Morning: In which Harry Potter Gets Hot, Bothered and Wet- Not Necessarily In That Order
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Cute, Leon thought as he looked at the sleeping eleven year old. A bit like a puppy. Or my cub, I suppose. He corrected, mind going back to last night.
Harry had been wide-eyed in interest over the idea of not only a secret entrance but also a defense to it, Neville had been appreciative over the common room and it's plants but Hermione was awed by the portrait of Helga Hufflepuff- he was certain that if she could have, she would have written down everything said. Leon loved a good speech, something about them gave him goosebumps (Note to self: Figure out when Goosebumps came out, add them to the Ring) and made him want to go and do , and he could, with possibly a lot of bias, admit that their Founder's First Day speech was one of his favorites;
"Welcome." The first speech started off, warm and welcoming. "I know what others say of us, I am aware of their opinions and how they tend to base how they interact with the House on that…" Then it became sad and sorrow-filled, as if the speaker were grieving. "So I must ask you to do something for me, it will hard- it might be the most difficult thing you will do but I have faith that you will all be able to rise to meet the challenge." It changed to firm and encouraging. "I ask you this...when they call you talentless, I ask that you congratulate them on their achievements. When they tell you that you're rejects, that you were put here because you couldn't make it anywhere else, I ask that you be patient with them because it is not their fault for being misinformed. When they call you slow, or an idiot or even a 'duffer', I ask that you take it with a smile so you may focus on your studies. Most of all, I ask that you forgive the ones whom insult you in their ignorance."
There was a pause to let that settle before the tone became fierce and protective. "This does not mean I ask that you sit back and allow others to attack you. No, you are a Badger now and we badgers protect our own." It was said with a kind of possessive protectiveness that was echoed in a rumbling murmur of every veteran Hufflepuff. "We are tolerant, we are hard workers, we strive for kindness and fairness- this is true. To say we are afraid to fight, that is a lie- we are simply patient and tolerant enough to wait for something worth fighting for. Above all, we are loyal; to harm one is to harm all, we will defend ours at all costs." It was said like a promise, though if others were present it could have been a treat.
"This is what it means to be a Badger. This is our home, our family, our House- our Clan and it is worth protecting ." Here you could tell that the speech was coming to an end though that didn't make it any less powerful. "We are one House, one Clan, and we help each other in any way we can, from this day forward you will never be alone- that is what it means to be a Hufflepuff."
Then came the prefect speeches which, while not as good, were amusing on the principle that Alfred was Head Boy.
"Now that our Founder has given us her speech on what it means to be a Hufflepuff," the Head Boy had started. "It's time for us to tell you all the boring little details- like how, more often then not, firsties are referred to as 'cubs' and the common room as the 'sett'."
Mary, the female prefect, had hit him, "It's important so take it seriously."
"Alright- geesh woman, how are you not a beater?" Alfred had asked while rubbing his arm. "Okay. First thing, you've seen how to get into the Sett but just to remind you; barrel two from bottom, middle of second row, you tap 'Helga Hufflepuff'- that's two-three. Got it, tap two-three on barrel two from bottom and middle of the second row? If you're not sure, ask an upper year to do it- nothing ruins your day like being soaked with vinegar."
Mary had took over then, "See those circular doors, they lead off to the dorms, bathrooms and such. Left is boys, right is girls- if you're confused then look for the badger carvings, they hold a small plate that says 'Boar' or 'Sow'. 'Boar' is for boys and 'Sow' is for girls."
"We're all about badger references here," Alfred had said. "Boar, Clan, Cub, Sett and Sow- male, House, firstie, common room and female. We Hufflepuffs are an odd bunch- other houses have their messes cleaned up by House-elves but we pick up after ourselves. In winter and summer it's even done entirely by hand rather then with magic to help! We're also the only ones who do our own laundry, don't worry if you don't know how because your mentor will assist you- our lovely Den Momma will be explaining mentors so sit tight."
"We believe in hard work and in being pragmatic- most of us won't have our very own house-elf to take care of us when we graduate so we best learn these things now when we have someone to show us how to do it right." Mary had told them. "Now, other Houses tend to have six prefects- two for each year from fifth on, including the Head Boy/Girl- but we always have seven, this is so that each day we can make sure a prefect is available at certain times for students here in the Sett- these times are twice a day for the duration of an hour. This is so students can ask for help; tutoring (yes we even do session on writing with a quill for those who've never done so before), advice on which electives to choose based on which career you want to pursue, how to continue (or start) your muggle education, other common household spells you want to know (including cooking) and even explaining the changes your body goes through as you age if you're too embarrassed to go to parents or a teacher."
" That one's a doozy." Alfred had added with a grimace. "But we will answer if you come out and ask- though questions on, um, 'adult activities' are something only seventh years will answer, we do have a mandatory session on that for Third years but there's always some who have questions on things not covered so we do that also." Piercing a couple of sixth years with a scowl he had added, "This will be your jobs come next year."
Mary had quirked a smile when the sixth years fell silent and paled. "Our fifth year prefects, we happen to have three, will be in the Sett from Wednesday to Friday, in the mornings during seven and in the afternoons during three. Our sixth years, only two, will be here on Tuesday and Sunday at seven in the mornings and five in the afternoon. Seventh years, just us here, will be here on Monday and Saturday at seven in the morning and four in the afternoon. Remember it's for a whole hour- though some may decided to stay longer if they don't have any other responsibilities- and if there are any changes- like when exams come around- we will post the new schedule in the Sett along with telling our Founder who you can ask."
"Right, this is the last thing on our list before we give the reigns over to Den Momma." Alfred had said. "While we have showers like every other House, we Hufflepuffs also have a communal bath (still segregated by genders, of course) that we use more- showers tend to be for if you're running late or managed to get dirty during the day. If you're shy you can wear a towel and if it is that much of an issue you can ask to be provided with a bathing costume, most are fine with it by third year though- but there is no shame if you are uncomfortable, if it's truly something you cannot stomach (though we ask you at least try) then you are free to use the showers only."
Alfred had been both kind and serious when he said it and you could tell how he became Head Boy. "A quick run through on bathing; they are open from 5:00 - 8:00 in both the morning and evening, you'll want to take both your clothes and your school things with you, the temperature rises the closer you get to the bath, there are cubbies with wooden boxes (numbered for convenience and spelled to remain dry) for you to place your things, bathing stuff (towels, soap, rags and all that stuff) is available in waterproof boat-shaped trays that are spelled to follow you in the water, there's also a place for your dirty clothes there and will have your name stitched into it in black writing (they're yellow so it's hard to miss), the water we bathe in is warm/hot and is spelled to always remain clean- as is the lukewarm/cool water used after to rinse off."
He had paused a moment before adding, "Here's why bathing is popular: A) it's where you'll have to go anyways to put your dirty clothes. B) There is a passage that goes on to exit near the Great Hall connected to it, boys and girls' bathes both lead there so you can walk to breakfast with friends regardless of gender after you bathe in the morning. C) It's a bonding experience with fellow Hufflepuffs, we seventh years tell you stories about ourselves and ones we heard through our years- some have been passed down orally since the Founders Era!"
"I only add that First, Fifth and Seventh years almost always shower in the mornings." Mary had finished. "With nothing else, we give it over to our Head of House."
After Prof. Sprout had handed out the bracelets and charms she had told the first years about Mentors, which had Harry sending him a big-eyed (it was as if those glasses acted a magnifying glasses!), pleading look. Third years aren't generally Mentors, it was generally Fourth and Sixth Years (Third were getting used to new schedules while Fifth and Seventh were taking exams), but Leon had always been weak to the 'hurt-puppy' look.
Dammit. At least he corralled Cedric into being Neville's mentor and bribery had Tonks agreeing to be Hermione's even if she was a Seventh Year. Speaking of-
"You're late ." Leon told his friend lowly as he entered the First Year dorm, the pure-blood was the last Mentor to arrive.
'Am not' Cedric mouthed as the mentors all raised their wands in union a beat then their wands moved; one student was doused in water, one had their mattress flip them out of bed, one was dragged out of bed by the ankle, one had their blanket transfigured into a crowing rooster, Neville was hit with a tickling charm and Harry was attacked by his pillows.
It wasn't precisely a Hufflepuff Tradition except, well, it was . As Mentors they were charged with waking their cub in the morning, making sure they ate breakfast and made it to their first class (for those whom bathed in the morning, it was also where they made sure their charge got cleaned)- Firsties were notoriously hard to wake. Which lead to mentors finding creative ways to wake their cub and by the time the Firstie became old enough to be a mentor, they jumped at the chance to pay the wake up calls forward to the next generation.
Leon's mentor liked make illusionary creatures attack him, complete with sound effects- nothing really wakes you like a roaring dragon.
"Get your day clothes and school things- don't worry about textbooks- then follow me." Leon told Harry, Cedric mirroring him though the other mentors had their cubs get dressed and bring their things- evidently they were bathing at night.
Harry made a noise as they were walking into the bath area's 'locker room'. "'Temperature rises the closer you get'."
"Exactly." He said, then pulled out two wooden boxes (7 and 8) from the cubby wall. "Put your things in there then put it back in the wall." Leon told Harry (seeing Cedric get numbers 13 and 14) as he handed over No. 8 then put his thing in No. 7 before putting it away. He waited until Harry was done then pointed to the opposite wall- it was like the cubby wall only with yellow hampers that had names in black on them. "Your dirty clothes go into the one with your name, first years are all ground level and your level rises with each year- Seventh Years are the top row."
Harry turned to ask him something, already pulling the hamper bearing 'Harry Potter' in neat letters, and squeaked, turning red. Leon paused in putting his hamper back in place before turning when Neville made his own mortified noise and didn't see anything concerning, the only other person present was Cedric-
Who was naked. Like Leon was naked. Oh . He thought, recalling the typical firstie reaction to public nudity even in bathing- he hadn't had the typical reaction as a firstie since Hinata Hana had gone to bathhouses. He got towels, tossing one to his friend before wrapping one around his waist, putting his wand in his boat (it was a simple one with only plain soap, shampoo and washrag).
Things proceeded quickly from there, the first years wanting to hurry up and bathe so they could put clothes on again, and they were sinking into the water within minutes.
Alfred the Head Boy was there along with three others, earlier 6:00 in the morning wasn't a popular time to bathe but it was a good wake up and a habit earned from his mentor Archie who'd preferred the time, and the lone seventh year smiled at them. "Ah, there's some of our cubs- Harry and Neville, yeah? How was your morning?"
The blond laughed at the faces the first years made at the memory and Leon offered, "Neville was tickled and Harry attacked by pillows."
"My mentor woke me by transfiguring my pillows and blankets into puppies- Mikey's banished his blankets, pillows and mattress." Sam Summerby, one of his minions, said nodding to Mike Summers, another minion. "I'm Sam."
" My mentor transfigured me into a cat, then doused me with water." Alfred told them. "I still say Leon's waking was best."
At the curious looks he said, "I was attacked by animals, it was all illusions but there's nothing quite like waking to an angry dragon. Cedric was tickled by an army of feathers- they followed him for an hour, it was awesome . Anyways," Leon said before his friend could argue. "What story are you gonna tell, Alfred?"
"How about you tell us about your stories? What books are you adding to your 'Ring'?" Alfred asked.
Leon blinked, making use of his light blue eyes and smattering of freckles to look more innocent. "Ring? I don't know what you're talking about. You may like to know that Harry, Neville and Hermione are joining the-" He cast wildly for a name and ended up with, "Clam Guild."
Huh, He thought, KHR reference, 2 points.
" Clam ?" Cedric sputtered. "Where'd you even-"
Make that 5 points.
"We're not a guild." Cedric eventually got out.
"Fine. How about the Fellowship of the Clams?" Leon offered then rapid shot out. "Or the League of Extraordinary Clams? Fullmagic Clam Brotherhood? Dead Clams Society? Organization Clam? Our Own Hogwarts Clam Club?"
That last one wasn't that good, He admitted inwardly. But that was Lord of the Rings, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, FMA Brotherhood, Dead Poets Society, KH2 and OHSHC- that's 12 points plus an additional 12 for the repeated KHR references. Total: 29 points. Not bad for a morning.
"I vote for the League!" Mike said.
Sam piped up with, "Fellowship."
"Well, we're Something-Clam." Leon told the Head Boy while Cedric seemed to be trying to quietly drown himself to no avail thanks to the safety charms in place. "I've brought fourteen additional books though they aren't all classics like previous year- say nothing Cedric, Song of the Lioness is classic! - they go beyond the main Fantasy genre. There are plans on expanding but the Court of Clams- that's the one! We're keeping the name- will need to have a meeting first before I can say anything concrete but The Trust has over 500 Galleons even after Cedric wasted over 100 Galleons-"
"I bought a new broom for luck! I'm trying for the Quidditch team this year." Cedric protested. "It's not like I knew you'd want to expand like this - I was expecting other Houses not a full on business!"
The others were gaping, " 500 Galleons!? "
"Over 560 Galleons." Leon corrected absently, thinking about expanding beyond the House and including board games- he'll have to bring it up at the Meeting of Clams (he had a feeling someone will end up trying to kill him over it but adding 'clam' was too amusing to resist). "I know Knuts don't seem like a lot but if you save them, they add up."
Which was the truth- over 560 Galleons was over 5,600 dollars and over 4,100 Euros.
"Though, adding what Mom's cut was set aside for buying books, it over 860 Galleons. Anyway." He said, refocusing. "We'll need a meeting but our treasury full enough that I don't think we'll run into any problems beyond working out the logistics, so I'll call a meeting Denma, the Lady, you and the prefects within a week. I'm aiming for post-dinner on Wednesday..?"
Cedric nodded, "Tonks and us will be getting our cubs into the swing of things but a meeting should be fine tomorrow so a Wednesday report would be doable."
"It's decided." Leon declared then looked at Alfred. "Now, story time."
The seventeen year old smiled, "No can do, it's about time for Muggle Lessons so we all need to get out."
"You-" Leon gapped then glared. "I will get that story before the week's out."
The blond just looked amused, "I'm sure you will. Now, scram- you're getting wrinkly."
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Tags: Leon thinks Harry's like a puppy, Neville likes the Common Room, Hermione is awed by art, Leon loves speeches, Leon makes an actual note to self, Featuring: Badger Headcanons, That Hurt-Puppy look isn't fair Harry, Leon can't resist the Hurt-Puppy look, Tonks can be bribed (with what isn't mentioned), Cedric Is NOT Late, Hufflepuff Wake Up Calls, Here There WAS A Dragon, Here Be Nudity, Harry and Neville are embarrassed, Alfred the Head Boy, Sam and Mike: Original Minions, Leon repeatedly uses 'Clam' (Like over 10 times), Leon earns 29 points, Song of the Lioness is a CLASSIC- Say Nothing Cedric, Leon and Cedric are kind of rich, Those Knuts really add up you know?, Leon just wanted a story Alfred