Holidays at Hogwarts

Spoiler

Name: Camio Lindows
Age: 15
Hogwarts House: Ravenclaw
Appearance: Camio has medium brown skin and wavy black hair. He's a little shorter than average, but he bounces around so much that you'd never be able to tell his exact height. His eyes sparkle in a way that's either "let me tell you all about the secrets of the universe, child" or "I'm running a fun and seriously unstable experiment over here! Bwahaha!!".
Personality: He will talk your ear off about paper. Or clay, or papyrus, or parchment, or other materials that have been used to write on. Actually, he will talk your ear off about many things. He has gotten better about letting other people talk over the years, though. At least until there's an awkward silence. Then he's obligated to fill it with random facts about clouds.
History: Cam was born to a wizard and a witch who left him alone in the library far too long over the years.
Other: When he was a toddler, he tried to eat a book. He... partially succeeded.

Camio Lindows was bored. Yes, he hadn't finished reading all the books in the library, but he couldn't quite force himself to read "Madame Mulberry's Daily Accounts of the Structural and Political Stability of Hogwarts Under Headmaster Fytherley Undercliffe". The other unread books had similarly scintillating titles.

So he went for a stroll. As Cam wandered the hallways and navigated the moving staircases, he noted the uncanny hush in Hogwarts. Without the usual hubbub of students rushing to classes, the building seemed... less, somehow. Like a tree without its leaves. Yet there were still signs of festivity, like the holiday decorations draping the Great Hall in preparation for the feast in a few days. And who knew? Less people could also mean more opportunities to conduct experiments or explore...

Eventually Cam emerged onto the top of the viaduct. Impossibly tall arches swooped from below him to the Black Lake. Cam admired the sunlight sparkling on the water for a moment, then glanced ahead of him. Another student! Without a second thought, Cam ran over. "Hello there! Care to hear about the thirteen types of limestone?"

Spoiler

Name: Elowen Thatch
Age: 15
Hogwarts House: Ravenclaw
Appearance:
Elowen has chestnut-brown hair that falls in soft, unruly waves and sharp grey eyes that seem to be constantly observing the world around her. She’s tall for her age, with ink-stained fingers, a perpetually crooked tie, and a habit of carrying more books than strictly necessary.
Personality:
Quietly curious and intensely thoughtful, Elowen loves puzzles, obscure magical theory, and asking questions others overlook. She can seem distant at first, but once comfortable she’s quite humorous (if she had to say so) and fiercely loyal. She struggles with overthinking and tends to doubt herself despite her wit.
History:
Born to a Muggle mother and a wizard father who works in magical archives, Elowen grew up surrounded by half-told stories and forgotten spells. She arrived at Hogwarts already obsessed with magical history, particularly lost or unstable magic.
Other:
- favorite subject: Ancient Runes
- often found in the library after curfew

Elowen had been leaning against the stone railing, a book balanced on one knee and her fingers idly tracing the grooves in the viaduct’s masonry. She looked up at the sound of footsteps, then at the boy barreling toward her with unmistakable enthusiasm.

She blinked once at his greeting. "...Thirteen?" she echoed, a spark of interest cutting through her otherwise calm expression. She closed her book, slipping a ribbon between the pages. “I was under the impression there were only seven commonly recognized classifications in magical architecture. Are the others regional, experimental, or just very obscure?”

A small, crooked smile tugged at her mouth.

"And," she added, glancing down at the arches plunging toward the Black Lake, "I assume at least three of them are responsible for why this bridge hasn’t collapsed under centuries of questionable student behavior." She tapped the parchment lightly against her palm. "If you’re willing to begin at limestone number one," she said, returning her attention to him, "I suppose we can see who else fate, or boredom, decides to send our way."

Spoiler

Name: Freeda Feather Juniper
Age:16
Hogwarts House: Gryffindor
Appearance: Chestnut brown hair with slightly messy bangs, dark brown eyes, average height with a quick way of moving. She usually wears a mischievous smile or looks incredibly serious, like she knows something you don’t.
Personality: Up to mischief at. all. times. Except when studying for the O.W.L.s. She is an excellent student and enjoys socialising, but has the unfortunate tendency to get bored with rules. Hogsmeade is her favourite place and loves chocolate frogs.
History: Both parents of Freeda are wizards, grandparents from the father side are human. She came to Hogwarts in the second year and visits the human world once in a while.
Other: Terrible at Divination + enjoys charms.

“Where is it, where is it?” Freeda muttered, standing in a corner, her eyes scanning the Marauder’s Map which she found after two students had misplaced it a week ago.

The plan was simple, locate the hidden Room of Requirement. Rumor had it the room could provide anything a witch or wizard needed at the moment. And Freeda needed the invisibility cloak, perhaps also a few decoy detonators. After all, fourth-years could always use a bit more excitement, and it was the perfect opportunity to annoy Professor Snape.

“And what exactly are you doing here, Miss Juniper?”

Freeda froze, slowly spinning to face the familiar figure. Her hand hid the map beneath her robes. “Mr. Filch,” she said, smiling innocently.

“In all my years at Hogwarts, I don’t recall sudden breaks during lessons,” Filch narrowed his eyes, as did Mrs. Norris. “They would’ve informed me, or at least asked for my opinion.”

“I am sure they would, Mr Filch. I was… excused, to go to the bathroom.”

“Doubtful.” Filch said.

“You could ask Professor Snape himself, I’ve shown quite the talent with potions lately.”

Filch hesitated, he looked around to detect any hint of mischief. He grumbled but let her go. She muttered a quick spell under her breath and quickly passed as piles of mud appeared, much to Filch’s horror.

Freeda walked towards the Black Lake, smoothing her skirt from any wrinkles. Two students were deep in conversation nearby. She strolled towards them, “why, this looks fun!”

Spoiler

Name: Eda Black
Age: 16
Hogwarts House: Slytherin
Appearance: Dark black hair, blue eyes, pretty smile. Actually needs glasses, but she’d rather not. Usually wears clothing of dark blue.
Personality: She’s rebellious, ambitious, protective and loyal
History: Her father is Sirius Black. Both of her parents were Gryffindors as is her entire cousin’s family, so she has a hard time fitting in Slytherin.
Other: Best in Astrology. She is the last “Black” to roam these magical lands. She lives in the ancestral home of the Black family, 12 Grimmauld Place.

"Where is that bloody map?" Eda Black asked herself, tearing her entire trunk apart and placing everything on her bed. She could have sworn she put it back before going to sleep.

It was well past curfew, but she had to find the map. She took her wand and left the Slytherin dorms.

"Lumos," she muttered, entering a long corridor and nearly tripping over her own feet. As soon as the light turned on, Professor Snape appeared right in front of her.

"Nox!" She shouted as quickly as she could.

In the dark, Professor Snape replied, "Isn't it a bit late for you to bless these halls with your presence?"

"Excuse me, Professor. I was just looking for the kitchens. To get some bread,” Eda lied.

Professor Snape made the light appear with one swish of his wand. In his slow, monotonous voice, he said, "You've been in this school for almost six years, and you still don't know where the kitchen is, Miss Black? Seriously disappointing. I doubt you’re going to make it till the end of–"

Wait a second. Professor Snape called her Black, not Miss Black? Merlin's beard, cousin?!

Just then in a split second, Eda said, “Aparecium!” (To combat the concealing spell.)

Professor Snape transformed into no one other than Draco Malfoy. “Well, hello cousin,” Eda said in the most sarcastic voice ever.

“You’re seriously slipping, cousin,” Draco said as he walked away, “Now off you go, back to bed.”

“That’s not happening.” She said to herself as she continued her search in the opposite direction.

She walked outside into the Hogwarts gardens, searching for the map. It was the last thing she had left of her father; her mother had burned all his other belongings when she heard the news that he’d murdered his best friend. Eda believed that wasn't true, though.

As she entered the garden, a chilly breeze swept around her, and the full moon lit up the place. In the distance, she could hear a wolf howl. She was not alone.