With his signature phoenix feature Quick-Quote Quill floating at shoulder height which almost seemed like waist height to everyone else beside him, Daily Prophet Editor-in-Chief Basil Skeeter waited by the table that he and his candidate were going to share for this rally.

Rally...that meant noise.

Ug...noise.

Basil was NOT a fan of noise unless it was the sort of loud buzz that gave him news for the paper. Hopefully things would not get too loud. Then again that one Quidditch kid was going to be here and those sort of people were LOUD. Loud and dumb as far as this man was concerned.

Setting a box bigger than him on the table with all the wares to be handed out and began to set the vials of colored and invisible ink out in neat rows.

Vell this was sure to be an interesting day. With his bag of chocolate frogs slung over one shoulder, Erik stepped into the Alley and quickly enough found his booth and his sponsor. His booth was sure to contain the only man shorter than the booth itself.

"Basil," he greeted the other man with a firm, but not unfriendly, nod. He may be a little fellow but he certainly was a useful one. Erik sat his bag on the table behind the booth and took off his sunglasses, tucking the Ray Bans carefully into his cardigan pocket before he got to work. He began by unloading chocolate frog packages, not sure how to arrange them neatly on the table when they were a kind of lumpy shape. Maybe Berg would have some ideas when he got there?

Ah, there he was! The man of the hour as it were. Even if the man was personable and persuasive, standing next to Erik made Basil feel like a brine shrimp next to a lobster and on that alone should make Basil not want to support the man and his campaign. Tall people were just people Basil did not want to be around. Yet, here he was helping the man out and doing so almost willingly.

"Good to see you again, Erik," he replied with a slight incline of the head. Couldn't do it too much or else he would be looking up Erik's nose. "You...want to put those in a basket or something? Could walk around handing them out to folks." Chocolate frogs that said Vote for Erik on them was certainly something different and better than buttons or pins.

And HE, as in Erik, should pass them out because no one would really see Basil coming or going. Basil could just hold down the fort here.

Jogging along behind the two men, looking shorter than usual due to not wearing heels, carrying a poster with two boxes filled with goodies charmed to float behind her, was Roxanne. She headed to her own booth to set up, calling a "Hello!" to the two men in the booth beside hers. She stuck her poster to the front, then pulled out buttons and fliers, the back of the fliers containing the same information as certain pamphlets that might have been sent to Hogwarts. The next to be set out were the giant cupcakes her sister-in-law had made for her the night before. Then it was the wizarding radio set to a station that played muggle rock music. Set to play loudly, of course. And now she just had to wait for a Mr. Nolan Park and Raelynn. Which she hoped would hurry, because people were sure to start showing up soon........

Erik glanced at the things Basil was putting out, pretty standard newspaper items, and then looked at his frogs again. Yeah, a basket would be a good idea. But where was he going to get a basket from?

Just then he was distracted somewhat by the arrival of another candidate, one Roxanne Carter. Mhmm. Erik gave her a cool nod in return to her greeting and didn't bother to disguise the fact that the was watching her set up. What was that she had there? Cupcakes? Really? He hated how delicious they looked and smelled and how loud her rock music was playing. Yet at the same time he wanted to go over to her booth and steal ideas nose around.

Why hadn't he thought of home-baked goods? Bloody cupcakes.... Erik scratched the side of his nose and suddenly remembered the basket he needed to summon. Right. He'd have time for socialising later. He flicked his wand into his hand and quickly conjured up a few medium sized baskets to keep at the booth for...things, and one with a longer handle for him to carry around too. He just hoped he wasn't going to end up looking like that Muggle fairytale character, Little Red, later.

He then set about putting up some Hogwarts coloured bunting in all four house colours all around his booth. He also cast the 'Muffliato' charm to keep Roxanne's loud music out of their area. "Haff any other bright ideas?" he murmured to the Daily Prophet's Editor-in-Chief, one eye still on the woman across the way.

Ivy Knox was in a fantastic mood today. Maybe it was the spring-colored dress, maybe it was the sunshine, or maybe it was because she had been practicing being nice so much, that it actually sunk in... No, that probably wasn't it.

Wand out, levitating a large box in front of her, Ivy walked down the street and saw a few others already there and setting up. "Good afternoon Carter." Ivy spoke pleasantly, ignoring that awful noise she probably considered music, ugh. "Skeeter," she greeted with a nod. Yes, we know who you are. And of course... "Erik. Lovely day, isn't it?" Ivy greeted him by first name and gave him a different smile than the one she gave the other two. He looked old nice. Very nice.

Once she got to her booth, Ivy let the box hover next to her and she tucked her wand away. She began unpacking her decorations and things and very neatly placed her items on the booth. In the middle were a stack of pamphlets for anyone to take and read. Surrounding those were several different kinds of candy on display and for her to hand out. All of them, so generously donated by the handsome Xavier Balthazar, owner of Sugarplum's Sweet Shop. On the left side of the booth, Ivy placed the several goody bags in neat rows. On the right side of the booth, she neatly placed a good sized stack of coupons for Sugarplums. Where there was room, Ivy placed buttons, and last but not least, a stack of raffle tickets in the corner closest to herself. There were three baskets left in her box, but those were for later, so she placed them under her booth.

"There," she said to herself, straightening everything out one last time before she was satisfied. Now, bring on the people!

Xavier Baltazar made his way down Diagon Alley, a box in his arms. Today Sugarplums Sweet Shop was CLOSED. No service. Zilch. Nothing. If his customers wanted sweets they would have to follow the instructions he had left at the door, directing them this way and to the booth of Ivy Knox, the candidate he was sponsoring. There, they'd get their sweets and be brainwashed.

He glanced at the other booths there so far. Hmm, not bad, but they had NOTHING on their booth. Ah, heck no. Xavier had specifically ordered Ivy Knox's face to be the emblem of his sweets for the event. He'd even had a special made chocolate frog card made for her.

He was competitive, so what? It was a Baltazar thing.

Besides, he got to show off his shop here. It was both a good thing for Ivy and for him. It worked both ways and everyone goes happy at the end of the day, right? RIGHT. He was, at least.

Stopping at their booth, Xavier smiled at the woman and set the box down, just behind the table. "Hello, there, Ivy." They were on first name basis, right? He'll find out soon. "I see you've got everything ready to go. You excited?" Because he was. pinned on his shirtnned on his shirt with her face on it didn't scream excited, then he didn't know what else would.

She was just setting out the last of the cupcakes when she felt eyes on her. Looking up, she spotted Erik watching her set up her booth. Giving him a bright smile, she had to wonder why he even decided to have a booth today. He was ahead of everyone except Althea in the polls. So, it really didn't make much sense. Anyway, it didn't really matter.

Or..... maybe it did? Hmm. Roxanne was starting to get one of her harebrained ideas. She wasn't entirely sure it would work, but it couldn't hurt to try, right? Completely ignoring Ivy, her shopkeeper and Skeeter, she kept her blue eyes trained on Erik as she sucked some icing from the cupcakes off her finger, then gave a slightly saucy smile. It probably would've worked better if she were wearing something other than her polo shirt and pants, but there was nothing she could do about that now.

Satine walked down the sidewalk trying to avoid the different booths. She was so excited to be working with her new candidate. She didn't know much about him and they had only talked once but it seemed much more promising than her last pairing. Atleast she felt like this one might want her around.

She walked towards the empty booth that she knew was set aside for her candidate and her and she set her bag on the table and flicked her wrist so her wand shot out of her wand holster and into her right hand. She turned around surveying the room in the booth and with a flick of her wand, her purple bag opened up and flyers, posters, and other items began flying out of the bag as she guided them to different areas of the booth.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Gemma walked down the street taking in all of the booths that were set up or that were being set up. It was nice to venture away from the school for a few hours. Plus, she wouldn't miss this opportunity to see Erik to see all of the candidates interacting with the wizarding world. You know it was one thing to be able to answer questions at debates but it was an entirely other thing to be able to have people skills on a one to one basis.

She walked down the street in her new silver heels and black pant suit and out of the corner of her eye she spotted her well dressed candidate friend...yes friend...right?...she beamed at him and gave a little wave. She hesitated if she should head over to see him...she didn't want to distract him...and then she followed his gaze to another candidate that was...was she licking her finger...Gemma's eyebrows raised in disapproval...how scandalous and completely inappropriate in this setting...she let out a little umph push of air and tried hard to keep her mouth from flopping open in disbelief.

If there was one thing that Layla was not about..it was sitting at home and doing nothing. Well she wasn't technically home doing nothing..she had a new born which was a huuuge job and it did keep her quite busy but she was geting a bit stir crazed and wanted to come out for the first time in what felt to her like a long time.

She certainly didn't regret dropping out of the race though, after thinking it over it wasn't exactly practical and now she just wanted to see what those other candidates were about. Of course Bryce hadn't sponsored any of the candidates, not after what they did when she was still pregnant with Mags. He would have been crazy to.

In any case she pushed Magnolia, who was covered up and snug as a bug in her stroller, along the street glimpsing in at the booths until she spotted Erik and strolled on over.

"Fancy running into you here Erik." She said smiling at him. See not pregnant. It felt amazing.

Who said when you graduate Hogwarts, you no longer care? Okay, fine, Louisa said that once and was proven completely wrong today. She left Malkins for a quick lookie at what those candidates had to offer. Hogwarts changed with time and being a recent graduatee she considered herself in the know of what the school needs.

The first thing to notice when she approached was the muggle rock music, she raised her eyebrows. There were another lady with cute bags and then two men so different in shape they resembled Pinky and the Brain, only Pinky in this case was as stiffy looking as the Brain.

OKAY. Lady with the cute bags first.

"Hello." She wiggled her fingers at the woman, and the candy man. Louisa knew him but never spoke before. Her eyes went to the pamphlets and she grabbed one, spread it dramatically to see who this person was.

... should she take one of the bags herself?

Text Cut: Xaaavier

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubbles

Xavier Baltazar made his way down Diagon Alley, a box in his arms. Today Sugarplums Sweet Shop was CLOSED. No service. Zilch. Nothing. If his customers wanted sweets they would have to follow the instructions he had left at the door, directing them this way and to the booth of Ivy Knox, the candidate he was sponsoring. There, they'd get their sweets and be brainwashed.

He glanced at the other booths there so far. Hmm, not bad, but they had NOTHING on their booth. Ah, heck no. Xavier had specifically ordered Ivy Knox's face to be the emblem of his sweets for the event. He'd even had a special made chocolate frog card made for her.

He was competitive, so what? It was a Baltazar thing.

Besides, he got to show off his shop here. It was both a good thing for Ivy and for him. It worked both ways and everyone goes happy at the end of the day, right? RIGHT. He was, at least.

Stopping at their booth, Xavier smiled at the woman and set the box down, just behind the table. "Hello, there, Ivy." They were on first name basis, right? He'll find out soon. "I see you've got everything ready to go. You excited?" Because he was. pinned on his shirtnned on his shirt with her face on it didn't scream excited, then he didn't know what else would.

Hearing her name, Ivy turned just in time to see her wonderful sponsor show up right beside her. She flashed him a smile. "Hello, Xavier." He really was a handsome fellow. Too bad he had a ring on his finger. "Yes, I am quite excited. And yourself?" They were going to do some fantastic advertising today - and not just for her, but Sugarplums as well. Who wouldn't want a box of Bertie Bott's with Ivy's lovely face on it?

"I can't thank you enough for everything you've done, it's absolutely perfect," she said, looking over her booth once more. Everything was in its place, neat and orderly. Hopefully it would stay that way. "I like that pin, by the way," she said with a wink.

Text Cut: Louisaaaa!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magical Soul

Who said when you graduate Hogwarts, you no longer care? Okay, fine, Louisa said that once and was proven completely wrong today. She left Malkins for a quick lookie at what those candidates had to offer. Hogwarts changed with time and being a recent graduatee she considered herself in the know of what the school needs.

The first thing to notice when she approached was the muggle rock music, she raised her eyebrows. There were another lady with cute bags and then two men so different in shape they resembled Pinky and the Brain, only Pinky in this case was as stiffy looking as the Brain.

OKAY. Lady with the cute bags first.

"Hello." She wiggled her fingers at the woman, and the candy man. Louisa knew him but never spoke before. Her eyes went to the pamphlets and she grabbed one, spread it dramatically to see who this person was.

... should she take one of the bags herself?

Ivy was momentarily distracted by watching Gemma in her peripheral vision, but she then turned her attention to a young lady approaching her booth. "Hello there," she greeted the woman with a smile. "How are you today?" A little small talk wouldn't hurt. She was trying to be friendly, after all. "Here, take a goody bag." Ivy grabbed a bag with her lovely face on it and handed it to the girl. There was good stuff in there.

Colby left the shop early to head outside and see what this rally was all about. In less than a week they would be hosting the next candidate debate in Diagon Alley so he figured he should get out and meet some of the candidates. Of course the one he was wanting to win had dropped out of the running. That was okay though, motherhood came first for his friend, as it should.

As he walked down the street he right away noticed a woman pushing a stroller. Not just any woman either. It was Layla and her new baby. Oh was Hadley gonna be upset that she chose not to come out today.

Seeing that Layla was talking to a man who appeared to be one of the BoG candidates, Colby decided to look around the booth while he waited for Layla to stop talking.

Was she done yet? She had a baby he wanted to spoil, before his wife got the chance to spoil her.

Nolan had received the memo stating the name of his new campaign manager a few days ago and was ECSTATIC. That Brock fellow had been nice enough, but he hadn't really done--well, anything. Nolan had nearly won that last debate allllllll by himself. He didn't even need a campaign manager! Still, it was nice to have one on hand, you know, just in case.

As he looked around, he noticed a girl setting up a booth nearby with flyers and posters--of himself. Aha! That must be the new girl! "Hello, Satine? I'm Nolan Reynolds, I believe you're my campaign manager?" he said with a grin as he held out his hand.

Raelynn usually wore professional things but since this was a rally and fun day she died it down and wore simple pants and a simple shirt. Having finally dyed her blonde hair after her uncle thought it would be a joke to marker it while she was sleeping...If he wasn't sick she would have hurt him. She was still getting used to the whole brunette thing, though her Uncle loved it, even commenting that he loved brunettes.

As she approached the table where she saw Roxanne she smirked great choice of music. Huge cupcakes? Wow Roxanne was good! She looked down making sure she had grabbed the basket with all the temporary tattoos. Good, she had. She was for sure going to be in trouble if she had forgotten those. "Hello Roxanne." Setting the basket on the table she pulled out a couple temporary tattoos and showed them to Roxanne, Are these good?" Holding up the first , then the second and lastly the third. She had gotten a good selection, hopefully.

Carter walked down the Alley looking for his booth thing.

OH LOOK! There is was.

He carefully set down his box and began unpacking it. He set out shirts in a variety of colors. Next to those he put a pile of buttons. And beside those he laid out some pamplets.

He grinned happily. He then placed something that looked suspiciously like a prize wheel on the table before quickly covering it up with one of the shirts from the table. He then hid the box under the booth. The box that looked suspicious heavy.

Alright. Now all he was missing was his wife... ... and his campaign manager... ... and the booth sponsor.

Okay. So maybe he wasn't quite as ready for this as he expected to be.

Stepping down the alleyway, Bjorn Berg drew near the rally. What... What was that RACKET? The closer he got, the louder it became. "WHAT is that horrid RACKET?" he said by way of announcing his presence. Ah, it was coming from CARTER'S table. Of COURSE. He should have known. He noted that his own candidate's table was of course in very close proximity to the noisemaker. He pointed his wand at the contraption and the volume immediately lowered enough for him to be able to talk and be heard. Upon approaching the table, he said, "Roxanne, I must humbly request you lower the volume of your... interesting music. Old ears, you know." He gave her an overdone smile. "Thank you in advance, my good lady."

As he walked off, he reached inside his jacket on the pretext of checking his pocket watch and gripped his wand. Nonverbally, he summoned several black ants from one of his jars of potions ingredients at home. Some of them were sure to be dead by now, but that wasn't necessarily all bad. With another spell, he sent them to the space under Roxanne's booth. They wouldn't need more than a few minutes to smell their way up to the goodies, by which time no one could blame it on him.



Ah, here was the man of the hour! "Erik, good to see you, my friend! I hope you're feeling well. Long day of kibitzing ahead of you!" He scanned the booth. "You know, Carter has cupcakes. Should have thought of that, I should've. But I think she'll find they aren't as appealing as she wants them to be." At least he knew that HE wouldn't eat cupcakes with ants crawling in them. He put his hand on his chin in a thinking position, then proceeded to walk around the booth. "But the setup here is quite nice. Simple, understated, not flashy... Matches your persona." He gave a nod. "The basket.. I assume is for handing out the chocolate frogs? Yes, nice touch. Don't just sit behind the booth all day, get out amongst the PEOPLE, show you can relate with them and their concerns for their children." Another nod.

This man was certainly a winner. He had a natural instinct for public relations. It certainly makes my job easier! It helped that Bjorn would personally vote for Erik if he got a vote.

But now.. He gazed around. People were beginning to arrive. Who should they focus on today?

Louisa's eyes met the woman's for a moment to return her greeting and then went back down to the pamphlet, "I'm good, thanks. I work across the street from here." She pointed with her thumb and over her shoulder at what she hoped was Madame Malkins... and not some dumpster. "I'm a recent Hogwarts alumni, though, and I'm really interested in the elections." Also, female candidates were far on top. Louisa longed to be a woman in a strong leading position, and thus she respected and supported her fellow specie women with achieving the same goal.

"Thank you!" She took the bag with an extended beam at the candy man what was his name again?. "You're deputy headmistress at Athens Academy." The former Ravenclaw echoed the pamphlet with even more interested look in her eyes, "Nice to meet you." EEEK, she was someone worthy to consider.

Then. There was more noise, and Louisa momentarily looked over at the man, not so interested. Ooh! Look, professor Gemma was here too! And.. wasn't this the old Quidditch Captain Phillips? Ooooh. Too bad he wasn't a she, she would've voted for him!

Smiling, Roxanne returned her manager's greeting with a "Hey, Raelynn! I like the change in hair color! Looks good!" And the temporary tattoos? Well, she was about to tell her they looked great too, but then she was so rudely interrupted by Erik's manager........




.........who was complaining about her music?! Really?! And did he just....?! Oh no he didn't! "You do realize that Erik cast a Muffliato, right?" she shot back, charming her music back to the level it was before. And, oh no he didn't, part two. Those ants were NOT making their way over to her table! Nope, she used her own charm to send them back at the man, watching amusedly as a good amount of them landed on his foot and started up his leg. Take that, Berg!

Raelynn smiled "Thanks Roxanne, I wasn't sure if it was going to be a good luck, but now I am sure." Roxanne always looked amazing, even when wearing something that made women look ugly. Just as Roxanne was getting to the tattoos they were rudely interrupted by some man... Who had got to be really old if he was complaining about the music.

Well who ever it was they must have been stupid to mess with Roxanne, if there was one thing she had learned about Roxanne it was that she was one fiery woman. She couldn't help but smile as she watched as things played out. The man would sure be hurting when the rally was over. After Roxanne had dealt the man his lesson, she said "Nice Roxanne. Anyways back to where we were,"

"Ivy." Erik's attention was easily diverted from Roxanne with the arrival of the brunette. "Lovely day indeed. Vot do you haff vhere?" It looked like her face on everything. And he wanted one of her bags.



Erik had stopped watching Roxanne but not Ivy and gone back to decorating his booth for the time being. He finished arranging the free things Basil had provided and looked up when he heard some new shoes down the alley. "Gemma!" Erik moved around the booth and gestured her over, though of course his eyes noticed where her gaze was going...straight over to Roxanne Carter's booth.

Roxanne was sitting there, staring at him, and seductively licking a cupcake in public. Was she serious? This was hilarious. Erik had no idea how he was supposed to react to that trainwreck over there but he was smirking broadly right back at her. And...ignoring the blonde woman, starting now.



More people were starting to come into the Alley now, so Erik regretfully picked up his basket and approached them. "Layla, good to see you as alvways. And your," he peeked into her carriage, "daughter? Congratulations! Here, haff a frog." He held out one of his 'Vote for Vinteren!' chocolate frog packages.

He gave a warm smile and nod to the man who stepped up to the booth too. "Good day," he greeted the familiar-looking guy. Didn't he work in the Alley too? "Care vor a chocolate frog? Or a free subscription to the Daily Prophet? Please help yourself."



Ants. They were a brilliant idea, but if Erik could see them coming, then that meant Roxanne could too. And Erik watched as the hoard of ants Bjorn had just summoned came right back toward him. He frowned and vanished them altogether from the entire rally. Nice try, manager.

"Good to see you too, Bjorn," he finally greeted the older man, once he had dealt with his little problem. "Vank you," he accepted the compliments with a nod, though his eyes narrowed a bit at the man’s unnecessary coaching. It didn't take a genius to realize that Erik was out from behind the booth and talking to people. That was the point of a rally, was it not? "I vas doing just that," he murmured almost darkly, as though considering something before a lighter smile returned to his face. Bjorn was only trying to help, surely. "Did you bring anyving to contribute to vhe booth?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magical Soul

Louisa's eyes met the woman's for a moment to return her greeting and then went back down to the pamphlet, "I'm good, thanks. I work across the street from here." She pointed with her thumb and over her shoulder at what she hoped was Madame Malkins... and not some dumpster. "I'm a recent Hogwarts alumni, though, and I'm really interested in the elections." Also, female candidates were far on top. Louisa longed to be a woman in a strong leading position, and thus she respected and supported her fellow specie women with achieving the same goal.

"Thank you!" She took the bag with an extended beam at the candy man what was his name again?. "You're deputy headmistress at Athens Academy." The former Ravenclaw echoed the pamphlet with even more interested look in her eyes, "Nice to meet you." EEEK, she was someone worthy to consider.

Then. There was more noise, and Louisa momentarily looked over at the man, not so interested. Ooh! Look, professor Gemma was here too! And.. wasn't this the old Quidditch Captain Phillips? Ooooh. Too bad he wasn't a she, she would've voted for him!

Oh, so she was a local employee. Ivy followed the girl's gesture and saw Madame Malkin's shop. She nodded. "How nice," she said... and kept the rest of her thoughts to herself. Ivy was rather impressed that someone of her age was interested in the election. "I must say, it's good to know that there are recent alumni that are interested in this. You're a good example, so thank you." She smiled again at the young lady. Now, if only everyone else was just as interested as she was.

She must have misread the pamphlet though. "Former deputy headmistress, actually. I recently left my post to focus on my business more." That didn't make her any less important, though. "It's very nice to meet you too, Miss..?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinteren, Erik Vinteren

"Ivy." Erik's attention was easily diverted from Roxanne with the arrival of the brunette. "Lovely day indeed. Vot do you haff vhere?" It looked like her face on everything. And he wanted one of her bags.

After a moment, Ivy was again distracted by the handsome Erik. What did she haff? "Oh, what don't I have?" she asked in her slightly overly-cheerful tone. "Fizzing whizbees, Droobles, chocolate frogs, every flavor beans..." All with her face on them, of course. Not to mention the pins, the coupons, the bags. Ivy held a bag up and showed it to Erik. "You like?" She asked with a wink. She really was in an oddly good mood today.

Xavier beamed, rubbing his hands together. "Yes, I am." Like, a lot. He was generally a happy person, though his oldest daughter always blamed it to too many bludgers to the head back when he played for the Falmouth Falcons, but he stuck with the explanation that he was just too awesome to be moody and cranky. And events like these, the ones that benefited him in a way, always excited him.

He adjusted the pin on his shirt, shifting his tie under it so it wouldn't block Ivy's picture. "It was my pleasure," he said. M'hm. Especially with the terms they came to. "I'm sure you'll be the star of this rally." He'd make sure of that.

Ah, dang. He should have brought some signed autographs from back in the day to attract attention. Not that they wouldn't. He was certain Ivy's pretty face would attract people. And she was a clever woman, that would attract others too.

Xavier grinned down at his pin. Yep, he had enlarged it. Hah. "You're looking nice today, you'll definitely shine." You know, like sunshine, because she was wearing bright colors. "Shall we start distributing raffle tickets?" He was leaving that up to her since this was for her cause and all that.



Oh! The first person they'd get to brainwash. They'd get to talk to.

Xavier flashed the young woman one of his winning smiles. "Hello, there!" She seemed familiar, yes. Ivy was already on it by the looks of it. "I hope you enjoy sweets and coupons," he said.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erik Vinteren

Erik glanced at the things Basil was putting out, pretty standard newspaper items, and then looked at his frogs again. Yeah, a basket would be a good idea. But where was he going to get a basket from?

Just then he was distracted somewhat by the arrival of another candidate, one Roxanne Carter. Mhmm. Erik gave her a cool nod in return to her greeting and didn't bother to disguise the fact that the was watching her set up. What was that she had there? Cupcakes? Really? He hated how delicious they looked and smelled and how loud her rock music was playing. Yet at the same time he wanted to go over to her booth and steal ideas nose around.

Why hadn't he thought of home-baked goods? Bloody cupcakes.... Erik scratched the side of his nose and suddenly remembered the basket he needed to summon. Right. He'd have time for socialising later. He flicked his wand into his hand and quickly conjured up a few medium sized baskets to keep at the booth for...things, and one with a longer handle for him to carry around too. He just hoped he wasn't going to end up looking like that Muggle fairytale character, Little Red, later.

He then set about putting up some Hogwarts coloured bunting in all four house colours all around his booth. He also cast the 'Muffliato' charm to keep Roxanne's loud music out of their area. "Haff any other bright ideas?" he murmured to the Daily Prophet's Editor-in-Chief, one eye still on the woman across the way.

NOISE! There was loud AWFUL noise!

Oh, wait, no there wasn't. Basil had half a mind to applaud Erik and then go over to that too-wealthy-for-her-own-good woman and shove one of her giant cupcakes right in her face. It didn't help that the cupcakes made him feel even...smaller.

Yep, that earned the woman another glare.

Oh, wasn't that a fancy looking basket! Before Basil could admire the pretty, or respond to Erik's question, this shifty looking dude showed up and COMPLETELY ignored his presence. HELLO! Was he so tiny that you needed a magnifying glass to spot?! Was that was this gentleman was saying as he walked around the stand and said NOTHING to him?! Basil would clear his throat to get attention but...

Oh look at that adorable little girl! and finally someone he was taller than. It reminded him of...well...never mind.

So instead of saying anything Basil just sort of stood there playing with some of the sugar quills and observing.

Today was a BEAAAAAAAAUTIFUL day! Not just because it was the rally in Diagon Alley but because he was carrying something from his little sweet butterscotch FOR the rally. Mr. Phillips was going to simply DIE when he saw the brilliance that was the apple of his eye's handy work.

Speaking of the boy...

"Mr. Carter! Have I got a surprise for YOU!"

Merlin's beard that music was loud and obnoxious. Well, not so much obnoxious as it was loud. Good thing Charles had some very healthy lungs on him and a wand!

Charles practically pranced his way over to the young man and set a very large box on the table that he quickly removed the lid from to show its contents. "TADA!"

Weren't they just the best!? Only thing that could make them better if if there was an icing image of the one who had made them instead of his candidate. But she hadn't sent in an application although Charles believed she should have.