Cupid's Cookies Errand

If anyone would’ve told Maira Anderson that being at Hogwarts contained a lot more homework than she’d bargained for, she wouldn’t have believed you. But to her dismay, in the last few weeks after the Christmas break the sheer amount of additional work the professors put on the first years was threatening to overwhelm her. Luckily, her dorm mate Cash usually was too grumpy to bother her too much. And so when she returned from the library that Saturday near the end of the morning, she was very much looking forward to just lounging on her bed and listening to Cash potentially play a little bit of the guitar.

Alas, it was not to be. As soon as she opened the door, an usually chipper Cash was already getting up towards her. “Oh, thank Merlin, you're back!" Maira only had time to blink, and quickly put her books on the bed before Cash continued. “Well, come on then, don't just stand there like a buffoon. Let's explore the castle. It is Saturday for Merlin's sake.” Ofcourse Maira could’ve told the sixth year off, but it was very rare for Cash to want to do anything at all so instead of complaining she put on her brightest smile and simply let them guide her towards the Great Lake.

Before that day, Maira also would’ve assumed that of all yearly traditions Cash would be least likely to enjoy anything romantic. It just didn’t seem to be their thing. Yet somehow, the roses and set-ups near the Lake seemed to be exactly what her dorm mate wanted. “Would you like to…” Maira started, but before she’d fully finished her sentence Cash had already made quick use of some of the desserts and grabbed themself a chamomile tea. “Alright, guess that’s a yes!” But Cash was already on their way to the next spot.

Maira quickly followed Cash up to the canopy and observed how they made themselves comfortable in front of her. “Don't just stand there, grab something and come sit with me.” Maira again tried her biggest smile.
“Aye aye, captain!” She looked back at the desserts and went with a simply brownie, some whipped cream and a few cookies and cream. She thought she’d seen Cash already grab some frosting for decorating and figured that would be enough, but added a little bit of the sparkles she could find. To top it off, she completed her order with a black tea that almost resembled coffee in its color. Anything to get a little bit of extra energy.

Putting her stuff near Cash’s she promptly sat down as well, stretching out her muscles. “So, we all know I am too young to sit here with anyone else but you… But who’ll be your Valentine this year?” She wiggled her eyebrows at Cash. “And most importantly, will that cookie you’re about to decorate become theirs, mine or ours?” Because obviously, Maira would get at least one bite, right? “But just so you know, I am absolutely giving you one of my two cookies and it’s getting additional glitter.” Maira figured she’d also try to place the frosting in the shape of a guitar on top. But not having learned any particular cooking spell just yet, it would need to be her own creative style. She only hoped Cash would love it. And potentially actually show one of those rare genuine smiles at her again.

The day had been rather boring, all things considered. No classes, since it was a Saturday, and no desire to do her much needed DADA homework. A rose petal trail was far more exciting than one would assume, and a much needed reprieve from mind-numbing languor. Alas, she was used to being bored, so it wasn't too hard to find something worthy of occupying her mind. Cookies galore had been just that.

Quite the delight it was, indeed, to be approached. A wide-eyed look of surprise crossed her face, being shocked from her reverie. Delightful as it was, Graci's imaginings were never as spontaneous as she wished. Her lips formed a smile, starkly contrasting the other's frown. "Why, yes, it does seem as though everyone has a partner. Would you care to sit?" Graci's voice was polite, the usual bit of oddly contented demeanor slipping through. This girl, Estella, as she now announced herself, would likely have sat anyway, but it sat better with Graci to see it as an invitation. As opposed to a rude intrusion, that was.

"Oh yes, I'm Graci," she wanted to add that it was wonderful to see her, but it felt a bit overkill. The persistent feeling of wondering if she would be perceived as weird was back. It never seemed to leave. Regardless, Estella seemed quite... well, Graci didn't entirely know. Troublesome, for one, but that could have just been a figment of her imagination. She was pretty, too, albeit a little boisterous in all manners, which Graci would appreciate. Ah! That's what it was. The glint in her eyes when she had first smiled. Inviting, though what was on the receiving end of that invitation would probably land Estella and multiple other people into detention. So was the allure of rebellion.

Graci looked back to her cookie for a moment, piping soft whorls and a thin border. Pretty, in theory, but heavily lacking in the execution department. She touched a hand to her earring. The wind and movement of the day had a habit of dislodging her earrings, so she had adopted the habit of checking in retaliation. A light sort of sheepish embarrassment crinkled the sides of her eyes. Though it was likely just the smile. There hadn't been much excitement to smile about in the past few weeks, so Graci took the joy when she could get it. Winter always made her grumpy anyways.

Adjusting her jumper she looked back up at Estella. The other girl had seemed so at ease, simply coming up to her and saying hi. Graci, of course, did that often enough, but never with such ease or confidence in herself. Note to self: be more like Estella.

For a while. The first year, just stood there like an animated statue until Cash told her what to do. “Aye aye, captain!”Maira said to the Sixth year. Afterward, Cash did not took noticed where Maira headed until the young girl dumping her loot next to what the Quidditch player had grabbed upon entering the premises.

“So, we all know I am too young to sit here with anyone else but you… But who’ll be your Valentine this year?”The baby snake asked as she wiggled her eyebrow at the older student. Cash had to mid-pause their cookies dcorating to turn their head and look at the young girl in her eyes.

"Would you like to know"Cash said mischievously and let out a playful wink at the girl. At this point, Cash had used to Anderson's nosy personality. And it was bizarre how odd traits in people amused them. Maira Anderson reminded the former Slytherin Beater much of Starlee Kennedy.

Oftentimes, Cash wondered about that once bubbly and sunshine personified whom Cash dared to say was their sister. Not by blood but by choice. “And most importantly, will that cookie you’re about to decorate become theirs, mine, or ours?”Maira continuen. Cash forgot how chatty their dormmate is.

"Ours," Cash said shortly. "To be honest, Anderson, the last time I dated someone it was some ancient ago. Don't ask for further information on what happened. I won't tell you even if you ask me"Cash added. It was true. The last time that Cash had dated someone was back when they were in their Third year, and it was, to say the least, a beautiful, tragic romance that Cash had ever experienced.

“But just so you know, I am absolutely giving you one of my two cookies, and it’s getting additional glitter.”The girl blabbed on. Cash tried to hide their appalled expression but failed miserably. "In what Bloody Baron's name people put glitter on their cookies? But if you aimed to make the cookies like Tinkerbell had vomited on it, I won't stop you, "Cash half protested, half amused.

In between the Slytherin chatting and decorating cookies, Cash didn't realize the sun had dipped into the horizon. The golden hour had gone, and now the night sky above their head was somewhat beautiful with stars scattered here and there. Cash let out a rare laugh when Maira said something utterly ridiculous, but then their laugh died on their lips when another figure entered the white sheer canopy where both Cash and Maira occupied.

"Oh, it's you,"Cash said monotonously to the boy. There was something about the boy that Cash could not pinpointed their finger on. Ever since Cash had met the other first year on the Hogwarts Express, the Cloud Cobras Second-String Keeper could not shake the feeling that the boy had kind of a stalkerish tendencies.

They had heard from the grapevine, but Cash was capable of taking care of themselves. Seventeen-year-olds had proved them. The boy didn't say anything and just sat right in front of the young Ironwoods. "Stalker much?"Cash uttered sarcastically. Cash used to be followed around, and the boy's presence did not affect him much, just a tad bit, if Cas was being honest.

The last person who had joined the gang was much more of a familiar face and figure. Ebony Vetra. Cash and Ebony had faced each other many times during Quidditch matches, and recently they had a somewhat nice conversation in the train bound for Hogwarts at the opening school term of this year.

"Hey Cash," she greeted in an attempt at casual conversation, "I don't know if you remember me, but, ah... can I sit here with you guys?" There was hesitation that Cash could detect in Vetra's voice, but at least Cash will be surrounded by familiar faces and figures.

"¡Claro está! Tome asiento, por favor Of course! Please have a seat"The older girl uttered in Spanish out of habit. Cash patted the extra space beside them just in case Ebony didn't understand any Spanish. "The more the merrier"They switched back to English as Cash continued to decorate cookies #04 out of the 6 that they had grabbed earlier.

The Chamomile tea that Cash had poured had gone cold now, but Cash didn't mind it for one bit at all.

The Cookies Visual That Cash Decorated

Date:14-02-26

Mentions:@Julia Evans

Laasya's Speech:#d65151
Laasya's Thoughts:#bd0000
Others Speech:#872222

Word Count:323

Outfit: x

Hair: x