CHAPTER THREE
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i. warmth and light !

— THE HUFFLEPUFF COMMON ROOM WAS UNDOUBTEDLY ONE OF THE COZIEST PLACES IN THE SCHOOL. As Cedric and Taron lead the group in after showing them which barrel to tap, the first years gasped at the yellow wallpaper and wood panels, covered in vines and a few moving portraits. There were windows as well- large and circular- in the day, they flooded the room with light.

There were overstuffed yellow and black chairs in the centre of the room, focused on the blazing fireplace- which crackled with life, and a few wooden chairs surrounding matching circular tables.

"Hufflepuffs," Cedric addressed- being interrupted by Eli clearing her throat. "And Eli," Cedric laughed.

"This is your common room- a place for you to relax between classes. Study, hang out with friends- that kind of stuff. Your dormitories are upstairs- boys on the left, girls on the right. Boys, if you stand on the girl's staircase for even a second-" Cedric placed his foot on the bottom stair leading to the girl's dorms, the stairs immediately turning into a slide.

Taron steadied Cedric, as his foot had slipped and imbalanced him.

"They'll do that." He laughed, "Unless a girl is standing on the steps. Don't think I have to explain why so let's move on shall we?"

Taron waited patiently with Eli and Reign as Cedric explained what the meal schedule was, curfews, any other odds and ends.

"And here are some maps of the school," Cedric took his wand out of his robes pocket and cast a spell on a stack of parchment so they'd divide among the first years. "They aren't actually official maps, our dear Eli here designed them last year. It's not exact- but it's better than the absolute nothing that the school usually gives out. Certain schedules or event notices will be posted on that board over there so look out for quidditch games." Cedric chuckled, noticing Taron nod fiercely.

"Last but not least, she-" he pointed to Eli. "Isn't actually supposed to be here but it's awful hard trying to tell her 'no'. On top of that, I'm pretty lenient- and swear I don't bite so if you have any questions at any time don't be afraid to ask." Cedric finished with a warm smile.

"Goodnight firsties!" Eli sung, hopping up the steps to the boy's dorms, being followed by Reign who rolled her eyes light heartedly yet again.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, we're glad to have you here." Taron offered before also disappearing up the steps.

Cedric stayed behind for a few more moments, to answer a few questions that the 'firsties' may ask.

Taron passed by many doors before he joined Reign and Eli, who stood outside a particularly enchanting door labeled with gold calligraphy,

Cedric Diggory & Taron Lovenus.

Taron pulled on the handle and pushed against the thick wood, pushing it open into a cozy little room, mostly decorated with bright yellow and dark black.

There were four beds, four poster, with candy yellow canopy curtains. A standard dormitory necessity for a Hufflepuff.

Yet there was a lot that was unique- which was expected- since it'd been Taron and Cedric's dorm since Taron's first year.

There were originally four wardrobes, which was expected out of a room with four beds, but Cedric and Taron removed one in second year, so now there remained three; two of which were always occupied by the Hufflepuff boy's clothes, one of which had extra clothing of their friend's.

Along some shelves, the unused bedside tables, and even strewn about on the floor, were bright green plants and herbs, thriving off the charmed water droplets that hovered along the ceiling and dropped onto the plants when needed.

There were Hufflepuff banners, and yellow sheets through the wooden beams along the roof. Their trunks and belongings were set up in their usual places, waiting to be unpacked, and tons of pillows and blankets were leaned against the foot of the beds, reminding them of the many nights they spent lounging on the floor, studying, talking, or goofing around.

Eli immediately flopped down on Taron's bed, starfished against the thick yellow comforter and black quilt— a quilt made by Mrs Weasley herself, with whom Taron had a great friendship with. The Lovenus family were proud purebloods, but not in the usual supremacy sort of way- and they got on great with the Weasley family, especially considering Arthur Weasley and Taron's own mother worked in the ministry and saw each other often— and his older sister, Evanna, was engaged to the second eldest Weasley son, Charlie.

Either way, a strong friendship lay between the two families, and when Molly Weasley found out about Taron's obsession with warm, cozy things- he got knitted and handmade gifts from her every year.

"An exceptionally kind family, the Weasleys." Taron thought with a small smile, watching Eli cuddle her face against the warm Hufflepuff coloured quilt.

Reign put a hand on Taron's arm, watching Eli with a fond smile before walking over and gently pushing her to one side of the bed, so Reign could sit on the other.

When Cedric finally entered the warm, friendly looking dorm, the trio had changed into more comfortable attire and returned to their original spots- there was light chatter between them, talk of bumblebees- for whatever reason. Perhaps the theme of the room is what brought them to it.

"Cedric reminds me of a bumblebee." Taron pointed, allowing Cedric to realize Taron was cuddled up on Cedric's bed- his own having been stolen already.

"And how might that be?" Cedric laughed, untying his Hufflepuff tie and tossing it on his bedside table.

Taron laughed as well, "I'm not sure."

"I could see it." Reign said, tilting her head at the taller boy.

"You've caught me, I'm actually just a mass of bees walking about, I have been for years." Cedric chuckled as he nearly tripped on a plant pot while going around to the other side of his bed, where a trunk of his was sat.

Taron gasped mockingly, sitting on is stomach and propping his head in his hands.

"Is that why you cried after you stepped on a bee when you were eight? You killed your cousin, mate." Taron snickered, vaguely remembering a warm summery day where little five year old Taron, and eight year old Cedric had been playing just outside the Diggory household— until Cedric was stung by a bee.

"Hey- I was barefoot and the damned thing stung me, I had fair reason to cry." Cedric pointed out sternly, still with a twinkle of amusement behind his eyes,.

"You bloody murdered the poor thing, it was just trying to defend itself!"

"I was eight and it was hidden in the grass- waiting to attack!" Cedric stated dramatically, grabbing his dark brown pyjamas and sliding behind the divider wall they had, mostly for decoration- but when they had guests it was actually a great asset.

"Cedric Diggory, mr bee man, killed his cousin in cold blood- he must be brought to justice!" Taron shouted, rolling onto his back and raising his fist in the air. "Have you seen this man?" Taron pointed to a non existent piece of paper in his left hand, addressing Eli- who always went along with his fatigue induced dramas.

"Dear me, sir-" Eli began, her English accent heavy in character, "I can't say I have- best I haven't though-"

"That's right! There's no telling who he'll kill next-" Taron continued, stopping and smiling innocently when Cedric came out clad in his pyjamas.

"You're all terrible people, the lot of you." Cedric said fondly, grabbing his toothbrush and disappearing once again, this time into the washroom.

"Oi, you've got your own bloody bathroom, Diggory- now that you're a prefect and all." Eli shouted after him.

"You have your own bloody bed, Dryden!" Cedric mocked, "Especially considering you're currently in the male dorms- and in the wrong house!" He cried in defense, appearing again a moment later with a spot of toothpaste on the side of his face.

"Would you like me to switch beds?" Taron asked, rolled over on his stomach again.

"Nah mate," They'd been used to sharing beds for years- Taron having had many sleepovers in the Diggory house, where Cedric's bed was the only place for him to sleep- and usually, whenever Eli or Reign were staying in the boys dorm, Cedric and Taron shared Cedric's bed. Eli and Reign had gotten into the habit of using Taron's bed- while whenever Luna and Neville joined them, they took the two unoccupied beds, not wanting to share with anyone.

"Just move over, you lump." Cedric nudged Taron to the other side of the bed.

Taron did so, tucking himself under the covers, Cedric doing the same, allowing their shoulders and upper arms to press up against each other.

"So what shall we do." Taron asked, staring up at the ceiling and shifting further under the covers.

They were too tired to really do anything, but the excitement of their first night back hadn't quite worn off yet, and they were all still unable to close their eyes.

"Mr bee man," Reign began, laughing at the look on Cedric's face as he muttered 'that better not stick', "you should read to us."

Eli nodded in agreement, a small pillow clutched to her chest as Reign pulled the comforter over both of them.

"I should, should I? After all this bloody bee business?" Cedric asked, mockingly astounded as he crossed his arms in defiance.

Taron turned to Cedric, pressing his cheek against the boy's arm, "You have the best voice for it, bee man."

Cedric blushed, his face turning a light rose shade. "Flattery." He scoffed, his arms still tensed in resistance.

"Is it working?" Taron asked cheekily.

"Just a bit."

"Bee man, your voice is melodic and lovely and we would like nothing more than to hear that wonderful voice of yours read to us." Taron winked.

Cedric laughed, "Wow."

"Need more?"

"No, that did it." Cedric chucked, reaching over the younger Hufflepuff into his bedside table drawer, grabbing the first book his fingers brushed across.

He sat up against the headboard, propped by a few pillows as he opened the book and began to read.

"There was once a kindly old wizard who used his magic generously and wisely for the benefit of his neighbours. Rather than—"

Cedric's calm voice soon carried around the room, lulling everyone into a doze as they settled into their spots, sinking into their pillows and listening to Cedric paint the picture of some fictional fairytale.

Taron let his head rest against Cedric's shoulder, as his eyes began to shut and he found his mind floating on the feeling of intense warmth and kindness that their dorm always offered.

It was good to be back.