For Hika, my fellow Hufflepuff and Co-Author for this fic. Happy Birthday!

For September 1st, 2017. 19 years later.

ALSO: this story is a bit AU. Sometime after the War, Hermione and Luna joined forces and wrote the Harry Potter books. Luna was the one that came up with the idea to publish them in the Muggle World. All the proceeds go to a foundation to help orphans and muggleborns.

'We're going to be late, Weasleys never seem to get anywhere on time. Even the ones named Potter.' Harry thinks with some amusement.

They're trying to get through the crowded Station, James and Albus sticking near him and Ginny keeping a hold of Lily's hand so she won't get lost in the mass of people. Harry looks around some and realizes it's more crowded than normal and that there are a lot of muggles around in House Colors near Platform 9 ¾ which he finds unusual and alarming. As they get nearer he can see that most of them are talking to each other in excitement.

'Oh, here we go.' he thinks in resignation.

Harry is already resigning himself to getting mobbed when he hears two people shouting at each other. When he's by the Entrance he turns and looks, curious despite himself.

One has a Gryffindor scarf on and the other is dressed in a lot of Hufflepuff colors.

"Stop talking shit about Hufflepuff, you jerk!" the Hufflepuff shouts.

Harry startles and stares at them in surprise. Most people still don't think much of Hufflepuff.

"Hufflepuffs are pathetic and can't do anything! At least Slytherin is worth something!" the Gryffindor bellows back.

Harry winces. He doesn't expect this to go well and it doesn't. The Hufflepuff slams a fist in the Gryffindor's face. The Gryffindor stumbles back and stares before running away.

The Hufflepuff, and he really needs something else to call them, shakes out their hand and takes a deep breath. They seemed to have noticed the attention they've drawn and cringes.

They take another breath, walks over to a bench and sits down. They've started looking around and he sees a multitude of emotions pass over their face too quick to decipher. Though shock is a main one. They've noticed him and Harry is very surprised when they take another breath and steel themselves as if they're about to do something unexpected. They get up and march straight to him. They stick their hand out and open their mouth, what comes out surprises him.

"Mister Potter, you don't know me, but I just wanted to say thank you. You gave me a lot of hope growing up." they say.

He's already shaking their hand and he loosens it in shock. He knows he's staring. He's used to being thanked, especially after the War and defeating Voldemort, but not for that. They smile slightly, nod their head, then walk away. Their head held high.

And Harry smiles.

Because bravery and courage isn't just a Gryffindor trait and he's sure that Cedric is smiling too, to see someone so proud to be a Hufflepuff.

Even a muggle.