A Hufflepuff prefect led all the first years in their house to the common room, which was round and cozy. There were barrel-like doors and the entrance to the common rooms was by the kitchen, so the Hufflepuffs always got a whiff of the smell of lunch and dinner on their way to class. Coral opened the barrel-like door to the girls’ first year room, and she was followed by Whitney, a girl with dark hair, and two girls with brown hair. She found her bed, and Bear was sitting on it. She ran over to pet him, and he purred loudly. Whitney went to her bed, which was next to Coral’s. There were five four-posters around the circular room, and each girl sat down, or laid down on their bed. The black haired girl cleared her throat and said, “I’m Alyssa Greenway,” she brushed a black strand of hair out of her face. “Maya Junebug,” said a brown-haired girl, who lay sprawled out on her bed. “Hi, I’m Lainey Fariplane!” Said the last one cheerfully. Whitney and Coral both introduced themselves and changed into their pajamas before going to bed. Coral found it hard to sleep. After a while of anxious and excited thoughts about classes, she drifted off to sleep, Bear curled up next to her. The next morning, Whitney shook Coral awake. “Wha—-?” She stuttered for a moment before remembering she was at Hogwarts. “Good morning sleepyhead. I was about to get ready and go down for breakfast. Want to come?” Whitney said, sniggering. “Oh, yeah, sure.” Coral got out of bed and changed into her brand-new uniform. “Yellow looks good on you!” Chirped Alyssa Greenway, who was rubbing her eyes groggily as she sat up in her bed. “Thanks,” said Coral. She and Whitney went down the Great Hall, where the delicious smell of breakfast foods wafted through the air. Coral and Whitney sat down and helped themselves to pancakes, bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns. Later, Coral noticed just in time that classes were to start any minute, so Whitney and her rushed out to try and find the Charms classroom, which was their first class. The class was taught by Professor Sofal, a pretty witch with blonde hair. “Welcome to Hogwarts, first years!” She said in a soft but stern voice. “Today we will learn the start of the charm, Wingardium Leviosa. It is a classic spell that makes things levitate. Please repeat after me. Wingardium Leviosa,” “Wingardium Leviosa,” said the class. “Right. We’ll now practice wand movements.” The class ended and Coral and Whitney started chatting. “Wow! That was amazing, I hope Potions is just like that class!” Exclaimed Whitney. “My sister Piper would have *loved* that!” Said Coral. They kept talking on the way to the dungeons, and waited in line to get into class. “We’re having this class with the Slytherins…uh-oh,” said Whitney, checking her schedule. A group of Slytherin girls came past, gossiping. Coral recognized one of them as Bella Archpurk, who was the girl in the boat with Whitney and Coral. “I heard that Flynn was—“ said Bella, before pausing to stand in front of Whitney and Coral. “Oh! You’re the Hufflepuff girls! Tell Flynn hi for me!” Said a Slytherin girl on Bella’s left. “Flynn? Who’s Flynn?” asked Coral. Alyssa Greenway, Lainey Fariplane, and Maya Junebug came to stand behind Whitney and Coral. “Oh you don’t know? It’s him!” Bella said with a fit of giggles, pointing to a boy with messy brown hair, who glared a Bella as she waved flirtily. Whitney and Coral erupted with laughter. “What?” demanded Bella, “What’s so funny?” “Oh, well, you’re a really really bad flirt,” chuckled Whitney. Maya, Alyssa, and Lainey joined in with laughter at the sight of Bella’s furious face. Suddenly, the door to the potions classroom opened, and a woman who looked a lot like Bella stood there. “You! Hufflepuffs! Stop bullying and get in here!” She snapped. Whitney opened her mouth but got elbowed in the ribs by Coral. “I heard she’s a strict as the previous teacher, Snape,” she whispered. “We’ll see,” muttered Whitney as they passed the Professor. The class settled into their seats and the teacher cleared her throat. “Hello class. My name is Professor Archpurk—“ Coral and Whitney exchanged horrified expressions. The Potions Professor was Bella’s mom? “—today we will test your skills to see if you have practiced.” She tapped the blackboard with her wand and a set of instructions appeared. “Do. Now.” Whitney and Coral started to do the potion in silence, while the rest of the class was chattering. That was until Whitney pointed across the room. “See them, Coral? I think that’s Scorpius Malfoy and Albus Potter.” “Really?” Coral peered around her cauldron. It was definitely them. Whitney went back to work, but Coral occasionally caught her sneaking glances towards them. Coral didn’t pester her about it until they were out of the classroom. “Were you really staring at Scorpius and Albus? Hah!” Whitney went very red, “Was not!” Coral sniggered.
