The Houses Competition

Round 8 - Drabble

House: Hufflepuff

Class: Transfiguration

Prompts: [Colours] Yellow and Black

Word Count: 989 (Google Docs)

Following in his Mother's Footsteps

September first arrived as it did every year, and with it came a new group of Hogwarts students. One particular incoming first-year happened to stand out from the rest of his classmates, thanks to a shock of electric blue hair on his head. The boy's freshly bought robes dangled off his scrawny limbs and he looked wary, which was in stark contrast to the eager students surrounding him.

This was to be expected, though. It was rather uncommon that a student attended the school where both his parents had perished during the Second Wizarding War. Yet ironically, that wasn't what was bothering young Teddy Lupin.

It was the upcoming sorting. Teddy knew it was ridiculous, but he couldn't help feeling nervous about being sorted. Of course, Harry had told him that this was normal, but Harry didn't understand! Harry wasn't a metamorphmagus. Teddy worried that his special abilities would prevent him from fitting in anywhere, but he kept that secret close to his chest. No one would understand him anyway.

Teddy recalled Harry's attempted reassurance that he'd find his place no matter where the Sorting Hat placed him, but that didn't do much to quell the expectation that he needed to be in Gryffindor. Most everyone he knew was a Gryffindor, except for his gran, who was a Slytherin. But Teddy wasn't sure he belonged in either of those houses.

Don't forget about Mum. She was a Hufflepuff, Teddy reminded himself as he turned his attention to the group moving forward around him. It looked like it was time to go.

As he entered the Great Hall, Teddy gasped in awe at the enormity of the room. Even after hearing the stories from his gran and Harry and Ginny, Teddy still hadn't been expecting the stately beauty of it all. The enchanted ceiling cast a shimmering starlight with a hue of midnight blue over the four house tables, which were much longer than Teddy had expected. The large black and yellow banners caught his eye as he cast a glance at the Hufflepuffs who were already seated at their house table.

A low rumble of voices could be heard from the older students before a hushed silence drew over them. Is this normal? Teddy wondered, unsure of whether it always became this quiet when the first years entered. He exhaled a sigh of relief as he looked up to see Headmistress McGonagall standing at the ornate podium in front of the head table. She made a gesture with her hands as Hagrid led the first years down the long aisle.

The headmistress cleared her throat. "Welcome back to another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Your professors are eager to begin working with you all come morning. There is a wonderful feast prepared, but before we can begin, our newest students must partake in the Sorting Ceremony."

Teddy was caught off-guard when the hat perched upon the stool suddenly opened at the brim and began singing. He listened raptly to the descriptions that the hat gave, committing every line about the houses to memory in case he struggled with his choice.

A wave of applause rippled throughout the room when the hat was finished, and then Professor Flitwick began calling names in alphabetical order. The Sorting Hat's booming voice interjected Flitwick's list, as it announced each student's chosen house for the entire school to hear.

"Lupin, Edward," Flitwick squeaked.

Teddy flinched at his given name as he stalked up to the stool. No one ever called him Edward. He took a seat and the hat was placed on his head, covering his eyes completely so that he couldn't see the sea of people in front of him.

"Lupin, eh?" the hat spoke to him. "I can sense the Gryffindor bravery running through you! Ah, but Ravenclaw wouldn't be a bad choice, either. There's a lot of wit and a thirst for knowledge deep within."

No, Teddy thought.

"No? Not Ravenclaw? Hmm, alright then. Then Gryffindor would surely suit you well, but I sense some trepidation...yes, I suppose you'd have big shoes to fill given your family ties."

A flash of black and yellow invaded Teddy's mind as he was reminded of the banners when he first walked into the hall.

What about Hufflepuff?

"Ah, yes, what about Hufflepuff indeed? You've got a heart of gold, that is true, and a strong sense of loyalty. You're a hard worker, too, aren't you? Want to prove yourself, eh? I'm not surprised given who your parents were."

Teddy found himself nodding as the hat spoke, excitement building within. Even though the hat was enchanted, and probably didn't know much about his mum and dad, Teddy couldn't help but feel comforted by its words. He felt confident, and knew in that moment that his family would be proud of his choice.

I want Hufflepuff, please.

"You're sure, then? Alright. BETTER BE HUFFLEPUFF!"

Professor Flitwick lifted the hat off of Teddy's head and the boy squinted as his eyes readjusted to the glow of the candlelight. An enormous cheer had erupted from the Hufflepuff table, and Teddy was welcomed by a sea of black and yellow, his official house colors. His new classmates were patting him on the back and shaking his hand, welcoming him to his new house.

When things settled and the next student was up for sorting, Teddy happened to looked down. He was shocked to see that his robes now bore the Hufflepuff badge, boasting its colors on his chest. For the first time in weeks, Teddy felt at ease. Looking up at the black and yellow banners that helped lead him to his choice, Teddy couldn't be more thankful to follow in his mother's footsteps, and he couldn't wait to write Gran, Harry and Ginny.

I won't let you down, Mum, he thought happily as he turned his attention back to the rest of the sorting.