Welcome To The Badgers Den :: OPEN

01 Sept 1920
Directly after the feast

The build up was always the worst. Setting up his office, the common room, the dorms. Most were good to go, but with the magic going mad, there were a few things to get in order. Add to that his Deputy Duties and Gideon had a lot to deal with, but, it had all been dealt with. Doing a final walk through prior to the castle doors opening, attending the staff meetings and doing one-on-ones with the professors, it all seemed to be set and ready.

The adrenaline dump was real. He was exhausted, but as he walked with his house down the staircase, through the corridor that had the kitchens and with a few well placed taps of his wand, the door to Hufflepuff house opened. There, in the common room, a group of eager badgers stared at him, all the bright eyes just… staring. Oh, shoot. He was supposed to say something wasn’t he?

Yeah, it wasn’t all just set up, there was an execution phase that kind of crept up on him out of nowhere. Time to play the part, so to speak.

“Good evening, and welcome to Hufflepuff. I am Deputy Blackwood, I will be your Head of House for the foreseeable future.”

He looked over the crowd, recognizing a few faces from his shop in Diagon Alley. Then one in particular, his Nephew. Having him near made this all worthwhile.

“Your Prefects, Benji and Alice, are here to help if you have any questions, as am I. Boys dorms are through there, girls on the opposite side through there.” He motioned towards the boys and girls dorms. “I trust that no boys will forget where their dorms are, I don’t think you will like the consequences for entering into the wrong dorm.”

His steely stare looked at the elder boys in attendance. Yeah, there were some misfits in his midst.

“This term, you will have the opportunity to take part in classes and clubs. As well as some volunteer opportunities. I suggest you find something that interests you and sign up if you desire. The Head mistress told you about the magic mishaps that have been plaguing the castle, please let me know if you see anything out of place. My letter box is always open, so please just drop me a note. Are there any questions before we all retire to our beds?”

To Maevie, the day had been a spectacular success. Not even the mishap with the dinner had dampened her mood, the adrenaline in her system and the excitement of discovering so much magic in one day simply too powerful. The sandwiches had been great too, especially after a long day like that. The conversations with her housemates and making friends with everyone in her vicinity had been much more important to her than the promised feast anyway.

Maybe they would have another one soon.

With a full belly but not yet feeling tired, Maevie lounged in an armchair, still taking in the common room with all its details. The high ceilings and the many plants. How they moved like no plant she had ever seen. The pretty yellow colours adorning the room, in various shades and all of them her favourite.

She couldn't wait to write to her mother tomorrow, and her brother as well. She had to tell them about everything, all the funny things the wizards had, the friends she had made. What house she had been sorted into and how much she loved everything.

Right now though, the door to the common room opened and in stepped their Head of House and Deputy Headmaster Mr. Blackwood.

Maevie straightened from her slouched posture to a proper straight one, hands folded in her lap and waiting with eagerness for what else might happen today. Her gaze followed his gestures towards the dorms and she wondered why the boys would forget where theirs were but she quickly dismissed this. It was probably because they always forgot things, all the time.

At the mention of questions, her hand shot up immediately. "Will we be playing some games now, sir?", she asked all bright eyes and happiness. "Do you have any boardgames?"

What the hell were the adults thinking? Alice was fine being Prefect – she knew she’d even be good at it. What she wasn’t sure about was Benji being the other one for Hufflepuff. They may as well have made her partner a damn couch. (Okay, no, Benji wasn’t that bad – but Alice was truly worried about how seriously he would take his responsibilities.)

She walked with the group to the Hufflepuff Common Room, watching their Head of House, attempting to get a read on him. But there was nothing. What did she know about the Blackwoods? She couldn’t remember much, if she were honest; if his family owned a women’s clothing store then she’d probably retain more.

Brown eyes settled on Maevie, the smallest Badger this term, when her hand raised. She asked about games and Alice shook her head slightly. Tomorrow classes would start, it was important that they get a good night’s sleep before starting their new routines.

“There are games and such, but tomorrow is going to come early, so we should just go to sleep,” she responded, smiling at Maevie. Boring? Probably. But she also knew just how rough the first full day of school was after summer break. “Mr. Blackwood, are we doing our patrols tonight?” she asked, wondering if she had to stay up later than she had planned. Alice wanted to get to her room, put her things away, and hop into bed.

That said, she couldn’t help but to be excited for the added responsibility. Being out past curfew wasn’t a big deal to anyone in her friend group, but now she could do it without fear of getting caught.

She still wouldn’t venture far – she would not go to the Forbidden Forest, for example – however, she would see what she could get into.

(Or just study… if we’re honest…)