Quills and Spills
written by Louisa S R W
What you have never noticed when you come from muggle families...
Last Updated
05/31/21
Chapters
1
Reads
657
Quills and Spills
Chapter 1
As you know, students arriving at Hogwarts are 11 years old (unless you are me, in which case you have been hidden by various teachers from the age of 5) what you also know is that children also come from various backgrounds. Purebloods (all magical) Halfbloods (with a parent or grandparent that is a muggle) or Muggleborn (with non magical parents).
I would like you all to ask yourselves a question. Before reading Harry Potter, had you ever heard of a quill?
I’m a halfblood, but brought up in a magical world. Quills and pencils were the only writing implements I knew about. It wasn’t until later, that I discovered that muggles don’t write with quills and ink. The closest I found was that they have things called fountain pens which seem to perform a similar function. In Muggle Studies we learnt about pens called Biros and things like that.
It dawned on me that this is why muggleborns and people from more muggle families have trouble writing their essays on the parchment and in our first year there is an optional quills and spills club for you to join if you are having trouble.
The trick: Make fluid movements, don’t press too hard (you’ll get through too many quill nibs) use downward strokes, so as not to damage the tip.
Come to think of it there are many things to remember. Like not dipping your quill in lots of ink so you leave a huge blot of ink. There is no correcting when you spill.
Holding your quill in the write manner is important too. I always prefer a slight angle that allows me to swish and flick my quill in the appropriate manner.
Get used to the size of your handwriting. I find that with a pencil I write very differently to when I write with a quill.
BE PREPARED TO GET DIRTY HANDS IT WILL HAPPEN.
I chose a standard quill that doesn’t have a feather on the end. When I saw it in the shop it looked too flamboyant and I wanted something more standard, practical. I don’t think we have the money for the amazing ones anyway. My uncle gave me ink and we are sharing for now. Much of my stuff comes from the teachers supply lounge. Ink and things like that.
I would like you all to ask yourselves a question. Before reading Harry Potter, had you ever heard of a quill?
I’m a halfblood, but brought up in a magical world. Quills and pencils were the only writing implements I knew about. It wasn’t until later, that I discovered that muggles don’t write with quills and ink. The closest I found was that they have things called fountain pens which seem to perform a similar function. In Muggle Studies we learnt about pens called Biros and things like that.
It dawned on me that this is why muggleborns and people from more muggle families have trouble writing their essays on the parchment and in our first year there is an optional quills and spills club for you to join if you are having trouble.
The trick: Make fluid movements, don’t press too hard (you’ll get through too many quill nibs) use downward strokes, so as not to damage the tip.
Come to think of it there are many things to remember. Like not dipping your quill in lots of ink so you leave a huge blot of ink. There is no correcting when you spill.
Holding your quill in the write manner is important too. I always prefer a slight angle that allows me to swish and flick my quill in the appropriate manner.
Get used to the size of your handwriting. I find that with a pencil I write very differently to when I write with a quill.
BE PREPARED TO GET DIRTY HANDS IT WILL HAPPEN.
I chose a standard quill that doesn’t have a feather on the end. When I saw it in the shop it looked too flamboyant and I wanted something more standard, practical. I don’t think we have the money for the amazing ones anyway. My uncle gave me ink and we are sharing for now. Much of my stuff comes from the teachers supply lounge. Ink and things like that.
