【Congratulations, Host, you have successfully allowed the Weasley Twins, Hufflepuff model student Cedric, to experience the cruelty of human nature. 】
【Due to the first time you displayed your ‘talent’ in Hogwarts, the Host has received double points, +200 points】
The Great Hall was a chaotic scene. Dumbledore had used magic to conjure the lyrics, but there was no sheet music, leaving the students to improvise.
Wayne pretended to mouth the words, his mind racing.
He had easily tricked the twins and Cedric, earning two hundred points.
Even without the first-time bonus, it would still be one hundred points.
It seemed that after the system upgraded, it was much easier to earn points.
He had once beaten up all the students in his class and only earned a little over one hundred points.
Ah, Hogwarts truly was his lucky place.
He could get a hundred points for tricking the twins once. If he did it three times a day, wouldn't that be a guaranteed Golden Galleon every year?
Wayne licked his lips. It was undeniably tempting.
Fred and George, still singing the school song with the tune of “Funeral March,” shivered involuntarily, feeling as if something terrifying was staring at them.
...
The school song ended abruptly, even Dumbledore was moved to the point of wiping away tears.
“That's the magic of music, now it's bedtime. Everyone return to your dorms.”
The sorting ceremony had already finished at eight o’clock, and after another hour of dinner, Dumbledore allowed everyone to go to bed.
Everyone else rushed out, but the prefects organised the first years into lines and led them back to their common rooms.
Cedric was among the new students.
“Wayne, how are you going to compensate me?”
“I don’t understand what you’re talking about. Get a good night's sleep. We have CJB tomorrow. It's a strenuous activity.”
Cedric laughed in anger. “Don’t pretend. You must have told Professor McGonagall.”
“This is the first time I've been in detention.”
“What am I supposed to say? Thank you for giving your first time to Fred and George?”
Wayne shrugged helplessly, “I didn't tell on you, Professor McGonagall found out herself. Ask Hannah, ask Susan.”
The two girls were nearby, listening to their conversation. Susan nodded unconsciously when she was called upon.
Cedric realized something was wrong. He asked the two girls for details, and his face turned pale after hearing the story.
“It's over. Professor McGonagall will be furious. I wanted to join her Transfiguration club.”
“Don't worry.” Wayne comforted him. “With George and Fred, you're just an accomplice. Professor McGonagall will forget about it after a few days.”
Cedric didn’t say anything. He had decided to never provoke Wayne again.
This kid looked harmless, but his heart was filled with malice.
…
The Hufflepuff common room was located in the school's basement, in the stack of large wooden barrels on the right side of the kitchen corridor.
One only needed to knock on the second barrel in the middle of the second row, following Helga Hufflepuff's rhythm, and the barrel lid would rotate, revealing a passage.
Unlike the ever-changing passwords of Gryffindor and Slytherin, Ravenclaw students had to rack their brains to answer questions every time they entered or left.
Hufflepuff's way of doing things showed their simple and practical nature.
This 'password' had been used ever since the founding of Hogwarts, never changed.
Yet, despite its simplicity, the Hufflepuff common room had never been entered by an outsider. This was the only house with ‘facial recognition.’
Even if the rhythm was correct, the door would not open if it wasn't a Hufflepuff. It would even spray vinegar of various flavours from the barrel to drive away intruders.
It was said that many wizards who were short of money would deliberately knock wrong, then sell the vinegar.
It was unknown which unscrupulous shopkeeper would buy it, because these vinegars came in all sorts of flavours. It would be such a scam if they were given to customers.
The prefects diligently shared this information with the students and demonstrated it three times before finally opening the common room door.
They ducked through the passage into a large, circular room.
The common room had a low ceiling and a moderate temperature. It was simple yet comfortable, with plants hanging or placed everywhere. It felt like a forest cabin.
On the soft floor were many fluffy sofas and chairs.
Wayne was very satisfied with his entertainment environment for the next seven years.
Even though it was a basement, there were actually windows that allowed sunlight to shine in.
The female prefect walked over to the fireplace, pointing at the portrait hanging above it. It was a witch holding a golden cup, smiling brightly.
“This is Lady Helga Hufflepuff. She was kind-hearted and took in many house-elves, saving them from abuse and insults.”
“Therefore, Hufflepuff is always favoured in the kitchen. If you need anything, you can go next door to the kitchen and get it yourself. Don't be polite to them.”
The prefect's face was filled with pride.
This was a privilege unique to Hufflepuff.
“Your politeness might be perceived by the elves as their job not being done well. They will feel guilty.”
After the introduction, it was free time.
Truly Hufflepuff. Many senior students enthusiastically welcomed the newcomers, taking out snacks to treat them.
They patiently answered any questions the newcomers had and shared their experiences.
Wayne was also chatting with Cedric about the school's stairs.
“You must not sleep in tomorrow. The school's stairs are constantly changing. If you take a wrong step, you might be late.”
“If it's the Headmaster's or Professor Flitwick's class, it's fine.”
“But if you're late for Transfiguration or Potions...” Cedric shivered and gave a look of ‘you're on your own.’
“What good is it to just say that?” Wayne said helplessly. “I don't know what the hell is wrong with these stairs.”
“Let me see.” Cedric thought for a moment. “You'll get your timetable with the other first-years at breakfast tomorrow. You get up early, I'll take you around first.”
Wayne gave him a thumbs-up.
You're the best, Cedric, a typical Hufflepuff.
Just for your enthusiasm, when the Triwizard Tournament begins, I'll make sure you come out unscathed.
As they chatted, some prefects even went to the kitchen with some senior students to get juices and hot water. It was so nice to be fed without having to lift a finger.
Wayne couldn't help but admire his own wisdom in choosing a house.
As everyone started to feel sleepy, the number of people in the common room gradually decreased. Wayne went through the circular door to his dormitory.