Willy Wonka was real. Charlie was real. The Chocolate Factory was real. Marissa still couldn’t quite believe it. When she had finished reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory a few weeks ago she had been convinced that it was just another muggle children’s fiction book. Then last weekend a trip to Pearl Street changed all of that.

The librarian had decided to buy muggle jellybeans after hearing a rumor that they were more reliably pleasant than the Bertie Bott’s variety. After picking up a few boxes she had lingered in the candy shop, utterly intrigued by the vast array of muggle sweets available. She stood still when she saw the first box of Nerds sitting on the shelf with the Wonka name printed clearly upon it. Could it be? She moved closer to find the entire shelf full of other Wonka products. Nerds, Pixi Stix, Gobstoppers, Laffy Taffys, oh, how the list went on! Marissa bought one of each and left the store with her arms full.

Once home her aloof librarian exterior faded as she ate her way through all of the Wonka candy. The Nerds molded themselves to the bottom of her teeth, glued in place by the Laffy Taffys that followed. She was rarely so carefree and heedless of consequences. Her stomach hurt after she was done and the sugar high was dizzying, but it had been worth it. Willy Wonka existed, and that needed to be celebrated. Oompa Loompas had worked hard to create her sugary feast.

By the time Study Hall rolled around that week Marissa was thoroughly addicted to Nerds. The small trashcan by her desk was full of the tiny purple boxes. The librarian jumped when she realized it was time for Study Hall and rushed into the room. Most of the students seemed to have arrived already. She leaned casually on the desk in the study room but then started when she realized she’d forgotten something. Without saying a word to the students she rushed out the door, nearly stumbling on her robes in the process.

She returned levitating two large baskets in front of her that she dropped gently on her desk. “Welcome to Study Hall, everyone!” She beamed at the students giddily. “I know some of you are worried about work and upcoming exams so I’ve brought candy for you all today! Feel free to help yourselves as the baskets go around!” She paused as the baskets floated gently around the room. The rustle of candy wrappings was a wonderful sound to her ears, and one that had become very familiar since the weekend. As the students took the candy she popped open a box of Nerds and guzzled the tiny candies down quickly. Crunch! Crunch! Swallow, grin. Once everyone had some candy Marissa explained the significance of the candy and its origins. “I highly recommend you all read the wonderful biography of Charlie Bucket’s life, as written by Roald Dahl.”

She put the book she’d been holding up on the table and then turned back to the students with a gleam in her eyes. “I’d also like to introduce all of you to two new members of the Reference Center!” The librarian walked behind her desk and picked up two young kneazles that yawned slowly and burrowed into her arms. “Say hello to Sir Balan and Sir Balin! They will be staying at my house at night but will spend the days here. You are welcome to pet them if you wish. Don’t be afraid – they’re well trained.” Marissa let the two kneazles go and watched as they walked into the maze of students in front of her. She had heard that students coped with stress better when they spent time with animals and hoped there would be fewer strained, troubled students around because of them. All too often she would look up from a book to find children hunched over parchment and books, looking as though the pleasure of learning had been drained from life.

OOC: Hello, everyone! Please follow all the site rules when you post and make sure to mention your character’s house next to their name (for example, Arthur Pendragon, Cetus). You may godmod for the kneazles but be aware that they will not scratch, bite, or harm the students in any way. They are as placid as the knights they are named after.