26 Sep 2020, 19:08
A Sweet Disaster
When Percival had received the odd letter from Gargott, who was the Keeper of Keys and Grounds, the boy had been nothing but surprised. It seemed that the other was trying to trick students into feeding their teacher homemade goods. Percival doubted that Gargott had actually taken the time specifically to select only a few students to bake for him. It was more probable that the teacher had sent a letter to everyone in Hogwarts in an attempt to gather as many baked goods as he could.Backdated to 08/23/2020; at Rainwood Manor; in Chester, England
Despite knowing this Percival found himself standing in the kitchen looking more than a little lost. Percival had never baked before let alone been in the kitchen more than five times. A fact that had been helped by a discouraging Grandfather who did not want his grandson messing around in a kitchen. Which was part of the reason why Percival had waited till the house was mostly empty before he began his mission of baking a treat.
The first thing that came to mind was to find some sort of cookbook. When Percival had lived in his parent's home his mother had kept a couple of cookbooks as a sort of decoration. It had been a fact that he still didn't understand but one he never really pressed on. Percival searched through multiple cabinets to search for any hidden away cookbooks. About five minutes into the search, Percival spotted a few cookbooks hidden away on a shelf. The boy pulled out one that specifically said 'Holiday Cookies: Cookbook' It was not overtly fancy in any way, but the book seemed to radiate a more homely vibe.
Flipping through the many pages, the boy stopped at the words Chocolate Chip Cookies. His mouth watered slightly at the picture presented to him, and he wondered if they would smell just as good as they looked. The next hour of Percival's life was a mess of flour and sugar. The boy would deny any claims that it had taken him a full fifteen minutes to figure out how to preheat the oven. Thankfully no one was there to witness that embarrassing moment. Despite the delays and the confusion, Percival stood over the cookie pan victorious. He looked down at the nine circles of cookie dough with a sense of tiredness and unrelenting joy. All that was left was to place the cookies into the oven and wait for eighteen minutes.
[Eighteen minutes pass]
Percival's eyes widened when he opened the oven door to take a peek at his delicious smelling cookies. It looked like his cookies had spread a little too far. The nine cookies that he had begun with had dwindled all the way down to one large cookie. Percival racked his brain trying to figure out what exactly caused his cookies to merge together as they did. Had he not added enough baking powder or baking soda? Not enough flour or sugar? The boy had no clue how he could have messed up the recipe so thoroughly. Especially, after he had paid special attention to each ingredient's measurement.
He sighed slightly as he resigned himself to his fate. The boy grabbed the pair of oven mitts and grabbed the hot pan from the oven. It took little effort to place the pan onto the stovetop, and Percival was discarding the gloves in no time. Percival studied the treat as he debated if he should send it or not. The treat still smelled delicious, despite the fact it looked a little misshapen. The boy shook his head deciding to send it anyways. If Gargott raised any questions, Percival would just pretend that he had meant for that to happen. He just hoped the Keeper of Keys and Grounds was not very picky.
Percival took the large cookies wrapping it in a clean white handkerchief. Though due to the size of the monstrosity, the boy ended up using a second one to completely incase the treat. Normally Percival would not care that much about wrapping it, but the family owl would have to take a long journey to get to Hogwarts. It would do him no good for the treat to slip out on the way. Percival made his way out of the kitchen and into the room that held the old grey owl. Picking up a quill and scroll, Percival went about writing a small note.
'To the Keeper of the Keys and Grounds,
I hope you enjoy this cookie. Before you ask yes I meant for it to come out that way. Better to have one large cookie then a measly nine.
-Percival J. Rainwood'
With a small nod to himself, Percival took the small scroll and rolled it up. Attaching it to the bird's left foot. "You'll have to make quite a journey this time around. Do try not to lose my package this time." he said in a cold tone. "Take this to the Keep of the Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts." he spoke waving his hand in dismissal. The old grey owl seemed to squawk in indignation at its treatment. Though dutifully it picked up the package and set off on its a long journey to Hogwarts.
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"I doubt you'll remember me with a smile."
iNPC Mikael Halldorson