Present!

Remember the scene in Deathly Hallows, where Harry sees that Luna has painted her bedroom walls with pictures of him and Hermione and the others and has linked the portraits with with the word "friends" written thousands of times?

Well, I feel like Luna -- I want to write "friends" about a million times, because I have the best ones in the world. And if you're skeptical about that claim, just wait until you hear what some of them have done for me.

The utterly fabulous talesofsnape has made me one of the best presents I've ever received. The amount of creativity and talent and amazing hard work he put into this gift have touched and humbled me (it must have taken her hours upon hours). When I opened the box she sent, it was like getting my Hogwarts letter: sheer, thrilling magic.

What did she send me? A hand-knitted Minerva doll with an entire beautifully-designed and detailed wardrobe to go with her. I felt like a child again, as excited by a doll and her clothes as I'd been at age ten.

I can't keep such riches to myself, so I will share Minerva and her lovely clothes with you, one or two delightful pictures as day -- like an Advent calendar of Minervas.

( Here's Minerva in her pearl-trimmed slip )

( And she has pearl-trimmed knickers, too! Look! )

( Check out her spectacles )

(I also want to thank therealsnape, who took the trouble to mail the package to me.)

talesofsnape, I'm simply ecstatic over this treasure. "Thank you" is inadequate, but be assured, it's heart-felt.