Abandoned

Hufflepuff

( Danielle's POV)

Danielle Axtoria Felitor  was having the time of her life in the Hufflepuff common room. The First-years were led by their prefect, Lyle Helder. First, they passed by the kitchen and the aroma of blueberry muffins wafted through the air. The group of kids had to be dragged away to prevent them from eating tomorrow's breakfast. They were led through the hallways until reaching a pile of barrels. In front, sat a boy who appeared to be drenched in vinegar. Lyle shook his head before helping up the boy.

" Justin....why..." he said, shaking his head disapprovingly. The boy, Justin, replied that he had slipped on some vinegar on the floor and accidentally tapped the wrong barrel. Upon hearing this, Danielle was confused.

" Excuse me, Lyle. But what does he mean by tapping the wrong barrel?" she questioned. The prefect smiled before proceeding to the pile and tapping the barrels in such an order, that it made a rhythm.The barrel two from the bottom, middle of the second row, swung open and the first-years curiously ran forward to look inside. Danielle was left at the back with the vinegar boy, Justin. She decided to talk to him.

" So if you tap the barrels wrongly..."

" Yup. Another lid bursts off and drenched you in vinegar. I'm Justin by the way. Justin Persius Clayton, second-year". Danielle introduced herself and when the crowd had finally entered the room, they went in. Danielle stopped dead in the doorway for in front of her was the most wonderful place she had ever seen. The Hufflepuff common room looked like a giant barrel it self, with honey coloured wood lining the floor and the same coloured bricks lining the walls.. There were cushioned chairs and sofas around the room accompanied by wooden tables. The fire was burning auburn in the fireplace, above which hung a portrait of Helga Hufflepuff. The windows were circular and potted plants hung loosely from the ceiling. The room resembled a cozy inn that Danielle had once stayed it while on vacation in Budapest, Hungary.

All around the room, students were buzzing and playing games. In front of the fire place, five students sat around a packet of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. One girl seemed to be gagging on a bean she just ate. Danielle didn't blame her. She once got an "Earthworm" flavoured jelly bean while playing with her brother, Darain Rexius Felitor( He claimed it was Peach).

In front of the fire place, a few students were reading. They were wrapped in blankets and seated on the plush cushions, noses buried deep in the spines of the books. Near the stairs, a bunch of students were laughing and playing exploding snap, a card game which would explode at any time possible. She decided to go and join in, hoping to make some new friends. She nervously approached the group but suddenly a loud bang sent her flying back into someone. The cards had exploded and she hated herself for getting scared.

" You okay?" a familiar voice asked. It was Justin. Danielle nodded before apologising. Justin then took her away to meet some of his friends. They were all second or third-years, making Danielle feel extremely awkward. Nevertheless, they were friendly and made her feel welcomed. One of Justin's friends, Bryson, even conjured up a game of Gobstones, one of Danielle's favourites. Another girl, Ethelyn, recited poetry(not that it was very good).

" The monkey sits on the tree. Wishing he could be a bird. CAW CAW he yells. No one comes.". Danielle claped slowly, unsure if she should be horrified or entertained. The others just waved their hands at her while slopping onto the couches.

"Recently I have begun to believe, Much to my chagrin and dread.That the world of sensible poetry, is on the brink of being dead." replied Sylvan, her cousin. Ethelyn stuck out her tongue while everyone laughed. Soon, Lyle called all the first-years to gather before sending them off to their dorms. Danielle shared a dorm with three other girls. In the corner of their room, was a bookshelf containing brightly coloured books. However, a particular cover caught her eye. It was a musty-grey colour and she could just make out the words " Death....Followers....Lord..". The book itself, gave of an ominous feeling, sending shudders down her spine. She put it out of her head before heading off to bed. There were copper lamps around the room which cast a warm glow over the four-poster beds, all of which were covered in yellow patchwork quilts. Everyone's trunks had already been delivered and Danielle's cat, Araza, sat curled up on her bed. She woke up as Danielle tucked herself in. Tomorrow, she would get answers. Answers to why Cora was in Slytherin.