Errand A warm welcome

Interactions: Mentions: @Aston Beckett | @Prat Pass

Date: September 26th Location: Small Hall

Outfit: x

- A warm welcome -

The new noticeboard going up in the small hall had not failed to escape Cass's attention (unlike many other things, like half of the stuff they were meant to be learning in class). There had been one put up last year too, though that one was for the graduating seventh years. At the time, Cass had barely known any of the students leaving to try and get jobs or whatever adults did in the outside world. Through one way or another though, they had managed to make the acquaintance of quite a few of the new firsties. Summer camp and just generally being a nuisance to everyone in sight had increased their social circle considerably.

What to write on this board for them however, was making Cass's brain hurt. Most of what first years clearly needed to know should be learnt through experience. How to have fun, and not sit around all day looking moody. All the secret passages and moving staircases and wonderful little things around the castle and it's grounds. All the people, because without them the place was just an empty shell. Writing down things like that was hard. Heck, writing down anything was hard. Maybe they should make some paper airplanes instead and throw them at firsties to welcome them properly.

Sadly, it had to be done. Seeing the Ito name on a welcoming message was important. Even if it was a welcoming message full of complete and utter nonsense. Grabbing a quill and dipping it in ink, they twirled it between their fingers to an unheard rhythm. The first bit was easy of course. You made the letter shapes and wrote something like "Dear first years, welcome to hogwarts, don't get lost and don't fall down holes and become stuck there for your entire time at this school". Dear first years was far to formal though. To all the short people was far to informal sadly, and a lot of them were freakishly tall. Who gave them the right to be taller than Cass? Cass had been looking forward all year to being able to look down on somebody, though only ever literally.

Fate was just cruel like that. Maybe they needed to get some high heels, though walking in them sounded terrifying. Exactly why they should try it! High heels would have to wait though. They had a message to right. In messy handwriting, they touched their quill to the page and began to write.

To all the new first years
Hello and welcome to Hogwarts! Though it's not a proper welcome till you have fallen down the gaps in the stairs at least twice, ran from staff in the corridors late at night and set at least one thing on fire illegally. Don't listen to all the speeches, unless they are telling you where the dorms are. Even then, still don't listen! Don't let them rob you of the adventure of the eventual camping trip after you can't find them. Don't let them rob you, full stop. Look after your quills and don't let people borrow them unless they are me, beacuse I will totally give them back I promise. Be careful of a boy named Aston, he likes to hide in trees and stalk people. Don't listen to his lies! Also you should totally join all the fun and legal games me and Prat run. It's the perfect welcoming experience! Oh, and the rules and just there for decoration really. But don't hurt people! Setting them on fire and knocking them off brooms and things is fineeee but don't hurt people. Whenever a teacher asks for your homework, use the secret code "your curtains sure look nice". There is no way this can go wrong ever.

Cass Ito

To the first years,
Hi, as I am really the worst person to have personal development advices from, I will just summarize my own first year experience. Four years ago, when I first arrived to Hogwarts, I still had my two parents. My cousin was in fifth year so I could go to him if anything happened. The year started out okay, I'm not a very talkative person so I didn't have many friends but that didn't bother me.
Life in Hogwarts was great. The classes were interesting, I had good grades, the Ravenclaw dorms were (they still are) nice, the food was good... But then easter break happened and then it was only me and my mother. After that, life got a little harder but I managed, big thanks to my cousin. I managed and now I'm here, fourth year, very good grades, still very introvert.
I know this is not the perfect, joyful message that's awaited, but it is a reality that could happen to anyone. So, if I have any advice to give, find someone older than you can trust.
Good luck I guess,
A. Blackwood-Varney

𝄥𝄞════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════𝄇

Alliasta went there to take another look at the writing hanging on the board she saw today. She didn't pay attention to this article in the morning, but now she was curious and wanted to take a closer look. There was something similar to the article hanging on the board last year. Ah, this time it was an event for first years.

Alliasta chuckled, this was actually a logical and very well thought out thing. Giving them our own advice for first years. This was definitely something Alliasta would agree with. She was also a first year last year. A new place is always difficult. especially a boarding place. Being away from family wasn't easy for anyone. It was even harder to go through this as an 11-year-old kid. But this place was definitely worth it. First-year students should also have known this.

== – ==〛‾‾∏‾‾〚== – ==

Hello First Years!

My own first year, I was really nervous. And sometimes I was shy. Actually rarely, because I'm used to crowds and meeting new people is not that difficult for me. But of course it will be difficult for some of you. So just relax a little and that it's okay. I promise almost everyone here is really friendly.

Professors are great when it comes to classes. They will definitely enable you to learn at your best. Don't try to cheat, this will seriously get you punished... Hey, I don't want to scare you with punishments. I'm just telling you to be good. But sometimes everyone wants to be naughty. So it would be better for you to do this without getting caught. Definitely don't get caught. You must be like a master. Hehe. It would definitely be action-packed. Okay, now I find myself advising you to be naughty...

Anyway, let's change the subject. Try to be an active person and not avoid most activities, this will help you find new friends and have fun.

Also be careful if you have a ferret as they seem to like to run away and explore the castle. Mine always runs away. Hehe and we can even introduce them if you want!

Have a Nice Day!

== – ==〛‾‾∏‾‾〚== – ==

Alliasta signed and checked for spelling mistakes, she always made typos when she was writing something excitedly. And yes, she was right to check. She made a few mistakes, she immediately corrected them and posted her advice there. She examined the other recommendations on the board and everyone wrote articles and encouragement that were as helpful as possible to the first years. And in some first years write thanks notes. This pleasant event made Alliasta's day even brighter.

Ability: Lovely Creature is in effect.
Calming Presence is in effect.

Word count: 428

Interacting: open! ────── Outfit Reducio Gryffindor uniform .║ .║ .║ ☽☾ .║ .║ .║ OOC notes Reducio Nopeeeee

»»————-　❂　————-«« ˗ˏˋ 𓅰 ˎˊ˗ 𓅭 ˗ˏˋ 𓅰 ˎˊ˗ 𝔹𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕘 ℍ𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕪 ℕ𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝔾𝕠𝕖𝕤 𝕆𝕦𝕥 𝕆𝕗 𝕊𝕥𝕪𝕝𝕖 »»————-　❂　————-««

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ּ ֶָ֢.𖡼𓋼𖤣𖥧𓍊𔓘𓍊𖥧𖤣𓋼𖡼 ּ ֶָ֢.

Banner created by the wonderful @Scout Fu-Hai! Thank you so much!

Brookline was reading, as usual when she wants to take a quick walk around the halls. Yes, believe or not, reading all during your leisurely free-time made your legs and arms and head and neck quite stiff. She saw a small crowd writing notes in the Small Hall. She realized it was just like it was last year, except you had to write notes to first years instead of seventh year.

Brookline saw two girls whom she knew very well, Sage Willows and Ophelia Northwell. She waved at them as they, one by one, walked out of the Small Hall, after pinning their hand written notes to the board. She decided, that she too, should write the little firsties a note too. The Welsh Ravenclaw skipped over to the table, trying to banish all bad thoughts before she spilled them all over the table. Even then, she didn’t need to cry over milk that hasn’t even split yet!

She gathered a quill and a piece of old yellowed parchment, Brookline smiled, she remembered all the adventures she had last year, so much better than the summer break. Holidays were overrated, in Brookline ’s eyes, school is much better. Homework was a good thing to do when you didn’t have any books to read, or pranks to prank. Homework is how learned things! Completely!

Scribbling on the parchment, Brookline wrote,

Hello, dear new firsties!

Did you know, first year here is the very start of your wizardry journey? Hogwarts is a great place to be at. Just don’t forget that one or two of the staircases has a false step. That hell of a false step will wreak chaos if you don’t keep one eye at the ground!

Remember homework is what makes you smarter. Don’t judge me just because I am a Ravenclaw but a lot of people know if you just do your homework, the lesson will get by quite quicker and easier. And homework is your friend! Perfects can bebut, they’re really just the same as you and me! Just don’t tick them off. I haven’t yet so have complete fun, with that!

Next, watch for the rules. Curfew and others are a biggie. Though I’ve missed curfew a couple of times.... Please, please, don’t turn out like me, a book addict who likes to prank. Also don’t you dare piss off the professors. They can get rude. Very much rude. But its because they’re grumpy from kids and students alike are always disrespecting or pranking them. And I don’t blame them.

Then, let loose and get ya some friends! Friends is what helps not go mad. My friends really helped me last year. But watch out for mean people. I’m saying anyone particularly, but if your gut says not to trust them, then don’t trust them. But remember to give them second chances. You never know when someone will turn around!

Lastly, just be a kind person! No need to go lurking around being rude to everyone you meet. If you want a friend, then just be a friend! That’s how to meet your friends!!

Thanks for listing to me. I’m not much older than you, but I hope you like my advice! I'm not sure how much advice, a little first year can take from me but y’know, advice can be found from all corners! I’ll bet you could advise me too! As
Warmly,

Brookline smiled, tacked the note on the board, then turned her heel, and walked out the Small Hall. She mentally told herself to go read another book.

ooc note: Brookline leaves the thread.

ּ ֶָ֢.𖡼𓋼𖤣𖥧𓍊𔓘𓍊𖥧𖤣𓋼𖡼 ּ ֶָ֢.

Hey, kid,

If you're reading this, I want you to know that you might hear some nasty things about Hogwarts just as much as you might hear great things. Whether amazing or horrible, only about half of the things you'll hear are true.

This is a school both like and unlike any other. There is drama, both the stupid inter-personal kind and the theatre kind, so if you're at all into acting, there are school plays every once in a while but I'd suggest avoiding the first type. There are balls, both the dance kind and the sports kind, and as someone who has experience with both, I'd suggest sticking to the latter no matter how much you like dressing up. And here, you'll meet the best people you've ever met right alongside the worst, and sometimes it's hard to tell the two types apart until the difference is right in front of your nose.

I hope this isn't scaring you away from this place, because really, it's magical - and not just literally imbued with magic, though if you see a bit of brightly-coloured light arcing through the air toward you, my best advice is to duck! Hogwarts will be a home to you unlike anything you ever expected. But, just like with any home, you have to learn it inside and out. Rise to the challenge, and you'll come out stronger than you knew you could be.

Lastly, if you walk by any patches of wildflowers on the grounds, give them some water and pick a few to keep with you. I've worked hard on those. Someone ought to enjoy them.

Good luck,
A.H.S.

WC: 635/400 (not counting the lyrics)

It was an afternoon, when classes were already over, and Elisa found herself alone again.

More than three weeks had passed from the start of term, but new first years were still found scurrying frantically about the corridors, trying to find the right staircase or doorway to a classroom. Though slightly irritated when one student bumped right into her, almost knocking her off balance, she could understand them - Hogwarts was a maze you only got used to by getting lost a dozen of times. Recalling her own first year experiences, Elisa was immediately drawn to the Small Hall with when hearing the news that a Ravenclaw Prefect had set up a little welcoming desk for the new eleven year old students.

That was where she was heading now. Entering the hall, her eyes searched around and found what she was looking for. There was a table, on which quills, parchment and ink were deposited neatly. There was a board, too, on which some messages addressing the first years were already hung.

Approaching it, the girl's eyes scanned the messages on the board.

Elisa knew she'd have to write something. That was what she came here for. But oh, how hard it was to phrase all she wanted to express into words?

Deep in thought, her hand reached towards a quill, dipped it in some ink, and took a piece of parchment in her other hand.

Bending down towards the table, she pushed her hair out of her face and rested the quill on the parchment. A dot formed, then a line, then letters and spaces, and phrases.

Dear First Years,

I will begin with introducing myself, so that you may know who's hand traced these letters. I am Elisa Wagner, second year student in the House of Slytherin.

It's been a few weeks of term already - how do you like Hogwarts so far? Have you been sorted into the House you were wishing?

I, for one, hadn't been. In the past, I had always imagined a Ravenclaw student - or at least, Hufflepuff, because of my caring nature and love of books. As you now probably know from the previous part of my letter, I am not under the Eagle nor the Badger, but the Serpent. I was shocked and scared at first, but now, I've come to accept the Sorting Hat's decision, and I wear my House colours proudly.

With that, I want to say - accept your house and be happy! There are full seven years awaiting you ahead!

Warm regards,
Elisa Wagner

She put down the quill, hung up the parchment, and taking a last glance at it, turned away and left.

472/400

Hiya!

I'm only a third year, but I've got some tips for younger students. Don't be afraid to have fun! Sure, classes can be tough and you might be busy, but don't forget to make some friends. If you're having a hard time with anything, ask for help! I don't struggle with outdoor classes, so I'm happy to help classmates with their flying. My grades aren't the best though, so I have to rely on my classmates and my teachers in return. (Thanks Mahlioz!)

It can be pretty scary being away from home, but it's a lot less scary when you're not alone. Your dorm mates are a great source for friends, or you can always go to the library! There's always someone there trying to study, and they'll usually let you sit with them and try to study too.

-Tes, Third Year Hufflepuff.
P.S. If you need a friend, come find me and say hi!
P.P.S You're not crazy, the halls and stairs do change. Just go with it and they'll get you to class eventually.

To all the half-human or non-human students,

You're not alone. I'm here, as well as all my friends. We're here for you, and you'll find us eventually. You'll be okay, Hogwarts treats us well and you'll find your people.

-A fellow werewolf student

Was it possible for time to go by quickly and yet be at a standstill? Colby had been feeling this very phenomenon since she entered the castle walls nearly a month ago. From leaving her parents and boarding the train to fighting off grindylows and whatever else live beneath the waters adjacent to the Hogwarts castle. And finally to be sorted into a house that an old, dusty hat determines for you and begin classes to learn and earn points for the house cup. So much has happened, and yet, not much at all.

While the beginning of the month had its adrenaline rush, things were feeling much more smooth in comparison. Colby would wake up, get dressed, attend classes, eat somewhere in between everything, and start over. The classes were engaging in comparison to muggle schooling. While history wasn't her cup of tea, classes with spells piqued Colby's interest. There was something about having tangible rewards with studying; an end game in comparison to just memorizing facts.

On a typical Thursday, Colby was making her way towards the Great Hall for breakfast when she passed by the Small Hall. Inside the room there were writing utensils, paper and a bulletin board. People seemed to be engaged in an activity that she had no idea what it was about. Her curiosity rose and Colby walked into the Small Hall and looked at the bulletin board where instructions were left out.

It was a welcoming activity for students of all ages. She could write a message to someone her age or older. She began to look at some of the messages that were already written such as to be "brave and bold" or that the older students are not that scary. Colby scuffed at some of the messages. Was that all people could give as words of advice? Some were hefty while others were just a mere sentence.

A section at the nearby table opened up and Colby walked up to it, grabbing a piece of paper and quill and ink. She took a moment to think about what she wanted to say to someone of any age, not specifically those who are older than her. She then thought of something that really resonated with her. At least ever since she was turned a little over a year ago.

No one knows who you truly are; only you can really be there for yourself.

This one thought spoke to her a lot. Other than accidentally howling at the Great Hall when the werewolf Head of House, Professor Iwasaki, introduced himself and his mission for werewolves and going to the Shrieking Shack once a month... No one specifically knew that she was a werewolf. So only she knew who she really was and for that, she is responsible for her well-being. If she had always been responsible for her well-being, she would not have left the tent at night during their family's summer vacation when she was ten years old.

Colby put the quill down and grabbed a thumb-tack. She slowly blew at the piece of paper, wanting the ink to completely dry and confidently placed it on the board, having the thumb-tack hold it up. Perhaps this would help someone out there, she thought to herself.

As she placed hers on the bulletin board, she couldn't help but to notice a message from someone who called themselves "a fellow werewolf student." Their message was kind and welcoming for Colby. To know that she is not alone and that they will find each other was nice to know. However, Colby was needing to fight her own demons first in accepting her new role in life.

[ Left Thread ]

WC: 610

Good Morning!
(And since I won't see you, good afternoon, good evening, and good night)
1st year here. You all don't seem to realize what about this building I actually care about. Yes, I should make new friends, wow great advice, but I really don't care. This is what I want to know:

What about the professors? Which professors care about you, and which don't? Which professors are gullible, and which could pick up on a lie if you whispered it a mile away? Above all, which professor should be avoided? Which professor can take a prank, and which can't?

What about the actual building? Where are those little secret nooks where you won't be found if you ditch class? Where are places you should definitely not go when skipping class? Where are the places to go if you want a little adventure, and where can you go to take a break.

And most of all, how do you get people to walk out of the way for you in the corridors? How do you make such a name for yourself that people flinch when they hear you?

Adieu, adieu, to you and you and you!