Forbidden Request

Chapter Two: Finding the Corners of Home

The next morning, I woke to the comforting hum of Poppy Sweeting's light snoring beside me. The sun had barely risen, casting soft shadows across the dormitory. I lay still for a moment, absorbing the tranquility that seemed to hang in the air, trying to ignore the gnawing anxiety that had become a constant companion.

I had always been an early riser, but the novelty of my new surroundings made even the routine comforting. I slipped out of bed quietly, careful not to wake Poppy, and pulled on my robes. The common room was still empty when I made my way down, the only sound the soft crackling of the fire.

The warmth of the room was soothing. It was a stark contrast to the intimidating grandeur of the Great Hall and the chilly corridors I had walked through the day before. Here, the room was full of cozy armchairs and wooden tables, and the walls were adorned with cheerful yellow and black banners. There was something inviting about the low ceilings and the friendly atmosphere, so I settled into one of the armchairs near the fire, pulling out my Herbology notebook and attempting to focus on my messy scrawls and sketches.

I'd always been drawn to plants—their delicate nature, their silent way of communicating through growth and change. Hogwarts had its own magic, and I was eager to dive into it, but a small part of me felt out of place, like a newcomer to a story I didn't yet understand.

As the sun climbed higher, students began to trickle in, chattering and laughing as they made their way to breakfast. I could feel the change in energy as the common room filled up, the previous stillness replaced by the hum of excited conversation.

Poppy finally emerged, her short hair slightly tousled from sleep. She wore a bright smile and her eyes sparkled with the same enthusiasm I had seen the day before.

"Good morning!" she said cheerfully, stretching her arms above her head. "How are you finding our little corner of Hogwarts so far?"

"Good morning," I replied, forcing a smile that I hoped was convincing and gesturing to the room. "It's... cozy. A lot warmer than the rest of the castle."

She laughed and plopped into the chair opposite me, grabbing a piece of toast from the plate on the table. "You're going to love it here. The common room is the best part of Hufflepuff. It's where everyone gathers. You'll get to know everyone soon enough."

I nodded, though my thoughts were still tangled. "I hope so. It's just... a lot to take in."

Poppy's expression softened. "I can imagine. Starting in seventh year isn't exactly the easiest. But you're doing great so far. And remember, Hufflepuff is all about loyalty and support. We look after each other."

Her reassurance was comforting, though I still felt the weight of the newness pressing down on me. We chatted about the upcoming classes and what to expect, and I tried to focus on her words, allowing myself to be momentarily distracted from my worries.

———————————————

The Great Hall was bustling with activity by the time we arrived for breakfast. I followed Poppy to the Hufflepuff table, feeling the eyes of my new housemates on me. I tried to ignore the flutter of nerves in my stomach as I sat down, greeting the students around me with a tentative smile.

"Jude, this is everyone," Poppy said, gesturing to the group. "Guys, this is Jude Atlow. She's new this year."

The table buzzed with friendly greetings and introductions. Names blurred together as I tried to keep up, nodding and smiling. I was introduced to Aiden, who was the Quidditch captain; Lily, who was in charge of organizing house events; and a few others who had their own unique roles within the house.