Written for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments)

Assignment #3 - Magical and Muggle Languages (Mermish)
Task #3 - Write about someone learning a new skill.

Further prompts are at the end.

Word Count: 811

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and its associated universe belongs to J.K. Rowling, and not me.


"-and I'll need this done on the thirty-first, for Samhain," Mrs. Black says snootily.

"Okay-"

"That's this Friday, I'll have you know. In three days' time. I'll be coming to pick it up at nine in the evening, and-"

"We close at eight," Lily says, forcing her lips into an apologetic smile by reminding herself that the Blacks have been one of their best customers for years, that she hasn't slipped up yet and won't, because they can't afford to lose Mrs. Black as a customer, no matter how rude she is.

Mrs. Black raises an eyebrow and, when Lily refuses to take the hint, wordlessly pulls out her pocketbook.

And Lily hates that they'll the bribe and stay open an hour later, but they do need the money.

"The cake will be ready by then."

"Good," Mrs. Black says primly. "I'll be picking it up at nine, and I expect it to be perfect by then. Oh, and make sure you're the one who makes it."

She sets the bills on the counter and walks away, and the moment the bell jingles as the door closes, Lily lets out the breath she's been holding, collapsing against wall that separates the front room and the kitchen. She hates working for Mrs. Black, absolutely hates it.

"Is she gone?"

Lily turns to glare at the four heads poking out of the kitchen - some help they were. "Yes. No thanks to you."

"Aww, c'mon Lils, don't be like that," Sirius wheedles, stepping out into the front room. "You know we can't let Mother-"

"I'm not talking about you, you have an excuse," Lily allows. "As does Peter, since he doesn't do customer service. But-" she takes a small, menacing step forward "-James? Remus?"

"We'll bake all things in your share, for the week!" James blurts.

Remus frowns. "We-"

"We will, right?" James says, elbowing Remus. "So you can spend the time on your experiments - just don't be mad at us?"

Lily pretends to consider it for a long moment, before saying, "Alright, fine. Deal." James exhales loudly, and it's hard to keep her smirk from showing on her face - before she remembers. "Just… leave Mrs. Black's order for me. She was very insistent." For whatever reason.

-oOo-

Three days is right about at the bare minimum time needed to make a cake up to their normal standards, which Mrs. Black must know perfectly well, because it's enough time that they will be able to make the cake well without the crumb structure being too soft, but also not enough for them to make it with the regular schedule, which of course is exactly what she wants. And there's nothing they can do about it, because of the number of orders the Blacks usually make, as well as the connections they have to the rest of the bakery's customers.

At least James and Remus are taking care of all the other orders she'd usually have to make. Especially since this is definitely one of the stranger orders Lily's ever done - she has no idea what this design, of various circles, stars, other shapes, and symbols that almost look like writing, is supposed to be of.

Except, as she's finishing the last bits of the icing, for whatever reason, the design looks unfinished. Like there's a part of that line at the middle that's missing. Her work's a perfect copy of the printout Mrs. Black gave, except, no matter how much Lily tries to convince herself that it's fine, it doesn't look fine. It looks incomplete, imperfect, and she knows from experience that Mrs. Black will never accept anything less than perfect.

So she finishes the design, the tiniest bit of chocolate icing to fix the star. And then curses, as she feels a small pressure begin to build in her nose - not another nosebleed. She steps to the side to grab a napkin, but as she's turning back, a drop of blood falls, seeming to glint in midair before it lands in the center of the cake.

Oh no- Lily has time to think, just before the world starts to shake, lights flashing haphazardly as something- something seems to emerge, from the cake, a shadow that darkens and gains mass, forming a figure with large bat-like wings and curved horns sticking up from its head, that almost looks like- like a demon.

Except that can't be right, because demons don't exist, right?

The figure turns around, just as the lights flicker back to normal, and Lily can't help but stare at the face that looks human, at the appearance she'd think belonged to a young woman about her age if not for- not for the wings, the horns.

What is this?

"Hello!" the being chirps. "My name's Alice, I'm the demon you've summoned tonight. How can I help you?"


Winter Seasonal Challenges
Days of the Year & Religious Events: March 15th - Dumbstruck Day: Write about something completely unexpected occurring.
Black History Month: Madam CJ Walker: Write about someone starting their own business.
National Weddings Month: (object) Wedding Cake
Slytherin OTPs: Lily/Alice
But Can You Spell It? Y - (trait) Young

Writing Club: February
Written in the Stars: (character) Lily Evans
Elizabeth's Empire: (food) chocolate
Liza's Loves: Artificer - Write about someone inventing something or creating something
Scamander's Case: (trait) intelligent
Film Festival: (word) Festival
Lyric Alley: Can't look away, can't look away
EnTitled: Devil's Trap - Write about found family - alt - write about an accident

You Get My Love: Romantic - (food) chocolate

Stickers Club: Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem - Write about someone having a strained relationship with their mother

Resolution Evolution: Write a fic that includes one of the following characters: Lily Potter (Please state which one you used!)

Fantasy February: Day Ten - When putting your favourite condiment on a sandwich, you accidentally make a magical occult symbol and summon a demon. (I'll allow other 'accidental' summonings - painting a picture, sprinking sprinkles on a cupcake etc.)

365: (action) cooking
Scavenger Hunt: Write a story set in the Marauders Era
Fantastic Beasts: Harpy - Character: Lily Evans Potter