The younger witch's clear pride in Slytherin made Jez smile a little. There was something - not childish, precisely, but certainly youthful about that response, and it was nice to see. She could even relate to a certain degree; her fondness for Hufflepuff had only grown since leaving Hogwarts, thanks to nostalgia. And there was something nice and simple about the Houses that the real, adult world lacked.

"Yeah. I'm Mkichaa. If I see that stupid Hat again I'll reduce it to ash. Who knew a piece of clothing could be so irritating."

For example, in school, these two people would not have interacted in any civil manner. But they were grown-ups now, even if Jez didn't always feel like one, and she had learned that plenty of Slytherins had turned out to be quite likeable. Right now, this ex-Slytherin had amused her, and she smiled properly as she approached the table. They had the same attitude towards a certain clothes accessory, and that caused Jez's hackles to fall.

"I wonder if it was conjured that way," she mused, "or if it learned how all by itself. And talk about vague! It told me to come here and kill monsters but didn't think to say, 'by the way, they're non-native creatures so be prepared for that'." A scowl came to her features. "I was only halfway here when a Typhon tried to eat me. Bloody Hat."

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