Week One - Task #02. "Haunted Hardware"

[Prof. Sindor Aloyarc]

You’re assigned a side mission today: check out “Oddments & Ends,” Bridgeton’s tiny DIY shop.

The owner, a twitchy man named Edgar, claims his hammers are singing sea shanties when no one’s looking.

You spend ten minutes pretending to shop while the tools behave perfectly. Then, when Edgar turns his back, a screwdriver spins in midair and spells out the word “BORED.”

When you approach, the tool clatters to the floor like a scolded pixie. You place a Ministry tag onto the screwdriver and make a note: definitely sentient, low level enchantment, possibly lonely.

Task:
Create and post below a piece of Art that showcases any muggle object(s) acting magically, and include a brief description of what's happening. Remember that all imagery posted directly to the forum must be no larger than 600x600 pixels.

Alternatively you can write a Letter from the perspective of a Muggle resident of Bridgeton describing an unusual magical experience they witnessed, using 100 words or more for full credit. This could be written to such options as a friend, the local paper, or a town official.

[Janne Halla]

Dear Editor,

I'm writing to share a most perplexing event that occurred yesterday near the phone booth on Main Street. I arrived to make a quick call, only to find the handset swinging wildly back and forth, the coin slot jingling though no one was nearby, and the small light above flickering on and off in rapid succession. There was also a voice coming out of the speaker, talking about some ministries or somesuch.

While I can't say for certain, I strongly suspect that a group of local youths had been using the booth as part of a prank challenge or dare, perhaps trying to see who could make the loudest noise or startle passersby.

Our town has rules, standards, and a right to quiet and order, and it is beyond me why parents allow their children to run amok in public spaces. I insist that guardians speak to their children about respect for public property and consideration for others, lest these sorts of stunts become a regular nuisance. Bridgeton deserves better than this kind of chaos.

Sincerely,
Marjorie Finch

[Luna Ravenlong]

To my dearest sister

I have a very unusual tale for you in today’s letter! Yesterday afternoon, as I was browsing in the local bookstore, I’m sure I heard a whispering coming from one of the shelves towards the back of the shop. As I went to investigate, one of the books jumped off the shelf of its own accord and seemed to hover in front of me! As it happens, it was a tomb that I had been asking the owner about, but had been placed in completely the wrong section-it was almost as though it knew I was searching for it…

I was perplexed about how this could have happened. Perhaps it’s some sort of new technology the store has invested in (you know I don’t understand how it all works nowadays). Or perhaps I was having a funny turn and imagined the whole thing! Either way it makes for an amusing tale.

I wish you well, and am looking forward to your visit at the end of the month.

Best Wishes,

Your sister Eliza

[Phoenix Ocean]

Dear Angelica,

Bridgeton is just the cutest town I have ever seen. It’s so quaint with its little shops and row homes neatly lined up. While it seems perfectly ordinary and even boring at times, I have to tell you that I have started to notice the strangest things!

It rained the other day, a small shower that was just enough to give the grass and flowers a bit of a perk. But as I watched from the upstairs window (you know I love a good rain), it was only raining in certain spots. It seemed to rain in odd circles in certain places, and not at all in others. I brushed it off as maybe there was something obstructing the rain from falling.

But nothing could explain what I saw in the local thrift store! I went in to see if I could find a lovely antique lamp to place on my desk. I passed by the area where they had stocked drinking glasses and other kitchen wares. The forks were DANCING with the spoons!! I kid you not, full waltzing with each other on the shelf! I thought I was having a hallucination! They immediately stopped when I approached them and fell to the shelf, looking as ordinary as any other utensils.

Well you know me. I bought two forks and two spoons and brought them home. I didn’t even look for a lamp! I was so preoccupied with these weird, dancing cutlery. I placed them on the kitchen counter but they haven’t moved. Surely I must have just made it up, but I almost kind of hope they hop up and do a quadrille.

Perplexed.

Your Friend,
Jess

[Emily Spencer]

This happened the other morning. I was visiting a nice young Muggle that I had befriended, and she offered me a cup of tea. Being the good and proper British witch that I am, I could not turn down the offer and accepted her offer with great glee. I was rather amazed, let me tell you, that after the tea was finished brewing (in a regular fashion on the hob, mind), the filled cup, along with a pitcher of milk, started floating toward me. Color me surprised! My friend did not act surprised in the least, and assured me it was a regular occurrence. Very curious, wouldn't you say?

[Tia Lovegood]

Dearest Father,

It's absolutely splendid here in Bridgerton. I hope that you, Mother and Alaina are well and aren't worrying after me too much. Things have never been better for me.

Bridgerton is a beautiful little town with the cutest shops lined up in a row on the High Streets. The teashops are absolutely delightful. You'd love it here, Father. Do try to visit soon.

But, Father, I must say, the most curious thing happened, why only just the other day! I realised that I had left a couple of dresses at home and decided that I must stop worrying about them and just buy some new ones.

There I was walking along the High Street, when I saw the prettiest dress ever! Well, the style was lovely, the colour was all wrong. Pink on me? You must be silly!

The dress must've heard me. How? I cannot say nor do I know. The dress changed colour so quickly: from pink to purple to red to blue. It happened so quickly! I had to gasp and look around me, but nobody else seemed perturbed by this. It was quite strange!

Now, see here, Father. I don't want you worrying about me. I'm perfectly fine and it hasn't happened again. But, oh my! What a most peculiar sight!

Send my love to Mother and Alaina.

Love,
Alysia xx

[Aisling Lestrange]

Dear Declan,

I don’t know where to start, except to beg your forgiveness. I should never have doubted you, or your warnings about… things that go unseen. I laughed at your “ghost hunting,” but now I see I was wrong.

Yesterday, at the tea shoppe, something happened that I cannot explain. Cups slid across the table on their own. A teapot tilted, spilling its contents without a hand near it. Sugar jars hovered briefly before tumbling to the floor. Steam rose in spirals, twisting like it had intent. At one point, a plate of scones spun in a perfect circle, wobbling precariously, before collapsing in a soft crumble. I swear I saw the cream dollop on my latte puff upward, as if laughing at me. Even the little silver spoons jittered and danced across the tabletop.

Declan, you have to come. I cannot face this alone, and I’m terrified of what might happen next. I don’t know whether it’s a ghost, a curse, or something else entirely, but whatever it is, it’s clever, and it seems to know I’m afraid. Please, come quickly, and forgive your foolish sister. I was wrong to doubt you.

Yours, trembling,
Maeve

[River Fenwick]

Dear Aunt Deedee,

I have had the strangest day! I was expecting that package you sent, the one you said I would need to sign for. It did come, but when I heard my doorbell ring, I went downstairs to find my door already open, with a pen mid-air, signing the sheet of paper the delivery person had held out.

I couldn't help but question if my eyes were deceiving me, rubbing them before the caution came down the stairs and approached the pen and the delivery man. Right at that moment, the pen stopped, dropping to the floor as I stared at the perfect replica of my signature on the paper.

I was promptly handed my package, like it was the most normal thing in the world! What is happening in this town? Have I lost my mind?

P.S. Thank you for the amazing birthday present!

Your favorite niece,
Tracy Parker