Ceinwen Plas
Cardiff, Wales
Home of the Whitman family

With a grumble, Maxen started throwing things unceremoniously in his trunk. What, exactly, was the point of house-elves if they couldn’t clean up your messes for you? This was exactly the argument he’d made to his mum when she told him that he needed to tidy his room. He’d looked for reasons to stay at Hogwarts, being the only one left in his dorm room would be freaking awesome! Even if he had a valid reason to stay, his parents never would have let him, so he was stuck throwing dirty socks and ‘nice and thoughtful’ gifts into his overflowing trunk.

Christmas hadn’t been a bad haul for the young Whitman child. He’d gotten a freaking awesome new wizard’s chess set, and he couldn’t wait to find someone to play with. Even Carrots had her moment, and though he genuinely was thankful for the gift, he’d never let her know that. Throwing a pair of undies into the already full trunk uncovered a small purple baggie. Inside the bag… itching powder!

It’d been a gift from his pa, and how he’d actually known that Maxen was running low was a complete secret. Sometimes parents were just weird. Abandoning the cleaning effort, Maxen left his room and with the stealth of a snake, rushed through the halls to Carys’ door, where he put his ear to the jamb and listened, hoping she wasn’t in. One pinch of the powder of the gods in her undies drawer and she’d look like she got a gift that just keeps giving.

Epic.

Being home for the holidays was a mixed blessing. She enjoyed spending time with her parents, and getting to see her older sister Maeve. Carys had always idolized her big sister, wanting to be just like her. It was always unfortunate that... well... she wasn't. The only downside to the holiday was being in an enclosed space with her little brother. Carys loved Maxen- he was her brother after all... But he was an evil little thing. Her mother assured her that Maxen would grow out of it. But since he was their son, and therefor the family heir, he never got into trouble for anything.

She had gone out of her way to be extra nice to him at Christmas. Even throughout the rest of the winter break. She had only yelled at him a couple of times, and hadn't tried to hit or hex him a single time.

But it seemed her kindness had not paid off. She had just gotten dressed after taking a shower. And while relaxing in her bed, reading one of the books she had been gifted for Christmas, she had started to itch. And this was not a natural itch- nor was it in a natural place. Carys recognized the feeling of this particular itch. Itch powder. It was one of Maxen's favorites. The little brat must have picked the lock on her door!

"MAXEN OLEANDER WHITMAN!" Carys yelled from her room. She jumped from her bed and down the hall toward his room. "I AM GOING TO THROTTLE YOUR BRATTY LITTLE NECK!"