The Wizarding Times
Reflections on Seven Years of School
I remember vividly when my letter came by owl post. I was so excited that I was going to Hogwarts. I would get to do magic just like my brothers before me did. I couldn't wait, even in those early days, to go to Diagon Alley and pick out all my new school things. I was most excited to finally be able to go to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. I remember packing my trunk and waving goodbye to my family as I got on the train for the first time. I was filled with anxiety and excitement all at once. Then it seemed like the blink of an eye as I was sorted and heard the word that would set the tone for the next seven years: "Hufflepuff." You see both of my brothers before me were in Gryffindor. My parents were in Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. But, I was the first to become a Badger, and I'm so glad I was.
It was exciting to find myself in the dorm room that I would share with my fellow first years. But even then, I knew I would remember the names Felicia Hartwick and Belle Black. I remember watching Felicia unloading her trunk; how she managed to bring that many pairs of shoes is beyond me, but she did. I was painfully shy for the first few months — not doing more than waving at the occasional passing face that I recognized. I think it wasn't until Christmas of that year when Hufflepuff started caroling that I said more than three words at a time. From then on, I enjoyed so many good times in Hufflepuff.
I remember a student named Jossi, who decided to open a beauty parlor in Hufflepuff; I was hired as her assistant. It was my job to take inventory and order more supplies and meet the OwlEx guy once a day. Hehehe! Let's just say that Jossi wasn't the most talented potion maker and more than once would end up turning people's hair green or purple or just making it wave in the air all day long. I think she never did get the ratio of troll boogers to newt livers correct!
I remember also wanting to play Quidditch, and the horrific time that I tried. I so badly wanted to be zooming around on the field with the players. I remember seeing their names sewn on to their uniforms: Ody Zeus, Mercury McKinnon, Persus Arenas, and Kelsey Willow. I kept on good terms with them all and eventually they let me be the broom keeper. Anything I could do to help the team! That was when I first met the Precious. Our Head of House, Professor Fumbleknot, or Fumbly as we all called her, was celebrating with the team after a victorious match. I asked her for the house credit card so I could throw a party for the team. Would you believe she said yes and handed it over freely? Clearly she underestimated my ability to stretch the term
I also remember the year I spent as an intern with Kenneth Troll and Calvin Kappas. I wanted to do a little practical work in the field of magical fashion, and so I called the boys to see if they could offer me some work while I still earned credit for school. Ah, those were the days: testing shoe after shoe for comfort and durability and seeing magic fabrics made into creations just for me. When that year was finally over, it was hard to leave their workshops, but they've always been good to send along the things they think I'd like.
I remember all of the Heads of Houses and Prefects that we've had over the years. I remember feeling sad when they left but excited that we had such a great new Head of House replacing them! I'll remember Professor Olivia and Professor Anya the most.
I also remember a time when a girl named Amanda and her sister Belle Black found a time turner on the grounds. I remember spending hours on adventures going back in time. We played Quidditch on Queerditch Marsh and then we traveled to meet the founders of Hogwarts and witnessed when Slytherin decided to finally leave. Oddly enough, we were never caught, though we should have planned ahead and brought a professor along, like Professor Darklost, when we decided to use it again.
I remember when we had house kingdoms: the Purple Pineapples, the Silver Starfruits, and the Khaki Kumquats. Back then we collected socks instead of citrines. Ask me which one I would prefer to put on a necklace? I also remember when I was one of Huffie's Angels. When we would solve one crime or one bad hair day at a time!
Most of all I remember all the friends I've made over the years. I remember spending hours and hours curled up with a warm cup of cocoa talking to other Badgers. I remember spending lots of time with the Badgers browsing through catalogues plotting my next shopping adventures. I remember how when I needed a friend the most that the Badgers were always there for me. Or when I wanted to share some exciting news, the Badgers were there cheering me on the most. So what will I take away from my seven years education? Friends from the best house that Hogwarts has to offer whom I will keep in touch with long after the edible confetti stops falling. To think, it all started with one word: "Hufflepuff."