Errand A Day Well Spent Solo Finished

Takes place in the Hufflepuff Dorms, the Owlery, the Hufflepuff Common Room, and the Library.

Teiki glanced at herself in the mirror. It was one of those days where the day itself felt important, and Teiki already felt the need to somehow include herself into it. After all, it was March 8. International Women's Day. The name simply reminded her of her mother. She had birthed 3 children (all girls) and had taught Teiki a lot. The reason why she was the way she was. She gave a soft smile to the mirror, softly putting the freshly combed hair into two pigtails.

Teiki had a list. A simple assignment of sorts. The first was to send a letter to her mother and sisters. It wasn't going to get to them on time, but they would still appreciate the gesture. Or at least her mother would. Her sisters were 4, so they had different priorities. She didn't really expect them to care, but it would still be nice to talk to them. She'd have some chance over the next break, she supposed. Whenever that was, she wasn't very good at keeping track.

The rambling thoughts happened as her steps carefully brought her up the winding staircases of Hogwarts. She blinked for a moment when she realized that she had stopped. After all, she was in the owlery now. She gave a small smile, before glancing down at her right hand. It had lightly carried to postage and papers, although her focus landed mostly on her bracelet. A gift from her mother when she was younger. When she didn't understand that she would be having siblings, which meant less attention to herself. She smiled at it, before walking towards a corner. Since she had everything to write the letter, she simply sat down and wrote.

March 8, 2020
Dear Mom,
Hello! Do you know what day it is? I’m assuming you do, but happy International Women’s Day! I’ve been thinking about you for the entire day. Not like I don’t do that everyday, but I’ve been thinking about the past, too. Like, did I ever thank you for the bracelet? I had been so interested and confused about the idea of siblings- twins, even- that I completely forgot to thank you. And yet, I wear that bracelet every day. Because it reminds me of your love, and how close you will always be. You said the three of us would be your sun, star, and moon. I think that would make you our world. To help keep us grounded, happy, and excited to learn. While we (the twins and I) might start getting annoyed at you easily, I want you to know that I’m sorry. You will always be really important to me, and I hope you remember how much I love you.
Thank you!
Teiki
P.S. Tell Night and Daisy that it’s International Women’s Day. Also, tell everyone that I love them and think of them often.

Tears threatened as she wrote it. A year away from her family was hard. Even if she had had seen them throughout the year with breaks and all, it still felt difficult. She also felt bad for her mother having to deal with three kids who didn't realize how thankful they should've been. After all, the family was perfect. Caring parents, space to roam, and open-mindedness. Perhaps others would have disagreed, but Teiki loved her family just the way it was. She sat up, placing the newly written letter in the envelope. The owls seemed a little curious about the emotional girl, but they stayed back in their high perches. Only one had stayed down, closer, and so she gave the letter to the snowy owl.

"Thank you! Safe travels." She whispered, before letting the owl go. She watched it flap away for a few moments, before turning around and beginning to head down the stairs.

There weren't many things on her list. The next was to make food. Sweets, really. Some type of cookie. To give to others, as a little thank-you, she supposed. Which was a bit of a hassle considering that she wasn't allowed into the kitchens. But, she had found some sort of way. Simply ask for the ingredients and then tell the house-elves how long it needed to be in the oven. A few asked her why she hadn't simply asked them to make cookies. But cooking was something she enjoyed doing- especially if it was sweet.

She had found an open space in the Hufflepuff Common Room. It seemed like the best place to make such a treat. She supposed that she could’ve done it in an empty classroom, but the common rooms were closer to the kitchen. Plus, the common rooms would always feel more homey than any empty classroom could ever- even if it was charms. She gave a soft laugh at the idea, beginning to whisk the eggs, butter, vanilla, and sugar together. It didn’t take longer before she had to ask for a multitude of dry ingredients, thanking the elves profusely. After all, she was making their life more difficult than if they had simply made the cookies.

The ingredients came quickly, soon measured out in another bowl. The flour had exploded in her face the moment she put the whisk in, but she laughed it off, a white cloud having dispersed on the tabletop around the bowl. It made sure to also fall in her hair, white flecks extremely apparent in the long, jet black hair. At that moment, she was glad that she had never really cared about her appearance.

A small giggle left the eleven-year old as she stole some of the chocolate chips, the little dots melting on her tongue. Nearly the entire contents of the bag had been poured into the mix, and she couldn’t help but smile as she realized that the chocolate chip cookies might be more chocolate than cookie. But she formed them into small spheres, placing each gently onto the baking sheet. With that, she allowed the house elves to return it all to the kitchen, helping clean up her work area. The simple action reminded her of home, and her cheeks flushed from the happy memories.

But the main idea around International Women’s Day was to make an impact, and learn of the past impacts. And while Teiki certainly didn’t feel like she could make an impact yet, she certainly knew where to research such people. After all, there was a library at this school for exactly that purpose. To learn. She wandered down the flight of stairs and into the Library, silently taking in the rows and rows of books. Well, at least she sort of knew the section that she needed to be in?

She soon found herself at a table, heaps of books next to her. In a notebook, she continued to write about famous women. Hypatia, Florence Nightingale, Marie Curie, Rosa Parks, Jane Austen, the list continued. Each received their own page, lists written down on lined paper. Yes, she had a notebook. One she had brought to Hogwarts before getting quills and scrolls. And messy ink that went everywhere. She wondered why they couldn’t use pencils- or at least pens- before realizing how off topic she had become.

Florence Bascom

-Geologist and educator
-Born in Massachusetts (1862)
-Got a PhD from John Hopkins University- first woman to do so (1893)
-Had to take classes behind a screen
-2nd woman to complete a geology doctorate (in the USA)
-Was an authority figure when it came to categorizing rocks
-Created geographical maps of New Jersey & Pennsylvania
-Published 40+ scientific papers
-Began teaching at Bryn Mawr College (1895)
-Retired (1928)

She glanced down at her notes, deciding that page to be satisfactory. She continued on for a few more, but eventually her arm grew tired, her eyes needing a break. And with that, she cleaned up her little area of the library, a smile on her face.