Gift Making Pv Closed

@Adlai Rod

Friday afternoon. A good time for Opeila. Some free time for the young Slytherin, a break from the lessons. It was not like Opeila didn't like the lessons, she still found them very fascinating, but it was still nice to do something else from time to time. Also it was christmas soon and Opeila had some presents to wrap. That was what the twelve year old planned to spend her afternoon on. Getting some presents done for her friends and writing some cards.

What better place was there for preparing presents than the study room? Well, for most houses probably the common room, but there was this thing with the Slytherins living underneath the great lake. The light was never really bright and not too good for card writing. Opeila sometimes did her homework there, but she also preferred to do them in the library or study room.

It was only around two more weeks until Christmas, and the castle already had this holiday atmosphere. Only few people were in the study room, with the snow and everything most wanted to go outside and spend their time building a snowman and having snowball fights- who could blame them?
When the second year looked for a place to sit, something caught her attention. Or someone rather. A girl around her age with a basket next to her, that was filled with... was that yarn?

Yeah, the girl was knitting. Or at least it looked like it. Darn, she was fast! Opeila couldn't help being impressed. That was a useful skill! Her grandmother used to knit scarfs and sweaters sometimes, but with magic. The needles worked on their own, so Opeila was never really sure if Lady Margary actually knew how to knit.
She only thought about it for a second, before she approached the girl. "Hi..", she said, her voice lowered. Even if there were only few, there were some students who wanted to study. And Opeila would give that priority in the study room. "You mind if I sit there? I don't want to distract anyone who is trying to study.", Opeila explained.

@Opeila Winters

Adlai's swift fingers abruptly stopped and her head snapped up once she had the soft voice of the girl who now stood next to her. She had long, somewhat wavy brown hair and green eyes...Adlai had never seen such green eyes. The girl also looked young meaning she wasn't too much older than her but she also didn't look young enough to be a first year. Absentmindedly she blinked, a long second of silence following it before she smiled and nodded before replying in a similar hushed tone, "Of course!"

Another long second of silence occurred until she lowered her head back down and began to knit again, this time at a much, much slower pace since her train of that had been broken and she was trying to figure out what exactly she was thinking about a moment ago.

After a few more seconds she gave up and started thinking of something new, something to do with packaging...yes packaging. She wasn't entirely sure how she would package or rap these gifts. She wasn't even sure if she would get them done before break. If she finished them after break she was sure her friends wouldn't find a late gift, would they?

The girl stared at her for a while. Only before Opeila started to feel really uncomfortable, she allowed the Slytherin to sit at the same table. She had looked at the girl as well. It was not the first time Opeila had seen her, one met in corridors and classes, and she was one of the people who stood out in the corridors. Not because of her behavior, but because she covered her hair. The Slytherin had seen that before of cause and she was not the only one in Hogwarts who did so, but she stood out in her year with it nontheless. Opeila was not too familiar with other religions, but she was aware, that it was part of one. She didn't dare to ask. Not that she knew really, but was it rude to ask a stranger about religion? Opeila decided to stay safe on that side. No reason to make enemies upon first meeting.

"Thank you., she murmured before sitting down. Opeila felt a little awkward. Should she talk to the girl? Or should she get out her gifts and wrapping paper and get done with it?
"I'm Opeila by the way.", she told the girl, before measuring some wrapping paper. She placed the gift she wanted to wrap on top and moved it around a little, carefully holding the paper over it without wrinkling it. Finally she took out her wand and pointed it at the paper. "Diffindo.", she said firmly, her voice still lowered. She nodded when the paper had the right size. The Slytherin didn't want to rip the paper apart with her hand, she preferred it cleanly cut like this. Opeila then looked at the knitting work in the other girl's hands. "You are really good at this. Where did you learn that?", she asked her, impressed.

@Opeila Winters

"I'm Adlai, nice to meet you Opeila." She whispered to her now named peer. If Adlai had ever seen the Opeila before she probably didn't remember. Her thoughts have been swarmed with other pressing matters these past few months, so passing faces haven't been to much of a concern for her. Though Opeila did seem kind, which Adlai was glad about.

As Opeila began to work Adlai watched in awe as she used magic to wrap the gifts she had brought with her. She had never seen anyone do something like that. Her whole life she had been taught how to wrap gifts the manual way, however now knowing there was a magical way to do almost anything and everything, Adlai thought about how much easier the holiday time must be for witches and wizards.

Being brought out of her train of thought once more by Opeila with another question, Adlai looked down at her hands which were still knitting. She smiled, "I learned from my grandmother on my fathers side. I'm originally from Iceland you see, and as the name portrays, it is rather cold there." Though not as cold as Greenland. - She thought, recalling the tale of how the vikings named Iceland and Greenland to trick others.

Opeila smiled at the girl, who introduced herself as Adlai. Another girl with a name that was not too popular. The Slytherin was by now used to reacting to everything that was remotely close to her name, as well as seeing it misspelled and mispronounced all the time. Probably Adlai didn't have that problem, the sound of her name her name didn't leave so many options for spelling, but it was still nice to hear another unusual name from time to time.

Opeila carefully wrapped the magically cut pieces of paper around the gifts and sealed it with pieces of tape. It was her grandmother who taught her how to neatly wrap a present, she had seen it as a skill that every person should learn in their childhood. It always made a good impression. The Slytherin could remember her own frustration very well. Handwork such as knitting or origami or such had never been her strength- she was simply lacking the necessary patience. Not that Lady Margary would have ever accepted that excuse. Every weakness could be worked on, the old lady had been very convinced of that. Like so often, Opeila wished that she could just write her a letter...

Opeila looked at the girl, when she told her that she was originally from Iceland and that was why her grandmother taught her. "That is impressive! So you can knit clothes and such? My grandmother tried to teach me as well, but I never understood it and eventually she got annoyed with me tying knots into her yarn.", Opeila said chuckling. "What are you going to make out of that?", she asked, looking at the knitting that Adlai was currently doing.

@Opeila Winters

"Well, no body is good at something they just started, it takes practice. It look me a year and a half before I was able to knit something as simple as a pillow case properly." She said. "We all learn at our own pace in our own ways and there's nothing wrong with that." Unconsciously she was practically quoting her grandmother.

"I'm going to make some gloves for my friends. Winter seems to be getting colder and colder each year so it never hurts to have an extra pair or two." She said now completely embodying the nature of her dear sweet granny Fjola, who always made sure her granddaughters were always warm during the harsh Icelandic winters.

"If you like perhaps we can find each other again after the winter break and I can try to teach you? Only if you'd like though." Adlai liked to teach people new things, especially new things they seemed to be very interested in or passionate about. It made her feel like she was putting something good out into the world, which was honestly all she ever wanted to do with her life. Though in a way it was a bit selfish.

"Yeah, I guess so.", Opeila responded to the Hufflepuff's comment that everyone learned at their own pace. "I just completely lack the patience to try for so long.", she added with a slight smile. "I get frustrated very quickly." The Slytherin likely had that from her grandmother. As wise as she had been, as impatient she had been as well. From all the adults she had grown up with, Opeila had always felt the closest to the old woman.

Adlai told Opeila that she was making gloves for her friends. "That is a great idea. I always feel like the scottish winters are colder than the english ones." It was true. During her first year, Opeila had quickly realized, that her wintercoat from home could not protect her from the icy winds. Since she lived in Finland, this was different. Opeila owned many warm clothes now, which was also very necessary. God, she missed England so much...
"Where are you from? ...If I may ask.", Opeila quickly added, curiously looking at the girl.
The Slytherin had met many kids her age, who preferred keeping as many secrets as possible, so she wouldn't even be too surprised if the girl decided not to tell her in which country she was living.

But it seemed that this girl was a social one, not hiding from the possibilities of making new connections, but rather seeking them out. She offered Opeila to meet her again after winter break to teach her how to knit. "I- Sure! If you'd like... I'm really bad at it though." Opeila chuckled and continued to wrap her presents. "Thank you for the offer."
The young girl felt grateful, for more than one reason. She hadn't realized why this memory seemed to just stay with her, but now... Lady Margary was dead. And Opeila had a feeling, that the old woman would be proud to see her not giving up on building her skills. Even now, that she was gone.

@Opeila Winters

"That's ok, even I get frustrated with it sometimes." she started, "either it's because the pattern is too difficult or the yearn won't cooperate or my needles have gone dull somehow. We all have our moments may it be with one thing or another." She continued to loop the yarn around the needles which eventually added to the glove she was working on.

"That is a great idea. I always feel like the scottish winters are colder than the english ones." Opeila said which made Adlai smile. "They really can be, especially when there are high winds. That's when I really don't like having classes outside."
Opeila then asked where she was from which she was happy to answer. "I'm originally from Iceland but I've lived in Wales since I was eight. So the cold I something I know pretty well." She joked. "I don't mind it though since I get to make stuff like this!" She held out a finished glove and laid it down with its other matching half. Taking some different yarn she started to work on what should be her last pair.

"Of course I'll teach you! I think more people need to know how to knit anyway it's very useful!" she said, trying to keep her voice down. "Let's just hope that after winter break I won't have to teach you how to make scarves or gloves, coasters and stuffed animals are much more fun though not as useful."

Adlai began to explain why she sometimes found it difficult herself- and pretty much lost Opeila after 'the pattern is too difficult'. The young Slytherin didn't have enough experience to agree or disagree. But she was certainly right with her claim that everyone had difficulties somewhere.

The Hufflepuff told her that she didn't like having classed outside because of the temperature. "Oh me neither. For one it is cold and then I doubt that I'll need Herbology and Flying for whatever I want to do with my life after Hogwarts. Hm, but I could imagine that I would like Care of Magical Creatures when we get it next year. Man, I can't wait for third year, we get new subjects and permission to go to Hogsmeade on the weekends!" Right after she finished, she looked around, sending apologizing looks to those who had turned around when the Slytherin had raised her voice a little.

"That's super nice of you, thanks." Opeila was amazed by Adlai's friendliness. It was said to be a typical Hufflepuff trait, but Opeila had grown fond of some members of that house for many different reasons. The Slytherin bent over the table to have a look at the gloves. "That's really amazing, I'd love to learn how to knit stuffed animals."

The rest of the gifts were wrapped quickly and Opeila put her tools back into her bag. "I actually have to get going.", she said with a glance at the clock, "It was great to meet you Adlai, thanks for letting me keep you company." Opeila got up from her chair and put her bag over her shoulder, before she turned to the door to leave the Study Room.