Ask your friendly neighbourhood ghost

I'm doing the #darkarts Drawtober challenge and the prompt was ghosts. Why not draw my favorite ghost from Hogwarts Legacy?

And maybe were wrong to let it go Maybe we were wrong to keep it so long We were only dust and fragile clay Flying far, miles away

Comin' home I'm comin' home Comin' home I'm comin' home...

Beautifully haunting.

Or hauntingly beautiful, much like you.

I've been rather curious about something those past couple of weeks. If you don't mind me asking: you've shared so much different music lately, but do you yourself play any musical instruments or sing?

I never really learned how to play anything when I was alive (apart from maybe some attempts at piano under the watchful gaze of my parents) but I did and still do enjoy some singing! Nothing groundbreaking, of course, but enough to support me through the drama club performances!

Forever curious,

Richard Jackdaw

Good day to you, as well, Richard.

I can't say that I know how to play any instruments. I've never had an interest to learn one.

However, I did observe my mother play the violin as a child. I still remember the way she held it as if it were her second child, how tightly she clung to the bow. It was a most beautiful sight to behold.

I do enjoy singing, though. I've never received professional training for my voice so I don't have any idea on whether I'm good or bad. I haven't received any complaints from the girls in my dorm whenever I leave the shower yet.

And I'm sure you have a lovely voice, Richard. Perhaps you could sing something for me in the future?

Fact 1: Richard is cute.

Fact 2. Zacharias is hot.

Fact 3: They should totally make out of something...

IS THIS YOUR WAY OF GETTING ME TO REPLY TO RP I'M SORRY

Those fingers in my hair That sly come-hither stare That strips my conscience bare It's witchcraft

And I've got no defense for it The heat is too intense for it What good would common sense for it do?

[...] 'Cause there's no nicer witch than you

Ghosts with just voices Your words in my memory Are like music to me

Richard is still wearing the uniform that Felix so graciously provided him with all those months ago. But Theodora? Theodora...

Her dress carries the breeze of rebirth, a sweet spring fragrance of change every time she flies past him in an excited flurry. The flower crown on her head threatens to fall down every time she dives for the eggs she spots. There are blooms in her hair as well, and Richard feels as if he is following in the footsteps of the forest fairy: the visible flower trail is left in her wake.

Richard cannot focus on searching for the brightly coloured eggs and instead follows Theodora like a devoted puppy. He is carrying her dancing shoes as she seems to enjoy the feeling of grass beneath her feet, especially now after they've spent some time dancing at the festivities.

The basket in his free hand gets heavier and heavier but Richard doesn't mind. Theodora's "I got one more!", and "Look at how cute the pattern is!", and "We are sure to win this one!" fills him with happiness and he can't help but admire his spring fairy every step of the way.

How many eggs did the house elves manage to hide out here? Theo remarked to herself that they had truly outdid themselves again as she placed another in her already tipping basket. She looks back to give Richard a grin, her competitive side was coming out and she was determined to find as many as possible. 

She sprinted out so fast in the beginning that she had basically sprinted out of her shoes… Richard, being the gentleman he was, had picked them up for her. And thank Merlin for him, or she would have forgotten them. 

When she looks up, she happens to catch Richard’s gaze, noting his face sporting a merry flush with a smile so endearing she can’t help but to return it. 

She adjusts the flower crown on her head, the blasted thing kept getting in her eyes, but Richard seemed to admire it and just that alone eliminated any feelings of silliness she had over it. ….Though, she should have made one for him as well. Pursing her lips she gets an idea as he calls her over. 

“Look how cute the pattern is!” 

Theo rushes over to inspect his discovery, she cups her hands under Richard's to look at his prize closer. She admires the swirls of the pastel patterns, the colors whirling together like sky on the spring day with notes of light blue, lavender, white, and yellow.  

“The pattern is cute!” She beams back up at him, before taking her hands to her flower crown and placing it on top of Richard’s curls instead, smirking. “But I think I found something cuter.” She admires her work before stepping back, satisfied. “There! I officially declare you the winner, at least in my books. King of the Easter Eggs.” 

He looks past the egg he found and at their hands, and has to swallow a lump in his throat. They are so so close, he can smell the flowers in Theo's hair and feel the warmth of her after all the running around and diving into the bushes for the eggs.

"If I am a King, then I just must have a Queen by my side," he plays along after the feeling of her hands under his disappears. The egg goes into the basket and Richard bows, partially glad to hide his blushing face, even if for a moment. "Would you do me the honours?"

Richard chuckles as he looks up and wants to add more poeticism to his "you're cute" complement but notices one more egg, cleverly hidden among the flowers.

"We can surely win this one, look, behind you! Oh, and there is one more!"

Feeling melancholic today but thinking of you colours this feeling with hope, and I not sure how to feel about it. Seems like whenever you are around I cannot really be a 100% sulking ghost. Perhaps it's for the better. Are you free today? I found a beautiful stargazing spot. Would you do me the honour and come with me?

My dearest friendly ghost, I wholeheartedly apologize for my absence's affect on your sulking. I do hope you were at least able to maintain 90% of a sulking ghost. But you know I do like you best when you smile.

I would love to join you! Tell me where to meet so we can catch up on all the things I have missed during my travels. I also brought back several samples of new plants I found while traipsing about the mountains....I'll bring the flowers and you bring the updates of on-goings around the castle!

PS. Trade you one melancholic song for another, and please forgive my sentimental heart.....but a few lines stand out:

You were stone white, so delicate Lost in the cold You were always so lost in the dark Remembering you how you used to be

I... I will smile more often for you, I promise. It really isn't as hard: you are the sunshine in my life. I am also sorry for the argument we had the other day, it should be none of my business whose correspondence you receive. I overstepped and for that I am sorry. I care about you too much to trust some random stud—.

I'll meet you outside the Hufflepuff dorms when the first stars begin appearing in the sky! And don't worry, I kept my ghostly palm on the pulse of this castle: nothing escaped me, big and small! I'm excited to meet your new plant friends!

With the ghost sulking level at 10% and lowering,

If you were turned into a ghost for a day, with going through the walls and all that jazz, no consequences, what do you think your favourite activity would have been?

Richard Jackdaw

Good day to you, as well, Richard!

If I were turned into a ghost for a day... You see, that's a tough one. I could see myself finding amusement in startling the third years that I tutor. I may even snoop around usually hidden parts of the castle, such as the Restricted Section. I'm sure there's all kinds of great information hidden behind those bars.

He lives 🥹

"They, umm, they don't look too outdated? Or do you think..."

I doubt I would ever be able to forget my visit to your greenhouse on Valentine's Day. You were the most beautiful flower among the other blooms, and the way you held onto me like a little monkey when I stepped through the door was rather endearing. Even if I have to admit it was not really ladylike. As well as everything that transpired after. Although I shall be cursed for giving into those feelings and desires, I do not regret a thing.

I am unsure how often I can sneak out just to see you nor do I have hopes that among all your suitors you will pick someone all the way in Durmstrang. And of course I do not believe it to be wise, waiting for somebody you've only seen twice. But you should know that the thoughts of you keep the winter cold at bay and warm my heart like small fire seeds that are yet to grow into the blazing fire.

After the harsh winds comes clarity. You are my clarity.

Fyodor

Dearest Fyodor,

You have drawn another smile across my face with your owl....and lately, more smiles than I can count in general.

The smiles (due to you) are starting to outnumber the amount of blooms in said greenhouse, where I currently am writing you back. In fact, looking over to where you had stood in that doorway a few weeks back just gave me yet another.

Seeing you there after so long, all serious and stoic, really gave me no choice but to run to you. And like a Monkey? Perhaps a bowtruckle. I did have several limbs wrapped around you after all.

And I'll do it again if only to remind you to never hold your feelings back, least of all from me. I will take care of them gently and always, to the best of my ability (and with all my slightly less than ladylike tendencies that I also will never regret).

If only the winter and winds were the only obstacles that kept us apart. No matter the distance, I see you more than you know Fyodor, and will always be honored to fuel your fire from however far apart we are.... for that is the strength of our affection.

Who knows what the future may bring, but memories of our time together will never be far from my thoughts, nor my heart.

Richard breaks into the Shrub Club's Greenhouse with a loud bang, not having realized his own strength as... as it is Thursday and he is here in person! The wizard is standing in the doorway with a small bouquette of flowers, all covered in snow, with a broom in another hand.

"I am so sorry I am late! Happy Valentine's day! Well, belated Valentine's day..." he exclaims excitedly and quickly closes the door as he realizes that the cold he is feeling has nothing to do with his regular deathly dread and ghostly existence. It is almost blizzard outside and that means Richard can fall ill from forgetting that the weather can affect his fragile human form. And it just won't do, not with his plans for today!

Nobody knows where he got some rather crude furs to wear but most likely it was his payment for some work on a side. The young man discards them to the ground as he covers the distance between the door and Theodora. The snow in his hair and on his face is already melting due to the greenhouse's warmth, making Richard look like a puppy after the rain.

"Here!" he stretches out the flowers to her: dozens of clearly freshly picked snowdrops have gathered in Richard's hands.

"I hope you had a great day yesterday. If you don't mind, I'd like to spend today with you. Not that I'm asking you out, I'm sure there's fierce competition on who gets to court such a brilliant and gorgeous young witch. But I hope you don't mind the company of an old friend?"

That last sentence rings with sadness in Richard's voice but even he can't tell where it comes from. He is here, in person, alive and happy, with somebody dear to him. Why does he feel such a strange pang in his heart? The wizard chooses to ignore it. The feeling will be gone as soon as he is the ghost again. Better to enjoy his here and now.

The sudden opening of the door lets in a gust of winter air, startling Theo….but not as much as the sight of Richard, real and here, in front of her. His excitement draws an immediate chuckle out of her as she takes in the state of him. The snow on his hair is endearing, as is the flush on his face and hands that are holding…flowers? “Richard!” She half shouts indignantly, half scolds, but can't help herself as she launches from her workspace to sprint over to where he is.

She eyes the bouquet and then him, throwing a teasing grin as he offers them to her. "Valentine's, huh?" She gently takes the bouquet, her fingers tracing over the frozen winter blooms.

“Don't be sorry. These are lovely, and.....they sort of remind me of you." She blushes as she catches herself in an unexpected wave of emotion.

"Frozen, but beautiful.” She explains softly, not hesitating before throwing her arms around him and holding him tight for a moment.

“There is no one I’d rather take up all my attention today besides you. Old or not, you are one of my very, very best friends.” She selfishly allows herself to kiss him on the cheek, a weird hot feeling at the corners of her eyes that she blinks away, shaking her head and releasing him before he can see.

She clears her throat and laughs. “And I officially get to kidnap you for two whole real boy Thursdays?! I’m certainly getting the better end of the deal here. Sit!” She gestures to the overstuffed sofa tucked between some rather large pots of dittany. “I’ll make us some tea. But first….”

She conjures a large glass cloche, removing the top she carefully places the bouquet inside, and adds a charm to keep them fresh and to float in the middle, suspended in its beauty.

Satisfied, she turns over to see Richard waiting for her on the couch. Just the sight of her friend makes her smile again. She smiles even wider as she gets an idea...

"Perhaps for your Valentine's day gift I can make you a sweater! In your favorite color, perhaps? As um...fashionable as these furs are..."

She doesn't finish the sentence before she breaks into laughter, which makes pouring the tea rather risky.

Maybe this day wouldn’t last forever. But it made it that much more precious. And when it was gone, the flowers would remain.