The sorting hat's song is from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
My birthday is Sunday and I would appreciate some nice reviews or even donations to my ko-fi (thouartahufflepuff). I'm finally in a new place so things should be getting a lot better for me. I am working full-time which is putting a dent in my writing time, but I've gotten the first draft for Book 6 written.
September 1st, Hermione drove Cedric to King's Cross on motorcycle. She was going to leave with Cecilia at Platform 9 and 3/4 and go home from there. Cedric was going to miss her terribly. The thought of being at Hogwarts without her there was nearly unbearable, but he agreed with her reasons. Besides, they had their mirrors and that notebook she was planning on giving him for his birthday.
On the platform, Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply.
"I'm going to miss you so much," she said, tears pricking at her eyes.
"It's just until Christmas," he said, mostly to himself, and pressed his forehead to hers. "I'll be counting the days."
"I will, too." She kissed him again, then hugged him.
He loved their hugs more than anything. Hermione would just wrap him up tight without an ounce of selfishness, making him feel wanted.
"Hey, Cedric," said Tabatha St. Vincent. "I thought we might go over the plan for the prefects before the train takes off. Hey, Hermione."
"Hey, Tabatha," said Hermione.
Tabatha pushed her glasses up her prominent nose, nodded, and boarded the train with her trunk dragging behind her.
Hermione turned Cedric's wrist to look at his watch.
"I have a little bit of time," she said. "I'll just make sure I'm off the train before it leaves."
Cedric sighed lightly and locked his fingers with Hermione's. He wanted to get every last moment he could with her before she left. Even so, he followed Tabatha on board and brought out his prefect bags. He double-checked to make sure all the walkie-talkies were in place along with maps, sign-up sheets, and everything else.
"Oh," said Hermione. "I've nearly forgotten."
She reached into her purse and brought out an old bit of parchment. She slipped it into his hand and when their skin touched she thought, To activate it, simply say, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good.' To deactivate it say, "Mischief Managed."
He nodded and put the map in his backpack. Hermione was looking down the train and searching the magical signatures.
"I see Luna and Neville," she said. "I'm going to go say a quick goodbye. I've still got time."
"Alright," he said.
Soon, the compartment was filling up with prefects while Cedric and Tabatha discussed what they were going to go over. Hermione soon returned and gave Padma and Hannah (both prefects) big hugs.
"Congratulations on making Prefect, Sally-Anne," said Hermione, giving the Gryffindor a firm pat on the shoulder. "I hope you do well."
"Didn't make prefect, Granger?" said Pansy snidely. "I'm shocked."
She actually was shocked, she was just trying to hide it. Cedric was surprised Pansy was allowed the position. He would have thought it would be Daphne. Guess nobody could override Snape's terrible decisions.
"I'm not," said Hermione. "I don't qualify."
Cedric huffed lightly and shook his head. The whistle screeched and the engine roared to life.
"Alright," he said. "The train is about to leave, so anyone who is not a prefect, please go to your own compartment."
"It's really such a pity you're returning," said Pansy to Hermione. "Why don't you do everyone a favor and go back where you came from?"
"Okay," Hermione went to Cedric and kissed him then went to the door. "Wait! Cedric, there's something very important I have to tell you!"
"What is it?" he asked.
She made a heart with her hands and smiled. "I love you, bye. Bye everyone, I'll miss you all. Except you Pansy, I can't bloody stand you."
She jumped off the train just as it began to move, ran to meet Cecilia, and the two disappeared in the smoke.
Heaving a sigh, Cedric made sure his hair was secure in its tail and stood up.
"Good morning, everyone," he said. "To all our old prefects, welcome back, and to our new prefects, welcome to responsibility. Tabatha and I agreed that we will be dealing with things differently this year than in past years."
Tabatha helped him pass out the new packets of information he spent last night putting together.
"In here," she said, "you will find a sign-up sheet for the hours you are willing to patrol. Mind you it isn't set but it gives us something to work with. There is also a contract that states that you promise to uphold prefect duties, won't abuse your power, yadda, yadda, yadda and if you don't follow the rules you could lose your status as prefect. Cedric?"
He nodded at her. "In the past, the job of a prefect was to enforce school rules and patrol hallways during study hall and after curfew. Well, this year we're going to change all of that. We will be holding meetings twice a month in classroom 103A to discuss patrol duties, rule breaking, and problem students. See, I believe our job as prefects should be as someone the younger years can rely on; a friend, not law enforcement. The teachers are sometimes too busy and there's no official guidance counselor for the school so we should be a trusted person to talk to if there's trouble or concerns."
Shaylyn Ramsey raised her hand. For the first day back, she was wearing an al-amira in Slytherin green with a silver trim.
"What should we do if people ask about Voldemort?" she asked, rolling her eyes at the yelps.
Cedric had foreseen this question and prepared for it.
"Tell them that as long as they are at Hogwarts they won't have to worry about outside threats," he said. "I can't say the same for inside threats, but we don't want to create a panic, right? Right. Now, I'd like to make it known that as prefects you will need to start working together as a group."
"Yes," said Tabatha. "I know there are house rivalries, but while you're on duty you will treat each other with dignity and respect."
She looked at Pansy when she said this.
"What's this list on the pamphlet?" Ernie Macmillan asked.
"Oh, that's a list for prefect backpacks," said Cedric. "I pack my backpack with things I might need in case of an emergency. The list just has suggestions of what anybody might need until they can get to Madam Pomfrey. Never hurts to be prepared and I've found that it is rather nifty and people typically know to come to me for those sorts of things. Hermione and I prepared totes last night to get you started and I'd be happy to order more items for you."
He held up one of the tote bags that contained the items on the list.
"We don't really have to carry around tampons, do we?" Seventh Year Ravenclaw, Matthew Whittle asked.
"Why would it be a problem?" Tabatha asked. "Nobody is going to think you're using them."
"Exactly," said Cedric.
"But—I mean—it's—kinda gross," he stammered and looked around for backup. "Right?"
"Matthew." Cedric dug into his bag, removed a tampon and chucked it at him, hitting him square in the forehead. "It's not a bomb."
Matthew shrieked and pushed it away, the girls in the compartment laughed and scoffed at the overreaction.
"Anyway," Cedric continued picking up the totes. "I will now be passing out your prefect bags and walkie-talkies. Please do not lose them. Gryffindors, yours are red and your code names are as follows, Sally-Anne, you're Red One; Ron, Red Two; Melina Lynwood and Yuuto Kawaguchi are Red Three and Red Four; Angelina Johnson and Humbert Keegan are Red Five and Red Six." He gave similar titles to the rest of the prefects except he labelled himself and Tabatha as Head Boy and Head Girl rather than Yellow Six and Green Five. "I would also keep your walkie-talkies and school maps on you at all times; in the pamphlet you will find lingo I put together, so I recommend you memorize it or, at least, keep it with you. Any questions or comments on this?"
"All right," said Tabatha when no one responded, "if you will open up your schedules you will see that we already planned out the patrols for the first week and then we'll change them as needed. If you do not put in your patrol duty requests then they will be chosen for you. It's all first come first serve."
"One last thing before we dismiss you," said Cedric. "You know how everyone had fun at the ball last year? Er—almost everyone? Maybe we should organize a spring dance, yeah? Have one for the younger years and one for the older years that way everyone gets a chance to have a night of fun. I'm also thinking a spirit week before exams with little challenges each day and a prize for the person in each year who shows the most spirit. Boost morale, y'know? I heard that the Celestial Ball a few years back was amazing."
"And why would we want to do that?" Linton Seward of Slytherin asked.
"Because it'd be fun? Not everything needs a reason set deep in tradition. It could be a new tradition!"
"If we organize it between the twenty-six of us, I think it's doable," Hannah mused. "Perhaps put two or four in charge and then divvy up the work."
"At least think about it," said Cedric. "We'll put it to a vote next meeting on the fifteenth. Anything else, Tabatha?"
"Tomorrow, there will be a tour of the school. I'll take Group One, Cedric Group Two, and Saorise Group Three. We'll leave in fifteen minute increments to avoid clashing."
"Thank you," said Cedric. "Alright. Dismissed."
He slid his backpack over his shoulders.
"Want to sit with me, Ced?" Tabatha asked.
"Sure," he said. "I just want to see Luna real quick and give her a souvenir."
"Ooh, anything for me?" she asked.
"Of course," he said and gave her a snow globe. "I had to get something to show you how much fun I had without you."
Tabatha laughed.
"I'll catch up with you in a bit," she said.
Cedric nodded and made his way through the train to find Luna. He eventually found her in a compartment with Neville, Ginny, and Harry. They were coated with ink that spewed from a large succulent that Neville was cradling.
"Blimey," said Ron. "What happened to you?"
Cedric drew his wand and cleaned the ink.
"Is that a new wand, Cedric?" Luna asked. "It's terribly clever looking."
"I got it in Kilokilo," said Cedric.
"Ah, old one burned up?" she said. "We probably could've saved it with blibbering humdinger mucus."
"No, I don't think there's time for mucus when your arm's split open," said Cedric. "Besides, this wand comes in red. Perfect for keeping the nargles at bay. I've heard they like to chew on handles and loosen wand grip."
"You're absolutely right!" said Luna, her eyes growing impossibly wider. So, Hermione left?
She did. It's all right, it's in her best interest.
Doesn't make it any less difficult.
"Your new style makes you look like a rock star," she said out loud. "I think Stubby Boardman would be jealous."
Cedric chuckled. "I brought a souvenir for my favorite cousin." He reached into his side pocket and brought out a jar containing a banana slug.
Luna shrieked with delight and accepted the jar.
"He's so cute," she said. "I'm going to call him Leonard."
"A perfectly sensible name for a banana slug," he replied. "See you 'round."
As he searched the train for Tabatha, his good mood slipped away. Nearly everyone he made eye contact with looked at him with suspicion and fear. Like he would lash out at them at any second. He finally found his friend in a compartment with Redmund, Lisha, and Chevonne. The two Hufflepuff girls jumped up and gave him giant hugs.
"Oh, you're all right," said Lisha. "We were so worried about you."
"Actually, I'm all left," he said, wiggling his prosthetic fingers.
"Blimey," said Redmund. "Look at that. Can I see?"
Cedric sat down and held out his arm. His friends studied it in fascination and asked him questions about it and then his summer. Of course, he told them all about Hawaii and D.R.
"Where's Hermione?" Lisha asked.
"She left," said Tabatha. "But can you blame her? She wasn't even on the train for half an hour before Parkinson jumped into bullying her."
"That's not the reason why she left though," said Cedric. How many people were going to bring this up? "She left because Hogwarts is a death trap. I support her 100%."
"I like what you did with your hair," said Chevonne, knowing he wanted to change the subject and that was the first thing she could think of.
"Yeah, it's gorgeous," said Lisha.
"Thanks, Renata did it," he said. "I thought I'd try something different."
"It totally works," said Redmund.
Feeling more at ease, Cedric let Belle out of her carrier and let her rest in his lap. After the trolley lady came by, Rowena stuck her head in.
"Hey, Cedric," she said. "I heard Pansy Parkinson pushed Hermione off the train after calling her a dyke, is that true?"
"First off, no," said Cedric. "No, it's not. Hermione wouldn't use that word and Pansy isn't at the point where she'd push someone off a moving train. No, Hermione is going to Castelobruxo."
"Huh, okay."
Cedric took his walkie-talkie off his belt and pressed the button.
"This is Head Boy. Would all prefects please stop saying Pansy pushed Hermione off the train?" he said. "Thank you."
"Who spread the rumor?" Tabatha asked.
"Hufflepuffs," he said. "Who else?"
"We are the worst when it comes to the rumor mill," Lisha agreed.
Cedric made sure his walkie-talkie wasn't on. That would have been awkward.
In the last hour, he got to his feet.
"I'm going to go tell the first years where to go when we stop," he said, remembering his own uncertainty when he first started Hogwarts.
"I'll go with you," said Tabatha. She was lucky that her older brother told her where to go their first year, but she knew it could all be confusing and scary as well.
Cedric mustered his easy-going grin and went to the first compartment full of first-years. He made sure to bring Belle with him since people loved cats and animals generally helped people relax.
"Hi, I'm Cedric, Head Boy," he said in his cheeriest, friendliest voice possible. "I just want to let you know we'll be at Hogsmeade station within the hour and now might be a good time to put on your robes. When we arrive at the station, you will be going left where you'll be escorted to the boats."
"Alright, thanks," said a girl.
"No problem. If you have any questions feel free to ask me, Tabatha here, or any prefect."
"Wow you're good at that," said Tabatha. "How do you do that?"
"Practice," said Cedric. "Lots of practice."
In the last car, they found a boy in a wheelchair wearing a patka, talking with a girl who had a large dog sitting at her feet, a girl who was solving a Rubik's cube as fast as she could scramble it just to keep her hands busy, and Bailey, the boy who stayed home for Christmas Cedric's fifth year.
"Hello, everyone," said Cedric. "Is it alright if I have a seat?"
"Sure," said the Sikh boy.
Cedric sat down. "My name is Cedric, I am this year's Head Boy, and I'd like to go ahead and welcome you to Hogwarts. We'll be there in less than an hour, so I'm making sure all the first years know where to go once we reach Hogsmeade station. Hello, Bailey, how are you?"
"You remember my name?" Bailey asked.
"Of course," said Cedric, turning his attention to the others. "And what are your names?"
"I'm Harjot," said the boy he first spoke to.
"Gracie Yi," said the blind girl. "And this is Artemis."
Artemis the Dog wagged her tail once and stared at Belle.
"Nice to meet you three," said Cedric and turned to Rubik Cube girl. "And you?"
She glanced up and then back down at her cube.
"I don't think she talks," said Bailey.
"You sign?" Cedric asked.
She perked up and nodded eagerly, her fingers began flying as she spoke and Cedric was thankful that he could read minds.
"Nice to meet you Winnifred," said Cedric. "So, you're autistic? So's my girlfriend!"
Winnifred looked at Tabatha.
"Oh, no, that's Tabatha, she's Head Girl, my girlfriend goes to Castelobruxo," he said.
"Is that a metal arm?" Harjot asked.
"Yeah, it is," said Cedric.
"Cool!"
"Can I touch it?" Gracie asked.
"Sure," said Cedric, taking her hand in his. Geez, was he ever that tiny?
"Wicked," Gracie whispered.
"So, do you guys have any questions about Hogwarts?" Cedric asked.
"Where do we go when we get there?" Gracie asked.
"You will be going left and down to the docks…" he furrowed his brow. "Hang on… I don't think it's wheelchair or dog accessible. I think I remember hearing that Murphy McNully had to hitch a ride in the carriages."
"I don't have good balance," Winnifred signed.
"Alright," said Cedric. "Then you'll ride in the carriages with me and I'll bring you to where you need to go."
"Is Hogwarts wheelchair accessible?" Harjot asked.
"Yep, we've got ramps and several lifts," said Cedric. "Murphy got around all right and so did Hermione when she needed a chair. There will also be a tour of the school tomorrow, Winnifred, Gracie, I can walk with you to where your classes will be so you don't get lost while you memorize pathways. I'm not certain we have signs in braille."
"Is Hogwarts big?" Gracie asked.
"It can feel that way in the beginning," said Cedric. "But then you wonder how you ever got lost to begin with."
When the train stopped, Cedric got to his feet and led the three first years off the train.
"Follow me kids," he said and led them towards the carriages.
"First years! First years over here!" A woman with a haircut more severe than Madam Hooch's shouted.
That's odd, where was Hagrid? Perhaps Dumbledore sent him on a mission. Seems like something he'd do.
"First years are supposed to go that way," said Winnifred.
"I know," said Cedric. "But that way is a bit difficult to walk down. We're going this way."
"First years go that way."
"It's okay, Winnifred, I'm Head Boy and I say you three are coming this way."
"Okay."
Cedric brought them to the line of carriages. Since it was a lovely night, the carriages were open topped. The older boy conjured a ramp so Harjot could get into the carriage first and the rest followed. As soon as Cedric closed the door, the Thestral trotted along towards Hogwarts.
Winnifred touched Cedric's hair wanting to know if it was as soft as it looked. Belle meowed and crawled into the girl's lap. Cedric realized that he never put his cat away and resolved to stick her in his backpack for the duration of dinner. She'd be okay.
"What's the best House, Cedric?" Harjot asked.
"Well, I don't like to think that one House is better than the other," he said. "My mum always said it's how you value magic. Do you want to use it as a learning tool, keep it close, use it to protect yourself, or share it with everyone?"
"I heard everyone thinks Slytherins are evil," said Gracie.
"Now that's not true," said Cedric. "Just because a few bad people were in that house? There were bad wizards who were in Hufflepuff. People who tried to burn the world thinking that was going to make it fair. You know what makes people pay attention to the Slytherins? Something someone said a millenia ago back when it was socially acceptable to treat anybody different, anybody like us, like crap. So just keep that mind, no matter what House you're in, okay? You are not the Founder, all you can do is be the best witch or wizard you can be. Promise me that, okay?"
The three first years agreed and even Bailey found himself nodding.
The carriage rounded the corner and Hogwarts came into view.
"Whoa…" Harjot and Winnifred sighed.
"I wish I could see it," said Gracie.
"May I try something?" Cedric asked.
"Er… sure," said Gracie.
"Hold out your hand."
He touched it lightly and projected the image of Hogwarts, all lit up with the moon soaring high.
"Oh…" Gracie whispered. "It's beautiful. How did you do that?"
"I actually learned it from a blind witch this summer. I'll order a copy of her book for you. Maybe ask for some tips as well."
"That'd be wonderful!"
When they finally reached the castle, Cedric led the little group up the new ramp and into the castle.
"Mr. Diggory!" Professor McGonagall ran over. "What are those first years doing away from the group?"
"Artemis gets seasick," said Cedric, gesturing to the dog.
The eleven-year-olds laughed.
"Oh, I see," said Professor McGonagall. "Fifteen points to Hufflepuff for taking charge. Come with me children."
"I'll see you guys inside, now when you're sorted just relax. Nothing to it."
He went inside the Great Hall and sat on the end of Hufflepuff so he could greet the first years as they came to take their seats.
"Hey, Ced," said Red. "Where'd you disappear to?"
"Oh, just helping out some first years," he said and looked up at the Head table confirming that Hagrid was gone.
Professor Lupin was sitting rigidly in his seat and staring nervously at a woman who took pink as the new black way too seriously. She wore pink robes, a pink cardigan, and a pink hat with a crumpled pink bow. Something about her was off-putting, but it was put out of Cedric's mind when the Great Hall doors opened and Professor McGonagall led in the hundred first-years.
"Were we ever that small?" Cedric asked.
"What are you talking about?" Redmund asked. "I'm still that small."
Cedric snickered and ushered Belle into his backpack before he got in trouble.
Winnifred waved eagerly at him and he waved back.
"Seems you're already popular with the new girls," Lisha teased.
"He was popular the moment he walked into this school," said Chevonne.
Cedric turned to the Gryffindor table to see some boy sitting in Hermione's favorite spot and it finally hit him that he really wasn't going to get to see Hermione until Christmas. With a frown, he turned his attention back to the front.
"Hagrid isn't here," he commented.
"I wonder where he is," said Lisha. "He was actually turning into a really good teacher, you know."
Cedric knew where he was. It was one of the things that the Order was afraid of him finding out. Hagrid was trying to get the giants on the side of the Order. Cedric didn't know much about giants but if the stereotypes were correct then it would be difficult. If the giants were more than likely to join the side of the people who could promise them the most violence then the Order was screwed. Either way they were unhappy with their situation despite the Death Eaters being part of the government that was oppressing them.
Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on the stool. The rip near its brim opened and it burst into song.
In times of old when I was new
And Hogwarts barely started
The founders of our noble school
Thought never to be parted:
United by a common goal,
They had the selfsame yearning,
To make the world's best magic school
And pass along their learning
"Together we will build and teach!"
The four good friends decided
And never did they dream that they
Might someday be divided,
For were there such friends anywhere
As Slytherin and Gryffindor?
Unless it was the second pair
Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw?
So how could it have gone so wrong…
It was the longest version of the Sorting Hat song Cedric had ever heard. The shortest version was his second year. It was only two verses and he was pretty sure the hat had somehow gotten drunk before coming out.
"The hat really wants us to unite, doesn't it?" Redmund whispered.
"The hardest minds to change will be Gryffindor and Slytherin," said Cedric. "Friar Simon, has the hat ever given warnings before?"
"He has indeed," said the Fat Friar. "But I will tell you more after the sorting."
The hall quieted but they were itching to talk more. Cedric made sure to clap loudly for each kid no matter where they were put. Harjot was placed in Hufflepuff and immediately sat by Cedric, Winnifred was placed in Ravenclaw where Luna made room for her, and Gracie Yi was placed in Slytherin where she sat beside Tabatha.
Dumbledore kept his speech short considering how long the sorting was. Cedric imagined that with the rising threat of war, in a decade or so there would be another small class like the fifth years. Assuming Hogwarts was still open to all students by that time. He didn't know what was going to happen to be honest.
As he helped himself to some roast beef, he looked up at the Fat Friar.
"So, what about previous warnings?"
"The Sorting Hat is connected with the spirit of Hogwarts," he explained, "I assume you know that magical objects can gain sentience over time, correct?"
Cedric nodded.
"Well, whenever times of danger are detected, the Sorting Hat acts as a sort of pre-warning. Telling everyone to brace and prepare themselves."
"Are we in danger here?" Harjot asked.
"Well, every place has their dangers," said Cedric truthfully. "My friend, Viktor, said that they learn very dangerous spells and potions at Durmstrang where you could get injured, and my girlfriend and her cousins go to Castelobruxo where they have dangerous animals and plants that they learn to handle. We go to school so we can be prepared for the real world and you'll get that education here. We have protections in place so you're safe here. Understand?"
Harjot nodded.
"Well said, my son," said the Fat Friar.
Cedric flinched slightly but knew the ghost didn't mean it like that. In search of something different, he decided to see if his new powers of legilimency could extend to ghosts. Concentrating hard on the texture of his bread roll, he made eye contact with the Fat Friar and projected the sensation and flavor of the food.
The ghost raised his eyebrows and held a hand to his mouth in surprise, as if he expected to take another bite of bread.
"Excuse me, children," he said and left the table to talk with the Grey Lady.
"Is he okay?" Red asked.
"I'm sure he's fine," said Cedric as he spooned sweet peas onto his plate.
The first-years were keen on discussing their parentage and Cedric half-listened between them and the conversations of his friends. His fingers were itching to call Hermione if only to see her face in the Great Hall.
After dessert, when everyone was full and sleepy, Dumbledore gave another speech with the usual topics.
"And tomorrow," he said, "all our first years will be given a grand tour of Hogwarts led by our Head Boy, Cedric Diggory. A new tradition that was begun four years ago by a former student and has led to a large decrease in tardies. We used to have a self-defense seminar, but the student who led that is no longer with us, I am sorry to say. Tryouts for the House Quidditch teams will take place on the—"
He broke off, looking inquiringly at Professor Umbridge.
As she was not much taller standing than sitting, there was a moment when nobody understood why Dumbledore had stopped talking, but then Professor Umbridge said, "Hem, hem," and it became clear that she had got to her feet and was intending to make a speech.
Dumbledore only looked taken aback for a moment, then he sat back down smartly and looked alertly at Professor Umbridge as though he desired nothing better than to listen to her talk. No new teacher had ever interrupted Dumbledore before. Not even Lockhart and he was the interrupting champion. Many of the students were smirking; this woman obviously did not know how things were done at Hogwarts. Cedric didn't like the looks of this woman, all head-to-toe in pink like a child at a tea party.
"Thank you, Headmaster," Professor Umbridge simpered, "for those kind words of welcome." Her voice was high-pitched, breathy, and little-girlish, and again, Cedric felt a powerful rush of dislike that he could not explain to himself. All he knew was that he loathed everything about her, from her stupid voice to her fluffy pink cardigan.
She gave another little throat-clearing cough (" Hem, hem") and continued: "Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say!" She smiled, revealing very pointed teeth. "And to see such happy little faces looking back at me!"
Everyone stared back blankly, not enjoying how she was speaking to them as if they were five. She was too far away for Cedric to get a good look into her eyes so he had no idea what her aim was here, but as she continued on about their education, Cedric felt a pit open up in his stomach and he remembered something Hermione had said both about the trial and what Madam Bones told her. Umbridge was here as a spy. She didn't give one twig about their education, she was just here as a watchdog for Fudge.
Well, shit. He comforted himself with the fact that since she was neither Headmistress nor Deputy Headmistress nor on the Board of Education, there was very little she could do except make reports to Fudge.
Wait, was Umbridge still talking? Something about progress for the sake of progress being bad and blah, blah, blah… Bored, despite the sick feeling in his stomach, Cedric opened his backpack and let Belle out.
The cat climbed onto the table and wandered amongst the first years, relishing in the attention that was drawn away from the toad woman.
"You have just the prettiest cat, Cedric," said Red.
"Yeah. How's Stormageddon: Dark Lord of All by the way?"
"Living up to his name," Red replied with a grin. "Mum spoils him to pieces and he expects the same treatment at school."
When Umbridge finally finished the dullest speech since Professor Binns still walked the halls, Dumbledore quickly finished his speech and bid them goodnight.
"Hufflepuffs follow me!" said Cedric. "Once again, my name is Cedric and I'd like to welcome you guys to your home away from home for the next seven years. If you ever have any trouble or just want a talk you can always come to me. This way."
The castle had changed. Rather than a staircase to the basement, there was a long, gentle slope with a railing. Cedric led the kids to the barrels, showed them the password and the middle and bottom barrel lids opened much like a door so they could go right through rather than crawl. He wondered if it changed as soon as Harjot crossed the wards and wondered how it knew.
"Come on," he said, waving them along. "Boys to the right, girls to the left. Bathrooms are at the end of the hall, showers are there, too. Don't forget, in the morning there is a tour of the school that will be led by the prefects."
He turned to the dorms where he was immediately blocked by Aiden and Daven.
"Come on, guys," he said. "We're all tired here."
"No," said Aiden. "We're not sharing our dorm with a werewolf."