The Fall Equinox Potluck Errand

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⟡ STATS ⟡
⟡ sta: 5 ⟡ eva: 10 ⟡ str: 10 ⟡
⟡ wis: 3 ⟡ arc: 2⟡ acc: 10 ⟡
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Word Count ⟡316⟡
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I had spent my entire morning making chocolate brownies and tasting them to see if they taste good. After two failed tries, I finally succeeded. The heavenly aroma of the brownies made my mouth watered. I learnt to make chocolate brownies from my mother when I was eight. Ever since then, when there's picnic or potlucks, I would bring chocolate brownies that I had made. But when I was ten, I stopped making them, so my baking skills had slipped." Ohno! The potluck is starting soon!!" I exclaimed." Time to get dressed." I thought.



I rummaged through my trunk. It was hard to find because my trunk is pretty packed. I noticed a white knee length silk dress but thought it wouldn't suit because I am going to a fall potluck. After some more rummaging, I finally found the perfect clothing for the occasion. It was an ankle long dress with yellow and orange flowers. " Hmm... Perfect!! I thought. Holding the tray of chocolate brownies, I walked towards the destinated place.



I arrived at the Hogwarts grounds, there was a slight breeze blowing at my face, it feel very relaxing, like swimming in a nice pool. There were students everywhere at the potluck and the decorations were truly breathtaking!! There were fairy lights strung across wooden poles, making the place looked magical. The brownish yellow leaves on the trees were blew by the breeze, they looked exactly like the patterns on my dress. There were also wooden benches full of students, holding platters of food everyone had brought. I carefully laid down the tray of brownies on the tablecloth, hoping nobody will bump into me. Among dozens of food, there were apple crumbles, blueberry tarts, cinnamon rolls and other mouth watering dishes.



There was also some games that I am not really familiar with. Students were clustered around there, lining up for different kind if games. I decided to look around other places for a bit. Among the crowds, I spotted Nessa, and she was holding a plate of blueberry tarts, they look scrumptious! Nessa looked like she was going to walk into my direction, and then she did. She asked me what food I had brought, so I brought her to the table, grabbed a plate and laid it with lots of chocolate brownies, some blueberry tarts and some apple crumble." I brought chocolate brownies, what about you?" I said. I placed a chocolate brownie from my plate and then into hers. We then ran towards the activities station and tried leaves pressing and after a while, we were hungry again. I grabbed some more apple crumbles and blueberry tarts. " I am off to explore for a bit." I told Nessa.



I noticed a girl which I assumed was a Ravenclaw standing sitting on the wooden benches by herself, she seems contented, but I approach her anyway. " Hi, I am Paisley, what is your name??" Without waiting for her to answer, I continued. "What food did you bring? I brought chocolate brownies. You should try some." I said. After we chatted for a few more while, I went to find Nessa, who were playing some of the activities there. I joined her and learned how to make corn-holes. It was a new experience for me, and fun too, because I had never made corn-holes before.



The stars in the sky was shining brightly, and I feel very contented. Sitting on the wooden benches and taking in the beautiful scene in front of me, I thought: " This is my best day ever, and Hogwarts is so magical, new friends, new knowledge and new experiences for me. I am so happy."

Mentions: N/A.
Location: Hogwarts Ground.
Word Count: 1090




Jessica probably enjoyed the quiet sound of the leaves rustling under her feet. In a way it was rather reassuring that in the autumn season Hogwarts changed without having to be asked, the familiar stone walls and winding lanes becoming warmer, softer, and almost like a dream. The grounds appeared to shine in the waning afternoon sun, with patches of amber, burnt orange, golden yellow and deep brown. The air also seemed different, holding the earthy smell of fallen leaves and wet soil with each soft breeze.

Jessica had for a long time believed that Hufflepuff was especially suitable for autumn.

It may have been the warmth of the season, or maybe it was just that from the moment September came all things tended to become more inviting. The castle had a softer, more comfortable atmosphere, the evenings were quieter, and there was always some reason for gathering round the food and enjoying the company of the people. When it came to things like warm drinks, sweet treats, and a cold evening, she had never needed much persuasion.

It was only natural that when Jessica heard that there was to be a Fall Equinox celebration with a potluck on the Hogwarts grounds, she started thinking right away about what she could bring.

At the beginning she had looked at a number of options, but she quickly got rid of most of them since she wasn't really the most adventurous person when it came to the kitchen. She wanted something comforting, something suitable for the mood of the evening, and something that could be enjoyed while sitting under the fairy lights and watching the sky change slowly from gold to dusky blue.

In the end, the answer appeared to be obvious.

Cappuccino and cinnamon rolls.

The combination was nearly perfect; the warm bitterness of the coffee, which had been softened by the milk and a gentle film of foam, went well with the sweet warmth of cinnamon and sugar. It was the kind of thing that should be associated with autumn leaves and blankets and could make even the coldest evening seem a bit less cold.

When Jessica walked towards the grounds on the evening of September 22nd, she handled everything with care, ensuring that nothing tipped over or spilled during her journey. A faint scent of cinnamon trailed behind her as she walked, blending with the crisp autumn air.

She couldn't help smiling.

The beauty of the Hogwarts grounds was apparent.

The fairy lights were hung between the wooden poles and shone softly over the spot where people were gathering. The dried orange and yellow leaves drifted gently in the wind, sometimes detaching themselves and falling across the grass. Around the premises, picnic benches had been set out, each covered with a long tablecloth and there was ample room for everybody to put their food on.

Jessica took a moment to slow down and absorb everything.

It was almost exactly like something that might be found in a storybook.

She has always preferred celebrations that weren't excessively complicated; there was a wonderfully simple aspect in gathering outdoors, bringing food, enjoying the changing season, and letting the evening develop naturally. Nothing grand was needed and the small things were quite sufficient.

She finally went over to one of the tables and carefully laid her cinnamon rolls onto it. The rolls were neatly arranged, each one golden brown and having a light drizzle of icing on top. Next to them, she put the cappuccino and checked that all the items were in the right place before stepping back to look at what she had prepared.

She wished that people would like them.

Jessica wasn't very interested in preparing something showy just to impress people, and she preferred foods that had a homemade and cosy feel, the kind of food that makes you think back to sitting somewhere warm while it rained against the window.

Cinnamon rolls certainly fitted into that category.

She turned her attention back to the grounds, watching the leaves float slowly over the grass. The sun was starting to vanish over the horizon, leaving a gentle glow of colour in the sky. The stars would soon start to appear, and the quilts that had been prepared for star-watching would likely become a great deal more useful.

The idea caused a smile to appear on her face.

Autumn evenings had a particular quality about them. In summer everything appeared bright and full of energy, as if the world were always urging people to go somewhere and do something; in autumn people were encouraged to slow down.

To notice things.

The sound of leaves.

The smell of cinnamon.

A cappuccino warming cold hands.

The fairy lights shine against the sky as it darkens.

Jessica liked that.

The idea that the Fall Equinox signified a change without demanding that everything have to change at the same time pleased her; the world was merely progressing into another stage of its cycle, a stage in which the nights would slowly get longer and the air would become colder. There was a strangely peaceful aspect to that idea.

Maybe that was the reason why people had been celebrating the changing of the seasons for so long; there might be a comfort in knowing that nothing ever stays the same forever. Summer eventually turned into autumn, autumn eventually turned into winter, and then spring would come back once more.

At the moment, Jessica was more than content to remain exactly where she was.

She looked for a pleasant place close to the edge of the gathering area and once she had found it sat down, placing her hands around her cappuccino to keep it warm. Soft steam rose from the cup and vanished into the cool evening air.

Next to the table, her cinnamon rolls were waiting.

The fairy lights were starting to shine more brightly.

The leaves kept on moving gently over the grounds.

The first stars were just beginning to appear above Hogwarts.

Jessica drank a little of her cappuccino and then got comfortable for the moment.

It's possible that autumn was indeed all about slowing down.

It might have been about valuing what existed prior to all the changes once more.

No matter what the reason was, she concluded that she needn't understand it completely.

For tonight she was just content to be a Hufflepuff sitting under the autumn sky, surrounded by warm lights, cinnamon, coffee, and that clear sense that Hogwarts had become a little more magical with the coming of fall.

The evening air felt cooler than it had earlier in the day. Elara followed the other students out onto the grounds, carrying the basket she had brought for the occasion. She had spent some time deciding what food to bring. In the end, she went with a blueberry pie. It was wrapped inside the basket so it would not get cold too quickly. When the field came into view, Elara slowed down a little. Fairy lights had been strung between the wooden poles, with dried orange and yellow leaves hanging beside them. The leaves moved gently whenever the breeze passed through. It looks nice. Elara looked around the picnic tables. They were set out in uneven rows, with long tablecloths covering them. There were already plenty of dishes on the tables. Some of them looked familiar, but she did not recognise everything. She found an empty place near the end of one table. Elara set her basket down and carefully took out the pie. She placed it beside the other dishes and made sure it was sitting properly. I hope someone will like it.

She looked over the food for a moment before turning away. Elara looked around the field. The different activities had been set up around the grounds, just as the poster had described. Her attention went to the miniature summoner's court first. She could not quite tell what she was supposed to do there. Maybe later. Then she noticed the leaf-pressing table. Elara walked over. Leaves covered most of the table. There were yellow ones, orange ones, and a few that were already brown around the edges. She looked at them for a while. A small maple leaf caught her attention. Its edges were orange, with a little yellow near the middle. Elara leaned closer. It was pretty. She carefully picked it up and turned it over in her fingers. She had never tried pressing a leaf at Hogwarts before, so she looked over the table to see how it was done. After a moment, Elara placed the maple leaf down. She followed the instructions beside the table and carefully pressed the leaf.

Action pressing the maple leaf