HogNaNo 2025 Writing prompts
Writing Prompt - Nov 1 Ravenclaw Prompt 1
Nov 1: Your character solves (or tries to solve) a riddle or puzzle that no one else could answer. What is the riddle or puzzle? Where did you find this riddle or puzzle? What steps did you take to learn the answer? What is the answer? Need Help? Here is a riddle: I write myself as I am read. Each word I speak erases the last. Tell me, reader: what have you learned, when the page forgets you too?
Puzzle Prompt
Yolanda and her classmates were stumped - this trial - this puzzle - was impossible.
A language or equation Or who knows!? - lay before them. On a computer screen the puzzle was still, yet Yolanda’s mind felt the text moving in spirals. She couldn’t begin to make sense of it.
Scribbling in her notebook Yolanda tried to make decipher what everyone was saying, doing, and sleuthing. Any clues could help.
-Mike and *Tam - surprisingly teamed up to look at the structural soundness of the door. Seems sturdy so far. No cracks or faults in design. Mike says it’s ‘damn hard’. Tam says ‘no penetrabilities’.
-Jeremy & Sofia - joined linguistically have the most experience with languages so are attempting to translate - zolton is attempting to assist tagging close behind them. No progress so far.
-Zolton & Elise are quietly scanning the room for details wondering if this is a decoy? Another way around or more studying of the ‘language’ is needed.
-Aquene ? hmm looking at the computer - copying the team studying
Yolanda looked up to hear *San* (fleuragirl) speaking a little louder than San seemed to realize.
“Should Aquene be here with us?” San said directed to *boyfleura* Xav.
Xav’s cheeks turned red as he realized Elise and Zolton and Yolanda had all looked directly at San and Xav, hearing her clearly.
Xav said ‘Of course!’ immediately. San realizing the attention, but oblivious to the reasoning as to why, continued.
“Well, he doesn’t seem to be of help.” San blurted.
Elise jumped to attention for her brother Aquene - “Excuse me? What help are you! Since we’re making judgments and -” Zolton suddenly interrupted.
“There are many reasons why a- students of many diversities benefit society and therefore our class community. If you’d like some statistics I can easily -” Zolton spoke steadily, not realizing the increasing social tension.
“I’m useful! And this is a dangerous mission, how is it even safe?!” San said, voice level rising.
“I’ll show you dangerous!” Elise yelled, getting elevated.
Xav. stepped in between the girls holding his arms out - sturdy and true. “Let’s separate.”
The girls begrudgingly took a break and both went their separate ways. Xav and San went to discuss more with Jeremy and Sofia, while Elise and Zolton started to, seemingly, start checking the doors frame and structure.
Yolanda watched this, all the while getting looks throughout the entire thing from almost all parties - she tried to keep a blank stare - afraid a smile or frown would be misinterpreted. Yolanda heard Zoltons speech on neurodiversity fade away. With everyone dispersed it brought her attention back to Aquene - who was doing something.
Yolanda had thought Aquene was copying the team - studying the walls and looking at the computer intently, but now Aquene was behind the computer. Everyone was intent on studying, discussing, or for some, glaring or mumbling… but Yolanda was trying to tune that out and figure out what the plan was. What’s going on?
“Elise, what's your brother up to?” Yolanda said a bit absent-mindedly. Yet her quiet comment had a loud effect.
Elise went pale and froze. She looked like she had just got caught doing something terrible. “No - dont touch it - “
“I told you! Why -” San cried.
“Whats your problem!”- Elise defended quickly.
“Let us stop” Xav said stiffly.
“Er maybe redirect Aqu - “ Yolanda interjected.
Tam said- ‘Stop.’
The talking stopped. Eyes diverted to Tam. A person of few words.
“Leave him.” Tam half spoke, half grunted to them, as he realized all eyes were on him.
Sans mouth opened then closed silently. Yolanda and the teams eyes turned slowly to Aquene again.
Unbelievable!
The door was open. Not from the outside where the system had left the language and message. Nope. It was the computer system. Aquene had, in Zolton's opinion, had likely been getting overwhelmed by the team's constant chatter, and wanting to move on - had broken them out. Through means of code and computer.
Aquene had been working on computers with them in class and had even excelled at the computer games. The class hadn't realized that he was taking their class and putting it into practical practice.
Wow.
“Sick” Mike whispered.
“In a good way.” Zolton blurted out.
Suddenly they were all laughing, giggling, and jumping around Aquene.
Lets get outta here! Mike grabbed Yolanda's arm in his, Aquene in the other, and the whole team huddled together to express their gratitude to Aquene for getting them out of that room of - well -the blank room to break out of.
“Mission accomplished! Go Aquene, go Aquene! C’mon ! Ao aquene, Ao aquene! You’re the best - we always knew it - but you will get there and they will go for it! Go Aquene go Aquene!" Mike chanted whatever first thoughts popped into his head. It was lovely! Yolanda let out a giggle and chanted along.
Aquene absolutely beamed.
Word Count: 835
Nov 1: Your character solves (or tries to solve) a riddle or puzzle that no one else could answer. What is the riddle or puzzle? Where did you find this riddle or puzzle? What steps did you take to learn the answer? What is the answer? Need Help? Here is a riddle: I write myself as I am read. Each word I speak erases the last. Tell me, reader: what have you learned, when the page forgets you too?
Puzzle Prompt
Yolanda and her classmates were stumped - this trial - this puzzle - was impossible.
A language or equation Or who knows!? - lay before them. On a computer screen the puzzle was still, yet Yolanda’s mind felt the text moving in spirals. She couldn’t begin to make sense of it.
Scribbling in her notebook Yolanda tried to make decipher what everyone was saying, doing, and sleuthing. Any clues could help.
-Mike and *Tam - surprisingly teamed up to look at the structural soundness of the door. Seems sturdy so far. No cracks or faults in design. Mike says it’s ‘damn hard’. Tam says ‘no penetrabilities’.
-Jeremy & Sofia - joined linguistically have the most experience with languages so are attempting to translate - zolton is attempting to assist tagging close behind them. No progress so far.
-Zolton & Elise are quietly scanning the room for details wondering if this is a decoy? Another way around or more studying of the ‘language’ is needed.
-Aquene ? hmm looking at the computer - copying the team studying
Yolanda looked up to hear *San* (fleuragirl) speaking a little louder than San seemed to realize.
“Should Aquene be here with us?” San said directed to *boyfleura* Xav.
Xav’s cheeks turned red as he realized Elise and Zolton and Yolanda had all looked directly at San and Xav, hearing her clearly.
Xav said ‘Of course!’ immediately. San realizing the attention, but oblivious to the reasoning as to why, continued.
“Well, he doesn’t seem to be of help.” San blurted.
Elise jumped to attention for her brother Aquene - “Excuse me? What help are you! Since we’re making judgments and -” Zolton suddenly interrupted.
“There are many reasons why a- students of many diversities benefit society and therefore our class community. If you’d like some statistics I can easily -” Zolton spoke steadily, not realizing the increasing social tension.
“I’m useful! And this is a dangerous mission, how is it even safe?!” San said, voice level rising.
“I’ll show you dangerous!” Elise yelled, getting elevated.
Xav. stepped in between the girls holding his arms out - sturdy and true. “Let’s separate.”
The girls begrudgingly took a break and both went their separate ways. Xav and San went to discuss more with Jeremy and Sofia, while Elise and Zolton started to, seemingly, start checking the doors frame and structure.
Yolanda watched this, all the while getting looks throughout the entire thing from almost all parties - she tried to keep a blank stare - afraid a smile or frown would be misinterpreted. Yolanda heard Zoltons speech on neurodiversity fade away. With everyone dispersed it brought her attention back to Aquene - who was doing something.
Yolanda had thought Aquene was copying the team - studying the walls and looking at the computer intently, but now Aquene was behind the computer. Everyone was intent on studying, discussing, or for some, glaring or mumbling… but Yolanda was trying to tune that out and figure out what the plan was. What’s going on?
“Elise, what's your brother up to?” Yolanda said a bit absent-mindedly. Yet her quiet comment had a loud effect.
Elise went pale and froze. She looked like she had just got caught doing something terrible. “No - dont touch it - “
“I told you! Why -” San cried.
“Whats your problem!”- Elise defended quickly.
“Let us stop” Xav said stiffly.
“Er maybe redirect Aqu - “ Yolanda interjected.
Tam said- ‘Stop.’
The talking stopped. Eyes diverted to Tam. A person of few words.
“Leave him.” Tam half spoke, half grunted to them, as he realized all eyes were on him.
Sans mouth opened then closed silently. Yolanda and the teams eyes turned slowly to Aquene again.
Unbelievable!
The door was open. Not from the outside where the system had left the language and message. Nope. It was the computer system. Aquene had, in Zolton's opinion, had likely been getting overwhelmed by the team's constant chatter, and wanting to move on - had broken them out. Through means of code and computer.
Aquene had been working on computers with them in class and had even excelled at the computer games. The class hadn't realized that he was taking their class and putting it into practical practice.
Wow.
“Sick” Mike whispered.
“In a good way.” Zolton blurted out.
Suddenly they were all laughing, giggling, and jumping around Aquene.
Lets get outta here! Mike grabbed Yolanda's arm in his, Aquene in the other, and the whole team huddled together to express their gratitude to Aquene for getting them out of that room of - well -the blank room to break out of.
“Mission accomplished! Go Aquene, go Aquene! C’mon ! Ao aquene, Ao aquene! You’re the best - we always knew it - but you will get there and they will go for it! Go Aquene go Aquene!" Mike chanted whatever first thoughts popped into his head. It was lovely! Yolanda let out a giggle and chanted along.
Aquene absolutely beamed.
Word Count: 835
HogNaNo 2025 Writing prompts
Bonus Prompt All Houses - Nov 1
Nov 1 - A spell misfires, changing something in an unexpected way.
This could be you trying to learn a new spell, failing at something you are an expert at, or you witnessing someone else cast a spell that goes very very wrong. Explain what happened.
Reply to The Mending Charm And Dancing Feet Spell
Yolanda Yates noticed a first year Ravenclaw, Ally, she believed was her name? Yolanda recognized the girl from the Ravenclaw common room. Now Ally was standing out in the courtyard. She noticed her because she was sitting there with a – dancing doll? The girl absolutely beamed with pride.
Wow! Amazing!
Yolanda wished she was as talented as this first year was with her charms work... maybe it was time to practice. What had Ally been working on? The dancing feet spell for certain was the spell Ally had cast to get her doll dancing blissfully.
Yolanda quickly rushed inside to the girls dormitory to grab her own stuffy - a stuffed pig. Convinced she knew exactly what to do and how to do it, Yolanda sprinted back to the courtyard. Looking at how happy Ally was, Yolanda was sure she replicate it exactly.
Why not? She WAS a second year after all.
“ta-RON-ta-LEG-gra!” Yolanda attempted the dancing feet spell. Attempted, indeed. Yolanda raised her wand high, her incantation flawless. Yet, her movement was a G, not a backward G, like it was supposed to be.
Oh, Yolanda's stuffed pig got up and started dancing - at first. Yolanda looked at the girl Ally and waved with a giant smile.
The smile was dashed as her pig suddenly went on its head and started spinning! And popping and bouncing until finally her stuffed pig smashed (gently) into Yolanda, knocking them both over onto the courtyards ground. Yolanda was glad her pig had finally spun to a stop. Her pride was more hurt than where she’d fallen, thankfully, so she got up, briefly brushed herself off, and looked at Ally, quite sheepishly. Suddenly she realized her poor stuffed pig had pulled its front right leg (just a bit) and was pulling out stuffing!
One little twist, one little mistake, one little regular G, and your pigs suddenly in trouble!
Afraid to try another spell just yet (probably for the best), without something less prized to practice on, Yolanda looked to the other girl Ally.
“Er – would you be able to repair her?” Yolanda pointed to the stuffed pig and blushed, unable to get any more words out. She would have fled with embarrassment by now if not for her precious stuffed pig. She sure hoped Ally or someone could help repair her stuffy....
Nov 1 - A spell misfires, changing something in an unexpected way.
This could be you trying to learn a new spell, failing at something you are an expert at, or you witnessing someone else cast a spell that goes very very wrong. Explain what happened.
Reply to The Mending Charm And Dancing Feet Spell
Yolanda Yates noticed a first year Ravenclaw, Ally, she believed was her name? Yolanda recognized the girl from the Ravenclaw common room. Now Ally was standing out in the courtyard. She noticed her because she was sitting there with a – dancing doll? The girl absolutely beamed with pride.
Wow! Amazing!
Yolanda wished she was as talented as this first year was with her charms work... maybe it was time to practice. What had Ally been working on? The dancing feet spell for certain was the spell Ally had cast to get her doll dancing blissfully.
Yolanda quickly rushed inside to the girls dormitory to grab her own stuffy - a stuffed pig. Convinced she knew exactly what to do and how to do it, Yolanda sprinted back to the courtyard. Looking at how happy Ally was, Yolanda was sure she replicate it exactly.
Why not? She WAS a second year after all.
“ta-RON-ta-LEG-gra!” Yolanda attempted the dancing feet spell. Attempted, indeed. Yolanda raised her wand high, her incantation flawless. Yet, her movement was a G, not a backward G, like it was supposed to be.
Oh, Yolanda's stuffed pig got up and started dancing - at first. Yolanda looked at the girl Ally and waved with a giant smile.
The smile was dashed as her pig suddenly went on its head and started spinning! And popping and bouncing until finally her stuffed pig smashed (gently) into Yolanda, knocking them both over onto the courtyards ground. Yolanda was glad her pig had finally spun to a stop. Her pride was more hurt than where she’d fallen, thankfully, so she got up, briefly brushed herself off, and looked at Ally, quite sheepishly. Suddenly she realized her poor stuffed pig had pulled its front right leg (just a bit) and was pulling out stuffing!
One little twist, one little mistake, one little regular G, and your pigs suddenly in trouble!
Afraid to try another spell just yet (probably for the best), without something less prized to practice on, Yolanda looked to the other girl Ally.
“Er – would you be able to repair her?” Yolanda pointed to the stuffed pig and blushed, unable to get any more words out. She would have fled with embarrassment by now if not for her precious stuffed pig. She sure hoped Ally or someone could help repair her stuffy....