A/N:Remember readers that these chapters do not go in any particular order. This one is set in Goblet of Fire.
Tales from the Common Room Fire
Chapter 3: A Slyther-What?!
The glow from the fireplace and windows gave a drowsy warmth to the room. After a long day of classes the badgers settled into their den. Ernie and Susan smirk across a chessboard. Hannah watched them with a smile as she ran a brush through Justine's hair. Cedric prodded his model dragon away from the fire where his best friend stirred a potion. A group of third years sat together; their words flowed between French, German, and English.
Eloise skimmed the chapter on Summoning Charms. The weight against her legs shifted, and she lowered her book. The dark-haired girl at her feet glanced up, and they smiled. Millicent rested her head on her girlfriends me before turning back to her own essay. A relaxed smile lingered on the Slytherin's lips.
"Millicent, no offense, but do you ever go back to your own house?" Hogwarts' champion ask from his place by the fire.
"What are you talking about, Ced? This is her house," Susan quipped.
"You know what I mean," Cedric sighed.
The snake in question shut her book with the snap. "Are you saying you don't want me here, Diggory?"
"No that's not it at all!" He waved the thought away, "I just wondered if, you missed them, or they missed you."
Her laugh erupted in the air, "I don't think I qualify as a Slytherin in most of their minds anymore. I socialize well enough with my housemates at meals, and in classes to: it's just easier to be here."
"You can be yourself," Justine pulled her mane of curls into a ponytail.
First year, Eleanor Branstone asked, "If you're not a Slytherin then what are you?"
"She's a Slytherpuff," replied Stella Malfoy. She pointed at a third year Slytherin boy, "Just like Edmond."
"A Slyther-what?" Ernie turned away from the loss of his second knight to stare at the girl.
"A. Slither. Puff. We came up with the term ages ago, or would you prefer a Huffle-in?" She piled on the Malfoy arrogance. "A Slytherpuff is a Slytherin or Hufflepuff who associates with the other house, or a term to describe a relationship between a Slytherin and a Hufflepuff."
"Like me and Millie?" Eloise kissed the top of Millicent's head.
The third years nodded.
"Well, now that that's settled," Ernie returned to his game in time to see his queen taken. He swore.
"I wonder what the colors would be," Justine mused.
"Green and yellow I expect," Anton offered as he decanted his potion into vials.
"Works for me," Milicent shrugged. "Black and silver would be too... Dark to represent Hufflepuff."
"What would the emblem be? A black-and-white snake?" Owen Cauldwell laughed at his own idea.
Hannah took Ernie's place at the chess table, "I think it should have a badger and snake. Someone should get Dean Thomas to draw it."
Ernie flopped on the floor beside the girls' game. "That's not likely to happen anytime soon. He's a Gryffindor after all."
"I told you lot not to wear those idiotic badges. What fourteen-year-old would willingly go up against the best from three schools; who have had three years more magical learning than he has?" Susan shook her head.
Stella rolled her eyes, "and you're giving my brother an excuse to be more of a prat than he already is."
"Yeah can we NOT antagonize Malfoy and Potter until they learn how to aim? It's a sad day when Goyle and Granger are reduced to tears." Millicent rolled up her completed essay.
"As you wish, Madam Slytherpuff," Ernie yawned.
Millicent checked her watch, "oh for the love of Merlin! It's after bloody curfew!"
"You just have to go up to the entrance hall then back down right?" Cedric asked.
"Do you know who our Head of Houses?" Edmund piped up.
"Why don't you two just stay here?" Hannah pointed to the yellow and black furnishings. "These couches are really comfortable."
Millicent frowned as she thought. After a few moments she smirked, "I'd take a possibly annoyed Sprout over A decidedly irate Snape any day."
Edmund dropped his bag back on the floor at his feet, "it's warmer up here anyway."
"Come sit with me?" Eloise patted the seat beside her. "I never understood why you insist on sitting on the floor."
Millicent pulled herself up onto the couch, "I didn't want to take a seat from one of your fellow badgers."
Eloise kissed her, "That's the silliest thing of ever heard you say."
"Then what was the kiss for?"
"For being my Slytherpuff."
The Slytherin snorted, "Ellie, you're tired go to bed."
A/N: Here is our lovely Hufflepuff chapter, or should we say Slytherpuff? This sets the tone for our badgers. They are accepting and happy to open their common room for any student who needs a place to relax and be themselves. As always feel free to leave us a review if you have any questions or thoughts on the chapter. Gryffindor is up next, and you'll get to know our Ron.
Sullivan and Lane