Goblin' It Up Errand

Halloween had never been something celebrated in the Lightwood household. Sarah’s only experience with the holiday was almost five years ago, when her older brother had brought her back some sweets from Hogwarts to share. Albert told her stories of the other students, all dressed up and eating more sweets than she could possibly imagine. Trick or treating. It was something Albert had told her about; one of his muggle-born friends from the school had explained it and Sarah was immediately enraptured by the entire holiday. She’d done what research she could on All Hallows' Eve, learning of the history and the traditions. Admittedly, some of it was dark, darker than she’d expected, but it hadn’t deterred her. She’d always had a love of all things dark and spooky. Having grown up in a huge manor house she’d had to get used to creaking stairs and long dark hallways for all her life, witnessed the death of her mother and brother when she was far too young, so there was very little left for her to be afraid of.

The night for the Trick-or-Treat event had rolled around quickly, and Sarah was bursting with excitement. Sarah had missed the holiday in her first year, her father calling her home for ‘important family business’. Sarah saw through him, knowing he’d much rather her not experience anything which was at all connected to the muggle world, especially their traditions. This year her father had been unable to drag her home, something Sarah was eternally grateful for.

From Albert’s words all those years ago, she knew that she was going to be getting sweets, and after asking around the common room, she’d figured out that carrying around a pillowcase was customary to carry them in. She’d of course selected a black one which matched her costume perfectly. It seemed a strange custom, to go around knocking at stranger’s houses and asking for treats. The pessimist within her told her just how unsafe it sounded. Not at Hogwarts though. She knew the castle intimately, and knew she was safe there.

Sarah wanted this to be a night to remember. The ball had been everything she’d ever dreamed of – the dancing and dresses and decorations – and she hoped tonight would be the same.

Her first stop of the evening was the library. She made her way towards the doors, glancing at the table just beside it. Her mouth had immediately broken into a wide grin at the sight of the large inkwell, full to the brim with quills. "Fantastic," she muttered to herself, stepping close to realise they weren’t ordinary quills. She noted a couple stood just in front of her and watched as the boy turned to speak. He looked familiar and Sarah wracked her mind as to remember why. A few moments passed before the image of a boy falling from a tree flitted across her eyes. Henry, she recalled. She hesitated, unsure whether she should speak to him. He seemed preoccupied, invested in a conversation Sarah didn’t particularly want to interrupt. In the end, her excitement for the holiday won over her usual lack of desire to interact with people and she spoke.

“Is Halloween always like this?” She found herself asking as she plucked a quill from the jar and it bent over in her hand. She giggled as she set it into her pillowcase and moved over to the collection of chocolates. She picked one up, looking it over before adding it to her collection and picking up four more. “It was Henry, right?” Sarah asked, turning to the boy and hoping he didn’t mind her interrupting. She considered bringing up the tree, asking if he’d fallen out of any recently, but bit back the friendly quip. She didn’t want to embarrass him after all.

Open to Interactions!
Interacting with @Henry Knight and @Sarah Lightwood
Mentioning @Heather Blair Moretti

It was Halloween, and that meant something to enjoy at Hogwarts. Back home near London, Halloween meant spending the few days before and after avoiding her brother, and his various "tricks". It got tiring, but was fun in its own way...until she got caught up in something she'd rather have avoided. Fortunately, Halloweens at Hogwarts had proved to be much better during her first year, compared to her previous standards. Now Miranda had equally high hopes in place for this year. And hopefully they'd be surpassed, especially since she'd be spending the evening trick or treating with her newly revealed boyfriend, Henry Knight.

In preparation, she'd taken a small shoulder bag sent to her by her family house elf over owl mail and had painted a few details onto the black cloth. It now resembled a dark sky with wispy clouds covering a painted-on moon. Not all of the lines looked to best, but it was quite good compared to someone of Miranda's artistic ability. Perhaps her time working with Heather on her art had actually helped. Perhaps.

She and Henry were headed in the direction of the library, something Miranda found amusing. Even when taking a break from studying, she couldn't seem to avoid the place. But it wasn't like the place was associated with bad memories, so Miranda had done nothing to resist visiting there.

"I wonder what quill goes with that inkwell," Miranda replied when Henry remarked upon the large glass container. "It would have to be huge. Maybe the librarian borrowed it from a giant." She smiled to show she was joking, then sidled a bit closer and pulled one of the definitely not giant-sized quills out, startling when she realized how easy it was to bend. At first Miranda thought she'd broken it, but her expression became one of fascination when she realized it was just naturally spongy.

"I wonder what spell was used on this," she murmured, poking the surface as her natural curiosity shot to the surface. Henry brushed his quill against her hand, and she stopped her train of thought to smile at him, tucking her own into her bag. "It is, isn't it? I might use mine too...or just give it to my brother. He'd get a kick out of it." If Cedar didn't get his own, that was. Miranda glanced at the marker saying students were only allowed one quill each. She wouldn't have put it past him to take more, so perhaps he'd be the one giving them to her, instead.

Following Henry's example, she grabbed five vampire kisses, but only four made it to her bag as the last slipped from her fingers. Miranda didn't bother retrieving it, and instead focused on the question she'd just been asked.

"Oh, I don't know," she began, cocking her head to the side as she thought it over. Answers rarely tended to be simply with her. "We usually do it a bit different than normal. At home, really. Edymal brings some treats, and I spend the day avoiding Cedar and his "tricks"." Despite the eye roll she did at the mention of her brother, a smile persisted and her expression was one of fond amusement. "As for our next stop..." There was a thoughtful pause. "Maybe the flying pitch? I heard there's stuff there, and if might be interesting."

An unfamiliar voice made Miranda turn around, and she found herself facing a girl that could only be described as...green. Green hair, green eyes, green paint. The black and white of her clothing didn't do much to tone it down. It seemed she was familiar with Henry, which didn't surprise Miranda in the least. Half the people she met seemed to know him from somewhere.

WC: 625/300
Complete, but will continue to post

Interacting with: @Sarah Lightwood @Henry Knight @Miranda Everest @Allie Lewis

Paisley's excitement level was truly as high as it could be that Haloween night. Despite the amazing fun she had been having all week, she now got to go trick-or-treating throughout the school, with one of her closest friends, Allie.

Paisley's pirate costume was that of great sewing skills, as she had added her own taste to the base of the dress. A bit of golden thread here, a feather there, and voila! The regular old costume had turned into something beautiful and unique that truly fit Paisley's style. Her favorite piece of the ensemble was the face paint that covered her face, turning her into a skeleton pirate. Unless someone knew her well, they would most defenitly not recognize her.

The young Gryffindor's hands were shaking, as they always were, that haloween night. She loved the holiday without a doubt, but she was easily frightened, and the halls that were adorned with decorations were eerie and quite creepy. She had stayed close to her group of students, not daring to travel off alone. She let her mind wander for a moment, already able to feel the crazy about of sugar ready to enter her body. She brought herself quickly back to earth, however, when she tripped over someone.

Despite it being so dark and decorated, she still knew her way to the library. When the large group of students thinned out to go their separate ways, she kept walking steadily on towards her destination, where Allie had said she wanted to go first. They were to meet there, as they had both come from different common rooms, and it wouldn't make sense to meet up somewhere else. When she arrived at the door, she was greeted by a familiar sight: Sarah. She'd know the hesitant and refraining look by now.

"Sarah?" she waved. "The teachers really did a great job, didn't they? With the decorating? Oh, it's me, Paisley." she said, looking around, all the while still walking over. She then stood near the second year casually. Her eyes then came to focus on 2 students she knew of, but hadn't ever spoken to. She hadn't realized they were standing there before because of the dim lighting, but she immediately recognized them as werewolves from a club she was in. And the boy...where had she seen him before? A tree, perhaps? FEAFR? Was he the boy who was in the tree? She shrugged. It wasn't important where she knew them, she just needed to find Allie.

"Hi! Happy halloween!" with that she bounced away, leaving them to their conversation. She looked around for Allie, and when she saw her, she waved.

"Allie!" her grin only widened. This was going to be fun! "Look, a candy bowl. I wonder what's in there?"

WC: 476/300
Will continue to post

Lea had already gone to the Small Hall. If anyone were truly paying attention, they would notice the remnants of such visits, a few small crumbs still scattered on her costume. But no one was likely that perceptive and if they were, they would likely not waste such abilities on a petite girl just wanting some more candy. Halloween was really the only thing that overshadowed her happiness of being able to find the library easy. Winding corridors and moving stairs had always been her nemesis (although, thankfully, stairs hadn't been necessary).

She hadn't even needed to step into the library- her second favorite place- to find the prize. Or, at the very least, what she thought was the prize. After all, it wasn't often that one spotted an oversized inkwell or quills being given out for free. Lea would watch it skeptically, waiting for something more. A trick? She wasn't sure, but nothing seemed to happen. Analysis complete, the hufflepuff took one of the quills with some hesitation. This hesitation, though, would only grow into suspicion as she felt the quill. It was squishy, almost like elastic or rubber. Nothing about the texture suggested quill except for the shape it couldn't keep still and the metal nib. It was a strange gift, one that the first year would offer a quick nod to before depositing in her bag. She could examine it more later.

Brown eyes would glance around to find their next prize- some chocolate kisses. Some normal candy- not that the cupcakes weren't good, but kisses and packaged candy reminded the muggleborn of Halloween more than baked goods did. The smile would grow as the sign read 5 kisses per person, happy to have underestimated the amount. Lea had thought that she'd only be able to take 3, but happily took her 5 instead. After all, chocolate was great.

Word Count: 312 / 300

Arriving from Astronomy. Closed to interactions, open to observation.

As was often stereotyped of the average Ravenclaw, one of Pericles' favorite places in Hogwarts was the library. He favored it for many of the reasons one ought to assume: a quiet atmosphere optimal for study, the resulting sense of sanctuary, and of course the rows upon rows of information. Beneath these commonplace attractions was a sense of sentimentality. The lad had met a handful of new faces in the library, some of which had become his friends. It harbored near and dear memories for him, recollections he cherished, and tonight would surely add to them. He approached the doors with an edge of eagerness to his step.

The display was delighting. A chocolate was picked from the bunch, though young Pericles suffered far-sightedness; he could carry on just fine without glasses, but he could not read well without them. He ducked his head to draw off the feathered mask, and without it obscuring his faulty vision, raised the tiny paper scroll with a squint. As soon as he deciphered what they were called, he carefully set it back in the bowl. He would skip out on chocolates (for "Vampire Kisses", he could only assume, contained actual blood just as Blood Pops did). Far more enticing was the collection of quills. Pericles coveted quills. He had ample collections of calligraphy materials, to be sure, yet who couldn't benefit from an extra? Oh, but the jollity did not end there. It was a floppy quill! A rare and true novelty!

One might also say it was stereotypical for a Ravenclaw to be elated over all the potential of a quill. What was atypical was the desire which followed: the will to ignore good form and take a second. There were no signs dictating they take one as there had been at the Astronomy room. Surely, he reasoned with himself, that must mean there was no limit? And even if there was, what harm could he do taking an extra? It wouldn't even be for himself. There was an especially attractive one, its feather a decadent shade of mulberry red, which could be given to one of said friends he had met at that same library. One among them was a bit of a kleptomaniac, though he pretended not to notice. She in particular might appreciate the gesture, and if not her, he could keep it as a silly spare for the next student who said they forgot their quill, asking to borrow one of his. How funny their faces would be when he handed them a flaccid feather. It was all in good fun. He reached to take another.

The quill was swift and merciless. Before his fingers could close on its squishy surface, it swooped out of the inkwell and towards his face, pointy end first. Instinct overcame reason, sending his body stumbling into action: one hand fumbled frantically for his wand while the other gracelessly tried to bat the damned thing away. Yet it was quick, driven doggedly by magic, and the damage was done. Before poor Pericles even knew what exactly had happened to him, the quill was back in its proper place. He was left startled and wide-eyed, glancing about in a shocked daze, before sensibility returned enough for him to fish a pocket watch from his costume. With a click, its lid popped ajar, and he hastily held the mirror before his face.

Pericles' jaw dropped. He was horrified. Greedy? Him? Greed was the sin of gluttonous heirs, whose obsession with possessions gave all noblepersons the reputation of wealthy stuck-ups! Greed was the downfall of respectable businesspersons and entrepreneurs! Had he been greedy, wanting to give something to someone else...? A panicked attempt was made to touch the ink, yet somehow, it was already bone dry. The boy promptly crammed his mask back on and turned about-face, hurrying away from the scene of his crime.

Exiting to Ballroom.

Reducio

Credit: The sketch was drawn by my friend and can be seen in full here.
The watch was a royalty free image plucked from Google.

Halloween had always been a big event in the Lupus household. Surprisingly, the biggest supporter of the spooky, magical holiday was Molly’s mother, the muggle. Each and every year Molly would help her mother along with other faculty members to decorate the muggle school and put on a Halloween trick or treat treasure hunt. Her mother went all out even down to the costumes. Molly’s dad played along as well doing his part but he always seemed to laugh at the muggle spooky tricks like adding dry ice to a bowl of punch that looked like a cauldron ”You know my love real cauldrons don’t often look like that” Molly distinctly heard her father tell his mother one year but he was quickly hushed and her mother pretended she hadn’t heard a word.

The fun at the school always ended with a ‘fright night’ in the gym where members of staff jumped out of decorations made of tissue paper and cotton wool to frighten the young students. After this Molly and her parents would walk around the street knocking on doors and she would always end the night sat on the sofa sharing her spoils whilst the family watched a scary movie followed by ghost stories at Molly’s bedtime.

Leading up to Halloween this year Molly had been sad that she would not be carrying out this family tradition, so she was overjoyed to find out that Hogwarts had its own form of trick or treating. Although she would not be spending the whole night with her parents she would at least be able to have some fun and she had a feeling that with real magic, her father had always refused to do any charms for Halloween, it would be the most exciting it had ever been.

Earlier in the week Molly had written to her mother and asked for some help and advice about what to do for a costume. She did not want anything too elaborate and eye catching. The last thing Molly wanted to be was the centre of attention. In response her mother and father had sent her a parcel including a long white lab coat, some plastic test tubes and beakers and a pair thick rimmed glasses with no lenses. Molly’s mother had included a note that read:

My dearest Molly,
I thought it might be fun to dress up as a scientist and show that there is a way to make ‘potions’ without magic.
All my love Mum x

Molly had loved the idea and was now, as her mother suggested, dressed up as muggle scientist complete with a beaker containing bright pink coloured water. It was the simplest costume she had ever worn for Halloween, but she found it to be quite effective as she stood outside the library amongst other students who were wearing their costumes.

Her eyes landed on the oversized inkwell full of brightly coloured quills. Molly had always loved new stationary; it was one of the most exciting things about going back to muggle school. Since being at Hogwarts it had taken her some time to get used to using a quill to write with but now, she loved it and the prospect of a brand-new quill filled her with joy. She plunged her hand into the inkwell trying to reach the bottom so she did not know what colour she would retrieve, not knowing was part of the fun after all. Withdrawing her hand Molly noted that she had hold of a purple quill whilst in her hand though the feather end seemed to sag and become bendy. Molly ran her thumb across the metal nib of the quill this still felt solid and therefore would still be functional. Clearly a charm had been cast on the quill as a little trick and it made Molly giggle slightly as she moved aside to let another student take their turn in the inkwell.

After playing with the feathered end of the quill for a moment Molly placed it into the top pocket of her lab coat. Still smiling at the small prank, she moved onto the other treat that was available. Vampire kisses. These were completely foreign to Molly; she had never tried them, and she was not sure whether they would be her cup of tea. She hesitated for a moment and then took three and placed them into the left side pocket of her lab coat. She decided to wait until later to try them and began to make her way to the next trick or treat spot within the castle.

Word count: 765/300

Open to Interactions!
Interacting with @Paisley Brown
Costume

Allie had gotten ready to go trick or treating around Hogwarts thirty minutes before she needed to. She was just so excited for the night that she couldn't help herself, and maybe it was a good thing as well since her hair had taken a considerable amount of time to arrange. The Ravenclaw was dressing up as a goddess that night, in a beautiful white and gold dress. She was also wearing a few accessories and her hair had been done up in an elaborate style she thought matched it perfectly. Giving herself one last look in the mirror inside the Ravenclaw dorm rooms, Allie slipped out the door and into the corridors.

The many halls in Hogwarts were covered in spooky decorations and full of students wearing different types of costumes. On her way to the Library where Paisley had agreed to meet her, the first year passed princesses, angels, demons, and so many others she lost count of them all. She also passed a few older students who hadn't gotten dressed up at all, something she didn't really understand. Halloween night was, in her mind, mainly for dressing up. Of course there was the candy as well, but. . . that didn't matter as much to Allie.

Arriving at the Library doors, the young girl heard her friend's voice wishing someone a happy Halloween but couldn't pinpoint exactly where it was coming from since there were many other students crowded there already and a few of them were in costumes. Realizing she didn't even know what Paisley was going to be dressed up as, Allie stood on tiptoe to search the group. She didn't even notice that her friend was waving at her until she spoke: "Allie!" Glancing up, she finally saw her friend and smiled.

"Hi Paisley!" She then spun around once to show off her costume. "Like it? My hair took so long. . . I love yours!" Her friend was dressed in a detailed pirate costume that had a ginormous feather sticking up out of the hat. Allie laughed when she noticed it, realizing just how fun this Halloween night was really going to be. When Paisley mentioned the candy bowl, she spun around to look at it. "Ooh, yes! Let's check it out!" she led the way over to the bowl and her eyes widened when she saw what was inside. "Chocolate!" she exclaimed, taking a few pieces. Then her eye was drawn by the quills. Picking one up, she almost dropped it a few seconds later.

"Paisley, feel one of these!" she instructed her friend, motioning to the inkwell. She wanted to see the Gryffindor's reaction when she felt how squishy the quills were.

446/300 words: COMPLETE!
(Will continue posting)