No. Indy hadn't talked to Sierra before. The girl kind of scared her, so really she wouldn't actually have that muhc of a reason to talk to her. "Nope." And really. The girl was older than her, and she didn't really talk to that many people that were older than her. Just the people in her own house really. Indy didn't know if she wanted to talk to Sierra though really. It wouldn't be nice to have someone be mean to her. "I think so..." She shrugged, not really caring that much. "But I dont want her to be mean to us..." Because that wouldn't be any fun at all.

Oooh. These bubbles were big. hehe. Indy really hoped that they wouldn't like burst all over their faces. Luckily hers didn't and she giggled at Beezus. "That was funn..."

Carrie walked towards Indy and Beezus "hey can I join in the fun ?"

Alex and Josh entered the shop with grins on their faces. "So what we gonna get first?" Alex asked her brother.

"Well there's the Gumball machines here." Josh replied pointing to the four machines beside them. "You get a machine and I'll get one and I'll race your Gumball, okay." the recently graduated lad said as he took out 2knuts for the machine.
Alex listened as her brother suggested the Gumball Machine race. "It's on." the fourth year replied pulling out her own money.

Addie wasn't sure what this girl was like. She was certainly willing to take her time to talk to Addie. But the girl had an analyzing quality in her. So far she wasn't sure exactly what her opinion of Sierra was. But it would be good to have a friend when she entered Hogwarts so she would be persistent.

Doesn't matter!! Of course it mattered, though it might not sound like it. "Well duh I care where the hat puts me. I want to be somewhere where I fit in. I don't want to be an outcast. Believe me, as soon as I get on the train I will start freaking out," this girl didn't quite understand Adelaide Coral completely. Which made since since she was such a complex girl. "Adelaide Coral can be calm one moment then freaking out the next. It's just his I am.". Addie stated.

"That's pretty cool. I think Slytherin is the top of my list but I am here more for the social aspect. Home schooling is boring," Addie stated plain and clearly. Extremely boring. Every day she would want to run free and get away from home. "Traits. Umm I'm outgoing, friendly, persistent, stubborn, I like to do what I want, I love to climb, umm that's all I can think of.". Addie said as she began to analyze her self for more traits.

Indy was scared of Sierra, she could tell. But Beezus suddenly had this ringing, wanting to know this Sierra Greingoth and judge her personality once and for all and not just because she heard it from other people.

"I'll talk to her..and maybe befriend her.." she told Indy. "And I'll find out if she's really mean, if she's not then maybe you can also befriend her?" Hehe. A suggestion that was quite stupid. Treading on the snakes territory was dangerous. But then again, not all Slytherins are bad.

OH! It was really, really fun. And Beezus finding it very fun, accidentally breathed in through her nose, and the next thing she knew, the large pink bubble was on her face. Sticky and just ewwwwwwww.... Half-frowing, half-laughing, she looked at Indy with pleading eyes.. "Oh...grossssssss..." She might as well throw up.

Ewww. Ewwwww... She had bubble gum all over her face. Then someone appeared, talking to her and Indy.. Quite confused, she turned to her Ravenclaw!bestie then to the new girl, "Uhhhmmm..I don't mind." she told her. Then she mouthed to Indiana, "Who's she?"

Oooh. Someone had come over to them. That was nice. Indy smiled at the new person. She actually had no idea who the girl was. At all. "Err....Hi." She looked little, maybe she was new first year? That would be nice. "I'm Indy." it was nice to make new friends. Indiana liked making new friends, especially ones that weren't going to think that she was weird. That would be good.

Oooh. See. Beezus was such an epic friend. Indy beamed at her friend. "Oh you're so brave....you're in the wrong house." Indy giggled, grinning at her friend. She didnt really think that Beezus was in the wrong house. Of course she wasn't. Ravenclaw was the most epic house ever. Period. "Maybe she's nice if we're nice to her..." Because that was good right? They were very nice people so it would be awesome. But Beezus could go talk to Sierra first, because she was super brave.

Oh. Hahahaha. Just like Indy had predicted the gum was all over Beezus' face now. "I told you that would happen." Just thank merlin it had not happened to her face. Because that was good. "It is reaallly gross though..." Poor Beezus. "Er...how do you get it off?" Because Indy really had no idea at all. Oh dear.

EWWWWW!

CAPITAL G.R.O.S.S. Grosssssssss! Now, she really regretted blowing that gum and facing Indy afterwards. Why..her bestie was the reason she giggled and the result was that...

Though, she wasn't blaming her best friend, she was hoping she'd help her. Like really help her. Sniffing a bit, she told Indy, "I don't...know....pull it..off? Or something? Get this off my face....pleassseeeee.." She was begging, oh yes, she was.

"This is so ewwwww.. I could feel my own saliva.." Yeah, that was really unnecessary to say but she did say it, too late to take it back. Hmmm..maybe she should brush her teeth more? She wasn't really liking the smell, nor the texture of the gum on her face.

This was quite funny actually. And Indiana was having quite a difficult time at not giggling at her bestie. She was so sure that Beezus would not have approved of her laughing at her. Indy had warned her after all. She would not be blowing any more bubbles. She didn't want to get her hair all sticky and covered with gum. Yes. Indy pretty much loved her haor so they're would be definetly no gum going in there.

"You do itt!" It was her face. So no way was Indy touching that gum. Especially when it had been in Beezus' mouth. That was like totally gross. "i'm not touching it." She was going to get all of her besties germs on her hands, even though she loved her bestie. "I bet it is!" she giggled with a big smile. It was not fun to have gum, she assumed anyway, because she hadn't actually had gum all over her face.

EH? Indy was really not going to help her? Meanieee bestie. Oh well..It was her face indeed and it was entirely her fault, so yeah. She was moving her fingers closer to the gum on her nose right now, and slowly pulling it.

"Awww..Ewwww.." Because it hurt, and it was gross! And more pulling, more moaning, more complaining was heard from her for like fifteen minutes. Merlin, there was even gum on her hair! "Oh..I am never going to this again.." She said as she tried pulling the gum on her hair, but it wouldn't budge. It stuck too much. "Do you have a scissor?" with an exhausted expression, she asked Indy.

Because only a scissor was gonna help her now.

Sierra gave the girl a raised eyebrow look when she heard the 'Well, duh' response. "Well, if you don't want to be an outcast, you shouldn't hope for Hufflepuff. Their house founder based their house on taking in the lot of them," Sierra explained. "I'd stay away from Gryffindor, too." She shrugged. "The Ravenclaws actually aren't all that bad, so if you wind up there, you'll be okay. It's Slytherin you want, though." Well, maybe. Maybe not. "Are you any good at anything? Quidditch, even?"

Then Sierra grinned. So the girl did want to be a Slytherin. "Well, I'm not so sure about the whole social aspect," she said, as Sierra wasn't a very sociable person, "but at least you've aimed high with hopes for Slytherin." Again, she shrugged. She was home-schooled for the first ten years of her life, and she'd been happy. Then again, Sierra Greingoth was happiest when most everyone left her alone. She listened as the girl listed her qualities. Nodding, she said, "I think you stand a chance at that hat sending you to Slytherin. I'd try not to think about friendship so much, though."

So Sierra didn't like Hufflepuff and Gryffindor. And Slytherin sounded good enough for Addie, but things she was good at. Quidditch was a definite no. "I haven't played Quidditch before," Addie explained with a sigh. "I got hurt with my brothers broom when I was young. Haven't ridden a broom since. As for other things I'm good at. I am good at making friends, Charms, and ummm I'm not sure what else. "

Oh were all Slytherin people unsociable. If that was the case she would probably still have fun. "So are all Slytherins unsociable and not friendly?" Addie asked before rephrasing as to not insult Sierra. "Or most for that matter." she said peering down at her watch.

His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy.

Anakin was nervous, definitely. Actually, no, he took that back. Nervous didn't even BEGIN to cover the tumultuous emotions he was currently experiencing. He was excited, yet he wanted to throw up at the same time. But that would just lead him to thinking of his Da during all the times he'd 'practiced' while he'd been away, which would put a smile on his face.

To anyone looking at him right now, he probably looked like a nut. His face going from pain, to laughter, to nervousness in the blink of an eye. Merlin, even Ani thought he was insane.

Reaching the Gumball machine, which he'd dubbed 'their spot' in his mind, Anakin leaned down to the hatch where the gum came out, and slipped something small in there. He was glad it wasn't summer, or else his plan would be exceedingly difficult, because now that his little surprise was in there. He had to keep people away from the gumball machine.

At least until Vashti got there. which he hoped would be soon, because he was going to lose his breakfast with the anticipation burbling inside of him.

Vashti was excited for her lunch break to come. Well, more than usual anyway. Getting lunch was always nice, but she'd get to spend time with Anakin on this one, which made it a thousand times better. And he'd asked her to meet him at Sugarplum's first. Either he had a sweet tooth today, or he was just being cute. Maybe both. But either way, it didn't take long for Vashti to get from the Owl Post Office to Sugarplum's Sweet Shop.

It also didn't take long for her to spot Anakin, as she'd expected him to be by the gumball machines. She beamed at first as she walked over to him, until she noticed that he didn't look...well...what would you call that expression exactly?

"Hey, Anakin," she said, throwing her arms around him in a hug. "How're you?" she asked as she pulled away, smiling a little. Hopefully he was okay, yeah?

Anakin stood staring at the gumball machine for a few minutes, before he heard the doorway tinker open in the distance. He immediately spun around, shielding the gumball machine and probably looking like a loon in the process. Well...MORE so of a loon than before anyways.

It was a relief to see it was Vashti coming in though, and the emotions flickering across his face ceased, and his lips curled up into a smile. It was almost like, even if for just a minute or so, her presence had a calming effect on him. The smile on her face, the eagerness in which she greeted him.

She obviously loved him, right? So...this couldn't go ALL bad...could it?

Wrapping his arms around her waist when Vashti hugged him, he leaned his hand down to give her a quick kiss, before answering her question. "M'fine. Happy to see you." Even if he'd seen her that morning. "How was work?"

One moment he seemed on the verge of completely freaking out, the next he seemed quite calm and happy. Or was she just imagining things? Maybe she was just spending too much time with owls and her mind was playing tricks on her. He said he was fine after all...though of course, Vashti very well knew saying you were fine didn't always mean you actually were. But since nothing seemed incredibly wrong or off...she supposed she wouldn't push it.

"I'm happy to see you too," she said, her grin returning. "Work was fine. Same old, same old, really." And fortunately not too busy at the moment. "How about you? How's your day been?"

His emotions were flip flopping all over the place, and Anakin knew from her facial expressions that Vashti could tell that. But he was glad she didn't question him again, because she'd know what it all was soon enough wouldn't she? Before her lunch break was over anyways. Stepping away from the machine a little, he pulled out some coins and offered them to her, motioning the machine behind him. "Want a gumball?"

He had no idea what to do if she wasn't in a gum mood. Way to think of that, Anakin.

But, she was talking about work. He'd cross the bridge of WHAT to do when it came to it. "Nothing fun and exciting? No bird brawls?" That would be a fun day on the job, wouldn't it? Just...going about your business and then feathers flying, hoots reverbearating. That'd be fun! His day? "Oh...you know...same old same old." For the past week anyways, sweating it out every morning thinking of this moment.

Fun.

Since they were by the gumball machines, Vashti figured they ought to get some gum. Plus then, if the shopkeeper happened to come over, they could honestly say they were buying things and not taking up space or anything. But before she could reach her own little coin purse, Anakin was already offering her some. "Sure," she said, accepting them with a smile. "Thanks."

She knelt down so that she could get two knuts into the machine more easily, and as she cupped her hand just under the little slot where the gum would come out and turned the knob, she glanced back at him as he spoke, not paying attention to the machine or what would come out of it.

Bird brawls? She giggled. "No, our owls are pretty well-mannered." For the most part anyway. Mangig might possibly start a brawl if he was hyper enough, but she doubted the other owls would give him the time of day. "Though one of them did almost poo on me." Pause. "He missed though." So don't worry, Anakin, you won't get any owl poop on you.

When he repeated the same phrase she'd used, she made a face and was about to comment on it when she felt the gumball slip out of the slot and into her hand. Or rather, it felt like TWO gumballs were there. How strange that that would happen again! Anakin was obviously a lucky charm when it came to getting gum out of a machine.

But when she turned her head to look, there weren't two gumballs. In her hand were two things - a bright green gumball and something else.

Oh sweet merlin. She did want some gum. If she'd said no...well...he didn't know what he could do. Because he'd been stupid enough to rely so heavily upon a GUMBALL machine. Goodness. It'd been a cute idea yeah, but could have gone disastrously wrong...but it didn't...so...maybe he should just be glad? "Welcome."

And again with the nerves. And the wanting to puke. And sweet merlin...

"Awh..." Was it terrible if thought a bird brawl might be kind of fun? "Too bad they're so chill. You could have like, a bird fight club! It could be entertaining. You'd never have to say work was just 'same old thing' ever again!" Except, maybe after awhile the bird brawls would become rather boring...They could probably only do so many moves. Like...a peck. And a squawk. Or...a wing attack! "Is that a daily occurrence?" There's something else they could use to attack!

Right. Now he was just going on a bird rant. More oddities, definitely. So he just needed to be silent now, and wait for her reaction.

He bit his lip when she reached for the gumball, pulling it out and the ring along with it. Though...she seemed a little bit confused. Swallowing hard, Anakin allowed himself to sink a little lower to the ground, supporting himself on one knee behind her while he waited for her to turn. "Vash?"

...He thought it'd be cool to have a bird fight club? Vashti just made a face. He was so weird. "Maybe we'll consider it." That was a big "maybe." The chance of Aglaia agreeing to that was slim to none. Vashti herself wasn't crazy about the idea. But if it made her boyfriend happy to think about, she'd pretend it was possible. As for the poo: "Just about." She only actually got hit on rare occasions though, and it was quite simple to clean off with a Scouring Charm.

As soon as she saw that ring though, all thoughts of owls and the post office instantly disappeared and was replaced by a thousand questions. Why had a ring come out of a gumball machine? Was it broken? Did someone else somehow lose their ring there while getting a piece of gum? Was it a joke? Did they all have hidden random things that would pop out with a gumball if you were so lucky?

Seriously, why did a ring come out of a gumball machine?

It was only when Anakin spoke her name that she remembered he was there too. Maybe he knew?

She started to stand up as she turned back around, expecting him to still be standing there - but he wasn't. It took a second - a second that seemed to take forever - for her to realize that he was down on one knee.

And suddenly she knew.

And she froze, the ring and the gumball still in her hand as she just silently stared down at him.

Anakin didn't even bother responding about the owls. Because, honestly? It was a distraction. He was rambling on about the coolness of a bird fight club, to distract himself. Because if he didn't, he'd probably run out the door and go back to their apartment and pretend like nothing ever happened. And...he kinda didn't want to think about a poo covered Vashti when he was about to propose to her. Not that he wouldn't even if she WAS poo covered...but still.

There was complete silence as she stared at the ring, and his eyes followed it too. He could feel himself getting emotional, and he had to swallow hard a few times. It was his Mum's ring...well, it had been. It had been his Mum's, until his Da had given it to him when he had mentioned wanting to ask Vashti to be his wife. And from there, he'd customized it a little bit so it fit HER more, replacing the emerald that used to be in the middle with a Sapphire.

Looking up at her face, he knew she had figured out what was going on, and that almost relaxed him a little bit. She hadn't run screaming yet had she? Anakin reach for her free hand, to keep her there maybe, or just to know she was tangible, and he wasn't dreaming up this encounter, before he began to speak.

"I love you, Queenie. I love you more than there are stars in the sky. And I know I can't live without you...we tried that once, and it was miserable...and...I really don't ever want to do that again. I want to go through the rest of my life with you by my side. Grow old together, start a family. Everything. Vader and Queenie vs the world together." He smiled slightly, swallowing the lump growing bigger and bigger in his throat.

"So...what I really want to ask is...Will you marry me?"

For possibly the first time in the Ravenclaw's life, Vashti's mind was completely blank. She had no idea what to think. This was definitely not what she had expected to happen when she'd left the post office a few minutes ago. (Had it really only been a few minutes?) All she'd thought would happen would be maybe buying some candy, going to the Leaky Cauldron for lunch, and then parting ways again until they both got home that night. Not...not this.

But this...this wasn't such a bad alternative once she got over the shock of it. She'd be lying if she claimed she hadn't ever thought about this moment or that she hadn't dreamed of eventually being Anakin's wife. But she'd never expected "eventually" to start now. Or a few months down the road. Or whenever. "Eventually" was such a vague term she really didn't know when she'd actually expected it to happen.

...Expected it to happen?

But again her thoughts quieted when he took her other hand and began to speak. And almost instantly, she knew her answer, but she bit her lip to keep from shouting it out like a mad person and let him actually finish speaking. Though as he continued with his slightly cheesy but incredibly sweet and adorable and charming speech, biting her lip became less about keeping herself quiet and more about trying not to cry. Because...well apparently she was one of those who cried during this sort of thing.

And then...the final question. The most important question.

For a moment, she was unable to speak due to the lump in her throat, and she had a little internal panic attack, similar but far worse than the ones she got at Hogwarts when taking an exam that had a question she couldn't remember the answer to. Dear Merlin, she needed to say something! Why couldn't she just say it?!

Vashti swallowed...and in the next instant managed to nod and squeak out a small "...yes..." before clutching the ring and gumball in her hand, hardly noticing the gum now; falling to her knees in front of him; and throwing her arms around his neck.

Vader and Queenie.

Engaged.

Silence.

And a face that looked ready to cry.

Those were the only two reactions he was getting from Vashti. During his speech, and for a little bit after, she just watched him. Biting her lip. Anakin wasn't sure if this was a good sign or not. Though, he was encouraged by the fact she hadn't run away. At least..she was still standing still? And letting him talk?

But once he was done...it was a little unnerving that she wasn't saying anything. No yes, no no. Just...she looked like she was trying to collect her thoughts, to be able to speak. His heart nearly fell at that, maybe she was trying to figure out how to tell him no?

"I...uh...I'm sorry if you wer-" he was going to apologize for if she felt like he was rushing, but before he could finish, she choked out a word, and then dropped down in front of him, throwing her arms around his shoulders.

He hadn't been expecting that, since he was preparing himself for the rejection. But it was definitely an okay change by him.

Beaming widely, Anakin wrapped his arms around her, before pulling back a little and lifting her head to find her lips with his. "I love you, fiancee." Amazing how happy a word could make a person.

"Can I...see the ring? I want to put it on you."

Vashti hadn't heard him speak just before she finally gave her answer. And she might've continued to just hug him for the rest of the day if he didn't pull back first...and kiss her. That was okay too, kissing was fine....but that didn't last too long either. But again it was made okay by that word. Fiancée. That sounded amazing.

"I love you too, fiancé," she replied with a giggle. That was so weird but so amazing to use. Even better than "boyfriend."

Oh yeah, the ring!

She pulled back a little more and brought her hand back around, opening it up to see the ring - and the gumball - still there, thankfully. Though she did have a little smudge of green coloring on her hand after holding onto the gum so tightly. The ring seemed okay and free of gumball coloring though, thank Merlin.

"Here," she said, holding the ring out for him to take.

Cassie inserted the coins into the gumball machine,turning the knob and pressing her face against the glass as she watched the sweet travel down the maze.

"Wow!" She whispered,bending down so she could catch it at the bottom. As it finished it's decent,Cassie slid her hand under the compartment,opening the flat to the compartment and watching as it landed in her palm. The color of the gumball was orange and she popped it into her mouth before her mom could yell at her for spoiling her soon to be supper. They where supposed to meet him for supper in about an hour,and then finish the shopping after,but she wanted her sweet. Still mesmerized,she ran over to her mom,who was looking at some blueberry candy,and tugged at her skirt.

"Mom! Mom Mom!" She repeated,getting her moms attention quickly. The mom looked down at her six year old daughter.

"What Cassie?" Cassie let out a big smile,hiding her gum behind her teeth so her mom wouldn't catch her.

"You have to see this!" Cassie didn't let her mother respond, just grabbed her hand and pulled her to the gumball machine,begging for money. The mom,knowing what was coming,gave the required money to her child,watching as she put it in and turned the knob,pressing her face against the machine again. The mother just chuckled at her son.

Could it be? Yes...a gumball machine...she had hoped that she would have found one in at least one of them while her and her father were out shopping for her school supplies but apparently 'not every shop was child-friendly'. She rolled her eyes as she pulled out two knuts, didn't anyone care about the little people anymore.

In the distance she could hear her father telling her not to have two many sweets but that was quickly discarded when she saw her favourite colour...right at the side. If that was there then there would be more of it's kind. Not wasting anymore time she shoved the knuts into the machine.

Clung!

She lifted the flap...but...but there was no gumball... O_______O

"What?!" She began shaking the machine vigorously. "Stupid machine, gimme my gumball--keep the knuts, I can't chew those, just gimme the gumball pleeeease!"