"Esther, welcome to Hufflepuff!"
Esther had barely reached the Hufflepuff table when Ernie pulled her into a hug, and it was obvious he was even happier about her Sorting than she was.
Everyone nearby greeted her with cheerful enthusiasm, and Esther returned each greeting one by one.
She sat down on Ernie's right, with Hannah on her left, and Justin Finch-Fletchley on Hannah's other side.
Once seated, she quickly scanned the length of the table. Her gaze stopped when it fell on a boy sitting toward the front.
He was strikingly handsome—high bridge of the nose, dark hair, grey eyes, tall and athletic, and wearing a warm, friendly smile.
Sensing her stare, he looked over through the crowd and flashed her a polite, sunny grin.
Esther smiled back before turning to Ernie. "Who's that boy? He's incredibly good-looking."
Ernie glanced over and nodded. "Oh, that's Cedric Diggory. Fourth year Hufflepuff. He really is handsome, and he's brilliant too. Everyone likes him."
So it really was Senior Cedric—he looked exactly as charming as he was described in the books!!!
Esther forced down her excitement and took a sip of pumpkin juice.
The Sorting Ceremony ended quickly, and after an entire day on the train, everyone was starving. Heads lowered, forks lifted, and the feast began.
Esther, hiding her inner fangirl, swept her eyes across the staff table. As a dedicated Potterhead, she could identify every professor just from their appearance.
To be fair, Hogwarts professors were all wonderfully distinctive—almost impossible to mistake.
Her gaze lingered on a tall, thin man in black robes, his hair sleek with... dedication. And he caught her looking.
A sharp, cutting stare sliced through the room. Esther instinctively looked away.
Well, no wonder Professor Snape was legendary—one glare was powerful enough to make students behave instantly.
Thank goodness their Head of House was nothing like that—she was kind and gentle in both temperament and appearance.
Truly, Hufflepuff was the best.
She had just cut into her steak when Ernie leaned across her, whispering to Justin on the other side.
"Hey! Mate, have you noticed Harry and that Weasley kid who's always with him aren't here?"
Justin leaned across as well. "You saw it too? Do you think they missed the train to Hogwarts?"
Esther set down her knife and fork helplessly. "Is talking across me comfortable for either of you? Should I just give you both a seat together?"
Mostly because their spit was dangerously close to her plate.
Kind of disgusting.
Ernie and Justin gave her apologetic grins before circling behind her to continue their conversation. "They probably didn't make it. Neville and Granger were looking for them on the train."
"Who forgets the Hogwarts start date? And even if those two did, the Weasleys have loads of kids. There's no way everyone else made it except them."
"You're right, mate. Which is why I think someone deliberately stopped them."
Esther had reached her limit. She turned and stared at them. "I'm giving you my seat."
Without waiting for a reply, she swapped places with Ernie and moved beside Hannah.
Hannah looked extremely pleased about this.
"Boys are so annoying, aren't they? Absolutely no awareness of other people."
Esther nodded silently.
Hannah was more than happy to continue chatting.
"This is Susan—Susan Bones. She's in the same year as me and Ernie."
Susan was a rosy-cheeked girl with long golden hair braided neatly down her back.
"Hi! Just call me Susan," she said, full of easy cheer. "They called your name during the Sorting—Esther Mayne, right? Can I call you Esther? You're really pretty!"
Esther smiled. "Of course."
And just like that, the girls dove into cheerful conversation.
While Esther and the girls exchanged a few sentences, Ernie and Justin's gossip had already evolved into the theory that Malfoy—Harry's sworn enemy—was behind the boys missing the train.
Esther couldn't take it anymore. She turned back to Ernie. "Sorry, but that theory is completely wrong. Didn't you see Malfoy looking toward the Gryffindor table over and over? He's clearly wondering where Harry is too."
Ernie blinked. "Esther, you know Malfoy??"
He sounded utterly shocked.
Esther rolled her eyes. "I didn't grow up in the wizarding world, but that doesn't mean I know nothing. I do know a few families and names."
While she spoke, Harry and Ron suddenly burst into the Great Hall.
Their clothes were rumpled, their hair was wild, and they looked like they had just finished fighting the Whomping Willow.
Oh—well.
In a way, they technically had.
Their dramatic entrance caused a stir at the Gryffindor table. But the boys looked miserable and exhausted.
Esther glanced instinctively toward the staff table, sure enough, Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape, and Professor McGonagall were all missing.
It didn't take long to learn why.
Harry and Ron, unable to get through Platform Nine and Three-Quarters for reasons unknown, had flown an enchanted car all the way to Hogwarts.
Many Muggles had seen the flying car, so the professors had just finished giving them a very serious talk. They were, apparently, in danger of being expelled.
The Gryffindor table erupted in alarm. Percy, the most serious of the Weasley siblings, scolded Ron immediately, while others gathered around looking deeply worried.
Harry and Ron kept their heads down, their expressions gloomy and defeated.
By the time dinner ended, news had spread through the entire school.
"A flying car? That's so cool!" Justin whispered excitedly to a boy beside him.
"But also really dangerous."
Ernie disagreed. "This could get them expelled!"
Ernie admired Harry deeply, so the thought of Harry being kicked out left him gloomy.
After all, what was a wizard without Hogwarts? Practically the same as a Muggle.
Esther moved closer and whispered, "Don't worry. Harry won't be expelled. Professor Dumbledore likes him far too much."
Esther decided not to push further.
After dinner, the prefects led the first-years back to their respective common rooms.
The entrance to the Hufflepuff common room was tucked into a corner to the right of the kitchen corridor.
There, a cluster of large wooden barrels sat in a stone recess. Unlike other houses, Hufflepuff's entrance required no password—only a rhythmic tap on the second barrel from the middle of the second row, matching the beat of "Helga Hufflepuff." Tap it correctly, and the lid swung open, revealing a passageway to the underground common room.
And with that, the chapter came to a close.
***
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