Errand May All Your Baubles Be Bright Finished

Somehow, she'd made it to December here in her first year at Hogwarts School. The time had moved more quickly than she could have imagined. Only yesterday it seemed like her and Lucian were fighting off the grindylows in the Black Lake. And then there are had been the sorting and classes and the Halloween seasonal activities. In the course of a few months she'd tried out both Quidditch and Duelling—unofficially—and made plenty of connections, notably her best friend, Avis Greymond. There was still half a year ahead—who knew what came next?

For right now, it was yet another errand that gripped her attention. This one seemed especially festive: bauble decorating. Presumably this was all for the tree in the Great Hall. It seemed innocent enough, and much more up her street than either the pumpkin destruction or toilet cleaning of last month. After all, Maisie had grown up decorating and carefully crafting colors together. All she had to do was imagine the bauble as a kind of three dimension dress and she'd be set. As long as they were provided with the materials, of course. A bad workman blames his tools, but you couldn't craft something from nothing either.

So, Maisie eagerly made her way to the Great Hall following her Charms class. Her Ravenclaw robes seemed to billow behind her as she had a kind of excited spring in her step. Her hair was kept in the single braid she often wore and she kept a leather satchel with her books and notes inside slung off her shoulder.

Coming into the hall, Maisie's eyes widened—it was clear that a great deal of work had gone into setting all this up. And not just the errand. The room and the school felt different as if drizzled in a certain holiday spirit. Three long tables had been left clear in the room to be home for the crafting this errand required. The final table had been split in two: one side filled with food and the other full of all the materials and creative items one might need in crafting the perfect holiday bauble.

Since it was not yet dinner time, Maisie was not particularly hungry yet. Instead, she hopped right up to the table full of crafting materials. Holding up the different types of baubles for a few seconds each, she settled on the transparent bauble. It caught the light streaming through the Great Hall's windows in a unique way and she thought she could do something special with that, perhaps enhancing it with some colors or other sheen. She also picked up some paints, string and glitter as well as the cranberries, which were one of her favorite treats at the holiday season. It looked like there were plenty of options for those who weren't specifically interested in bauble making; in fact, the cranberries were likely originally intended for a garland. Maisie made a mental note of all that was available, knowing she'd likely return here when she'd finished her first bauble. Besides if Avis got here in time, maybe they could work together on a wreath or something larger like that.

Filling her hands with these items, she walked over and found a space for herself on one of the long tables. Levitation would have been helpful here, but there were too many items for the spell she expected. Still, she did her best to keep balance and not drop anything. Stepping over into a seat, she let her materials spill out onto the table's wood. Her eyes lit up as she looked over everything she collected, taking them in hand every now and again as she tried to visualize exactly what she wanted to create. That was half the battle: if you could see what you wanted your dress—bauble—to look like, you could make it so. You could form a plan to get it from conception to completion.

Several seconds passed as the idea started to form in the cranials of her brain. And then she had it: a bauble that could create unique light patterns. But there was a problem: the bauble was perfectly round and there was no way to get inside. Gritting her teeth, she held the glass bauble up, and whispered, "I'm really sorry about this, but I'll fix you later." Then in one fluid motion, she cracked the bauble like an egg against the side of the wooden table. The crack was not large and certainly not circular, but it was wide enough that she could slot in a handful of cranberries. Holding it up to the light, she watched the patterns of the reflection against the stone floor. She added more until she found the light pattern satisfactory. Then, taking out her wand, she cast a simple, "Reparo," over the crack and bauble was whole again, only with the cranberries sealed inside.

From there, she added some paint and glitter over the top, but never enough to be opaque. Indeed, there were plenty of patches where the glass shown nakedly through. The result of a kind of Jackson Pollock effect and it only enhanced the reflected pattern on the floor.

When she was satisfied, she walked over to the tree and send the bauble floating upwards with a simple, "Wingardium Leviosa." She didn't send it that high up, but rather she searched for a spot where the bauble could catch the most ambient light from the window. Smiling, she was pleased with the effect.

Open to interactions

Banner was made by the awesome Aly Salinger

december 1 2024 | afternoon

⫘⫘⫘ 825 words ⫘⫘⫘

English | French | Thoughts

Open to interaction

Christmas could often be a lonely time of year when people recounted those they wished were still able to celebrate but unlike his previous Matthew found himself with a great deal to be thankful for this year. For one he had made a handful of new friends that enriched his life and made him see the magic of Hogwarts once more lighting the gleam of his rich hazel eyes. He supposed that was what inspired him to be more active in this years festivities and what brought him to the great hall on the first day of December.

Hogwarts was known for going all out on its decoration but Christmas was an entire level all on its own. All too often during the season the enchanted ceiling would flutter gentle snowflakes so crisp and pure over their heads while the warm hearths lifted their spirits out from the cold winter air. It was a time of excitement and simple joys and for one single moment you could forget the dark parts of the school for all anyone seemed to show was the delight of the season. Entering into the hall Matthew took a seat at one of the large tables typically intended for Hufflepuffs during meals but Christmas was a season of unity and he hoped that spirit would be extended to seating arrangements.

Scooping up a warm cider in hand he couldn't help but giggle cheekily to himself for taking an alcoholic beverage. Eyes darting around he took in the sights of those around him but no one seemed to be watching him at least no one he caught, really the hall hadn't picked up much momentum yet but he was no stranger to being early. Sometimes Matthew found himself going for meals earlier or later to spend as little time around his housemates as possible. It was true he now had allies, even friends, at the table and being a Viper certainly helped but there were no shy few purists that seemed dedicated to making his life a living hell. That was in honesty the other reason he had chosen the Hufflepuff table as the last thing he needed was an argument about blood purity.

No Matthew was here for a very specific reason, he hoped that he might be able to make some friends and they could even design some silly baubles together after or even a wreath but first he had a more important ornament to design. Ever since his birthday Matthew had been dedicated to celebrating the life of his mother since she no longer could and whenever he could he wished to memorialise her in magic. She may not have been a witch but she was certainly magic. That was what drove him to pick up the clear bobble along with a handful of blue, white and black markers, and finally a small piece of red ribbon.

Before he could get to the decorating, he found himself slurping down a big gulp of the apple cider that's tangy liquid burned down his throat filling his stomach with a warm tingly sensation. It wasn't the first time he had drunk in fact it was somewhat of a tradition in the Campbell household; mulled wine, cider, baileys, whiskey each had a time and a place around Christmas to be enjoyed and Matthew and his dad had often shared a cup. With that said he continued sipping away watching as the world went by and students busied themselves with their creations until he had finished half the cup. Leaving the rest for his father, despite knowing he couldn't be there to share, he was ready.

Wielding his cherry wood wand in his hand he made a hole just big enough for the tip of his wand in the bauble and with a gentle movement spoke the incantation "Orchideous" As his wand comfortingly glowed two flowers began to conjure themselves intertwined in the bauble, wrapped around a delicate purple hellebore was a holly flower with tiny white petals. It was the union of his parents hellebore for his father a symbol of thoughtfulness and holly for his mother, the plant she shared a name with. Curling the transparent bauble in his hand he moved it close to his chest hugging it tightly and placing a kiss upon its top before moving on.

Next came the outer shell. Gripping the blue marker he began to go around the surface drawing little snowflakes in blue pen before accenting them with the white marker to give them a shining snowfall effect that would resemble that of a snow globe. When the young snake was happy with his work he placed the bauble down carefully and drew the red ribbon down in front of him sweeping up the black marker as he went. Placing the marker upon it he scribble down a quote 'There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good-humour. - Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol'. Matthew and his father had a tradition of watching the film every year and surely once he went home it would be the first thing they did but rather than his affection for the story it was the message that drove him to write.

So much of the young boys life had been tainted by misery and grief and he had held onto it for longer than he should. There would never be a cure for the likes but he wanted to make a promise to himself that he would at least do his best not to seek out its sorrow and hide within wallowing. Matthew was determined to spend time focusing on laughter and choosing to take risks despite the many worries it caused him for the rewards would be worth it no matter the consequences. It was a dedication to himself to be more brave and live a life his parents would want. With that done he twisted the ribbon around and on the other side simply wrote two words 'Nollaig Chridheil' meaning Merry Christmas in Scottish Gaelic.

Twisting the ribbon inside so that the quote rested internally against the flowers and wrapped lovingly around them he looked upon his creation with satisfaction and comfort in his longing stare. Dawdling up to the tree he whispered "Wingardium Leviousa" and watched as the bauble floated tenderly up resting on a branch with lights twinkling around it causing the snowflake patterns to glow warmly. For the entirety of the winter season he could look upon that branch and know that his parents were there watching over him, cemented in the magic that lived within these walls a magic that he was sure they possessed. With that settled he made his way back to his dedicated seat and began to drink the other half of his cider that had somehow remained charmingly warm toasting to his father as he did.

“𝕴t’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…” Ruth found herself singing as she walked into the Great Hall, the smell of ginger cookies and hot chocolate wafting into her nostrils. There were other pastries that, too, complemented the scent, but Ruth favoured them above the rest. She was eager to go for the snacks first, but it wasn’t what she had come for.

Well, partly that. But it wasn’t the main reason, yes. She was here to decorate the school for Christmas, for a piece of her soul to be contributed to this grand palace that accepted her. For her to feel as though she was at home, making the baubles with her parents. Oh, when will she ever get over the homesickness? It was driving Ruth nuts.

Deciding to distract herself a little, Ruth made her way to the table with the food and drinks first, popping a ginger cookie into her mouth and savouring it. It tasted sweet and the spice felt just right, the flavour kicking in and leaving the girl mellow. It tasted like home. Brushing aside the overwhelming feeling, she straightened up and headed to the crafts table, squaring her shoulders. Right! Time to get to it.

Ruth lost herself in the process. There were just so many crafting materials, so many grand ideas, she found herself engrossed in mashing them all, her creativity at its peak. She decided to make it a challenge and use them all. First, two baubles—a clear one, and an opaque one of red colour. Ruth managed to find both with equally the same sizes and grinned. Off to a good start.

Now, should she have it made to look neat and pretty, or wacky and pretty? Mmm. Ruth bit her lip, concentrating on drawing a somewhat straight line across both baubles, halving them. Ruth surveyed the list of materials ahead of her again. The glitter that was provided was a need, and she selected the bronze and gold sparkles that shined under the light. Ruth took a few gingerbread-man ornaments as well, hoping to place them in the bauble.

Having gathered her ingredients—wait, no, materials (she still had the potions lesson with Professor Regan stuck in her head), she pasted the halved baubles with the glue (surprisingly strong) till only the top of the bauble was open. There she pours in the gold and bronze sparkles, popping in a gingerbread man. She took a long look at the others, pursing her lip and craning her neck to take a look at the ornaments still available. Maybe replace the gingerbread-man ornaments with others, such as the Christmas tree and reindeer. She placed them into the bauble before glueing them close.

The insides of the bauble were now finished, with a transparent face to show off the explosion of glitter and Christmas logos, and an opaque red background to make them stand out. Ruth liked it very much, but the outsides were still missing something.

Ruth hadn’t yet used the paint. She let herself to a fan brush, dipping it in some white paint. With a rather calculated swish, Ruth smeared the paint over the opaque side of the bauble, making wide stripes over it. Ruth dipped the brush with more white paint, then paused. Should she use her hands? It didn’t seem like a good idea, since Ruth did want to have some treats later on which she WOULD have to grab with the same hand. Oh well, Ruth flicked at the brush, creating splatters across the transparent one. She dapped at them to reduce the opacity, then decided to add on smaller layer of glitter over the top of the bauble to create a rainy effect.

Done. Ruth admired her work, her eyes gazing at her masterpiece. She really, genuinely liked it.

Though, she still hadn’t finished using every single material. Hadn’t the sign up sheet say she could make wreaths?


Ruth definitely would make a wreath. She thought it’d be a fantastic gift to send home, since she wasn’t planning on going back during the holidays. She was sure her parents, especially her mom, would love it. But first, to hang the bauble. Ruth had spotted the prefect who had been in charge of the errand. Dori, wasn’t it? Somewhat shyly, she took a step towards them, then decided against it. Maybe later. Instead, Ruth headed back to the table engulfed in crafting materials, picking herself a handful of branches and twine. It wasn’t the pine that Ruth’s family usually used, but the method wouldn’t change much. Don’t forget the cranberries, popcorn, pine cones, ribbons…

Then she began to work. How had her dad taught her again? Oh, yes. Ruth took a long branch from her pile and bent it into a circle, hurriedly securing the ends with twine. Loop it, twist, tug. Ruth could begin to feel the pride shimmer as she made a firm knot before repeating it with three more branches.

Layering was her favourite process after decorating. The sturdiness felt good in her hands, especially as the weight of the wreath gradually increased. Wrap it around in more twine, and soon the structure of the wreath was visible. She trimmed the stray ends with a pruning shear, admiring the end result. It was still bare, of course. Time to decorate! Ruth hummed a jolly Christmas carol as she did so, sliding in the pine cones and cranberries before tying them with more twine. Ruth tied a ribbon to the very bottom, a silky red that glittered just as much as her bauble did. A festive touch that she was sure her family would appreciate. She hoped they didn’t mind that it wasn’t their splash of green and instead brown, though.

Looping the wreath through her arm and clutching the bauble, Ruth’s sense of accomplishment soared as high as the Great Hall’s ceiling. It was these little accomplishments that somehow made Ruth the happiest. However, there was something else that would make her very, very happy…

The treats. Ruth smirked to herself, then glanced down at the bauble still in her hand. Yeah, she should hand it to Dori first, then she can begin her feast.

WC:1035

A valuable skill used for fun...

Christmas. A wonderful time to spend with family and friends, eat good food, and tell stories before bed. Kojo had always returned back home to celebrate Christmas - he could always count on seeing his aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents around this time of year. Ghanaian Christmas differed slightly from English Christmas - where, in England, it was mostly focused on a single day (two, if you count Christmas Eve), Christmas was a much more daily event over the course of a month, from the beginning of December to the beginning of January. It made it easier to see large families, to participate in a multitude of traditions, and enjoy a variety of food.

Since he was here, he figured that he would not be home for as long as he normally would, which saddened him, slightly - he didn't know if the kitchen staff knew how to make fufu. He made a mental note to try and find someone that might be able to show him who decided on what was being served for dinner, so that he might ask. Regardless, he was interested to see how people here celebrated Christmas. He had heard of an arts and craft 'event', where they might be able to decorate things to place around dorms, give as gifts, or even hang up on the massive tree in the Great Hall.

He had waited mostly out of sight, out of mind after lunch, watching the preparations take place. There was a lot of activity from students that looked much older than him, who were able to put everything together with spells that he had yet to learn... So he was careful to remain out of the way, lest he get underfoot and make someone's job harder. That is, until he saw a beautiful swath of kente fabric placed among the crafts.

Whomever had thought to bring it and set it out for people to enjoy had lit a small fire in the boy's heart. His father had taught him how to sew, both because it was both an incredibly useful skill when it came to patching up clothes and it was family tradition for Acheampong men to know how to sew. A few were renowned tailors back home, and the craft had been in his family for many generations. Kojo, while far from being able to make anything grand, could more than hold his own. He just wasn't yet sure how he'd make use of it...

When the crafts were opened to the people, however, he quickly made his way over and used a pair of fabric scissors to take about two yards - it was enough to make a good few small things, or two large things, or a variety. His personal sewing kit was upstairs in his trunk, but he found more than enough tools to do what he needed, taking some red, gold, and black thread, three different sized needles, a few pins, and a thimble (he had not yet become good enough to sew without the occasional, accidental poke).

He watched some of the other students - these circular (or, sometimes not so circular baubles) seemed to be the name of the game. He picked out a blue fabric not unlike his House colors, a bell, some stuffing (not the food), and some buttons. It would take him a bit longer to make one bauble than the others had, but he had the perfect idea in mind...

He sat on the ground, legs criss-crossed, rather than at the table - he worked better this way, with his items arrayed in front of him. He cut a larger square than he needed from the kente pattern and the blue fabric (better to cut too much and trim down than not enough and have to use more), and used it to cut out six medium-sized, sharp-tipped ovals - three from the two different fabrics. From there, it was actually quite simple - all he had to do was sew the edges of the ovals together, and they would become a ball.

But he was an Acheampong, and it was never that simple! First, he cut out two small, rectangular pieces of blue fabric and rounded one side of it that it looked a bit like a thumb. He made a slit near the rounded edges, folded them inwards, and pinned them down. The two rectangles were placed back to back and sewn together - it looked like a tongue, with a slit where a button could go through with some snugness. He sewed the piece horizontally to the back of one of the ovals - now it could be like a little door, which he tested and attached the button to the front-middle of a separate oval piece and 'latched' them together.

Kojo then did the most simple, repetitive part next - he sewed the edges together. Since he had two different colored fabrics (red-and-gold kente, and blue) and two main thread colors (red and gold), he alternated edges and threads. For most projects, he was taught to keep the stitches hidden... But for this one, he kept them visible and did a little extra-but-unneeded reinforcement in the form of a small, criss-crossed pattern.

With all edges but the door sewn, he had a moderately sized, flat globe in his hands with a neat little open. On the top of the fabric globe, he sewed the second button on. It would serve to hold the loop, which he went through next. He had never really been taught too much when it came to objects of pure thread, but he did know how to braid his own hair - he applied the same technique to a combination of four lengths of thread, so that he had a nice, multicolored, stable braid that he looped through the button holes and secured with a small, hidden knot. He stuffed the ball halfway, and then placed the bell inside (after he made sure that it worked, of course), before he finished with more cotton and closed the latch.

Kojo's little lopsided grin-and-chuckle was more of pure amusement than accomplishment - the colors clashed and the extra stitches made it a very 'busy' piece of art... But it combined his heritage with his new House colors in a rather fun, eccentric way, and he could easily retrieve the bell and charm it (once he learned charms). He shook the ball, and it jingled brightly, if a bit muffled - which was understandable. It would be something he'd think about for next time.

He stood up and looked around, and watched as a girl levitated two baubles up into the tree. She looked somewhat familiar - he didn't know who she was, but Kojo was decent with faces, and he thought he had seen her in Ravenclaw Tower before.

The boy walked over to Tracey Bailey with his jingling, fabric bauble in hand. He probably should have moved a little faster and asked her right after she had sent hers up, but that thought only came to mind after he had already said, "Excuse me," after he had gotten closer.

"Hi. I think I've seen you in Ravenclaw Tower... I'm Kojo," he stretched out his free hand for a handshake. "Acheampong." He added his last name after the fact, because he forgot that, for some reason or other, people used last names here in place of first names.

"Iii.... Don't know the levitation spell yet... Would you be able to help me hang mine up, like yours? You had some pretty designs, but mine..." He shook the bauble, "Jingles!" He gave her a lopsided grin.

@Tracey Bailey | Open to Interaction | WC: 1269

What a holly, jolly Christmas it promised to be! December has arrived and the snow has finally begun to blanket the castle in a shimmering coat of white. Jan's breath formed into soft, swirling clouds that are visible in the frosty air as he trudged across the creaking wooden bridge outside Hogwarts. The tiny snowflake on his ravenclaw scarf had already melted into a bead of water, and his cheeks were rosy from hours spent playing with the snow.

Once the Ravenclaw boy stepped back inside the castle, the chill of the winter melted away, replaced by the familiar hum of its lively corridors. Jan loosened his scarf and puffer jacket with a practiced motion, folding it neatly before tucking it into his weathered messenger bag. Just two days ago, his (now closest) friend, Ruth Fairchild, had insisted that he join her on a special errand—A trip to the Great Hall, she’d said. He wasn’t entirely sure what to expect but he had learned to accept her begging without question.

With a final tug to secure his back, Jan descended to the ground floor, where he instantly met with the familiar oakwood grand doors. He stepped inside the Great Hall to see that the tables had already transformed into a row of workstations. Brushes of every size, jars of shimmering paint, lengths of a variety of strings, and stacks of glittering sequins beckoned from each table. He searched for his friend to see that she’s already finished with her task.

“Oh wow, she’s very fast,” Jan sighed to himself, not realizing the small smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he watched her delight in the treats she chose. “I guess I’ll do this on my own.” He glanced around at his surroundings once more and found an unoccupied spot at a table near the far corner. The collection of art supplies spread before him were almost overwhelming in their abundance; but as his fingers brushed over a white bauble, a flicker of an idea began to form.

The chatter of his peers faded into a soft hum in the background as his thoughts unraveled. Picking up a brush, he dipped it into a pot of navy blue paint before painting a stroke on the white bauble and hoping that he won't regret the choice of colour.

By the time he set the brush down, his bauble gleamed with the swirl of navy blue and beige brown, punctuated with tiny doodle stars that were drawn with white marker. Jan studied it for a moment and felt a quiet sense of accomplishment. It wasn’t perfect, but it was his. He stood up from his seat and headed to the Christmas tree where the prefect stood by, helping the other first years to put their own ornaments on the tree.

When it was his turn, Jan handed his decoration to the prefect who smiled warmly at him before taking the bauble. He watched in amusement as they raised their wand with a practiced flick, and the bauble gently lifted from their hand. The ornament that he made on his own, floated effortlessly in the air before it made its way up high to a spot among the other Hogwarts students' creations. Now that the bauble is all done, I'll try to make a wreath, he thought to himself before making his way to the setup table where he spotted a large pile of branches and a bunch of twine awaited to be decorate.

After a moment’s consideration, he reached out for the branches, their rough edges prickling against his skin, and twine before carried it back to the corner of the table. His table section gradually grew crowded as more people gathered around to begin their task on decorating their own bauble(s) or wreath(s). He laid his materials on his place and stared down at them, not knowing what to do with it. For Jan, the task is much more daunting than the bauble decoration.

No one had ever taught him how to make something like this. At home, there had been no one to show him the way. His stepfather, who had always been distant and preoccupied with work, was nowhere to be found during the holidays, too wrapped up in his responsibilities to offer any guidance or bonding moments.

Jan’s mother, though kind and well-meaning, wasn’t much help either. She could hardly manage such tasks herself; so here was Jan, struggling as his hands fumbled with the twine, trying to make some sense of the task, but the knot slipped, and the branches wouldn’t stay in place. He could feel frustration building, an unfamiliar tightness in his chest as he repeatedly attempt to form the wreath. Clenching his jaw, he laid the materials down for a moment, losing hope with the wreath-making task. The wreath before him still looked nothing like the others—The branches were uneven, the twine too loose, the shape too awkward.

Maybe someone would offer to guide him, show him the way, without making him feel small for not knowing how. He wanted to believe that someone here could help him, but in the back of his mind, a doubt crept in, whispering that he should have already known how to do this by now and therefore; shouldn't ask for help. But a part of him hoped someone would notice his struggle.

𝓣he treats were, indeed, very delicious. Ruth had downed a cup of hot chocolate, a bit of cheese and crackers, some pretzels, and took many cookies to count. Now she nursed a glass of lemonade as dessert, making her way away from the tables, slightly guilty of stuffing herself with treats. She barely made a dent, though. There was plenty more for everyone else to share.

A niggling feeling accompied the treats in her stomach. Had she forgotten something? Ruth frowned to herself, trying, desperately, to remember. Her friend, Jan, surfaced in her head, and she gasped, almost dropping the cup of lemonade. Shoot!she thought to herself, casting a quick look around. Hadn’t she wanted to do this errand with Jan today? How could she have forgotten? He himself wasn’t exactly a forgetful person.

She subconsciously rubbed her tummy, chiding at the treats. Yeah, must be that. It was then did she spot her friend, staring down a bunch of materials she couldn’t see from afar. Ruth grinned, happy to have caught him just in time before she left, and made her way to him. She couldn’t wait to show him the wreath she made and point out the bauble that now hung on the majestic tree, gleaming along with the others.

It was only a few metres away did she notice his clenched jaw. He looked to her as if he was troubled, frustrated about something. Ruth inched closer and noticed the materials: branches and twine and a wreath. Or at least what seemed to be a wreath. Ruth couldn’t help but admit that she could barely decipher the round shape from the rogue branches poking out, and the whole shape in its entirety was coming lose.

Well, on to the rescue! Ruth put on a smile and went up to him, clasping his shoulder. “Jan, hey!” she gestured at the mug, her wreath hidden on her other arm. “I had just gone to eat some of the available treats. What are you making?”

Interacting with: @Jan Dehoff