The first time Hufflepuff had heard of Ravenclaw was when Slytherin had come back from one of Snape’s classes smiling. They had asked if Hufflepuff knew of Ravenclaw and since they hadn’t, that had been it.
They had spent the afternoon cuddling in Slytherin’s bed, tracing each others skin and Slytherin had even booped their nose which was unusual but Hufflepuff thought nothing of it.
The second time Hufflepuff heard of Ravenclaw, they knew Slytherin had made a friend because they were smiling when talking of how Ravenclaw had sassed them into silence and they were happy for them.
They had celebrated with stealing into the kitchen’s to have some of the pie left over from the day’s dinner and when Hufflepuff had mentioned the word ‘friend’, Slytherin hadn’t objected but smiled at their tart.
Hufflepuff was glad that their usually alone Slytherin had made a friend and they often heard of stories and conversations that made them laugh till their stomach ached but they often wondered why Slytherin didn’t just introduce them to each other.
It was alright by Hufflepuff if Slytherin wanted to keep their friends and partner separate but why didn’t they just say so? Were they going to make it a surprise introduction?
The uncertainty, however, came on the day Ravenclaw gifted Slytherin cookies.
Only Hufflepuff knew that Slytherin had a sweet tooth only for cookies because it’s what their mother got them on their way back home when they were a kid. Did Ravenclaw know too? Were they that close? Why hadn’t they been introduced yet?
Hufflepuff had tears dripping on the table when Slytherin noticed their silent crying but no matter what, they wouldn't tell of what had made them cry.
Slytherin was left to wonder what had Hufflepuff crying as though they were in pain and why they just sobbed harder when they tried to comfort them with cookies. Was Hufflepuff feeling insecure about themselves? Why weren’t they telling them? Had someone said something to Hufflepuff? They would meet with Slytherin’s wrath if they had.
That night, Hufflepuff lay in bed and pondered over their relationship with Slytherin. Sure, Slytherin was a secretive person but did that mean they wouldn’t introduce their best friend to their partner? Or did they mean that little to Slytherin? Were they just a passing fling to Slytehirn? And what of Ravenclaw? Now that they were important to Slytherin, were they going to be more important? Were they going to become Slytherin’s favourite person?
No. Hufflepuff would not pay heed to these thoughts. Yes, people could change but Hufflepuff would give them the chance; choice; freedom to change. They wouldn’t restrict Slytherin.
If Slytherin was happier with Ravenclaw then they would allow them to leave.
Coming to the conclusion was hard. Regardless, Hufflepuff pushed other thoughts aside and tried to sleep.
Slytherin’s happiness is what mattered most. Not their pain. They wouldn’t guilt Slytherin into staying with them.
Their sleep was fitful and it showed in how they slouched throughout the day, how their eyes seemed to close for a little bit longer each time they blinked and more obviously in how they had fallen asleep during Trewlany’s divination.
Slytherin snickered as they told Ravenclaw of the absent-minded things Hufflepuff had done throughout the day.
“They always are absent minded when they’re sleepy” Slytherin said.
“Sounds adorable” Ravenclaw enthused. They quite liked Hufflepuff based on what Slytherin had told them and they were happy for the two lovebirds but they were absolutely repulsed by Slytherin turning into a soft, mushy person. They just didn’t know what to say or do around them so they much preferred Slytherin’s sarcastic, competitive side.
The uncertainty between Slytherin and Hufflepuff continued leaving Slytherin concerned for whatever was keeping Hufflepuff’s spirits low and leaving Hufflepuff wondering just when Slytehrin would announce that they were leaving them for Ravenclaw.
It came to fruition one day when Hufflepuff saw Slytherin and Ravenclaw leaving a butterbeer shop together, both slightly drunk and shoving each other.
Hufflepuff met Slytehrin’s and hot rage burned through them because when was the last time Slytherin had played with them? If they liked Ravenclaw so much, they should just be with them instead!
They turned around and stalked away only ofr Slytherin to turn them around to ask ‘What’s wrong?’ but Hufflepuff beat them to it with something that left them floundering.
“Just go be with them!”
“What?”
“Ravenclaw! You like them more than you like me!”
“Who told you that?”
“I know you do!” Hufflepuff tried to yell but they were sobbing and trying to wipe away snot.
Their fight was brought to an end when it was announced that it was time to go back.
They walked back and sat together on the way to Hogwarts.
Slytherin’s heart ached with the way Hufflepuff refused to look at them while Ravenclaw wondered if Hufflepuff would separate them and Slytherin. They didn’t seem like the type but they had said something about Slytherin preferring them. It seemed that they were insecure.
Was Slytherin not spending enough time with them? Or maybe….. And on and on went Ravenclaw’s mind, analysing Slytherpuff’s dynamic and looking for a solution for them.
When they got down from their carriage, Ravenclaw held Slytherin back as Hufflepuff stalked forward to their dorms.
“You should give them some time to cool off and vent” they said.
Slytherin was too sad to reply, so they just nodded and went off to the Slytherin dormitories to ponder - Was their relationship over?
The next day, Slytherin avoided looking for Hufflepuff during breakfast.
By their second class they had forced enough courage to talk to Hufflepuff about what was bothering them.
Though Hufflepuff looked at them, they were quiet and told them to meet them after by the lake after class.
Slytherin felt tears pricking the back of their eyes as they nodded. Hufflepuff is going to break up with me.
By the time class ended, Slytherin was prepared. They would show no emotion, give no sign that they were bothered by the breakup but they were surprised into exclaiming “what!?” when hufflepuff asked if they loved Ravenclaw.
“I- I thought you did. That’s why - I - I’m sorry” Hufflepuff was fidgeting with their robe as they spoke “I should have talked to you first - I just couldn’t help myself when you two walked out - and -” they broke off and stared at the ground, feeling guilty.
“You thought I loved Ravenclaw?”
“Yes?”
“I love YOU”
Huflepuff looked up and Slytherin saw their own insecurities flash in Hufflepufff’s eyes “But you don’t tell me - and - they’re more likeable and they even understand you - and - and -and i don't even understand sarcasm. I always miss it.” Hufflepuff finished miserably. “I just think you’d be better with them”
Slytherin never, ever wanted to hear this again. Never wanted Hufflepuff to feel insecure about themselves and they never would be the reason for Huff’s pain.
“I can break it off with them”
“What?”
“I’ll never meet them again”
“What - No!”
“You don’t like it - I won't meet them. Just don’t feel like you’re not the most important person to me”
“Slytehrin, listen - I want you to have friends, okay?”
“You don’t”
“I do” but there was something Hufflepuff wasn’t saying.
“Then what is it?”
“I just, feel so left out. I - Would you - Can I, be in your friend group?”
“That’s it?”
“Huh?”
“That’s all? You just wanted to meet Ravenclaw?” Slytherin was starting to smile. Hufflepuff wasn’t sure what to make of the growing joy on Slytherin’s face.
“I thought I wasn’t important enough”
Slytherin’s face momentarily crumpled before they swooped Huff into their arms to swing them and kissed them, delighted that their fight was over.
“NEVER. NEVER think that you aren’t important to me” they said and gently put them down.
Hufflepuff still looked unsure, so Slytherin cupped their face, met their eyes and said with solemnity - “You’re my hufflepuff. You’re always- you- “ their mouth was dry but they pressed on “ You’re important to me. Never question that.
And I can leave Ravenclaw if you want. It’s okay”
“No. It’s nice that you have friends. I was just insecure. I’m sorry”
At that Slytehrin smiled a sad smile. They knew the feeling all too well. If only they could protect Hufflepuff from feeling ‘not enough’ but they also knew that nothing could truly take the feeling away so they took Hufflepuff in their arms and held them close; hoping to convey comfort the way Hufflepuff liked- with a hug.