Hot Chocolate & Holiday Hopes


Disclaimer: All locations, characters, objects, etc. from the Harry Potter
series that appear in this writing collection were created by JKR. Any characters
and elements that were not created by me will be credited accordingly.

Every quill tells a different kind of story. For the 2025 Days of Potter limited-time EEFD challenge, I selected the Self-Inking Quill, and with it came a set of daring prompts that demand a story to match.

• Snowmen Don’t Cry - But I Might
• Snowfall Outside, Meltdown Within
• Cooled Chocolate And The Silence Between Us
• Marshmallows Melt, Silence Doesn’t
• Best Friends, Extra Marshmallows

Now, quill in hand, I'll attempt to complete these dares. Let's see what words flow from ink and imagination!

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Snowmen Don’t Cry - But I Might
A character says something they instantly regret {Black Quill}

I was cranky. I was tired. But most of all, I felt the familiar sense of horror bubbling up inside of me as the intrusive thoughts plagued my brain, plagued my mind. I felt as though the sensible, calm side of me was hovering just above my physical body. My physical face was serious but the expression was familiar: it was of me wrestling with myself, struggling to hold back words I should not say. My friend, sitting across from me, was chattering on, quite oblivious to the fact that I was nearing an explosive point.

“I like hanging out with Sabrina,” Noah was saying. “She’s become a good friend, and overall, has the really cool, chill vibe.”

I felt a strong pang of annoyance but kept my mouth distracted from spewing certain words by sipping on my steaming mug of Swiss Miss. I glared daggers out of the window at the innocent snowman that some children were building opposite of the quaint cafe in which we sat. I know I should flee before it was too late but some it was as though a Permanent Sticking Charm had gotten me glued to that seat.

“Earth to Divya. Hello? Anybody home?”

Noah waved a hand in front of my face.

“What?” I snapped, turning to look at him.

“Oh.. um, nothing. You’ve got some whipped cream there. Let me.”

I could see Noah was flustered by my response and for some reason, it made me super angry. Even so, he reached towards my face with a tissue. The gesture of kindness did move me. “I got it.” My words were as cold as the weather. To prove my point, I grabbed a tissue of my own then proceeded to wipe my face.

“What’s the matter?” His tone was guarded but there was a genuine concern woven in; a sincerity that he was willing to listen and to understand. I hated him then.

“Just wondering why you’re spending your time hanging out with me when clearly you’ve made a bestie.” I could not keep the sarcasm out of my voice. “I get it, I’m going to be nothing to you now that you’ve found someone better, and that’s fine. I was more than okay before you came into my life, and I certainly can survive without you.” I stood up, but not meeting his gaze. I didn’t want to see the hurt on his face, the hurt I had inflicted. Yet my venom was not done spewing, though I was regretting each word even more than the other. “Have fun with your bestie,” I said, placing heavy emphasis on the last word.

Only then did I finally rush out of the cafe, before Noah could see the tears threatening to spill over.