SOUP - December 2021

"Hark how the bells, Sweet silver bells. All seem to say, Throw cares away, Christmas is here, Bringing good cheer, To young and old, Meek and the bold....."

Yes, my dear readers, that's right, Yours truly is singing and embracing the holiday spirit. Love it or hate it, the season of festive cheer, good food and sparkly lights is upon us once more. There is no escaping from it. Whether it is listening to all the sickenly cheerful music on the Wizard radio or walking down your local high street, Christmas and Yule fever is everywhere.

So what I hear you ask? What spell or potion could I possibly discuss with you that would make the season more bearable? Well normally, I would have to say none from the secure depths of my scrooge-like blanket fort under my bed, where I usually spend the holidays. But this year, my recent visits to Momma Fox have inspired me a little, As has the ever bubbly tag team of my fellow journalists Fox and Katie. I honestly believe the three of them will drag me out kicking and cursing from my hole if I even think about being such a cantankerous ginger witch again this year.

Therefore, for once, I am going to attempt to enjoy the holidays and resist the temptation to make Mummy dearest disown me as the family Grinch. I may love green but it really does not mean I would want my dear Matron to curse me with it again as she did last year. This means I have spent the last week since our beloved editors told us the theme for this issue, leafing through every book I can find on the subject of magical Christmas food spells. It was a curious expedition into the local magical library for sure. Did you know that those lovely golden bubbles that Professor Flitwick decorates the Hogwarts Great Hall trees with every year are actually edible? No? Neither did I. Maybe I was just slow while I was there, but I certainly don't remember anyone telling us such a thing. Do you?

Now I digress. So to move on to the purpose of today's article. I found a curious little spell I believe you will all love. It seems simple to me and involves what seems like a fairly easy transformation. All you need is a pile of those annoying little Christmas cards that everybody sends and nobody ever actually reads. The ones with pictures of pine trees on seem to be the most helpful but I'm sure if you can visualise a Christmas tree well enough, you should be fine. This particular incantation is Latin in origin and basically translated to "Honey Tree". Who doesn't love honey after all? So to use Mel Arbore, (pronounced m-EL AR-boor), all you need to do is wave your wand clockwise in a shape that somewhat represents a round, fat bumblebee with short oval wings and visualise a lovely golden honey biscuit shaped like a holiday tree. If you are successful, the card will transform into something festive and infinitely delicious in a bright flash of yellow light. If not, well then. All you will get is a dark blue light and a card that smells decidedly burned.

Having tried this one several times today, I can confirm it does work. Much to my surprise and that of my roommate. Between us, we now have enough treats to last us the entire festive season. I even boxed up a very pretty package of said biscuits and sent my owl off with them to what will no doubt be a very shocked Mummy. I do hope she realises that her darling daughter is not quite as tragic at charms as previously shown. It'll make her Christmas!

So to sign off my dear readers, I do hope your holiday season goes brilliantly and you receive all the love, treats and cheer you deserve. Just please please do not send me your charred cards if my research does not serve you. After all, we do not want this reporter retreating back to her blanket fort now do we? - Nikita