Author's Note: Written for...

Hogwarts Auction 2021 - Prompt: "Your talent makes you who you are, you should be proud of it."

Back to School - Prompt: Helga Hufflepuff

on your side

500 words

Helga smiled to herself, stepping out into the chilly autumn air. The changing of the seasons always brought her joy. While anyone else could adamantly pick a favorite season, Helga could see the beauty in them all and refused to pick a favorite.

Autumn meant the leaves changing colors. Cool walks though the forest filled with many colors. Warm nights by the fire with a cup of cider and a good book.

It was the middle of the day as she made her way to the forest. The older she got, and the bigger Hogwarts grew, the harder Helga found it to make time for her walks. There was only so much time through the week, and so many students to keep track of now. These days she was lucky if she managed to get out on a Saturday.

The trails through the forest were quiet, and she was pleased to have picked the best time for her excursion. Many of the younger years were terrified of the dark woods, and Rowena was leading a trip to Hogsmeade Village for the older classes. So it was surprising to stumble upon a clearing and suddenly find that she wasn't alone.

The young woman had her back turned to Helga - and it was definitely a student and not one of the aids they'd hired recently, she determined as she slipped closer, noting the distinctly Ravenclaw scarf draped over the girl's shoulders. Even from a distance, she could see the lifelike sketch of a tree the girl was working on.

"That's lovely," Helga commented, making her presence known. Just the same, the student startled, quickly closing her journal. "So realistic."

Dark hair flew over her shoulder as she looked back, tension draining from her thin frame as she locked eyes with Helga. "Oh, Aunt Helga. I didn't think anyone would be through here today."

"Helena, dear, I'm sorry to startle you. I was taking advantage of the quiet myself." Helga lowered herself down onto the fallen log beside her goddaughter. "Now, come, show me this masterpiece of yours. I want to take a good look at it."

Helena blushed and did as she was told, flipping through the journal, which Helga could now see was filled with various sketches.

"I had no idea you were an artist, dear."

"Oh, I'm not. It's nothing."

"Nonesense." Helga took the journal and held it up to glance at the drawing and the real tree side-by-side. "You're quite talented. Your talent makes you who you are, you should be proud of it."

"Mother says art is a waste of my talent."

Helga scoffed, rolling her eyes as she handed the journal back. "Your mother is my dearest friend, but she and I don't agree on many a subject. Art is just as useful and wonderful a talent as knowledge and spellwork. Don't let anyone tell you any different."

Helena smiled, hugging the journal to her chest. "Thank you, Auntie. I won't."

Satisfied, Helga left the artist alone.