After tapping on the middle barrel, Dylan made his way inside. "This has to be the coolest entrance to a room ever." he thought to himself as he walked along the passage, looking around himself as he went. Really, it was so epic. He wondered curiously what the other common room entrances were like. Hmm...he'd have to ask someone when he got the chance.

The first year entered the common room and his brown eyes widened as he took a look around the room. Merlin's beard! This was AWESOME! It was just so small and cozy looking. It was perfect. Just perfect. Dylan knew straight away this place was really his home. He could feel it inside of him. Smiling, he walked over and sank into one of the comfortable chairs by the fire and let his eyes close. Ahh, this was great. Now he was sure he would just love it here.

Minerva went into the common room smiling. She had been feeling horrible lately and was super down and how else to get out of being down then having a gathering for special reasons. It was special reasons so many of her friends had birthdays in September and she loved to make cakes for them all. Baking and cooking was always something she had enjoyed and it was coming common knowledge that she did. Cooking for many of them last term.

Working most of the day in the kitchen Min levitated some snacks and drinks into the common room. Setting them down on a few tables she smiled and ran up to her room. Coming back down she used the sticking charm to post a few signs with Happy Birthday Toby and Happy September Birthdays Everyone. She wanted this party for Toby, but she didn't want anyone to feel left out, plus what a great opportunity for them to all to get to know each other. Celebrating birthdays monthly just seemed like a great idea and a way for her to bake all the time.

Smiling she went and grab the cake she made for Toby and then another one cake she made for ones that might not like sponge cake. Looking around it seemed ready for the Puffs to come and have a good time with each other and meet and have a little birthday celebrations with Toby and everyone for September...

Oh, dear, sweet, common room aren't you a beautiful one? Yes you are. Mister Nashville Cash made his way into the very beautiful common room that were for his kind only, the beautiful and slightly strange people of Hufflepuff. He had to admit that each of them could be pointed out of what they are in love with, who they are in love with or what people remind them of. Like Nashville, everyone knew that he loves pie and he might remind people of the beautiful desert that is pie. Nashville felt at home now finally being in the Hufflepuff Common Room.

Nashville looked around at the people, maybe there were some new people here or maybe he would be able to find his friends. Meeting new people was fine too but friends were better. Although he really wished Taylor was here right now. There was just something about that girl that made him act like a little kid that thought girls had cooties or some sort of this, Nashville couldn't put it into words really but Taylor made him feel like he had done nothing wrong in his life and he wanted to feel like that and he finally found someone that made him feel like that and not someone that only might have possibly thought of him as a friend. Nashville wasn't thinking about dating anyone yet, he wanted to take it slow no matter how difficult that maybe be for him or for her and besides he doesn't know if Taylor even likes him like that at all, he might just be misreading things.

Nashville came back down from cloud nine and blinked a bit, he scanned the common room again as he sat down in a comfy chair. He managed to spot Minerva, he really wanted to call her Minnie or Minnie!Moo again but he figured that would be totally since he got chewed out for it last term and some things that happened over the summer and he didn't really want to get on Ethan's or Minnie's bad side at the moment. "...'Ello..." Nashville managed to blurt out at her. His mind was still on Taylor but he tried to think of something else.

Wade just about was beaming as he got his gift for little Tobes ready. This was going to be great. After wrapping it up nicely, he held it to his side, wanting to give it to him personally, after all. Walking back down from his dorm room he saw the decorations and- "CAKE!" Wade beamed even brighter, "This looks good, Min.. Anything else I can do to help?" Just then the idea came to him, from remembering what his hair ruffling mate suggested. "Oh, hold that thought, I know just what to bring." With Seeker-like speed, Wade bolted back upstairs momentarily.

It didn't take him long, since it was right on his night stand. Wade returned with his radio levitating. Yep, all parties deserved music. He set it down on another table nearest the one with all the foods. "How's that?" He asked both Min and, well, hello there Mr. Pie!Man, who snuck in. Heh. Guess now they needed to wait for more to join.

For a moment, Tobias regretted going out for a birthday fly in the shirt/trousers/tie components of his uniform. He'd come off his broom when he was still trying to test out just HOW responsive the broom was to him asking it to come to a halt. Luckily he'd been only three feet from the ground, because precautions, y'know? He HAD been going a bit fast though, and the sudden stop had sending tumbling, and now there were grass stains on his shirt and a bit of mud on his trousers. Now, however, he was remembering that he would not have to do all of his laundry by himself this year, so not to worry.

After that, Tobias had enjoyed a VERY good flight indeed. Close to three hours he'd been in the air, according to his calculations. Not bad at all.

The exhilerated and windswept THIRTEEN YEAR OLD entered the common room, with a huge grin on his face. Even after that long flying session, he was barely even tired.

Toby had not, however, been expecting what he saw in the common room. A party? Seriously? Had he been told about this but then forgotten, and if so, was he late?

Never mind that, WAS THAT A CAKE.

The Hufflepuff leaned his broom up against a wall where he was sure it wouldn't be in harm's way and moved closer to the cake everyone else, huge grin plastered over his face.

"This is awesome!" Tobias squealed gushed exclaimed.

"Really awesome!"

Ella had wandered into the common room on the heels of the second year, a small smile on her face. It was nice of Minnie to do this, the birthday party thing. It was especially nice because they were celebrating Tobias. The blonde couldn't think of a better person to celebrate, actually.

She ruffled his hair and BEAMED down at him, amused by his enthusiasm. "Happy Birthday, kiddo!" As for the other people in the common room, they got smiles and waves as well. "Hi guys!"

Party time?

Brodie walked into the common room, no charge to be in there! He smiled and looked around, it did feel a little great to be back. He pulled out his paper and quill again and started to write his songs again, then maybe he'd draw a little... just be his normal quiet self. He smiled as he started to write the song, he was hoping it would come off well, he'd have to owl it to everyone to make sure they could start practicing.

Minerva smiled at everyone as they came in. She was hoping they all liked it and it would give the puffs a chance to get to know all the other puffs. Yeah? Anyway when she turned she noticed a younger puff already there. Had he been there the entire time? What was his name again, oh that was right. "Dyaln how are you? I'm having a little celebration in here today. Something I'd like to start up for every month really. But today is all September birthdays and a chance to get to know everyone. I hope you will stay and join us." There were snacks and cake, who didn't like cake.

Looking up as someone walked in she smiled at Nash, "Hey Nashy hope you'll stick around for the little gathering I decided to have. Help me welcome some of the newer puffs. " He was a seventh year as well so he was one of the leaders of this house. "Oh I noticed we were still badger buddies as well. Hope that's alright with you." They had some ups and downs, but hopefully that was past them. "Anyway there's some pumpkin juice and snacks over there and once everyone gets here we have a few different kinds of cake. If you have any pies already made up you would want to add that would be great too." because Nash made great pies and she hoped he still would this term.

Next was Wade that walked in and the prefect reddened a bit. She hoped he wouldn't be upset that she planned this without him. It was kind of a last minute idea and she would so give him credit for it as well even if she thought of it. "Hey Head Boy I hope you don't mind me doing this. I thought it would be a great way for us to really get to know our new kitties this term." She chuckled knowing he would laugh at her reference as well.

Her eyes went to a well happy but dirty Toby as he came through the entrance. "Toby you alright?" She wanted to make sure the badger was alright first and then she smiled, "I promised a party and that's what you are getting. I hope you don't mind I kind of made it for all September birthdays so that all the puffs felt included." Which made it more fun, right? She looked around hoping no one snuck in, but it didn't seem that way. Time for some fun, right. "Get some food and stuff and I made your favorite cake."

Noticing Ella coming into the room, Min beamed, "Well Ella it's for Toby, but I kind of made it for all the September birthdays so you as well. I thought it might be a nice thing to maybe do monthly for the house." Plus it was just another reason to keep her mind off of other things and not miss cooking for a certain person as much. She could make things for her house instead. So that made it great.

Eyes going back to a new person in the room Minerva felt the urge to just ignore this person, why was he there. Oh right he was a puff wasn't he. Time for student leader professional ways to kick in right now. "Brodie I hope you will join us. We are doing a September birthday celebration for puffs to celebrate and get to know each other." and your moody behind said you wanted to meet people so there you go, come on and meet... Talk to people.. jump right in buddy.

He looked over at Minerva and looked at him, "That's great, Min... Maybe when I finish part of the song I'm working on." He shrugged and looked back down at the paper, yeah... Maybe when he was done, and when he could not be so close to her. He didn't trust Minnie, with his luck she'd charm the piece she gave him to do something nasty to him.

Entering the common room was like arriving home after a long trip. The smells, the warm feelings, the cake!! There was cake and Asher loved cake. He glanced around and saw so many familiar faces. His heart was full of pride for his wonderful house. "Hi everyone. It's nice to be home."

Even though his birthday was just a few months ago, he was already missing the sweet taste of birthday cake. Some may think that a cake is a cake. Not Asher. No, he knew that birthday cake was much better than an ordinary, every day cake. With a skip in his step, he headed over and checked out the selection of treats.

Suddenly, more fellow Badgers came into the common room. Dylan opened his eyes and craned his neck over the chair to see some older students, one he recognized as the nice girl from the table he had met at the start of term feast.

What was her name again?

Er...Minerva! Right! Okay, he remembered. Thank Merlin. He smiled as she walked over and he eyed the cake. Ooo, that looked delicious. His eyes then moved up to her and he beamed. "Hello, Minerva! I'm doing pretty good, how about you?" he asked. He then raisd an eyebrow when she mentioned having a party. "That sounds great, I'd love to stay!" he exclaimed.

Then, more people were making their way inside...and they all looked like they were older than him. Which he didn't mind. He was getting more open with mostly everyone now a days and he wanted to make as many friends as he could. He beamed at the blonde girl [Ella] and walked up to her. "Hello, I'm Dylan!" he said, sticking his hand out towards her to shake.

And an older boy was here too. He turned to him [Nashville] and smiled up at him. "Merlin's beard, this guy is tall," Dylan thought to himself as he stuck his hand out towards him. "Hi! I'm Dylan!" he introduced himself with a small smile.

Ooo, and some more older guys! Dylan smiled at the first one [Wade] then the other [Brodie]. He hoped these people would like him and be friends with him. The firstie was eager to make more friends in his house. "Hello," he said to them both, smiling. "I'm Dylan."

Adi made his way after successfully tapping the barrels. Really though, he had been afraid of getting sprayed with vinegar. But thankfully, he hadn't. He happily skipped into the common room, thinking that Hufflepuffs had the best way to enter their common room- and stopped short.

Was that cake? It was! CAKE! Adi loved cake. And there were Puffers around too, including the Scribbulus kid whom Adi gave a look and then turned to the others. Was this a party? "Hey, guys! What's going on?''

Slinking into the common room, Kaiden plopped down on one of the seats. He was aware of a lot of people gathered, most of whom were former teammates, but he didn't realize it was a party thing. He was just... here. Mostly because he didn't feel like being around people. Or well, where a certain person could find him. He was NOT going to talk to her...ever.

Brodie looked at Dylan as he looked at him. He checked his song and after making sure he liked what he had sat it down, "Hey, I'm Brodie." He laid the paper down and looked at the younger boy, "Nice to meet you."

After Kace hit the barrels and finally opened the door up, he made it into the familiar common room. He felt the warmth from the fireplace and saw familiar faces and new faces as well. He nodded towards them and sat in his favorite chair. He plopped down and relaxed before starting classes. He knew he was gonna excel this year and try hard.

"Thanks Ella!" Tobias said brightly to the captain, giving a manly, thirteen year old giggle as she ruffled his hair. Hair ruffling never got old and HE was amused at how many Hufflepuffs did it.

Toby was definitely under-dressed, and kinda scruffy, but he didn't dwell on that because... well... did it really matter? Maybe a bit later he'd go and change. But for now there were PEOPLE here. And new friends? Hopefully.

He looked to Min with that same smile. "Yeah, I'm totally fine!" he said cheerily. It didn't occur to him that his flying related scruffiness might indicate otherwise. He'd totally forgotten about the party promise from a few months back, but now here it WAS. If possible, he beamed even wider. WOW. "I don't mind at all! It sounds perfect." SHARING IS CARING.

Moving over to the food, Toby's eyes widened and he started eyeing up what he wanted. Before actually grabbing it, he turned to Min again. "Thanks for this Min, it's awesome." The cake especially. AND he had heard what she said to Ella about a party every month. Wow. YES LET'S DO THAT. Everyone should get a party.

Then a familiar voice sounded out and Tobias turned to see Asher, fellow second year Hufflepuff boy. He gave his dormmate a grin and a wave and was about to call him over, when the Asher did just that anyway. Tobias started to finally pick out some food as he spoke to his fellow second year. "Isn't this awesome? Minerva set all this out for my birthday and the other September birthdays!" Except he probably got his own specific sign because it was his birthday TODAY.

RIGHT NOW.

THIRTEEN.

A first year (Adi) showed up at that point, or at least Tobias assumed he was a first year because the kid had been one of the few he'd noticed getting Sorted (he'd been kind of busy trying to hide the pogo stick after all). Still, Tobias didn't know him by hand but HE HAD THE ANSWER.

"It's my birthday!" he piped up excitedly, sounding more like an 8 year old than a teenager. "So we're celebrating that and the other Hufflepuff September birthdays."

WITH FOOD.

AND MUSIC.

Well, Hufflepuffs were quite the happy bunch today from the looks of this Common Room. Weren't they ALWAYS, though?

Everything was rather loud, except Kaiden. But he was only loud when he was freaking out, and it was sort of amusing when he did. Only she wouldn't even bother him now, just in case. She didn't want another Aidan. Especially not in public.

BUT THEN...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felixir

"It's my birthday!" he piped up excitedly, sounding more like an 8 year old than a teenager. "So we're celebrating that and the other Hufflepuff September birthdays."

WITH FOOD.

AND MUSIC.

...HER FAVORITE PERSON IN THE ROOM SAID SOMETHING THAT MADE HER STAND STILL FOR A SECOND.

"It's your birthdaaaay?" Like, today? OMG! AND SHE DIDN'T HAVE A GIFT! A hug was a bit too weird to give, quite frankly, and well, she could give Tobias candy, but she was saving it for Lex. Best friend vs. her favorite second year? Sorry, best friend kind of wins this, but Lottie will make it up to him. Yup. She'll buy him something big for Christmas. "Happy birthday, Tobias!" she exclaimed, beaming and ruffling his hair. That was appropriate, right?

And, like, happy birthday to the rest, she supposed.

Minerva looked up and smiled at Asher, "Hey bud how are you? It is good to be back isn't it." Yes she was starting to feel a little better, but helping and planning was always her way out of her own thoughts and feelings. She enjoyed it though and seeing everyone coming together was something she really enjoyed. "I hope you will stay and meet some new badgers as well as celebrate September birthday with us." She pointed towards the snacks and cake, "Help yourself" Go be merry and meet more badgers.



She liked this boy already he seemed energetic and ready to jump in with the social. Minerva liked social, so she looked around, "Well there are some older students here already. Did you meet the Head Boy year, his name is Wade." All the badgers needed to know her, but the boys really needed to know Wade he could help with dorm issues on that end . "Now there is plenty of snacks so please make sure you get some and it looks like Wade has some music for us." This was turning to be fun.



Minerva noticed another first year. Oh it was the one that liked the onsies. "Hey Wade, Adi here likes onsies.. I think we need to get him one. " He should join their onesie group if he liked them so much. "I hope you have time to stick around. We are celebrating September Birthdays. It's something I'd like to see every month happen." because why not have an excuse to get together and have fun.



A bigger smile hit her lips when she saw one of her closer badgers. "Kaiden.. finally" She still didn't know what Mika meant the other day, but she was going to find out what happened this summer. Not here though, this was not the place. "Want something to eat, maybe some cake?" She hoped he wold. "Thought it would be fun to celebrate some birthdays and get to know some new badgers." So come be social with us Kaiden.. please..



There she tried.. She tried to be nice and she tried to include him and what is the unsocial hermit doing. Sitting in a corner being mr. grumpy and doing some dumb song. Who cared about a song.. Did he know how many people at this school thought and could play music. He wasn't anything special at least not to Minerva. Gosh she hoped Claudette saw through him. Giving a small smile though she shrugged, "Alright, but there are plenty of new people that you could meet. A few seventh years." You know that you share a dorm with... Shaking her head she turned without another word.




Minerva saw Kace and smiled, "Hey Kace hop your hungry." She pointed to the snacks and the cake. It was pretty self explanatory from there, right? "If you don't know someone make sure to introduce yourself. Wade and I are hoping people will have fun getting to know each other." That reminded her and she turned to Wade, "Do you know the charm to get that radio to work?" She had been practicing that very charm since the beginning of last term. So she was excited if she got to use it.




Minerva beamed at Toby, "It was nothing and I'm glad you are enjoying it. That was the first time I have ever made a sponge cake, so I hope it's good." She enjoyed trying new things though, so she at least had another cake under her recipe book. Turning when she heard someone say Happy Birthday she gave Lottie a smile. The girl tended to ignore Min, but she didn't mind at all, "Hello Lottie, hope your hungry. There are snacks and cake over there." She figured the girl would be mingling because how couldn't you with a group this amazing.

Looking at the group she smiled it was turning out to be a nice gathering. Could Puff know how to join together or what. They were an amazing spirited group and she adored them all. Oh, but wait. "Hey Guys!!" She said as loudly as she could. "Professor Flamsteed is still missing his pet rock. While you are out and about could you keep and eye out for her. I have some posters for you to look at and I'm going to stick a few in here, but let me know or just go to him if you find Pebbles. Thanks and have fun." Turning she used the sticking charm to post pebbles posters in a few different places. There now she would use the rest around the study tables and dorm room.

How about that, not that much waiting before the common room got very lively, heh. "It's cool, Mousie. It was a great idea too." Wade turned the radio on to get some bouncing beat going. Lucky and good choice, Mr. Radio.

Turning back he saw first their Captain join. Then another guy whose name was Brodie. Second years, table dancing Asher and Penguin Kace. The two first years, Adi and Dylan, all surrounding the birthday boy Tobester. The professional sneaker Kaiden. Oh, and previous runes puzzle solving partner Lotus. They all got a beaming smile, and wave from the Head boy, "Hey, welcome guys."

He didn't have to explain much about the party seeing as Min and Toby already took care of that. Hmm? Speaking of Min, he saw her starting to hang some more posters of- ohhh, yeah. Wade remembered those now. The missing pet rock. "Right, I'll keep a look out as well." Hopefully the others too, wasn't their house infamous for being good finders next to the cute and fluffy nifflers?

Well, now was the good time to give the gift. "Happy Birthday, and here you are, Tobester.. something to go with you and that broomstick of yours." Winking before passing the parcel. Once he opened it, he was sure he would find something different from everyone in there. Cue the waiting for reaction.

Laura walked into the common room and saw that some sort of party was going on but she decided against joining it. She had a feeling it was someone's birthday. She knew her friends Ella birthday was coming up soon but she decided that she would wish her friend happy birthday later on and give her the present she had gotten her.

Laura just snuck behind everyone and then sat down in a chair on her own with a book out she wanted to read. It was an awesome book that she had been given over the summer all about America.

Party, yes. Forrest remembered. He also remembered the date and the given promises. Minerva had promised to throw a party, and Forrest was there to just slack off while she prepared it and enjoy afterwards.

And so it happened. As soon as the cakes came out, he got up from his seat and looked at it curiously. Tobias and september people were the main focus here he knew, but cakes were too alluring and--

"His present!"

The allure vanished that instant and the little boy dashed towards his dormitory.

.................................

And he came down only to see a Tobias standing there and accepting congratulations. He grinned then, holding a big bag with his left hand. "Happy birthdaaaay!" he exclaimed and walked towards him for a--wait, what did guys do?! What was cool? Should he hug - but it was too girly! - or WHAT oh Merlin!--he just stood there in the end. No hugs, no fist bumps. Just standing there with a sheepish grin that had significantly faded. Yeeeeeah. Ahem.

"Here's a small present." He put the bag between them. It was a broomstick servicing kit in a snitch wrap. He already knew Tobias had one, but he couldn't think of anything else. No judging?

Was his earlier awkwardness too obvious?

Adi noticed an older dude (Kaiden) in the room who was not there before. But this one didn't look so happy and excited as the others. The firstie bounded over. "Why so glum, chum?'' he asked. Hopefully the boy won't be angry because of the intrusion or anything. "I'm Aditya, by the way. But call me Adi as everyone else does.'' Grin.

Just then Adi noticed- "Kace! Hi, buddy!'' he greeted the cool second year Puffer. He noticed the pleased look on his House mate's face and grinned. "I bet you're happy to be back,'' he said. Adi just knew he was glad to be here. All these people were amazing!

Ohh! This kid was the birthday boy! Adi remembered seeing him at the Hufflepuff table. Hadn't he been the one with the pogo stick? The firstie asked. "Did you have a pogo stick at the Feast? Can I have a go? I like pogo sticks!'' Oops. The birthday boy might not like having a bothersome firstie using his pogo stick. Adi quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, Happy birthday, dude!'' He held out his hand. "I'm Aditya but call me Adi.''

Get him a onsie? Adi grinned at Min. Would it be a Hippogriff onsie? But really, he didn't mind as long as he had one of those comfortable things. "Yes! I have time,'' he responded. Especially if it involved food. And cake! "That's a brilliant idea, Min! Who are the other September birthday guys?'' He paused. "I'm January,'' he added with a wink. Well, he won't mind if he just got a Happy birthday from them. That would be a-okay too!

Adi turned when he heard a voice he knew. "Hiiii, Head Boy Wade!'' He was gonna call Wade that all term long.

Of course she heard about it, but she wasn't convinced she was going to show up. That was until the actual moment when her feet started automatically walking towards the Hufflepuff Common Room. Tapping the barrel in the familiar acoustic pattern, she entered the bright, happy room to crowds of people already there. Such a good idea, really, celebrating September birthdays which thankfully wasn't hers. Cause turning 38 was NOT something she was looking forward to.

But anyway, she was just going to sit back and supervise, mostly. Show her face, so her badgers knew who she was. Though the party was for them, not her, even if she did secretly want a piece of that chocolate cake over there.... She would wait for the opportune moment to introduce herself. So no one mind the adult in the corner...

Just as he was about to grab some food, Asher heard Tobias. "Hi friend! It's great to see you, and happy birthday." He picked up a plate and eyed something chocolate towards the back of the table. "It was great of her to set this up. We should do this every month."

Hearing more familiar voices enter the room, Asher turned to see Kace and Adi. "Hi, guys! Adi, have you met Tobias yet?" He turned back to Tobias, "This is my friend, Adi."

The room was filling fast and he was starting to get overwhelmed with all of the commotion. Not wanting to forget to say hi to anyone, Asher started making his rounds. "Thanks, Minerva, the spread is great. It was very kind of you." He continued around the room, greeting everyone he saw.

Oh, and Ella, he needed to say hi to her as well. He weaved his way across the room, just close enough to say hi without interrupting her conversation too much. "Hi Captain!"

He knew the zigzagging path around the common room was causing him to miss people, but there was one he didn't miss. Their Head of House had entered the room. "Hello, Ma'am." He flashed her his biggest smile "So nice to see you here. I trust you had a lovely summer."