When the singing stopped, Karl's eyes misted over, just like Dumbledore's.
The only difference was that the other was moved by the charm of the music, while he was moved because the torture had ended.
Are there any Charms that can block out sound?
He didn't want to be tortured again next year.
After Headmaster Dumbledore announced that it was time for bed, the students from each house left the Great Hall in an orderly fashion.
Among them, the students of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw headed up the grand marble staircase from the entrance hall.
One had to climb to the eighth floor, while the other had to cross the stone bridge to climb the tower on the west side of the Castle; one could only say it was quite a workout.
Hufflepuff and Slytherin, however, had it much easier, with no need for long treks at all.
Slytherin went straight down to the dungeons from the left of the marble staircase, while Hufflepuff headed to the kitchens from the right.
"First-year students, stop, follow me back to the common room first."
In the stone-paved underground corridor, after Prefect Judy Foley spoke, the Hufflepuff students split into two groups.
The numerous older students continued forward, where the area was brightly lit, and a painting could be seen hanging in the distance.
Prefect Judy stood in front of a pile of large barrels resting on stone troughs, explaining to the new students how to enter the common room.
"Tap the bottom of the second barrel from the middle of the second row in the rhythm of Helga Hufflepuff. I will demonstrate, so pay close attention and remember it well."
As she spoke, she raised her hand and began to tap on the barrel; the melody was very smooth, though there was a distinct pause in the middle.
The moment she finished tapping, Prefect Judy darted to the side with the agility of a rabbit.
"Splash!"
The lid of the barrel above suddenly rotated open, and a dark brown liquid poured down directly, filling the air with a sour smell.
Amidst the exclamations of the Little wizards, Prefect Judy elegantly smoothed her slightly disheveled long hair.
"Did you see that? This is the consequence of tapping incorrectly; you must take this as a warning."
Karl:...
Could you please not blush while saying that! You just tapped it wrong, didn't you!
Fortunately, there was no mistake the second time, and the first-year students successfully entered the Hufflepuff common room.
This was a simple, large, circular room with a low ceiling, illuminated by warm candlelight.
Plants and flowers were hanging or placed everywhere, and surprisingly, they would sing and dance after the Little wizards approached.
Coupled with plush sofas and chairs featuring yellow and black patterns and polished copper edges, the entire common room was comfortable and cozy, making one feel relaxed and happy.
Karl noticed that the Hufflepuff common room was a semi-underground room with many circular windows on the walls.
At this moment, through the moonlight, one could see the dim outlines of grass and dandelions; the scenery must be even better during the day.
"Before the others return from the kitchen, I have some matters to tell you."
Prefect Judy stood in front of the fireplace and clapped her hands, attracting the Little wizards who were teasing the flowers and plants.
"Too many people have prejudices and misunderstandings about Hufflepuff, thinking that we are mediocre and lack talent."
"I think some of you must have heard such claims before."
Karl saw some Little wizards nodding silently and couldn't help but recall that in the original work, Hagrid had also told Harry that Hufflepuff had many duffers.
"Do you know why such prejudices and misunderstandings exist?"
After everyone shook their heads, Prefect Judy continued:
"Because Hufflepuff does not value competition, and our attitude towards achievement is much gentler."
"When Hogwarts was founded a thousand years ago, the other three founders selected students according to their own requirements, but Ms. Helga Hufflepuff did not do so."
"With a loving heart and an attitude of treating everyone equally, she welcomed all Little wizards into the house."
"She did not demand that her students achieve prominent feats; she only hoped that they could be upright, loyal, hardworking, and unafraid of hardship."
"Therefore, Hufflepuff is the house with the most students, and it is also the friendliest and fairest house."
"Hufflepuff students might not be as brave as Gryffindor, as wise as Ravenclaw, or as ambitious as Slytherin, but that does not mean we are cowardly, stupid, or mediocre."
"Being ordinary is not the same as being mediocre; everyone has their own talents, and all four houses are the best houses."
Having said this, Prefect Judy asked the Little wizards once again:
"Next, I want to tell you why Hufflepuff is the most unique house in Hogwarts."
"Do you know what the traits of the other three houses are?"
The Little wizards spoke up one after another, suggesting Courage and daring, intelligence and wit, shrewdness and ambition, and so on.
Prefect Judy first nodded in agreement and then continued:
"Gryffindor is heroic and fearless, daring and bold, peerless in spirit, and chivalrous and forthright; these stem from Courage."
"Ravenclaw is wise and learned, loves to study, is extraordinary, and has great foresight; these are in pursuit of wisdom."
"Slytherin values honor, assesses the situation, protects itself, and prioritizes victory; these serve ambition."
"But the traits of us Hufflepuffs do not stem from anything, pursue anything, or serve anything."
"Rather, it is that for a thousand years, all Hufflepuff students have forged the house's traits with their character."
"Although they are unrelated and have no unified affiliation, they are colorful and bloom like a hundred flowers."
"There are no standards for entering Hufflepuff, but there are requirements for being a Hufflepuff."
Prefect Judy said solemnly:
"I hope you can keep this in your hearts!"
"We are upright and steadfast, we are honest and kind, we treat everyone equally, and we are fair and just."
"We are hardworking and simple, we do not fear hardship, we have great love in our hearts, and we are loyal to nature."
"We are Hufflepuff!"
After these words were finished, all the Little wizards couldn't help but feel their hearts surging, giving rise to a strong sense of pride and belonging.
Karl also couldn't help but take a deep breath, and just as he was applauding with everyone else, the light screen appeared.
[Detecting...]
[Extracting keywords...]
[magic talent, Little wizards, firm belief, good qualities...]
[Matching...]
Karl never expected that this time, what triggered the light screen was actually all the Hufflepuff freshmen, including himself.
[Match successful!]
[Summoning Hero: Milio!]
A little boy about the same age as Karl appeared in the vortex in the center of the light screen, with a warm and friendly smile on his face.
He carried a uniquely shaped backpack furnace, surrounded by Fire Treasures of various sizes.
After making eye contact with Karl, Milio's image turned into flames.
[Milio: The light in each of our hearts, the inner heat... has become my flames.]
[Milio has mastered The Axiomata of Fire on his own, and with the help of love and nature, has comprehended the Soothing Fire that can heal life.]
[Milio has taught you The Axiomata of Fire, and you have obtained Soothing Fire.]
[Milio believes that fire does not necessarily bring destruction; he has felt the heart-fire in his heart and in nature.]
Karl looked to the left of the light screen, below his own avatar.
Vastayashai'rei form change — Jungle Cat.
Ixtal Axiomata of Fire — Soothing Fire.