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MadAlice · #1 (**permalink**) 04-26-2023, 09:21 PM

Photo credit goes to Lockhartian

The common room emits a warm, welcoming glow as you enter from the sloping passageway; a cosy nook burrowed away at the castle’s basement level. Somehow the low-ceilinged room always manages to appear as if basked in natural sunlight, even though the small round windows are barely above ground level. They’re the perfect height for watching the seasons pass by - the orange-reds of autumn leaves giving way into the white snow of winter; the daffodils and tulips signifying new beginnings in spring giving way to a pleasant grassy meadow of wildflowers come the summer.

The room, itself, is as cheerful and cosy as you’d expect for the home of the Hufflepuffs. The walls are covered in a mottled buttercup yellow with black detailing, whilst the woodwork is warm and honey-toned with a polished natural beeswax finish. Comfortable, worn in couches, ottomans and beanbags are clustered in small groups throughout the space, freely moved according to conversations being held and games being played at any given time. The main feature is of course the fireplace, with a tiled surround and intricate carved mantle of dancing badgers. Above it hangs the portrait of Helga Hufflepuff herself, holding a golden cup up in a toast to the hive of activity below.

Whether you want to relax with a book, play a game of exploding snap or finish up homework, the Hufflepuff Common Room is the perfect home from home.

MadAlice · 05-02-2023, 11:22 PM

As the new and returning Hufflepuffs enter their common room after the feast, they might notice a large flower arrangement of tulips placed in the center of one of the tables near the entrance. At first glance, these might appear to be some Trilling Tulips, like the ones recentlyly planted in Greenhouse One last term. But on closer inspection, you will find that they are actually tulips made of marzipan (which, if you don't know, is a delicious candy made of almond paste). A card lettered in Professor DeVries' large, looping handwriting sits next to it:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gift Card

Congratulations, Hufflepuffs, on winning the House Cup last term. Keep up the good work!! We're all proud of you!
Sincerely,
Tapio DeVries

Enjoy! (you might not have room for any tonight, after the Feast, but don't worry--it'll keep for later)

littledhampir · 05-08-2023, 12:20 AM

Alfie was tired and full while heading back to the common room after the feast, but he was not unobservant. While he was heading across the common room to the stairs that would lead him to his dormitory, his eyes caught on the flower arrangement on one of the tables. He altered his path, heading that way instead to check it out. At first he wondered why there were flowers, and who they were for, but then he noticed two things. First, the note next to them stating that they were for them, all of the Hufflepuffs. Second, that they were not actually flowers but rather candy that looked like flowers. Both of these facts made him smile, and he picked up one of the flowers to inspect closer.

At the same moment, his leopard gecko, Alfie Jr., peaked his head out of the front of his robes to get a closer look as well. He had been sleeping in his front pocket during the feast, but it seemed that he was awake now and curious. Or maybe hungry. Though Alfie had fed him on the train, so it was probably more curiosity than anything. He gently stroked the gecko's head and spoke to him softly. "It's candy, you can't have it. Don't worry, you wouldn't like it anyway."

sweetpinkpixie · 05-08-2023, 03:22 AM

Anna had, in fact, already been up to her dorm room and back down for one of Professor DeVries' favors (she was going to have to make triple sure to swing by his office with one of her own goodie bags) and then back up to her dorm again for a quick dance with her pillow (which would explain the feathers in her hair as her pillow had a small tear in it that mum kept mending and Anna kept picking at the thread because that was how the hole had appeared there in the first place) and was bouncing her way back into the common room once again with the energy of someone who was on sugar high. Only that wasn't the case for this Hufflepuffle. She was just perpetually this way.

It was the pirate heiress genes. Probably. Or MAYBE her crib had been placed under the Curse of the Billywig when she was an infant.

It was no surprise to her to find student (s) in the common room but what WAS surprising was the gecko the boy had in his possession. Anna, of course, was well versed in geckos and lizards thanks to her little cousin so it was unlikely that she would innocently insult them or their owner in mislabeling them.

"Oh my gosh they are so cute!" Anna chirped as she came to a skipping stop beside the boy. "They are a leopard gecko, aren't they? My little cousin adores lizards and geckos, so I have learned a little about them thanks to her. I think my favorite fact about them is that unlike a lot of other geckos they DO have eyelids and not only that but they are translucent and moveable so they can blink as well as close their eyes while they sleep. Have you been to Professor Hadleigh's reptile house? Oh, well, I suppose you most certainly have been seeing as you are much older and wiser and loads of Hogwarts experiences already. Has he made friends with the other geckos and lizards there?"

littledhampir · 05-08-2023, 10:34 PM

Alfie hadn't notice the younger girl come up behind him, but it was hard to miss her once she started talking. He turned, giving her a friendly smile. He'd definitely seen her around before, but they hadn't really spoken, given that they were so far apart in age. But Alfie was happy to talk to her, of course. He nodded enthusiastically in response to her questions about Alfie Jr.

"He is! His name is Alfie Jr. That is a very fun fact, I agree. Does your cousin have any as pets?" He shook his head. "I haven't been yet, actually. But I'll definitely be sure to soon."

*PhoenixRising* · 05-13-2023, 02:32 AM

Dennis saw the note from their head of house and the candied tulips, which on any other occasion he would have been stoked about. But right now all he wanted to do was find a way to stop his eyebrows from continuing to grow. While Will wasn't there in the common room (for obvious reasons of being in a different house), he also didn't particularly want to socialize with much of anyone.

He was of course disappointed to see Anna there because she would likely pester him about what he did and he REALLY did not want to get into those details. Perhaps if he was quiet enough, she wouldn't notice him slip off to the dormitories. She did seem somewhat distracted talking to the older boy Alfie. But he paused and lingered a bit too long as he overheard her rambling about his sister. Another who he really didn't want to get into any lengthy discussions about his brows.

Was it too late to turn back around and go visit the healer tonight instead of tomorrow?

itsjustjesse · 05-14-2023, 12:41 AM

Amelia could smell the almond on the air as she walked into the common room. It was interesting, did it always smell like this? Sweet and, and wait – were those Tulips? She took a few steps closer and bent down to inspect them. ”These are so beautiful she softly whispered as she knelt there and felt the desire to take a picture to send to Aunt Mel. She would have been thrilled to see these, or even to Agatha, the baker she had regularly visited would have died to get her hands on these. Well maybe not died but they were so pretty. Surely she would have done something for them.

Looking around the common room she couldn’t help but let it all sink in. She was here, her eyes panned over everyone. Gecko boy and his new friend. This was going to be interesting. Plucking one of the tulips for herself she paused as she noticed the look the other person was giving the room and moved closer before casually handing one over. “here, for uh the house cup.” Was all she said as she gave her new housemate a nod.

FearlessLeader19 · 05-16-2023, 11:02 PM

SPOILER!!: Den, the Eyebrow/Bearded Wonder! <3

Charlie followed the rest of the Hufflepuffs into the common room, chatting with those nearby though his eyes kept darting at around for Den and The Great Eyebrow Disaster of 2110. It was only after he had gotten past the barrels and gotten into the room that he was able to get a better look at everyone. He did, of course, spend some time on the tulip sweets Devries had put out for them. How thoughtful of the man. Here’s to hoping the Hufflepuffs would be able to secure the House Cup again.

“Den!’’ Char bit his lower lip, trying not to laugh though he failed himself by actually letting his lips curve upwards in a cheeky grin. “That has got to be the most epic beard I’ve seen!” What sort of friend would he be if he didn’t give his friend any grief over this episode? “Do you want to head on up to your dorm right now? Or you want to visit the Healer?”

sweetpinkpixie · 05-17-2023, 02:42 AM

"Alfie Jr," the third year repeated as if doing so would instantly commit it to memory. She was, usually, pretty decent with remember names whereas remember her class schedule and when she had which extracurricular was...not so decently remembered. "A son named after his daddy or named so because he is an extension of his owner?" she asked with a couple of tilts to the head that tossed her spongey locks about. "Oh she has tons of pets. She has a way with them that only the descendent of a Parselmouth can. I'm just waiting for the day that the ability officially manifests itself." Was Anna aware that lizards and snakes were different? Yes, yes she was...but the fine details had this way of blending together when she got excited. Sometimes. Usually.

She of COURSE saw her cousin come in...and she stretched up a bit to try and see him over and around her newest friends and began to wave her arms wildly in his direction. "DENN----" Her waving quickly ceased as he shuffled away and, again, seemingly refused to look at her. It was weird...because he was giving her the ICK and it was not pleasant to feel the ICK from family. "....is" First was at the feast and now here in the common room. It scratched a certain scab on her heart and soul that she had done a real good job of covering up and ignoring, but this was so jarring coming from family that she couldn't entirely ignore the jolt this time.

Two other older students soon joined her cousin and...well...she shouldn't think about what she didn't have (her older cousin's attention and affection) and what she did have (two new friends and new opportunities). "...I...um....sorry," she laughed as she readjusted her position so her attention was back on Alfie and Alfie Jr. "I got a little distracted just now. It happens a lot. BUT...if you want to I can show you around sometime. It's where all the lizards and snakes and all of them are kept and there are so many and so cool. Where have you been keeping Alfie Jr if not the reptile house?"

littledhampir · 05-19-2023, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

"Alfie Jr," the third year repeated as if doing so would instantly commit it to memory. She was, usually, pretty decent with remember names whereas remember her class schedule and when she had which extracurricular was...not so decently remembered. "A son named after his daddy or named so because he is an extension of his owner?" she asked with a couple of tilts to the head that tossed her spongey locks about. "Oh she has tons of pets. She has a way with them that only the descendent of a Parselmouth can. I'm just waiting for the day that the ability officially manifests itself." Was Anna aware that lizards and snakes were different? Yes, yes she was...but the fine details had this way of blending together when she got excited. Sometimes. Usually.

She of COURSE saw her cousin come in...and she stretched up a bit to try and see him over and around her newest friends and began to wave her arms wildly in his direction. "DENN----" Her waving quickly ceased as he shuffled away and, again, seemingly refused to look at her. It was weird...because he was giving her the ICK and it was not pleasant to feel the ICK from family. "....is" First was at the feast and now here in the common room. It scratched a certain scab on her heart and soul that she had done a real good job of covering up and ignoring, but this was so jarring coming from family that she couldn't entirely ignore the jolt this time.

Two other older students soon joined her cousin and...well...she shouldn't think about what she didn't have (her older cousin's attention and affection) and what she did have (two new friends and new opportunities). "...I...um....sorry," she laughed as she readjusted her position so her attention was back on Alfie and Alfie Jr. "I got a little distracted just now. It happens a lot. BUT...if you want to I can show you around sometime. It's where all the lizards and snakes and all of them are kept and there are so many and so cool. Where have you been keeping Alfie Jr if not the reptile house?"

"The first one, I suppose. I got him when I was thirteen and I named him after me." Sometimes he considered what he might have named him if he got him now, but Alfie Jr. was his name and it was odd to consider him as anything else so he usually didn't have any ideas. Not that he didn't like his name. He thought Alfie was a great name, personally. "Oh a parselmouth, that sounds interesting! I don't think it would help with talking to lizards though. I wish I could talk to Alfie Jr. I wonder what he's thinking about." He held the gecko in question up closer to his face to consider him. What was going on in his brain? Probably not much.

It was getting busier in the common room as more and more people came in from the feast. He smiled at the girl who took a picture of the candy flowers, and raised his hand to wave to his dormmate. And Anna was greeting Dennis, whose eyebrows he remembered from the feast. "You know him?" He asked cheerfully, not picking up on any discomfort on her part. "That sounds fun. I'd be happy to have you show me around to meet all the reptiles! He lives in a tank in my dorm."

*PhoenixRising* · 05-22-2023, 11:15 PM

Dennis was only thinking about just how quickly he can make it to his dorm whilst avoiding his housemates. He really wanted this whole eyebrow fiasco to be over with, so when Amelia moved towards him with one of the tulips he averted his gaze even though he KNEW it was poor manners. "Er... thanks..." he murmured, but of course just then there was Char shouting his name and he had to point out the facial hair disaster.

And if that wasn't enough, Anna shouted his name super loudly. Also he wasn't giving her the ick, because he would never. It just him being awkward because he didn't want to deal with anyone. If she wasn't talking to others in the house, then maybe. And of course the older boy she was talking to had to say 'you know him'. He gave an awkward wave to Anna and Alfie, before turning back to Char, "Dorm. Because I doubt the healer could see me tonight. So first thing tomorrow it'll have to be."

FearlessLeader19 · 05-24-2023, 12:41 AM

SPOILER!!: Friend! <3

Sorry, mate!

Or did he really have to be sorry since Char wasn’t the only one showering Dennis with attention? Closer observation told him that his friend was rather uncomfortable with it. He decided that he needed to quit joking around and put Will’s present feelings first.

“But you don’t know that he won’t. Aren’t Healers supposed to put patients first?’’ Char gave Will an puzzled look before it turned into an uncertain one. “Unless… would you like me to give it a shot? See if I can reverse your spell?”

sweetpinkpixie · 05-27-2023, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littledhampir

"The first one, I suppose. I got him when I was thirteen and I named him after me." Sometimes he considered what he might have named him if he got him now, but Alfie Jr. was his name and it was odd to consider him as anything else so he usually didn't have any ideas. Not that he didn't like his name. He thought Alfie was a great name, personally. "Oh a parselmouth, that sounds interesting! I don't think it would help with talking to lizards though. I wish I could talk to Alfie Jr. I wonder what he's thinking about." He held the gecko in question up closer to his face to consider him. What was going on in his brain? Probably not much.

It was getting busier in the common room as more and more people came in from the feast. He smiled at the girl who took a picture of the candy flowers, and raised his hand to wave to his dormmate. And Anna was greeting Dennis, whose eyebrows he remembered from the feast. "You know him?" He asked cheerfully, not picking up on any discomfort on her part. "That sounds fun. I'd be happy to have you show me around to meet all the reptiles! He lives in a tank in my dorm."

Anna smiled at that, because it really was sweet and had to be nice and comforting to have a familiar who felt like a piece of yourself. She had started out Hogwarts with a rat...but it had gone missing for a time and then a Slytherin had hinted to her that, maybe, another second year's snake had ATE her. She was sure they were just trying to upset her...but she couldn't help but...wonder...sometimes. No, NO, her adorable dumbo rat had decided to join the rodent house and had spent the rest of their days stargazing in the Astronomy Tower until they were able to join the stars themselves.

"Why wouldn't it help with lizards?" she asked, her brain still not quite piecing together common sense. "Probably thinking about how much he likes you and how kind and caring a familiar you are to them. Also...crickets."

Anna pulled on the hair on either side of her head a bit, tugging her voluptuous curls straight enough that she could temporarily tie the ends together and gave herself a warm redwood hue kind of mustache that unraveled as soon as she released it from her fingers. She felt a little smaller than usual, and she was already fun sized, but Alfie's warm smile put her tummy knots at ease just a bit. "He's my cousin," she explained and cast another quick glance towards Dennis as he continued...being that way. Her frown turned upside down somewhat, however, when the seventh year Hufflepuffle accepted her tour offer. "It's a date then!"

She looooooooooooved playing tour guide. She may even have time to make it a scavenger hunt like she would for her little sister and little cousin!

astrocat · 06-10-2023, 01:38 AM

Brandon was perfectly capable of doing things all by himself. In fact, he was used to it. He had spent much of his childhood so far alone, taking care of himself and staying out of the way. Life went better when he did that. But now that he was at school, it was an entirely different game. People WANTED to hang out with him. Constantly. All the time. It was very confusing for him- with his tutors, he was not allowed to do anything or talk to anyone until his homework was done and father-approved. But now he was inviting a FRIEND to HANG OUT and MAKE HOMEWORK MORE FUN. With SNACKS. It was almost too much for one twelve year old Hufflepuff's mind to handle. Not that he was complaining.

Today, he'd invited Anna to do Astronomy homework with him. It was partially because he thought she was great, and partially because he wanted to make sure she knew that the moon was still there when you couldn't see it. He had a whole little table set up for them: his books, his homework papers, his writing implements, a space for her things, plus cocoa and snacks for them both.

His father had never allowed him to have snacks or cocoa while he worked. He sat with his rainbow-striped-sock feet tucked up next to him on the couch, thinking about how much his life had changed.

sweetpinkpixie · 06-11-2023, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astrocat

Brandon was perfectly capable of doing things all by himself. In fact, he was used to it. He had spent much of his childhood so far alone, taking care of himself and staying out of the way. Life went better when he did that. But now that he was at school, it was an entirely different game. People WANTED to hang out with him. Constantly. All the time. It was very confusing for him- with his tutors, he was not allowed to do anything or talk to anyone until his homework was done and father-approved. But now he was inviting a FRIEND to HANG OUT and MAKE HOMEWORK MORE FUN. With SNACKS. It was almost too much for one twelve year old Hufflepuff's mind to handle. Not that he was complaining.

Today, he'd invited Anna to do Astronomy homework with him. It was partially because he thought she was great, and partially because he wanted to make sure she knew that the moon was still there when you couldn't see it. He had a whole little table set up for them: his books, his homework papers, his writing implements, a space for her things, plus cocoa and snacks for them both.

His father had never allowed him to have snacks or cocoa while he worked. He sat with his rainbow-striped-sock feet tucked up next to him on the couch, thinking about how much his life had changed.

Anna, on the other hand, did not know how to be alone and it was a vice of hers according to some. The neat thing about being in a castle was that castles tended to be full of people and even if she couldn't find a living person there were portraits literally everywhere who she could have a conversation with. Sometimes she wished she could jump into one of the portraits and see the world from that perspective - it must be fascinating! Ever so delighted that Brandon had invited her to hang out, she had brought her book bag along with her even though it was quite light considering it was without an astronomy textbook and parchment did not weigh much unless you had a LOT of it - which she did not.

Jumping down the steps two at a time, she easily spotted her blonde excellent hand holding friend and skipped over to him with a big smile on her face. She was still a little worried about the moon, and very confused about all the things too, but mostly she was just happy and relieved to see her friend and all the effort he had brought with him! "Hi Brandon," she hummed as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders for a gentle squeeze and left a quick kiss on his cheek. "I should have brought some snacks too. I still have bags of candies that all all about tasting the rainbow in my dorm."

She was in her rainbow striped toe socks! They were twins!

littledhampir · 06-18-2023, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Anna smiled at that, because it really was sweet and had to be nice and comforting to have a familiar who felt like a piece of yourself. She had started out Hogwarts with a rat...but it had gone missing for a time and then a Slytherin had hinted to her that, maybe, another second year's snake had ATE her. She was sure they were just trying to upset her...but she couldn't help but...wonder...sometimes. No, NO, her adorable dumbo rat had decided to join the rodent house and had spent the rest of their days stargazing in the Astronomy Tower until they were able to join the stars themselves.

"Why wouldn't it help with lizards?" she asked, her brain still not quite piecing together common sense. "Probably thinking about how much he likes you and how kind and caring a familiar you are to them. Also...crickets."

Anna pulled on the hair on either side of her head a bit, tugging her voluptuous curls straight enough that she could temporarily tie the ends together and gave herself a warm redwood hue kind of mustache that unraveled as soon as she released it from her fingers. She felt a little smaller than usual, and she was already fun sized, but Alfie's warm smile put her tummy knots at ease just a bit. "He's my cousin," she explained and cast another quick glance towards Dennis as he continued...being that way. Her frown turned upside down somewhat, however, when the seventh year Hufflepuffle accepted her tour offer. "It's a date then!"

She looooooooooooved playing tour guide. She may even have time to make it a scavenger hunt like she would for her little sister and little cousin!

"Well parseltongue is the language of snakes, and Alfie Jr. is a lizard and I don't think the language is the same." To be fair, he was no expert on the matter so it was possible he was wrong. All he knew was that snakes and lizards weren't the same thing, so he felt fairly confident in this theory. He grinned. "You're probably right. He really does love crickets."

"Oh, your cousin, that's cool! All of my cousins are muggles. Do you have any other relatives at Hogwarts? I had two siblings, half siblings, who went to Hogwarts but they graduated before I started."

astrocat · 07-11-2023, 04:12 PM

Brandon didn't mind that Anna didn't know how to be alone. After all, it was nice to have someone who actually wanted to hang out with him.

He waved at her with a big smile on his face. "Anna! We're matching!" See? They both had rainbow socks. He wiggled his feet at her excitedly, then made space on the couch for her. A hug and a cheek kiss were ok by him if it was just Anna. "I brought plenty of snacks. None of them are rainbow, though. Do you have your homework?" He was all set up to do their homework together and fully convince Anna that she definitely didn't have to worry about the moon not being there for her.

sweetpinkpixie · 07-13-2023, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astrocat

Brandon didn't mind that Anna didn't know how to be alone. After all, it was nice to have someone who actually wanted to hang out with him.

He waved at her with a big smile on his face. "Anna! We're matching!" See? They both had rainbow socks. He wiggled his feet at her excitedly, then made space on the couch for her. A hug and a cheek kiss were ok by him if it was just Anna. "I brought plenty of snacks. None of them are rainbow, though. Do you have your homework?" He was all set up to do their homework together and fully convince Anna that she definitely didn't have to worry about the moon not being there for her.

That would be a very strange thing to learn about him and his thinking. Not that he didn't mind her being incapable of being alone but rather that he thought it a rarity people would want to spend time with him. From her observation, there were loads of people. Very curious!

"Oh look at that! We are!" she giggled as she stretched her toes out a bit and gave them an enthusiastic wiggle. "We can start a club called the Rainbow Toes." Only qualifications were the presence of colorful socks. "That's really nice of you. "Dad calls it brain food." Well...maybe not these specific items since his go-to tended to be carrot sticks and other such vegetable sticks for munching. "Oh, yeah, I do! It's right here," she chirped as she pulled out a couple very wrinkled bit pf parchment.

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