[NightFlame22]

Soft, yellow light glowed from inside a cottage near the wood, a myriad of delightful smells drifting on the wind: vanilla, butterscotch, mint, chocolate… It was as though an entire bakery was stuffed into the tiny house.

Inside was Bea, hard at work. With winter came the yuletide season, and she wished to bring holiday cheer to those around her. Instead of buying gifts for everyone, she always made them herself. It was her official “baking weekend,” a weekend in which she spent two days from dawn til dusk baking up a storm, the end result being hundreds of assorted cookies to distribute amongst her loved ones. The kitchen was full to the brim with boxes of various cookies: iced sugar cookies, chocolate cherry chip, peanut butter, butterscotch haystacks, cinnamon shortbread swirls… There was no end to the scrumptious goodies. As it grew late on Sunday evening, she just had one more batch of cookies to make: her famous chocolate mint chip cookies.

Bea pulled the dough out of the fridge and began shaping it into little balls. One by one, she plopped them onto the cookie sheet, then put them in the oven. It wasn’t long before a minty flavor joined the chorus of scents, adding a freshness to the warmth of the cottage. While the taste of these cookies was wonderful, it was the memories that came with them that made Bea smile. So many happy times, notably around Christmas, of sharing and laughing with loved ones over a batch of warm cookies. But one particular moment always came to mind whenever she was alone, the batch just barely in the oven.

It was a while ago, back when Bea was in college. While her first couple semesters were manageable, she found that her second year was a struggle. Her major classes were frustrating at the least, and at their worst, she often broke down from stress. No matter what she did, it felt as though she was always subpar, and eventually this threw her into a temporary depression. It was at her parents’ suggestion that Bea tried looking at other schools, and in the end, she found one that was a much better fit for her. As the semester came to a close, she became more and more excited, for it would mean the end of her misery. However, her optimism was dampened by one thing: leaving this school would mean leaving her friends, too.

Sure, her classes had been stressful, but that was really the only thing Bea struggled with at college. She had hit it off immediately with her roommates, and the group of them had always gotten along, even when things were difficult for everyone. Not only that, but her involvement with the band helped her meet people that would come to be as a second family for her, a bond which she cherished in good times and in bad. Bea would do anything for her friends, and the thought of leaving them had brought her to tears on multiple occasions. She knew that transferring would be best for herself in the long run, but it was hard to imagine finishing school away from those she cared about.

Bea decided she needed to do something to show her appreciation for her friends. She didn’t have an oven in her room, but that wasn’t going to stop her. A quick campus search helped her find a kitchen she could use, and with that, she hatched a plan. She came in one day after class, arms full of the ingredients she needed. Once she got everything set up, she went right to work, mixing flour, sugar, eggs, vanilla… Finally, in went the bag of mint chocolate chips. Bea stirred with all her might until it was fairly evenly mixed. She managed to be patient enough to let the dough sit in the fridge for the full time, and then it was much easier to ball up and arrange on the cookie sheets. Just like always, Bea popped the cookies into the oven, the sweet smell of mint and chocolate permeating the kitchen. A short bake later, Bea had a box full of the delicious treats.

Such an important gift couldn’t be handed off quietly. Bea scheduled a get-together for the break before finals week, something casual since they all had to study for finals. Her roommates would be there, as would her friends from band. She set up a few tables in a courtyard, each decorated with small holiday items she had found: paper snowflakes and colorful ribbons. One by one, her friends came, and she greeted them all with a bright smile. Once everyone had arrived, Bea prepared herself to make her announcement, taking deep breaths to steady her pounding heart.

Starting off slow, Bea tried to still her voice as she told them everything. While many knew she had struggled over the semester, none were aware of how deeply it affected her. It wasn’t long before her voice began to shake, tearing up as she looked at her friends before her, the ones to whom she knew she’d have to say goodbye. Her careful speech became a waterfall of words, everything pouring out all at once until there was nothing left to say. Warm rivers ran down her cheeks, and she stared at the ground, too upset to meet anyone’s eyes.

A pair of arms wrapped around her, and another, and another. Her friends surrounded her in a big group hug, and soon Bea’s sobs turned into shaky laughter. Everyone would be sad to see her go, but they’d be able to keep in touch, and there’s no reason why they couldn’t visit each other every now and again. Bea gave each and every one of them a hug in turn, and soon they were chatting away, munching on cookies and laughing about the fun things they had done together. Things would be different at the new school, for sure, but even with distance between them, her friends would always have her back.

The loud beep of the timer snapped Bea back to the present. Pulling the cookies out of the oven, she found that the batch was as perfect as that one moment so many years ago.

[SkyGold]

marking to watch! I can't wait to see everyone's entries! Love the design as I'm a Hufflepuff myself!

[waffle02]

username:
waffle02

kalon name:
Winnifred

favorite food memory:
As a foreign exchange student, I've definitely struggled with adjusting to many things. However, when I started classes here at Oxford I never realized how much one thing would impact my life....food. I'm originally from a small town in Mississippi, so moving all the way to England was a huge deal for me and my family. I had always dreamed of going to school in the U.K., however now that I was actually here all I wanted to do was go home. More than anything I missed my mom's cooking. She always made the best sizzling fried chicken and home grown green beans. Most all of I loved her coconut cream pie. Every year she made it for the Fourth of July and my brothers and I would devour it. It was topped with a mile high topping of meringue and filled with the sweetest coconut filling. I remember spending the evenings on the fourth just relaxing by a bonfire eating mouthfuls of pie as the fireworks exploded overhead. I never really thought too much about those days, but now that I'm alone in Oxford I think of them all the time. It wasn't until I met Dr. Hensen that thinks started to get better.
Dr. Hensen was a professor at Oxford who taught COMM 102 which was a writing class. It was my first class of my second semester, and on the first day he asked how many of us had read Harry Potter. A vast majority of the class raised their hands and he asked assigned our first paper on the topic of what our house would be if we were students at Hogwarts. Being a loyal Hufflepuff, upon returning to the dorm I spent hours writing that paper. Since I'd been in college I had never put so much effort into a paper. The next day at lecture I strode up to the professor and placed my essay in the pile. The rest of the day was extremely uneventful and like most days after class I returned to my dorm room alone. As I sat around my room I suddenly heard a dig on my computer. I looked and saw that I had received an email from Dr. Hensen. Skeptically opening it I read this message: "Hello there Winnifred! I read your essay and I must say that you have a lot of talent for writing. Anyways I know how hard it can be to be the exchange student in a school and thought I would invite you to have dinner at my house tomorrow evening? Us Hufflepuffs have to stay loyal right? From, Dr. Hensen". At first I wanted to say no, however I hadn't had a actual home cooked meal since August and it was now January.
The next evening came really fast and all of a sudden I was standing in front of an apartment door. I had never been so intimedated by a door before, but I stood there for a long awkward moment until my paw slowly reached up to knock. Suddenly, the door swung open and a casually dressed Dr. Hensen stood in the doorway. I always forget how weird it is to see your professors outside of class until it happens and I wish I would have thought of that before accepting this dinner invite. He invited me in and as I stepped inside a wafting scent of food rushed through my nostrils. The smell was strong and and made me feel warm inside. For the first time in a long time I felt really excited about something other than talking to my family on the phone. We sat down at the table and Mrs. Hensen began to set the table. We chatted about books and our favorite styles of writing as the room became filled with a mixture of scents. There were strong scents of butter and chicken and bread and so many other foods I had missed so much. Suddenly a delicious pan which contained a strange dish was placed in front of me. It smelled of chicken and rice but was coated on top with weird seeds and crackers. After that amazing smelling dish was placed down we began to dig in. As we feasted Dr. Hensen explained to me that he too was from the USA. He said that he was an exchange teacher and it was his second year at Oxford. He told me he invited me over because he knew how hard it was to adjust to a new place, especially at my age and that he hoped that he could be there for me whenever I needed someone. I honestly was so moved by his kindness that I began to tear up. It honestly could have been to the magical poppy seed chicken too, but either way I cried.
As the semester passed I went to their house at least twice a week. That night helped change my attitude and reopen my eyes to the amazing experience I was having by being in England. I began to open up and meet friends to. It was all honestly due to Dr. Hensen, and ever since my favorite food has been that delicious poppy seed chicken because when I eat it I am reminded that sometimes the most seemingly random act of kindness can be the most meaningful and really make a difference.

extras:Art drawn by me <3

[Red weasel]

username:Red weasel

kalon name:Taliah

favorite food memory:
My favorite food memory was the first lunch I shared with my now friend Leila. I was breakfast, and I had the best french toast filled with cream cheese and topped with blueberries, and 4 strips of bacon! But the best part about it was that I could to share it with such an amazing friend! Does nothing beat a good meal with a great friend ya know? It's even more memorable, is that it was the first! It's even more special to meet someone with a good meal.Leila and I are so close now, it's always good to look back a where we started.

Why I am a Hufflepuff:
You might already be thinking, because you love food, but it's so much more than that! I pride myself on my house I'll have you know. Loyalty and kindness are very important things, and I like to think that I am an at least semi-decent example of both. Leila might be able to confirm some of that for you. I will always stand up for my friends and help them fight the struggles they go through. I would do anything for my friends and family, and I will always stand up for what I believe is right, no matter who it is that I have to stand up to. Like a badger, I may be cute, but mess with me or those I care about, and you will see a different side. and yes, I am pretty good a finding things.

Facts:
Patronus: Swan
Ilvermorny house: Puckwudgie
Favorite drink: Hot chocolate
Favorite animal: Owl

[witchcrafting]

username: Vagabond :: kalon name: Hedwig - Named after the owl

favorite food memory:
"I have to say.. I think my favourite memory involving food is my mother's Peanut Butter and Bacon Sandwich - I can still taste the crisp, salty bacon fighting with the creamy sweet peanut butter for my taste buds' attention. Her secret was generously buttering the white bread before slathering it with peanut butter. My secret was to try my hardest to eat it slow enough."

[endless shelter;;]

username: endless shelter;;
kalon name: wip
favorite food memory: res with soup from veg she found in the forest
extras:

[koushi.]

username: crutchie_
kalon name: Criss
favorite food memory: "You know me. A little bit of cinnamon."

That's what his mother always said. Criss remembers that well. In their little one room apartment, the sweet smell of snickerdoodles filled the air, swirling around and creating a sweet barrier between the pair and the outside world. He remembers nibbling on the cookies and his mother's tired face smiling as he told her about how the cinnamon popped like the fireworks outside. He remembers sitting on the counter and watching her bend and sway as she hummed and cooked with natural elegance. He remembers the rain pounding against the window, the second worst storm that the city had gotten that week. It didn't matter to little Criss. For that moment, everything was okay. For that moment, he smelled the baked snickerdoodles, tasted the popping cinnamon, and watched as his mother danced on her aching feet.

Many years later, Criss would look into his mother's things, now dusty and forgotten in an old leather trunk. He would find a yellowed recipe card written in neat calligraphy that had been drawn on in messy pink crayon. He would stare at it for a second, trying to recall the feelings he had experienced as a child. After finding that he can't, he will tip his head, smile, and whisper in a bitter sing-song tone. "You know me, a little bit of cinnamon." Then he would return the card to its chest and pull his scarf up over his muzzle before entering the pounding rain outside.

extras:
n/a

[dxrmon]

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♐ username ;; wild thing.

♐ kalon name ;; lupin - after remus lupin, who could transform into a werewolf.

♐ favorite food memory ;; when he went to the great feast and stuffed himself.

♐ patronus ;; stag - as he is known for his braveness and courage.

♐ extras ;; is very protective and caring of his scarf, he will rarely take it off.
he is known to help others in need and has extreme patience. lupin will not
hesitate to stand up for the people he loves. one of his many flaws is his trust
issues. although he may consider you as a friend it doesn't mean he really trusts
you. he is a true hufflepuff and will keep it that way at every cost.

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[Kunzite]

username:
kalon name:
favorite food memory:
extras:
Res so hard?!

[pees]

Marking for winner!
Good luck everyone!