The Thing About Hufflepuffs

The Thing About Hufflepuffs

The thing about Hufflepuffs is that they're absolutely devoted to whatever it is they follow, be it cause, person, or pet. True and utter loyalty because they love with all their hearts.

Looking at Susan you wouldn't think such a small girl could hold feelings that went so deep. Her passion usually doesn't show in her pale blue eyes (some call them watery but they don't see the sparkle) or in the fall of her perfectly straight light brown hair (they call it dull because they can't see how it shines). Her little upturned nose and fair complexion make me think of a porcelain doll, but when she concentrates and that little nose wrinkles up I can tell that she's going to be working on whatever problem has her stumped until it's done.

Because that's the other thing about Hufflepuffs - they never, ever give up on something. Or someone. They're loyal to a fault and willing to work until it comes out right.

A Hufflepuff is the best sort of person to fall in love with.

Oh, oops. She's caught me staring again.

***

"Hey Mandy, what's up?"

"Just thinking."

"Well, of course. You're always thinking."

"That's me, Ravenclaw to the core."

*giggle*

"Hey."

"Yeah?"

"Want to make a run down to the kitchens? Get some brain food?"

"And what qualifies as 'brain food' my dear?"

"You know, pastries, chips, crisps. Something we can fit in our bags and not have Madame Pince throw a fit over."

"A Ravenclaw, suggesting a course of action that could get us thrown out of the library?"

"Oi! Don't look so . . ."

"I'm in. Let's go."

***

The book Susan has been pouring over shuts with a small bang and the two girls grin at each other as they make their way down to the painting which Justin Finch-Fletchley discovered lead to the kitchen in their second year.

***

Everyone thinks of our two houses as 'the extra houses'. Honestly, it's the silliest thing. They think we Ravenclaws are so absorbed in out books and studies that we don't even see what's going on right in front of our noses. The Slytherins call us stuck up know-it-alls and the Gryffindors don't call us anything.

Well, that week when Harry was going out with Cho Ginny called her a "snobbish Ravenclaw brainiac bitch," but I think that had less to do with house rivalries and more to do with hormones.

Where was I?

Oh, right. Stereotypes.

That's what they think of Ravenclaw, but the one I don't understand is how they can think the Hufflepuffs are all a bunch of dull extras in their vastly more exciting lives.

I admit it, I'm biased, but I don't think I've ever known anyone less dull than Susan. All you have to do is ask what she's thinking about to understand how not dull she is.

Her eyes light up when she starts talking about something she cares about passionately, and everything she cares about she cares about passionately.

She'll talk about her classes and there's a fire that none of my Ravenclaw friends have. We all enjoy our studies, love them even, but there's none of this drive to do it and do it right. How can you get excited over having worked for hours to get a passing grade if you've never had to worry about failing?

Or she talks about her latest projects, things she's working on to make the people she loves happier, more comfortable, make their lives easier, and she just shines.

And when she's angry I'd swear the look in her eyes could kill. Third year, waiting for Vector in Arithmancy, Draco Malfoy was mouthing off, as usual, about how much his arm hurt and how Hagrid ought to be sacked and would be if he "had anything to say about it." Going on about his Father, holiest of holies in his less than humble opinion. After less than three minutes (I counted) she lost it.

"Malfoy, you're scum, you know that?"

"What would a fluffy little Hufflepuff like you know about anything?"

"I know you're a rat arsed, rodent faced little twerp who lives to hurt people. And I know that if you don't shut up right now I'm going to come over there and break your nose for you."

"Ha, you wouldn't dare badger-girl. Everyone knows you 'Puffs are too dull and loyal to break the rules."

"That does it!"

She started from her seat almost a second before Vector came in and I had to practically sit on her to keep her from killing the blonde boy, but after class . . .

"Out of my way badger-girl."

He didn't even see the roundhouse coming. And I've got no idea where my sweet little Susan learned to hit like that.

"It's not a fair fight," she said as he lay, clutching his bruised stomach and moaning on the ground, "and, knowing you, there'll probably never be a chance for one 'cause you've always got your goons following you. But you should know, Malfoy, that one, I think you're scum for the way you treat every one, and two, badgers have teeth and this badger-girl will fight to protect and defend herself and others. Got it? And feel free to tell Madame Pomfrey you got beat up by a girl."

She was spectacular.

***

"So, what are you thinking so concentratedly about? It's surely not homework. You never think too hard about homework."

"Nope, not homework. I was just thinking about how great you are."

*blush*

"You're adorable when you blush like that, you know."

*pause*

"So what were you thinking about Susan?"

"Do you know what the great thing about Ravenclaw is?"

"Nope. But I know what all the wonderful things about Hufflepuff are."

"I love you."

"Love you too."