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The Ruins of House Potter

Chapter 9 – Hufflepuff

By Jamnaz79

Beta: BJH

Notice: I do not own Harry Potter. I do not claim to own it or wish to make any money off of it. I am merely using the characters to write some hopefully enjoyable stories. All rights belong to the sacred lady, may she grace us with future stories someday.

The prefect turned and knocked three times on the doorway and spoke out loud, "Friendship is what makes life worth living."

Slowly the barrel started to squeak open before disappearing all together. Harry blinked in surprise as his eyes lit up at the beautiful common room for the Hufflepuff house. It was like the world opening up before him to find a new home. In a way this was his new home, his place to live, laugh, love, and learn over the next seven years of his life. This was the start of his future and he was excited.

~~~RoHP ~~~

The first years followed Jerome Jacobson into the Hufflepuff main common room. The room was large and spacious with a huge roaring fireplace with a carved stone mantle raising high above their heads off to the right side of the room. Before the fireplace was a number of very comfortable looking leather couches. On the first side of the room from the entrance were a number of large panoramic windows that opened up onto terraces. Each of the windows overlooked the Black Lake with an amazing view of the lake and the night above. In the distance if one strained to look you could just make out the town of Hogsmeade. On the left side of the main common room was a large wall filled with a several bookshelves filled with leather bound tomes and rolled manuscripts with a portrait of Helga Hufflepuff. There were passageways that traveled to the right and left of the common room most likely to either quarter for the boys and girls or yearlings.

Jerome turned around with a bright grin that offset his dark features, "Welcome to Hufflepuff. As you can see these are the main quarters for the House. Off to the left you will find the rooms for first, third, fifth and seventh years. To the right is second, fourth and sixth years. Each year has their suites including bedrooms coming off the edges of them. Where other Houses proclaim that they are close as family Hufflepuffs actually are that close. When you join Hufflepuff you join for life, not just for school."

Harry stared at the dark skinned boy in surprise. It almost sounded like this house was a cult more than anything else. He fought back a grimace to hide his concern as he listened closely to the prefect. "There are two councils in Hufflepuff House. The first is the High Council. This is made up of elders of Hogwarts who are chosen to support and assist Hufflepuffs when they graduate. We protect our own; even assist in guiding Hufflepuffs to good jobs after Hogwarts. There is a reason that three quarters of the Ministry of Magic is made up of Hufflepuffs. Most successful businesses in Britain have Hufflepuffs as leading members. You have been chosen to become a part of that legacy someday. In a little bit you will get the chance to meet three of the five member panel this evening."

The boy paused as he allowed all of the first years to take in his words. Then he spoke up again with his deep voice carrying over the group, "In school there is a Council too which will assist in protecting and guiding our fellow Hufflepuffs. While Prefects deal with matters outside of the House. The council is made up of representatives from third to seventh year. These young men or women are elected by their peers to guide the household. I am the fifth year representative to the council so please come to me with any concerns."

The young man turned and started to walk down the hallway towards the first year student's dorms. They passed the third year and the fifth year before they came to a door marked with the Roman numeral for one. "Please note that once a week there is house study secession for your year. You can get a tutor for extra assistance by asking a council member. We will find you help in any subject or personal issue you need support with. Professor Sprout will see you Monday morning to tell your detailed time when she gives your schedule to you. Now please go in and welcome."

Harry walked in next to Cedric to the first year common room. The room looked a lot like the main common room. It had its own fireplace on the right wall. On the far side there were large windows that again showed the Black lake sparkling under the starlight. The far left side of the common room had a number of desks lined for studying and the middle of the room had a group of large couches and a small table. On the left side of the room was a door with the word ladies above and the right side had a doorway for gentlemen. Standing in the middle of the room was two witches and a wizard watching the first year's faces as they walked in.

The woman in front was a stern looking woman with light auburn hair against her shoulders a monocle covering pale green eyes. She wore Hufflepuff robes with a symbol of a skull with a sword and wand behind it as crossbones on the left side of her chest. The sternness of her look was calmed by the smile that touched the edges of her lips.

Next to the stern witch was an elderly witch that looked to be a hundred if she was a day old. She had white hair in a French braid falling down over her shoulder to her backside. Her right eye had gone to white blindness where her left was a sky blue. She had a long nose and high cheekbones. The woman was tiny, shrunken by age to under five foot tall, but she had a presence about her that commanded attention and drew the eye.

To the left of the stern witch was a handsome man with salt and pepper hair. He had dark brown eyes and a full well trimmed beard. He stood leaning heavily on a cane as he looked over the youngsters walking into the room. His demeanor was a friendly as he offered a warm toothy smile towards the boys and girls. He also was the first to speak up with a hint of laughter in his voice, "Come in, come in and join us! Please have a seat! Welcome to Hufflepuff younglings."

The group of children settled down onto the couches before the three elders. They took a moment to quiet down as all of them were talking among themselves with excitement. When quiet overcame the kids the stern witch stepped forward. Her eyes slowly circled over each of the new Hufflepuffs. Harry swore he saw a flash of surprise cross her face when she saw him. "As Lord Smith said welcome to Hufflepuff. I am Madam Amelia Bones, the Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. The gentleman that welcomed you first is Lord Jordan Smith. He is the head of the committee of colonies with the Wizengamot and oversees the ambassadors and policies of all of the Empire's countries. The final but never last lady I would like to introduce to you is the Matron of the Hufflepuff council, Lady Eleanor Shafiq."

The ancient woman stepped forward slowly resting her hand onto the arm of Madam Bones, "We won't keep you dears long. We know that it has been a long night."

Slowly her one good eye swept over all of the boys and girls before she offered a toothless smile. "We just wanted you to know that now that you are one of us. We will always be here for you inside school and outside. If you have a problem you can come to any of us and we will try to help you."

The ancient, wrinkled woman gave a slow nod towards Lord Smith. He leaned onto his cane and looked around at the children, "The boys to the right and girls to left. Each of the hallways is split into rooms with two beds in each. You will find warm cookies and chilled milk at your bedside. Please remember just because a badger is stubborn enough to put up with anything, you do not have to. Now off to bed with you, our newest members of Helga's host."

Harry and Cedric started to leave the room but were stopped as the stern red head stepped into their path. Her voice was firm as she spoke up, "Mr. Potter may I welcome you personally to the Hufflepuff House."

Harry blinked in surprise and looked up at the woman. She offered her hand towards the young man which he took and placed a kiss on it gently, "Thank you Madam Bones. I am honored to have been chosen for the house. It was where I was hoping to go."

The woman raised an eyebrow in surprise at the comment. She noticed the boy had stepped back one step after kissing her hand with his feet now shoulder width apart and hands behind his back. The boy was in a formal parade rest position from a muggle military formation. She decided for the moment not to comment on that as she looked him over. He had his father's looks in his face and windswept hair. But his mother's cheekbones and eyes were very prominent. Perhaps he was lucky to get her eyes since she remembered James always having to wear glasses where it seemed Harry was free of them. Her voice was warm for her as she spoke up, "You look so much like your parents. I would have expected you to want to join their legacy in Gryffindor."

The raven haired boy slowly shook his head back and forth and smiled at the woman, "No Ma'am. I want to be my own person. I was raised to consider hard work and loyalty to be more important aspects of life then courage and daring. Anyone can be brave but not everyone will work for success."

A truth smile broke out over the lips of the woman at the young man's choice of words. She gave a firm nod to Harry, "Then we are lucky to have you Mr. Potter. I knew your parents well though our families were rivals. I am sorry for what happened to them and the Potter family after their passing. Please know that the Bones family does not agree nor stand with the Longbottom family for what they did to your own legacy."

The emerald eyes of the boy widened slightly at the political words of the woman. In the moment he had forgotten she had important political roles in the Regent of House Bones and the Head of the DMLE. Harry glanced quickly over towards Cedric who was quietly standing at his side. Then he recovered quickly and offered a smile for the woman, "Thank you on behalf of the Potter family Madam Bones for your kind words. I will remember your well wishes."

"I am sure you will Mr. Potter. Please note that both you and Mr. Diggory will receive invitations to the Bones family remembrance of Samhain. I hope you will both be able to attend." Madam Bones turned her gaze back and forth between Harry and Cedric. Then she stepped aside and motioned towards the dorms, "I shouldn't keep you so late. It was a pleasure to meet you Mr. Potter and see you again Cedric dear. Susan made me promise to say hello to you."

"Thank you Madam Bones, please tell her hello for me too. I am sure Harry and I will be at your Samhain celebration." Cedric spoke up before dragging Harry off towards their room.

The room was a simple dorm with a pair of bunk beds on opposite side of the room against the wall. There were two desks and a closet for each of them. They also had their own loo with a shower.

Harry was so tired out he didn't even bother to eat the cookies. He quickly set his wand with an alarm spell that Remus had taught him then curled up into bed to sleep. "Good night Cedric."

"Good night Harry… And Harry thanks for joining me in Hufflepuff. I am sure we will have great adventures." Cedric answered before he too rolled over for sleep.

~~~ RoHP ~~~

Professor Babbling was excited. When Remus Lupin had come to her over the summer and personally talked up Harry Potter as a future prodigy. The fact that Harry was the son of Rune Mistress Lily Potter, a woman who had very interesting ideas when she was alive, was icing on the cake. She expected big things from the boy, and was expecting him to be in her runes class come his third year. But, Remus had talked her into letting the boy take a test.

So here she was using her last free Sunday morning to watch young Mr. Potter take a test. Perhaps she was a little unfair as the test was what she would give as a final exam to her third year students. But, if the boy was as good as Remus said he was then she expected he would be able to answer a number of the questions.

So far the young man had been writing continuously over the past two hours. He had barely stopped his quill for more than twenty seconds before he would continue. It was either he was offering real thought and conclusions for the answers or else he was a good fibber. Hopefully it was more of the first than the second. She would hate to have wasted her morning.

The professor flicked her wand with a quick tempus spell showing it was two minutes till noon. She smiled with excitement, "You have two minutes more Mr. Potter. Please make certain you answer the final question."

"It is done Professor. You wanted a runic array involving Norse and Greek runes. I think you will find the one I designed to be interesting." Harry spoke up as he walked towards the front desk and professor.

The elderly witch blinked at the words. She brushed back her blonde bang from her cheek, her hair kept long in a bundle down her back. She had a thin face and small nose with a pair of dark brown eyes. Those eyes sparkled with anticipation as she took hold of the parchment sheets from Harry. "Please wait there Mr. Potter."

Professor Babbling started to go down through the questions and answers of the boy. After reading over the first page she was impressed. She flipped to the second and started to feel surprise. The third page was remarkable for how the boy seemed to understand the exact uses of the Norse and Greek runes. She flipped through the pages quicker and each time she found correct answers. The boy was remarkable, Lupin had been correct! A smile lit up the face of the professor as she jumped to the last page. The runic array that the boy created was his own array design, she had expected he would instead use a common one from the books. It was not perfect but would hold for a time before failure. The array was designed to be placed on an object to cause the time to float above it. It was an interesting piece of work, if she modified it she was sure she could make it work continuous and add an alarm to the array. Still for a first year student, this was remarkable.

Slowly the Professor lowered down the test to the table before her and smiled towards the young man, "You are astonishing young man Mr. Potter. Welcome to fourth year runes."

Harry blinked in surprise at the professor as his mouth hung open. He closed then opened his mouth a few times, "Fourth year?"

"Yes Mr. Potter, I just gave you the test for third year students. You would receive an outstanding plus on that testing Mr. Potter. You are fit for the fourth year of study for the class. I am going to be expecting you to work hard and be the top student in the class." The Professor smiled kindly as his eyes glanced own towards the gold and black of Hufflepuff on the tie, "I don't think hard work will be a problem though. Do you think you will be up to it Mr. Potter?"

"Yes Professor! I will not disappoint you." Harry smiled brightly at the Professor.

"I know you won't Mr. Potter." Professor Babbling said to herself as she watched the boy leave.

~~~ RoHP ~~~

The first day of classes was interesting. Harry's schedule kept him with his group of Hufflepuffs but he had extra runes on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. His first class of the week was Defense against the Dark Arts. Cedric and he quickly finished up their breakfast and grabbed their books and went to class early.

The Hufflepuffs traveled as a group normally. It was a little different bit of pack mentality for the Hufflepuffs that they always were there to protect each other. It was great to be around a group of new friends for Harry. It reminded him of the Academy. You were taught to be us against the world mindset. The Hufflepuffs embodied that mindset. There were always people around him now. But there was little privacy in the Hufflepuff suites.

He had gotten to meet all of the Hufflepuffs students at least. There was David Greenberg, the boy was a muggleborn student from the west side of London. The boy was quiet and looking around with wide eyes often. He liked to collect bugs and wanted to study them someday, but that was before he found out he was a wizard.

Vladimir Kulikov was a half-blood. His father had been a member of the Russian aristocracy that had escaped during World War I. When the man came to England he married an Irish witch by from the MacKimel family. His mother had been an Auror that was killed in a death eater raid. His father never knew his mother had been a witch just that she disappeared one day. The boy had Irish red hair and dark eyes of his mother. He seemed to be a good guy so far.

Ian Bagman was a pureblood wizard. He was the nephew of the famous quidditch beater Ludo Bagman. The man was considered the greatest Beater that had ever been produced by England. The boy was quiet and unassuming. But he was tall for his age and looked like someday he would grow into a giant of a man. Perhaps he too would take after his uncle in the sport.

The other two boys were Cedric and Harry for the first in the Hufflepuff House. The five girls Harry had met too on Sunday and gotten to know them a bit.

Jaina Smith was the girl that Harry had met at the opening night Feast. She had a fiery temper and a curiosity to match. According to Cedric she had dragged him around by the hand all over the school. Harry didn't think he minded too much as he noticed the boy seemed to linger his gaze on her when she wasn't looking.

Miranda Gorshawk was the granddaughter of the writer of their Herbology textbook. She took after her namesake loving planets and animals. She wanted to someday become the Herbology teacher after Professor Sprout. It may be a bit mean but Harry thought she looked a little like Professor Sprout, a little round in the middle. She was very loud and outgoing though.

Isabella Farley was a pureblood witch with brown eyes and hair. She had freckles scattered across her cheek and Harry had noticed she had come into puberty early. She was the most endowed of the Hufflepuff girls with a bright smile that drew attention. A rather cute girl, she had an older sister in Slytherin House.

Sarah Williams was a muggleborn with curly light brown hair and hazel eyes. She was tall and slender with gymnast build. Her father was in her Majesties navy and her mother was a housewife. She had always taken dance lessons and hoped to someday become a ballerina before finding out she was a witch.

Nuan Li was a witch from Hong Kong. Her family including her little sister had come over to Britain. Her father was the ambassador for Hong Kong and served in the Wizengamot. Nuan was a small skinny girl. She was the shortest in their group by far. But if you looked closely you could see wiry muscle on her. She had midnight black hair that was always kept in a bundle on the top of her head. Her eyes were dark as her hair and seemed to always carry emotion. She was a very quiet person but Harry could swear he saw her glancing at him every once in a while.

Despite his reservations of making so many new friends Harry was enjoying himself so far. He and Cedric found themselves in front of the Defense against Dark Arts Class with the others when the door opened up. This class would be shared with the Gryffindors. He didn't know any of that house's members yet. He glanced over and saw a dark skinned girl talking to another girl of Indian descent. Behind them was a pair of red heads that looked exactly the same.

Before Harry could look further the doorway to the room opened up the dark curly haired witch from the high table two nights before stood there. She wore regal green robes lined with silver most likely from her own House ages ago. Her pale grey eyes slowly swept over the gathered first year students before she raised an eyebrow, "Do you wish to be marked late? If not I suggest you take a seat."

The students at those words the students rushed forward to take their seats. Harry and Cedric took the front row. If he was forced to admit it Harry was looking forward to this class. Supposedly his father had been an Auror, or magical constable, if so then this would have been a key class of his. He was hopeful that he would have a taken after his mother in the subject.

Once the students were seated Professor Black glided forward. She moved with a grace that could not be taught as she stepped around the classroom. The woman didn't speak, she only slowly swept her gaze over all of her students studying them and making certain to meet each of their eyes. Once she had circled the room twice she finally stopped at the front of the classroom. There she spoke up, "I have lived for seventy six years as a witch. Older than many and younger than more than a few of our kind, but I have learned one fact. Those that cannot defend themselves in this world are destined to become prey to the world around them. This school for the past thirty years has not been able to keep a Professor at the Defense against the Dark Arts post. I could be the witch to break that trend and I could not be. In either case I will endeavor to give you each a foundation in the subject that will make you worthy to someday be known as Witches and Wizards."

She paused for a moment, once again her eyes slowly circled the room till they found Harry last. They seemed to linger for a few moments longer on the boy than anyone else. He felt warmth from his heir ring and looked down breaking his gaze with the woman. When that happened she continued. "I expect to see you listen, study and learn. Other teachers may coddle you and others may expect you simply to listen. I expect you to learn what I teach. If you are not here to learn then I suggest you depart. While the level of education has fallen in this school from my day, in this classroom we shall teach by the old standards."

Suddenly the corners of the witches' lips turned upwards into a hint of a smile. She stepped behind her desk and flicked her wand silently. Behind her the chalk started to float upwards and write on the blackboard. "Now let us start with something simple. Can anyone tell me what the most dangerous creature in the world is?"

There was silence in the classroom nobody moved a muscle. Again the eyebrow rose form the witch at the front of the class as a frown started to edge her lips. "Nobody is courageous enough to risk an answer? I will not bite your head off for being wrong."

The subtle jab at the house of courage caused one of the red haired twins to raise his hand. The woman looked at the boy for long moments before she answered, "Yes Mr. Fred Weasley?"

The boy looked at his twin with a hint of surprise on his face. Most likely it was from the witch being able to tell them apart before he answered the question, "Is it a dragon Professor Black?"

"That is a good answer but no Mr. Weasley. We will cover dragons later in the year to give you a basic knowledge of them. They are fierce, protective and dangerous to the foolhardy but while they are territorial they do not seek out witches and wizards to feast upon." She turned and pointed her wand towards Isabella in the back of the class, "Ms. Farley you were speaking to your classmate so I assume you were discussing an answer. Let us hear it."

The girl turned bright red in her face to match the hair of the twins before she spoke up in a halting squeaky voice, "A nundu Professor Black?"

"Another good suggestion Ms. Farley but unfortunately you also are incorrect. The Nundu for those that do not know are creatures native to Africa that are like giant cats. They hunt with claws that can tear apart the skin of a dragon and breath that will cause decay. If you find yourself against one with less than ten witches or wizards at your back I suggest you apparate away at once. They are not to be faced. But, they too are not the answer to our question sadly." The woman scanned the room again before her eyes lingered onto Harry's own emeralds.

He slowly raises his hand to answer her question knowing she was going to call on him next from her gaze. "Is the answer man Professor Black?"

"It is indeed Mr. Potter. Be it muggle or wizard-kind man is the most deadly creature on the planet. Muggles have weapons that can destroy whole cities with the single press of a button. Magicals have spells that can kill with but a wave of the wand along with a thought; yes they do but not an entire city. What is more important is that you will interact with mankind every day of your life. Each and every person you walk past in the world outside of this building could mean you harm. Each witch or wizard has in their hand a beautiful but deadly weapon." The Professor slowly raised her hand and floating wandless above it was her own wand. It slowly spun around in a circle before the Professor's face as she spoke, "A wand is a weapon, make no mistake. You are being trained to use it, hopefully, for the best situations but, there are others in this world that will use it for their own selfish desires. You must each learn how to use it effectively to protect yourself and others. Ten points to Hufflepuff, Mr. Potter."

Again her lips curled at the edges briefly before she turned towards the blackboard and flicked her hand causing the chalk to start to write key points as she lectured. The first class did not have them learn or cast any spells instead, she started with explaining the laws and regulations of the wizarding world about the use of wands. She explained to them why it was so deadly, how it was, and the ideas behind defense according to the Ministry. When the class ended Harry couldn't say he didn't learn anything because he surely did even if it was not part of the textbook. Instead it was remarkable knowledge that he would use every day in the future of his life in the wizarding world.

The classroom started to exit even though they had an hour before their next class. Harry turned to walk with Cedric and the rest of the puffs when he heard the voice of the professor calling out. "Mr. Potter please stay behind a few minutes."

The raven haired boy motioned for the others to depart. When they did and the door closed he turned back towards the Professor of Defense against the Dark Arts. The Lady Cassiopeia Black, he had been told of the Black family from Remus. They were a dark family, a dangerous family. They were the family from where the betrayer of his parents was born. He was on edge being alone before this woman. Slowly he stepped forward his wand in his hand as he glanced up towards her.

The witch raised an eyebrow at the boy. She could see the tenseness in his shoulders and face. Her light grey eyes took the rigid sides of the boy and his knuckles turning white where he gripped his wand. The boy looked like he was heading into a fight. So she decided to give the boy one. She raised her wand at young Harry and calling out, "expelliarmus."

Author Note: Hufflepuff is a little different than normal. It would make sense for the hard working and trust worthy house would be the backbone work force of the wizarding society. If there was a force that kept them together then they could have amazing control and power. A little introduction to the year mates of Harry here too. I also want to thank BJH for offering to Beta this story. Hopefully with his help I will be able to make my scribbling worthy to be read. I am very happy for BJH's help! Let me know your thoughts on the story so far. Any suggestions are always welcome.