Opening Feast: Hufflepuff Table

Hufflepuff Table

---

The Hufflepuff table is situated between Gryffindor on the right and Ravenclaw on the left, though there is a wide space between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw due to the aisle to the Staff Table.

It was his final term, and Benji had every intention of making it a good one before being thrust headfirst into the adult world.

It had been a relatively quiet summer with a few visits to friends here or there, but most of it was spent with his mum and family. James hadn't had a lot of time to mentor him as he had in past years, with the big Minister title hanging over him now, but the boy wasn't exactly crying into his pillow over it. He relished his last summer of being a kid, knowing that what came next would see him off into something much more regimented.

Auror training and law school was on the horizon, and while Benji had never been the most diligent student at Hogwarts, he knew going forward it wouldn't be a matter of wills or wanting to. He had to study. He had to work hard. He would have to put aside all of his partying and idle time to focus on the goals he had and the goals his family had for him.

It all felt a bit overwhelming, but the boy was ready.

As ready as he ever would be anyway.

Hoisting himself down at the Hufflepuff table for his last Opening Feast, he glanced up and down the table, musing to himself how the faces had changed over the years. He could still remember his first, sitting plump and small in Henry Cuddrun's old school robes, the sleeves so long they hung well over the tips of his fingers. He'd been scared then, nervous. He'd barked a series of nervous utterings in some older girl's face and raced to the Gryffindor table where Matilda had offered to beat people up for him.

That little boy didn't exist anymore.

He grinned at the first person who sat across from him, his signature smirk spreading up towards his eyes. "Ready for this shit? It'll be a wild year."

He hoped so anyway.

The Great Hall was alive and buzzing with chatter, sucking her into its bubble of excitement like a pull she couldn’t resist. Maevie welcomed it with a broad grin and a skip in her step, so much different from last year’s first day of school. But her summer had been better this time, filled with family, and friends, and healing. This year would be hers to claim.

After her conversation with Rae the day before exams last term, things had miraculously begun to shift. Not immediately—she had still dragged herself through the last of that term, plagued by nightmares and feelings of shame and doubt. But something about what Rae had said had stuck, and Maevie had carried it home with her to Norwich.

And then summer had done the rest. Maevie had finally dared to open up to her mum about what had happened at St. Mungo’s with Ever the year before and talked about everything that had haunted her all year long—the nightmares, the candy, the guilt and trauma, the loneliness. It had pained her to see the look on her mother’s face, but she just hadn’t been able to keep it in anymore. It had all simply poured out.

The rest was history. Weeks filled with trips to London or up north, helping in the shop and learning how to sew, attending Gareth’s birthday party, and all the sunshine in between.

The memories still resurfaced at times, but Maevie kept Rae’s words in mind. She had survived, and she’d be fine. Worrying wouldn’t make her feel better. She still did, often actually. But the sorrow that had followed her last year wasn’t the same anymore. Yet, she hadn’t found the courage to visit Ever again.

Maybe next break.

Banishing those thoughts, Maevie made her way through the crowd with a smile brighter than the gleam of her Prefect badge. After a moment, she plopped down across from Benji.

“Ready for this shit? It'll be a wild year."

Maevie beamed, mischief in her eyes. “What are you planning this time, Benji? One last bang to go out with a blast?”

The fact that he and Rae would be gone after this term curled around her heart like a string that pulled too tight. She didn’t want them to leave.

She pushed that thought away too, and propped her head into a hand. “Just make sure you include me in whatever it is," she said, smiling happily. "This is my last chance to learn from the best. I want to know every nook and hidden passageway you've kept secret.”

❧❧❧

There really was no beating the excitement of a fresh year at Hogwarts.
Reyna shuffled through the twittering throng of students. She squinted, with someone darling and specific in mind-- but alas, to no avail. It seemed that the firsties were yet to arrive. Reyna shrugged to herself and made her way to the Hufflepuff table; a place that had become so very familiar to her over the last three years.

She slid into an empty space on the bench, and let out a small sigh. Her mind kept drifting to her dear little sister. Hopefully she wasn't too frightened back there in the Entrance Hall. Then again, was Lovelace really the type to be scared? Reyna grinned to herself. LL was probably chatting up everyone, making them nervous instead. She'd be right as rain.

Reyna smoothed at her hair and clothes as she sat down. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get her dark waves to lay flat, and there was a seemingly permanent wrinkle at the front of her pinafore. Granted, it probably was because Reyna had wadded her uniform up in a ball and stuffed it into the back of her trunk-- but hey, there were more important things to focus on tonight.

She paused and scanned the length of the table. None of the usual suspects she hung around, not really, but that was all well and good. New year, new faces, right? As she swiveled to her left, Reyna caught a familiar flash of red curls.

Oh, it was her. Miss Maevie Golding. Everyone knew Maevie, you'd be quite stupid not to.

For Reyna, that particular time was associated with a lot of unpleasant memories. She didn't like to dwell on such things, for obvious reasons.

But on the contrary, she found herself leaning in to catch the tail end of Maevie's words.

"What's this about hidden passageways?" Reyna asked. She straightened her back and held out her hand to shake. "Sorry. Reyna Durand, nice to meet you. I thought I was the reigning champ when it came to secret stuff 'round here--" She twinkled over at the boy across from them, "--but I am always open to improvement."

❧❧❧

Her last Sorting Feast. Ellen ambled along with the flood of other students into the Great Hall, but her pace was considerably slowed. She was looking. Around. At the Hall itself, at the windows, the thousand candles, the glittering ceiling. Everything was where it had always been. It was only what she knew about it that had changed. What she had known since leaving in June, for the entire summer - that this, indeed, was the very last September 1st she would spend at Hogwarts.

Something was very strange about that. She had known it for two years, reasoned with it, and had even — she remembered this quite clearly: predicted last September that sixteen would not prepare her for it. All of which had proceeded on the assumption that knowing a thing and standing inside it were the same. They were not. All summer it had been a date. Now it was a room. A Hall.

She swallowed a lump. It was merely.. unexpected.. feelings, she supposed.

Freeing herself from such sentiment, she resumed walking, which was, at least, a thing that could simply be done. And on approach, to the section of the table she was most familiar with, a stretch of happy plotting, by the sound of it — the words wild year and hidden passageways carried themselves down the table to her. Who..

Ah. Benji was there. Of course, and no doubt the instigator. With that grin.

And was that Maevie Golding.. with a badge now? That gave her pause. Golding, a prefect? One of the Dark Tower girls? That seemed a remarkably poor decision to her. She could only assume the awarding of it had been a decision about the girl's recovery rather than her judgment. Whether that was kindness or optimism, she declined to rule.

Then there was a girl she did not know, younger, and mid-introduction. Leaning in, hand extended. Certainly below fifth year, at a guess.

She had arrived, apparently, in the middle of a conspiracy.

There was room beside Benji. She took it quite simply and settled her robes. "Really, do excuse me, but Benji, you ought to be setting a better example. It's our final year."

“What are you planning this time, Benji? One last bang to go out with a blast?”

Ah, little Marge. His favorite of the younger years. He still didn't quite understand it, but somehow, over time, he and the younger girl had found themselves easy friends. She was a sweetheart, a good kid, one who had been dealt an unfair hand, but had come out the other end of it still smiling from her eyes. He'd miss her when he graduated, but he was sure they'd keep in touch until it was her time.

"Wouldn't it be uncharacteristic of me if I didn't?" He perked his eyebrows up at his younger friend. "You know me, Marge. Never a plan. I just float wherever the wind takes me." Usually right into detention, but that was neither her nor there. What sort of seventh year would it be if Benji didn't break his own record for accumulated detentions in one school term? A dull one, certainly.

“Just make sure you include me in whatever it is. This is my last chance to learn from the best. I want to know every nook and hidden passageway you've kept secret.”

"Like I'd ever leave you out," he said, his grin widening. There was a pang of something in his stomach as they exchanged quips, wondering how Maevie would fair in the coming years. He hated to leave her behind. Much like his little sister, Maevie was someone he felt the need to look out for. She could take care of herself, of course, but over the years Benji had felt something akin to a big brother to the girl. Pushing the feeling aside, he shrugged, "We'll start tonight! You've got your little badge, I've got mine. Might as well make an adventure of it, yeah?"

"What's this about hidden passageways? Sorry. Reyna Durand, nice to meet you. I thought I was the reigning champ when it came to secret stuff 'round here--but I am always open to improvement."

A new girl, or at least one he hadn't seen much before. Benji wouldn't say his circle of friends was closed and tightened off, but he didn't recognize her as someone who had floated in and out of acquaintance before. "Benji," he offered casually, "Maevie and I were just discussing the various ways we could find trouble this year - "

"Really, do excuse me, but Benji, you ought to be setting a better example. It's our final year."

And there was Ellen. Taking the space beside him Benji glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, drumming his fingers on the table in amusement. "Luckily I have you to keep me in line, Ellen," he teased lightly. What ever would he do without Ellen Graymere's propriety to remind him how to behave? It was like having his mum seated right beside him. "But never a better time to wreak some havoc than our final year, wouldn't you say?" He nudged the girl slightly with his elbow, a little reminder that it was alright for her to lighten up a hair.

He reached for the pumpkin juice, pouring each girl a cup and sliding it to her. "In any case I'm open to suggestions."

"We'll start tonight! You've got your little badge, I've got mine. Might as well make an adventure of it, yeah?"

Maevie’s smile turned scampish, eyes warming, and she nodded. One year wasn’t a long time to spend and enjoy with her two older friends, but she’d savour every opportunity she got. The sooner they began, the better.

“Bring Rae,” she said, although she doubted he’d forget. The two of them rarely strayed far from each other. In fact, it was unusual Rae wasn’t sitting beside him now. Maevie craned her neck to peer towards the Slytherin table, but movement in the corner of her eye caught her attention, and she looked around.

"What's this about hidden passageways?"

A girl settled beside her, introducing herself as Reyna and offering her hand. Maevie shook it with a smile. She knew her by sight, at least, though they hadn’t spoken much. She seemed nice, though. “Maevie,” she offered. “Nice to meet you, too. We should all put our knowledge on castle secrets together. We’ll become masters of the school.”

Her grin beamed at everyone in turn, landing on Ellen last.

"Really, do excuse me, but Benji, you ought to be setting a better example. It's our final year."

And dimmed a little.

Her gaze slid back to Benji. He didn’t seem fazed, but when had he ever? Still, a little kernel of doubt took root. Wasn’t she a prefect now? Shouldn’t she be more responsible? Shouldn’t she be stopping the very sort of things they were planning right now? But Benji didn’t seem to care. He was Headboy—judging by the badge gleaming on his lapel—and he’d been prefect for years. If anyone knew where the line was, surely it was him.

Then again, no professor had cared to end the food fight last year, so perhaps her worry was for nought.

Accepting the pumpkin juice Benji slid her way, Maevie took a sip and tried to keep true to her new mantra.

Less worrying.

To his invitation for suggestions, Maevie nodded, excitement having her sit up a little straighter. Her grin slowly grew wider as she glanced between the group.

“I say we try and find one secret passageway that none of us knows about before the night’s over.” Her gaze returned to Benji. “There has got to be something in this castle even you haven’t found yet.” Her eyes cast to Reyna next. "Or you."

❧❧❧

"Nice to meet you all.” Reyna said politely. She risked another look over her shoulder towards the great oak doors. Still no indication of the firsties' arrival. Then her attention was caught by someone else, a breathtakingly ethereal girl who Reyna had definitely seen around the hallways. Reyna exhaled a soft laugh at Ellen's admonishment. If only it were that easy. In Reyna's experience, trouble seemed to seek you out whether you liked it or not. So why not embrace it?

"I agree with the gentleman," She cut in. She caught the cup of pumpkin juice and tilted it towards Benji in thanks. How chivalrous of him. "You two are lucky to be almost at the finish line! So right, do whatever you want."

She sipped at the juice and nodded towards those shiny prefect badges, Lucky, indeed. She might even feel a bit jealous, but clearly, the profs thought her too unkempt for the role. No matter.

"What're they going to do, expel you?"

Right off of the bat, this seemed to be a cute little group. Maevie seemed quite sweet, Benji was speaking Reyna's language already, so it was only the last person, Ellen, who wasn't entirely on board. Reyna decided to take that bit in stride. She puffed out her chest, feeling a sudden need to prove herself to her new acquaintances.

"Count me in," She said, nudging Maevie's shoulder playfully. "Oh, but wait a tick. How do I know you won't turn tail and rat to the professors about this plan?" Again, a pointed look at the badges. Reyna leaned foward, chin in the palm of her hand. "You know, first day of the new term and all that. Perfect opportunity to get in their good graces in record time."

❧❧❧

Blossom made sure she was the last Asquith off the train. Tulip had gone off with her mob, same with Briar, Poppy had been last seen chasing some poor Gryffindor boy. Blossom was glad they went off doing their thing it meant she wasn't expected to asociate with her. She loved her sisters but after one year at Hogwarts she no longer wished to be assciated with them. They were a mixture of uncouth, weird and clueless. None of those things described Blossom, she saw herself as he most normal of the girls, she did not want to fight and burn down the school, nor did she want to collect venomous creatures or experiment on people, and she certainly didn't want to rebel in an obnoxous way for the sake of it. She wanted a normal life, normal friends doing normal things.

After a year Blossom finally understood why the hat had put her in Hufflepuff, she had expected to be a Slytherin, a Gryffindor at a push. But Hufflepuff made sense, she was different, she didn't have any of te weird behaviour types that most ofher sisters had, the hat wasn't broken as Tulip claimed, well it might have been for Poppy, the hat worked fine for her. At least this year she didn',t have to go through that ordeal again wearing the smelly talking hat in front of everyone.

She walked over to the Hufflepuff table, thigs were in full swing, she walked past Poppy who seemed to be demanding vengence on someone or something. She walked past the older students some four year girls and Benji, he was Tulip's year, Tulip had some endless beef about him, but Blossom thought he was nice. It was probabily another one of Tulip's irrational issues with people. His little sister was in her year, they all got stuck on the stairs last year.

She took a seat at the table, it was nice to be back here, and she couldn't wait for the food to arrive. She heard her sister trying to start a riot. "Oh pipe down Poppy!" she called down the table.

The moment the opening speech ended, Lucas quickly got up from his table.

His eyes scanned the Great Hall, lighting up mischievously when he spotted Reyna among the crowd. Tucking both hands into his trousers’ pockets with a relaxed, confident posture, he made his way over to the girl. Then, once he was behind her, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, a cheeky grin spreading across his face.

“Durand, you’re breaking my heart,” he hummed. “Making plans behind the professors’ backs—and behind my back?”

He then smoothly slid into the only empty seat at the table—right next to Maevie.

Lucas had never talked much to the girl, despite sharing multiple classes with her. Still, it didn’t seem to bother him. He moved with the ease of someone who knew exactly where he stood at any given moment.

“So, what’s the plan, blokes?” he asked, reaching over to take a piece of bread from Reyna’s plate before popping it into his mouth.

He chewed a few times, then swallowed and grinned at Reyna, who seemed mildly annoyed by his thievery—not that he minded. Lucas rarely knew shame.

"This better be good."

❧❧❧

As the Sorting commenced, Reyna's ears were primed and ready. The alphabetical listing seemed to take ages, and all she could think was: Durand, Durand, Durand-- get on with it, Blackwood!

Finally, her sister trotted up to the stage, and Reyna stopped breathing for a second. She remembered her own experience being Sorted; how she'd tried to seem cool and collected, when in reality, she was close to soiling herself. She wondered what the Hat might be saying to Lovelace-- but it didn't take long for it to make its decision.

Reyna joined in with the applause. She was disappointed that Lovey hadn't turned out to be a Huffie, yes, but Gryffindor would treat her well. If not enable her sister's unpredictable nature...

"Owch! Right, rack off, ya grub," Reyna snickered, batting away at Lovelace's retreating form. "I'll catch you later for sure."

But no sooner could she recover from that assault before another pair of arms ensared her.

"Ekoumé." Reyna shot back. Ever the showoff, butting in where he wasn't wanted. It seemed Lucas hadn't gotten any less insufferable over the summer holiday.

"Oi! You can't just plonk down wherever you like-- oh, whatever." Reyna sighed, but cracked a smile, and reached across Maevie's lap to shove at Lucas's shoulder. It was good to see a familiar face.

"This is Lucas," Reyna said to the group. "We met last year and well, he's been a thorn in my side ever since." She swatted at Lucas's hand as he tried to filch another bit of food. "Seems like he's in now, sorry. It's hard to shake him off, trust me, I've tried..."

❧❧❧

This term felt different from the last, and not in a way Galen could easily explain. He knew the reasons; while the staff table was the same, and the Great Hall was the same, and the students were the same. The difference was something he didn’t agree with, and he’d said as much, but his opinions fell on deaf ears. Or ears of the man who decided this was what the students needed.

Galen had voted against the man.

But here he was.

MacLean looked at the final student as they were sorted into their house, not really paying enough attention to know if they were happy to be sorted into Gryffindor or not. Blackwood took his seat, Galen took a sip of his water, then stood to his feet.

He looked out at the newly sorted first years, almost laughing at the way little Fiona Blackwood was scowling at the Hufflepuff table when he saw her.

“Good evening,” he said and the hall quieted immediately. “For those of you who are new, welcome to Hogwarts. For those of you who are returning, welcome back.”

His blue eyes skimmed the room momentarily.

“Several updates for those who are returning. Many of you have been asking incessantly when Quidditch will be making its return, and I am pleased to announce that this term it is back. Professor Roisin Blackwood will be the coordinator for that, so please see her to sign-up.”

He paused, letting students get their excitement out.

“Additionally, a new course has been added to the curriculum this term. Wizarding Civics, taught by Professor Julia Barlowe, is mandatory for all Muggleborn students. It will be held on Wednesdays following your regular classes,” he said matter-of-factly. James Laurence had called it support. Galen called it something else.

Despite how he felt, nothing in his face moved and his voice gave nothing away.

“Every term, we select the students that you will look to for guidance. These students are as follows for this term: For Gryffindor, your Prefects are Eugene Miller* and Matilda Nordstrom. For Hufflepuff, your Prefects are Rodger Wilco* and Maevie Golding. In Ravenclaw, your Prefects are Brooks Garren and Kaitlyn Dwyer*. And in Slytherin, your Prefects are Robert Goldburg* and Elowen Blackwood*.” Galen waited for applause to die down. “Your Head Boy this term is Benji Laurence, and your Head Girl is Ruth Elliot.”

More applause. He waited.

“Now that is out of the way, enjoy your feast.”

As he sat, the tables filled with food.

---

* indicates NPC

Fiona sat down at the Hufflepuff table, her eyes downcast. She wasn’t happy. All of the excitement she’d been feeling before being Sorted had gone right out the damn window. A Hufflepuff. She was dreading her mother’s congratulations, couldn’t even look at her despite feeling her eyes on her.

She could hear the older kids speaking, but Fiona didn’t really care. She leaned on the table, holding her head up with her hand, refusing to be the baby that would fall into tears over something like this. She’d save that for later, likely.

She then narrowed her eyes slightly and finally looked up after a few moments. Perhaps she could have her house changed. There was no way she was a badger. Even though Benji and Maevie were both Hufflepuffs, and she did look up to them, there was no way she belonged here with them.

She needed to be with her father. Where Ruth was, who always looked so cool and was really good at magic. Not here. Where everyone was bright and happy.

Her eyes fell on the Head Boy, then on the Hufflepuff girl prefect. “Anyone ever get switched? If the Hat is wrong, I mean,” she asked, her voice a bit tight. They’d know why she didn’t want to be in Hufflepuff. Everyone knew her mum was the Head of House.

The headmaster began speaking and Fiona only half-way listened. She didn’t care about Quidditch and she wasn’t Muggleborn. Even the appearance of the food didn’t cheer her up.

There were a lot of people crowding this little pow-wow.

As a rule, Benji liked the lion's share of food, especially during the Opening Feast. It was always the best food, what with the house elves excited - maybe - to get back to work. With other houses now settling themselves amongst the badgers, Benji was slowly seeing his opportunity to gorge himself slipping through his fingers.

“Bring Rae."

"Like I'd have the option," he grinned. His girlfriend wasn't one to allow herself to be left out of his hijinks. She was a gremlin of the highest order, and if there was trouble to be had, especially with Benji, she usually wasn't far behind him.

Sometimes, she was leading the way.

“I say we try and find one secret passageway that none of us knows about before the night’s over. There has got to be something in this castle even you haven’t found yet.”

Fat chance of that, he mused. Benji knew every inch of this castle inside and out, thanks to years of curfew breaking and detention seeking. If Maevie or Reyna managed to find something he hadn't, he'd eat his proverbial hat, but he wasn't banking on it. He'd had a thorough six years to turn the place inside out and had enjoyed every moment of it.

"What're they going to do, expel you?"

His eyes flicked to Reyna, his grin widening slightly. "With any luck," he mused, his eyebrow twitching upwards for a moment as he drummed his fingers on the table, casting a glance to the professor table. Merlin, every year it seemed a longer and longer wait for the food to arrive. The Headmaster seemed to enjoy starving children. If Benji hadn't had a snack sandwich on the way into the hall, he'd have been thoroughly put out by now.

"You know, first day of the new term and all that. Perfect opportunity to get in their good graces in record time."

"One's my mum," he pointed to the Ravenclaw head, and then to the Gryffindor, "The other's my step-dad. There's no getting in their good graces for me." His mum and Maddox had already warned him not to fuck up his final year, and to focus on his NEWTs if he hoped to get into...both schools of higher learning. There'd be no leniency this year, Julia had warned, indicating if he couldn't be serious then she'd be relocating his bed to her rooms until he could be.

An every night sleepover with his mummy wasn't exactly what the seventeen-year-old had in mind for his final year.

“So, what’s the plan, blokes? This better be good."

Ahh, Lucas. Another of his good friends who just happened to be far younger than him. Benji could still remember when he'd been the young one, chasing the coattails of his older friends. How strange to now be one of the eldest around here. "Talk to Maevie," he said, indicating to the girl across from him. "I'm passing the troublemaker torch to her this year."

“Anyone ever get switched? If the Hat is wrong, I mean.”

"Hat's never wrong." He couldn't blame the little first year. Fiona Blackwood was Roisin's daughter, and he couldn't imagine the hell he'd have had if he'd ended up in Ravenclaw. Or Gryffindor. As a first year himself, he'd been all sorts of pissed about his house assignment, but he'd learned to embrace the rodent crew. Over the years, he'd realized he really was a Hufflepuff. Slytherin would have just pissed him the fuck off.

"Don't worry so much," he said, nudging the girl. "House has little to do with it all, anyway."

The speech finally started, Benji sighing with relief as his stomach growled painfully. They could actually get the damn show on the road then.

As quiet fell over the Great Hall, he cast his gaze to Maevie again, giving her a little nudge with his foot under the table. Muggleborns were getting a harder shake this year. While Benji didn't necessarily agree with his uncle on this caveat, he understood - he thought - what the goals were, but it certainly put an unnecessary target on Maevie's back. He smiled at her and gave her a little shake of his head, indicating she shouldn't worry.

He'd talk to her after, reassure her that she wasn't any lesser than anyone else, in his eyes.

“Your Head Boy this term is Benji Laurence, and your Head Girl is Ruth Elliot.”

How fitting. In what universe Benji and Rae should be the best choices for such a role, he didn't know, but when his mum had informed him before he got on the train, he'd nearly sputtered the drink in his mouth. Surely there were better candidates. More deserving, anyway.

Justice truly was dead.

"You heard 'em, mates," Benji said, raising his goblet to toast the table. "I'm in charge of all of you, so starting now, there's no curfews and uh...." he grinned, winking at Blossom, one of their littlest, "You know, wreak havoc and all that. Cheers to a new year!"

"Oh, but wait a tick. How do I know you won't turn tail and rat to the professors about this plan?”

Maevie whipped her head around, gasping through an incredulous smile. “I would never!” she said, straightening a little. “And neither would Benji! Housemate loyalty comes first, always!” She grinned broadly, nudging Reyna back.

It felt good to be back here. Among her Hufflepuff friends, underneath the enchanted ceiling and the hundreds of candles floating overhead. She couldn’t deny it. Despite the horror that had found her within these castle walls, Hogwarts truly had become home. A second one, at the very least.

And she thought she would be alright.

“Anyone ever get switched? If the Hat is wrong, I mean.”

A new voice drew her attention. Maevie recognised her. Fiona. The Blackwood’s daughter. She had been wandering the castle and the common room for as long as she could remember. Apparently she wasn’t happy with her sorting at all, though. Maevie had never quite understood the pouting over sorting. She loved her House, always had. All of them were pretty nifty, probably, but this one she belonged in, and as far as she could tell, most every other student in Hufflepuff seemed fine.

Smiling, she nodded in agreement with Benji’s words. “You’ll be okay. We’re actually pretty all right. You’ll make plenty of friends.”

“Good evening.”

A hush fell over the hall, and Maevie perked up. The headmaster’s speech—finally. She had been growing rather hungry.

“Several updates for those who are returning. Many of you have been asking incessantly when Quidditch will be making its return, and I am pleased to announce that this term it is back. Professor Roisin Blackwood will be the coordinator for that, so please see her to sign-up.”

Immediate excitement took hold of her, and she turned to beam at Benji. “Quidditch!” she whisper-exclaimed. “We have to play. And you too.” Her face beamed at Reyna next.

“Additionally, a new course has been added to the curriculum this term. Wizarding Civics, taught by Professor Julia Barlowe, is mandatory for all Muggleborn students. It will be held on Wednesdays following your regular classes.”

What?

Maevie’s smile faded as her attention returned to Professor MacLean. Why would it only be mandatory for Muggleborns? What did that have to do with anything? Her forehead creased, confusion flickering behind her eyes, and she looked at Benji when his foot nudged her under the table. He smiled, shaking his head, and Maevie frowned harder.

Something about this made her feel strange, though she couldn’t quite put a name to it. But she nodded slightly, forcing a smile. It probably didn’t mean anything. Maevie shoved the lingering unease aside. By the time the speech had ended and the food finally appeared, most of it had already dissipated again. Eagerly, Maevie filled her plate. She looked around when the empty space next to her suddenly filled.

“So, what’s the plan, blokes?”

Lucas. She recognised him by sight. A Gryffindor, and apparently a friend of Reyna’s. Judging by the playful bickering and shoving happening right across Maevie’s plate. They definitely knew each other well already.

“Hey!” Maevie laughed, leaning back slightly so their slapping, stealing hands wouldn’t catch her. “Watch out, or I’ll accidentally stab you with my fork the next time!” Shaking her head in amusement, she nudged sideways into Reyna’s and Lucas’ shoulders respectively.

"Talk to Maevie. I'm passing the troublemaker torch to her this year."

Maevie nodded enthusiastically, chewing on her shepherd’s pie. “Yep,” she said once she’d swallowed. “We’re gonna search for a new passageway that none of us knows yet. Benji revoked curfew, so we’ll be alright.”

Raising her goblet, Maevie grinned and took a gulp.

❧❧❧

Now that the feast was officially in full swing, the atmosphere in the room seemed to change for the better. Cheerful conversation and beverages alike flowed freely. even the little firsties were fighting off the last of their nerves. A neck-craning look at Gryfiindo told Reyna that Lovelace was already making herself comfortable.

Grinning, Reyna raised her goblet. The toast went off with a satisfying clunk, and a couple stray drops sloshed over the rims of the more overeager cups.

"Must be a tough trot, having your old man peeking over your shoulder all the time," Reyna said, pointing a chicken leg at Benji. "But all right. Suppose my life is in your hands now. I promise I'm a worthy addition to the team."

She smirked and kicked Lucas under the table, just because. "Dunno about this one, though..."

The food, as always, was absolutely heavenly. Despite the mountain of snacks that she and Lovelace had gone through on the train, Reyna found that she was starving, anyway. And indeed, the new school year brought a similar sort of hunger to the forefront of her being.

"Aw, yes, doing quidditch would be bonzer," Reyna sighed, mouth full. She nudged Maevie's shoulder right back and beamed. "It's about time I signed up. Always better to do that with a friend, eh?"

She didn't think much of the term, since everyone in your house was a friend in some way or another. At least, that was how Reyna saw it. You all lived together and ate together... would be a right shame if you weren't on good terms with everyone, at most.

"No one's been switched that I've ever heard of," Reyna said, adding on to the reassurement for sweet Fiona. "Even I've got room to be surprised, but this lot isn't so bad! No use in worrying about it now, anyway; you won't have room for all this grub."

She paused to swallow and take a swig of juice, before digging right back in. Good god, these sausage rolls were downright divine. The butter and herbs danced on Reyna's tongue. She would have to go thank the house elves personally after this, for sure.

Then, an idea sprang into her head, so fast that she nearly choked on her food. "We should try out the Room of Requirement, perhaps! It's built to give you whatever you want, right? Surely you can squeeze some secrets out of the thing, too."

❧❧❧

"Hat's never wrong. Don't worry so much. House has little to do with it all, anyway."

Fiona looked at Benji. He was the Head Boy now, which was the kind of thing that happened to people who belonged where they were put. His nudge helped, maybe a fraction. Her face fell back into a frown anyway.

“You’ll be okay. We’re actually pretty all right. You’ll make plenty of friends.”

"No one's been switched that I've ever heard of. Even I've got room to be surprised, but this lot isn't so bad! No use in worrying about it now, anyway; you won't have room for all this grub."

She shrugged at both of them and looked down at the table. She knew they meant it kindly. That almost made it worse.

“We’re gonna search for a new passageway that none of us knows yet. Benji revoked curfew, so we’ll be alright.”

Fiona picked up a roll and bit into it directly, which was not how you were supposed to eat a roll. She chewed. A secret passageway could be interesting. She knew most of them already. Maybe that was something, at least.

She looked over at the staff table. She found her father almost immediately (she always knew where he was in a room) and then looked away before he could catch her looking.

Ruth was over there. And all the older kids who had everything figured out. They looked like they belonged somewhere.

Fiona didn’t think she’d ever look like that.