Holi

Hogwarts is brimming with excitement as Monday morning approaches. There would be a Holi event later that evening with another holiday celebration on the weekend along with an upcoming quidditch match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, and a Hogsmeade trip the following weekend. During the funerals in February Ravenclaw and Slytherin had played with Ravenclaw losing. It had been a rather listless match that had been over quickly without much excitement from either team. It frankly had come as a relief to everyone that the golden snitch had been caught only a few minutes after the game had started.

It had been sheer luck on Regulus's part as he had been distracted by the departure of his beloved Bethanie that he had nearly crashed into a stand only to spot the golden snitch and catch it in time. Despite victory not even the zealot cult quidditch fans among the Slytherins were in the mood to celebrate. A brief congratulatory pat had been the most emotion they shared as there were several among their own house who were in mourning.

However, unlike the last quidditch match, there was far more excitement in the air. There was a possibility of a final rematch between Slytherin, and Gryffindor should Gryffindor win the upcoming quidditch match vs. Hufflepuff. There was a bit more cheer in the air as things began to settle down among the students. It was far from being okay, but it was better than before. And everyone could do with a bit of cheer, really.

Bursting out of her reverie, Rowan entered the Ancient Studies Classroom running a bit behind, but not late as Professor Salah, who had yet to enter the classroom. She nodded her head at seeing already seated their three Ravenclaw classmates, Barrett Boone, Ackerley, and Quirke. Barrett Boone's lips twitched with a brief fond smile at Rowan acting rather normal. In fact, he seemed to be returning to normal as of late.

Rowan hadn't for some time felt Barrett Boone's gaze on her. He acted normally in class and no longer seemed to glance at her more than normal. Either he was being less actively possessed or the vessel at Hogwarts had temporarily ceased to place Barret under the Imperius curse. Either way, Rowan had more questions rather than answers.

Sitting down on the opposite end of the room from Severus, Rowan ignored the perpetual scowl that Severus had on his face ever since he had learned that she had agreed to chaperone the Hogsmeade trip. Severus knew that he was being an arse about it, but that didn't mean he was willing to admit that he was wrong. A terrible flaw that all of the Prince's shared.

Barrett Boone gamely chats with his two friends, Ackerly and Cadmus Quirke. Ackerly had short hair and bright eager eyes, a brilliant Ravenclaw. Not that Cadmus Quike was any less studious but rather far more rigid. His hair was always neatly tied back with his robes always perfectly starched with a rather symmetrical face.

The three boys quietly discussed the quidditch match. It was Barrett's last year as Quidditch Captain and his last match had ended on a rather short, but disappointing note. He personally hoped that this year would end on a more positive note.

Crisp footsteps are heard as Professor Salah enters the classroom wearing dark blue robes with golden intricate designs on the upper bodice and sleeves. Her olive-skinned curved form looks in the peak of health, while her honey-colored eyes are lined with kohl. Her lips are rich and full crinkled upward in a faint smile. Her dark hair has intricately, tiny woven golden beaded tassels that sway and musically tinkled with each of her movements.

Without pause, Professor Salah waves her wand to fill the chalkboard with ancient rune scripts native to India and others in ancient Greek and Latin. "Tonight, we shall be led in celebration of the Festival of Spring also called the Festival of Colours or even that of the Festival of Love. Do any of you know of the traditional Holika Dahan?"

There is a blank look on everyone's faces except for Rowan, who raises her hand to answer the question. "If you would, Miss Prince."

"In ancient times, there existed a Demon King named Hiranyakashyap, who wished to kill an innocent child, Prahald, the son of Holika, an evil demoness and also the Demon King's sister. For her treachery, Holika perished in the flames, but Prahald survived untouched by the flames," Rowan explained. "It is believed that on this date if the flames are danced and walked around three times that the evil that resides in one's heart can be vanquished."

"That is correct, Miss Prince, five points to Slytherin!" Professor Salah said. "There are even those that are said that can even walk across fire untouched. Regardless Rangwali Holi is a day of freedom, rebirth, and of celebration as a child once again. Both old and young partake in painting each other and the world with colored water and paint. At the end of it all, everyone is washed and cleansed. Forgiveness as life starts anew, a clean slate, so to speak."

"I am certain that tonight the Board will go into further detail, but there are always primary colors represented," Professor Salah stated. "Red symbolizes love and fertility, yellow for turmeric, a natural remedy; blue represents the Hindu Spirit Krishna; and green for new beginnings."

"Now, what is the second festival that will take place this weekend?" Professor Salah asked and pointed at the shortest figure among the Ravenclaws. "Mr. Ackerley, if you would."

Ackerley's bright eyes perk up and he replies, "The Spring Equinox has been called many things among them are Eostar, Ostara, or Oestarra. Eostar is a time of fertility, birth, and renewal as the ice thaws and life begins to grow anew."

"Very good, Mr. Ackerley, 5 points to Ravenclaw." Professor Salah pointedly arched her brow at the Captain of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team. "And you, Mr. Boone?"

"In ancient times, it is said there existed an ancient spirit named Eostre. It is she who brought balance between the light and the darkness, the gray, the spring," Barrett replied. "It is better in Latin as they say, 'the equal night,' (equinox)."

"Excellent response, Mr. Boone, 5 points to Ravenclaw!" Professor Salah said with a smile. "Anyone else?"

Cadmus Quirke raised his hand and Professor Salah gestured to the studious Ravenclaw to respond. "As Barrett mentioned the equinox roughly translates in Latin to "equal night," as the sun sits vertically above the equator making both night and day equal across the plant. It officially signals spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

"A detailed response, Mr. Quirke, 10 points to Ravenclaw!" Professor Salah said with a pleased expression before turning to face the single student who had not offered a single response. "And you, Mr. Prince have you anything further to add?"

"No, Professor Salah," Severus responded in abject humiliation.

"It is fine, Mr. Prince," Professor Salah replied with a hint of disappointment, before returning to face the entire class made up exactly of 5 students. "The holiday will be discussed in further detail on the day of."

Turning towards the board, Professor Salah says, "I expect all of you to understand how these ancient rune scripts impact rituals, especially of seeding blessings or wards. For those that are unaware, a seed blessing is enabling a magical seed and watching life grow as the magical seed is planted. There are many historical accounts that are recorded of a seed miraculously growing within the first night of Ostara."

There is a surprised look on Rowan's face, and she is not the only one as Professor Salah continues, "We will discuss how ancient rune scripts may have enabled magic to be directly channeled into something as small as a seed or something as complicated as a magical ward. This is not only applicable to the Spring Equinox and other such intervals but includes the moon phases, the planetary alignments, etc. I expect a 12-inch essay by the end of the class period."

There is a loud scramble as everyone begins to pull out their ink and quill to write. Rowan gloomily began to write knowing full well that the Prefects would be stuck helping Filch and the Peterson twins to clean up the powder paint from Holi. Even worse, the cleaning wouldn't be limited to just the Great Hall, but the entire castle…. It was going to be a long day….