Entry for "Magical Objects & Their Uses" at "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Challenges and Assignments)"

Consider the theme of desire. I want you to think of a character, and what they would see in the mirror, and write about it.

Minimum 300 words

Entry for the "Great Maze Challenge/Competition"

You look to the [stars] to continue guiding you through the maze and they say you should go left. After walking a bit, Luna runs up to you with a copy of the Quibbler. Sit there and read with her a bit. You might learn something interesting.

I hope you like it! :)

Neville sat on a windowsill in a corridor near the Gryffindor Tower, being totally absorbed into his newest Herbology book. It was raining outside and the drops splattered against the window, creating a soothing rhythm – he felt like it was just the right atmosphere to snuggle into a corner with something good to read and be alone.

"Hello Neville! I searched for you all over the castle! Skitter a bit, would you? I need to show you something, it is truly amazing!"

Neville's head shot up and he looked into the blue eyes of Luna Lovegood, babbling happily before sitting down next to him uninvited. The newest exemplar of the Quibbler was resting in her hand and Neville felt so overwhelmed by her that he could not react as she opened the magazine and pointed at a page.

"Look, my dad found new evidence about the Crumple Horned Snorkack, isn't that exciting?"

He suppressed a sigh before he turned his attention to the article, reading through the first paragraph which briefly explained what the Snorkack was and were it was to find (not that Neville believed a single word of it).

"He promised me that we will spend the summer searching for it!"

"Sounds nice," Neville said, trying not to show her that he was not exactly interested in the Quibbler's stories, but as he looked up he saw a sparkle in her eyes. It was fascinating him and he was barely listening to her as she dreamily stated:"One day I will find the Snorkack."

She was babbling on about the Crumple Horned Snorkack, but all he could see was how glowingly she talked, a small smile on her face and for the first time he was able to see behind the slight weirdness that always floated around her.

"It is my biggest dream that one day, I will find it and write about it, I will prove everybody that it is not a fantasy! It is very shy and maybe that is good because it is protected by the fact that nearly nobody knows about it."

She looked so beautiful as she swarmed about her deepest desire and Neville asked himself how he had never noticed her as more than the weird girl from Ravenclaw.

"What do you think?"

"Huh? Um... what?"

Neville looked at her in surprise, having barely heard what she had said. It took him a moment to realise what she had been talking about and he hurried to answer with a small smile:"I... I am sure that you will find it."

"Thank you, Neville! You will be the first one to know if I find it!"

She gently patted his hand before jumping off the windowsill and she walked away, leaving the Quibbler behind.

Neville looked after her, feeling his heart beat hard in his chest.

Only the stars knew if she would find her Snorkack one day, but he knew that he had already found something for himself – he had to get to know Luna more – maybe he would discover more than her deepest wish.