Capítulo 24: Chapter 24
The Hufflepuff common room is located in the underground structure of Hogwarts Castle, with its entrance hidden among a cluster of large barrels in the corner right off the kitchen corridor.
The entrance method is simple: just tap the bottom of the second barrel in the second row in the rhythm of Helga Hufflepuff's name, and the lid will rotate open, revealing a passage into the common room.
Unlike the ever-changing passwords and updated riddles of other houses, Hufflepuff is the only house at Hogwarts that uses a fixed password, remembered once and good for all seven years, a true convenience.
...
"Remember, it's 'Helga Hufflepuff,' and the sequence must be exact."
Hufflepuff prefect Karen Harris stood before the new students, demonstrating the correct tapping sequence at a pace three times slower than normal.
"What if I get it wrong?" a timid boy in the crowd asked. "I... I don't have a good memory. If I mess up, does that mean I can't get into the dormitory?"
"Worse than that!"
Harris walked over to the barrels and tapped one haphazardly before quickly stepping back.
Almost instantly, a torrent of strong-smelling vinegar poured down, drenching the spot where he had just stood.
"As you can see," Harris said, waving his wand to clean the vinegar from the floor, "if you tap in the wrong order, another lid will burst open and drench the intruder with vinegar.
If you don't want to smell like vinegar all day, you must remember the correct sequence, which isn't that difficult."
Harris demonstrated the sequence two more times before leading them through the passage.
At the end of the tunnel was a modestly furnished, circular room—the Hufflepuff common room.
Compared to the Great Hall, the ceiling here was much lower, about three meters high, and surrounded by sofas in black and yellow, Hufflepuff's colors. The walls were adorned with various interesting plant decorations.
Kain looked around with interest.
Besides the usual decorative plants, there were also several valuable plants, such as Linaria, Bletilla striata, Goldthread Hydrangea, Whispering Grass, and Bellflower Sunflowers.
Especially notable was a Bellflower Sunflower placed in the center of the room. If Kain remembered correctly, this plant had a market value of around three hundred Galleons and was rarely available for purchase.
The Goldthread Hydrangea next to it was slightly cheaper and available in Diagon Alley for two hundred seventy-nine Galleons.
Using plants worth two to three hundred Galleons as decorations, Professor Sprout truly lived up to her reputation as a renowned Herbology master in the wizarding world—subtle yet luxurious.
Kain resisted the urge to relocate all of them, turning away with an iron will.
Against one wall was a large, honey-yellow wooden fireplace carved with a badger, adorned with various jars.
According to Prefect Harris, these jars contained candies and snacks that the young wizards could help themselves to.
Above the fireplace hung a portrait of Helga Hufflepuff, a witch holding a golden cup, her smile broad and welcoming.
...
As other Hufflepuffs from different years gradually entered, they warmly greeted the new students, offering various snacks as welcoming gifts.
Kain received many, filling his robe pockets with colorful candies and preserves, enough to last him over a month.
"How do you like the Hufflepuff common room?" Cedric approached Kain, clapping him on the shoulder. "The other houses don't have such a comfortable environment."
"So it's Mr. Diggory," Kain said disdainfully, brushing the hand off his shoulder. "What, you're not worried about Professor Snape misunderstanding now?"
"Don't be like that, Kain. That was all for show," Cedric said with an awkward smile. "Our friendship is unbreakable, I swear."
After hearing this explanation, Kain only distanced himself further from Cedric, though he knew Cedric had been joking and wasn't really angry.
But that comment was truly irritating.
Still pretending for outsiders? Cedric couldn't possibly think he was Harry Potter, always under Snape's watchful eye.
What was he thinking...
Kain scoffed, but he couldn't shake the feeling that Cedric's behavior was familiar, especially that opportunistic, shamelessly blame-shifting style. He had seen it somewhere before.
Who could it be?
Kain racked his brain but couldn't come up with an answer and eventually gave up.
Maybe, possibly, perhaps... it was the Weasley twins.
...
As the common room filled up, Harris called the new students to sit on the sofas. At Professor Sprout's request, he explained Hogwarts' rules early, also giving everyone a chance to get acquainted.
Then he and another female prefect went next door to the kitchen and brought back some biscuits and several large cups of fresh juice.
This convenience was unique to Hufflepuff, thanks to their proximity to the kitchen—the other three houses didn't enjoy such treatment.
Soon, the tables in the common room were laden with snacks.
"Welcome to Hufflepuff," Harris said enthusiastically. "Hogwarts doesn't have many rules, just remember the following few and you'll be fine.
First of all…"
While Harris spoke, Kain looked around and quietly moved towards Conner, who was on the edge of the crowd.
"I was too much before," Kain said quietly. "I apologize."
Conner, startled, looked up and saw it was Kain. She whispered, "No, it's not necessary. It's also my fault. I was foolish not to realize you were joking.
How could Hogwarts use… use… that spell for sorting?"
Kain shook his head, his expression serious. "It's different. Jokes should be fun for both parties. If I truly scared you, then it's my fault, and I must apologize."
Seeing Kain's earnest face, Conner bit her lip and looked up sincerely. "Then I accept your apology."
After speaking, she playfully punched him.
"As for the punch's strength… it wouldn't even dislodge dust."
"Almost even, just a moment."
Kain smiled, then selected the most beautifully packaged brown candies from his pocket and handed them over. "This is to make amends. We're even once you accept these."
"Okay, sure…"
Conner accepted the candies, popped one into her mouth in front of Kain, and then, smiling, offered one to Kain with her candy-filled hand. "I invite you to have a candy."
"No, no," Kain shook his head, muttering, "Who in their right mind eats licorice candy? Even a doxy wouldn't eat that."
"Crunch!"
(End of Chapter)
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder