Chapter 5
Welcome to Being a Badger

September 1st, 1989
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - Hufflepuff Common Room

By the end of dinner, Anna knew the sixth year's name and had become best friends with Irys Bones, Thomas Newton, James Summers, Peter Stebbins, Nymphadora Tonks—the sixth year Prefect—, Cedric Diggory, and Mia Valentine—another first year—.

The Prefect's led their Houses to their Common Rooms, and surprisingly Anna's Common Room was situated in the kitchens. Anna beamed and her eyes flashed violet for a moment before returning to normal once again.

There was a moving painting of Helga Hufflepuff, Anna had seen it many times before, having visited the House-elves, Winky and Tilly, every morning with Spirit before going off travelling the world with Minnie.

"Password?" The painting asked.

Anna quickly grabbed a small piece of roast beef and hid it in her pocket for Spirit. She waved to Winky and Tilly, whom gave her a beaming smile and waved right back, Anna knew they had seen her take the meat and she put a finger to her lips before mouthing that it was for Spirit. The elves nodded and pretended to zip their mouths, and they went back to work, cleaning the dirty dishes from the evening meal.

"Badger." Tonks said to the painting, which opened inwardly to allow them all entrance.

When Anna entered with Irys, Mia, Thomas, James, Peter, and Cedric; they were all amazed at how the Common Room was decorated, fairy lights danced around in the darkness, potted plants hung from various places as well as yellow banners with a large black badger on them, a big hearty fire in the middle of the wall to Anna's right the Hufflepuff Coat of Arms above the fire glowing in the dark, a bunch of fat fluffy armchairs around the rest of the room, and two staircases one leading to the Boys Dormitories and the other to the Girls.

"Boys, staircase on the left; girls, on the right." Tonks said as she pointed, to the staircases each in their turn. "Off to bed, all of you. First years, your Dorms are the first doors you see, a sign is either on or beside the door, each Dorm has one bathroom each, get used to sharing, you'll have no choice. Goodnight Badgers. Welcome to being a Hufflepuff." She added as she turned and nearly tripped over the black, yellow and white Aztec rug laying in front of the fire. She laughed and gave everyone a big smile before carefully making her way up the stairs to the Girls Dorms.

September 1st, 1989
 Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - First Year Dormitories

Anna, Irys and Mia entered the girls Dorm, they'd be sharing for the rest of the year before they'd move to the room beside them, until they'd reach the end of the hall to the seventh year Dorm. They realized that they'd be roommates for the next seven years and they were all super happy and excited, Anna's eyes flashed violet and her two friends took notice. "If your staring at my eyes because they flashed violet; they do that." Anna explained. They nodded then looked over Anna's shoulders.

They pointed behind Anna and the three girls found two more at the door, there being five, four poster beds in the room, they're pack of friends had just grown bigger.

A green eyed, red headed girl entered with what seemed to be her sister, whom had the same green eyes, but black hair in pigtails. Both had smiles and were laughing at a joke one had said to the other.

Anna stepped forward and outstretched her hand to the two girls. "Hi, I'm Tassiyanna Cloud. Call me Anna or Annie. What's your name?" She asked cheerily.

The red head took Anna's hand, having reached it first than shook her hand while replying in a happy voice. "Name's Holly, Holly Sprout, call me Hols. And this here's my twin sister, Weaver."

"Call me Weave." The ebony haired witch said shaking Anna's hand next.

"Nice to meet you both, behind me are Irys," Anna said pointing to Irys. "And Mia." She finished pointing to Mia. Just then a black kitten jumped on Anna's shoulders and layed down. The witch giggled and introduced Spirit to her roommates.

"Call me Star."

"Call me Mia."

And with that they all ran and picked a yellow and black covered bed for themselves, Anna had the one closest to the window that over looked the Whomping Willow and she could faintly see the Shrieking Shack. The new moon had been the night before, the waxing crescent was almost fully in the sky, the first sliver of the waxing crescent would be the next evening. Mia had taken the bed next the Anna, Irys across from her, while Holly and Weaver took the beds the closest to the door. An adjoined room was closed by another door which had to have been the bathroom. Holly took the bed beside Mia; Weave beside Irys.

All the girls settled in, all had put on their night gowns and had went to bed. Except Anna, whom had a bit of parchment, an inkwell and a quill in her hand as she wrote on the parchment to her mother. Luna had appeared in the window next to Anna's bed and she had opened it to let the owl in from the cold September bite.

Luna was carrying a letter and a small parcel, both tied to her ankle, Anna had removed them with the affectionate peck or two from her family's owl and she had taken a seat in front of the window to read it and open the package from her mother, her long silhouette cast on the black hardwood flooring.

Luna perched on her four poster's headboard drinking from a little Transfigured bowl of water from her long trip. Spirit was on the corner of the bed the furthest away from Luna, jealousy in her glowing green eyes as she ate the small bit of roast beef Anna had nicked for her from the kitchens upon arriving.

Dear my beloved baby girl,
I got letter from Minerva that you'd been Sorted into Hufflepuff, the House of loyal, kind, and hard workers. It sounds like the perfect House for you, dear and I'm proud of you. Minerva spoke highly of you and even said she'd noticed you'd made a bunch of new friends from your House. I'm proud of you sweetheart, and I know your reading this now and I know that it must be extremely late where you are, I have an extra clock set up with the Scottish Time and it's about 10:30, but by the time you get this it'll probably be about 11-11:15. I don't expect you to write to me tonight, but I do expect a letter tomorrow. Your father is alright and he misses you. And I'm sure you miss him and me. Good night my beloved baby girl. Sleep well and write to me tomorrow evening after your first day of classes are done.

P.s. I gave myself the liberty to send you a watch, because I'm not sure how you'll be waking up early in the morning for your classes.

I love you. Sweet dreams.

Love,
Your Mother, Mary

Anna opened the small box to indeed find a small black digital watch with a yellowish gold woven texture. Anna clicked on the night vision and a soft pale green glowed in the darkness of the room, lighting up the time of 11:15pm.

Anna chuckled and whispered, "You've always been right, Mum."

And with that she climbed into bed and covered herself with the soft texture of the blanket, and was asleep in moments.

September 2nd, 1989
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - First Year Dormitories

Anna's watch went off at 7:30 the next morning waking up all the girls in the Dorm, whom were all extremely enthusiastic when they saw Luna perched on Anna's headboard. Spirit was as usual, jealous of the owls sudden attention, until her owner told the girls that they would miss breakfast and the chance to get their timetables. The girls then rushed to put on their complete and full Hufflepuff uniforms, then Anna told Spirit to stay put or to go explore the castle until it was time for their class. Of course the little black feline chose to explore, instead of being cooped up in the Dorm. Anna sent Luna to the Owlery to wait until Anna did a specific whistle to summon her, the beautiful barn owl then flew off out the open window to the Owlery.

Anna had just finished putting on her tie, loosely because she couldn't tighten the knot, Irys' tie was tightened as was Mia's, they helped Anna tighten the knot of her tie, then loosen it a little before the five girls left the Dorm, Spirit in tow until they left the Common Room and the kitten stayed in the kitchens with Winky and Tilly, whom fed the little feline a good and nutritious breakfast.

The girls entered the Great Hall, which was full of students; all eating different things. Eggs, bacon, hash browns, breakfast sausages, some cereal, some pancakes, some even ate waffles. Anna hooked her right arm to Mia's and her left to Irys', and they did the same for Holly and Weaver whom were laughing at the morning jokes and laughter coming from the table of red and gold Lions from two certain redheaded Twins.

Fred and George Weasley had taken it upon themselves to secretly direct small Stinging Charms to the Slytherin table, whenever a snake sat down, they'd jump up and rub their stung behinds. Anna and the girls silently giggled, while a bunch of second year Ravenclaws cooed to the Twins for attention, their uniforms a few sizes too small. Anna rolled her eyes and led the girls to their table to sit and eat.

Anna went to sit down and shot right back up from her seat rubbing her sore behind, she turned to glare at the Twins, one of which was watching her rub her sore behind from his Charm. She glared daggers to the Gryffindor and he smiled a charismatic smile and winked, she growled and sent back a small Static Jinx, making the Gryffindor's hair stick up, she smirked to him and then gave him an innocent smile, her hard ocean blue eyes cold until they flashed violet and her messy mane of blackberry hair sparked slightly. She had tried to tame it in the Dorms but nothing had worked, so the little witch had had no choice but to leave it alone.

She sat down and ate with her friends in peace; Jamie, Pete, Amos, Cedric, Tommy and another first year boy Anna hadn't noticed last night all appeared and sat down with the girls.

Another girl, with glasses that framed her sunset like eyes perfectly giving her that sexy nerd look, auburn hair was tied up in a clip; had taken a seat a few down from Anna and her friends, when Anna had noticed her, she had called her to come and sit with them. The girl had looked up at Anna and looked around her then pointed to herself, Anna had simply nodded and waved her over, the young girl came and sat right next to Anna, introducing herself as "(Clover Amara)" but said to call her either "(Clove or C)". Anna had outstretched her hand and introduced herself as well as her friends.

"My name's Tassiyanna Cloud, call me Anna or even Annie, these are my friends; Irys, whom we call Star," Anna pointed to Irys, whom had waved and shook Clover's hand with a bright smile. "Mia," She then pointed to Mia whom had done the same as Irys, except her smile was brighter and more natural. Anna then pointed to the twin sisters of the gang. "That's Holly and Weaver, whom are twin sisters," the twin girls each shook Clover's hand in turn with cheery, welcoming words and all smiles. "And these are the boys," Anna finished pointing to each boy in their turn. "Amos, Cedric, Thomas, James, Peter, and... I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name." She said to the new dusty blond boy that had taken a seat with the rest of the boys.

"Name's Alain Storms, call me Al,' The boy said outstretching his hand to first Anna, then Clover. 'Nice to meet you girls.'

Just then, Minnie had appeared with their times tables, she gave Anna a big welcoming smile, then handed her, her times table with her class schedule for the semester.

Anna said her thanks with a big smile, then looked over her times table for the beginning semester, she shared all her classes with her friends, Anna had Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, and finally Flying lessons.

"Oh! We have Flying lessons with my Mum!" Amos said, his hawk-like yellow eyes bright with excitement.

"Oh! We have Transfiguration with Minnie... er... I mean, Professor McGonagall." Anna said her ocean blue orbs flashing violet at the mention of being taught how to Transfigure things by Minnie.

"Minnie?" Mia and Irys bristled, looking at Anna with shock.

"I've lived here for over a month already, I call her Minnie as a nickname as long as I call her Professor McGonagall while everyone is here, it sort of slipped out. Don't tell her I told you guys okay? Promise?"

"Promise." Mia said.

"Promise." Irys smiled.

"Swear on my magic." Amos said raising his wand to his shoulder.

"I won't tell a soul." Clover said, placing a hand on Anna's shoulder, her free hand pushing up her glasses, making Anna smile to her new friend.

"We won't tell anyone. We swear on our magic." The Sprout Twins said in unison, making the table giggle as the two girls raised their wands to their shoulders.

James and Peter both nodded while both said, "Promise." at the same time, then turning to look at each other in mock shock, then laughing loudly.

Alain was the last one to say anything, he held out his hand to Anna who took it, before he said, "You have my word." She blushed slightly at his intense blue eyed stare, then she beamed at him with the most prettiest smile the gang had ever seen her wear.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - Charms Classroom

The gang had Double Charms first thing that morning, then they would have Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall before lunch, then Double Potions with Severus Snape; whom all the students were calling a greasy git. And finally Flying lessons with Amos' Mom, Rolanda Hooch, before they would all head back to the Common Room to do homework before dinner and maybe talk a little about their day.

"... now this spell is always the first spell that I teach to all the students for their first class. Now repeat after me; swish and flick!" Professor Flitwick was saying to the class of mixed Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs. Hufflepuffs along one end of the class, while Gryffindors on the other. Professor Flitwick was short and was currently standing on a pile of books behind his desk.

"Swish and Flick!" The class repeated, saying and doing the movement with their wands.

"Very good!" He beamed. "Now, without wands, repeat the incantation Wingardium Leviosa."

Anna and her friends, as well as the rest of the class put down their wands then again repeated. "Wingardium Leviosa."

"Very good, now with your wands I want you all to try to levitate the feathers I have given you and your partner. One at a time please; swish, flick, and Wingardium Leviosa."

Anna went first, Mia as her partner, Mia agreed that Anna would go first. Anna did the Swish and Flick with her wand, then said, "Wingardium Leviosa." The soft, white, downy feather lifted from the table with ease and Anna let her wand follow the feather.

"Oh! Well done! Well done! See here class Miss Cloud's done it! 15 Points to Hufflepuff!" Professor Flitwick awarded her and she beamed. The Sprout Twins and Weasley Twins were successful shortly after and were each awarded 5 Points each to their House.

Mia then did it and was also successful, she beamed when she was also awarded 5 Points to Hufflepuff. The rest of the gang were also awarded 5 Points each, for successfully completing the Charm. No one was unsuccessful with the charm, and that made Professor Flitwick proud of his new first year students. "Alright, dismissed," Professor Flitwick said, looking very proud with his new class of first year students. "Miss Cloud? Will you linger for a moment? I'd like a word."

Anna's friends gave her a confused look, but Anna said, "Go on ahead. I'll catch up." Just then, a tiny black feline jumped onto the young witch's shoulder and rested. Anna chuckled and patted her head. "Hey there Spi, miss me?" The cat nodded before closing her big green eyes once again. Anna's friends disappeared from the classroom and Anna nervously walked to her Charms Professor's desk. "Professor? D-did I do something wrong?" Anna asked nervously.

"No need to be nervous my dear, I'm elated to have you in my class, Minerva speaks highly of you. You are a Muggle-born? Aren't you?" He asked looking from the young witch to her small feline before smiling and adding. "Lovely cat, my dear. What's his or her name? If you don't mind me asking."

Anna smiled and said, "No I don't mind, this is Spirit. She's part Kneazle. And yes sir, I am Muggle-born, but I was told not to worry about Blood Status. Is there any reason why you ask?"

"Well most Slytherins are quite awful to Muggle-borns, I was just giving you a warning to ignore their awful words and actions. I have yet to see a non-caring about Blood Status Slytherin." He said placing a hand on his chin.

"I'll let you know when I find one," she winked and he laughed. "Now if you'll excuse me sir, I'm going to be late for Transfiguration." She added with a smile before turning to leave.

"Remember my dear, just ignore their awful words and actions." He called and she nodded to him before leaving the classroom with Spirit resting on her shoulder.

"Let's just hope, that we never have to, eh Spi?" The small feline nodded and with that, off they went to Transfiguration.

Here's Chapter 5 as promised. Enjoy. Love, T. T. Zoldy