Stand Up Taller open errand Finished

Posting in here to give @Katrina Walker something to reply to. Others may still join this group. Thanks for participating in the Woman's Day errand in a creative manner!

When Ruthie had drawn up the instructions for the Women's Day errand, she had deliberately left room for creative interpretations. While all were welcome at the main event in the Great Hall, the Ravenclaw recognized that there were quieter means that were just as valid as a larger, more robust program. And so when she had gotten wind of one such plan--the idea of completing a personal goal, and environmental goal at that--she was absolutely chuffed.

That was why, with her winter cloak in her hands, she wandered out onto the grounds in search of Katrina Walker. She really didn't know anything about the Gryffindor except the fact that Thora seemed have some history with her, but they'd never actually discussed it. But whatever it was didn't matter--Katrina was girl, and girls had to empower other girls.

It wasn't too hard, thankfully, to find the lioness. After all, it wasn't every day that students went out planting trees. In fact, Ruthie seldom say saplings on the grounds at all; it was more like the trees on the Hogwarts grounds had been there forever--or at least as long as the school itself.

Seeing a glimmer of auburn hair, which she recognized from recent SWAG matches, she called out, "Hey! You're Katrina, right?" Her steps moved confidently towards the girl, hoping to scare her as she looked so invested in the work. Not just invested but efficient--Katrina had managed to move a sapling here into the ground all on her own, an impressive feat which was appropriate for the day. "Here, I've brought a shovel and supplies," Ruthie interjected, pointing towards a small trolley she pulled behind her which contained the objects. She'd managed to stop by the greenhouses en route to finding the environmentally-minded participant.

Once she arrived, she took in the view of the tree Katrina had already successfully planted. It was young, but that only meant it had all the more room to grow. And that was perhaps what gave Ruthie joy as a smile crept up on her face. There was nothing quite like nature to the twelve year old. "Want some help then? I've got a few others here in the trolley," she added. If Katrina agreed, she might notice the trolley contents: half a dozen or so saplings, two large shovels and a smaller one, a few trowels, some rope, gloves, and extra wood chippings. The Ravenclaw liked to be prepared in case others came to indulge in this task with them.

"Maybe we can do a row or so," she suggested pointing with her hand in a line along from where Katrina had already planted. Honestly, this was the sort of thing she could do all day, but she didn't want to be too prescriptive--this was Katrina's plan. "Have you always been close to nature? Because I love what you choose to do," Ruthie replied, trying to make conversation as she put on her gardening gloves and picked up one of the shovels. She gripped it steadily, even though it was nearly her size. For though she be little, she is fierce.

Katrina was just dusting some of the soil off her grimy hands as someone came up on her. The Gryffindor stood back and looked briefly at her work before she turned to greet the newcomer. A huge weight was lifted off her shoulder as she saw that the coming girl had actual saplings in her trolley. Thank goodness someone got supplies, the question was where she had gotten them, but Katrina saved that thought for later.

The approaching girl looked vaguely familiar, for a moment, Katrina couldn't put a finger on where she had seen her before. Then it dawned on her, the girl must have been part of S.W.A.G. Club as well. Then Katrina remembered her hugging Thora. It shouldn't hurt, but they were almost friends before Katrina had ruined it all, no, she would not think of that. Her name was Greer, maybe? Katrina didn't quite remember her first name at the moment.

The upbeat personality that the newcomer had, infected the lioness too. Katrina felt even better about the work she had done and almost shone with pride. Ruthie! That was her name. The 12-year-old was lucky that her memory saved her as- Ruthie- began to speak.

"Yes, I'm Katrina," she added a smile, "You are Ruthie, right?" Katrina tucked a strip of her teal dyed hair behind her ear and wiped more of the damp soil off her hands. Ruthie mentioned the supplies and Katrina gave a sigh of relief.

"I'm really glad you remembered to bring stuff, I just transplanted this tree from over there," Katrina waved her hand to the denser grove of trees. "I would love an extra hand!"

Ruthie mentioned a row and Katrina smiled and nodded. It was nice to have someone to work with. Katrina went over to the side of the trolley and picked out the smallest sapling. She gingerly drug it over to the ring of trees and began to dig a hole for it to be placed in. She set the tree in and packed down the dirt around it.

"To be honest, I would rather hide inside and read a book," Katrina paused, her lips pursed and brow furrowed in thought, "I used to do more, but I never really thought to until today," the honest answer tumbled out of her mouth before the girl could stop herself.

Katrina worked on three more trees, digging the holes, placing them in, packing them down. She realized what they had been missing and almost smacked her head. "The trees will need water!" she exclaimed, "I'll run over to the Herbology Greenhouse and grab a bucket of water,"

Before she could talk herself out of it, Katrina was racing down to the path. Her destination grew closer. The wind whipped her hair and her cheeks began to burn from the cold. Katrina and Liam used to run around all the time, Katrina was really fast when she was younger. This was nice, running felt familiar and soothing. She sprinted the entire way to the Greenhouse.

Katrina found a larger white bucket and filled it with water from a nearby hose. She began to walk back, grimacing each time water sloshed out of the pail. She crested the hill and could see the bright trolley.

"I'm back!" she called and looked at the, now 2/3 full, pail of water. Katrina carefully poured the water around the already planted trees before setting the bucket near the trolley for when they would need it later.

"This is a lot more fun then I thought it would be," Katrina admitted before standing up strait. Her back popped and she giggled to herself. She felt taller now, confidant and proud of her work.