When the singing stopped, Karl's eyes were moist, just like Dumbledore's.
However, Dumbledore was moved by the charm of the music, while Karl was moved by the end of the torment.
Is there a magic spell that can block sound? He didn't want to be tormented again next year.
After Headmaster Dumbledore announced bedtime, students from each House orderly evacuated the Great Hall.
Among them, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw students ascended the grand marble staircase from the entrance hall.
One had to climb to the eighth floor, and the other had to cross a stone bridge to climb the tower on the west side of the Castle; it certainly seemed to be good exercise.
Hufflepuff and Slytherin, however, were much more comfortable, not needing to trek long distances at all.
Slytherin went directly down to the dungeons from the left side of the marble staircase, while Hufflepuff went to the kitchen from the right side.
"First-year new students, stop and follow me back to the common room first."
In the stone-walled underground corridor, after Prefect Judy Folly, a fifth-year Prefect, spoke, the Hufflepuffstudents split into two groups.
The numerous older students continued forward, where lights were bright, and a painting could be seen hanging in the distance.
Prefect Judy stood in front of a pile of large wooden barrels placed on a stone trough, explaining to the new students how to enter the common room.
"Following Helga Hufflepuff's rhythm, tap the bottom of the second barrel in the middle of the second row. I'll demonstrate; make sure to remember it carefully."
As she spoke, she raised her hand and began tapping on the wooden barrel, the melody was very smooth, but there was a distinct pause in the middle.
The instant Prefect Judy finished tapping, she darted aside like a startled rabbit.
"Splash!"
The lid of the barrel above suddenly rotated open, and a dark brown liquid poured down directly, an acidic smell spreading out.
Amidst the Young Wizards' exclamations, Prefect Judyelegantly 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: ...
When you say that, could you not blush! You just tapped it wrong!
Fortunately, there were no mistakes the second time, and the first-year new students successfully entered the Hufflepuff common room.
This was a simple, circular large room with a low ceiling, illuminated by warm candlelight.
Plants and flowers were hung or placed everywhere, and when the Young Wizards approached, they even sang and danced.
Coupled with the plush sofas and chairs adorned with yellow and black patterns and polished brass edges, the entire common room was comfortable and cozy, making one feel relaxed and pleasant.
Karl noticed that the Hufflepuff common room was a semi-underground room, with many circular windows on the walls.
Through the moonlight, one could vaguely see green grass and dandelions, suggesting that the daytime view would be even better.
"Before the others return from the kitchen, I have some matters to tell you."
Prefect Judy clapped her hands in front of the fireplace, attracting the Young Wizards who were playing with the plants and flowers.
"Too many people have prejudice and misunderstandings about Hufflepuff, believing that we are mediocre and untalented."
"I imagine some of you might have heard such statements as well."
Karl saw some Young Wizards nodding silently and couldn't help but recall how Hagrid had also told Harry in the original story that Hufflepuff had many dunderheads.
"Do you know why such prejudice and misunderstandings exist?"
After everyone shook their heads, Prefect Judy spoke:
"Because Hufflepuff does not value competition, and our attitude towards achievements is gentler."
"When Hogwarts was founded a thousand years ago, the other three founders selected students according to their own requirements, but Helga Hufflepuff did not."
"With a loving heart and an impartial attitude, she admitted all Young Wizards into the House."
"She did not demand students to have prominent achievements, only hoping that they would be upright, loyal, hardworking, and unafraid of hardships."
"Therefore, Hufflepuff is the House with the most students, and also the friendliest and fairest House."
"Hufflepuff students may not be as courageous as Gryffindor, as wise as Ravenclaw, or as ambitious as Slytherin, but this does not mean we are cowardly, foolish, or unproductive."
"Being ordinary is not mediocrity; everyone has their own talents, and all four Houses are the best Houses."
At this point, Prefect Judy asked the Young Wizards again:
"Next, I want to tell you why Hufflepuff is the most unique House in Hogwarts."
"Do you know the characteristics of the other three Houses?"
The Young Wizards spoke up, mentioning courage and bravery, intelligence and talent, shrewdness and ambition, and so on.
Prefect Judy first nodded in agreement, then continued:
"Gryffindor is brave and fearless, exceptionally daring, unparalleled in spirit, and chivalrously generous; these stem from courage."
"Ravenclaw is wise and knowledgeable, loves to research, is extraordinary, and far-sighted; these are for the pursuit of wisdom."
"Slytherin values honor, assesses the situation, protects oneself, and prioritizes victory; these serve ambition."
"But our Hufflepuff characteristics are not derived from something, pursuing something, or serving something."
"Instead, over the past thousand years, all Hufflepuffstudents have, with their character, formed the House's characteristics."
"Although unrelated and without subordination, they are rich and colorful, a hundred flowers blooming."
"There is no standard for entering Hufflepuff, but there are requirements for being a Hufflepuff."
Prefect Judy said solemnly:
"I hope you will engrave this in your hearts!"
"We are upright and steadfast, we are honest and kind, we treat everyone equally, we are fair and just."
"We are hardworking and simple, we are unafraid of hardships, we have great love in our hearts, we are loyal to nature."
"We are Hufflepuff!"
After these words were spoken, all the Young Wizards couldn't help but feel their hearts swell, 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, the light screen appeared.
[Detecting...]
[Extracting keywords...]
[magic talent, Young Wizard, firm belief, good qualities...]
[Matching...]
Karl never expected that this time, it was all the Hufflepuff new students, including himself, who triggered the light screen.
[Match successful!]
[Summoning Hero: Milio, the Gentle Flame!]
A young boy about Karl's age appeared in the vortex in the middle of the light screen, with a warm and friendly smile on his face.
He carried a uniquely shaped backpack, surrounded by Fire Treasures of various sizes.
After making eye contact with Karl, Milio's image transformed into flames.
[Milio: The light in each of our hearts, the warmth within... became my flames.]
[Milio, the Gentle Flame, independently mastered the Axiom of Flame, and with the help of love and nature, comprehended the Soothing Flame that can heal life.]
[Milio has taught you the Axiom of Flame, and you have gained Soothing Flame.]
[Milio believes that flames do not necessarily bring destruction; he feels the heart-fire in his heart and in nature.]
Karl looked at the left side of the light screen, below his avatar.
Vastayan Xayah Form Change - Jungle Cat.
Ixtali Axiom of Flame - Soothing Flame.