19 Dec 2021, 22:15
Merry Christmas, Professor
December 23rd | @Maya Galim
It was that time of the year again. Christmas. Opeila's third christmas in Hogwarts to be precise, and the young girl was still astounded about the fact that she was still alive and now even curse free. That was something she had not thought possible until a few weeks ago and now she was here, her skin pale and healthy as if nothing had ever happened.
The castle seemed to be filled to the top with christmas cheer and the stress of those who went to get gifts last minute. Opeila was not among the students, in fact, she had started to work on this particular gift months ago. Since she had spoken with Professor Galim last December, Opeila had spent quite a lot of her free time on this hobby and actually got quite good at it. Of course the professor who had motivated her to try would get one of her best pieces.
The Slytherin had been summoned to Finland a few weeks ago, by a short and formal letter from Hilja Virtanen. First Opeila had been surprised, the Winters didn't want anything to do with her in her second year and didn't even send her a word, then this had turned into nervousness. Why could they possibly want her to come back to the manor over the holidays? Hardly to spend Christmas with her, right?
Whatever the reason was, it had gotten Opeila into a rush to finish the final gifts for her friends and professors before the train would depart to London. It always pained her a little to arrive in England, her home country, the people speaking with a familiar accent. She missed it so much, and every year she only got to be there for a few minutes. Except when Lysander and her had been able to stay in Diagon Alley for a week. Would he pick her up in London?
On the last day, Opeila made a quick tour through the castle, putting every gift in a place where her friends would find them or send them via owl. She didn't want to make an owl fly all the way from Finland to Scotland, when she was here now.
When the third year reached the Muggle Studies Classroom, she slowed down and hung a small blue bag, that was closed with a well cast glueing spell over the door handle.
Inside it was a little card reading:Next to a bag of sticky caramels there was a little thing, carefully wrapped in parchment.Dear Professor Galim,
I wish you a merry christmas. This year I will be going home over the holidays, which is why I can't give you this on the 25th, I hope you don't mind.
Thank you for encouraging me to try this out- I think it turned out well, even if it is not a Madam Tussauds wax figure. I am also very glad that I ended up choosing your class after all, my timetable is full, but it is worth it.
Our last conversation gave me things to think about and I am very grateful.
I hope you like this little gift, I've asked a shop keeper to help me enable it to float!
Have a nice holiday!
Reducio
27 Jul 2022, 06:11
Merry Christmas, Professor
@Opeila Winters
It was the last day prior to winter vacation. Nearly everyone-- student and faculty-- were getting ready to leave for the holidays and get their well-deserved break from teaching or from their studies. Maya had just gotten back from a faculty meeting when she saw something unfamiliar on her desk. She walked over and saw that there were sticky caramels, something wrapped in parchment and a letter. Maya opened the letter and ready it carefully.
It had come from the Slytherin student that she mentored awhile back. They wanted to know if Muggle Studies was worth it to them and she vaguely remembered a conversation about... What was it? Maya had a feeling she knew what it was but couldn't put her finger on what exactly it was that they had talked about all those weeks ago.
Placing the letter down, she grabbed the gift that was wrapped in parchment and carefully opened it. As she opened it, Maya could not help but the smile. It was none other than a handcrafted candle. From the looks of it, it was a rabbit. Maya felt lucky, both to be admired by a student but also to be given such a lucky animal.
Sitting down at her desk, she took quill, ink, and parchment and laid it out on her desk. Before she started, she popped one of the caramel candies in her mouth and began to write:
Maya folded the envelope of her letter. She would have it sent by magic to the girl, hoping to get her before she left for the winter.Opeila,
What a wonderful and thoughtful gift you've left on my desk. You are extraordinary for finding a hobby that speaks to you at your young age. And who knows? Perhaps it will become something more in your adult life.
There is a place in Israel-- where I'm from-- that is all about candle making. It's north of the country called Sfat. It's where I was born, actually. They make candles of all types, shapes and styles. I hope one day in your adult years that you travel both wizarding and muggle worlds and you include Sfat in your plans. Even better, let me know when you one day go there and I can introduce you to the candlemaker for them to teach you different techniques!
Again, thank you for your gift. This doesn't mean, however, you'll be getting Outstandings on your homework! Keep up with your studies as usual!
Merry Christmas,
Maya Galim
Taking a deep breath in, Maya slowly let out the air and felt relaxed. She felt good. She felt like she had a purpose as usual as a professor of a school.
Stamina: 11 || Evasion: 7 || Strength: 7 || Wisdom: 20 || ArcPower: 15 || Accuracy: 10
1 Dec 2022, 23:27
Merry Christmas, Professor
@Maya Galim
The letter truly made a last minute arrival, as Opeila was doing a last check in her dorm to make sure that she didn't forget to pack anything. The young Slytherin had mixed feelings. If it was up to her, she would stay in the school during Christmas, she imagined that everyone had a fun time here too.
When she returned to her trunk and found the letter lying on top of it, curiously eyed by Loras, who was already in his transport box. The young girl picked up the letter and sat on her bed again, where she opened the envelope and unfolded the parchment. Loras made an impatient noise, seemingly unhappy about any minute he had to spend inside his transport box longer than necessary, but Opeila didn't pay him much attention.
The green eyes were trained on the parchment and seemed to light up more with every word she read. When she reached the end, a smile had appeared on her face and there was a warm feeling in her chest. Had her muggle studies professor truly invited her to travel to Israel with her one day to meet candlemakers? With an excited squeal the child jumped off her bed and spun in circles until she felt dizzy.
Happier than she had anticipated, Opeila entered the train later that day and a few days later, a quite exhausted owl made it back to Hogwarts.
Dear Professor Galim,
Thank you so much for your kind words, I am so glad that you enjoy your gift. It certainly is an activity I am enjoying.
Sfat sounds fascinating! I definitely intend to travel after school should my financial means allow it- if they do, I will put that right at the top of my list and let you know! I would love to learn more about candlemaking, thank you so much for your offer.
I earn my Outstandings fair and square, you will find all homework to be done after the holidays.
Have a nice Christmas!
(PS: The owl has traveled all the way from Finland so he is probably quite exhausted now. If it is not too much of an issue I would appreciate if you could give him some water. Thank you!)