Spike wanted to decorate a stick. Oh yes he did. And he even knew what number to put on it. Right there in his head, with no fiddly calculations. Just a simple special number.

Except...there were no paints, or felt tips, or pencils, or even crayons. Just his wand. And he didn't have a clue how to do any using colouring charms. They hadn't done useful excitingly practical things like that in the curriculum yet. Sigh. He wish he knew stuff. Like the 'Claw he was supposedly meant to be.

Stupid hat.

"Professor," he said softly as he approached the desk. "Do I have to use my wand? It's just...I don't know any decorating spells yet." He gave her a crooked smile. It almost had a hint of sadness in it. Ravenclaws were meant meant to know everything, weren't they. And he didn't. At all.

"A flashing stick would be super cool. But...I haven't the foggiest idea how to do it."