The Hufflepuff common room was located in the basement of the castle, beneath the entrance hall. Access is neither a password nor a riddle, but a secret knock on a stack of barrels near the kitchens. Tap the correct barrel and rhythm and you're in; get it wrong and you'll find yourself drenched in vinegar.

A set of wide, flat, stone steps led downwards to a large, low-ceilinged room filled with cozy armchairs and sofas. The walls were lined with small, round windows and the room was filled with a warm, golden light. The centerpiece of the room was a large, circular fireplace that cast a cozy glow throughout the room. A number of round doors led off from the common room, each leading to the dormitories for the students of Hufflepuff House.