Happy 14th Birthday Justin!

February 22 1994

A group of third year Hufflepuffs crept down from their dormitories and tiptoed passed the sixth and seventh years who had fallen asleep in the Common Room whilst studying for their finals. The tall boy with mousy hair tiptoed behind the rest of them, wringing his hands together nervously.

"I don't think this is a good idea," he muttered.

The blonde boy at the front, with the slanted eyebrows, whipped his head around and scowled at his companion. "Oh, stop being such a worry wart, Justin," he snapped. "It's your own birthday, for Merlin's sake."

"What if we get caught?" squeaked the blonde girl nervously.

"It's alright, Hannah," the auburn haired girl soothed her friend. "We won't get caught. Our prefects' are asleep. There won't be anyone checking the corridors."

"As long as Percy Weasley isn't doing his rounds," a sandy-haired boy remarked.

"Oh come on, guys!" a red haired boy whispered excitedly. "This is exciting! Just think of all the food!"

The thought of food seemed to cheer them up immensely, and they began to chatter amongst themselves.

"I'll go first," the first blonde boy declared proudly, puffing up his chest. "See if the coast is clear."

"Be careful, Zacharias," Hannah pleaded, bouncing on her toes.

Zacharias disappeared through the portrait hole. The rest of the Hufflepuffs waited silently, their eyes nervously glancing around the common room anxiously.

"All clear," Zacharias' voice drifted down the corridor. The Hufflepuffs grinned and, one by one, crept through the portrait hold and scurried down the corridor towards the portrait of the fruit basket.

"Go on, Justin," the red haired boy insisted. "Tickle the pear."

Tentitively, Justin reached out and began to scratch the pear. It wriggled and giggled under his finger and suddenly, it began a doorknob. He grasped it tightly and turned, pushing open the door and revealing a warm, golden light.

The kitchens.

The Hufflepuffs stared at it with wide-eyes. They had never seen anything like it before. As they went inside, the hundreds of House Elves all stopped what they were doing and stared at the children in astonishment.

"Oh, aren't they cute!" cried Hannah.

One of the House Elves, a rather chubby one draped in a toga that bore the Hogwarts crest, approached them.

"How may Remy help, young Masters?" he squeaked, bowing low before the students.

The red-haired boy stepped forwards and grinned at the House Elf. "I'm Wayne Hopkins," he declared. "And it's me mate Justin's birthday." He pointed to Justin, who smiled bashfully.

Remy bowed low before Justin. The House Elves gasped and began to chatter amongst themselves in their small, high-pitched voices.

"Happy birthday, Master Justin. Remy will make a cake for you, oh yes. Remy will make a wonderful birthday feast, he will."

Suddenly, the House Elves began to scurry around the kitchen in such a hurry that the Hufflepuffs had no idea what was going on. A few Elves had conjured up several comfy chairs, and they sat down eagerly, as a gigantic feast was prepared. Cakes, cupcakes, trifle, candied cherries and pints upon pints of eggnog were lain before them on a large table, quicker than they could say 'Alohomora'.

"Happy Birthday, young Master," Remy bowed again, and the rest of the House Elves followed suit. With a grin, Justin blew out his fourteen candles and the Hufflepuffs helped themselves to slices of cake.

"I've got to say, Justin," Wayne said between mouthfuls, "this was the best idea ever."

"Mmhmm," the other students hummed in agreement, and it wasn't until several hours later that they traisped back to the Common Room with full bellies and satisfied grins.

A/N: I've always thought that the Hufflepuff students often had trips to the kitchens, them being so close to them is no coincidence in my opinion. Of course, with the likes of Hannah Abbott and Ernie Macmillan being quite cautious, the Hufflepuff's in Harry's year probably didn't do it too often. But I love the Hufflepuffs, being a proud Hufflepuff myself :) xx