Orion only half-listened to Headmaster Dumbledore's words, his mind wandering. The warning not to enter the Forbidden Forest or frequent certain corridors was merely a distant echo in his thoughts, absorbed as he was by the day's events. The memory of his unusual sorting and the visible anger of his sister lingered in his mind. However, a different atmosphere surrounded him at the Hufflepuff table.
The warmth and friendliness of the Hufflepuffs were palpable. The dishes appeared on the table in a burst of magic, overflowing with appetizing food: juicy roasts, colorful vegetables, fragrant pies, and golden pastries. Sparkling drinks added a sweet touch to the feast. Unlike the perceived austerity often associated with Slytherin, the atmosphere at Hufflepuff was relaxed, filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.
Orion picked at a piece of roast, savoring the tenderness of the meat, but his eyes briefly wandered to the Slytherin table. Arcana remained impassive, but he could sense a storm of frustration behind her perfect mask. He sighed, trying to refocus on the meal and the strange sense of peace radiating from his new housemates.
The Hufflepuff table was a true haven of good spirits. The students laughed, exchanged vacation stories, and speculated about the upcoming classes. Orion, while remaining slightly detached, observed this warm atmosphere with curiosity. He had never experienced this kind of camaraderie in the Maga family, nor when he thought he was destined for Slytherin. The ambiance at Hufflepuff was different, simpler, more open.
As the meal came to an end, the prefects began guiding the new students to their common rooms. Orion followed the group, his thoughts still wandering, until a burst of joyful exclamation interrupted him.
"Orion! Are you serious?" Emma exclaimed, bouncing up beside him. "You didn't even notice that we're all in the same house?"
Orion, surprised, gave her a confused look before recognizing Emma and Max walking next to him. He had been so absorbed in his thoughts that he hadn't even noticed their presence. "No, I wasn't particularly paying attention to the sorting," he admitted.
Emma crossed her arms, feigning a stern pout. "You're really in your own world! You looked like you were on another planet during the whole meal."
Max followed Emma's mock frown with a playful nudge on her shoulder. "We tried talking to you at the table, but you were so lost in thought that you didn't even react."
Orion gave a faint smile, finding their faux anger particularly endearing and amusing. "I suppose I was... elsewhere. Sorry."
Emma, adopting a fake authoritative tone, nodded. "Well, we'll forgive you this time, but promise not to mentally vanish all the time!"
"I can't promise you that," Orion replied with a slight smile. Max teased Emma, who seemed genuinely displeased with the response.
They soon arrived at the entrance to the Hufflepuff common room, hidden behind a carved wooden barrel. When they entered, Orion was immediately enveloped by a comforting warmth. The Hufflepuff common room exuded kindness and simplicity. Yellow and black tapestries adorned the walls, while climbing plants and potted flowers added a soothing touch of greenery to the space.
A fire crackled in a large stone fireplace, and comfortable armchairs were arranged around small, low tables. Students settled here and there, chatting enthusiastically, laughing out loud, or simply relaxing after the long journey. It felt like stepping into a real home.
The prefect, Emily Hart, a young woman with brown hair and a warm smile, stepped forward confidently to greet the new arrivals. She fixed each one with a kindly gaze before raising her arms slightly, as if preparing to share a precious secret.
"Welcome to Hufflepuff!" she began in a clear and enthusiastic voice. "I'm Emily, one of your prefects, and I want to tell you that you've been chosen to join the most special house at Hogwarts. Here, we gladly leave the glory and prestige to the other houses. We don't fight for personal recognition, nor do we seek to shine just to attract attention. What we have, what we offer, is far more valuable than that."
Her smile widened, and her voice became more passionate. "In Hufflepuff, you'll discover something that no other house can truly offer you: a real family. Here, you'll never be alone. Every Hufflepuff is there to support each other, in moments of joy and in moments of doubt. We are a unit, a home where everyone has a place, where no one is left behind."
Emily swept her gaze over the new students, her eyes shining with bright sincerity. "Other houses may have their heroes, their scholars, their ambitious... but here in Hufflepuff, we have something priceless: an unbreakable bond between each of us. When you enter here, you're not just entering a house. You're joining a tight-knit community, ready to welcome you with open arms, to support you through your failures, to celebrate your successes, and to accompany you every step of the way."
She paused, letting her words sink in with the newcomers, before adding with a proud smile: "Other houses may look down on us with their set of popular qualities, but we are no less: loyalty, friendship, and unwavering support are what define us. Hufflepuff is more than a house. It's your second family, and you'll soon see that there's nothing as strong as that."
The new students listened, captivated, and a warmth grew within them. Emily concluded with a playful wink: "Welcome home." The new arrivals listened attentively, some already visibly relieved to have found such a welcoming home. Emma, all smiles, seemed completely in her element. Max, quieter, displayed a reassured smile, while Orion observed in silence, absorbing the warmth and energy of the common room.
Emily continued with enthusiasm: "We have a few traditions in Hufflepuff. Our evenings by the fire, our cooking competitions with the house-elves... And then there are the excursions to the greenhouses, where we help care for the medicinal plants. They may not be the most well-known activities, but they strengthen the bonds between us, and that's what matters."
Laughter erupted as Emily recounted how a former student had accidentally turned the common room into a field of enchanted pumpkins. "It took weeks to fix everything, but we did it together. That's the Hufflepuff spirit."
Orion listened with a certain fascination. This atmosphere, this human warmth... It was very different from what he was used to. Loyalty and sincerity were at the heart of this house, and even he, despite his often distant attitude, could feel the sincerity in every smile and every word spoken.
After Emily's speech, the new students were led to their dormitories.
The prefect explained that the dorms were located in a quiet and bright area, underground yes, but equipped with small magical windows showing enchanted gardens that changed scenery with the seasons. The new Hufflepuff recruits were divided into small groups, each group assigned to a welcoming and cozy room decorated in their house colors.
Orion shared a room with Max and two other students: Duncan, a boy with messy black hair and sharp eyes, and Nathan, a shy young boy with round glasses. Duncan, cheerful and optimistic, was already loudly commenting on everything he noticed, from the yellow curtains to the room's comforting warmth.
Nathan, on the other hand, seemed more reserved. His eyes darted quickly from the canopy beds adorned with yellow and black curtains to the small wooden dressers lined up against the walls. Each bed had a bedside table with a small enchanted lamp, casting a soft, warm light.
"Look at this room! It's way more comfortable than I imagined!" Duncan exclaimed, dramatically throwing himself onto his bed.
Nathan timidly nodded. "Yes... it's... it's very nice," he murmured, his cheeks flushing slightly.
Max, more relaxed, smiled before glancing at Orion. "So, Orion? What do you think? We might have the nicest room in all of Hogwarts!"
Orion silently nodded, carefully observing the room. "It's... nice," he finally admitted, his words simple but sincere.
Duncan leapt out of bed to take a closer look at the magical windows showing a sea of spring flowers, while outside, in reality, it was night. "Isn't it amazing?" he said, grinning widely. "We'll always have a perfect view, even in winter!"
The room exuded a calming ambiance, almost as if the space itself was designed to offer a safe and comforting refuge after a long day. The soft lighting, the warm colors, and even the subtle scent of lavender added to the sense of serenity.
As they prepared for the night, Duncan and Nathan began discussing their expectations for the coming year. Duncan turned out to be passionate about magical creatures and hoped to take specialized classes, while Nathan, despite his shyness, showed great interest in potions and spells.
Orion, lying on his bed, listened to their discussions with some detachment, but without feeling the solitude that had once accompanied him. He was in a place where he could learn, grow, and most importantly, make loyal friends. For the next seven years, he would be able to focus on himself, far from the pressures of his family.
As sleep began to overtake him, he promised himself to do his best to honor the values of Hufflepuff and protect those he cared about. The night gently enveloped the room, and the lights dimmed one by one, plunging the space into a benevolent tranquility.