Sierra was aware of a movement just to the side of her, but she tried to pretend like she didn't notice it. Maybe it she did that, it'd just go away. It being Kennedy. Why was he doing this to her anyway? He'd been her first boyfriend, first kiss, and the first boy she'd given her heart to.

...and then he'd broke said heart.

She was just getting to the point where she felt okay about it. She wasn't completely healed, but she wasn't so hurt anymore either. Now he was here...and talking to her...and making her revisit all those feelings.

"Kennedy, just...don't," she said. "Please." She wasn't even looking at him but rather busying herself with putting some more fruit on her plate. Why did she just want to drop that plate and run right into his arms?

"This is a top secret, for your eyes only mission, Ms. Skylar," Erik emphasized. He nodded too and drained the rest of his drink in one swallow. Hmm, what other spy...things should he request of her?

"I might need to contact you in code. Which House are you in here?" The red, green, blue, or gold one?

Putting her drink down- because it was simply rude to be distracted when James Bond was talking to you- Selina turned her attention back to Mr. Bond. When he said top secret she nodded again, which she felt like she had been doing like some silly little Puffer their entire conversation. She was a GRYFFINDOR for Merlin's sake. The seventh year had more pride then just nodding aimlessly at everything he said. BUT he was Bond, which made her all kinds of blushy. "Understood, Mr. Bond. I won't share with anyone." Nothing at all. Not even...

Contact her in code? Also understood. She shrugged and said proudly, because her house was the best, "Oh, I'm the Head Girl for Gryffindor, sir. The red house." Just in case he was unclear WHO the lions were. Of course, she had no idea why he wouldn't know who they were. The coolest house ever? Yeah, she thought so.

Where there was food, there was probably going to be a Penelope there too. And indeed there was. It was the first place she went to after she gave them that book to get in. She didn't pay the auction going on much attention. They didn't have anything she really wanted as far as she knew, and she didn't have much money on her anyway. So the food was probably what she was going to pay the most attention to at this fundraiser. Shame it wasn't a FOOD fundraiser. That would be awesome. They could always use more food. Books were just...meh.

Grabbing a plate, Penelope went down the line and piled as much food on her plate as possible, which meant she didn't get very far down the line before it was full. Hmm. She'd need to eat this stuff first before she could get more. Yep. But...where to sit?

Excellent, she was still following. Erik glanced at his watch, as though he, Bond, were on a strict schedule. Spies had strict schedules, didn't they? He put his drink down and resumed the intense eye contact.

"I'll have to know that I can trust you, Skylar." He took a moment to digest the Head Girl bit. Had he really just turned Hogwarts' top female to his side? That got a genuine smile out of him. "The red house, yes. Gryffindor is my favourite." So far, they were the only students he'd really had a chance to speak to, but they were easily his favourite. Courage and reckless abandon and all that. The stuff spies were made of.

Back to her mission. "You play Quidditch, don't you?"

Why was he looking at his watch? Was something wrong? Did everything go well or did something go horribly wrong? Was M sending him a message or something because as far as she understood that was how some spies communicated. At least that was what her research had proven. And her research about the SEEMINGLY fictional James Bond was foolproof. Maybe just not Selina Skylar proof.

"Yes, you can sir." Of COURSE he could. Anything he needed she would be there for him- hence the whole Bond Girl thing. He was technically her boss or something. Right? Or did she have that wrong. And she could not help but beam and blush when he admitted that Gryffindor was his favorite house. Well, what was there NOT to like? They all were so bloody lovable and likable and violent and food driven and irrational and delusional. Looking down a little because he was so striking, she said, "I'm glad to hear that, Mr. Bond."

Quidditch? Well, of course she did. She had been the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain once upon a time before her new badge and she also, well, was signed to play for the Harpies after graduation. She signed this summer after they had attempted to recruit her a year early. And she could not WAIT to play. "I do, sir. I've played all my life. I was actually the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain last year and a few years before that."

Of course she would say he could trust her, that's what all the Bond Girls said. Or so the books Erik had read and the films he had watched as boy told him. But he wanted a real test of trust. So he would ask her to do something for him.

"Congratulations," he said, supposing he was congratulating her on her talent at flying. He knew those Brits liked their brooms a bit too much. "I see I made a good choice in you, Ms. Skylar."

He said nothing else for a moment and pulled the clean white handkerchief from his pocket. "To prove I can trust you," he winked at her, as though he had no doubts, "I want you to take this handkerchief and make it seen at your first Quidditch match." Should she make the team or whatever they had here.

'Bond' waited for a nod or some signal of confirmation before going on.

Congrats? Why was he congratulating her? What exactly had she done? Did she pass some test or something. HOLY MERLIN, was this whole conversation just one huge test? She had not studied, she did not know. DID SHE DO OKAY? Was she over-exaggerating? Probably. But this was all so very serious to her and she did not want to do anything that would make him regret even coming to her about this secret mission.

He HAD made the right choice? That comment made her face flush such a bright shade of red that the seventh year could feel it radiating off of her face. He was such a smooth talker, James Bond, and now talking to him in person she could attest to the fact that he lived up to the hype. "Thank you, Mr. Bond."

And then he was handing her a handkerchief and Selina had to admit that she was puzzled. Was this another test or a token of good faith. She hoped it was the second one, but it seemed to be one more test. Well, of course there was one more test. Duh. Did she really think it was going to be THAT easy? It was MI6 for Merlin's sake. SO she took the handkerchief and said, "I will do that, Mr. Bond." And he winked at her too? Okay, seriously, she was about to faint.

She was still calling him Mr. Bond. Ah, this was the life. Well almost. Erik could think of a few other people he wished were convinced that Vinteren, Erik Vinteren was really Bond, James Bond...and vice versa...but there was no harm practising on schoolchildren. Like this one. Perhaps she should have another drink to cool off her face.

Heheheh.

"And in return," Erik gave Selina Skylar, Head Girl a very serious look, "I will get Hogwarts an ice cream machine. You have my word as a double 0." He offered her another handshake. See, he never forgot a face. This one he remembered from the Leaky Cauldron, and now she was a Bond Girl. Things that go around come around after all.

And in return. Yes, she was following each of his words so intently that anyone looking on would have thought she was preparing for a test or something. Not that she would have done that to begin with... NO WAIT. HEAD GIRL. Set a good example. Right, yeah. She could do that. Anyway... time to focus back on Bond.

Oh right, the ice cream machine. Huh. That did not seem super 007 to her, but hey, he was James Bond, right? So she was going to just do as she was told. After all, it was a TOP SECRET MISSION. So she was just going to trust his instincts. He was the professional.

And he wanted to shake her hand too? UGH she could have squealed right then and there. James Bond wanted to shake her hand. GAH! So she blushingly took his hand and shook it, "Whatever you say 007." This was SO cool.

Once he’d meandered his way past the media table, aka where everyone was leaving their donations, Covington had contemplated heading over to investigate the auction as he’d heard rather exorbitant amounts being bid for who knew what. Money had always caught his interest, but he figured most of the board candidates would be saving up their galleons for the campaign. At least, they should. He knew enough of politics to know that money generally helped a person win. Money and the right people on their teams, which was why he was there. Of course, he ought to have been searching said candidates up, since he’d already done his research and therefore knew who they were, but he was entirely too in character. Dorian Gray had everyone come to him, and therefore, Covington Penney could do the same. The golden boy needed his attention, and even though he could have very easily charmed his way into the groups mingling in the seating area, he meandered his way toward the food.

Food wasn’t going to come to him. There weren’t any servers, therefore he had to expend some energy in order to acquire a couple sandwiches. Although, he sent an impressed glance toward Mr. not-really-Bond-but-one-of-the-candidates that he should be working his charms on. Men were a different breed, however, so he left it at the glance. Someone would get caught up in his aura sooner or later, and all the better if it was one of the candidates. He wouldn’t even have to say much, as his nametag said it all. ‘Campaign manager extraordinaire.’ At least, he knew how to talk people into doing what he wanted, so that was his spin for now.

Did she not remember their previous meeting? Perhaps his cover was too good...aww. Well whatever, he would still get the ice cream machine because maybe the other students would use it and then tell their parents to vote for him as well. So, that was something.

"Alright, Skylar, you're a Bond girl now, and I'm counting on you. Don't disappoint." He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and winked. And like a cool spy, he walked off after that, leaving the monogrammed J.B. handkerchief in her hand behind him.

Mission accomplished.

Perhaps she should have waited until after all the Professors were auctioned off before showing up. Vanora had heard and watched with wide eyes just how much both Josephina and Airey went for, and she was not expecting to be sold for even half of that. Not.. that she was being sold exactly, it was only for a day, after all. But she wasn't thinking clearly, and she was so nervous and..

.. those finger sandwiches were really good.

She finished off the two that were in her mouth and was just about to reach for another when a shadow passed over her, causing her to pause. Was he.. already laughing at her? Was it her outfit? Or were her nerves showing? Most likely both. Vanora picked up another sandwich and glanced over in the direction of the auction. "I was, until that old woman over there looked like she was about to hit someone." Over a small phial of potion that would have been easier to just make themselves? She was just going to stay by the food. "Vanora Newlin." she said, taking hold of his outstretched hand. "I'm being auctioned off."

She had only just turned away from Nathaniel to see what else she could shove into her mouth eat, and not a second later, another shadow was passing her on her other side. Vanora blinked down at the food a few times before turning towards.. Leo. Who was also dressed in a costume. And she knew who he was dressed as! "Leo, you're a Musketeer!" In case he didn't realize. As for her being nervous.. "No, of course not." Lie. "It's nothing to be nervous about."

Unless they were her, and would wind up being the least bidden on person.

Nothing to be nervous about. Vanora picked up a plate for herself, since he didn't want to walk around with finger sandwiches in her hands, and once there were a few on it, and a few other things that she wasn't paying attention to what they were, she turned back to the Librarian. "Sure." To finding a seat. "I guess you're pretty excited, huh? All this for your library." Too bad some of that money couldn't go to her department. For all those Jobberknoll..

Satine wondered her way towards to food and seating area. She could see the crowd huddled around the Auction Platform, but it kind of looked like it was going out of control a little bit...and uncontrolled and crowds were not her big thing. She was always the behind the scenes kind of person.

She grabbed a glass and turned to watch the items being brought onto the stage by standing on her tiptoes which was a feat in her blue heels. She pushed her long blonde wig behind her back...man this thing was driving her crazy...why did she decide to come dressed as Rapunzel...and took another drink almost spitting it out when she heard an extremely large bid...it better have been for a trip around the world for that price.

Kennedy knew she heard him. The library wasn't too loud to block him out. Her voice managed to choke whatever he was going to say next in his throat. His hands clutched the plate tighter. Kennedy has never truly been open to his emotions. He's always preferred to help others with their's rather than to deal with his...or, that's what he liked to think. But, Sierra wasn't just anyone. He trusts her with everything. She's known things he's never told anyone and now, he wanted to tell her so many things; explain stuff, but he was scared. He hasn't admitted that to himself, until now.

He took a deep breath after the silence that had gathered between them. "I'm sorry." Sorry for bothering her. Sorry for breaking her heart. For being incredibly stupid.

Of course, he had lots to say, but it was obvious that his presence was getting to Sierra, and the last thing he wanted was to hurt her more than he already has.

But, he wasn't going to walk away.

Oh he was a campaign manager. She would certainly be needing one of those no doubt so it was best she played nice.

"Well you most certainly have a point Mr.Black and as a Liaison Officer there's no one better to interact with." She smiled sweetly. She chuckled.

"I don't think you've been interacting with me long enough to debunk me saying that I'm grumpy. I'm sure my husband would agree with me some what too."

Layla caught Bryce's eyes and nodded. Hew didn't like the man that was clear and he seemed to be suspicious as well. Hmm, she would be careful no use saying too much before she even know fully who her manager would be.

Sierra closed her eyes, the kind of closing a person does when they've just heard or seen something they really didn't want to. What this amounted to was that Kennedy had said the one thing she really didn't want him to say to her--I'm sorry. "So am I," she finally said, although she wasn't apologizing. She was saying that she was sorry things had ended the way they did.

A minute or so went by while Sierra tried to convince herself to turn toward him. Finally, she did. "Yeah, well...I guess these things happen, hmm?" she asked. Kennedy had been her first boyfriend, so she wouldn't really know. "I don't know..." She kicked her feet awkwardly, trying to distract herself from that same hurt feeling coming back again.

"So how's life?" she asked, because that's technically what he'd broken up with her for--to move on with life. "Things are good for me. Mom's healed. Ariadne was born and is nearly a year old." She'd been born on Christmas.

She chanced a look back at him again. Nope, not healed. This still hurt like the first day. Well, maybe not the first day. At least the beginning of this whole break-up, though.

"It's a pleasure meeting you, Mate." Nate responded, giving a small salute. Just look at how extra polite he was being. "You're the owner of Ollivanders, yes?" He mused, glancing over at the man. "I have a nephew who'll be needing a wand soon." That meant they'd be running into each other again. It was okay, he could contain his enthusiasm, Nate would understand perfectly.

"You're right about that." Liaison Officer? Interesting...He'd definitely picked right in walking up to her. But now he was wondering how many of the other candidates had interesting jobs. "I guess you must run into a lot of people on a daily basis..." They could interpret that anyway they wanted too. Meeting people was an entertaining activity, especially when those people could offer you something later on. "And is that a fact?"

He looked over at the man who had apparently begun...eyeing him...heh, things just got funnier and funnier. "What do you think Mate? Is your wife a grumpy one?"



An old woman wanting to hit people?

What in Merlin's beard was going on in that auction? He raised an eyebrow curiously as he looked to the platform. What odd people. "I see..." He turned to her again when she introduced herself. "It's a pleasure to meet you Vanora," He didn't have to stick to her last name, did he? Maybe she was one of those women who took everything a little too personally...well it was too late to take it back now and there was no point either.

An amused look danced onto his face. "Are you? Yet another reason for me to hurry over to the auctions." He said with a wink. Nate thought the idea was an inspired one and it was a great way to meet people. He might have put himself up for auction if given the opportunity, just so he could spend the day with someone, learning what they liked to do and finding new ways of entertaining himself. "Are you a candidate? Parent?" He paused before asking the last one. "Manager?" Now wouldn't that have been something.

Kennedy gulped. She wasn't apologizing, he knew that. Besides, there was nothing for her to apologize for. He's the one that messed up and she's the one that got hurt.

As the silence grew, Kennedy thought Sierra had decided to ignore him, but it wasn't like that. When she turned to him, Kennedy thought he would lose grip of the plate in his hands.

These things happened?

A confused flash crossed Kennedy's eyes, then he understood what Sierra meant. This was his second relationship, so he wouldn't call himself an expert on them. Look at him now. Definitely not. Then again, he wasn't too sure what he was doing in his first relationship. With Sierra though, he did and he thought he knew what he was doing. "I wouldn't know," he said, setting the plate down.

As Sierra spoke, Kennedy felt like picking up the plate back up and hitting himself with it. He's missed so much. He couldn't help hold his father responsible for half of it. That manipulative git. But, no. Kennedy knew this was all his fault and he wanted to fix it.

"I'm glad to hear that," he said, honestly. "Congrats on being a big sister." Were they sharing stuff now? Would she even want to hear about him? She did ask. "It's not what I expected...it's missing something." That something was a someone. That someone's obviously Sierra.

Kennedy had a gut feeling Sierra had taken his letter and breakup the wrong way. It was for her own good in his eyes. And he didn't like them being like...this . "We need to talk," he said, his face serious, his eyes glancing at the crowd briefly before landing back on Sierra. Maybe not here.

Turning to Vanora he beamed broadly. "Yes I'm a Musketeer." Checking her costume out he asked "And you are a raven?" or raven woman maybe? It was hard to tell. But the costume looked bird-like at least to him. "Maybe you're right, and I'm making a mountain of a molehill but it’s an uncommon situation by all accounts." Leo commented. To be an auction item, which people could bid money for, just to spend a day with felt surreal and uncomfortable. By the end of the auction he’d know who’d won him in the bidding race and he hoped it would somebody he’d enjoy spending time with.

With his food plate in hand Leo gestured for Vanora to lead the way in finding them a table. As they walked he smiled broadly, eyes sparkling with excitement. "I'm so excited that I can't even describe it. It's wonderful that so many people want to help restore the library, more people then I could ever dreamed off have turned up to donate and bid in the auction. It’s just amazing." Remembering that he wasn't the only one that had lost something last term he asked tentatively. "How are the pens looking this year, got any new creatures to replace those you lost so tragically at the end of last term?"

Sierra hated this feeling of being torn between wanting to be angry with him and wanting to run into his arms. She just wanted to be angry at him, forget about him, and move on. No, that was just too easy, wasn't it? There was way too long of a silence, and in that moment, Sierra's body sort of took over and had her doing things her mind didn't want her to do.

She took a few steps closer to him and raised her hand to his cheek. She looked at him in the eye with this sad expression. "We just didn't have enough time together, Kennedy Escalante," she said. "Not as much as I wanted. Good luck in that adult world, though. You do me proud, you hear?" She held her hand there a second longer and then she sighed and stepped away.

"We...are talking," she said, "and...I think maybe this is best. I don't know, Kennedy. I can't hear anything like that letter again. I was just starting to get better again, and...just seeing you tonight has messed with so many emotions again." She didn't know if she could take a one on one conversation.

Her hand on his cheek caused Kennedy's heart to beat furiously against his rib cage. He closed his eyes, relishing the feel of Sierra's touch. His eyes opened when she spoke. It sounded to him like she was saying goodbye and it broke his heart. Sierra was right. They didn't have enough time.

When she stepped away, Kennedy's hand shot up to cover hers with his, still on his cheek. "No," he whispered, taking a step toward her. He didn't want her to let go because his heart has not let of her. "You're right. We didn't have enough time," he said. "And I'm sorry for messing it --us-- up. I thought...I thought I was doing something good for you. I..." Why was this so hard? "I didn't want to hold you back, Sierra. It was for your own good." He thought it had been. Kennedy only wanted the best for her.

"I wouldn't want to hurt you on purpose in a million years, and I'm sorry for doing so. I know it's stupid. I messed up, but...I don't want to lose you." Did that make sense? Maybe not, but he was doing his best to express himself. Kennedy has always been terrible at this, but he couldn't let Sierra go thinking he didn't want her anymore.

He couldn't stand the distance between them. It was hard having her here, so near, yet so far away. Kennedy, still holding her hand on his cheek, reached for her free hand with his and pulled her to him. "Writing that letter was the hardest thing I've ever done. I'm sorry, I really am, but please...please don't say goodbye." He looked into her eyes, feeling helpless.

Kennedy didn't want to part here having lost someone so precious.

Nikolai halted as Cassandra stopped to face him, and he took in what she said with a quiet, can't-believe-she's-being-so-nice-to-me disbelief. It was all a little overwhelming, despite the fact that yes, he knew well enough how much the kids had fun with him whenever he took them out, but... he had always thought of it as him compensating for more quality time he should be spending with them.

He'd always thought of himself as a hired entertainer to distract them on the weekends while their mother rested and did other things she never got the chance to do otherwise.

"I suppose..." he conceded, almost shy as he took her compliments, his head inclined slightly, "You know as well as anyone that I just wish I could give them a normal childhood."

You know the type; traditional parental structure, helping the kids with homework, even getting the opportunity to ground the children for misdeeds. It was all the kind of things he couldn't do, partly because of his relationship with Cassandra, but mostly because he himself didn't live a normal life.

"But that doesn't mean I think they want or need for anything," he smiled, "those children would survive anything the world throws at them."

"Someone once told me, Normal is just a cycle on a muggle washing machine." She said shrugging... she hadn't know exactly what it meant other than who sets what's normal? "I'd just like then to have a better childhood than I did... and as long as they know they are loved by both their mother and father... and they do, We've achieved that."

She thought about the kids she smiled. It was the smiled she reserved for her children alone. "You are right. They would survive anything. Genie would be the one ruling and concurring anything that gets in her way, Sasha can hold his own, as he is his father's son, and Castor, well... he knows how to pick the winner and befriends them with ease..."

She heard the Auctioneer announce the Silent Auction. She looked over to the tables and her eyes seemed to fall on a particular table... "Nik, do you mind if we headed over to Table 17?" The kids would really like the miniature animals.

"Of course", Nikolai turned towards the table, musing over the smile he'd seen on Cassandra's face earlier, so soft and full of love and quite unlike anything he had ever seen, "I suppose we should actually bid on a few items as that's what this do is for..."

He looked over at the table they were approaching, wondering what it was that Cassandra wanted from there.