A Picnic for Two PV Elm Walker

Elm awoke to the flap of wings from his window. One of the school owls was perched, quite happily, on his window sill and eagerly, lapping up the water and owl treat some of the kids from the Hufflepuff dorm had left out for him. Elm's eyes opened and he blinked, turning his head slowly to peer at the creature. With a soft smile, he stretched his arms above his head. Today was a Saturday. Which meant one thing and one thing alone: No School.

The sun shone through the curtains as Elm forced himself out of his comfortable bed and into the slightly chilly room. His feet hit the carpet floor as he scuffled over towards the grey owl. "Come over, won't you? Here. There's a good lass." He whispered in a cooing voice to the winged creature. Gently, he pried the letter from it's grasp. Scanning his eyes over the letter, he ripped it open after seeing Mr. Elm Walker written on it in neat handwriting.

His eyes lit up as he saw that it was indeed an invitation. And the best part was that it was for a picnic! He hadn't had one since last spring with his mother and Maple, although that one had not created too fond a memory. Glancing at the bottom of the sheet, he saw a name written in a delicate, cursive, handwriting. He took a sharp gasp in recognition. Ellie

Instantaneously, he threw on a nice plaid blue shirt and blue matching jeans. He liked blue a lot. Then, he shoved black gym shoes onto his feet and threw the door open. He hummed happily, stopping at the mirror in the Hufflepuff common room one time to fix his curls, then pranced out. Ellie...oh she was amazing. Where to start? She was phenomenal at casting spells, had such a great memory in class, and she was a wonderful fun friend to talk to!

While heading out, realization dawned on him. This was a picnic, which obviously meant food would be there. And it would be incredibly rude to show up without bringing anything. Hurriedly, he rushed to the Kitchen. Upon arriving, he set himself to the task of making the one and only pastry he knew he could make without burning. Quickly, he found some dough the cooks had left and nestled it inside a teeny cute tin pan. Then he made a second, liken to the other. Following this process, he sliced some red apples and made a sauce. Next, he poured it inside the tin pans, poked some pretty holes and made flower designs on a particular one, and put both inside the oven to bake. He tapped his foot impatiently on the ground, checking the time constantly. Finally, they were done! He took them out and gently put them in a basket with a covering to keep them warm.

Forgetting the flour dusting on his nose, he headed out to the courtyard fifteen minutes late. He prayed she would still be there. And then, he saw her. Her hair was down and blowing in the slight breeze. Her dress was a bright sunny yellow, but in the sunlight, it looked more like a ray of golden light. She happened to glance over just as he was arriving and suddenly, Elm felt as if his heart was about to fly out of his chest.

Where was he? No one was here and Ellie had been waiting a long time. Had he not gotten her letter? Did he think she was weird? Ellie started fidgeting with the picnic blanket. she stopped knowing she would be embarresed if he came and that's what she was doing. Thank good sandwiches can't get cold! I don't think... Can they? I mean like I could put them in a freezer and they would! What am I thinking!

Ellie looked over her shoulder, If he doesn't come soon, I'm leaving. That would be so embarrassing! Ellie remembered sending the letter:

Dear Elm,
Meet me at the courtyard, Today, may 18th at 12:30,

Ellie Randensmith

So where was he? Wait was that him? walking over here, carrying a plate of some sort which was the likely reason for him being late. Yes, I think it is! There is his bright, curly orange-red hair! But what is he carrying? Elm is in blue, again, Must be his favorite color!. Elm was carrying a steaming plate carrying some dish on it. I wonder what he brought!

As Elm got closer, Ellie started to notice a delicious aroma of baked apples coming from the dish in his hand. Did he make, Apple pie!?! Apple pie was one of Ellie's favorite desserts, but of course he couldn't have known that! Looking closer, Ellie noticed he had made two mini pies, one with a little flower cut out on top!

He was fifteen minutes late but, bring apple pies made up for it! He still had a little bit of flour from the pies on his noise and Ellie tried not to laugh. There was that weird feeling again, the one she couldn't quite place that came from her chest.

"Hi Elm," She said happily, "I was starting to think you weren't going to come or didn't get my letter!"

What was she saying! Why would she start by acknowledging the fact that he was late!?! Like that!

"Umm, I have sandwiches for us and cake," Why was she talking like this? Maybe this weird feeling was something controlling her, making her feel and act crazy!

Mentioning: @Ellie Randensmith

The moment the words were out of Ellie's mouth, Elm turned red in the face. Of course she would notice that he was late.

With a nervous laugh, Elm seated himself down on the red and white squared picnic blanket, splaying the plate of mini pies upon it. He was careful to make sure that the flower-cut, apple pie was situated closest to the girl and not himself.

"Sorry, I'm so late." He apologized again. "I just received the invitation shortly after waking up. I started to head out but forgot to make something. I hope you're not allergic to dairy or eggs?" Immediately, a sudden fear washed over him. What if she was allergic to one of his ingredients? Gulping, he began to fiddle with the basket handle. He held his head down, too shy to look up. "It's usually not this hard to apologize to someone. Could something be wrong with me?" He thought internally.

Finally, he glanced upward as Ellie showed him the cakes and sandwiches. He was hungry after all. With a wide grin, he forced himself to appear at ease. "They look lovely, thanks! Woah, are those cherries!? I love cherries!" Gleeful, he picked up a cherry and took a bite. It was sour but still it had a sugary taste to him.

His eyes shimmered ecstatically as he pushed the paper plate with the apple pie to Ellie. Biting the corner of his lip, he prayed that it would be to her liking. Seeing what he believed to be caution, he let out a small laugh. "It's not burnt or undercooked so I wouldn't worry. Tis one of the only things I actually do make well." He said proudly, watching as she moved to take the flower printed pastry.

Elm sat down, placing the little apple pies he had made down with him.

"That's kind of you to make them!" Ellie said, "You are a really good friend for doing that after just meeting me!"

It was true, that really was kind of him! I hope he knows the picnic is just for us to be friends! When you are younger, its ok to have a friend who just happens to be a boy! Hopefully, it is still that way!

"Well um... now that you are here, we can start eating I guess!"

Ellie smiled and pick up one of the sandwiches so had asked one of the house elves for. Her stomach sank to the bottom of her chest. Now I feel sorta bad! Elm had handmade the two little pies and what had she done to prepare? She had gone to the kitchen and asked the house elves for sandwiches and cake! So unoriginal!

Elm mentioned something on how the pie wasn't undercooked or burned so Ellie picked up the pretty little pie with a flower stamped on it and brought it to her lips. It smelt so good! She bit in to it. It was as good as it looks too!

"Mmm! It's really good! The apples are slightly crunchy too!" Ellie remarked, "I like it!"

"So what has been you favorite class so far?" Ellie asked, even though the school year was done in... What day is it? About two months? TWO MONTHS AND SCHOOL WILL BE DONE! The realization hit her hard. Why am I thinking this? This has nothing to do with what is going on right now! My crazy head!

Interacting with @Ellie Randensmith

When the girl picked up one of the dainty pastries, Elm's fingers became quite fidgety and nervous. Although he had promised that the pies were not undercooked or overcooked, he had not been 100% sure if that was the case.

Seeing no discomfort when she took a bite, he breathed out a long sigh of relief, knowing the food was satisfactory. He scanned the sandwiches out of the corner of his eye, wondering if he dared sneak one first or if it would be more gentlemanly to wait for the host. Noticing that Ellie seemed happy enough with his dessert, he picked up one of her sandwiches and took a bite.

"Woah, I love these! They're really good. They taste kind of like the ones Mum and I would make..." He trailed off slightly, face looking a little sad. Then he brightened at the mention of classes. Tapping a finger on his chin, he pondered seriously, "Well, I don't really know. See, they're all very interesting to me. I like potions a lot though; it's a load of fun when the potions change colors! Oh, oh! And Care of Magical Creatures is great! Remember that day they brought in pygmy puffs for the class? They were so cute! I'm going to get my own next year. I think if it's blue, I'll name it Raindrop. If I get a white one though, I'll call it Cloud. Flying is fun as well. Honestly, I can't pick. I love all of them! What about you, El?" He asked, excitement written across his features.

"Well, I don't really know. See, they're all very interesting to me. I like potions a lot though; it's a load of fun when the potions change colors! Oh, oh! And Care of Magical Creatures is great! Remember that day they brought in pygmy puffs for the class? They were so cute! I'm going to get my own next year. I think if it's blue, I'll name it Raindrop. If I get a white one though, I'll call it Cloud. Flying is fun as well. Honestly, I can't pick. I love all of them! What about you, El?"

Is that a... nickname? This friendship might be progressing quickly if he already gave me a nickname!

"Care of Magical Creatures? How do you even get access to that class? I thought you had to be in your third year and above?" Ellie asked him, not unkindly, "For me, I like Charms since all the spells are just so much fun! But also History of Magic. I never thought I would say this, but history is actually enjoyable!"

Ellie smiled. Most people might find History of Magic boring, but Ellie actually enjoyed it, a lot! The topics were fun, and exciting! Ellie remembered going into her first History Of Magic class, she was not excited, and to think she was almost done with her first year now!

Ellie took a bite of one of the sandwiches she had asked the house elves for in the kitchen. It was the ham one. It tasted like those little tea sandwiches that you get at those cute little tea shops. She hadn't been to a lot of them, just that one in... was it Hogsmeade with her mom one summer.