepuff' from the sorting hat. He wasn't alone! "I...I bumped into..." The girl turned around at that very moment and he squeaked again. Relief spreading through him again when she said not to worry. He hadn't meant to bump into her! At least she wasn't upset he had, what a way to meet someone, bump into them and greet them. "I...I'm Torie" Wait hugs? "Errr I guess." he said nodding. Was that like a new greeting or something? He thought that was like only mums, dads, uncles and aunties. Or was it a kind of muggle sweet. Yeah that sounded right. A chocolate thingy he was sure. So definitely yes! He smiled with relief when she offered for him to sit next to her and looked towards Jay with a shrug and moved to sit beside her as another student spoke up.

"Coolest house?" he asked with a grin as he said it was the coolest house. She'd said bestest, he'd said coolest. Well it must be anyway, Torie and Jay were now part of it too! "Ohhhh access to all the food? Is our common room near the kitchens?" Wait mum had said something about that hadn't she?

Abby wasn't sure why she was at the hufflepuff table but she wanted to get away from her own table for a little while

"Hiya Norah!" he greeted her back when she got his attention. I mean she was a popular puffer after all. "Just oookkkaaayyy?" he mimicked her just a tad but all in love of course. "Tell me what you did. I am interested." He grinned and wanted her to say something fun at least. Now onto his? He chuckled and thought about it. "You know it was soo fast. I think I was dreading coming here for my last year..." he trailed off when he heard her even more questions and he laughed and shook his head. "Woaaahh slow down there buckaroo." he held a hand up. "To answer your first one, I didn't really do cool stuff. I don't know what your definition of cool is but I did read and skateboard and surfboard." he shrugged. Now onto the second question. "I can't do magic at home yet. If I did my mother would yell at me. I think I can only do magic when I graduate.." he said not reallly positive. He laughed at this one even more. "I mean I did try to blow stuff on my field back home. My cousins came out and we tried to and we also blew up fireworks." he winked.

"Now tell me did you blow stuff up? Tell me I am not the only one.." he teased her and ruffled her hair. She was too adorable for her own good.



"Hiiii!" he replied back and giggled along with her. "Someone is in a good mood and I am loving it.." he smiled and nuzzled into her neck. "Well I mean you know what they say the hufflepuff table is the best.." he joked of course. All the houses were great in their own way. "I mean you know there is this certain handsome man you have a thing for but I can't remember his name right now. Doesn't it rhyme with Lace or something like that.." he grinned and tried to tickle her again.

He laughed really loud at her reaction to his raspberry. Those things get everyone every time. He had no idea why but everyone either laughed or reacted weirdly. Well Emmy acted cutely in his terms. "I think I gotcha..." he teased and kissed her cheek that was slobbered with his spit.

He scoffed him and said, "Of course we are. I mean we got the best food in the whole castle. You know Helga Hufflepuff was responsible for all the recipies this school has.." he said matter of factly. "Little fun fact for ya...?" he trailed off to hopefully get his name. He needed to tease them a bit. "Yup we are right near the kitchens and to get it in all you have to do is tickle the pear on the painting.." he mumbled so no one will hear.

Hayden was very hungry. VERY hungry. She had fallen asleep on the train and hadn't gotten a chance to get food from the food trolley. So she hadn't eaten since her breakfast that morning. She had a few lollipops in her bag, and she had eaten one, but that didn't do much to curb her appetite. Hayden couldn't help but get to the Great Hall as fast as possible, even though she knew she wouldn't actually be able to eat anything until after the speech.

"Hi Norah!" She took the seat across from her fellow Hufflepuff fourth year. They were getting so old she could hardly believe it. Look! There were a lot of people at the table already. "Hi Adi!" She had seen him over the summer, but there were people she hadn't seen. "Hey Kace! Are you looking forward to the year?" He was a seventh year. A SEVENTH YEAR! At the end of the year he would be leaving, and that was sad. Hayden was finally getting old enough that she had friends who were seventh years and would leave her at the end of the year. It was so sad.

And there were also little firsties coming to Hogwarts for the first time. Hayden grinned at two of them enthusiastically. "Hi guys! I'm Hayden, what are your names?"

Emmylou nodded. "Why wouldn't I be? Summer is over. I have you and Cinna and we're back at Hogwarts." Emmy doesn't want to mention the face that Kace would be graduating at the end of term. She wouldn't be able to handle that just yet. "Well Hufflepuff is the second best house." She smiled, it was true, very true! She was going to go along with this. "You know this Kace guy has a really beautiful girlfriend that loves him more than her obsession with candy. He should feel really special because no one is able to make her feel that way towards anyone." Emmylou turned around to face Kace. "Hi baby." She blushed because has never called him that before. The short little lioness wrapped her arms around Kace and smiled brightly. So head over heels in love with him.

Emmylou moved slightly just in time so that he wasn't able to tickle her. She was glad she did that because she might just pee herself if he tickles her and that wouldn't be very good at all. "You did get me." She beamed more. GROSS! "Kace! Gross." Yuck! Slobbery kiss.

The first year looked to the boy who spoke first and beamed when he spoke. "Hi Kace. I'm James!" YEAAAH! "Mum said the house elves are AWESOME and they will make loads of food if you ask nicely!" he nodded, showing he knew something about the house already. "She told us how to get in and said that if we make friends with the elves, we'll be okay for the rest of the years here."

James watched as Torie got... verbally bombarded? by the girl who had the same name as his sister. His eyes started to shine a little when he heard her name and looked at his brother before turning his eyes to the table. "I'm James." he responded to the new one called Hayden, though he seemed a little more sad now. He missed his sister.

Bleu quickly walked into the great hall and towards the Huffie table. She was a sixth year this year! How crazy is that! The only thing that seemed to be missing was her boyfriend, Dylan. He wasn't on the train and now he wasn't, as far as she could see, at the table yet. She was certainly starting to worry. She quietly found an empty pair of seats and sat there hoping for Dylan to be a long soon.

Echo just needed to get up and walk around, could you say that she was excited to be back, totally. Walking close to the Hufflepuff's table she took a look, she knew only a handful of people in his house, and she hasn't seen them in a while so it would be nice to say hello.

Why did everyone have to be so tall?? she thought while standing on her tippy toes a bit to get a better look. Where is everyone!!!.

Henric walked into the great halls and off to find a seat at his house table . Oh...seemed like everybody already got there.So lively! He saw a lot of his friends and housemates were happily gathered around the table,greeting their new first years after the sorting ceremony ended. He remembered the time he was a first year, they were all very welcoming but he was shy and never talked much. He was glad everyone had a great time at their table. He saw Adi,Hayden,Kace,Emmylou and a few others he met before and waved to them all. He chimed along with the others,"Welcome to Hufflepuff!"

He glanced over to the other houses tables, the newly transferred students he met at Diagon Alley were also sorted and were happily chit-chatting away. He smiled quietly to himself so he wouldn't intrude and continued listening to all his friends talking about their great summer stories.

There was no way that Lux was going to spend the feast without seeing her Puffs because she loved them and this was the second best House in Hogwarts. Yep, she loved Hufflepuff!!

Smiling, Lux made her way over to the table and waved at everyone. She might be over Hogwarts, but she was still happy to see all her friends. She had missed the ones she hadn't really seen over the summer. This was the perfect time for her to catch up with everyone.

There was Emmy and Lux had missed her even though things were awkward. She had been hesitant to talk, but maybe it was a good time to try since Kace and her were a couple which meant a lot of seeing her. Kace was going to be her friend forever so that was important. "Hello," she said to Emmy, giving her a small smile and hoping that she wouldn't be ignored. She would understand if it happened though!! Kace got a big smile. "Long time no see," she joked to him because they had spent time together on the train.

Lux took a seat by her friends and waved at them all. "Hello, guys! Did you all have good summers??" And there was little Echo who she hadn't seen in a while. She was so cute. "Hey there, Echo. You excited for your Second Year?" Lux remembered being that age and it was crazy because everyone had become so old. That term had really sucked.

Bleu was beside her, so Lux gave her a hug. "Hey there! Waiting for Dylan?" They were such a cute couple!!

Awh! It looked like Norah preferred to be squished? A squishug? A Squg? Whatever, Adi was going to return the squishug. He was just sometimes cautious about hugging persons. Supposed they didn't like it? Well, clearly Norah wouldn't mind so Adi gave her a tight squishug. "Hello, hello! Oh, well. I didn't hear what you were saying but I saw your mouth moving.'' He had still been at a bit of distance when he had noticed his friend. He couldn't help but laugh. Hufflepuff had to be the most excited persons in this Castle right now. No, wait... the most excited people of ALL TIME! "Same here! We'll give them all a warm, Puffer welcome, right?"

And speaking of Badger firsties (James & Torie)... here came the first one! Nooooo, there were two of them! They were SO TINY, yo! "Guys, guys, guys! Welcome to Hufflepuff House which happens to be the best and most awesome House! You'll love it here!'' Hehe. Adi wasn't going to scare off the firsties with his enthusiasm, was he? "I'm one of the Puff House prefects, Aditya Rehman but you can call me Adi. I have a welcome present for you.'' The sixth year held out a Chocolate Froggie in each hand, one for each kid.

"I'm great, thanks for asking, Emmy.'' He started to laugh heartily when he heard of the Gryffindor's antics but then stopped abruptly when she exclaimed out in a loud voice. Woops. Poor Froggies. "I think you had better send an owl to your aunt though they might have found their way out of the house by now.'' Oh, Gus? "He's okay. I have him right here.'' The amphibian was brought out from its usual hidey place in his pocket. "Want him for a while?'' But just then Kace arrived. "Or not. I see you have your hands full with a certain seventh year.'' Adi grinned then pretended to throw up. Who was he kidding? He could understand that playfulness between the couple before him. "Heya, Kace. I did. The field trip was something else, wasn't it?"

Adi looked around for other newcomers. There was Abby and that Slytherin girl (Echo) he had seen around. "Hey, guys! Don't be shy. Have a seat.'' Plenty of room at the friendliest table on planet earth.

"Hiiiii, Hayden! Hi, Bleu! Hello, Henric! Heya, Lady Lux!'' Gosh, all these awesome Puffers showing up one after the other. But why was Henric so quiet? Adi reached over to prod the boy lightly on the shoulder. "You alright there, buddy?"

Abby smiled at Adi and sat down and said "So how was the rest of your summer Adi, i haven't seen you since the field trip"

Norah kept on grinning as Torie took a seat by her, and the other ickle came by as well. Hiiii people! "Torie's a nice name! Are you excited to be here? I was so so excited my first year. I'm a fourth year now." DID HE HEAR THAT? THAT WAS OLD! Not that being old was really turning out as exciting as she'd hoped it would. And he liked hugs! Awesomesauce. "I looooove hugs. Lots of Puffers love hugs, I think. Hugs are loads of fun." Speaking of which, the kid beside him looked like he needed one right about now.

Leaning backwards so she could face him better from behind Torie, she gave the boy a soft smile. He'd told Kace his name was James, yeah? "You all right there?" Would it be bad if she hugged him now? Too soon? The fourth year figured it may not be the best idea ever, even if he looked like he needed some. Norah put a finger up to gesture to the boys to wait a second before sticking the other hand into the pocket of her robes and rummaging around until she came out with a slightly dented chocolate frog box. "You two can share this, if ya want. Sorry it's my last one." She shrugged and pushed the little box so it rested on the table in between them. "The feast won't start for a little while, so..." She paused and grinned hopefully between the two of them. Was she doing the older kid job right? Maybe? Kinda?Norah giggled at Kace's imitation and wrinkled her nose at him, eyes shining. "Yep, just okaaaaaaaaaaaaay." He was interested. He really shouldn't be interested, her fourteen year old life was far less exciting than she'd been sure it would be at this point. "My gran 'n gramps live in France so I went down there like every year." It was USUALLY loads of fun but she didn't play as much with Sebby and Marcel 'cause fourth years didn't play pretend anymore, right? "And that was kinda it, mostly. After the field trip, anyways." That bit had been cool. She got on her knees on the bench and gestured for Kace to bring his ear closer so she could whisper. "I'll tell you a secret though! You have to pinky swear not to tell anybody," she said before lowering her voice to as close to a whisper as she could manage. "I put away aaaalll my stuffed animals 'cause fourteen year olds don't play with those. 'Cept I snuck one out from under my bed and brought it with me but you can't tell anybody. Or else I'll...Iiiiii'll tickle you or something." Heh. She was willing to bet he'd make funny faces if somebody tickled him. Norah sat back down again and grinned 'cause secrets were much more fun when other people knew them too. Only special people though. "Skateboarding's cool! I've never done that before." Why did EVERYBODY else get to do such cool stuff, HMM? "You shoulda brought some fireworks here so we could set them off! I've never done those before either. Were they really really big?" Her eyes were wide now as she kicked her feet under the table. FIREWORKS, man. "My mum would never ever let me blow anything up. I'd be in trouble 'till I turned a million."Ooooooh Hayden! Norah had been wondering when her dorm mate would show up. "Hiya roomie!" she said brightly, grinning as Hayden took a seat across from her. Was it just her or had she gotten even more freckles? Freckles were awesome. Norah really didn't have enough of 'em. "Didja have a good holiday after the field trip?" The fourteen year old had nearly forgotten all about her moping from earlier 'cause look at all these people! Maybe she and Hayden'd find another cat this year and they could be real live DETECTIVES. And not the fake kind of detective like she USED to play with Sebby and Marcel 'cause fourteen year olds didn't pretend anymore. They did REAL stuff. OR so she'd heard.

Margo couldn't believe that her entire summer vacation was over all ready! She never really even had a chance to see anyone or any out with any of her friends!!! It had gone by so fast!! But that's okay, she was back at Hogwarts now! She couldn't wait to see Adi and Kace and to make even more new friends! She hadn't really even paid much attention on the train either. She hadn't talked to anyone! Margo was really slipping in her making friends abilities. Last year was much easier at this!

With that being said, Margo began looking around for those she knew!