Kol was content, stretched out across the bed like a sunbathing cat in the early morning light. He was dozing, the small movement she made when she woke up making him snort softly. “Too late, we’re leaving tomorrow. Better make this day count,” he said with a smirk, lolling his head over to kiss her forehead. He closed his eyes again and wrapped an arm around her shoulders to try and keep dozing. 

Let’s Get Something Straight.

LET HUFFLEPUFFS HAVE A RESTING BITCH FACE. LET HUFFLEPUFFS BE FIREY AND PASSIONATE. LET HUFFLEPUFFS BE INCREDIBLY WITTY AND STUDIOUS. LET HUFFLEPUFFS GET INTO FIST FIGHTS.

LET HUFFLEPUFFS BE MORE THAN FICKLE, POLITE, PACIFIST, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY, BLITHE, AND APPROACHABLE. BEING A HUFFLEPUFF IS MORE THAN LOOKING INNOCENT AND SWEET.

I am a Hufflepuff with a horrible resting bitch face. I am a Hufflepuff who people see as unapproachable. I am a Hufflepuff with strong beliefs and passion.

The traits found in Hufflepuff are listed below:

Hufflepuffs are dedicated. They are dedicated to their studies, their friends, their families, their hobbies- Hufflepuffs show dedication to the things they love. They don’t dedicate themselves to be praised. it is a self sacrificing quality, much like the rest of the Hufflepuff House traits. Dedication goes hand-in-hand with hard work. It’s enduring when shit hits the fan, it’s getting out of bed when all you want to do is sleep, it’s not accepting handouts, it’s becoming successful through honest work. Hufflepuffs get the most out of working hard, not smart. This isn’t because they aren’t smart, it’s because they believe it benefits them more. Hardwork brings knowledge. They learn how to fight with integrity to get what they want. They most definitely aren’t ones to cheat. Given the choice between cheating and failure, they would choose failure.

Patience is a virtue. I don’t take this to mean that Hufflepuffs don’t mind waiting around if a friend is running late, it means that Hufflepuffs are more willing than most to put a cap on their temperament. Hufflepuffs don’t get bothered easy. Whether it’s from natural ability or a constantly running internal monologue keeping them from blowing a fuse, they manage to handle adversity with as much dignity and grace as they can muster. I think it’s hard to tell what a Hufflepuff is thinking because they keep their opinions to themselves unless asked to express it. Patience has nothing to do with passion. A Hufflepuff is a master at picking their battles. They know what’s worth losing their temper over.  

Kindness: benevolent, intended for benefits rather than profit, loving, expressing goodwill. Who the fuck wants to be mean and rude all the time to everyone? Being kind does not mean being pushover. When did it become taboo to be kind? Why is being edgy all the sudden associated with being rude, pretentious, mean and cynical? Being kind is sincerely asking someone “how are you?” and being unafraid to receive an honest and drawn out response. Being kind is being a good listener, helping people for their benefit and not your own, it’s picking up trash in the movie theater so that the staff has less to clean. Being kind is leaving sweet, anonymous notes for people just to make their day a little bit better. Being kind is reveling in making someone smile or laugh. Being kind is smiling back when someone smiles at you. To be benevolent, to be nice, to be kind pushes away all self interest. It’s a selfless trait.

Tolerance is just nodding along with some gun slinging, homophobic, misogynistic jerk rambling about how Donald Trump will make America “great again”, even though you strongly disagree. Hufflepuffs, if you’ll notice, get along with virtually each house. They do not take it upon themselves to judge. Hufflepuffs are masters at accepting things that they cannot change; they cope well with diversity. If someone came up to a Hufflepuff and said that they were a supporter of pure-blood supremacy, the Hufflepuff would nod, say something (passive but sincere) along the lines of “that’s an interesting opinion,” then carry on with their day. Though they may not be at all happy about what was said, they do not take it upon themselves to get everyone to see the way that they see things. You can’t force people to listen. It’s not that Hufflepuffs don’t have opinions, they do, but, as the saying goes, “Opinions are like assholes, everybody has one.” They find that people respect your opinion and ask for it more when you present a judgement free environment for them.

This house is loyal. They’re a tolerant bunch, sure, but they will not tolerate bullies. It’s their sense of fraternity and loyalty that gives Hufflepuff something worth fighting for. It wouldn’t surprise me to see a Hufflepuff seventh year getting into a fist fight with a Ravenclaw seventh year because the Ravenclaw was making snarky remarks about a first year getting sorted into Hufflepuff. Hufflepuffs will argue, punch, kick, pull hair and scream if you somehow hurt someone they hold dear to them.  Don’t forget how fucking raw Badgers are. They’re one of the most fearless animals in the animal kingdom. This can maybe be seen as a flaw, however. In Goblet of Fire, the Hufflepuff House got so caught up in the competition between Cedric and Harry, good judgement was blurred by their unwavering loyalty. This brings me to believe that Hufflepuffs, if sufficiently provoked, can attack with the most underhanded and vicious insults ever. I don’t think it would be wise to bring a Hufflepuff to their breaking point in hopes of seeing this animosity. In most circumstances, however, loyalty is a virtue.  

I am so sick of the stigma that Hufflepuffs are these soft little balls of dough that are just so lukewarm compared to the other houses. Need I remind y’all that Hufflepuffs fought at the Battle of Hogwarts without hesitation? They rose to the occasion, they weren’t indifferent about the situation at hand at all- they were selfless, they were fearless. They fought because they loved their school, their friends, their teachers, and because it was the right thing to do.

A Hufflepuff is not a clone of the Pillsbury Dough Boy. Hufflepuffs can have strong opinions, be passionate, reckless, brave, and enterprising.

Because Helga Hufflepuff didn’t sort her students by a particular aptitude, Hufflepuff should be one of the most diverse houses in Hogwarts. So don’t generalize all Hufflepuffs to fit the “looks like a cinnamon roll and is a cinnamon roll” archetype. Hufflepuffs can be fierce as fuck.

Avoidance had bee the key of te weekend. She hadn’t wanted to talk to him. Hadn’t really since she left. Seeing him in the crowd, surrounded by people, it had been different and her heart hadn’t hurt nearly as bad but talking to him? She knew those emotions would surface again, smacked like uneven water against a rock deep in it’s riverbed. He had asked her to marry him after all and she said no. A lie. She wanted too, but they were too young and she was moving. Had he known the truth, perhaps he’d have waited but she freaked, afraid he’d leave her anyways. A breath and  she turns a corner, small frame smacking hard into a taller body and she fumbles backwards, trying not to fall. “Do you mind?” Voice comes soaked in poison before her gaze finds the face the body was attached to and she freezes. How could she be so careless? How could she have not expected to run into him in the Hamptons of all places? Her breath leaves her lungs and she’s caught staring at him, all those old, familiar emotions crashing into her like a wave upon the shore. “Kol.”

                                                         @kolporn || verse starter.

He wasn’t expecting to be accosted mid-party, but here he was and here she was. Davina had invited him to this little outing to take his mind off things -- Anna, specifically -- and he’d been successful so far. Jeremia was avoiding him like the plague, and while under normal circumstance he’d find that amusing, but she was the only person who knew about him and Anna and if she asked about them (even scathingly) he wasn’t sure he wouldn’t be able to hold it together very well. Jeremia had been his friend, sincerely, and while he didn’t regret what he did to get Anna back he felt badly for hurting her feelings. “Watch it,” he mumbled, hands up and stepping to the side; he wasn’t expecting such a harsh reaction just to seeing him, wasn’t he the one who was supposed to be hurting? He didn’t know who she knew at this party, but his weekend just went from getting over Anna to drowning himself in the bloody pool. “Sorry.”

“cats do not seem to like wolves,” he said. it was why he followed the cats of hogwarts around, he liked them too much. he lets silas find his perch on his shoulders and begins to follow the other, curious about what he was going to do. “you are the herbology professor correct? the one that belongs to hogwarts?” he had seen the beaubaton herbology professor already so he had to be the one here.

Kol looked over her shoulder, bemusement on his face to find the Durmstrang student following him. “ I am,” he told the younger boy, shaking his head and continued on his way. he didn’t really mind being followed, but there was nothing interesting in what he was doing. “ hufflepuff head, Kol Mikaelson.” good chance he had at least heard of or seen Elijah around, probably knew the name.

It’s a musing of a word but it’s loud enough for him to hear. She’s swept with curiosity at his inquiries and she’s unsure on if  she should be feeling worried or just take it with the natural stride she takes everything else with? Perhaps the latter as brunette curls bounce around her shoulders, feet carrying her up the  steps before entering his office. Her features are stone cold in amusement. There is no sign of her current worries in the world. No sign of how she might be feeling to the use of her full name or how his tone had changed ever so slightly when he spoke it. She turns, hair dancing in the air about her, fingertips reaching backwards to find comfort on the wooden desk, wrapping around it’s edge as she leans against it with her lower back. Lips curling upwards at their corners, eyes lighting with mischief as she hears his words.

     “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

he stalked her, slowly, across the floor of his office toward the nastily little thing sitting on his desk. he leaned forward and braced his hands on either side of her against the surface of his desk, trapping her between him and it. his lips quirked upward, eyes narrowing. “ don’t be rude, love,” he chided her gently, pressing against her, pressing her back against his desk. “ I got you out of whatever mundane task you were on your way to, the least you could do is be appreciative.” he loved her hair, and his fingers twisted up around the ends, braiding his fingers through the strands until he had her hair knotted around his hand to the roots.

            there’s a pause as she considers him, mismatched gaze racking over his figure as dark lips slowly curl into something cruel. “ if you think you’re too grown for me to punish, you’re horribly WRONG. “

          the corner of his mouth lifted, his eyes drifting down her form. “now why would I mind any punishment?” of course, he WAS too grown for the classic hogwarts rules and subdued punishments. but if she meant wipes and chains he would be open for discussion.

“I’m not dismissing you based on your house.” she stated simply with a roll of her eyes. Honestly she had nothing against the other houses, she didn’t even have a preference when she first came to Hogwarts. Still this conversation was defiantly starting to get to her. “I was simply making an observation. I didn’t realize someone would be so sensitive over their house.”

 “I’ll continue to be an overbearing student if you continue to be a pompous a-.”, she cut herself off for once having restraint. There many names she wished to call him, none of them respectful or a appropriate to call her professor. 

“ Maybe if you’d been judged based on your house you’re entire life, you’d feel differently,” he snapped. Like a Slytherin, Hufflepuff’s were sorted into a certain image and come hell or high water they were stuck in it no matter how they proved wrong; Kol had been one of the lucky few to rise above what his house represented to the untrained, uneducated eye.

He stood slowly, holding a hand out for her delivered paper. “Sit.” he demanded. “And you can stay while I grade it.” He recognized her face, knew she would have nothing but a superb essay, but she’d pissed him off and now she’d get to sit in silence with nothing but his company for an hour while he read it. “I did have other things planned today,” he went on. “You may not be aware of the REASON due dates are posted, but those of us that have lives actually enjoy living them without students present.” Not to mention he was in charge of the ENTIRE Herbology department. He had papers to grade, plants to keep alive and harvest for the potions classes and for medicinal purposes. He had his own projects to check in on, even. His life did not revolve around his students. He shot her one last look before clearing his desk a little over dramatically so he could read her essay uninterrupted. “And I don’t want to hear a damn word from you.”

          the smirk never leaves his face, so maybe next time she’ll think before she speaks to him again. any more talk of s h a g g i n g and he’s not liable for how his mood will swing ; detention or an invitation. his sniffed haughtily, the action diminished somewhat by the evil glint in his eye that might as well be a signature to his features. “ all in good time, love,” instead of denying his words or letting her think he wasn’t going to be a unpredictable professor. unpredictability was the reason he was blacklisted by the ministry in the first place. “ try to stay out of any broom closets, wont you?”

            he’s studying her, and for a mere second she almost squirms on the spot. you’re protecting yourself, she thinks, smile weakening under his gaze. she doesn’t want to admit to herself that she’s lying. not to a professor, and certainly not to her head of house. “ it would seem they all think i’m some innocent girl that let’s boys pass her around… “ she murmurs, shaking her head. robb swore he’d never let that happen, but it still sticks with her. kissing bellamy blake didn’t make her interest in him. “ …though apparently some think i need a good shag. oh merlin’s beard, i really… i’m sorry, sir. that’s rather inappropriate, i suppose. “

          he didn’t know if he actually got to her, staring like he did, but her smile weakened, and he hoped she’d be more careful in the future. the coming together of different schools brought about a much more exciting atmosphere, but as the host school they were held to certain standards ; and kol held his students to higher ones, something they would all come to learn about. teagan would be a prime example of what to follow, and he needed her on his side.

          his lips thinned as she JUST KEPT TALKING about getting shagged, knowing he must look disappointed in her choice of words, but truly was trying not to laugh at her. shaking his head and praying to merlin he could get out of the conversation without accidentally coming on to one of his students, kol was just about to turn away, when the urge to embarrass her a little more took over instead. so much for self control. “ well, if you’d ever like a proper lesson you know where my office is .”

rave raises an eyebrow at the male, tilting his head to the side. he continues to hold the cat, letting him smell the catnip that rave had purposely placed on his shoulder to attract him. its what he did with most of the cats.  being in the castles were the only time he could play with cats because the family he lived with now couldn’t really have cats. owls were scarce too for them.

“i do not think he would enjoy living with the people i live with,” he says as he scratches silas’ chin. “it would be best he stays with you.”

he shrugged again, ignoring what his cat and the strange boy obsessed with him did. silas wouldn’t leave him, and he would be hard pressed if the kid really did want to take him back to wherever he came from. “ suit yourself.” he pressed the tip of his finger to his cat’s nose as goodbye, a slow blink and a rumble his only response. “ i’ll be in the greenhouses when you feel like returning him.”

             the corner of her mouth quirked. perhaps he would find her taste abysmal with the way she’d fallen so head over heels for the head boy recently. not that she could see anything wrong with him; she’d never seen anything wrong with robb before. a pause, emerald gaze fixes on kol as she weighs her options. i kissed him, she thinks. in front of other students. guests. we didn’t stop them from drinking, stop them from scandalous behavior… but that would not only reflect poorly upon their house, but upon herself and robb, as well. the kiss, spin the bottle, the classroom they’d snuck into, they were all secrets she was better off keeping swallowed. her smile grows, warm and confident. “ no, sir. of course not. “

          she was truly adorable, not a bone in his body believed she would have been caught shagging the stark boy during patrol ; snog, maybe, but the way her bottom lip quivered so anxiously proved to him that she hadn’t done anything more than that. “ no,” he told her with a small quirk of his lips. “ i’m not mad.” he leaned an elbow against his knee and he leaned in front of her, keeping his eyes on hers to discern whether she was being truthful with him or not. she was HEAD GIRL after all, and truly one of hufflepuff’s finest members.

          but as he watched her, the open expression in her eyes gave her away more than any truth potion could. he could see the conflict brewing across her face, before  -- whatever realization it was that fell into face, settled in her gaze. he reared back, giving her a long scrutinizing stare as he weighed her words. he knew, better than most, what hogwarts was like at that age, and coming back after his failure in the outside world was putting him right back into that mindset. he wanted his students to have their fun, but it was his job to protect them. “ good then.” he said simply, resting his hand on her shoulder and squeezing gently before he stood. “ I would hate to be the last to know that someone from MY house was leaving a bad impression on any of the other houses.” he winked at her conspiratorially. “ better we keep them under the impression that all hufflepuff’s are sticks in the mud.”

rave held the cat and thought for a second that he’d be getting in trouble. after all some of the hogwarts students were already mad that he had tried to steal their cat. even some of his classmates were upset because suddenly the ship had a ton of cats. he takes a step back when the other stops next to him, raising an eyebrow he’s learned not to trust people but he doesn’t know what to say.

“you do not want him back?”

kol lifted a shoulder, uncaring, and took a step to the side to get a better look at the younger man -- holding his cat. silas honestly DID do whatever he wanted, which had been a problem during his school years, but a welcome after ; he could tell how happy the creature was to be back in the castle.

“ keep the blasted thing for all I care,” he said with a shrug, and silas only yawned in response. “ he’ll come back when he chooses. no harm.”

“You haven’t aged a day”