Pumpkin Performances
- Nikita Grey

"Do you hear the people sing?
Singing the song of angry men?
It is the music of the people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!"

That's right, my dear readers! The flame of rebellion has been lit under your darling Libra journalist's butt this month. My lovely Auntie Wolf was most definitely right in her predictions for me. I can categorically state that I am most definitely not amused with all the confounded shenanigans that have been happening in the SOUP offices this month. The blame lies entirely with our Editors, and if I didn't know better, I would say that those three crafty nightmares set this up on purpose to get us all in a tizzy.

However, I fear I must explain a little before telling you all about this month's trip to Momma Fox's cottage. You see, it all started when Kitten thought it would be a wonderful treat for the whole office to go on an outing to the theatre to celebrate SOUP's one-year birthday this month. Unfortunately, the fluffy-headed feline was not talked out of it by the other two, and it resulted in unimaginable chaos. As much as I love my fellow writers, not even a Dementor could contain their excitement. Which led to more than one of them getting carried away and stealing the Editor's carefully organised notes.

After all that stress, I just had to escape. Luckily the very kind bartender at the theatre took pity on me and gave me a drink that was just the thing to settle my spinning head. It was so delicious that yours truly weazled the recipe out of him with some dubious flirting skills. And before you complain, I know it was not ethical of me, but I am a Slytherin, am I not? Sometimes it just has to be done.

So this month, I had a surprise for Momma Fox. I was going to share the recipe with her and see if she could weave her magic to make it even more special than it is already. Knocking on her door, I was greeted by her familiar grin and quickly explained what my idea was, to which the miniature marvel happily agreed. But I'm rambling now. I'm sure you are all eager to read it, aren't you? Well, here you are. This delicious Autumn Fizz is bound to make you smile. It's alcohol-free, too, so you can even share it with your little ones, whether they are your siblings, friends or offspring!

Ingredients:

6 tbsp fresh ginger root. finely grated
100g golden caster sugar
400g pumpkin, finely diced
200g dessert pears, finely diced
700ml water

Directions:

1. Put the ginger root and pumpkin in a small silver cauldron, add 700 ml of water and the caster sugar and then bring to the boil. Use Thermeum to keep the water bubbling for 10 minutes.
2. Allow the water to cool completely, then separate the pumpkin chunks from the ginger water.
3. Place the pumpkin and pears back into the cauldron without any water and mash firmly with your pestle (Or use a muggle blender) until soft and pulpy.
4. Add the ginger infusion, then mix with Permisceto until smooth.
5. Strain the mixture through a sieve into a jug to remove any pith and pips. Serve in tumblers or wine glasses topped up with sparkling water or lemonade.

After my visit, I have to say I was rather proud of myself. Momma Fox loved the recipe, and we spent several happy hours making up pitchers of it and chatting. She is a marvellous witch, and I'm definitely glad that none of my fellow writers managed to sneak their way into her interview spot. I doubt I would've gotten her back again if they did!

Until next time my dears! Happy Spooky Season! - Nikita