As you enter the hall, you will see, on one side of the hall, a main stage that is set up in front of a large seating area. At the back of the hall there is a buffet with delicious delicacies, including fantastic dishes such as lasagna, pork chops, and barbeque ribs. Butterbeer and elf wine are just a few among the many drinks for you to enjoy. For dessert, we have a selection of toppings to make ice cream sundaes, as well as a selection of pies and puddings.

After stalking through the entrance hall, Roxanne went straight for the buffet table. She hadn't brought a date to this stupid thing, so dancing was out. Besides, her feet were still a little tired from last night. So buffet it was. And after the sight she had seen in the entrance, it was straight to dessert. More specifically, the make your own sundaes. She piled hers pretty high, figuring that no one would actually want to talk to her if she looked like a pig. Which she wasn't, but still. Did not want to talk about it. Talking might lead to crying and that's not what she needed right before the debate.

Taking her loaded sundae, she plopped down at a table and dig in, yet still eating as delicately as possible.

"Yeah, I'd wanted to do that, but I enjoyed watching the three that had been dunked, get dunked." he said with an amused voice. It had been very amusing watching the three candidates get soaked to the skin. He knew it wouldn't have been as amusing if it had been he himself though, he'd just been relieved that he'd gotten enough votes to keep from being dunked. He hadn't cared if he was one with the top votes but to have so few, that would have bothered him a lot.

Nodding, he gave a slight shrug "I just answer the questions and do as asked and hopefully come out alright." He hated that they might pry, but what could he do? He'd rather this was all done and over with but that was unlikely to happen anytime soon. Walking into the seating area, he steered away from the dance floor, not really caring to do any dancing with Becca. Friend or not, he wasn't about to do that! "I definitely will. Some sort of sign" he whispered conspiratorially.

"I bet." she smirked at the thought of three full grown adults getting dunked in water. It was cold water, right? MUAHA. Okay, keep the mean streak hidden. Heh.

"That's good. Just be honest." she agreed, nodding. Hopefully they wouldn't be too nosy. Gavin had kept this thing with Kat quiet, right? She hoped it was quiet enough to not get to those who were running the debate. Walking alongside Gavin a little lost in thought, Becca just allowed him to guide her wherever he saw fit, but when she snapped out of her daydream, she realised he'd deliberately avoided the dance floor and that was more than okay with her. "That's perfect." she gave him a wink.

Nodding, he figured that would be the best route to go. Not many knew about his problems with Kat and unless people had noticed her absence and the fact that the baby hadn't arrived, like it should have a few weeks ago, then no one would know anyway. They might just well think that she was just on maternity leave. Yeah...that made sense. But he couldn't well say she was on maternity leave for the next five years.

He hadn't noticed that she was thinking on anything. He was more paying attention to what was happening in the room and the employees around them. "Sounds good." he said with a grin. He wondered what it was she had planned if he did give her a sign of HEY step in and cause a distraction! "Must be weird for you to be back here." he said softly.

After making a small scene at the entrance, Ivy made her way over to the buffet table. She skipped right over the food and inspected the drinks carefully for a moment before choosing one and sniffing it lightly. Some sort of wine. Good enough for her. She sipped it slowly, keeping a fellow candidate and that woman who looked like his date in her peripheral vision. So, when did the fun begin?

Manolo settled himself in a chair and glanced around. He really ought to be more social. He's 20 years old for Merlin's sake and he rarely has any friends. He caught a few eyes unintentionally and smiled slightly.

Her eyes fell onto his face as he said it must be weird for her. "It kind of is." she agreed. "Last time I was here, there was a different man on my arm and compared to what followed, we were blissfully happy." Her eyes scanned the room. "Everything has its time, though." She was more than happy at the moment with Gid, but she hoped that the saying 'Good things never last' wouldn't be proved true with them. She was holding onto that relationship with everything she had. "Must be weird for you to be here with me." she turned the conversation back on Gavin.

Nodding as she responded, he totally got that, nothing could take away a memory of when you were last in a place, especially when it was so completely different right now. He'd barely knew Brian, but knew at least at that time she was happy, pregnant, and had a little boy. Now, they were apart, and Brian had the children. It was just sad, just wrong. But he was truly happy for Becca, having found Gidyun.

"Everything does have its time." he murmured. And sometimes those times expire and are no more. Like she and Brian or he and Kat. "It's better then being alone I have to say though." he said offering her a smile. Yeah he hadn't been looking forward to the debates alone, and with his manager having done a bunk, he was kind of relieved.

Giving him a nod as he repeated her words, she glanced around the room once more. Her eyes fell on the woman he'd actively avoided before. Hmm, yeah, they'd have to keep out of earshot of her. Her name was Ivy, right? Eyeing her a little, Becca gave Gavin a nod. "Well, like I said before, always here for you." she gave him a fond, friendly smile. "I'll come with you to all the debates if you want or need someone there."

A social event. What a wonderful welcome by the Ministry of Magic!

Angelica Thompson, known as Genie to practically everyone, was itching to get going with her new job within the Minister's Offices, but the chance to mingle with the other staff was not to be missed for anything. Dolled up to the nines and wearing a dress fit for someone twenty years younger than her forty five years, Genie felt a million dollars as she tottered her way across the atrium and through the archway in a pair of shoes she had cast a cushioning charm on so she wouldn't be too uncomfortable. A little trick she used most days.. after all a career woman of Genie's petite stature couldn't go a day without her good ol' killer heels. She would not be looked down upon by anyone, hunny... regardless of her height.

Dateless (or single and ready to mingle), her winning smile was fixed firmly in place as she entered the seating area.. A buffet? Why, how delightful! She remained standing but helped herself to a flute of wine, ignoring the food for now and scanned the room wondering if her step-daughter would be in attendance tonight.

John was pretty excited to be here, he was still pretty surprised about being hired in the field he really wanted. Not to mention the former Gryffindor literally had law enforcement written all over him. Having a long line of muggle military relatives, he knew this was his given gift.

Grabbing something to eat he was looking around trying to see if he recognized anyone. So far no luck. -_-

Grinning back at her words he nodded "I appreciate that a lot." he said as his gaze went back to hers. More than he could ever say, he'd not told her everything but she could probably very well guess what he hadn't told her yet. And if they kept in contact eventually she'd know anyway. "I'd appreciate that. I don't know if there will be more but I'll keep you posted to know if there are, so you can attend them if you're free." That and if her fiance didn't mind as well!

Gerti did not stay behind with Crip Shaar, who for some reason was now eavesdropping on two of the candidates conversation. She recognized another one of the candidates sitting at the buffet table. She approached her and sat down a chair away. "Hello, I'm Gerti. I was pretty impressed by your speech, by the way. Any idea how things will be done this time?"

Crip Shaar walked out of the entrrance Archway and towards the buffet table after hearing what had needed to hear. He didn't care about the food, he had eaten before coming. His eyes zeroed in on one of the new Ministry workers, he had watched this one sign up. The boy seemed to be looking for someone. Hmmmmmmmmm.

"OY! I think you dropped something!" So shouted Crip Shaar as he raised a small potion above his head.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoole

Gerti did not stay behind with Crip Shaar, who for some reason was now eavesdropping on two of the candidates conversation. She recognized another one of the candidates sitting at the buffet table. She approached her and sat down a chair away. "Hello, I'm Gerti. I was pretty impressed by your speech, by the way. Any idea how things will be done this time?"

After a moment, Ivy noticed a woman approach her. She wasn't familiar, but she apparently had been at the Hogsmeade debate, so she watched her carefully as she sipped her wine. "Why, thank you. I'm Ivy Knox, but I assume you know that already." She should, at least. Ivy did not offer her hand for the woman to shake, but kept them both on her wine glass.

"I haven't any idea. Both debates have been.. surprises, if you will, for us all." Whatever it was, though, Ivy was certain she would do well again.

Just giving him a nod, she smiled at him again. It was nice to see his natural smile when he spoke with her. She was glad she could keep his mind off things for a while. "Of course. I'll make sure I'm free to attend them whenever they're scheduled." She patted his arm gently. "I'll even dress up for those too if you want." she grinned at him.

Caroline Delgado was now officially a Ministry employee. Finding out just a few hours ago that she was going to be the new nursery healer in the specality department.

She had gone to the bathroom while her husband found a table. When she came back she seen him standing in line for foods. She laughed, she figured that was the first thing he did. So finding them a seat she sat down waiting for him to find her.

Food.

That was his main concern right now. Because his stomach just seemed to roar in approval at the sight of the buffet. Being quite tall, Jonathan had the tiny advantage in the fact that he could tiptoe and peer over people's heads to try and see the food that was laid out for them. Although, this tiptoeing action kind of made the man feel like some sort of ballerina.

Hearing that familiar tinkle of laughter, Jonny bent down again and turned to face his wife. A grin spread across his face as he watched her head over towards an empty table. Trust Caroline to be the smart one. And trust him to be the pig.

Eh. Food was food.

And speaking of food... HEWASATTHETABLE.

The Tutshill Tornados star grabbed two plates and started piling them up with food, making particular care to add extras for his because of his big appetite. ... What? A man's gotta eat. Once the plates were filled up, Jonny turned away and headed over towards Caroline. He set her plate down in front of her before sitting down in the seat opposite hers and setting his plate down as well. There. Now he was ready to-

Oh. He was missing something right?

"You look beautiful, Caroline," Husband points.

John quickly looked towards whoever shouted, he raised a brow. What did he drop? Not letting his guard down, was one of his specialties "Excuse me?" he said wanting clarity.

Maybe Johnathan heard wrong? Whatever it was he finished chewing the food inside his mouth, before it causes him to choke.

Once again, Derek wasn't very comfortable about being there. There was bound to be too many people that day, but well, it was a Ministry event, so he had to go.

Shrug. He was almost getting used to this whole seeing-millions-of-people-at-the-same-time thing. Not that he appreciated it, but well, there was nothing he could do about it.

At least this time there would be no vomiting and drooling people. That made Derek feel a little lighter and even happy. So he went to get some food.

Oh, pork chops. Those looked good.

He was trying to relax but so far it wasn't working all that well. Maybe he should eat....erm no maybe a drink of...juice. Yep, he needed to just take things as they came. Though he honestly wished the debate was starting so he could get it over with! "That'd be great!" he said nodding at her response. Merlin, dress up? She looked fantastic in that dress. He didn't dare say anything other than she looking beautiful though! "You look great in that, you don't need anything fancy." he assured her.

Having known Gavin for so long, Becca could see that he was tense. Her eyes focused on his face as he expressed his desire for her to be at the other debates. She could see that he was just glad to have someone who was willing to stand by his side for a while. His compliment on her appearance was greatly appreciated, especially since it was the second time he'd mentioned it and twice meant that he really did think so and wasn't saying so out of politeness. "Thank you, Gavin." she gave him a fond smile, more than pleased that he thought she looked good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hey Ju

Once again, Derek wasn't very comfortable about being there. There was bound to be too many people that day, but well, it was a Ministry event, so he had to go.

Shrug. He was almost getting used to this whole seeing-millions-of-people-at-the-same-time thing. Not that he appreciated it, but well, there was nothing he could do about it.

At least this time there would be no vomiting and drooling people. That made Derek feel a little lighter and even happy. So he went to get some food.

Oh, pork chops. Those looked good.

Oh, food!

This is one (and maybe the only) thing that he approved at every events he had come. Their food! He didn't know exactly how much formal event that he'd ever come and most of them were boring, even he was one of the guest of honor since he was an Ambassador. But usually, they had so many fantastic food. Andrew walked to the buffet table to see what did they serve to the people here.

Hmmm.. Those food looked so tempting. If Elena was here too, he was sure that his wife would warn him not to take too much. A glass of wine was enough for him because he wasn't hungry yet. Walking to the seat, accidentally Andrew bumped into someone and spilled his wine to this man's shirt. Oh My God!

Bowing to his victim, the Ambassador said his apology."Oh, I'm so sorry!"

Still waiting for his fiancee to arrive Dartanian walked around the room, smirking at almost every person he saw. If he had to be honest he was just a tad impatient when it came to waiting, but he wasn't honest often a so if anyone asked he was as patient as you could be.

To the back of the hall, then too the front, then too the back again where he paused and eyed the food. It looked good maybe not French quality good, but good enough for 'Breeteesh' people. He eyed the wine, smirked and then decided he wanted some. He reached his hand towards it only to be beaten by someone else who hadn't noticed him. His first reaction was that he wanted to shout at her, but then he noticed the lady's beautiful dress and smirked even more instead.

"'ello Mizz." He winked and then reached for her free hand so he could kiss it. 'Class' was the only way the 'Le King' did things.

Satine walked into the dining area in her favorite blue suit and for today she had changed her hair to a tad darker shade of blue. She glanced around the room for a familiar face, but alas, no one was here that she recognized. She had to admit she was less than excited to be here today....after all, her candidate had been avoiding her at every turn. She was nervous about being here today with all of that going on.

She let out a little breath that she hadn't realized she was holding and then walked towards an empty table. She was feeling a little bit anti-social right now.