Mary, upon entering the common room for the first time, was awestruck. Despite it being late at night, the common room looked sunny. She walked about the room, testing chairs and looking for a quiet alcove to call her own. She eventually walked right through, looking for the first year girls dorm.

Oh, how lovely it was for the castle to be full again! The Friar cut a jolly figure indeed as he drifted through the ceiling, almost ready to bounce off the walls he was so excited for today. Because he wasn't just here for a chat. Oh no. He had a very important job to do, by special request of the Hufflepuff leaders.

"Come one, come all!" he announced, waving his arms to encourage everyone to gather around him. "Come closer, for today we have a fine treat indeed...and I have the honour of kicking it all off." He was...what did the kids call it? Bloated? Puffed up? No that wasn't right. Oh, whatever...this was no time to get distracted with the young'uns lingo!

Focus, Friar. Focus.

"Would someone be so kind to fetch the chocolate frog card stuck on the noticeboard?" Since he was a ghost and couldn't hold things and all. "Should be for a certain magizoologist," he added, just in case any other others had been pinned up for swapsies; he knew plenty of Badgers were collectors.


ooc: pinned on the noticeboard is a chocolate frog card for Newt Scamander. Curiously though, the back does not read the usual information about his career; instead, the following is printed:

Quote:

Originally Posted by chocolate frog card

Hello badgers, one and all
and heed the scavenger hunter's call
consider each famous badger face
and figure out the special Place
where you will find another clue
to lead you onward, up, down, out and through
until you reach the very end
and find yourself with all your friends

The next step on your hufflehunt
you will hear howls, growls and grunts
But don't be scAred just take a look
and take a page from Newton's book
Don't go to close to whats forbidden
And forget about the ones you've ridden
don't listen to the ones that sing
And maybe hide your shiny things
go inside and say hello and hi
grab youR next clue and wave goodbye

Add she walked through the common room, Mary noticed the Fat Friar calling for everyone and there weren't too many people around, so she walked over to the noticeboard. Examining the card, she immediately though of COMC. Her sister had loved the class and told her all about it. It was on the grounds, so she walked off and headed towards it.

This has ought to be it. The whole part about hiding shiny things, it went with nifflers. Totally COMC. She was confident.

The common room was her peace zone. Her happy place. Her ying to her yang. Farah was currently sitting on the couch by the fire, with a plaid blanket draped across her lap as she looked through some brochures of universities of the wizarding sort. Her mind was completely immersed into what life would be like outside of Hogwarts. The only thing that brought her mind back to the present was an all too excited ghostly voice.

Looking up curiously, Farah saw Fat Friar bellowing about something. Chocolate Frog? From the notice board? Farah put her brochures down and got up, bringing the blanket with her as she walked toward Fat Friar. Her eyes drifted over to the younger Hufflepuff that was heading to the notice board. "Whats this about, if I can ask?" Farah asked with a curious smile as she looked over at the young hufflepuff, waiting for her to mention what was on the chocolate frog... or rather.. the specific one he asked for... the magiozologist. Newt Scamander.

Pumped. That had been the word he'd been looking for. He was pumped for today's shenanigans. And it looked like Mary was going to set them off!

He clapped excitedly as he watched the first year retrieve the card, glad to see she was settling in. Sometimes the youngest ones struggled at first, but Mary looked eager and ready to go. "You're looking nice and cosy there, Farah," he commented as the blanket-clad seventh year joined him. Oh, to be able to snuggle up under a blanket by the fireplace once more. Alas, no such luck for him...but seeing his dear Hufflepuffs achieve and grow warmed his heart instead. "Of course you can, m'dear. We're having a house adventure to welcome everyone back, and the first clue as to where we're headi-"

He drifted off as he watched the first year start walking off. Had she solved the riddle already? "Want to share what you read with everyone, Mary?"

This wasn't a competition, no need to rush. Well, okay...maybe best to not dally too much knowing their Head of House, but they had pleeeeenty of time. All afternoon, in fact.

Mary looked up at the cheery ghost. She held out the card and read exactly what it said out loud. There were only two people in the common room, so she asked her quiet vice could be heard.

She was waiting to get out, but had to stay. Running out right now would be rude, even if she did really think she had it.

"Good work indeed!" The Friar clapped his hands together as he swooped over their heads. She was perhaps a little quiet, but that was only to be expected for a first year and it didn't faze the house ghost one bit. "SooOOooo, where do you think we need to head?" It was an open question, to Mary and the other Badgers assembled alike. "Where might we find howls, growls and grunts near something forbidden and things to be ridden?"

"It sounds like it should be near the forbidden forest, I was thinking COMC" she said hesitantly. It was definitely near the forbidden forest, but she only thought COMC because it had said "howls, growls and grunts."

It was cute to see Fat Friar so excited about something. Farah grinned as she watched him swoop above them. She moved closer to the soft spoken first year. "Sounds like we are going on a trip to the Forbidden Forest!" Farah said, guessing because thats the only thing that she knew of where grunts, growls, and forbidden things were. Only... "Are we allowed to go in there?" She remembered the Headmaster's speech this year....

Not that Farah was backing away. "Let me get a coat!" She called out excitedly. "DONT LEAVE ME!!" She yelled while running to her dorm.

It wasn't long before she was back out, coat on, shoes tied, and ready for an adventure. "let's do this!"

"Near the forbidden forest, Farah," the Friar replied to the seventh year's question with a smile. Because yes, the forest was indeed still forbidden as per the Headmaster's speech. "Mary's definitely on to something with Care of Magical Creatures, though." Very warm indeed. "Maybe we should head outside and go see who we find there?"

...and was it chilly out? Honestly, the Friar had no idea. It looked bright enough, but of course he couldn't feel the warmth of the sun these days. He wanted the students to be comfortable though, so he nodded. "Of course. But be back quick, badgers! There's adventures to be had."

When those who had gone to fetch extra layers had returned, he gave the nod to proceed. "Lead the way then, Mary! Where in the Care of Magical Creatures area do think we should try first?"


ooc: let's move proceedings to CoMC and see who or what we find!

.... Aaron really needed to get his head out of the clouds. Figuratively and literally. Yeah, perhaps he was going overboard with all the quidditch training as of late, but if he ever wanted to back Captain Bell up on the Seeker front, he had to put in the hours. That meant hours upon hours of chasing after the snitch, like he'd seen his cousin do on multiple occasions back home. He loved being a beater, sure... but why limit himself?

Also, challenges made life interesting!

Shouldering his broom (since it was due for a good polish), the Hufflepuff danced his way into the common room, sweaty and flushed. Oh... the Fat Friar. They rarely got visits from the ol' house ghost... He was about to ask what was going on when he remembered the noticeboard. There had been something posted there about something... Was this it, then? Yeah, Aaron Botros could do with an adventure. Why not?

"Guys, hold up. Lemme stash my broom." In his dorm, because it was precious to him... And apologies about potential bad odors. That's what hard work smelled like!

The once relative calm and quiet of the late afternoon is suddenly interrupted by the booming voice of the Headmaster.

"Everyone report to the courtyard, immediately. This is not a request nor is this a suggestion. There's been an...er....situation that has compromised the safety of everyone within the school. Should you not wish to find yourself on the inside of something pink and furry, I suggest you make your way out NOW." There is the smallest paused, before a belated "Oh. Ahem. Thank you."

The message rings throughout every corridor and every room in the entire castle as well as the grounds. Best get to that meeting place.

They had done it! That had the Cup!

Body still buzzing - he would feel that bludger blow tomorrow - and adrenaline pumping through his veins, Derf helped lead the charge back to the common room after their 210 - 120 victory of Slytherin. It might be easy to say since it was now in their hands, but it was the only Cup that truly mattered to the seventh year at the end of the day. No offense to the House Cup, of course, which was an accumulation of the entire house's efforts and, you know, more reflective of everyone instead of a finite group...but he had always been proud of his skill on a broom. And it was, you know, nice to have a Quidditch Cup pin to add to his humble tchotchke collection. A little additional validation in his choice of freedom.

Holy flaming salamanders he was unlikely to get through this impromptu gathering without crying.

Turning to walk backwards as he entered the common room proper, Derf joined in with the cete of badgers in their Hufflepuff chant. Honestly though? His first order of business was hoisting Bel up on his shoulder for a rousing round of 'For she's a jolly good captain'.

Daisy had been witness to the amazing skills that her house Quidditch team were in possession of. Now, she was cheering wildly with tears of joy in her eyes as the players made their way into the Common Room.

"That was brilliant!! I am so proud of you!" Daisy said to the team in a voice that was shaking with excitement. She then looked at Derf. "How're you feeling after that Bludger?"

Ronan was bruised and battered and muddy and tired and his wrist felt funny and his legs too but absolutely none of that mattered AT ALL you see because they'd won the quidditch cup THEY'D WON THE QUIDDITCH CUP, ONE MORE TIME?? THEY'D WON THE QUIDDITCH CUP.

Walking in the centre of the procession, gleefully yelling and screaming with everyone else and feeling as if he was about to EXPLODE with happiness, Ronan stayed by Maxie - his first year partner in chasing AWESOMENESS whether he liked it or not - and the rest of his teammates. His hand was still wrapped tightly around his broom, the very same that had carried him to greatness, and the only broom he trusted to do all his tricks on, but that was getting increasingly difficult as the group got more and more crowded.

Then they got to the common room and Ronan forgot ALL ABOUT being tired because there was a captain to celebrate and all the house was in the common room and this was the BEST. THING. EVER. EVER EVER EVER.

"FOR SHE'S A JOLLY GOOD CAAAAPTAIN!!!" Yes yes he would SING TOO. Not only was he SUPER FAST AND SKILLED on a broom but he's LOUD TOO and this is an EXCELLENT REASON TO YELL YES IT IS. THEY'D WOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!

It was very hard to remind himself to breath. everything was happening. everything was happening and all at once and it was wonderful and so cool and he'd never felt so big in his entire life- but suddenly here he was- part of something- a big winning something.

Maxie cheered, his voice hoarse and raw from cheering and crying, and cheering. He couldn't do anything else- no words could express the feeling building up in his belly. So bright. So warm. It was like- It was like Christmas morning.

It was like waking up just as the sun began to rise.

It was like when you made a joke and everyone listened and laughed, like- really laughed.

Pride. Belonging.

Maxie rubbed hard at his water-colored eyes, his robes a mess of green-brown-yellow-and-black. He could blame his dive into the dirt for his red, irritated eyes, couldn't he? Yeah?

"F-For-" Oh, who was he kidding? he couldn't even begin to gather himself up enough to sing. Impulsive- Happy- Maxie did something he'd been wanting to do all term- but hadn't for fear of rejection- amongst other things- he reached out and hugged Ronan as tightly as he could. They'd done it. They'd proven themselves despite not being able to use their own brooms- despite their discomfort- and despite what everyone said.

So Hufflepuff won the Quidditch house cup, congratulations! Even though Diandra wasn't such a huge fan of this sport, but she was there watching her housemates competing to show some moral supports. They did play really well and the match was really interesting... at least that's what she could say as someone who's not an expert, heh.

Following the badger crowd, Diandra joined the others for celebration. "Derfael," She called the Head Boy's name and pat his shoulder. "You did really well on the match... I hope you're not getting serious injuries." Those bludgers were rough and could cause a serious physical damages if the players weren't careful for that. "And you guys were amazing chasers, congratulations." She addressed to the first years (Ronan and Max).

"Which nobody can deny!" came the low baritone of Noble, as he entered the common room mid-song and rejoined the throng of Hufflepuffs coming from the pitch. In front of him, he levitated a large cake resembling the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch, complete with stands, and the words 'QUIDDITCH CUP CHAMPIONS' emblazoned across the frosted grass. He lowered it safely on to one of the tables, before brandishing his wand once more.

"I think some redecoration is in order..." he said, flicking his wand and several rows of black and yellow bunting stringing itself across the ceiling. A congratulations banner also appeared over the fireplace. "That's a bit better. Now, do tuck in!"

A celebration wasn't a celebration without cake.

Oh, HI, CHAMPIONS!

.... Aaron was a bit late to the celebration. A shower had been needed, as well as a cool-down period. Adrenaline had been coursing through his body at alarming rates, not seeming to understand that the "battle" was over. They'd won... Won it all... but he couldn't seem to expel the excess energy...

......... Professor Noble was singing... and... Oh. OH... Right.

Oops.

"Sorry, I'm late! ....... Heya, Hufflepuffs!" He appeared appropriately abashed by his own tardiness. He'd been a crucial element in their success, after all. They all had. He didn't join in on the singing, but he WOULD have some of that cake.

It was a good thing Bel wasn't prone to embarrassment because up on Derf's shoulder she was definitely getting a lot of attention. Oh, and because of the winning captain business.. Or for her part as seeker. All of that, she supposed. She looked down at Ronan and Maxie, the first years that she'd made first string, who everyone except the team themselves had doubted, and grinned. They had done so good? SO good! That score was all of them, phenom stuff.

"D! Put me down!" She said with a laugh. Well she wanted some of that cake too after all! And... more D's! Not the D she was currently on the shoulders of though. "Hello Diandra, Daisy! Thanks for ya support!"

She grinned at Noble. She'd miss him! Not that she was making it quite public yet.... Headmaster Trent had signed off on her leaving school early after the school year was done and not returning for 7th year, but it wasn't time to make that common knowledge yet, and besides she much preferred to focus on enjoying the celebration with her team right now. Be in the moment!

Daisy beamed in awe as Professor Noble redecorated the Hufflepuff Common Room and her mouth began to water as she spotted the cake. "The cake looks delicious, sir!" Daisy exclaimed as she helped herself to a piece of cake.

As she began to tuck into her piece of cake, she saw Aaron enter and gave him a smile. "Excellent work on the Quidditch field," she told him as he helped himself to some cake.

When she was thanked by Bel, Daisy gave the Quidditch captain a smile and replied with, "You're very welcome, hon."