Sana hated patrol. There were so many other things she could be doing and so many people she could be seeing. She was behind on her work and not doing great on the social front either. And because the school insisted prefects didn’t have enough to do, even though the number of prefects had increased in the past few years, she was stuck here.

Some would have said she got lucky with her patrol partner. That was true. She could have gotten Jihyo who hated Sana for how she broke Wendy’s heart, as well as Jisoo’s, Allison’s, all of them from Hufflepuff. She could have been pared up with Jimin, someone she led on for far too long before telling him she wasn’t interested. There was also Chaeyoung, a Gryffindor who apparently had a crush on Sana, as crazy as that sounded, but that might have been more fun. There was no mixing her up with Chaeyoung, the Ravenclaw, who hated Sana for reasons awfully similar to JIhyo. 

But no, she was on the fourth floor, wandering the halls with the one prefect who couldn’t have been more than a mystery. Also, the one prefect who couldn’t be less interested in Sana. She didn’t even hate her. 

“Wearing out?” Dahyun looked back, slowing her pace. She hadn’t dropped that polite half-smile expression. How she did it for hours, Sana had no idea. 

“What do you mean?” she asked, trying not to sound as irritated as she was. 

“You’re walking slower and slower after every new corner. If you need to sleep, just go.” 

She wasn’t sure if the girl was being nice or just really eager to get rid of her. The second option might’ve hurt. 

“I’m not tired.”

The Hufflepuff just nodded, not prying or insisting on some type of answer. Their conversations always went like this. A question on one side to break the awkward silence, a response, maybe one follow-up question, and then silence again. 

Sana hated it. If it were anyone else, girl, boy, anyone, she would get by with getting to know them, having fun flirting with them no matter their house. She froze up here—became mute. She wasn’t nervous, just unsure of what to ask a person like Dahyun. 

“Ah ha,” said person hummed, “students out of bed.” She walked on, her robes flowing out behind her, her back straight. “Girls,” she called softly, “should you be out this late?”

The tapestry on their right moved. Sana jumped, feeling her face flush the moment she did. She hadn’t noticed anything. Some prefect she was. 

Two girls emerged, one Slytherin first year Sana remembered from the train, because she had looked older than her years. The other one she didn’t know. Both held each other’s hands tightly, the Slytherin’s face full of tears. 

“Yuqi, why are you two out?” Dahyun’s tone never lost the tenderness. 

In that moment, Sana was stunned by what she saw. This wasn’t the goofy, or the polite one Sana always saw, but it was gentle and kind. This wasn’t something that was hidden exactly, but she’d never seen it before. 

Of course you haven’t, she thought. 

“She couldn’t sleep,” Yuqi said, set in a firm line. “I was taking her to the library.”

Dahyun chuckled. “Wrong floor.” She reached out her hands, taking both of theirs. “What’s your name?” 

“Shuhua,” the other girl mumbled. 

“Well, Yuqi, Shuhua. I will have to take points off for sneaking out.” Her gaze held something playful. 

The girl’s eyes widened, but both nodded. 

“Five points from each of you, but you’re getting three back because one of you was a friend in need, the other gave that need.” She tugged on them both as she straightened, pulling them away from the tapestry. For once, she towered over people. “If you want, we can go to Hufflepuff. There’s a small library there, and hot chocolate.” A pause. “Unless you’d prefer the Slytherin common room?”

Shuhua shook her head. “Next time.” She didn’t look surprised that Dahyun had remembered where her house was. 

A bright smile grew on Dahyun’s face. “Alright.” She turned to face Sana, the smile lessening a fraction. “Coming? It won’t take more than ten minutes.”

She shrugged. “If the school goes to hell, I’m innocent.” 

The smile returned to its previous brightness. Sana was almost relieved. “Definitely.” 

Sana could only stare at the trio in front of her. She had to be doing this for personal gain. She remembered one Hufflepuff prefect who had all but spat at Sana in her first year when she’d gotten lost in the dungeons. That same prefect had treated Gryffindors and Ravenclaws just like this, showing them around the castle whenever they asked. She’d left him a wonderful hex on one of those tours, enjoying how he’d lost his smiling facade as he questioned every Slytherin for who had cast the spell to make him bald. 

And yet, as they walked on, the suspicion didn’t last long, or it at least faded. Dahyun had known Shuhua was a Slytherin. And they were still going to the Hufflepuff common room. 

“This staircase is the nasty one,” Dahyun whispered. They were between the third and second floor. “The fourth step disappears at night, the tenth is slippery in the morning, and Peeves really loves to mess with you, either before or after you fall.” She extended a foot, sticking a toe through the step. 

“But that’s dangerous,” Shuhua said, frowning. “This school is supposed to be safer than out there.” 

Out there. Sana saw the frown on Dahyun’s face, before it disappeared again. 

“Yes,” she nodded. “But as long as you know what to look out for, you’re safe.” Then she hopped over it, inviting the girls to do the same. They giggled as they did.
Sana stepped over it. She ignored the raised eyebrow from the other prefect. 

“I’m Dahyun,” she said. “This is Sana.”

“We’ve heard about you!” Yuqi said in a hushed shout. It wasn’t really as quiet as she probably wanted it to be. Sana hoped that the other prefects wouldn’t be watching them. “The older kids say you’re like enemies.”

“Enemies?” She couldn’t believe her ears. Rivals maybe, but only in Quidditch. Or very far from friends. How many knew about last year? In a school like Hogwarts, she wouldn’t have been surprised if everyone knew. “Why say that?” She tried to make her voice playful. It probably sounded strained. 

The first year didn’t seem to mind. 

“They didn’t exactly say enemies,” she said, looking down at her feet. “Just that you never got along. Like Gryffindor and Slytherin.” 

“I’m definitely a Hufflepuff,” Dahyun lifted her tie, “and we’re not enemies.” Then she lowered her voice. “But she might not want you spreading this around, she has a reputation, you know,” she winked, “just like you don’t tell anyone we let you off with just two points taken away. Or that I’m giving you chocolate.”

The two girls nodded. They kept walking. 

Shuhua looked back at Sana. “So you’re a secret Puff too?” she asked softly as Dahyun told Yuqi where the library actually was. 

Sana felt the urge to say no immediately. That wouldn’t have done much for the girl’s spirits. “Too?”

“Yuqi tells me I always look serious.” She smiled, the gesture lighting up her whole face. “But I’m actually a big softie, because I cry easy.” Then she straightened. “But not in public! I can help keep our,” she frowned, “reputation, too.”

Sana walked a bit faster and took her other hand. “You don’t need to be. Be a softie with the people you trust.” Just not around the people who can hurt you, she added in her head. “Why can’t you sleep? Are the dungeons too scary?”

A small silence passed. They were reaching the bottom floor. 

“No?” she said. “I just have nightmares sometimes. Then I don’t want to sleep.” 

Her heart reached out for the girl. “I get bad dreams too.” She squeezed her hand. “When I don’t sleep alone, it helps.” She felt eyes on them. She glanced up to see Dahyun looking at them, her expression unreadable. 

Shuhua brightened. “It does! But I,” she frowned, “can’t sleep in another place, right?”

The question was innocent enough, but she couldn’t help but blush. “Sometimes you can.” She swore she saw Dahyun smirk. 

“In Hufflepuff too?” Yuqi looked up at Dahyun. Both girls then got a puppy-eyed look. 

“Sometimes,” she nodded, “extra beds are always available. You can definitely sleep over there.”

The young Slytherin beamed. 

“Just remember to tap the barrels like this.” She told and showed them the rhythm: Helga Hufflepuff on one of the barrels. It was so simple. So obvious. Ravenclaw’s was a matter of knowing your riddles, or knowing someone who was just great at them, while Gryffindor and Slytherin were just knowing the password. Hufflepuff’s entrance, while not guarded very well, had been a coveted secret until inter-house relationships became more pronounced. They were the first to let people come in, to enjoy the benefits of Hufflepuff. That had been after the Battle of Hogwarts, she’d been told, where students didn’t feel safe in their own beds. No one had ever come to Slytherin to escape that feeling. While some had gone to Ravenclaw or Gryffindor, most had rushed to Hufflepuff, almost staying there until the headmistress had to put a restriction on how long you could be in another common room. Just so that the Hufflepuffs themselves could still find a bed at night. 

“Don’t spread it all around, but if you know someone won’t tell everyone, or they really need it. Of course they can know.” 

The passageway opened. They went in. Shuhua didn’t let go of Sana’s hand. It wasn’t as if she’d never been here before, just never as a visitor in this sense. The warmth of their common room was so welcoming. The fire wasn’t even on, but the silence here was comfortable. Every thing in the place seemed to radiate warmth, from the soft golden armchairs to the light brown wooden panelling on the walls. Even the potted plants around them added something. 

“I’ll be right back.” Dahyun squeezed the girls’ shoulders. “Get them comfortable,” she told Sana. 

She smiled at the two, hoping she didn’t look too awkward. Comfortable. The whole room was comfortable. If she was being honest with herself, she could see why Hufflepuff’s common room had been so beloved.

“Come on, this one is really nice.” Leading them to the biggest armchair, the two first years fit easily into it, sinking into the cushions. 

“You’ve been here before?” Yuqi asked. “Visiting Dahyun?”

Her face warmed. “Another Hufflepuff.” She knelt down in front of them. 

“So you don’t hate the other houses?” What was it with her and hatred? Was that really what reached the rumour train in this school? 

“I don’t hate any of the houses.” 

“Good,” Shuhua nodded, “some of the other kids say they don’t like Gryffindor just because it’s Gryffindor.” 

“Don’t listen to them then.” 

“Here we are.” Dahyun came over, a tray in her hands. On it were three steaming cups and a plate with four slices of cake. “I hope you all like banana bread.”

“Where’d you get that?” Sana asked. She was also tempted to ask her why she’d bothered to get anything when she could have just summoned it, but didn’t. She had the feeling that the girl would just tell her that’s being lazy. 

“I asked in the kitchens if they could make some. Well, they didn’t let me make anything, even though I bought everything for it.” She sat down on the floor. “Dig in.” She grinned at them. “Made you one too.” She passed her the third mug. 

“Nothing for you?” The girl didn’t give her much of a choice to decline. 

“Cake for me,” she replied, taking a bite. “Something on your mind?” she asked Shuhua who was frowning into her hot chocolate. 

The hot chocolate was incredible. Sana couldn’t help but relax. It was almost as homely as Slytherin’s. Almost. 

“You really don’t think Slytherin’s the evil house?” Shuhua asked. 

“No house is evil,” Dahyun said immediately. “Try not to think too much about a house’s reputation. It doesn’t apply to everyone.” 

Sana didn’t know why, but the girl’s words nearly made her smile. 

“But you’re the perfect Hufflepuff!” Yuqi protested. She’d really turned the volume up on her voice. It was surprisingly deep for a girl her age. 

Dahyun put a finger to her lips, smiling as she did so. Something was off. Her eyes weren’t smiling with her. “I’m just the Hufflepuff prefect. One of them,” she replied. “But on to business.” She out her bag onto her knees. Sana hadn’t noticed she’d brought it. A pile of books was placed on the armrest. She divided it into two other piles. “I got you books from two worlds.” 

“Two?” Yuqi frowned. 

Her smile widened, this time genuine. “The muggle world has good books too, I promise.” She started talking about ‘greek gods’ and other things Sana didn’t understand a word of. “But there are also stories, one about magics different to ours, another about a girl solving mysteries, completely without magic. Look through them, read what you might be interested in. Stop when you’re tired,” she stood up, “just don’t be too loud. Otherwise we’ll get in trouble.” She winked again. 

“Thank you,” both girls said, their smiles bright. “We won’t tell on you,” Yuqi said, while Shuhua nodded fervently. “Or that you’re really nice.” The young Hufflepuff grinned at Sana. “Promise.”

She smiled back. “I believe you.” 

Sana put down her half drunk mug, but took with her the cake. Banana bread. It tasted good, but she’d never heard of it. As they walked, she stifled a yawn. The common room’s coziness had really gotten to her. 

“You can go sleep,” Dahyun said when the passageway closed behind them. “It’s not much longer and you look worse than I do.” 

She gave her a look. “Patrols are meant for two people for a reason, you know.” And yet, she could already feel her bed calling to her. She’d had quidditch practice today. She was out of shape, already sore. Some captain she was. 

“I can handle it myself.” 

“Sure.” It wasn’t that she didn’t think that, but Dahyun just didn’t look like the type to be able to fight. Even so, she’d never challenge her to a duel. Not if she didn’t want to be charmed to giggle every ten minutes. The Hufflepuff had done that to a fifth year who’d bullied her friend. In third year. 

“What’s the worst that could happen?” A short chuckle. “Meeting Peeves without backup?”

“You said it yourself, he could try and catch you off guard while you’re on the stairs.”

She rolled her eyes. “Either way, I’m not tired.” A pause. “I’m a night owl.” 

“I’m not.” 

Another chuckle. “Clearly.” Then she reached out and grabbed hold of Sana’s shoulders. She didn’t even flinch, even though she would’ve normally shaken those hands off. She was surprised at herself for not doing it now. It probably didn’t affect her because she was so tired. “Goodnight Sana.” The girl pushed her lightly. 

“Goodnight, Kim.” She trudged off down the hall, but looked back before she turned the corner. Dahyun was heading towards the stairs, her back no longer a straight. She saw her yawn. 

Sana knew she should go back. She wanted to go back, but then the Hufflepuff disappeared from view. With it went Sana’s courage. She headed to the Slytherin common room, guilt starting to eat at her. She pushed it down. 

As she walked into the common room, she kept thinking back on the evening. It was the first actual conversation she’d had with the girl. Of course, there had also been two first years, but it had been more than just polite, or not so polite words. She couldn’t help but compare this Dahyun to the one seen in the Great Hall or on the pitch. This was the Dahyun who was currently walking the halls, too prideful to let someone know she was tired, too proud to show some sort of weakness. This Dahyun made her believe the rumours that the Hufflepuff was going to be Head Girl next year. This Dahyun made her want to believe those rumours. The other versions of her seemed like fronts, where she was too goofy and too nice. This one felt real. Too real. 

________

Author's Note 

So the accident I've mentioned hasn't come up yet. I thought I'd establish a bit about where the characters are beforehand and get right into some of the expectations one might have regarding the Hogwarts houses. How similar would you say Dahyun and Sana are to their house stereotypes? It might be too early to say, but this is something I fully intend to explore as the story progresses! 

First chapter and I've already brought in Yuqi and Shuhua from (G)I-dle. I know their being first years is not accurate regarding their actual ages, but this is an au, so for me it works :D. I'm pretty new to the fandom there, and from what I see in music videos and live stages, I have to say I get major Hufflepuff vibes from Yuqi. Shuhua has a Slytherin essence to her, but I feel like that's a surface-level reading (kind of like how she's represented here). 

At the moment I don't have much time for writing, but this story has got a little bit to it, because I've been working on it and another one during my commutes. They're long and stories like this one are perfect ways to spend that time, so I'll be trying to update this as soon as I can. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments and I'll see you all in the next chapter!