Harry Potter is the definition of a Hufflepuff. He just happens to be best friends with a Slytherin, spends most of his time with a Gryffindor and has random encounters in broom closets with a Ravenclaw. But besides that, Go Hufflepuff - look a badger.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Tea Time With The Sorting Hat
.
First Year
.
September…
He meets his first friend on the Hogwarts Express.
It's a girl with long, long - he cannot stress that word enough and seriously, this must be unhealthy in some way - long brown hair cascading down her back.
She has dimples, but is not at all cute. She has her fists clenched to her side and her hazel eyes take him in.
"Do you mind? Everywhere else is filled with stupid people." Her cheeks are tainted pink, her forehead creased in what Harry can only guess is anger.
He wants to ask what happened to put her in such a foul mood, especially since they haven't even reached school yet.
Instead he nods, silently agreeing to himself that in her current state, she'd probably rip his head off.
She takes the seat opposite of him, the bench big enough to swallow her. Harry guesses she's a first year too. But as the excitement makes it hard for him to stay in place, she doesn't seem to look forward to this at all.
At that precise moment, a woman dressed in the oddest attire pushes the door of their compartment open and with an expressionless face asks if they'd liked anything from the trolley.
Harry sends a look to the girl whose entire body is still tensed and unhappy.
"Everything that has chocolate in it please." He pulls out the golden coins from his pocket.
He distinctly remembers Aunt Petunia stuffing herself with chocolate when she was feeling particularly moody.
For the first in what seems like forever, she smiles (but she still rolls her eyes because he's obviously being a show off - not that she minds).
~.~
Her name is Lavender, just like the color.
"My mom loves every shade of purple." And has an odd sense of humor because her last name is Brown.
But when he goes to introduce himself, she says that she already figured it out.
"I can the see the scar, you know?" His new friend Lavender is extremely observant - he'll have to remember that.
Harry smiles.
"Chocolate frog?" The chocolate bounces into life, sprinting towards him and lending on his forehead.
Lavender chokes on her chocolate.
~.~
He's one of the first sorted. The Great Hall, previously full of chatter, is now completely silent.
From the crowd of student, Lavender is standing near the front with her thumbs up. He smiles as Professor McGonagall puts the dreaded hat on his head.
'I have no idea how this works.' And seemingly out of nowhere, the hat springs to life, twisting and turning, his neck cracking with every movement.
'Odd, very odd - you are undecided.' Harry blinks at the crowd, but realizes that no one can actually hear.
'I don't feel undecided.' And then he thinks about the Dursleys, about how bitter and short sighted they are. 'I don't want to be like them. I want to be kind and accepting, but more importantly…"
But the hat cuts off his thoughts.
"Very well then." Students fidgets and he's pretty sure that people are on the edge of their seats.
"HUFFLEPUFF." Harry's pretty sure he could hear a cricket. Unlike before, the Hall doesn't immediately erupt in a fit of applause.
And then something snaps everyone back into reality and people cheer.
Lavender smiles at him as he passes by her.
October…
Harry has always been exceptionally gifted at going through the motions (truth be told, he's just glad not to be anywhere near No.4 Privet Drive).
"No one in Gryffindor can stop talking about how the famous Harry Potter was sorted into Hufflepuff." Lavender rolls her eyes, sucking on her lollipop.
"And what do you think?" He only has one class with the Gryffindors: Muggle Studies. And of course, he pairs himself off with Lavender. It's too bad that he doesn't end up in the same house as his first friend, but they somehow always find each other.
"I think people should find something else to talk about. You're really not that interesting." He smacks her arm and she snorts.
Every house has special traits, abilities that make them compatible. They read about it in History of Magic and Harry comes to understand that Lavender really belongs in Gryffindor. She's the finger on a trigger, ready to shot at any moment.
~.~
Most of his classes are with Ravenclaws. While Hufflepuffs smile and like to mingle, Ravenclaws stick with each other and their beloved books.
"I think they like their books more than anything." Ernest – please call me 'Ernie' – whispers to him one day as they're supposed to copy the recipe from the board in Potions.
Harry silently agrees, but Professor Snape's eyes are on him and he really doesn't fancy getting into a fight with him. He nods at Ernest, eyes still trying to avoid the Potion's Master.
~.~
Much like his only class with the Gryffindors, the only time Hufflepuff is paired up with Slytherin is for History of Magic. Not that there is anything wrong it – Harry understands that Slytherin doesn't care much for Hufflepuff.
The only reason people are talking so much about his house is because he's somewhat of a celebrity (and apparently, Cedric Diggory is considered one of the hottest boys in the school – but Harry doesn't care much about gossip).
He's paired up with Draco Malfoy that day because Susan is out sick with the flu. The boy is blond and his face seems to be twisted in a permanent sneer as Harry seats himself next to him.
"You have nice hair." The sneer vanishes, eyebrows raise and eyes blink.
"Uh, thank you I guess." The blonde says a few seconds later as Harry nods his head, a smile on his face. He seems to be doing that a lot – surprising people. It's their fault really.
It's always a mistake to assume.
"It'd look even better without the hair gel. They're probably really soft too." Harry wishes his hair turned out like this – he's sort of given up on it. Every morning is a hassle and he stops trying.
Draco Malfoy doesn't say a word to him for the rest of the lesson.
Two days later, when he sits down next to the blonde again because Susan is still recovering, Harry blinks before a slow smile creeps on his lips.
"Shut up." Draco doesn't even bother turning to look at him which only makes Harry grin. His hair does look really, really soft.
November…
Lavender's mom sends her sweets with every letter and she always hands the chocolate to Harry. It's Saturday and they are nestled on one of the many benches near the open windows. There's no snow, but the air is cold.
"And then Hermione Granger shot me the nastiest look – I swear. It's not my fault I'm better at Defense Against the Dark Arts then her." It seems that there is plenty of drama in Gryffindor.
"She's probably just jealous." Harry is nearly finished with the box of chocolate while Lavender keeps the lollipop in her mouth.
"Granger is just stuck up." Both Harry and Lavender's eyes snap up, taking in the person standing in front of him. Harry smiles first, Lavender's eyes narrowing.
"What are you doing here, Malfoy?" Slytherins and Gryffindors don't mix – didn't you know? But Harry shots her a look that clearly says 'cool off, Lav'.
"Don't get your knickers in a twist, Brown. Potter and I have a paper to hand in next week." Lavender raises an eyebrow at him and then turns to look at Harry. The Hufflepuff just grins, holding up the box of chocolate towards the boy.
"Have a chocolate."
December…
Gryffindors and Slytherins whisper every time he is near. Apparently, you can't be friends with both house. Ravenclaws don't care and Hufflepuffs think it's nice that he's reaching out to other houses.
"I think it's nice what you're doing, Harry." Hannah tells him during Charms. "I mean, it's not written anywhere that people from other houses can't be friends with each other." She smiles then, her feather rising up into the air.
Harry beams at her.
~.~
"I told mom I'd stay at Hogwarts for the holidays." Harry blinks at Lavender. They're in the library, studying for the upcoming exams. The place is filled with students writing furiously, towers of books stacked next to them.
"You're the best." Lavender smiles.
"I know." Harry turns his attention back to the Transfiguration textbook with a smile on his face.
~.~
"Here." Draco Malfoy hands him the wrapped box. Harry blinks in surprise at the parcel. The blonde has his scarf wrapped around his throat and there's a trunk next to him.
"Did you buy me a Christmas present?" Harry's eyes shine, emotions churning inside of him as he looks from the box to the boy who looks very uncomfortable at displays of affection.
"I know how much you like chocolate. There's lollipops for Brown too – just don't tell her it's from me. I do have a reputation to maintain." Harry grins.
He's so telling her.
~.~
Wandering around an empty castle at night with your friend should not end with you screaming and running away from a three-headed dog.
"What the hell was that?" Harry just makes a face – there's drool on his shirt.
January…
"Hey Hagrid – you wouldn't happen to know anything about a three-headed dog on the third floor?" Hagrid drops the spoon he is holding, hot soup spilling all over the floor.
Harry takes that as a yes.
~.~
"A three-headed dog?" Draco's eyes widen slightly as Lavender tells him. As always, the eleven-year-old has a lollipop stuck in her mouth and the memory makes her shudder.
"Oh and Harry got an invisibility cloak as a Christmas present." Harry nods. The thing is hidden away in his trunk, along with the mysterious note that came with it. Draco looks between the two. Lavender nonchalant with the stick popping out of her mouth and Harry happily munching away on chocolate.
The blonde sighs.
"I really shouldn't leave you two alone for an extended period of time."
February…
"Hi, Harry. What can I do for you?" The fourth year Hufflepuff smiles, white teeth straight and perfect. He even has dimples and Harry swears that near them, a few girls swoon.
"Are you going to Hogsmeade this weekend?" The cooper haired teen nods. "I was wondering if you go do me a favor and grab a few sweets for me?" Harry Potter tilts his head to the side innocently and bats his eyelashes.
"Sure." Harry beams and hands Cedric a few coins.
~.~
Heart shaped lollipops are tasty.
"Isn't it a little weird for you to give me a heart shaped lollipop on Valentine's Day?" Harry rolls his eyes and shoves the unwrapped candy in Draco's mouth.
He smiles as the blonde glares at him.
March…
"So, I went to the library to check up on that Nicolas Flamel fellow Hagrid blabbed about." Both Harry and Lavender look up from their homework. "And I found out he's the maker of the Philosopher's Stone."
Both Harry and Lavender blink at the same time.
"The Philosopher's stone people? The Elixir of life? That thing that changes metal into gold?" Again, the Gryffindor and the Hufflepuff blink at the Slytherin. Finally, Lavender rolls her eyes.
"You're such a nerd, Malfoy." Harry dodges the book that Draco throws at his head.
~.~
Flying lessons at the end of winter is a pain. Justin falls on the ice, which makes the Ravenclaws rolls their eyes and the Hufflepuffs laugh.
Harry doesn't mind the flying lessons at the end of winter. It makes for quality entertainment.
April…
"You think the three-dead dog is guarding the Philosopher's Stone?" Harry nods grimly.
"When Hagrid took me to Gringotts, we went into this vault and he made me swear not to tell anyone. The reason the third floor is off limits is because it's hidden under there." Lavender bites the lollipop in her mouth. It cracks.
"But why?"
"Well, the Philosopher's Stone is very powerful. If it fell into the wrong hands…" And then Draco's face turns white because of the image that forms into his head.
"Malfoy?"
"We're finding that stone and we're destroying it." Both Harry and Lavender share a look.
May…
"Harry, you okay?" There's that buzzing in his head, a throbbing in his temple and his scar threatens to burn off his forehead. Both Susan and Hannah stare at him as he hisses in pain.
"Yeah." He says rubbing his scar. Harry swears Professor Quirrell is staring straight at him as he explains about trolls.
June…
Headmaster Dumbledore is called away on business – at least that's what Professor McGonagall says as she acts as temporary Headmistress.
For once, Lavender doesn't have a lollipop in her mouth.
"Let's do this." Lavender is the finger on the trigger that is ready to go off at any second. Harry actually figures out why Draco is so horrified at the idea of someone finding the Philosopher's Stone.
The blonde nods his head – he's the one that comes up with the plan.
Harry hopes his scar stops burning, but as they make their way to the third floor carefully hidden under the invisibility cloak – the burning intensifies.
~.~
"It's Devil's Snare! You have to relax." And then Harry closes his eyes, tries to forget that a plant is trying to strangle him to death and feels his body slide.
He drops on the floor. Next is Draco and then Lavender, who falls with a thud.
"How'd you know that?" Both Draco and Lavender turn to look at him and Harry shrugs his shoulders. He actually listens to Professor Sprout. He quite likes Herbology.
~.~
"Draco, you're good with a broom, right?" The blonde nods his head, watching as the enchanted keys fly pass them. All three of them eye the key with the broken wing.
And then Draco's grabs the broom, the keys halting and then making a fast U-Turn towards the one who dares to touch the broom. Harry and Lavender make a run for the door.
~.~
"Okay, guys. You have to listen to what I say." Lavender cracks her knuckles before she straddles the porcelain horse. Draco stands like a tower where the rook is meant to be. Harry the bishop next to king.
"Pawn to E3." Harry swears he'll never play another game of wizard chess.
~.~
They somehow make it to the chamber – all three of them. Lavender is soar from her fall and Draco's arm is throbbing from the Troll, but they make it.
"Professor Quirrell?" The turban wearing teacher turns to look at the new arrivals, standing in front of a large mirror. All three gasp in horror as the man whispers to himself before unwrapping the headpiece.
"Well, I didn't expect all three of you – but no matter. Now, can one of you tell me where the stone is?" Harry watches as his reflection holds a finger to his mouth and then slides the stone in his pocket.
He pushes Draco and Lavender away just as the flames appear, creating a barricade between them and his former Professor. He can hear both of them scream his name as he finally turns meets the man who murdered his parents.
His scar almost burns a hole in his forehead – but he's still better off than Quirrell.
~.~
Draco's left arm needs a cast while the bones heal properly. Lavender has bruises on her legs and a concussion. Harry ends up with second degree burns.
All three of them are stuck in the Hospital Wing for a whole week. And while Madame Pomfrey insists that they actually have to rest while they are there. But somehow, Lavender and Draco always end up in Harry's bed.
"You don't think it's weird how every task was somehow made for one of us?" Lavender has her trademark lollipop in her mouth while Harry tries to complete his Transfiguration homework. Draco has stopped writing his Potion's essay.
"You don't think that someone actually knew we'd be down there, right?" Lavender rubs her temples. There's so much stress an eleven-year-old can take.
"That's exactly what I think." Draco's eyes are narrowed. Harry blinks in thought.
"But who?" The curtain around Harry's bed opens just as he asks the question. All three tense up as Headmaster Dumbledore regards them with his usual calm and knowing eyes.
"What are you three whispering about?" Lavender, Harry and Draco all exchange a look, but none of them say anything.
~.~
"I love pumpkin juice after life threatening situations."
A few people turn to look at Lavender. They're waking towards the Great Hall for the last feast of the year. No one knows the real reason they ended up in the infirmary – but it doesn't stop people from guessing.
"This year has been a blast – but maybe next year we can avoid the whole spending a week in the Hospital Wing thing. My father isn't thrilled."
"Agreed." Harry makes his way to the Hufflepuff table, sitting down between Hannah and Ernest. He watches as Lavender takes a seat near the end of the Gryffindor table and Draco takes his rightful place at the middle of Slytherin one.
His scar doesn't hurt so much now and he smiles, filling his goblet with pumpkin juice.
a/n: It really doesn't have to make sense and could be read as a one shot or could become a multi-chapter story. I'm still not sure. This is intended as humour, to be taken lightly. I find that Harry, Lavender and Draco are quite the trio. As for the random encounters with Ravenclaws - well that would be in second year. Let me know if you'd be interested in more. I hope you enjoyed and thank you for reading. Till next time.