Hannah was pleased. Very pleased. Most of her employees were helping this morning. She had no clue where Angelina was, but Brody did mention that the tall Gryffindor had been pretty drunk the night before and he'd carried her to Hera Warbeck's cottage. Hannah honestly was not expecting her this morning. The one and only time Hannah had been drunk, she'd woken feeling dreadful.

Everyone was wearing matching yellow aprons that had her logo on them. She and Kristen had been baking since early this morning. Several of the townspeople had already come by for their breakfast.

None of that was why Hannah was pleased though. Oh no. She was pleased because Blaise had taken Grace for the day. He was taking her around to look at things and have a hayride. This pleased Hannah a great deal. She had not even had to ask.

She spotted Jack Weasley tearing towards her. He nearly tripped and fell twice, but managed to make it to Hannah unscathed.

"Jack, hallo."

Penelope was strolling up at a sedate pace with Mac beside her. The Scotswoman was still a bit wane and a little discolored, but she was smiling.

"Mac," Hannah said, moving to hug her "How are you feeling?"

"Tired. Pen wouldna let me hide inside wit Nev."

"She's helping at Mrs. Dearborn's book sale booth with me," Penelope said.

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

Theo was standing there watching when Ginny walked up next to him. She didn't even seem to notice the crowd gathering. One of the Hogwarts students made a squealing noise and whispered to one of her friends. Theo rolled his eyes.

"You must be so proud," he said dryly.

"Insanely," Ginny drawled, her arms crossed over her chest. Her boyfriend, Draco Malfoy, was stripping down in the middle of Hogsmeade. Surrounded by children. "Gods," she muttered, holding a hand up to her mouth, covering the smile that was blooming on her face. "He really has no shame. Absolutely no shame."

"He never has."

Draco made a big display of climbing into the dunking booth in just his pants with their Sara Prep logo.

"It's rather unfortunate your brother and Potter aren't here. Perhaps Granger too. I think they'd spend all day here. I did make a withdrawal from my Gringotts vault when I heard, though."

Theo took out a coin bag and shook it.

"He does know his hair is going to get wet, correct?"

Ginny reached out and tried to snatch the coins from Theo's hand. The Slytherin pulled it out of her grasp. She huffed, shaking her head. "I'm hoping none of them are here. They might drown him."

She laughed as she noticed the line that had already started to form. "You're crazy," she called out to Draco, chuckling as she waved at him. "I can't believe he's just in his pants. He's going to freeze. I'm going to have to give him a warming potion," she said to Theo.

"I can. He's all about trotting around in his pants. Always has been. Modesty thy name is not Malfoy. Do you know what it was like sharing a dorm with him, Zabini, Crabbe and Goyle? Especially given his and Zabini's fondness for the naked?"

Theo snickered as Malfoy plunged into the tank of water for the first time.

"Slytherins don't get cold."

Wincing, Ginny shivered at the thought of going in and out of that water. Even if the water was heated, the wind could still blow you into hypothermia. "Since you brought all the coins to dunk him, maybe I'll make you heal him when he comes to us with very low body temperature."

"You are going to make me puke. Headmistress Spofford put a warming charm on him AND the water. He's not going to freeze to death, more's the pity. He wouldn't let me heal him anyhow. He'd die of hypothermia first, just to spite me."

Ginny snorted, shaking her head when Draco was sent back into the water with a well-thrown ball. "You're lucky I didn't sign you up for something like that. I was asked if my any of the Healing Hands staff would be willing to help out." She looked over at Theo with a slightly raised eyebrow.

"I am helping out, thank you," Theo said as he moved to the front of the line and plunked down his two knuts for his three balls to throw. "I'm contributing money to a worthy cause. I've already spent at least a sickle at the Happy Hearth booth and bought a book from Mrs. Dearborn."

He tossed the ball and hit the lever sending Malfoy into the water.

Draco surfaced with a glare. Theo was tossing his next ball up and catching it while waiting for Draco to get back on the bench.

"Oh, now you're just being mean. Did you charm those balls so they'd send him in every time?" Ginny had to agree that the idea was pretty brilliant, if he had done so.

Theo have her a look. "Just because I was never a Quidditch player does not mean I do not know how to throw something and hit my mark."

He tossed the second and sent Malfoy into the water yet again. Theo smiled.

Rolling her eyes, Ginny couldn't help but grin when Draco came up, pushing his wet hair back from his forehead. "Well, I suppose he did ask for it..." She reached into her jeans, coming up with a handful of knuts. "Do you think I could try?" She tossed Draco a very broad grin.

"Hey," Draco shouted. "Ginny-"

Theo cut off what would have been said next by dunking him a third time.

Ginny almost felt guilty as she was passed three balls, but then she thought about how Draco had pretended to be gay that one time to fool her into opening up to him. She tightened her grip on the orb in her hand.

"Remember that I love you," Draco called.

"Yeah?" She cocked her arm back and went to throw the ball, stopping at the last second. The way Draco had flinched made her giggle, pressing her fingers against her lips in mirth. "Do you have anything better than that?"

"There's better than I love you," Draco asked in a panic.

Unable to pass up this opportunity, as she was sure it would never occur again, Ginny let the first of her three balls fly. It smacked against the tarp hanging behind the lever, the crowd that had gathered behind them giving an audible gasp of disappointment.

"Didn't you play chaser," Draco suddenly taunted.

Ginny's eyes narrowed. She tossed the second ball, missing the lever by mere centimeters. She growled in frustration. She hadn't played Quidditch in such a long time. "Don't egg me on, Draco. You won't like it."

"It's a wonder you lot ever won with throwing like that. Slytherin would not have even needed a keeper, I'd wager."

Summoning all of the possible strength she could, Ginny pulled her arm back, her last ball rocketing from her hand. She heard the ping of metal being hit and jumped up in victory. She landed with a deep frown on her face. The ball had hit the lever, but had only grazed off the metal.

"You've got to be kidding me!"

She saw the small grin of victory on Draco's face. She plastered a small, placated, sheepish smile on her own. Ginny walked around the table and approached the booth, her fingers curling into the fencing covering the tank and Draco, shielding them from flyaway balls.

"You know I wasn't really trying right?" Ginny grinned up at Draco, fluttering her eyelashes a bit. She was gesturing widely behind her back at Theo.

Using Draco's distraction as an advantage, Theo sent a ball hurling at the lever... and miliseconds later Draco was dropped into the water. Again.

Draco surfaced sputtering. "That wasn't very nice."

Ginny beamed at Draco. "I learn from the best." She made a kissing noise at him. She let out a shriek when he splashed water at her. Laughing, she darted backwards, just avoiding the spray. "Hey now, no need to be a sore loser. You have fun in there. I'm going to go get some biscuits." She blew a kiss to him before passing Theo, holding up a hand.

Theo high-fived her before gearing up to throw the next two balls he'd gotten when Malfoy was not looking.

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

Fleur shifted Fabian to her hip and reached out to twine her fingers with her husband's, smiling up at in him in the soft sunlight.

"I think it was a wonderful idea to come 'ere," she said, resting her head against his shoulder for a brief moment.

"Then I'll take all the credit." Bill wrapped an arm around his wife's waist. "Where to first? There's food, crafts, books." He began to scan the streets, his eyes lighting up as he saw the dunking booth. "And if I'm right, Ginny's boyfriend is in a dunking booth."

If she'd had a free hand, she would have hit him. As it was, she didn't. "Books I think. I 'ave all of Fabian's memorized."

"Books," the man agreed, heading over to the stall. "And then the dunking booth." At his wife's glare, he sighed. "I think they're offering hayrides. We could always hand Fabian off to Mum and have ourselves some grown-up time." He pulled her close.

"As much as I would love to, zis is a place for ze families. Still," she tilted her head up for a kiss. "We can always ask your mother if she is willing to take 'im for ze night."

Bill grinned widely. "Well, change of plans then. Mum first. Then books. And then hayrides."

Fleur laughed. "Do you think she is 'ere? And if she is, where do you plan on looking?" It wasn't exactly crowded, but there was a good number of people.

"She should be. I think the faculty of both schools are here." He paused. "That means Remus should be around here as well." He shrugged at her look. "He's going out with a woman who has a son about the same age as Fabian here. I'm curious."

She glanced down at her son -- he seemed preoccupied with trying to eat his hand -- and back up at her husband. "Is ze baby 'is?"

Bill shook his head. "No. I don't know all the details, though. Remus was a bit sketchy. But she's probably a good sort and its never too early for Fabian to start making friends who aren't related." He grinned, still unable to get over the fact that Fred and Katie were going to have twins, but said nothing. He had made such a fuss over the fact, that Fleur had threatened to hex him if he ever mentioned it again.

She narrowed her eyes, wary of another twin comment, but as none was forthcoming, she smiled. "You are right, I suppose."

"Of course I am." He kissed her temple. "I married you, didn't I?"

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

Mac was stomping back towards the Sticks. She needed a rest. Already. She stopped when she saw Blasie Zabini carrying Grace Stewart... and little Gracie's face was painted like a cat's.

"What the... Zabini did you steal tha' wee one?"

Blaise looked over and grinned at Mac, pleased she was doing better. He hadn't had a chance to check up on her, not that he would have if he'd had the time. At least that's what he told himself.

"Hannah and everyone at the bakery were starting to get rushed, and I wasn't doing anything. I took Grace so she wouldn't be confined to staying with her sister." He narrowed his eyes, looking her over. "How are you doing? Healing up fine?"

"I'm tougher than I look." She grinned. "Ya really need to go by the dunkin' booth, Blaise."

His eyebrow went up. "Why would I want to do that and risk getting wet?"

Mac started laughing. "Draco's sittin' in it. I'll see ya both later. I need a nap. I still am no' sleepin' proper wit Neville around."

The image of a wet Draco getting dunked over and over vastly trounced the ghastly image he had of Magpie and Longbottom. He turned to Grace and grinned. "Remember Draco? Let's go dunk him, shall we?"

He turned back to Mac. "You stay well. I don't want to keep wasting my potions on you."

Mac snorted. "Ya take care of Grace, and dinna worry none 'bout me, Blaise. My Nev is takin' good care of me."

She cackled at the look on his face and headed off.

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

"I'm glad you decided to come with me." Aubrey walked down the center of Hogsmeade, Dominic snug in his sling in front of her, leaving both hands free. "Who knows, maybe one of the MacDougal cousins will catch your eye." She grinned at Cho, who walked beside her. The joke was ongoing, but Aubrey was quite happy with the idea of helping to fix her best friend up.

Cho grinned and tucked her hands into her pockets. "I don't really see that one happening. Sorry."

"Don't like men in kilts? That's a shame." Aubrey grinned, keeping an eye out for anyone she knew. Even with Hogsmeade being as small as it was, she still felt like she saw the same two or three people all the time; it was nice to have a little variety. "Because if they're wearing something under them, then they're just wearing a skirt." She smiled and waved back to a little girl who looked about the right age to attend Sara Prep.

"Merlin, you have a dirty mind," Cho replied, bumping Aubrey's shoulder lightly with her own.

"Hormones," Aubrey said confidently. "So where to first?" She looked at the flyer in her hand. "Do you think they'd let us paint pumpkins, even though it's meant for the children?"

Cho shrugged. "I want some hot chocolate. And then I want to dunk Draco Malfoy." She paused for a moment. "Tell me, is he still the same poncey little bastard he was at school?"

"He sent me a few things when Dominic was born, so he can't be a total bastard." Aubrey linked arms with her friend. "And the children seem to like him. But hot cocoa and dunking Draco Malfoy seem like excellent ideas."

Cho chuckled. "I do occasionally have good ideas, I'll have you know," she teased. "I am a Ravenclaw after all."

Aubrey flashed a grin. "They have hayrides and a book sale. Perhaps I'll pick up some picture books for Dominic. Surprisingly, that's one of the few areas you've neglected to spoil your godson in."

"I haven't neglected that area, I've simple been concentrating on Quidditch. Since it's unlikely that I'll ever have children of my own, I'll just have to indoctrinate yours." She was teasing. Well, she hoped that she was teasing, but she had been neglecting her godmotherly duties.

Snorting, Aubrey poked her friend in the side. "Look, I like Quidditch as much as the next person, possibly even more so, but could you please wait at least until my son can walk before you send him up in the air." The blonde shook her head, with her luck Dominic would end up a flying prodigy like Harry Potter.

Cho smirked, but wasn't about to tell her friend that Dominic had been up in the air several times with her. After all, she didn't have a death wish. "I suppose I can wait until he's a little older. In the meantime, to the book vendor." She hooked her arm through Aubrey's.

"Keep an eye out for Remus, will you? Dominic always seems to know when the man's about." Aubrey grinned. She liked the idea of the two most important men in her life getting along so well. But then again, Remus never really had a choice.

"So, how are things with the two of you then?" she asked, keeping an eye out for the older man. If she did see him, though, she was going to walk away. She didn't think she could handle watching them making eyes at each other.

Aubrey shrugged. "I have no complaints." She would say they didn't see enough of one another, but that was rediculous. The werewolf usually stopped by the house once or twice a week after school. "I'm content."

She frowned slightly. While it was true that she was content, she still felt like something was missing. Shaking her head, she pushed the thoughts away. Today was supposed to be happy and carefree with the added benefit of raising funds for the school.

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

Tonks hadn't been at the festival long, and was contemplating her plan of attack when she noticed a very familiar person with an unfamiliar smaller person.

"Blaise?" She called out, then grinned as she made her way over to him. "Fancy seeing you here. And who's this you're escorting?"

Blaise stopped in his tracks and mouthed fuck. As long as Grace never saw his lips move, his money stayed safely in his pockets. Sighing, he turned around and saw Tonks.

"Tonks, this is Grace--the four year old I was telling you about. Grace? This is Nymphadora. Call her Nymphie."

Tonks crouched down to Grace's level. "I've heard many things about you, Grace. It's nice to meet you. Please call me Tonks; Blaise was just teasing."

Grace giggled. "You have a funny name."

She touched Mister Bunny to Tonks' face.

"Bunny kisses hullo."

Tonks scrunched her nose in amusement. "I do have a funny name. My mum was very creative." Bunny smelled like small child and something else she couldn't place, and really didn't want to.

"Are you two having fun?" Tonks asked, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "Why didn't you get your face painted, too?" This was directed at Blaise.

He risked flipping Tonks off when Grace wasn't looking. "I don't like things on my face, painted or otherwise. I've got my ink elsewhere. What are you doing here? Where's your troll?"

"I'm not allowed out to enjoy the Festival?" Tonks asked dryly. "You shouldn't do that in front of children. They'll get bad ideas that it's acceptable. " Not that she didn't do the same thing, but it was fun to be the chastiser for once.

"Blaise likes things on his face," Grace said loudly. "He lets me give him Grace kisses and Hannah gives Hannah kisses and Draco says he likes Draco kisses best."

Blaise almost got whiplash from the force of his head turning to Grace. "He said what? When did he say that?"

Tonks snorted, covering her mouth with her hand when she caught Blaise's look of horror. He was never, ever going to hear the end of this.

"What are you teaching this dear, sweet, innocent child?"

Blaise glared at Tonks. "Draco's your cousin, and he's the one running his mouth. I'm not teaching her anything like that."

"Draco gets breakfast at the bakery. He talks to me and Mister Bunny every day now. He's funny." Grace giggled. "He said when I meet people named Theo I should call them wanker instead."

Her eyes got wide. "I'm going to have to speak with Draco. Those are the kind of words for bigger people than you, Grace."

"I actually think that's perfect. Nott should be around here. I'll introduce you, Grace," he said as he grinned. "Just don't tell Hannah or your sister what Uncle Draco's been teaching you, yeah?"

"That's what Draco said," Grace said while swaying back and forth in the typical antsy child dance. "Can I really call him Uncle Draco?"

Blaise snickered and picked Grace up. "We're going to go visit him, and you can call him that and see how he reacts. He'll love it."

The picture of Blaise holding a child was one Tonks was going to fix in her mind. Didn't like kids her arse.

"Where is Draco? I haven't seen him yet."

"I was informed by a reliable source that he's enjoying refreshing coolness of the dunking booth."

"This I really need to see. Shall we?"

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

The flyer had said that all proceeds were to benefit Sara Prep, and Jackson went there. Percy thought the best way to help out was to head straight to where the books were being sold. He'd indulge himself in festival food later. He'd not bought books in ages. Just because he worked with them all day didn't mean he didn't want them at home as well.

He recognized Penny by her dark hair, and was smiling when he made it to the booth.

"Why am I not surprised you're here, of all places, Penny? I'll assume Jack is somewhere near as well?"

Penelope pointed to where Jack was stacking books with Mac. She was glad the Scotswoman had decided to return after her rest. Penelope felt Mac did not get out enough here lately.

"That's Morag MacDougal, but if you you like your arms on the sides of your body, I'd call her Mac. She was a Ravenclaw."

Jack spotted his father then and rushed over. "Dad!"

A wide grin spread on Percy's face. "Hullo, son. Having a good time? Find anything good?" He waved at the woman called Mac, then focused on Jack again. He wasn't sure how demonstrative Jack would allow him to be, and Percy really wasn't sure how to initiate it.

Jack threw his arms around Percy's middle and gave him a hug. Penelope had to turn away so they would not see her eyes go watery.

Percy returned the hug, taking in the smell of young child and books.

"I hope the two of you will have some time today to wander about with me. Perhaps you can tell me more about the school?" Percy asked, directing his question to both Penny and Jack. This was the first time that he'd been in public with both of them, and he was sure they'd get some looks, but he wasn't willing to give up the opportunity for a spot of fun.

"Go on, dear," Mrs. Dearborn said. "Mac and I can handle it."

Penelope looked at Percy. "It appears we have time now."

Percy was oddly excited. He hadn't expected to get to see either of them.

"Good. I had planned on looking mostly at the books, but I can always come back." He offered his arm to Penny, and took Jack's hand. "Was there something you wanted to see? I heard rumour Draco Malfoy is in a dunking tanks, and there are all sorts of treats."

Penelope sighed. "He is in the dunking booth... wearing just pants with the school logo on them."

Jack started chuckling.

"We can go wherever you lot would like. I'm just happy to be here."

Jack grinned. "Mr. Sprock was selling wood carvings. I told him I'd say hi. Headmistress Spofford is helping his booth. Dad, you have to meet her. She has red hair like us, but she promised me she isn't a Weasley."

"There are red haired people to whom we're not related," Percy stated, remembering when he had thought very similar to his son. "How are you today, Penny? I hope you're not too distraught at being torn from your books."

Penelope made a face at him. Jack laughed and ran ahead of his parents. He did keep turning around to check where they were though.

"I am just fine away from the books, thank you," she said leaning closer to him. "How have you been? I haven't seen you since Fred and Katie's wedding."

"Busy with work. I'm sorry I didn't owl about dinner this week, but the Azkaban break outs have me busy scuttling about for various members of the MLE looking for anything pertinent. Might I make it up to you sometime soon? My flat is about the size of a Muggle postage stamp, but there's enough room for the three of us to have dinner comfortably. Unless that would interfere with Jack's bedtime ritual." He was babbling.

"How're you? I don't think I said it, but you looked lovely on Friday. You should wear dresses more often."

Penelope smiled. "Jack and I would love to have dinner with you, and there's hay here today, a dress simply was not practical."

She was dancing on the inside. Funny, she reverted to about fifteen when he said she looked lovely.

He grinned and patted her hand. "I would agree that was a more practical choice. There also aren't the same warming spells intact today." He himself was dressed simply in neatly pressed jeans and a blue Weasley jumper his mum had knit for him.

"How are you enjoying teaching?"

"I always enjoy teaching," Penelope said. "The school is a good place to be. I get to speak to your mother almost daily. The headmistress is a lovely woman who is amazingly organized. You should visit, take a tour. Jane is always happy when parents take an interest."

"I'm sure Mother enjoys having you and Jackson close, as well. I'm slacking in my parental duties, once again." Percy replied, his tone light.

Penelope frowned. "What do you mean? No, you aren't."

"Do you think you could write up a list of some sort? Things that you do that I could do as well, or maybe switch off? I don't want to miss anything," Percy said, eyes on Jack where he was speaking enthusiastically to whom Percy assumed was Mr. Sprock.

Anyone else might be irritated about the list question, but Penelope just giggled. She thought it adorable.

"Percy, have you not noticed that Jack is excited about anything involving time with you? He's adapted quite nicely to your being back. He just wants to spend time with you. It matters very little what you do, but I can make you a list."

"Have you met my father? Best dad in the world. He's my example of what a dad should be. Nothing less is acceptable."

"Good heavens, Percy. You'll figure it out, and by the by, Arthur had two before you to practice on, and four more after that. Of course he's terrific as a father. He has loads of experience." She gave his arm a pat. "You'll learn. Do you think I was so terrific at this in the beginning? Do you think I don't still make mistakes? You'll be fine. I have faith in you."

"Thank you, Penelope." He cleared his throat. "Cider?"

"Yes, thank you."

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

Hera's owl had left Jared very curious, she wasn't one for details. He didn't venture into Hogsmeade often, so he didn't have any idea what was happening there today. He made sure to have enough coin in his pocket for their lunch and anything else they might want to do. Not knowing what to expect meant he had put extra in. He didn't want to come up short the first time he saw Hera outside of business.

He shoved his wand in his coat pocket and walked out his apartment door, making sure the wards closed behind him. Once he made it down to the street he apparated to the cottage he had had warded weeks earlier. He knocked on the door and waited for her to answer, a small smile growing on his face as he remembered how she had answered last. He was glad Jeffrey wasn't here this time.

Hera wasn't wearing trou when she answered. Time had gotten away from her. It usually did though.

"Come in. I just need jeans and shoes, yeah?"

She grabbed her jeans off of the couch and began wiggling into them. She changed clothes for her stage sets in front of dozens of people, so she never seemed to realize it was not socially acceptable to dress in front of people.

"You always answer the door half nude? I can see why you needed wards." He shook his head while smiling as he walked forward into the room. His eyebrows rose as he watched her putting on her jeans. She certainly was different from all the other women he'd ever dated, he could tell that right off the bat.

"There are Witch Weekly spreads of me in my knickers. It's nothing people haven't seen. The wards are good though. They deflected Astoria Dolohov really well last night," Hera said conversationally as she put on her socks and sneakers.

Jared tried not to let on that he would probably look up those old Witch Weekly issues later. Hera was a gorgeous woman, it was no surprise she was in magazines. It wasn't often that he wished he kept up with them.

"Really," he said, suddenly surprised at the mention of Astoria Dolohov. "I'm... glad to hear it," he said slowly. Strange how people were connected. He wondered briefly if they had talked of him, but then shrugged it off. What were the odds?

"Mmm," Hera said, grabbing her bag and slinging it on her shoulder. "Her girlfriend was over here passed out drunk, and Astoria was going to hex me to get her. It was intense. Especially with the guy there. So... you ready?"

"What?" Astoria had a girlfriend? He definitely didn't get that off her. Or that she was the hexing type. He shook his head trying to clear the image of Astoria and another woman out of it. "I'm sorry, yes I'm ready." He motioned for her to go before him as he held the door open for her. "So, where to first?"

"Dunno. Thought we'd just walk towards town and be where we end up, you know?"

Hera pulled him out of the cottage and set the wards. She started walking backwards in front of him so she could look at him when she talked. "So... anything interesting in the life of Jared Vaisey?"

"Not much to speak of. Wards here and there. Although our main wardsman had to return early from his trip for a special appointment this week. That's probably the most interesting thing that's happened, besides your owl. What about yourself? Anything interesting?" It was an intriguing time spent with Hera Warbeck, he could tell she was an outdoors person when the moment presented itself. Most of the women he met disliked anything outside the comforts of manors or shopping districts. She was different, livelier.

"I had a Scotsman carry a drunk girl to my house last night then said drunk's boyfriend and girlfriend, not really sure how that works, showed and collected her. Um, I spent a day at that spa Choyer and met the owner. She was intense. I eat at the bakery in town and drink at the pub on the weekends. They let me play when I am there. It's all good."

Hera turned and put her hands on her hips, looking at the bustling town.

"Oh!" She took her wand out and charmed the pink from her hair. "So... food? Hayride? Shopping? What would you prefer?"

Jared decided to ignore the first sentence. It was too confusing for him, and he didn't feel like deciphering it now or asking her to explain. "I have heard of Choyer, new right? Any good?" He stopped when she did, watching her charm her strip of pink hair blond. "I've actually never eaten here in Hogsmeade since Hogwarts, but I'm up for it. Should we do lunch first? And," he said, adding on to his question, "when do I get to see you play? Or do I have to look you up?"

Hera started through the crowd towards the Happy Hearth booth. "Depends on if you like looking for things. I'm not hard to find. I don't venture out of Hogsmeade often. Choyer is great. I'll be going back. Come to the Sticks on the weekend. I'll buy you a pint and you can have a listen."

Hear leaned on the booth for the bakery. She was eyeing a giant pretzel. She didn't know Hannah had made those.

"Alright, then. I will definitely look you up." He looked at all the different stands around, not sure what he wanted to have to eat. "Is there any where with just a sandwich? I'm not really familiar with a lot of what they have here. I'm pretty simple, I suppose, when it comes to eating."

Amy placed a sandwich next to where Jared was standing. She handed Hera a pretzel. Hera absently plunked some coins down and started eating.

Jared felt a bit weird having her pay, but he shrugged it off. He'd get the next one he figured. He took a bite of his sandwich, impressed. It tasted fantastic, he wondered how he had never heard of the place before. He looked up at the sign at the top of the booth. Happy Hearth. He supposed he may need to come eat there more often.

"This is pretty good. How's yours?"

"Salty. Just the way I like it."

Hera grinned as they started walking off. She had no idea what to do next.

Jared finished two thirds of his sandwich before he got thirsty. "You want something to drink?" He motioned to the Stick's booth and their cider. At her nod he bought two and handed her a cup, drinking half and returning to his sandwich. He ate the rest quickly before wiping his hands on a napkin and drinking the rest of his cider. He threw the empty cup and napkin into a nearby rubbish bin and turned to her, ready for what was next.

"So, what did you mention before that you wanted to do? Shopping? Hayrides?" He looked around her and saw a face painting booth. "Want to get your face painted?" He smiled, thinking she would be pretty cute with something painted on her face.

Hera arched a brow. "You think I won't just because there are mostly kids doing it?" She headed that way and sat on a stool. "I'm thinking pink butterfly. On this cheek."

The artist grinned at her and started to work.

"He's next," she said, pointing at Jared.

"I said that hoping you might do it. And no, I'm not getting anything painted on me, thanks." Jared waved his hand at the artist. No way was he getting a pink butterfly put on his cheek.

"Yes, he is, but he wants something manly. Do you have anything not pink or girlie? Maybe a dagger or a skull and crossbones," Hera said joking.

"Oh, I don't know about any of that." At Hera's look he sighed. "Okay, but not on my face." He took off his jacket and was left his a short sleeved shirt. "It can go on my arm. Dragon or something. Lady's choice."

"Definitely a dragon," Hera said. "A blue one breathing lots of fire."

Jared was set on the stool next to hers as another artist started on his arm.

He watched the butterfly appear on Hera's face, thinking she was incredibly cute at the moment. He looked down as the painter quickly put a dragon on his arm, embellishing with a few details that neither he nor Hera had specified. "So what do you want to do after this? Shopping?"

"I don't really need anything unless you do," Hera said. "So hayride?"

"Sure. What exactly is a hayride? I've never been on one before, my family didn't really do this type of thing." His family didn't really do anything together besides the occasional dinner. Well, that didn't feel right, he remembered a flicker of something, but couldn't place it. He shook his head, it wasn't really important.

"Come on," Hera said grabbing his hand. It was rare she knew of something someone else did not.

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

Draco was perfectly content, even though Nott appeared out of nowhere about every hour and dunked him. The water and the booth had a heating charm on them. Jane had also put a warming charm on his person, so despite his being in just a pair of pants with the Sara Prep logo on them, he was quite warm.

Blaise, Grace at his side, walked around the dunking booth staying behind the crowd. His best mate got into the weirdest situations. He wondered who had the dunking booth idea. Shaking his head, he pulled Grace towards the front of the crowd.

"You are one of the craziest son of a you-know-what I've ever known," he shouted to Draco.

Draco did a 'thumbs up' at them right as someone beaned the lever with a ball and he went plunging into the water. He tossed his hair from his face as he surfaced. Several of the kids cheered.

"I see Mr. Malfoy has not quite outgrown his need for attention," a familiar voice said from beside Blaise.

Blaise closed his eyes as if in pain. At least he hadn't actually called Draco a son of a bitch, but it was just as bad.

Of course Blaise would be standing next to the one professor who probably disliked him the most while he had been at school.

"Headmistress McGonagall, what a surprise to see you."

"Indeed, Mister Zabini," McGonagall said with a gleam in her eye as she looked at him holding the child in his arms. "I understand from Jane Spofford that you have a ward you would like to re-enter Hogwarts?"

Blaise looked at Grace, not wanting to have this conversation about her older brother near her. "Why don't you run up there and see if you can dunk Draco. I'll keep an eye on you from here, promise. Draco will also watch you."

Grace giggled and ran up to the front of the crowd.

"Let her dunk me," Draco was saying.

The booth attendant let Grace run up to the bar and push it.

"Time to go splash, Uncle Draco."

"Wha-" He was cut off by the water.

Blaise hid his snicker and turned back to McGonagall. "The Ministry has approved the Stewarts staying with us under foster care. We've been involved with their family before, though, and James has been missing a lot of direction in his life. It's mostly him thinking he isn't any good at school, but I want to get him out of trouble. Going back to Hogwarts will help. I think if he finished school, he'd get his life together."

McGonagall stared at him a very long time, as if she were assessing the situation.

"Very well. Tell Mister Stewart I shall see him after the winter break, and he had better be serious about his studies this time. You should thank Headmistress Spofford. Mister Malfoy presented a very passionate case to her, and she talked me into it."

All right, so perhaps he couldn't be too pissed at Draco for the Draco kisses comment. With a grin, he turned back to McGonagall.

"No offense, Headmistress, but that's why I wanted to go through channels instead of appealing straight to you. I figured a Headmistress to Headmistress appeal would be more properly received. I wasn't exactly your favorite student."

"It is very rude of you to suggest I liked one student better than another, Mister Zabini," McGonagall said with a smirk on her face. "Of course some I had to dislike on principle simply because they were favorites of Professor Snape."

She gave a curt nod because Grace was heading back towards them.

"Good day, Mister Zabini, and good luck. You'll be needing it," she said before heading off.

Blaise sighed. "That's the understatement of the year," he muttered.

"Blaise, Blaise, did you see the swear jar pop up here? Everybody laughed. Draco said the F word."

He laughed and followed Grace as she started to tug on his hand lead him to the front near the dunking booth.

"Two questions. First, why did you swear, and second, where in Salazar's name did the money come from?"

"She called me soddin-"

The swear jar appeared and and pair of black trousers on a bench twitched as they were looted.

"Are you kidding me?"

Grace was giggling in delight. "Dancing trou! Swear again, Uncle Draco! Make them dance!"

Draco gestured. "Uncle Draco? Seriously?"

Blaise couldn't stop snickering. "Consider it payback for spreading the rumor around that I like kissing you more than I like kissing my own girlfriend."

Draco just grinned at him.

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

Ron held Susan's hand as they walked down the street looking at the different booths. He had spent the night at her place the night before to avoid his new flatmate, so they had woken up late and took their time getting here. He hadn't eaten anything all morning and his stomach was loudly protesting as he looked over what each booth had to offer.

Cider and hot chocolate, some disgusting looking things from a place he had never been to, and then pretzels, sandwiches and anything else he could possibly want at Hannah's booth. No sense going anywhere else, he thought. Hannah's food was more than likely going to be the best stuff around.

He looked over at Susan and asked, "What do you think you're going to get?"

"To start," Susan said contemplatively, "I think I'll get a candy apple. Then maybe some candy floss. Biscuits, or Oh! Strawberry rhubarb pie!"

Susan wasn't usually a big sweets eater, but this was a fair. It wasn't intended to be healthy. And those glossy red, candy-coated apples did look tasty. "After all that you can carry me because my stomach will hurt and I'll be too ill to walk."

Ron grinned as he looked at her in surprise. He had been thinking of doing the same thing, but was prepared to hold back from the look she might give him. "You are the best girlfriend ever. I think I may do the same, except maybe a pretzel and cheese, too. And for the record, I wouldn't mind having to carry you home. We can lay around all day in bed and do nothing. It's been a while since I had a day to do that." He leaned down and pecked her on the cheek.

"Spending the entire day in bed with you is a very appealing idea." Peeking up at him through her lashes, Susan chewed on her lower lip as a pink flush rose in her face. "Though if that was the plan, I'd recommend not getting too awfully full."

They spent most nights together but Ron hadn't made a move on her since the day his mother had walked in on them. While she enjoyed his company no matter what they did, it would be a lie to say she wasn't looking forward to having a more physical relationship with him.

"Why?" he asked, confused. "I thought that was the whole plan? Eat a lot, go home and lay about." His face was starting to fall, he had been looking forward to eating everything in sight. It wasn't everyday you could find food like this.

With a sigh, she chuckled. "I wonder if you'll ever be as excited about me as you are about food," Susan quipped, only half-teasing. She gave his hand a squeeze, leading him toward Hannah's bakery. "Don't worry, Ron. I won't spoil your fun. Best girlfriend ever, remember?"

"Of course I'm excited about you," Ron said with a frown. He turned back to look at the booth and saw a man walk away with something delicious in his hands. "Oh, one of those, definitely, I want one of those."

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

Luna took a sip of her cider and smiled as a couple of kids blew past her. The festival seemed to be doing well. People were gathered on the streets, talking and laughing in groups. She could see the Hogwarts students stocking up on treats and tricks at various booths.

She was aiming for the book booth Penelope had told her about herself. She'd long outgrown the need to horde chocolate and other sweets, and had never been one for tricks. She'd lived too close to the Weasley twins to ever be enamored of the things.

Seeing a familiar face out of the corner of her eye, she smiled and waved at her housemate, who returned the gesture.

"'Lo, Penelope. Having a good day so far?"

"Luna," Penelope said. "Yes. Enjoying yourself? Harry about then?"

Having spent most of the morning with Percy then leaving Jack with him had put her in a very good mood. She was probably glowing right now. There had been a tense moment with Brody, but he had smiled and laughed with her - been her friend in a way Penelope didn't deserve.

"I have been having a pleasant time so far. Unfortunately Harry's not here yet. He had meetings all morning. We're planning on meeting up later." She walked beside her friend for a bit, perfectly happy to go where ever Penelope led her. People didn't do that often enough. Take the unexpected path. They were always too busy getting tho where they were going to bother with side trips.

"You look very happy. Things going well with Percy?"

"I suppose. He and Jack seem to be getting along."

She purposefully did not mention herself here. She didn't know how things were going with herself and Percy. She didn't know how to answer that. Heck, Penelope wasn't even really sure what she wanted to happen. She had never been more confused.

"That's good," Luna replied. She hadn't been pushing her room mate for details on her now confusing life. She didn't have a right to. She and Penelope didn't have the history she had with Ginny. Instead, she had chosen to be available to listen whenever she could.

"The festival looks like it's a success. What's the most popular booth, do you think?"

"Oh heavens, definitely the dunking booth," Penelope said, laughing. "Draco Malfoy in a pair of pants with the Sara Prep logo on them. I'm sure Harry will like spending all his money there."

"He's wearing more than just pants, isn't he?" She hoped so. It was pleasant out now, but it would get cool in the evening. Plus, did Ginny know that her boyfriend was half naked in front of the whole village?

"Harry would probably enjoy dunking him, but only if he was wearing more clothes."

"Just wearing pants, much to the pleasure of a few of the older Hogwarts girls. I think he has a warming charm on him, but I can't be sure. He doesn't seem put off by the chill."

Luna nodded. She had to admit that Draco was put together very nicely. If she wasn't in love with Harry, and if Draco wasn't head over heels for Ginny... No, she probably still wouldn't date him. He just didn't seem the type to put up with absent-minded reporters.

"Are there any booths in particular I should visit? I plan on visiting them all, but if you have any insider information, that would be helpful."

"Mr. Sprock's wood carvings are particularly lovely, and of course the Happy Hearth booth is always busy. Hannah tried her hand at pretzels. It's been popular. Of course she has candied apples."

"Oh, yum. Candied apples and pretzels sound lovely." She looked ahead and noticed a booth full of books. "Are you going back to work now, or just enjoying the festival? If you're enjoying the festival, then I'll wait to visit the book seller's. I wouldn't want to force you to visit the booth you've been helping out with."

"I am going back there. Mrs. Dearborn let me take off with Percy and Jack this morning. I feel neglectful. Come along. There's plenty for you to look though."


{SUMMARY} Hogsmeade holds their fall festival to benefit Hogwarts and Sara Prep.