A/N: Sorry, this chapter is a bit late. My laptop has this stupid habit of turning itself off, and it's been doing that for every minute for two days. I really need to check that out. Again, sorry for the late update.

I'm sure you've got it by now, but if you haven't, I don't own Harry Potter. I do own my OCs though. They are mine, and mine only.

Chapter 3

Professor Dumbledore stood up and beamed at all the students. "Welcome!" said he. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!" He sat down, and everybody clapped, but the newer students looked at each other in bewilderment.

A few moments after the professor was seated, a variety of foods appeared on the golden plates. They were piled sky-high with food: roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops, lamb chops, sausages, bacon and steak, boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, chips, Yorkshire pudding, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup, and even mint humbugs. It was a feast.

"So," Nicole began, "what are your stories?"

Nick was first in answering her question. "I'm a muggle-born," he said hesitantly, afraid that someone might object. When no one reacted, he continued, repeating what he had said to Alex earlier. "My older brother, Thomas, is in Gryffindor, so it wasn't a shock that I was a wizard also. Mum is a teacher, and dad is a policeman." He finished his story, looking around.

Alex went next when it was apparent no one else was going to. "I'm Alex. It's short for Alexandria. I've got a younger brother named Magnus, who is coming here next year. Both of my parents work for the Ministry."

"If you don't mind me asking, which departments do they work for?" This question came from a rather tall third year boy. His brown eyes were kind and his features handsome.

"Um, my mum works in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. My dad's an Auror. "

"Greystaff right?" the third year asked. Alex nodded. "My dad works in the same department as your mum. I've heard him mention her once or twice. I'm Cedric Diggory." He held out his hand.

She shook his hand, reintroducing herself. "Alex Greystaff, but you already knew that." Her comment earned her a smile.

"What about you?" asked Nicole, looking at a girl with ginger hair.

"My name's Susan. Susan Bones. My aunt is the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and my whole family has been in Hufflepuff."

"All in Hufflepuff?" a voice asked. Alex turned to find the source, and saw the Fat Friar, the ghost of Hufflepuff, rise out of the table. "That's an admirable thing, you know. I was in Hufflepuff myself," he proudly said, as he floated over to another part of the table where two first year boys were talking.

Their conversation turned away from their families and onto other subjects. Alex and Cedric were arguing about which team was better, Puddlemere United or the Tornadoes. Susan watched on as Nick and Nicole discovered they both supported Manchester United. Alex had just gotten to explain the many great beaters that had come from Puddlemere United when the food faded and the puddings appeared.

It was nothing like Alex had ever seen. Blocks of ice cream of every flavour, apple pies, treacle tarts, chocolate éclairs, jam doughnuts, trifle, strawberries, jelly, rice pudding….

"Sweet tooth?" Nick asked.

"How'd you know?"

He chuckled, saying, "You have the same look my brother has when he looks at anything sweet. Frankly, I'm surprised all his teeth haven't fallen out yet."

Alex rolled her eyes at his last comment, and grabbed a chocolate éclair. The conversation turned to teachers and lessons.

"That," Nicole said, pointing to a short, curly-haired teacher, "is Professor Sprout, our head of house. She teaches Herbology, which is why our common-room is filled with plants of every kind. It's impossible to not be good at Herbology in our house.

"Over there next to the one in the purple turban is Professor Snape. He teaches Potions. Try not to get on his bad side though. He favours his own house, Slytherin. You could say that he's prejudiced against the other houses. Particularly Gryffindor for some reason.

"That one with the purple turban? He's Professor Quirrell, and he teaches Defence Against the Dark Arts. I wonder how long he's going to last. All our D.A.D.A. teachers have only lasted a year.

"You've met Professor McGonagall, of course. She's strict, and doesn't favour anyone, not even Gryffindor, her own house. Her subject is Transfiguration, one of the hardest."

Nicole went on like this for a while, describing each teacher on the top table. After she was finished, Alex, Nick, and Susan bombarded her and Cedric with questions.

"Exactly how hard is Transfiguration?" asked a worried looking Susan.

Cedric answered her. "It shouldn't be that hard for you guys just yet. You'll be starting with matches first, but it gets harder as the years pass. Trust me."

"How are we even supposed to find our way through the school?" questioned Nick, remembering how Thomas had told him of the numerous moving staircases, each different. A hundred and forty-two to be exact.

"Don't look so worried Nick," chuckled Nicole. "Just ask the Fat Friar or Nearly Headless Nick." Nick raised his eyebrows at this. "They'll be nice enough to point you in the right direction." She directed their attention to the table on the far corner, to the left of where the Ravenclaws were sitting. They could see a ghost in a ruff floating about the Gryffindor table.

"If you want to get in his good graces, though," added Cedric, "don't call him Nearly Headless Nick. He prefers Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington."

This line of questioning went on until the puddings also disappeared. The chatter faded as everyone directed his or her attention to Professor Dumbledore once more as he stood up.

"Ahem-just a few more words now we are all fed and watered. I have a few start of term notices to give you.

"First years should note that the forest in the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well. I have also been asked by Mr Filch, the caretaker, to remind you that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors.

"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch.

"And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."

Alex, along with Nick, turned to Nicole in alarm. "He's joking, right?" Alex asked.

"I don't know, actually. He usually tells us why, but he didn't tell us this time, not even us prefects," answered Nicole, looking at the Professor in concern.

"And now," he continued, "before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" He flicked his wand, and a long golden ribbon flew out. It rose above the tables, and twisted into words.

"Everyone pick their favourite tune, and off we go!"

And the whole school started to sing:

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do with filling

With some interesting stuff,

For now they're bare and full of air,

Dead flies and bits of fluff,

So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot,

Just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot."

The sound of singing faded until only two Gryffindors, the Weasley twins, were left singing to an extremely slow funeral march. Professor Dumbledore conducted what left they had to sing, and then began clapping.

"Ah, music. A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"

Students started filing out of the Great Hall. A fifth year Hufflepuff prefect got up, shouting along the table, "First years! First years follow me!"

"C'mon," said Nicole. "Better get going before he leaves us."

They walked out of the Great Hall, where all the students were gathering. Instead of heading up the marble staircase, however, the Hufflepuff first years were led to a door just to the right. Behind it was a flight of stone steps that opened up into a stone corridor lit with many torches, and decorated with paintings of food. It wasn't dark and gloomy like Alex had expected it to be; instead, it seemed bright and cheerful.

"Don't be alarmed if some of the plants in the common-room dance or try to talk to you. It's perfectly normal," said Nicole.

They reached the end of the corridor, and the prefect called their attention to him. He then proceeded to explain how to get into the Hufflepuff Basement. After he finished, the first years clambered into the common-room. The sight that greeted them was astonishing.

The Hufflepuff Basement was circular in shape. In fact, it seemed as if most of the items in the common-room were round. The ceiling was low, and round windows circling around the upper parts of the walls let in the starlight. Alex was sure that in the daylight, sunshine would be able to stream through the windows, lighting the common-room. Copper burners hanging from the ceiling currently lit the room, creating a warm, earthly feeling. Plants of every variety hung from the ceiling, walls, and windowsills. One plant hanging from the ceiling was currently holding a conversation with a second year girl. Yellow and black were prominent colours, and decorated the over-stuffed sofas and chairs, most of which surrounded a large, crackling fire. Round, wooden doors with copper knobs were scattered all over the place.

A portrait of Helga Hufflepuff sat above a honey-coloured mantelpiece decorated with badgers. She gave a warm, welcoming smile, and said, "Welcome to Hufflepuff house!" A blonde boy with an upturned nose gave a laugh at this. Alex glared at him, and he arrogantly smiled. "I hope you will all enjoy your school year."

"Congratulations!" The first years turned to see the prefect from earlier. "I'm prefect Gabriel Truman, and I'm delighted to welcome you to HUFFLEPUFF HOUSE!

"This is our common-room, the Hufflepuff Basement. You may have noticed the plants hanging everywhere, courtesy of our head of house, Professor Pomona Sprout. The windows just above you let in sunlight during the day, and offer a view of rippling grass and dandelions. The common-room was built to be welcoming, which I hope you will soon find is true for both it and our house.

"Over there," he said, pointing to one of the doors to the right, "is a tunnel that leads to the dormitory for the girls. On the opposite side," he continued, this time pointing to one of the doors to the left, "is the dormitory for the boys. And with that, I leave you with a goodnight!"

Alex followed Susan and three other girls to one of the circular doors, and clambered into the dormitory. She collapsed right onto the bed after changing, too tired and full to notice what the dormitory was like. This, she thought, was going to be the best year of her life.

A/N: I just noticed that Nick and Nicole sound very similar. Oops.

And to those of you wondering (and that's like none of you), I'm a Hufflepuff. I do know how to get into the Hufflepuff common-room, but I didn't put how to get inside in this because it's the best kept secret. No one has broken in in the last thousand years. I know, you guys can look on the web, but I'm still not going to tell you. So, I'm gonna skip how they get in every time they enter the common-room.

Anyway….. Reviews would be received with the deepest gratitude. Just sayin'.