Out of the Blue (Remus Lupin, Marauder's Era)

Chapter 3: Rhapsodic

adjective; extravagantly enthusiastic, ecstatic

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Alice loved the Hufflepuff common room.

She knew she wasn't technically supposed to be there, but there was no way that either of their Heads of Houses didn't know about their transgressions into various houses by this point. Tabitha had invited her in year one to paint each other's nails, Alice had very nervously agreed (she hated getting in trouble) and the game was afoot.

Over the years, she had made innumerable trips to her best mates' dorms and had gotten nothing more than an exasperated sigh from Professor Sprout (who actually quite liked Alice) and a rather terrifying but harmless glare from McGonagall (who probably didn't).

Other than a few side glances from actual house members, Alice hadn't been bothered. She had a feeling that most people seemed to realize that she didn't have many close friends in her own house and were letting it slide. She didn't know whether to be embarrassed or grateful.

Grateful, probably.

Maybe.

Anyways, Alice loved the Hufflepuff dormitory. It was so warm. The brick and wood alternating walls were peppered by small circular windows which always seemed to be allowing sunny, buttery light into the common room regardless of the weather outside. Alice would bet it was an enchantment from Professor Sprout to allow a constant feeling of optimism and peace into the circular room (which definitely worked).

Speaking of Sprout, her influence could be seen pervading throughout the house. It was covered in plants, flowering and leafy, growing around bannisters and beside the soft wicker furniture. They were dangling from the ceiling, placed on shelves, and circling the windows that, now that Alice thought about it, were probably magicked by Sprout for that specific reason. There also was a collective and silent agreement between the Hufflepuffs to keep the dozens of plants hydrated. Alice herself even pitched in when they needed it.

Alice was up in Tabitha's dorm at the moment, sitting on her friend's bed after the day of classes. She had had Herbology last period, one of her favorite classes, and was currently trying to pick the dirt out from under her fingernails and discreetly flick onto Tabbie's bed while she was shuffling through her trunk.

Alice loved Tabitha's dorm, as well. Her bed was covered in a soft, colorful, quilt that Alice would stretch out on if that idea didn't make her feel ridiculously uncomfy. Luckily for Alice, Tabby had noted her love for the cover, and the brunette's mother had gifted her her very own quilt a few winters ago. Her drapes were a soft yellow and white, illuminated by the windows that continued in the dorm, in between every bed.

There were several colorful carpets on the ground, and Alice happened to know that Tabitha had made one of them in an act of summertime insanity. It was a bit monstrous, it being lopsided, the pattern being off, and having random bits of cotton sticking up. Alice liked to bully the rug, Tabitha would half-heartedly defend it, but she knew why her mother made her bring it to school.

As a matter of fact, you could just see Tabbie's presence in the dorm. She was an artist, and was constantly trying out new methods of knitting, painting, or sewing, which was another reason Alice was nervous to sit on her friend's bed. The last thing she needed was a needle up her arse. Alice, despite the several instances of unintentional injury and interesting creations (i.e. oil paint Sirius), had actually grown quite fond of spending evenings like this with Tabitha, sitting in the Hufflepuff dormitory, snacking, and making far less impressive artistic renditions in various mediums.