Errand A warm welcome

It was a Monday afternoon, one where Aston finally found the chance to check out that board in the small hall. It seems there are a bunch of notes on it, he was scanning the notes on that new board in the hall, wondering if he should add something to it. He's only a second year, does he really have any helpful advice to give? Before Aston made his way to the thumb tacks and pens he saw one note that stood out, a note written by one Cass Ito. Stalk people?? What the hell, they are still going on about that? God damn it I don't want people to know me for that. Feeling a bit distressed Aston kept reading, luckily it seems that the comment about him was among a series of unserious advice, so hopefully no one will actually believe it, thank God.

Aston then went to grab some stuff to write his own advice for the first year, even though he seems to be pretty late to the whole thing. He does love the idea of helping out some first years.

To the first years reading this:

Hello! Welcome to Hogwarts, it's great here you will get used to it in no time, trust me! I'm Aston I'm a second year in Ravenclaw, by the way to any new Ravens the door is really annoying at times but eventually you'll stop getting stuck outside, eventually. The people here are good too, mostly, sometimes you will meet someone who ends up accusing you of being a stalker just because they found you sitting on a tree and they somehow just never realised you are there. That kind of stuff is annoying but you will learn to live with it as I have, also you should totally sign up for a sports team! Or at least go watch them whenever you can, I personally like quiddich a lot, beating is a great time! But dueling and broom racing is real fun to watch too, I have refereed a few duels, it's great, especially if there are older years there. They know how to cast some really cool spells! But if you are a first or second year maybe give it sometime before challenging the older years, it probably won't end well for you, I've seen it, multiple times.

I know I'm only a second year but I still hope you guys find this useful, if you want someone to talk to I'm always here! I like to think I'm fairly easy to talk to, especially if you want some quidditch practice or want someone to talk about history to, history of magic class is great, also go visit the library sometime. There's a lot of good books there, even though the muggle ones I like are never there.

Take care,
Aston Beckett

Word Count 474/400

Wren wandered through the castle's many halls, trying to look as if she wasn't lost, and as if this wouldn't be her third time being late to class this week. Moving to England had uprooted her life completely, but the change was nothing compared to starting at Hogwarts. The school itself was confusing enough to drive her crazy, not to mention the classes, the coursework, and the friend groups. Wren had introduced herself to a few other first years, but she still didn't feel like she'd found her people. Life had been so much easier back in Florida...

Suddenly, Wren stumbled upon a bulletin board filled to the brim with letters. As she got closer, she noticed one thing in common with all of them: they all began along the lines of "Dear first year."

As she read one note after another, Wren began to smile from ear to ear. Each one offered some piece of advice, serious or playful, about enjoying your first year at Hogwarts. Her previous dread was replaced with a warm feeling, almost excitement for the year ahead. Maybe this place wouldn't be so bad after all.

Seeing a quill next to a stack of empty papers on a nearby table, Wren decided to write a note of her own. After a brief dilemma over who to address it to, she began to write.

To whoever is reading this:

I'm a first year, and two minutes ago I was wishing I could be anywhere else but Hogwarts. When I moved here, I left all my family and friends behind. This place is confusing, my classes are miles away (how are you guys not late ALL THE TIME?), and I have never attempted to transfigure a matchbox before in my life.

Now, though, after reading all these kind notes, I'm glad to be here. I hope that any other first years can read them and feel the same. I can't wait to learn more, and try all the fun things you're talking about. I hope that someday I'll be the older student, and I'll have lots of wisdom and experience to share for the younger ones.

Anyways, I wrote this to thank you all. Other first years, I haven't met a lot of you yet, but if you need a friend, I'm willing to be one. Have a nice day!

Sincerely,
Wren Sinclair

Wren read over her note before pinning it onto the bulletin board. It was far from being her best literary work, but she really needed to run. She was going to be so, so late.

─────Zelda wasn’t quite sure what she was looking for as she wandered into the small hall. Someone at breakfast had mentioned that students would be leaving notes for each other, but had neglected to mention much else about the exercise. It would be interesting, she supposed, to see what people had to say, even if a small, cynical part of her assumed that most of the messages would be the sort of childish, prank-y things that her younger brother so loved to scrawl in foggy mirror and on jammy toast. Something along the lines of ‘there’s a ghost behind you!’ and ‘turn back now before it’s too late!’

Imagine her surprise when the first letter she read was actually, gasp, kind. It had all sorts of tips about homesickness in it -helpful ones, too! Even Zelda -who had been too busy enjoying every second of her common room, dorm, and the massive school library to be distraught about leaving home -had to admit that it was nice to know that some level of loneliness was to be expected in these early days of the school year. She would have to write home again soon, just like the kind letter suggested.

The little Ravenclaw wandered up and down the length of the bulletin board, reading some of the messages in their entirety and skimming brief snatches from the rest. It would appear that she’d failed to realize just how many extracurricular activities were on offer here. Quidditch was the most obvious one, but if it hadn’t been for some of these notes, she never would’ve known that there was a student-run newspaper. The dueling club sounded interesting, too. Perhaps she would look into it after she’d had a few more charms classes under her belt. The warnings about detentions didn’t apply to her; Zelda couldn’t imagine ever doing anything that could land her in that much trouble, let alone in her first year.

Once her survey was complete, Zelda made her way over to the writing station so that she could jot down a quick message of her own. She hesitated for a moment, quill hovering above the parchment, before beginning to write.

Hello, Everyone!

Thank you for the warm welcome and all of the advice! I’m so looking forward to meeting more of you as the year goes on. I had no idea we had so many incredible activities on offer; I can’t wait to sign up for some of them, especially the book clubs.

If there are any other first years out there who would like to meet up to explore the library, please do let me know. I’ve been working my way through the shelves and still have miles and miles to go.

Sincerely,
Zelda Fox ~ Ravenclaw First Year

It was evening, and Evony was headed back to her dorm when a bulletin board caught her eye. She approached the board with interest and let her eyes scan over the various notes: “Be brave,” “Take risks,” “Don’t get lost,” “Ask for advice,” “Try new things,” “Do your best,” “Make friends,” “Do your homework,” “Follow the rules,”... She felt… overwhelmed. It was a lot to take in; she somehow felt more nervous about the year than she did before, with a fresh new pile of expectations and responsibilities. She held her books closer to herself and thought about what she really wanted advice on. Then she set them down and pulled out a quill and small piece of parchment:

As a First Year, I could use some advice on how to stay motivated - not just with classwork and spellwork, but with making friends, trying new things, creating and pursuing goals and hobbies… Do you have any tips on how to get yourself excited, to make yourself feel brave, to inspire you to be better? A daily habit, a mind-clearing ritual… Maybe a spell or potion?
Sometimes this all just feels like a lot, and I want to hide in my dorm and read my books. I would appreciate any words of wisdom or practical advice on this.

She decided not to sign the bottom of the note. She wasn’t even sure if she was going to come back to check for a response, but just writing out her concerns did make her feel better.
In fact, it made her feel like she wanted to write something for her fell First Years as well. She took out another small parchment and wrote:

First Years (and anyone else that needs to hear this): Take care of yourself. It is easy to get caught up in all there is to do each day, the things you need to do, should do, want to do… but remember to stay grounded. For one, eat well. Don’t skip a meal because you're too busy. Leave the library or the Quidditch pitch and have a snack. It’ll be there when you get back. Also: sleep. Don’t stay up late; get up early to study instead - your brain will be more fresh and you’ll be more productive that way. Take breaks, enjoy the view. Have you walked around Black Lake yet? Visited the creatures outside of CoMC class? Explored the nooks and crannies of your common room (there might be some secrets there, hidden from past students!)? Ridden the moving staircases for fun? Don’t just remember to relax between the hustle; make it an intentional part of your day.
Oh, and drink water! It really is the cure for almost anything. Headache - you're probably dehydrated. Stomach ache - water helps with digestion. Tired or difficulty concentrating - water gets the blood flowing. Craving junk food - you’re probably just thirsty.
Have a great year.

As Evony pinned her pieces of parchment to the board, she read over some of the notes again, feeling a lot better than when she first read it. She gathered her books and smiled at the things she had written, feeling a bit more confident about the day - and the year ahead.

WC: 535/400

There was someone like her out there—probably multiple someones. In fact, she probably passed them on the way here—or maybe yesterday or the day before. She imagined most of the other first years kept their fears and apprehension close to the chest. She tried to, but it wasn't always successful.

So, the idea of notes of encouragement seemed to Maisie to be quite a sound one indeed. She eagerly made her way to the small hall, excited to help someone else who felt uncertain some days, someone who maybe hadn't quite found their friends yet, someone who missed home, all the varieties of someones.

By the time she arrived, she realized she really hadn't given very much thought to what she would write. Maybe it would have been easier to have pre-written something up in Ravenclaw tower, where it was quite. Here in the rustle and bustle of the lower castle, thinking required more care and consideration. So, she didn't. She just wrote what she felt:

Hi fellow first year,

How are you doing? How has your time here been? I've been busy with classes mostly. But I think I like it here. I've written home a few times—that helps. Maybe you could try it? Or maybe you need a friend too? Do you visit the library? I've found quite a nice table by the window that I like. The light streams out in the evenings in the most beautiful way. I think you might like it too. If you are there, maybe you could say hi? Share a table?

Anyway, keep your head up. Everyone tells me it gets better with time. Here's to hoping they're right.

All the best,
Maisie

It was short and self-conscious. Not exactly the supportive vibe the prefect presumably wanted these letters to be. Her lip quivered as she reread it. But at least her letter was honest. And maybe she was alone in that, but she'd rather read an honest letter than one that was full of lofty platitudes that really mean nothing.

Shifting her feet, she turned to read some of the others. They were, after all, addressed to first years like her. Most seemed genuinely positive. She wanted to believe that. She wanted to believe she'd make it through on the other side.

So, without altering her letter or the honesty within, she stepped up on her toes and added hers to the board. Maybe it would help someone and maybe it wouldn't. But there was truth up there—her truth. And maybe someone else's too.

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─────Ruby had walked passed the Small Hall before, and had noticed instructions one of the students had put up. It was similar as at the end of the previous year, where she had written a letter for the graduating students. Now the parchment asked for letters or advice for the first years. Ruby remembered her first days and weeks here at Hogwarts. It hadn’t been easy. She didn’t know anybody and had a hard time making friends. Now she was in her second year, with a lot of friends and clubs she was a member of. It had helped her through some difficult times. She wanted to help as good as she could, so she had taken the time to write her own letter. She walked up to the board to put her letter on it, and saw a lot of people had already put up theirs. She took a few minutes to read some of them, and saw not only older students had written letters, the first years had written theirs too. She picked up a pin and pinned her parchment to the board. If it could just help one student, she would be glad. ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ Hi firsties! Welcome to Hogwarts! It is a place full of magic and wonder, and I know it can be really overwhelming. I have written down some tips and tricks that would have helped me in my first year. But most of all, I hope you enjoy it here as much as I do. Finding motivation and courage Sometimes it can feel a bit too much, and that’s ok. Setting small, controllable goals can help here. If you struggle with a lot of work, break it up into smaller parts and focus on each bit separately. I promise you will get there. While you’re here, try setting some extra goals each week to do something different. Perhaps learning a new spell each week, or discover another piece of the castle a time, or talk to someone you don’t know yet. Keeping a journal It may seem corny, but it is a great way to keep track of your activities and adventures here. Write something small every day, about what you have learned, or tried, or who you have met. It not only gives you the memories, but can help setting goals. Keep moving It can be tempting to stay inside, especially when the weather isn’t great. But I have noticed that a walk through the grounds or a ride on a broomstick can do wonders. It clears your head and gives a great distraction. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes Everybody makes mistakes, there is no exception to that. It can be a spell that doesn’t work out as you planned, or you tripped over a missing step on a staircase, that is all part of the game. Laugh about it, learn from it and move on. This is also the case about meeting people. Not everybody will become your best friend, but by being open for interactions and new people you might meet a few interesting ones. Give yourself time Everyone learns on their own pace and time. If you get overwhelmed, give yourself some time off. Thais can mean by taking a day to yourself, getting out and doing something fun, and that is ok. Hogwarts isn’t a race, and there is plenty of time to discover it all. So just remember: enjoy the magic, try new things and be friendly to yourself and others. You are going to have a wonderful time here! Ruby ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ She took one last look at it, and turned around.

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┌────────────────────────────────────┐ .─ STATS Reducio Sta 7 ❀ Eva 6 ❀ Str 5 Wis 8 ❀ Arc 6 ❀ Acc 8 ABILITIES Reducio Healing sage Non-Human enthusiast OUTFIT Reducio ITEMS Reducio Wand Chocolate frogs . ── └────────────────────────────────────┘

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Date: 1st October	Speech: #22706f, Czech/Slovak
Outfit: Hogwarts uniform	Mentions: @

WC: 488/400

With the first month of school basically behind her, Vera settled into the pace of Hogwarts more and more. When her dad first told her it would come easy, she didn't believe him. After all, this wasn't the boarding school he went to when he was 11. (If it were, he wouldn't be gawking at the floating tankards in Leaky Cauldron with her.) However, much to Vera's chagrin, he was right in the end.

She built her own routines and one of her morning habits became checking out the notice board by the Great Hall. So when one day the little notes started appearing, she took it as a new form of entertainment to come up and read the new ones that popped up overnight.

She had not intention of writing one of her own, mind you.

At least at first.

She didn't know what to say, which was a whole other problem. All these kids had their questions to ask or reassurances to provide, but she always preferred to raw-dog it, exploring on her own and doing her own research. The best experience was the one you had to work for yourself, she thought.

But then, one day, notes started appearing that sounded anxious. These were often unsigned, just people looking for more than your generic reassurance that Hogwarts is actually very cool and they'll find their way around soon enough, that they got this. Vera could understand that. She would write home about feeling like that every now and then, and her parents were not the best at helping with that feeling over letters. That's not to say they didn't try, but it just wasn't it.

And that's how she ended up in the Small Hall almost an hour earlier than her usual time was, staring at the board, hyping herself up. She wasn't one to offer up company easily, without a real prompt, but to hell with that, she had done so many things she wouldn't normally have the guts to do since she got to Hogwarts. What's one more.

Quickly, before she could change her mind, she grabbed one of the scraps of parchment and her own fountain pen and scribbled a quick note on it, as legible as she was capable of with slightly shaky hands.

Heya whoever-you-are,
We all know Hogwarts is great, even though sometimes it's hard to find comfort in just that. I like taking walks and it helps, but I know not everyone is up for doing that alone. So, if you just need someone to wander around with, I leave from the stairs in the Small Hall every Saturday around 2pm.

Sincerely,
Your emotional support first-year wanderer (Vera)

PS: I'm not that great at chatting, so there's no expectations on that front, don't worry.

She tacked the note on the board, almost dropping her pen, and as if nothing happened headed straight to the Great Hall for breakfast.

Stats & Abilities:

Reducio

STA: 7 | EVA: 5 | STR: 4 | WIS: 7 |AP: 6 | ACC: 6
Muggle Condition

Novalie had walked through the Small Hall several times by now, barely noticing the table and the board by it cluttered with scattered notes. For someone who thrived on adventure both inside and outside the castle, papers weren’t exactly her idea of fun. Besides, the table had been there every time she passed by, so she’d come to think of it as part of the furniture by now - much like the perpetually unfolded drying rack in her living room back home.
It was just... always there.

But one rainy day, while casually whistling a tune and wandering through the hall, her eyes fell on the table yet again. This time, however, something drew her closer. With a raised eyebrow, the redhead stepped toward it, finally giving it a chance to capture her interest. As she approached, she realized these weren’t just any papers - each note had been written by a different student. In fact, there were quite a lot of them!
Intrigued, Novalie began reading a few.

One note urged the reader to join a sports club, another grumbled about being sorted into the wrong house and yet another... well, that one involved some questionable stalking.
Wow... These notes were far from boring! And on top of it all, they were surprisingly friendly.
Inspired by the words of her fellow students, Novalie decided to add her own voice to the collection. Grabbing a scrap of paper and a quill, she scribbled in her usual, slightly messy handwriting:

'Wow, everyone here is so nice and funny!

Hey, people!
I'm new to Hogwarts, but I already love it. I mean, how could you not? Magic itself is thrilling, but this castle and its surroundings are packed with adventures. The stairs, the ghosts, the paintings.. it's just - you know - like, WHA!
I don’t really have any advice to offer, I'm still a First Year myself and all, which is why I’m using this board to find some fellow adventurers now! So, who’s up for sneaking into Hogsmeade with a fake permission form? You can get those at a shop in Diagon Alley. I think it was called Weasels Witch Wheezes? Weasel.. Wizard.. Something like that.
Anyway, no one will be able to tell the difference! I sneaked out multiple times by now, haha! Bet no Professor or Prefect is even reading this. You're totally safe.

Find me anywhere! Usually, I'm somewhere outside.
- Novalie Moon'

T’was the 26th of September, and bailey was enjoying the Sunny day. Entering the small hall, she spotted a poster that was filled with letters, and approaching it she realized the letters were for all, seeking advise and guidance, encouraging one another.
It was truly a wholesome site, and bailey had to partake.
Sitting against a wall, she grabbed a piece of parchment from her bag, and a pen a set to writing.


Dear student(s),

I hope this letter finds you well! In any state that you are in, know that you are surrounded by people who care for you and enjoy being in your presence. I know that is hard to see sometimes, and I’ve been in some dark places, and helped other through their dark places, and I know you can make it out too.

That being said, take some advice from someone who has been both a lonely bookworm who kept to herself, someone who has been incredibly popular and full of life, and someone who has been incredibly popular but also felt the most lonely I had ever felt.
Surround yourself with people who make you
Feel good- who make you feel like smiling, who you can be truly authentically yourself around.
Those are the people to keep in your life, and that is who I aspire to be for many.

Enjoy your free time, and make sure to do things that make you happy. I’m a firm believer in keeping good grades but I also believe I’m taking care of yourself. If you need to sleep, or cuddle your pet, or read your book instead of doing homework one night- do what your body and what your mind needs. Just remember the homework will still be there for you, and it’s easier the sooner you find the studying method that works the best for you.
Whether it be with friends outside, by yourself under a tree, in the library, in your bed: find what works for you and stuck with it.
If you’re struggling to focus in one place, move to a secondary location.

Take care of yourself, dear, and stay safe and healthy.

All my love,

Bailey

Signing the letter or note with a flourish, Bailey stood and pinned it to the board alongside many others.

Smiling, she made her way back to her dorm, hoping that all of the notes did help the people they were intended to.