The Neglected House and its Champions

by Cherry Blossom Angel 18

What if Cedric Diggory wasn't the only champion to come from Hufflepuff house? What if Harry had someone looking out for him since before his first day at Hogwarts? I bring you the story of two Hufflepuffs who stick to the shadows and try not to get themselves noticed. Some eventual exploration of Cursed Child. Now Complete.

49. Hogwarts Year 4 Chapter 11

I'm ba-ack! This one was again all RM's idea; she's good, she'd be better if she had time to practice. :) I just got back from a week with her and she turned Neglected on its head so be pre-paaared~! We don't own HP, we just enjoy tinkering. Enjoy!

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Spike

Early March, 1993

Fourth Year

"It's not going to work," Leili said as Jo prepared to walk out of their dorm.

"Hush, you'll jinx it. Knock on wood," both girls, in the otherwise empty dorm, reached over and rapped their knuckles on the nearest wooden thing.

"See you in a bit, then," Leili said looking up from her book to watch Jo walk out the door with her Monster Book of Monsters trailing behind her on a leash. Jo and Spike walked up the stairs; well, Jo walked, Spike thumped loudly from step to step. The girl and her book made their way casually through the common room, past Professor Sprout's desk.

Professor Sprout had vetoed an actual office, choosing instead to keep a desk in the Hufflepuff common room so she could do her work near her students; she liked to keep an eye on them. Hufflepuffs weren't typically prone to bone headed bravery like Gryffindors, nor were they typically as sneaky about dodging rules like Slytherins, but they had their moments.

As Jo and Spike walked past her, Professor Sprout looked up and raised an eyebrow, watching the pair make their way to the door. She leaned back in her chair and called, "Jocelyn."

Jo stopped.

"What are you doing?"

Turning to look at her Head of House Jo grinned beseechingly, "Taking Spike for a walk…" Professor Sprout said nothing, simply giving her a long-suffering look over the top of her glasses and a thumb jab back in the direction Jo had come. "C'mon, Spike," Jo sighed and trudged her way back to Leili.

Jo didn't see it but Professor Sprout was actually trying not to laugh as she shook her head and watched the girl go. Jocelyn and Leilani provided her with a vast amount of entertainment with their antics. She loved all her students, but Jo and Leili were two of her favourites. They were so inexplicably silly sometimes, like taking a book for a walk (Jo) or knitting with their wands (also Jo), making tea on the floor (both Jo and Leilani).

Leili looked up when she heard the door close. There stood a downcast Jo unhooking Spike from his leash, "Didn't work?" she asked. Jo gave her a dirty look and Leili grinned, "Told you so."