Smiling ever so slightly, Tammy flicked her eyes down the table. Obviously avoiding any questions about what else she did during the summer. But they didnt come. Fortunately.

"Beaches? Yeah, Nattie and I, went to visit my uncle, her father in Australia and went to some beaches there. It was only for a week though, then we visited some beaches around the southern coast of England. All aswell, as frequently being in Diagon Alley." And failing to reach ink of course.

Tammy grinned. "Its a good job you do. We need to talk. Need to Need to." She confirmed with a nod of her own, but assisted it with a tiny smile. "AMERICA? Wow." The word 'America' alone came out rather loud, but not loud enough to disturb other people. She had control over that. Maturity, brought a smaller voice. Just not any sanity. And not any cure for the smallness.

"MMM. Quidditch, I dont feel anything for. But imma watch you this year. I will I will. Promise." She grinned, she usually failed to watch the matches, only a few she had attended. One of them being flooded, iced, flooded. ICK.

Bringing her eyes up from her shoes -checking no first year had messed with the buckles- , to meet Kaika's she blushed and nodded. "I guess so.. Maybe. I'll find out soon enough." She shrugged quickly. Tammy Wood, was maybe not going to make a good prefect. But it was going to be hard to stop her trying to be a good one.

"Yay." Tammy cheered, in a nice way. A nice, quiet way. "Thats good," Dom, Kaika and herself. Seventh years, and all somehow working together.

Sara was lonely, but it was time to take things into her own hands. Her best wizard friend, Drew, had been sorted into Gryffindor, so, here she was all alone...again.

Taking the 'bull by the horns', Sara slowly stood up and announced, in her loudest voice: "Hi Everyone... my name is Sara Lyons...I am Muggle born, and I hope to make a lot of friends, over the next 7 years!" 'Bold but effective', she thought.
Then, blushing, Sara sat herself back down...What more could she do? At this point, any new friend would be nice to have. After all, seven years, without any friends, would be a long 7 years.

"Hi sara i'm kyrie nice to meet you" kyrie said "how are you and would you like to be friends?" kyrie asked

"Kyrie," Arrick repeated, testing out the sound of the name. He'd probably forget it once they left the Hall.

He turned his attention back to the staff table to watch the Headmaster, who was being too twitchy for any respectable adult, like he wanted to leave as soon as possible. While Arrick couldn't blame him, it didn't improve his outlook on what Hogwarts would be like.

Arrick's thoughts were promptly deafened by a particularly LOUD firstie. Arrick disliked loud people, especially loud and shrill. He scowled and slouched against the table, propping his chin up on his arms.

Jake looked down. So, there. He knew, or he was told was he already knew, and he was only looking down.

This is soooooo bad. See? She didn't want Jake to be sad, if only he'd never ask what year she was in. Silly Jake. He brought this on himself. But then she heard the 'Okay', and it didn't sound as an 'Okay' should, not from Jake. Oh, dear Merlin, what has she done? WHAT?! Jake, her sweet little Huffie boy was crying! And it was...well, not exactly her fault...but it was her fault.

"Jake" seekers don't cry, but that didn't apply to Jake, so better not say that, "I..." she couldn't finish, because he looked up...and...'Don't go'...

NOOOOOOOOO!

Why did Jake had to say that?! Kaika will be crying her eyes out this whole night, she couldn't bear to see him like this. Perhaps she should cheer him up and tell him that Dominic was going too. Yes, that should cheer him up. But she didn't say it, she simply placed a hand on his shoulder, "It's what we're supposed to do.." not what she wants to do, but still, "...and...don't cry, we still have a whole year ahead of us, and plenty of Quidditch" if he gets in the team again, but she didn't mention that for fear of more tears out of the boy. Kaika smiled, and hoped that Jake wouldn't keep on the crying, otherwise there will be two Huffies crying in the table.

Jake had finally managed to make her sad again. Greeeeeeaaaaat.

"Oooh, Australia...that's nice" but she couldn't focus, because she was now eying the little boy next to her. Diagon Alley. Yes, Kaika only went there once to get a new wand, everything else was bought by OWLs when she was overseas.

Job? Well, yeah, sure, let's call it a job, though it really isn't one. "We need to?" that's weird, something must have happened then, "Yes, the Common Room sounds okay?" she asked, this was the second person she'd need to talk to in the Common Room, then. A very strange beginning of a year. She nodded when Tammy said 'America' rather loudly.

Ack! Jake...

"It would be nice to see you in the Stands for a change" she joked, smiling a bit, "And, yes, we..." she eyed Dominic, "...better make Hufflepuff win both Cups this year" another nod and another smile.

Jumping about a foot, when he heard shouting from up above him, he falls over, and crawls a few feet further down the table. Bumping into legs again.

Arrick jumped as something huge collided against his dangling legs, catching his knee painfully on the underside of the table with a thud that rattled his cutlery. He scowled and looked under the table to come face to face with a boy his age.

".....The bloody hell are you doing down there?!" He exclaimed, brows furrowed.

Crazy magic-people.

Staring up at a boy who peeked under the table, after he had accidentally bumped his leg. With terrified eyes, he whispers "hiding"

"What's there to be hiding from?" Arrick asked, both skeptical and genuinely curious. Maybe the boy was on to something...

Lucille wandered over to the Hufflepuff table. She could tell it was the right one, because yellow and black was dotted on every student, and a large badger banner. Lucille smiled at the sight of it. Even though she was just starting first year, it made her feel at home.
But where to sit? Lucille couldn't make out any of her friends at the table, the hall was so busy and noise. Well, she thought, cant hurt to meet new people.
Gathereing her robes around her so she wouldn't sit on them, Luccile sat in between her fellow Hufflepuffs.

"Big people, they're really scary! They kill other people..." he answers with a worried voice.

"But mostly that thing sitting on the stool up there," he says pointing to the sorting hat at the front of the hall. "It can read our minds, and there is no way I'm putting it on."

Gazing at Kaika with the tears streaming down his face, Jake didn't even have any energy to try and pretend he wasn't upset. His wet eyelashes clung to each other for a milli-second everytime he blinked, and still new tears turned up. How on earth would he cope at the end of term feast?

...

...

"Kaikaaaaaa," the boy whined, suddenly clinging to the girl as if his life depended on it. He wouldn't let her go. Wouldn't.

Would. Not.

Trying to get out more words, Jake choked on his own sobs and just tried to concentrate on calming down.

Abigail gave a start when a girl loudly introduced herself to the table. ‘Was it too difficult to just introduce herself in a normal way? She’s not the only first year yet she’s the only one who’s managed to deafen me so far.’ She thought.

Turning to the girl she figured she’d have to sleep in the same room as her so it was best to just say hello. ‘Although she won’t survive long if she wakes me up like that in the mornings!’

“Hi Sara I’m Abigail.”



She noticed a boy nearby who seemed as unimpressed by Sara as she was. Smiling at him softly she said “Hello I’m Abigail, what’s you name?”

Alright, he could understand that...

....But then again....

Arrick snorted. "That hat? 'S clever, but 's prob'ly just some dodgy artful program to figure out which table you sit at. 'S all really silly. Prob'ly ernt reads your mind for real at all. Just pretends to."

"Y've more to worry about with big scary people than that thing."


"Arrick," he said shortly, glancing at the girl. At least she wasn't loud.

Abigail noticed a girl sit down across from her who looked familiar.

“Hi didn’t we meet on the train earlier?”

EEE. Little boys, ruining happy cheeriness. Kaika was all gloomy now. Not fun. And then the repitition of Australia, that didn't sound very enthusiastic. What was it with people now-a-days. It wasnt Kaika's fault. But cheering up was needed.

Nodding, Tammy gave an unsettled smile and shrugged. "We need to desperately. AND the common room sounds wonderful. Any chance you get sounds good to me." She smiled a bit more, now she knew she could talk to someone about it. That would be nice.

"I do come.. When I'm not busy.. I try to come as much as I can. But I'll do it this year. Promise. That means I wont break it." Because she was a good friend, unlike Eva. She was just failing as a 'best friend'.

"Both cups? Sounds good to me. Finish this year all go-" And then, she was cut off by Jake gripping Kaika with all his might, now that.. Was just funny. But she wasnt to laugh.

Noticing her features change and almost become more animated as she spoke on her summer of playing quidditch and pretty much what sounded like an AWESOME summer experience, the sixteen year old sighed. Kaika was lucky; it was official.

"Wow." That was really all he could say, because there was nothing else to say except that Kaika Lockhart officially had a better, more interesting and fun-filled summer than him. "That's. Amazing." And it was, it really was.

Of course the common rooms were restored; how could they have been changed? Granted he wasn't present for the term that they WERE changed - that was the year before he started. "The common rooms? They'll be fine." And if not, then him and Tammy would have their first topic of their discussion with Professor Shackleton planned out.


Blink.

The persistent question Jake kept asking Kaika was almost depressing. And Dominic rarely got depressed, unless it entailed heartbreak over words that cut deep. But he would move on, right? Because he was a strong, independent wizard. At least he thought he was.

Smiling at Jake when he blended 'congratulations' and 'well done', he couldn't help but notice that glint. "Thank you, and you know just because you get the Head Boy in your house, well that means you have to behave more." Because Dominic was going to be strict, wasn't he? Maybe, but not because he was Head Boy ... Oh no, it was for different reasons; including the fact that him and Tammy and Kaika were graduating.


Leaving a new generation of Hufflepuffs to carry on the core values of Hardworking, Loyal, Just, Patient . . .

Smiling as another first year joined them at their table, Dominic nodded. "Welcome to Hufflepuff, lad." And enjoy it because it goes fast he felt like adding, but didn't. Don't commit yourself either. Women want you to believe they are the victims ... Blinking back those thoughts, he shook his head. No. He was cruel and heartless, maybe, but he was not about to ruin the perceptions of an innocent eleven year old.

"Dominic Denton, Head Boy." He instead finished with, as someone else came upon their gathering.


Of course Cedric would notice the badge. Smiling back at him, Dominic nodded. "Hey Cedric! Yes, yes... I am the new HeadBoy now." Which considering who the Head Girl was, was probably more a curse than a blessing. "But thank you. How was your summer?" Better than his, undoubtedly.


Ah how awesome; another new Hufflepuff!!

Dominic turned to see a rather hyper and excitable first year sit down at the table, talking really to no one. Again, even if he was cruel and heartless, he still was meant to at least pretend to be friendly and welcoming.

"Hello ..." Uh, what did she say her name was? No matter really, he'd be gone in ten months. "Welcome to Hufflepuff. Don't be sad, just meet people." Easier said than done, coming from the most antisocial seventh year there was. "Anyway, my name is Dominic Denton, Head Boy."


Dominic turned from the new first year at hearing Miranda ecstatically telling Kaika about the broomrace she attended this summer. Apparently everyone had exciting summers . . . except him. SIGH; twas no fair at all.

"Yup, Head Boy," Dominic beamed before leaning into whisper into the fourth year's ear, "You know, world domination is still next on my list, PIC." Pulling back he winked subtly at her. Who knew that Dominic Denton, of all people, would find himself a PIC who was three years younger?

Ugh. Why did she too have to ask about his summer? Obviously it was terrible!! Only good thing that happened was the Head Boy badge, but everything else ... well NOTHING! Can he just wear a sign that said that? It'd be so much easier. "Meh. My summer was okay." Because he didn't feel like going into details now.


Oh... Tammy was ignoring him? Why? What did he do? Really he didn't do anything to her except be helpful... it wasn't like he purposefully avoided telling her the details about being Head Boy, about his promotion. He just conveniently didn't mention it. Not lying.

And yet she really - similarly to Evolette's antics on the train - excluded him from the group smile she gave before clinging to Kaika. Sigh, this was going to be a long term, it seemed.

"Hey Tammy," he finally said. Because even if she didn't greet him, then he could still greet her. They did have to work together if they wanted to lead Hufflepuff well this term. Their last term.


Including handling nervous first years. What's it like being a Hufflepuff? Frowning at the new student and contemplating her question, Dominic wondered just how honest he should be.

"Hello and welcome, I'm Dominic Denton, Head boy." Dom began as he thoughtfully still considered her question and the answer, looking around at Miranda, Tammy, Kaika, Jake, and others... before back to Kyrie. "Hufflepuff is like any house. There good times and bad times. But mostly, it's about working hard and being loyal and true to the house you were sorted in. And maybe discovering yourself, figuring out which of the traits you hold that sorted you into Hufflepuff.... and it's..." Really, why was HE answering? Kaika would have much better off answering, or even Vanessa. Anyone but him.

"But the big people, are the ones who told me, it can read our minds" he replies now looking really confused. "Wouldn't they know more then us..., especially since they've been here a long time..."

Rhea continued working on her fliers as she sat there with the first year boy. NO reason why she could'nt multitask. As soon as she was finished with the quill work she tapped the fliers to add a little charm. With a simple swish and flick movement she brought her fliers to life. Now she was ready to go up against Tipps and his crazy mother.

She looked around at the little first year and decided she should maybe start with them first before they got indoctrinated by Varius and his fliers.
"See this is what it looks like." she said holding one up for him to see. She was so proud of her flier, seeing as she had to do it all on her own. It took her most of the train ride and a bit of the opening feast but finally...finally they were completed.

‘Well so much for trying to be nice! I mean this isn’t the house I thought I’d be in but at least I’m trying to make friends’

Frowning at the boy she said “Nice to meat you. You looking forward to seven years at Hogwarts?”

Not good, Jake. Not good. Pleaseeeee stop crying.

But she couldn't help it, and another tear left her eye. She wasn't ready to leave, but she knew that when the time came along, then she'll be ready. Now, thanks to her sweet little Huffie boy, she was thinking about leaving, when leaving was almost a year away!

Awww...she had been wrong...perhaps it would have been better to leave the table when he asked the question or something, instead of finally answering it. Poor Jake. She didn't enjoy seeing him like this.

Kaika hugged the little boy because there was nothing left to do, right? "It's alright Jake...you'll be fine...and we don't have to think about it just now" please, stop, "Plus, you'll be left with a bunch of people around" she said, with a smile as she tried to see his face.

Yes, he could calm down...he was doing so...

Desperately? Well, that sounded...important. "Yes, whenever we come across each other...which shouldn't be so difficult, since we share dormitories" she chuckled, ironically they haven't seen much of each other the past couple of years. Blame Quidditch or whatever you want.

Kaika smiled weakly, because of Jake, "Great, I'll be checking out the Stands" she said, adding a wink. It was going to be a tough job trying to find out who was who in the Stands, being aware of bludgers and other players didn't leave much time to pay attention to the Stands.

She nodded, "Both cups." she simply said.

She had to turn to look at Dominic, whom she expected was in a better mood by now, because Jake crying and Dominic being a bit depressed didn't exactly speak 'Hufflepuff'. And she needed 'Hufflepuff' now.

"Yes, it was" she said, with a smile, but didn't comment further because there was no need to do so, besides, she was no longer in a commenting mood. Perhaps if Miranda spoke again...

She smiled, "That's good news, I wouldn't like sharing a Common Room with Ravenclaw again" because she didn't like it. Enough said. Why did the staff thought of placing them with Ravenclaw instead of Gryffindor was way beyond her understanding, and even if she didn't spend much time in that room, not spending time in her own was not precisely nice.

New Huffies. Yeah. She should be introducing herself, but...maybe later.

Miles broke into a fit of laughter as he heard Fia gasp. I mean honestly...why was she so surprised all the time by what he managed to get done. His laughter stopped though as he heard her words, "Wait...what does my idiot cousin say about me?"

As she spoke he sighed and slid off the table exaggerating a bit as he plopped himself down on the bench beside her. Popping another piece of chocolate in his mouth he looked around, "Well it looks like we'll be waiting for a bit."

"Thank you and nice to meet you Dominic i;m Kyrie Rival" kyrie watched as Dominic looked around before looking back at her. she could tell he was thinking " ok sounds quite interesting i promise i will stay loyal to Hufflepuff and try my best to get us house points and help people in our house when needed. i'm sure i will find out my traits soon i'm a quick learner" kyrie said quite excited. "i was wondering would you mind if we were friends?" kyrie asked with a smile

"Grownups tell lies all the time, you can't trust 'em. What's the hat going to do, eat your head?"

"Charmed," Arrick drawled, not looking charmed at all. He eyed the older boy. Alright, so now he knew whom not to misbehave around. "Arrick Melliv."

"No," Arrick scowled. Not if he was going to loose his mind and become as twitchy as the Headmaster or as daft as the various people in Diagon Alley. He still wasn't buying the whole 'magic' thing. It was sounding more and more like a plot of his foster parents to make him dissapear for seven years and pretend he'd never existed. And they would, he knew, especially since they pegged him as an oddball. Oh they so would.

Kevin wandered over to the Hufflepuff table and saw his friend Rhea that he had met last term and made his way over to her and said "Hey Rhea haven't seen you for a while"