Winter Wonderland Errand

Credit Avery Gray

Interacting with: @Kaitlyn Connor│ WC: 210/400│ Date: January 11th, 2026│Outfit: X
│Stamina- 9 Accuracy-7 Wisdom-5 Strenth-8 Evasion-4 Arcane Power-7│

Emiline was still in awe at the snow falling inside, that she almost missed her name being called by someone she had met before. Kaitlyn. The girl who had saved her from complete and utter embarrassment during flying class. She smiles and waves back. Glad to have someone else she knew at this errand otherwise it just wouldn't be the same. As a hufflepuff, she was someone who thrived of social events and interactions just like these. Her feet sunk into the growing level of snow on the ground as she walked towards her acquaintance? Friend? Emiline wasn't quite sure how to classify this girl. They'd talked in the first year a bit, not much at all in the second year and now in the third year their first conversation. "Hiya Kait, how are ya?" With the snow continuing to fall, she wrapped her scarf around her tighter to stop the snow getting in between her clothes which is the worse feeling ever. "So what twist do ya think this errand will pull? Cos I don't believe for a second its just a snow covered library, in Hogwarts it would never happen." The brunette smirked at the surrounding shelves as if expecting something to jump out at her.

@Rosalyn Willows

11.12.2025

After bading goodbye to her parents and two younger sisters at the platform of 9¾ in a very emotional way, the young girl expected to be back at school and having to face studies immediately. Pink-cheeked and breathless as she tugged her trunk down to the Hufflepuff Cellar, she was overjoyed to see people grouped around a flyer regarding a tea party in the library. She had nothing much to do that Sunday, so, stuffing her mittens and Hufflepuff scarf in her robe pocket, she headed to the library.

When Maisie pushed open the door, gusts of cold wind hit her. Surprised, she squeezed her eyes shut, only reopening them a few moments later. Blinking hard, she took in the scene in front of her. Somehow the librarian, Helen Doukas, had enchanted the room so snow was falling everywhere. Mystified, she saw people throwing snow at each other amongst other winter activities. Some people were just standing and chatting, or enjoying the tea provided on big couches and armchairs. Maisie couldn't help but notice, a small note seemed to be clutched in their hands.

Seeing plenty of people huddled around the librarian's desk, she moved towards it, curious. When it was her turn, she saw two boxes standing side by side. One was presented like a Christmas present, while the other was glass. Reaching her hand in the colored box, she pulled out two chocolate frogs. Transferring it to the other hand, she dipped into the glass box, feeling a rustle of paper. Her fingers closed on a random one and she pulled it out. Stepping to the side and sinking into an armchair, she unfolded it, revealing a few lines: Talk the the person besides you. Maybe you have something in common.

Well that would be difficult, there wasn't a person next to her. She was extroverted, but almost everyone had someone to talk to. Maybe they all had a note that said something along the lines of what she had. Getting up and heading towards the tea table, she decided that was where she might meet someone. Choosing with difficulty a scone and butter and a steaming cup of tea, she leaned against a bookshelf and enjoyed it.

Spotting a girl with sandy hair in a green sweater not far away, she decided to go talk to her. Dusting the crumbs off her robes, and setting down her teacup, she crossed over to her.

Clearing her throat rather awkwardly, she said, "Hello. What's your favorite winter activity?"

Mat had just returned to Hogwarts, after spending the holidays with his family. He was happy to get back home, he missed his parents and he wanted to catch up with his friends back there, but he was even happier to be back at the castle.

He had just unpacked his trunk in the dormitory and gone down to the common room, looking for some familiar faces, when he overheard other students talking about a winter-themed welcome back event in the library. Mat isn't the type of guy who enjoys parties, but he hadn't seen anyone since the holidays, and he hadn't been to the library in ages. "Well, might as well check it out " he thought, hoping that his friends were there. He walked a few steps towards the door before having a second thought and turning around to the dormitory: a winter party in Hogwarts would probably involve some snow. He lifted his winter cloak in front of him, looking at it for a moment as if to judge its suitability, then slipped it on and headed for the library.

He pushed the heavy dark oak door to enter, and stopped in awe, enchanted by the surprise: the library had been completely decorated for the occasion, and it was snowing. A snowball hit him on the ear, bringing him back to reality. He pulled up his hood and headed to a zone of the room that seemed more quiet, the thick layer of snow crunching under his feet with every step. He relaxed a little, and noticed a huddle of students around a desk. He approached and saw a gift shaped box, from which everyone was taking something. He reached inside and his hand found a small package. Ms Doukas was so kind, he thought smiling, although with a hint of guilt for the little time he spent in the library. He slid the gift into his pocket, with the idea of opening it later, and his eyes fell on a second object placed right beside: it was a glass container, filled with strings of papers. With a little shrug, Mat pulled out one and read it: "Tell the person behind you about your favourite Christmas in the last 5 years". Oh no. Mat had no problems talking to strangers, but he really wasn't able to talk about himself. He looked around, considering just flying the place, when he noticed a girl next to him looking just as nervous. He didn't know her, but he thought he had already seen her long auburn hair sometimes. With a sigh of resignation, he tried to break the ice before turning the conversation to his request.
"Hey - he smiled, nodding towards the piece of paper the girl was holding in her hand - What does yours say?"
"Build a snowman with the person next to you."
"Let's do yours then" he replied without hesitation taking advantage of the diversion, tucking his note into his pocket after giving it a last glance of victory. That took a very pleasing turn, he thought, glad to have something practical to do.
"I'm Mat, by the way. Nice to meet you"

@Rose Pearce

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Lily stood up from her bed. She had been sleeping for the past hour now. She did not have anything better to do than sleep. She raised her hand felt an imprint on her left cheek. Seemed like she had a nice sleep, after all.

She shook her legs (her legs had gone numb) and made her way out of the dorm. Coming down the stairs, she was surprised to see that there were hardly any people left in the common room. She made her way to one of the Hufflepuffs left and asked her where most people had gone. She learnt that most people had gone to the Library. The new librarian Helen Aletgeia Doukas had organised a winter wonderland-esque tea party to welcome the students back on the first weekend of the continuation of the school year. She decided to go and meet up with friends and new faces, after all, she had nothing to do. She could also use some books, she had been wanting one, but the waiting list was long.

She went back to her dorm, took her cloak and started towards the library. In the way, she met several familiar faces. She stopped many times to exchange hellos.

After some time, she finally reached the Library. She opened the door and was immediately hit by a snowball. Her mouth was left hanging. This was supposed to be library?, she thought to herself. She made her way towards the library's calmer side, dodging several snow balls on her way. This was chaotic. Only if her bestie, Maddy had come.

She sat down in a puffy armchair, pulling a puffy cushion and warm blanket towards herself. She poured herself a coffee and sat back and relaxed.

That is, till a snowball hit her head. She was lucky that her hands were steady or her hot coffee would have spilled down the front. She looked back to see who it was, but she could not notice anyone in particular.

She sighed, and started drinking again, when the snow ball hit once again. This time, Lily was sure that someone was deliberately hitting her repeatedly.

She looked back once again, and this time, a face stood out in particular. Natasha Jones. She was one of her friends, and as far as Lily knew, a lover of pranks too. She was almost sure that it was her enchanted snowball.

She stood up and went towards her. "Hey Natasha. Just wondering. Was that your snowball which has been hitting me on my head since the last few minutes?" Natasha replied nothing at first, but to Lily, her eyes spoke something. Maybe she was guilty.....

Reducio Word Count: 444

Reducio Interacting with: @ Natasha Jones

After a nice holiday with his family, he wanted to travel back to Hogwarts and spend his time with friends and have a feeling of what a new year is like at Hogwarts for the first time. He was outside on Hogwarts grounds looking at the snowy day, and he wore his uniform this time, even so he didn’t need to. He felt a bit relieved to be back again, and a bit of a feeling he was around at his second home for some reason. Where here is where you get what you need, and learn new things every day. Well, not everyday but most days. He spaced out for a bit til he felt that he got really cold on his fingertips.
So he pulled out his gloves from his winter coat so he could first warm his fingers up a bit and then make some snow balls he could throw at the wall. He didn’t want to start any snowball fight unless someone started it first.
The only reason he was out throwing snowballs is because he was bored and didn’t know what to do yet, so he just tossed endlessly at the wall, apparently he had zoned out for a while thinking of a lot of things, but nothing at all.

He felt an urge to make a couple of snowmen, but of course he doesn’t know how to hex them yet, but hopefully someone does when they find them. But of course he didn’t just make a couple, he zoned out again and forgot how many he was on, so he made six of them til he felt that he wanted to go inside cause he started to get cold.
He started heading toward the common rooms to get off his winter clothing and his gloves, but he took with him some writing equipment and painting equipment that he placed in a nice tote bag that had painted some Greek buildings and some nice sea motifs on it.
Now when he had everything he needed he was on his way to the great hall for some food and hot coco. After some time at the great hall eating and enjoying himself some hot coco, he didn’t feel the vibe to sit here either paint or write, it was something off that didn’t sit well with him, so he wandered the hallways with his tote bag over his shoulder, and he finally ended up in the library.

When he opened the door to the library he was in total shock to see that there was snow in here, “What in the Merlins name happened here?” He whispered to himself, he didn’t expect this at all the chaos that has unfolded here,”well, at least I have something to paint and write about. This is an Idea I didn't have in mind for today. someone had fun, but probably getting in trouble for it I presume, unless it is the librarian who did it ofcourse.” He said for himself., he walked into the library and saw the spirit of the holiday and loved it. He came to a stop in front of the librarian's desk where a gift box was and read what it said, “well don’t mind me if I do” he said for himself and grabbed a box. Apparently he loved to talk to himself from time to time, it is where all the good answers come from. At least what he thought.
Then he looked next to the box where there was a glass container that said something about writing a letter to your enemy, “what about if I want to write a letter to a family member that didn’t come to the christmas party my family had?” he asked himself, and thought for a moment and spaced out a bit, and it hit him. “Oh I can do that instead, even though it's not my enemy, but it would be a nice gesture to think about them too. Maybe send them a nice present or something, maybe make something for them.” He tried to find a more quiet spot to actually paint a gift for that specific family member that could come, because he was sick and was at St.Mungos at the time. So he wanted to make a painting and also write a nice yule letter for him and wish him a nice holiday, and wish he felt better soon. He started with the letter before he started the painting. He knew writing was quicker to write, than making a painting that could take hours, even days or weeks to finish. But this time he didn’t want to do weeks, he wished to just do it in a couple of days, so he could send it as quick as possible, but also he wanted to make sure it was nice. he come up with idea that he could paint part of the library, and how it looked like when it was snow and holiday spirit in it. at least he is in here, so why not take his time to paint how nice and chaotic it was.
It was fun to see how nice and chaotic it was, but also it was easy for him to paint it when he could see it for the first time. He sat there for hours, til he had to be tossed out of there, but he went back there the next day to finish his painting so he could send the letter and painting, so he hoped his family member could have something nice with this holiday spirit too.

WC:935 ish

Rose was sitting on a chair in the quieter corner away from the hustle and bustle of snowball fights. Her eyes were sighting the library in search of familiar faces. She had spotted Zephyr already when she arrived but it didn't appear there was anyone else she may know.
Where could be Skylar? Rose asked herself wishing her best friend could be in sight.
She let out a sigh as she recall what was writing on the paper from the gift paper box. Who was she even going to ask? It didn't appear no one was sitting next to her. At least not yet. And she was feeling to shy to go to one of the students surrounding her and asking them to build a snowman with her. Yet it was the purpose of the papers of this box. Nevertheless she could also deciding on building a snowman by herself. That was not a bad idea to Rose but it was not as fun as with someone.

Another sigh could be heard from her. The event was organised in order for students to gather together after the winter break. If she wanted to build a snowman by herself she just could have gone outside and done it. Instead she came here to meet new people and overcome her shyness which was made easier for her thanks to this small sentence on this piece of parchment. Indeed it was giving her a purpose to go talking to others. Only needing to know who. Instinctively her eyes drifted again towards Zephyr. She was about to stand up when she felt a presence next to her followed by a male voice. Someone had sit next to her so she had no other choices.

Before a last quick glance towards Zephyr Rose slowly turned her head towards this new person.

"Hi!" Rose answered as enthusiastically as possible with a gentle smile as the boy read the paper in her hand offering them to do it together.
"Sure!" she agreed and was about to stand up when Rose noticed him putting something into his pocket.

Does he also have a paper and doesn't want to do it? Rose wondered suspiciously.
It would actually not be fair to do only hers although she didn't mind doing it. She stayed silent for awhile thinking whether to ask him if he got one or not.

Perhaps he is uneasy to do his? she thought.

Nevertheless she was taken out of her thoughts when the boy next to her introduced himself as she slightly widened her eyes hoping her face didn't show her actual suspicious thoughts.

Rose quickly smiled at him as if nothing had happened before introducing herself back.

"I'm Rose. Nice to meet you too, Mat." she paused for a bit reflecting on her previous wonders when she decided herself.

"You do also have a paper, don't you? What does it say?" she asked hoping that wouldn't kill the mood.
"We could do it afterwards as well." she suggested smiling at him before standing up to walk towards the snow-covered area ready to build her snowman with a possible new friend.

I walk to the library, standing outside of the room, "Is this where the..." I looked down at the odd note that I had found outside of my dormitory door, "...tea party is?" I mumbled to myself incoherently. I check the location on the envelope one more time before sighing, "I guess it has to be.". I take a deep breath in and a long breath out, slightly nervous- will I know anyone there? Are the people nice? What should I expect? Am I dressed appropriately?- all the things I could worry and fret about immediately come to mind, slightly causing a height in my anxiety towards the event.

"Suck it up, Valencia." I quickly told myself, afterall, I was a Slytherin, I couldn't show weakness over slight social anxiety- I would be a fraud. I take one last good breath before stepping into the room, my eyes immediately widening in awe. The room had transformed from what I thought the library had originally looked like- snow was falling from who knows where, coating the ground in a soft, silky, white coating. "Oh my gosh..." I muttered to myself quietly as I stood in the doorway, staring at the transformed room. My amazed eyes look around, the cozy pillows, lighting, couches, and even decorations create such a heartwarming setting, something I hadn't experienced since home.

"It truly is a winter wonderland." I whispered to myself, finally forcing my feet to move after snapping out of my trance-like state. I looked around, watching to see if I recognized anyone- unfortunately, I didn't. "Great, I'm all alone." I groaned as I continued to walk through the new winter wonderland. I looked around, exploring the library with wonder and amazement. As a first year, I hadn't experienced magic as intensely as this before, resulting in my awe for the place.

As I walked around the Library, I saw a small, gold box wrapped in red ribbon that seemed to call my name and whisper me over. Curious, I walked towards it, wondering what could be inside. I decided to take my chances and dropped my hand quickly inside, taking out a small pouch that carried ten sickels and two chocolate frogs with a small note attached to the pouch, which read: "Go sit next to someone and tell them about your Christmas traditions.", my eyes widened slightly. "But I don't know anyone here..." I thought as I looked around. Suddenly, I spotted a nervous-looking hufflepuff boy who was holding a card in his hand. He wasn't too far, just enough for slight reading distance. I squinted my eyes to read his card from afar, finding it similar to mine, "Talk to the next person that sits by you and discuss your Christmas traditions..." I read off quietly to myself.

"This is perfect!" I thought to myself as I slowly made my way over, twiddling my fingers together nervously as I walked over. I paused in front of him, "Hi." I said casually, though my voice held a hint of nervousness in it. "Could I sit with you?" I quickly asked with a sharp breath in, tucking my card and pouch of goodies into my robes' pockets, looking at him hopefully.
(word count: 538)

@Alex Thompson

credit to Skylar Astor

Looking around the seating area again, Zephyr slipped the paper into his pocket while deciding what to do next. He was torn between following what's written on the paper and utilize the corner where he could get peace and quiet. He was not sure how he would feel about it. Admittedly, it sounded like fun, but talking to strangers, or even people he barely knew was a recipe for nervousness he wouldn't be able to control. Just the thought of doing it and ask someone to do something with him and his stomach would twist already.

But then again, it would defeat the purpose of this activity, to have fun and interact with other students because if not, where's the fun in that? He picked up a clump of snow from the floor and rolled it between his hands, almost like a stress ball while glancing around again and noting some students were already laughing and sharing little activities. Some were talking with each other, others were helping each other.

There was always that part of him that was curious and the other part wanted to try. A little push to do something he normally wouldn’t is the real challenge here. As if on cue, he spotted Rose not far from him. Maybe that was the sign he was waiting for, someone who knew him well enough and could push him out of his comfort zone. He raised a hand in greeting, just watching her and concluding she's feeling awkward just like he did. He knew that feeling too, maybe he shouldn’t disturb her...? Is that the right thing to do? What if she's also lost on what to do and needed his help?

Suddenly, a snowball flew past him, not expecting him, he jumped slightly in surprise. Confusion showed on his face as he looked around to see where it came from. His eyes widened when he saw the one who had thrown it from behind, followed by the familiar giggle reaching his ears. His name was called after but he was already sporting a grin as he turned toward her. "Skylar. I'm glad you're here though honestly, I didn't expect that at all." Since they all just came back from the holidays, he was curious about something, "How's your holiday here been? Did you at least get to celebrate the season? Anything you can share that's you know... different than how we usually do it home?"

Mat lifted his eyes later from his cloak pocket and met the girl's suspicious gaze. Her slightly narrowed eyes and the silence of those few moments made him wonder if she had noticed his move. He gave an embarrassed smile and introduced himself to break the seemingly endless moment. She introduced herself back, then paused a second. “You do also have a paper, don't you? What does it say? We could do it afterwards as well” she added with a smile, getting up from the chair and walking away. Her tone sounded more accommodating than accusatory, but it was clear that she probably already knew the answer. Mat slowly shook his head, thinking how foolish he had been to think he could get away with it so easily, and followed Rose to the area where the snow had accumulated.

"Oh yes, it says to talk about our favourite Christmas in the last five years. We can do both together, talking while we build the snowman" he said as he caught up with her, trying to feign nonchalance about the matter.

He wasn't making a very good first impression, trying to dodge his piece of paper, but he didn't think about it anymore: after all, it wasn't anything important. "I can start" he added, hoping to make up for his earlier attempt to wriggle out. Before that moment of openness vanished, he began to speak, while crouching and starting to pile up the snow: "My best Christmas was probably this one. Seeing my family and friends again after these months away from home was exciting, and we had a lot to talk about. I broke a clay pot trying to perform the levitation spell" he chuckled to himself, remembering his mother's expression. "Besides, the end of the holidays didn't seem as terrible as other years, in fact I couldn't wait to get back to Hogwarts."

All of sudden he fell silent, observing with interest the pile of snow that was beginning to take shape. Mat was surprised at his own loquacity: generally he wasn't shy about talking to others, but it wasn't like him to talk about himself, especially to someone he had just met. But then again, I guess that was Miss Doukas's intention when she wrote those notes, and it could be a great opportunity to make new friends. He suddenly remembered that he had come to the library precisely to look for his friends, but he hadn't seen them yet. Who knows where they ended up?
He realised that until then he had been staring at the ground, and he looked up, trying to decipher Rose's expression, afraid that he was boring her with his chatter. "What about yours?" he asked.

Word Count: 453
Interacting with: @Rose Pearce