15 Dec 2021, 00:43
Secret Birthday Wishes
During the crisp morning of December 9th, a school owl delivered a rather large package to a certain first-year Slytherin boy. If Cain were to open the package, he would discover that the sender had included a foraged permission slip so the boy could enter Hogsmeade, and fifty packs of chocolate frogs. There was also a card attached, explaining the gift decision and wishing the boy a happy birthday. The card had an image of a cartoon crow with the words 'Happy birthday, you old crow' written across the front. It was the only crow-related birthday card that Winnie could find, and she found the message to be quite funny considering Cain was only turning 12.
To: Cain Corvus, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Slytherin House
From: Winnie Harper, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Ravenclaw House
December 9th, 2021
Dear Cain,
I know that you said you wished to remain quiet about your birthday, so I hope this letter does not cause a spectacle. I just wanted to take the opportunity to wish you a happy birthday. I really enjoyed speaking with you about chocolate frogs the other day.
Unfortunately, it does not seem like they are available in Diagon Alley, but only at Hogsmeade. No worries, however, because I believe I have found a way... Around the third year restriction. With that being said, I hope I can trust your discretion with this.
I've also attached another small birthday present, I hope that you end up getting a card you need! Happy birthday.
Your new friend,
Card attached:
Reducio
@Cain Corvus
│ │ | │ │ | STA: 15 • EVA: 18 • STR: 8 WIS: 11 • ARC: 7 • ACC: 17 | │ │ | • Healing Sage • Muggle Condition • Paragon of Health • • Poison Resistance • Animagus • Wandmaker • Lovely Creature • | │ │ | │ │ |
15 Dec 2021, 01:45
Secret Birthday Wishes
Cain was relieved he lived in such a desolate and quiet dorm. There was maybe one other boy that he saw whose name he knew from the sign-up roster alone, but they'd stayed out of each other's way so far. The one friend he'd made at school was Winnie Harper and he gave a rare and genuine smile to the birthday card, but a bigger smile at the contents of his parcel. Perhaps she wasn't a bad friend to have at all! A Ravenclaw willing to bend the rules a little, not to mention she didn't seem to mind how weird he was. Cain would bet she was the type to befriend just about anyone, even a twisted snake. He already decided they would have to be life-long friends from now on, so he'd have to find a way to weed those types out of her life at some point. First of all, a 'Thank You' letter was in order. His mother didn't raise some rude brat who didn't take the time to thank someone! He carefully tore a sheet of paper from his sketchbook and sat in the owlery to make her a small card. He only hoped the feisty bird wouldn't crumple up his hard work too much. He attached a short letter with his thank you card. The first few drafts were torn up until he finally settled on one that made him sound smart and cool enough to let a girl read without the terrifying thought of her showing anyone else bothering him.
To: Winnie Harper, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Ravenclaw House
From: Cain Corvus, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Slytherin House
9th, December, 2021
Miss Winnie Harper,
I can't thank you enough for your very precious and thoughtful gift. I will make good use of them and try not to get sick on the chocolate. I hope it's not too much to ask when your birthday is so I can return the favor in the future? Perhaps a list of things you like too since I don't know that either.
Looking forward to knowing you better,
C. Corvus
Reducio
It wasn't a very long letter, but he wasn't sure what to write to a girl either, especially this one. It was difficult to restrain the urge to just open up all the frogs immediately, but he had to make himself wait. His birthday card was stowed away in his cloak pockets, his hand patting over it to make sure of it's security as he wondered if maybe he'd look cool with a hat like the crow on the picture, maybe not, it was definitely an old man thing and he could wait until he actually was one before he tried that out. He then carefully rolled his letter with his quickly drawn card and sent it off on one of the school's owls.
Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 6 | Strength: 3 | Wisdom: 7 | Arcane Power: 7 | Accuracy: 7
16 Dec 2021, 01:17
Secret Birthday Wishes
Winnie was surprised upon receiving a reply from the young Slytherin, she had assumed he would just tell her thank you in passing or pretend it didn't happen, since he didn't seem too keen on celebrating his birthday. She smiled after ripping open the letter and reading her new friend's response, as well as the cute little decorations the boy had added.
During lunch break, she grabbed a quill and wrote the boy back. If Cain was introverted perhaps letter writing was an easier way for him to communicate.
To: Cain Corvus, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Slytherin House
From: Winnie Harper, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Ravenclaw House
December 9th, 2021
Dear Cain,
Thank you so much for your letter, I loved the design! The crow is a perfect representation of you, how did you know I was fond of strawberries, though?
My birthday has already passed, it was back in September, the 25th. I did have a celebration, but it did not end up going according to plan. Unfortunately, some people enjoy chaos. So it was probably better that we didn't know each other back then, or I'd have accidentally dragged you into the drama as well.
As for things I enjoy, I like strawberries and cards (as you well know). I also write poetry, paint watercolours, and I love wildflowers. I often pick them when they grow during the spring and summer. I like to press them inside books. Sadly the wintertime has stripped that ability away from me. Pine trees do offer a nice alternative, though!
What are some of your hobbies? I want to learn more about you!
Your friend,
@Cain Corvus
│ │ | │ │ | STA: 15 • EVA: 18 • STR: 8 WIS: 11 • ARC: 7 • ACC: 17 | │ │ | • Healing Sage • Muggle Condition • Paragon of Health • • Poison Resistance • Animagus • Wandmaker • Lovely Creature • | │ │ | │ │ |
17 Dec 2021, 01:19
Secret Birthday Wishes
Cain was even more surprised than Winnie was to get a second letter in the same day, turning it over in his hands and reading over it. He did appreciate people who were punctual and prompt however, so it was a welcome surprise. Nothing irked him more than being told to hurry to be ready and then waiting around an extra half hour to an hour for some else. Crows and ravens were his namesake, so of course it would suit him. As for the strawberries, he wasn't exactly sure, it was the first thing he thought of when drawing his little thank you card for her. Winnie kind of looked like one to him, perhaps that wouldn't make sense to anyone else.
To: Winnie Harper, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Ravenclaw House
From: Cain Corvus, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Slytherin House
10th, December, 2021
Miss Winnie Harper,
You're welcome for the letter, but it's purpose was to thank you for your thoughtful birthday gift. I did end up getting a rare gold card to add to the collection, the rest were duplicates but that's okay. The Chocolate is still edible either way. The thing about your birthday having already past isn't a worry, I figure it must have since most birthdays will when you come to December. It will come around again and I will be prepared for it. I'm sorry to hear that it didn't go well this year, I'll help you make sure next year is better.
Thank you for telling me about the things you like, I'll keep a note of them. My hobbies are pretty boring. Do you like to play chess? I can show you how if you don't know already. I do a lot of reading and studying, so if you want to do a study group then we can do that too.
I don't like it outside and I don't like swimming. I like to draw.
Your good friend,
C. Corvus
Writing a letter about himself was actually pretty difficult but still easier than talking and he didn't have to worry so much about what his face or hands were doing. He read and reread the letter to make sure he spelled everything okay and didn't say anything too awkward, everything he said seemed necessary while carefully avoiding anything he didn't want written down and easily seen or known. "Perfect." He muttered to himself and rolled up his letter, carefully attaching it to a less scrabbly looking owl this time. Cain opted to send his letter the next day so as not to appear as if he had nothing better to do, he did have homework and things to prepare for after all. His gift for his mother wasn't going to wrap itself.
@Winnie Harper
Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 6 | Strength: 3 | Wisdom: 7 | Arcane Power: 7 | Accuracy: 7
18 Dec 2021, 23:00
Secret Birthday Wishes
The Ravenclaw was always quick to grab her pen or quill and jot a reply down. Writing in her journal was one of her favourite things to do, so she had gotten pretty quick at handwriting. At this point, the two of them could have easily transitioned into speaking in person, but as both were seemingly introverts, this method worked much better for them. A small smile curved onto her lips as she read the letter from her new friend during breakfast, the owl that had delivered it nearly knocking over her bowl of cereal.
She ripped out her bag to grab her quill and notepad and start scribbling down a response. There was likely a spare cheerio stuck to the back of the paper as she shoved it inside of the envelope and traveled to the owlery during her lunch break to send it off.
To: Cain Corvus, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Slytherin House
From: Winnie Harper, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Ravenclaw House
December 10th, 2021
Dear Cain,
Woohoo! I'm glad you managed to snag a rare. As you build your collection you'll find you get more and more duplicates, but that's okay because it's still fun to open them. Hopefully the other item I sent you will assist you in finding more rare cards. Thank you for the kind offer! I think next year I will definitely have a smaller celebration to keep the drama away.
I don't really know how to play chess, my mum tried to teach me when I was little but I was too distracted to pay attention. It might be fun to learn now and surprise her next time I go home! I love to read, what kind of books do you like other than horror? I enjoy reading classics myself, mostly muggle books, but books about magic are fun too. My boyfriend only reads really boring stuff like Pavlov or something like that! BLEH! The outdoor is so much fun, though! Especially during spring when all the flowers grow. I grew up on a farm so I basically lived outdoors. I could even show you how to plant a garden!
You like to draw?! I LOVE TO PAINT! We should do art together sometime! This is awesome, I can't wait!!!
Your friend,
@Cain Corvus
│ │ | │ │ | STA: 15 • EVA: 18 • STR: 8 WIS: 11 • ARC: 7 • ACC: 17 | │ │ | • Healing Sage • Muggle Condition • Paragon of Health • • Poison Resistance • Animagus • Wandmaker • Lovely Creature • | │ │ | │ │ |
21 Dec 2021, 23:29
Secret Birthday Wishes
Interacting: @Winnie Harper
Another letter. There was also a bit of some cereal attached to it which he promptly picked off and put on the table for the owl to snap up. He then read over the letter itself, practically hearing the girl's chirpy, cheerful voice in her words. She had nice handwriting for a messy eater. He brought out his own letter stationary and quill to begin his own answering letter. This exchange might end up just going on forever, but he didn't mind.
To: Winnie Harper, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Ravenclaw House
From: Cain Corvus, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Slytherin House
11th, December, 2021
Miss Harper,
You must care a lot about your friends to consider keeping your next birthday so calm for them. I will gladly teach you some chess, it's a lot of fun once you get into it and as a Ravenclaw I'm sure you'll appreciate the strategy. I have read some classics as well, there's a lot of classic horror you know, like Bram Stoker's Dracula. It's quite close to real vampires actually. There's also Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. You could pick up some Franz Kafka, Voltaire or Leo Tolstoy, they're good classic writers. Perhaps you'd like The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum? He wrote some poetry too. There's all sorts of symbolism in it, not to mention a cute dog. Lewis Caroll's Alice in Wonderland would suit you too.
I like to read some of these stories and I wonder if these muggles have run into a real witch, wizard or magical creature. Things like boggarts and boogeymen make sense. It's sort of a shame that a muggle can't call upon a wizard for help, like a 'plumber' they use, to just get rid of the creature for them like they would for a leaky pipe.
I'm sorry, I think I got off topic. Your boyfriend sounds well-read, perhaps you can choose a book to read together and exchange points of view? He might like Candide by Voltaire, it's about a very optimistic character who falls in love.
As for a garden, I might go outside for a little bit for that. It would be nice to have my own vegetables and potion ingredients. I wouldn't object to painting and drawing either, but I would prefer to do that inside. There is probably a room somewhere in this castle that we could do that in.
Your good friend, C. Corvus
Cain looked over his letter, carefully reading and rereading the contents. It was all pretty safe, no mistakes that he could see so he folded it up and sent it with a young owl with everything to prove. It's sharp talons wrapped around his letter and off it flew out of the tower and into another window far out of sight so Cain couldn't follow it. He hoped she liked the book suggestions.
Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 6 | Strength: 3 | Wisdom: 7 | Arcane Power: 7 | Accuracy: 7
30 Dec 2021, 22:38
Secret Birthday Wishes
If Winnie was anything, she was a girl riddled with contradictions. She was happy to receive another letter from her new special snake friend, but this time it would take her a day to write back. Classes were getting a bit crazy now that winter break was just around the corner. Still, she had to make time for her card buddy!
To: Cain Corvus, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Slytherin House
From: Winnie Harper, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Ravenclaw House
December 12th, 2021
Dear Cain,
Truthfully when I first attended Hogwarts I didn't have a lot of friends, so I try to treasure the ones I have now. They have been a light in my life during some difficult times. I am more than happy to be able to add you to the list of people I care about. I look forward to learning about chess from you, I'm sure that, given your track record, you are nothing short of amazing at the game.
I know of those books, mother and I read them during my homeschooling before Hogwarts, I will have to look up your recommendations, though! I love the Wizard of Oz. I am unsure if you grew up with muggle influences but there is a film made in the 1930s that is just so amazing. Maybe one day I can show it to you if you haven't seen it.
I definitely think that muggles were influenced by magical creatures when writing their stories, there is a lot of legends that muggles pass around about creatures that definitely resemble some of the ones in our world. I think it would make the most sense if they encountered them, we can't keep them away from all of magic, after all! Thank you for the suggestion, you seem well-read too so I definitely trust your opinion! Maybe I can find the book and send it to him for Christmas.
I could show you how to garden too. I usually draw in the small hall or the study rooms, though sometimes I sneak into an empty classroom to practice. There are all sorts of hidden spots in the school. Have you ever heard of the Room of Requirement? If not, I have to take you there!
Your friend,
@Cain Corvus
│ │ | │ │ | STA: 15 • EVA: 18 • STR: 8 WIS: 11 • ARC: 7 • ACC: 17 | │ │ | • Healing Sage • Muggle Condition • Paragon of Health • • Poison Resistance • Animagus • Wandmaker • Lovely Creature • | │ │ | │ │ |
2 Jan 2022, 03:35
Secret Birthday Wishes
@Winnie Harper
Classes and homework was definitely piling up on top of holiday preparations, so Cain couldn't respond quickly either even if he were to track Winnie down herself and hand her the letter in person. The anticipation of a letter was sort of nice anyway, he had something to look forward to other than classes and the next chapter of his current book.
To: Winnie Harper, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Ravenclaw House
From: Cain Corvus, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Slytherin House
14th, December, 2021
Miss Winnie,
I have a track record with you already? I will have to live up to these standards and read up a little more on some chess tricks. Just pretend I didn't tell you that and continue to be impressed by me, thank you. It's a fun game, we can find and play others as well, with a deck of cards anything is possible.
It's hard to go see a movie for me but I have seen that one. I'd say it's one of the better portayals of a witch by muggles. I wonder if travel via a bubble would be possible? We could invent a spell for it can call it a special effect if we're caught. Not that we would ever try something like that without permission of course. I would watch Wizard of Oz again if you happen to have a way to do that.
It makes the most sense. Muggles used to know about wizards too, still write books about them and strange creatures. You could definitely say I am well read, it's all I do in the summer and the winter usually. We have a good library at home. I would appreciate all your gardening tips.
I've heard rumors about a secret room that fulfilled requirements, it sounds like the perfect place to do some drawing and painting in. I look forward to it.
Your Friend Always, Cain C.
Cain made sure not to leave anything incriminating in his letter, should these ever be intercepted by some nosy prefect. He wasn't sure how to answer Winnie about her friendship troubles, he had trouble maintaining friendships himself after all. He considered it a small miracle she wasn't bored of him yet. Winnie's boyfriend sounded like a bookish nerd by her description, so she was probably just good with his type. If he ever met him, he'd have to ask if he ever got that book for Christmas and if he liked it.
* Perfectionist *
Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 6 | Strength: 3 | Wisdom: 7 | Arcane Power: 7 | Accuracy: 7
Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 6 | Strength: 3 | Wisdom: 7 | Arcane Power: 7 | Accuracy: 7