Carter shook his head. "We won't say no to money, but we really don't recommend posting anything above your means." he said with a nod. So, really, minus looking snobby and taking away the opportunity for others to donate, there wasn't any problems with it.

Carter's eyes twitched slightly at the approach of the next supporter. Colin MacKenzie. 'MacKenzie." the Puddlemere Chaser greeted. And that was enough of a polite response from him. He'd let Sherman and the fan boy take care of that.

Carter laughed. Did his wife like animals? She was obsessed. "I'm practically running a zoo actually." At least, that was how his sister described it. "Pretty sure starting one is her retirement plan for me." Whenever he got too old for quidditch.

His eyes glanced over at the petting zoo again. He then lowered his voice. "Almost didn't make it to our wedding actually. She was plotting on how to best steal a giraffe."

Carter tilted his head to his side. He recognized that name. Evolette... Evolette. And then it hit him. "You were Head Girl my first term." ... In case she was wondering. Right. Name. He had one.

"Carter Phillips." he said with a grin. "From the Board of Governors." Youngest member on it actually. He was also chaser for Puddlemere. But that wasn't relevant.

"This is Sherman. Also from the Board." he said introducing his fellow Governor.

"Really? What kind of animals do you two keep? If you opened one, could I get in for free?" Because, you know.. Sherman and Carter were tight like that. Or something. Hadn't Alice been at that wedding? "Your wedding? Giraffes? I thought Alice mentioned something about elephants."

Or maybe it was just because her fake date for that was that one kid who liked the girl who liked the elepha... something. Something something. Something else something.

She talked a lot, it was hard to keep up, you know?

Oh. Pretty lady. With.. long nails. She'd rake his face out. Sherman shrunk back a little, nodding and smiling shyly as Carter introduced him, thankful for the younger board member coming to the rescue. ".... hello."

Merlin, why couldn't ladies clip their claws?

No. No, SHERMAN FIRST. His autographs before the rude kid's one? Yes? Okay?

"Yes, please, sir! Sherman Clark, big fan." He would have stretched over the booth and GRABBED Colin MacKenzie's hand and given it a REAL HEARTY shake, but he was more professional than that. Obviously.

And also germs.

What was.. what was he supposed to give him? For his autograph? Would it be unprofessional to ask him to sign a body part? Hastily, the elderly man undid the tie around his neck and nudged it toward him. Yes. Yes, sign the zoo tie. Lucia wouldn't be too happy, but.. y'know. Whatever. Wives. Hmph. Alice would get it.

Oh, speaking of Alice. "Would you sign something for my granddaughter, too?" Pretty please?

He also hoped that Carter wasn't listening to his childish player obsession. Puddlemere United... Magpies.. didn't.. whatever. Sherman was getting an AUTOGRAPH.

It wasn't a secret that Ellie only came to the festival for the food. They didn't have food like this ALL the time. And she was always up for stuffing herself with particularly unhealthy munchies. Especially during off-season, when she wouldn't be scolded for her poor choices, or find it harder to work off during grueling team practices the next morning.

Not that she was particularly drawn to the donation station, but she happened to spot it and, keeping up with her record with the charity events throughout the school year, went to give a few galleons.

"Hey Carter," she greeted the familiar face as she dropped her galleons into the jar.

BEAM no one to stop her from donating money. She just needed to watch out for the headmistress, because she would yell at her again. She took out about fifty more galleons from the purse and placed them in various jars. Smiling at her first and second contribution but knew there would be more once her grandparents arrived at the festival.

"Thank you for all you do" And the hyper blonde skipped away from the table to look for her granparents.

YUSSSSSSS AUTOGRAPHYUSSSS YUSSSS. Inwardly West was all celebratory, right up until he noticed the little old man there.

The little old man that was his girlfriend's grandfather.

The little old man that knew that West had kissed someone else.

Had Alice explained everything? That it was okay now? That he'd just been all emotionally overWHELMED and that he was sane again?

He was TORN now. Between COLIN MACKENZIE and feeling all.... awkward and abashed and like slinking away because of circumstances. Not that West was a slinker. He stood up straighter and looked at Mr. Clark. Oh. Something for Alice too? West was gonna ask that.

But in the mean time... West rummaged in his bag an came up with a sheet of parchment (with the Daily Prophet logo on the top) that had all the times of all the Magpies matches, training session, and press interviews over the summer printed neatly upon it. He held it out loosely for Colin Mackenzie to take. He figured it needed an explanation so he didn't look like a crazy stalker, and to prove he had the information for legitimate reasons.

"Could you sign this, sir? I've got this because I'm a Junior Quidditch Correspondent with the Daily Prophet this summer sir," AND A QUIDDITCH FANATIC. BUT NOT A STALKER. "And I play for Slytherin at Hogwarts." And they'd won the Quidditch Cup by a landslide and all the previous term.

Also.... he peeked at Mr. Clark, and sort of mumbled, "Sir, Um.... if... if one of you duplicated this," He couldn't because underage magic and all, "Then maybe Mr Mackenzie could sign one for Alice too." Proper memorabilia then see?

Text Cut: quotes

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilFox06

Carter's eyes twitched slightly at the approach of the next supporter. Colin MacKenzie. 'MacKenzie." the Puddlemere Chaser greeted. And that was enough of a polite response from him. He'd let Sherman and the fan boy take care of that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemon

No. No, SHERMAN FIRST. His autographs before the rude kid's one? Yes? Okay?

"Yes, please, sir! Sherman Clark, big fan." He would have stretched over the booth and GRABBED Colin MacKenzie's hand and given it a REAL HEARTY shake, but he was more professional than that. Obviously.

And also germs.

What was.. what was he supposed to give him? For his autograph? Would it be unprofessional to ask him to sign a body part? Hastily, the elderly man undid the tie around his neck and nudged it toward him. Yes. Yes, sign the zoo tie. Lucia wouldn't be too happy, but.. y'know. Whatever. Wives. Hmph. Alice would get it.

Oh, speaking of Alice. "Would you sign something for my granddaughter, too?" Pretty please?

He also hoped that Carter wasn't listening to his childish player obsession. Puddlemere United... Magpies.. didn't.. whatever. Sherman was getting an AUTOGRAPH.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tegz

YUSSSSSSS AUTOGRAPHYUSSSS YUSSSS. Inwardly West was all celebratory, right up until he noticed the little old man there.

The little old man that was his girlfriend's grandfather.

The little old man that knew that West had kissed someone else.

Had Alice explained everything? That it was okay now? That he'd just been all emotionally overWHELMED and that he was sane again?

He was TORN now. Between COLIN MACKENZIE and feeling all.... awkward and abashed and like slinking away because of circumstances. Not that West was a slinker. He stood up straighter and looked at Mr. Clark. Oh. Something for Alice too? West was gonna ask that.

But in the mean time... West rummaged in his bag an came up with a sheet of parchment (with the Daily Prophet logo on the top) that had all the times of all the Magpies matches, training session, and press interviews over the summer printed neatly upon it. He held it out loosely for Colin Mackenzie to take. He figured it needed an explanation so he didn't look like a crazy stalker, and to prove he had the information for legitimate reasons.

"Could you sign this, sir? I've got this because I'm a Junior Quidditch Correspondent with the Daily Prophet this summer sir," AND A QUIDDITCH FANATIC. BUT NOT A STALKER. "And I play for Slytherin at Hogwarts." And they'd won the Quidditch Cup by a landslide and all the previous term.

Also.... he peeked at Mr. Clark, and sort of mumbled, "Sir, Um.... if... if one of you duplicated this," He couldn't because underage magic and all, "Then maybe Mr Mackenzie could sign one for Alice too." Proper memorabilia then see?

Colin couldn’t help but smirk a bit with all the attention that he was getting right now. Not that it was anything new for him. But it was just oh-so-very funny that there was another Quidditch player on the other side of the booth that was not getting any attention from fans. Though there was no reason for him to lie to himself. Carter was a decent player. But not as good as he was, of course. Maybe after he retired Carter would have his moment in the spotlight. Until then he would be signing things for these wonderful fans of his.

He watched as the old man and the boy got whatever it was they wanted him to sign. Sherman had slipped off his tie and was nudging it over to him eagerly. This didn’t faze Colin at all. He had signed weirder things than the nifty zoo tie before. Then West looked through his bag and handed over a piece of parchment that had quite a bit of writing on it. Was that his teams schedule on it? If it hadn’t been for the logo on it, this coach would have been a bit concerned about why and how he had gotten this information.

Shortly after the men handed over their things, Colin set them down on the table, took out his wand, and flicked it twice. The parchment the boy had given him doubled and a quill with magical ink perfect for signing just about anything appeared. Satisfied with his wand work, Colin started doing what he did best (besides all things Quidditch, of course). When he was done, he handed the tie and pieces of parchment back. “Here you go, boys!”

Photos!: West

Photos!: Sherman

Photos!: Alice

Carter nearly rolled his eyes. This was the bad thing about professional sports. You got people like... well... yeah. "Hey Ellie." he said greeting the Portree seeker. Did she see what was happening?

"Want a shirt?" he offered grabbing one. "One for Treyen as well?" he asked holding up a second. Oh. And most importantly, "Cheesecake later?" Before they had to really gear up.


Carter then nodded and smiled at the blonde as she skipped away. Nice girl.

"Things are good, thanks. Ginger is expecting again!" Nolan said with a big grin. Soon Scarlett was going to have a little brother or sister to play with! "All the more reason to make sure the school is up and running for my kids someday," he joked. "How about yourself?"

He nodded at Sherman when he greeted him and then started scanning the small crowd that had formed in front of the table. Who were some of these people? They seemed to know them - apparently the one guy was a Quidditch star. Ok. Nolan didn't really follow Quidditch so he'd take their word for it.

"Thanks for the donation!" he said cheerfully. That was a lot of galleons!!

Nolan was TOTALLY surprised that one of his favorite ex-students, Ellie Stone, hadn't even NOTICED the former professor sitting there. Must have been the t-shirt he was wearing. Or something. "Hello Miss Stone!" he called cheerfully to her with a grin.

He was just in SUCH A GOOD MOOD TODAY! Maybe he'd never go back to the store today. The employees could fend for themselves, right?

Kitty knew Hogwarts was in a dangerous situation concerning money, and it was not just from reading the Prophet. Why, her own younger sister (Raven) who attended Hogwarts had had to be paying money just to pass in and out of the common room this term! This could NOT continue. And so Kitty walked up to the jars and started emptying her purse into it. Then her fingers slipped and she accidentally poured the thing into it! Annoyed with herself, she tried to take some of the coins back. "HEY!"

...Yes, Carter, as a matter of fact, she DID notice. Ellie's eyes widened at the Magpie's coach and....those getting his autograph. Her gaze slid to Carter to give him a look of disbelief. They had TWO current Quidditch players RIGHT THERE, and they wanted an autograph of one past his prime?

Though, admittedly, MacKenzie had an amazing track record under his belt. But he wouldn't be getting a paper shoved under his nose from her. She had other idols.

Anyway. Carter. "...Sure," she said, accepting the shirt and, "Definitely," for the one for Treyen. They could MATCH. ....In the seclusion of their apartment. Alone. But for the two of them, it would be amusing.

OH HEY HER NAME! Maybe SHE was going to get Quidditch love, too! HAH, Carter.

But when Ellie saw who it was, she knew it wasn't for Quidditch...it was BETTER. HOW DID SHE NOT SEE HIM THERE??!!! "REYN!!!!!!!!!!" she unnecessarily shouted at her favorite former professor.

The carnival was in town!! Or whatever it was...

Bryce might've been even more excited than some of the youngsters already there. He pointed to EVERYTHING as they passed by, showing Mags things and Layla things and that random guy walking by things. Though their first stop no doubt was going to be here. At the Hogwarts funding support booth. Little Mags was going to be going there someday!

"Want me to get it?" he asked, glancing to his wife as he started fishing in the pockets of his pants for some coins. Big coins, small coins, pieces of parchment and wrappers, who knows what were left in these things.

Well this was an awkward first stop. She eyed the governors there and gave them each an acknowledging nod. Yes she saw them but she quickly turned her attention back to Magnolia who was pointing out random things herself.

Of course she was just mimicking her dad had been doing but Layla found it cute. She kept going.."oooh...and woooow" every time her daughter pointed out something new, just to patronize her.

"Sure go ahead." She said in reply to Bryce.

Tongue sticking out a little, he searched and searched until he finally pulled out the coins and miscellaneous items from his pant pocket. Mhmmm. 4 galleons, 1 sickle, and 5 knuts in one pocket and 1 galleon, 5 sickles, and 3 knuts in the other. Jingling the coins, he beamed over at his daughter before sticking alllllllll of it in one of the jars.

Yea, that sound was awesome. They all knew it too.

The rest of the coins in his back pockets were for SPENDING though. Wiping his hands on his sides, since they were kinda sweaty, he turned back to his family. "Where toooo now? Hmmmmm?" Poking Magnolia's belly, Bryce chuckled somewhat and glanced around the area.

Everywhere. They should go everywhere.

Layla handed Magnolia over to Bryce when she started reaching for him. Honestly it was hard to miss who the favourite parent was. Layla didn't mind though. Weren't all little girls like that? There was no one like their daddy.

She looked around and took in all the different attractions.

"What about the petting zoo? Then princess Magnolia can have her face painted and then...hmm." She looked around. "Maybe the carousel?" Mags would like that wouldn't she? Wait was there one? She looked again.

N'aawwww Mags!

Holding her, Bryce kinda started to bounce a little, somewhat of a twirl here and a wiggle there with his precious daughter while listening to Layla. Petting zoo. Mmhmmm. Face painted. Adorableness. CAROUSEL! YES! WHERE...was it actually...

"Sounds good." He paused his weird dancing to look around for the things mentioned. "You happen to see which was where?"

"You know she doesn't even try to hide the fact that she likes you better. I can't decide whether I should be offended or not." She chuckled though and poked Magnolia.

Magz was busy enjoying the little jig her dad was doing.

"Hmmm..I think the carousel is that way." She said pointing in the general direction." Though I think they said its a roaming carousel so it might not be in the same place as earlier before." Hmmm or something.

Alice wasn't late. She wasn't.

The fifteen year old had just been checking all the wrong places for certain people (aka staring at the Mechanical Hippogriff, SHE wanted to right that thing). At the moment, though, she was wandering the street area aimlessly, still looking. Maybe he was at the food area. And if he wasn't.. well. Food was there, too. Win-win situation, yeah?

Was that her grandfather's booth over there?



That kid.. interned? At the Daily Prophet? With his granddaughter? Funny, because Alice had incidentally forgotten to mention that, and Sherman did not need her spending MORE time with this boy than needed. And that topic would be revisited later, but he had to ignore it for now because.. because...

BECAUSE COLIN MACKENZIE WAS SIGNING HIS TIE. (!!!!!!!!)

Sherman didn't squeal, but if it was professional to make high-pitched, girlish noises, he would have been right then. "Thank you, sir! It was a pleasure meeting you." No, really. It was. He would treasure this experience for the rest of his elderly life, honest.

Beaaaam.

And.. and this day was only getting better, because..

"You're Eliana Stone. S-seeker for Pride of P-portree." ALL THE PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS AT HIS BOOTH. "Will you... will you sign my.. my... too.... I...?" Sherman nudged his already-signed-by-Colin-MacKenzie zoo tie at the redhead and smiled shyly. Would SHE sign it?

And then would CARTER, as well?

BEST. DAY. EVER. The birth of his granddaughter had been bumped to second.

"Hello, sir! Thank you for your donation! Have a t-shirt!" Sherman was too HAPPY to say anything else, so he pushed one of the Hogwarts tees at the man and just beaaamed. Did he notice the players? Did he want their autographs, too?

He was probably the only one in the area who were making them sign a zoo tie, though.

So HAH.

Carter grinned. "Yeah? Congratulations." he said excitedly. "Is it still crazy the second time around?" Just out of curiosity. He heard that it was.

"Things are good." he said with a nod. "Just got back from holiday." Which was an incredible amount of fun. "Took my parents on one of those muggle cruises." And other than that there was really nothing he had to announce. But his eyes did wander across the fair to see if Destiny was still around somewhere.

He then rubbed his hands together. "Other than that... things are pretty low key. Just practice." he said with a shrug.


Carter turned his head when he head a sharp hey. "Everything alright?" he asked with a raised brow. "Carter Phillips. Board of Governors." he said introducing himself. And Puddlemere United chaser, but he didn't brag about that like other people here.

Carter watched Ellie's reaction. Was this guy really a big deal? Carter admittedly didn't know much about quidditch history.

Oh. And now she was being asked for an autograph. That was better than watching someone enjoy milking it in.

"Treyen stopping by?" he asked looking around expecting to see him. Or, was he busy with that acting thing? Where were they anyway? He didn't actually know where they lived now that he thought about it.

This was the BEST. Not only had Colin Mackenzie been an amazing player in his time, but he was an epic coach and nobody could deny that he knew what he was doing, and he'd been with the Magpies in some form or another for West's whole LIFE. West was more than glad to have the opportunity to get his signature. THAT was a autograph to keep. WAIT TIL HE TOLD THEO AND BLUE.

"Thank you, sir!" West was all grins as he took both bits of parchment back. He looked at his own autograph first and got a bit starry eyed. Amaaaazing. And one for Alice. Yessss. "Thanks. Maybe we'll get to talk to you in an official capacity later in the summer." Yeah! With the Daily Prophet and all. EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW? YES?

... but now... err... Alice's grandfather wasn't... y'know... talking to him or anything. West wasn't sure if he was supposed to.... say something? Was he supposed to...

DIDN'T NEED TO. HE WAS SAVED. West lit up, spotting Alice. "Excuse me, sir." He excused himself, before hurrying over to her.

"Alice! Guess who is over there? I mean aside from your grandfather. Colin Mackenzie. The Colin Mackenzie. And he signed this for you!" West held out the parchment for her. "And one for me!"

He didn't even have time to get all awkward about the grandfather part because he was still excited about 'The Hot Scot' Mackenzie, and now entirely happy and excited to see Alice.

Alice Fischer even managed to outshine Colin Mackenzie in West's eyes. She was prettier for one. For another, he was ready for kisses. Hiiiii Girlfriend.

"How's it going? Career still on the rise?" Nolan asked her with a grin. He knew she had gone on to do some Quidditch something or another, but again, he didn't really follow sports. Unless it was Muggle football.


"Thanks!" Nolan said with a big grin. "Unfortunately, yes," he chuckled at Carter's question. "Ginger is not happy about having swollen ankles again, but only a few more months until Scarlett has a little brother or sister," he said with a smile.

He was pretty sure it would be a boy. He wasn't sure. He had a FEELING, you know? Leftover Seer feelings, he hoped!

"Ah, how was that? It didn't break on you or anything right? I hear that tends to happen," Nolan said with a shrug. That wouldn't be very fun on vacation! He looked around at the crowd, which seemed to have slowed down even with a famous person here.

And the Quidditch star. HEHEHEHE.

He stood up and waved a t-shirt. "Come donate and get your t-shirts here!" he called.

BEAM.

Sure she'll sign your tie, little old man! HAH, Carter. "Of course. ...Got a quill?" Because she didn't. And Ellie didn't see what Colin did to imitate him, and conjuring one hadn't come to mind on its own. Her eyes scanned the table for one.

...Heh.

Anyway. "No...Well...maybe... He's at his other job for a bit, I don't know when he'll be back." ...Nor did Ellie leave a note or anything saying where she was should he come home before her. She hadn't expected to be gone long. But now...she might hang out with Carter for a bit. And the old man who wanted her autograph. Heh.

AND SHE DEFINITELY WANTED TO HANG AROUND REYN LONGER.

"It's great!" Ellie answered. Everything was...pretty fantastic. And she just got asked for an autograph, did he SEE that?? Not that it was anything special...just...she tended to avoid that sort of thing. And each one was still kind of exciting anyway.

So...you know...if that answered his career question. Otherwise, "Not exactly rise, though. Maybe next season. Finished same place as last year this past one." Which she was upset about for a bit. She was over it now, though.

"How's...the family?" Settled life?

"You c-can use one of the Hogwarts ones," he told her, nudging one of the school quills on the table for the people who donated sickles at her. This tie was going to be TREASURED. Forever. Could he have it framed? Sherman wanted it framed.

And then Carter could sign it, too.

Also, he totally saw his granddaughter and that noodle boy over there. Totally did. Eyes for them.

Food area. He was definitely there. Sandwiches, too. Alice was turning to head over there before a West came into view, and talking at her and.. what? Colin Mackenzie? What? WHAT WHERE?

And then she took a look that autograph- THAT WAS HIS REAL SIGNATURE- and... West's said his name. Where was her name? Nope. Nope, not there. Not that she wasn't happy to have COLIN MACKENZIE'S autograph, but that could have been for anyone, right?

"Where is he?" She tried to peek around her boyfriend, attempting to get the booth into view, because SHE wanted to see a Colin Mackenzie, too. And also because Alice had to see if there was a grandfather watching before kisses happened. Which... there was.

.... West hadn't talked to him, yeah?

West had no eyes for her GRANDFATHER because his attention was ENTIRELY on Alice. Hiiii Girlfriend. Hiiii. She looked so pretty today. She looked pretty always but he was especially excited today so she was even more noticeably pretty.

"Over at the funding booth." But that wasn't important, where were his kisses and hugs and all? He slipped his arms around her in a hug. "Do you want to eat stuff?"

And kisses. He was ready for kisses.

"I do want to eat stuff. Alice wrapped her arms around his waist in a hug back, resting her chin on his shoulder so she could keep scouring out the funding booth area. WHERE was Colin Mackenzie? That one guy was in the way. Even worse, the guy wasn't blocking her grandfather.

She still saw him looking.

"But I wanna see Colin Mackenzie first. Then ride the Mechanical Hippogriff. And I'll win you a prize at the Plimpy bowl toss. After that, food." She had the day all planned out, see? Organized.

"Lots of stuff." He nuzzled her cheek. "Your grandfather doesn't like me. Did you tell him we made up?" Nuzzlenuzzle. For such a little old frail dude, he was kinda... terrifying. Because what if he wouldn't let Alice see him at all? Or forced her to change schools or locked her up in a tower or something?

Not that any of that would stop West but STILL.