Disclaimer: Our dear Jo Rowling is the proud owner of the Harry Potter series; I've just happened to expand upon it. Hannah and all of the Hogwarts students are her creation, as is the school and its respective houses. I did make up Hannah's family, but they're still part of JKR's little world. Lovely, lovely.

A/N: This fic should bring some glory to the proud Hufflepuff's of the world. I was surprised that I was drawn to first write about Hannah Abbott, but the girl's got great potential. Please read and review-- I've got more written already, so don't let my fire go out! Thanks and enjoy!

A small brown barn owl was tapping energetically on the windowpane, but Hannah did not want to get up. "'It's too early," she mumbled with a yawn, squinting up at a small clock that her friend Susan had made for her two Christmases ago. Eight miniature planets were revolving around a small glitter-encrusted star, and four hands spun speedily in a counterclockwise pattern overtop of them. The handmade trinket caused the teenager to crack a small grin, but she was still far too comfortable to stir.

The tapping continued, and was soon accompanied by a sharp rapping on the bedroom door. "Hannah?" called Mrs. Abbot hesitantly, peering around the doorframe. Seeing that her daughter's eyes were open, although refusing consciousness, she bustled into the room and set down a pile of freshly laundered robes. "Hannah dear, get up! We're leaving in an hour, and your father is not in the best of moods, so I suggest you--" She broke off, staring distractedly at the owl, which was still tapping in frustration on the glass. Hannah sat up, wondering why her mother hadn't finished her sentence. "What?" she questioned, yawning; she received a reply almost immediately. "Oh, this poor, poor, creature, how long has it been stuck outside? The least you could do is to let the bird in, it's just trying to do its job--"

"Muuuuuum!" groaned Hannah loudly, wincing at the light streaming in from the opened window. The owl began to coast in circles around her head, and she collapsed under her blankets with another sigh of frustration.

"Now, now, none of that," chided Mrs. Abbott. "Come on, now, get up," she added, flipping on the light switch as she headed out of the room. "Scoot!"

Hannah closed her eyes in exasperation, rising grudgingly from the safety of her bedcovers to take an attached envelope from the owl that had now come to rest on her nightstand. It hooted, and she prodded it gently with her finger, causing it to jump off the table and fly out the window, irritated. Flipping the letter over, Hannah searched it for the familiar seal and then, upon finding it, lay the envelope beside her and allowed her head to tip back onto a cool blue pillow. The warm summer air was still drifting into the room, and its comforting presence sent her back to sleep for several minutes.

"Hannah, are you up?" The call came from the hallway, where her mother was scuttling towards the kitchen, presumably to start breakfast. Everything in the Abbott household was methodical; spontaneity wasn't a characteristic any of the family members boasted, although Hannah was the freest of the three. "Yes, Mamma," the girl called obligingly as she slid off her bed to shut the window. She cast a final longing glance at the picturesque landscape that was tantalizingly close before returning to her bed to consult the contents of her letter.

Mrs. H. Abbott,

Your Ordinary Wizarding Level evaluation scores are as follows.

Charms: Exceeds Expectations

Transfiguration: Poor

Herbology: Outstanding

Defense Against the Dark Arts: Exceeds Expectations

Ancient Runes: Acceptable

Potions: Acceptable

Care of Magical Creatures: Acceptable

Astronomy: Poor

History of Magic: Exceeds Expectations

Hannah surveyed her scores with delight. She had thought for sure she had failed her Ancient Runes exam, but was utterly pleased that she had somehow managed to squeak by. "Mum's going to be so pleased," she whispered, looking over her results once more in disbelief. Suddenly, she gave a laugh—her mind became filled with the memory of her practical Transfiguration exam. She still wasn't sure how she had created flocks of flamingoes, but Hannah hoped she never had an experience like that again. Justin had howled with laughter when he found out, and she became so upset that she placed a jelly-legs hex on him and stormed to her dormitory, where she sobbed for hours. Looking back, Hannah rather thought she had overreacted—after all, it was only an exam. That's what Ernie had told her, at least, and he was right. Glancing back at the parchment and grinning in satisfaction, Hannah began to get dressed; the smell of bacon was wafting down the hall, and she remembered how hungry she was. Tucking her hair back into a loose bun, she grabbed her letter and headed out to join her family at the breakfast table.

Hannah was greeted by a deep, "Morning, sweetie," from her father and a platter full of fruit and bacon. "Eat up," chirped her mother, who was experimenting with a variety of new diets. Hannah sat down complacently but didn't pick up her fork. "I got my O.W.L. results this morning," she stated, biting her lip so as not to grin. Mrs. Abbott nearly dropped her wand in her hurry to sit down and stare expectantly at Hannah, her face alight with anticipation. Even Mr. Abbott set aside the Daily Prophet to devote his full attention to his daughter. "Well?" pressed her mother eagerly. Hannah's grin managed to slide across her cheeks as she offered a casual and offhand, "Seven." Hannah turned her gaze towards her mother, curious as to what her reaction would be.

Linda Bisden, now Linda Abbott, was a witch who had attended Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry as a Ravenclaw; she was a Prefect and had achieved success in most of her classes. She entered the field of muggle journalism after graduation, largely as a result of her success in Muggle Studies, and met a photographer by the name of Henry Abbott. They fell in love, did a lot of things Hannah didn't want to think about, and then moved to London with their new daughter.

Hannah didn't have to wait long for a response; within moments, Mrs. Abbott had shrieked, "SEVEN!" Her father beamed at her and said, "Hannah sweetie, that's wonderful!" He grinned proudly at his daughter even though he had relatively little clue as to the importance of the examinations. Although he was a muggle, Linda had made him interested in wizard culture; he was even beginning to take and develop moving photographs.

Looking back at her test results, Hannah was struck with inspiration. Shocked, she though, How could I have waited so long? "Mum, I'm going to send an owl. Thanks for breakfast!" Hannah leaned over the table to kiss her mother quickly on the cheek, nabbed two pieces of bacon, and began to run towards her room. Halfway there, she gave a cry of "Oops!" and turned around to collect her O.W.L. notice.

Once in the safety of her own room, Hannah pulled out her favorite quill and some parchment and sprawled lazily on her periwinkle bedspread, grinning madly.

Dear Ernie,

Hey! Having a good summer? I've just gotten my O.W.L. scores—seven! I'm so proud! I even got an outstanding in Herbology—I suppose my Poor in Transfiguration goes without saying? I'm sure you got a million or so, but I'm just tickled. Seven O.W.L.s! Who would have thought... amazing flamingo girl strikes again.

I hope you're having a fun time in the United States. Is New York pretty? Are the muggles loud? I can't wait to see pictures! And I better see pictures, or you might end up sprouting mushrooms again. And this time, I'll tell people!

Have you heard from Justin lately? I got a note from his at the beginning of the summer, but I haven't heard from him since. I hope he's doing well! I can't wait for the new term—it'll be our sixth year, Ernie! SIXTH! Oh, we're so close...

Well, we have to leave (Mum's yelling at me again), but I'll see you in the Prefect's compartment on the 2nd! Bring the pictures!

Love, Hannah (crazy flamingo girl)