Helena tied her long black hair up in a messy bun as she got to work creating her handiwork under a large banner emblazoned with the words: "Helena's Homemade Heaven. One bite and you'll feel heavenly". Her famous apple turnovers had something different about them. She used apples that were grown in her family orchard that had they own secrecy to them.

Even though Helena was Pureblood, she loved cooking her turnovers the Muggle way sometimes depending on her customers and how busy her food stand was. She held no animosity towards those who weren't Pureblood.

Helena had a series of trays laden with cooked apple turnovers, ready to eat. Hopefully, there would be plenty of tasters.

Had Dorian known there were food stands in Diagon Alley he'd have left his home earlier. He liked anything that had a possibility of free food. It was free right?

The smell alone had brought him to this street and he rolled up his sleeve to check his watch. He still had half an hour until he had to be a the ice cream parlor with his father.

He walked past the stands, occasionally stopping and looked at the food before he continued. The Ravenclaw's stomach growled silently despite not being hungry at all. It was the smell he told himself. He was about to walk further when apple turnovers caught his eyes. He loved those! Dorian walked over to the stand and tried to get the attention of the woman behind the stand. "How much is this?" he asked as he pointed a finger at the food.

Helena grinned at the Ravenclaw student. "Hello there. They are 5 sickles each with a special going where you can purchase four turnovers for 10 sickles. Would you like one?"

Anthony had arrived early to make sure his stand was set up to his standards. He had plenty of time to organise it as he wished too, making sure all of the goods were placed firstly by flavour, then by size, and lastly by colour.

He welcomed people - and non-humans too, for that matter - of all ages and backgrounds to try his chocolates, but dare they not mess up his system. There was a reason why his chocolates were placed as they were and Anthony wouldn't be pleased if anyone interfered with that.

A precise art, chocolate making was. Indeed. Especially magical chocolates. Mmm, yes.

The man did put his best smile on and waited for customers and curious guests to approach and not touch.

Yawning and stretching Brandon felt it was way too early to be awake, but he had told his brother he'd open up the stand. He wasn't one to like the limelight, that he left to Leon. Leon had always enjoyed that even when they were kids, so when he had the idea to open Hot Bots he knew Leon was perfect for the PR.

Setting up the stand wasn't too hard and he had it done in no time, thank you magic! The fondue was melting and soon the smell was filling the air around him. He set up the different bowls that were charmed to stay warm and all the foods you could think of that people might want to use with it.

Now he waited until he got some customers.



All Griffin needed to know was food to want to go to this event. He wheeled himself around the food stands and enjoyed all the smells they were bringing. What to go to first was the biggest issue though. So many choices and he would by the end of the day try them all.

He could hear Ullr now when he got back home and didn't want dinner, but maybe he'd just take the husband some food home and that would work out. That's exactly what he decided he would do.

For now, though he needed to start eating to make sure to keep a good pace to try everything. First stop was Chocolate and Griffin made his way to the man, [b] "Hello (Anthony) I would like to place an order.

Anthony greeted his first customer with a smile still on his face, pleased the man hadn't actually touched his fine products. "Hello and welcome." This man was already in his good books. "Of course, what would you like?" The chocolatier asked, gesturing to the collection in front of him. "Here I have my famous Mint Chocolate Truffles, the most popular in my shop. Ideal for when you're in a rush." They weren't minty for the flavour only. He kept gesturing to the chocolates. "A selection of white chocolate bonbons with different fillings. Finally: my Spicy Chocolate Chilli Pepper Barks, my personal favourite, are sure to give you the warm fuzzies." He finished with a knowing smile.

Proud, he was.



The bright side about having the children over at her in-laws for a few days was that she could finally go to Diagon Alley without worrying. That kidnapping business was still a thing and Sophie was NOT about to lose any of her children to some evil maniac, even if it seemed like the kids who had been kidnapped were being returned unharmed. Still. She was having none of it.

Howeveeeer... the former Hufflepuff did hear about the Taste of London event and... well, let's just say she was hungry 24/7 nowadays and that all sounded very tempting. VERY tempting. So tempting she didn't even mind if all she could find there was unhealthy foods. Food was food at the end of the day, and...

Were those some delicious looking pastries?? And Fondue over there!? The heavily pregnant brunette gasped and waddled her way to the first stand. 'Helena's Homemade Heaven. One bite and you'll feel heavenly.' "Aw, that's sweet!" She chuckled. "Can I have three, please?" Sophie asked the lady in front of her. "Would you like anything, love?" She finally turned to her husband, giving him a cheeky little grin.

Taste of London...

The moment he had heard of it, Benny was sure they'd wind up exploring the event when it came around. It had to do with all sorts of food and eating and a fun competition to watch so Adi would surely be all over it and as it turned out that was he was right. He knew his husband that well. Besides, it was a nice excuse to head down to the city during the summer and maybe run into a friend of two. And the nice weather turned out to be a fine addition to the day out.

"Now...where should we start?" he mused, questioning the man beside him as they casually strolled from the entrance of the park area towards the food stands. He'd let the bottomless pit chose the way through the delicious sights and smells that rewarded them.

Nothing can lure Vivian as effectively as food can. As much as the blond really loved the dishes prepared at the Leaky already, the news about this so-called 'Taste of London' had caught her attention mainly because it was... well, food, and this might just be a one-summer event. So why miss it out?

Vivian didn't exactly care much about the cook-off, though it did smell really good from here, yes. But what was she supposed to do with those when the food wasn't even done yet? Approaching the general direction towards the food stands, she scanned the food available. Did they have marshmallows here somewhere?

So. Many. Food. Help.

Helena smiled at the mother-to-be and her husband. "Sure thing, my dear," she said as she placed three of the turnovers into a large paper bag that she had charmed so that the turnovers stayed fresh. She handed the bag over as she said, "That'll be fifteen sickles or I could place an extra turnover in the bag and you'll only have to pay ten sickles."

It was quite a bummer doing all of this by herself. Oli had all the books she needed. A wand and a pet perhaps? But where to go?

Oli stopped on her tracks contemplating on what path she would follow. Checking to her right, she proceeded. Walk. Walk. Walk. She was seeing an influx of wizards and witches on this particular street. That was before she smelled something cooking.

Food! Oli followed where it was brewing. She smiled then laughed to herself as she heard her stomach made a gurgling sound.

And blam!!!

All her books fell on the ground.

Ewan was walking. Walking for the sake of walking. He was starving! He hadn't had food since he left home this morning? Damn that was a long time ago! I mean he'd travelled to London from Wales! That's what... a 4 hour drive! I mean, the cereal he'd had was great and all but not... he wanted something a little bit more. Walking on his own now (He'd left his father alone at the bank, converting pounds did not sound fun) and set off alone in search of some delicious wizarding culinary delight. EWAN LOVED TO EAT!!
You'd never think this from his athletic build but food was his favourite and boy.... he could smell it now.

Ewan was walking quickly now, trying to find the delicious treats, when... BANG! he tripped, flat on his face. Looking around, he noticed books, on the floor. 'Sigh' how did he miss those, and how did he miss the girl standing next to them. "Are these yours?"Ewan chuckled, trying not to let his ego be too inflated. "I'm Ewan"he continued, reaching up to shake the girls hand from the floor.

How exactly could a trip to the Alley just to get food turn into something almost disastrous?

Vivian had finally made a decision that perhaps chocolate sounded rather appealing today, and was just about to head that way when she heard what seemed like heavy things fall onto the ground nearby. Her attention caught, the blond turned towards the direction from where it came from and saw a younger girl with her books on the floor. And to top that off, another younger guy seemingly tripped over them.

... Huh.

The prefect picked up a few of the books closest to her and went towards the younger kids instead. Remember when she was that young and clumsy? Well, she was still clumsy today but... y'know. It was different. "You both okay?" She said, holding the books with one arm and extending the other towards either of the two. "Get up." The floor wasn't a comfortable place to lay in, just saying. Imagine the germs and dirt.

Helena peered from behind her stall and saw a couple of very young kids on the floor, books scattered around them. She then spotted an older girl who had reached out a hand to each child to help them get off the floor.

"Are you two young ones okay?" Helena kindly addressed the kids with a smile.

Reaching out, Ewan grasped the hand of the older girl in front of her. "Thanks!" Ewan replied, looking slightly sheepish, moving his muddy brown hair out of his face. Running his hands across the shaved sides of his hair, he replied "Hi, i'm Ewan. I didn't even see the books" he confessed, blushing slightly as he bent down to pick up the rest. "Honestly, I'm starving!"looking down at his stomach as it gave a loud grumble.

Looking around, Ewan noticed an older woman looking worried. "Hey, sorry! I'm okay thank you" he called over. "Sorry, I bet we're scaring away all of your customers" Ewan continued, with a slight from on his young, pale face.

Ewan turned back to the older girl who helped him up, looking into her face, trying to judge how friendly she was. "Do you know anywhere around here that makes great food? I'm starving! or at least somewhere that sells chocolate! Wizarding chocolate must be better than muggle chocolate".

It was the perfect day for her business. With her own alley as slow as it was in the last few weeks, the old hag was happy to take her business wherever she could turn a few sickles. A food fair of sorts was practically a gold mine. Lots of unsuspecting attendees, many who would be wanting to hear their fortune.

"Listen well, one and all, peer into my crystal ball. Have a question, ask it here, who else can tell when the end is near? Misery, torture, fortune fame, your wildest dreams, give me a name." She crooned loudly, pushing her own stall through the crowd of fair patrons.

The smell of food swirling around her nose did not entice her nearly as much as the smell of the young ones running about but today was strictly business and she knew better than to draw too much unwanted attention.

"Who wants to be first? Ask about my prices, they're more reasonable than any you've heard." Probably not, but it didn't stop her from saying it.

Before she could even realized her books fell flat on the ground, Oli saw a little boy sitting next to them, asking her if the books were hers. Without meaning to, Oli's knees involuntarily reached the ground and picked up all her things.

Oli was busy managing the books, without even glancing to the little boy who introduced himself as Ewan, she replied, "Yes, my name's Oli."

While mentioning her name, another older girl was picking up her books. Are the people in Diagon Alley all this accommodating? Will Hogwarts be this kind to her? Will it be kind enough to put her to Gryffindor like her parents?

To acknowledge the older girl's concern, "I'm okay. Thank you for your help. I was being clumsy," Oli said glancing at both Ewan and the other girl. Oli then smiled at the stall's owner who's also extending a helping hand.

When she heard the boy named Ewan starting a small talk with the older blonde girl, Oli inspected all her books, "History of Magic..." she murmured.

It was missing.




Looking around, head bowed down in bated breath.

...........

THERE.

She saw it.

Without intending to, she bumped into someone who was mouthing things she doesn't even understand. Solitude was her specialty. Too many people. "I'm sorry," looking up to the lady, she was frightened and instantly avoided to stare too much.

Oli on the spot picked up her A History of Magic.

Griffin listened to everything the man had and thought about what he might like. There were so many choices and he knew he couldn't just fill himself up at the first place, but man did he want all of it. "Am I able to get one of each? They all sound so good, I'm not fully sure what to try first." He tried to get a good look at all of them, but in his chair, he struggled to see over the stand.

As he looked at the chocolates he couldn't help the sound his stomach made, all the food smells were the best. Why couldn't he just wave his wand and land money on all the stands and they could just send the food over. That would be the easiest way to get everything he wanted.



Alana hated being in Diagon Alley, it was just a forever reminder that she wasn't magic and that her twin sister was. She had gotten somewhat used to being a squib, but it was still rough and she was still not happy about it. When their dad mentioned about going to this thing Alana decided to leave her house elf at home. She loved her elf that daddy Culloden got her to do magic for her, but she didn't like bringing him along to the alley, it made her seem even more odd. She knew her twin made all new friends and was having a blast without her and now being here she felt even more left out.

As she walked along the street looking at the food stands and not knowing where her sister had run off to Alana found an interesting looking person and listened to her speak.

"Excuse me, but can you really tell someone's future?" Alana was sure the woman just guessed.

SPOILER!!: Benny! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holmesian Feline

Taste of London...

The moment he had heard of it, Benny was sure they'd wind up exploring the event when it came around. It had to do with all sorts of food and eating and a fun competition to watch so Adi would surely be all over it and as it turned out that was he was right. He knew his husband that well. Besides, it was a nice excuse to head down to the city during the summer and maybe run into a friend of two. And the nice weather turned out to be a fine addition to the day out.

"Now...where should we start?" he mused, questioning the man beside him as they casually strolled from the entrance of the park area towards the food stands. He'd let the bottomless pit chose the way through the delicious sights and smells that rewarded them.

"I was about to ask you that!''

The excited and hyper voice of Aditya Rehman piped up from beside the hubby. Eager brown eyes darted all around at the stands as he tried to make up his mind. He may be in his mid-twenties but food was one of those things that still thrilled him. "Sweet stuff first? Because I see chocolate!''

Chocolate was never a bore, you know.

"Or we could get our fortunes read.'' Adi lifted his sunglasses and squinted towards the old hag. He believed in Divination to an extent and that was only because he had had really good Professors at Hogwarts.

Though Vivian's mum and dad made sure she knew basic first aid--Healer parents, duh--the blond just wasn't in the mood to practise them today. Oh, thank Merlin, there were no injuries. The boy's tripping stunt somehow did look like a hard one, after all. "I think they're alright, ma'am," she reassured the older woman with a polite smile. "I apologise if it has caused any inconveniences to your business." Like distracting potential customers and whatnot.

... Oh? Apparently, the trip didn't mean anything to the younger boy. All Vivian could manage was a small smirk of amusement. "This is Diagon Alley. There's shops and kiosks for good food pretty much everywhere," the blond replied. "There's the Leaky Cauldron for real food... but since you're looking for chocolate, there's Sugarplums too. Or you can try that stand over there." A.W. Chocolaterie looked pretty cool.

As for the younger girl, Vivian dismissed her apologies. "Please, don't worry," she said. This blond was known for being rather clumsy too, so she understood exactly what the girl felt. And then she went off--Vivian was a bit confused like omg, how rude--but then...

........

That didn't look good. Instinctively, Vivian patted the younger boy on the shoulder. "Wait here," she said, not looking at him directly, before going over to take the younger girl away from that hag. She looked like she had come to drag away the naughty children down to her hideout, which she was sure was at Knockturn Alley... and you know what they say about that place. Her mum had told her to never go down there.

When she was a few inches behind the younger girl, Vivian tugged on her arm. Not saying anything, the blond simply nodded as a gesture for them to get the heck outta there.

The old hag nudged her cart through the crowded street, repeating her simple chant over and over. With a crowd this large, there would surely be some curious about their future and that was where she came in.

A few steps down, she felt something (someone as it turned out to be) knocking right into her and shifting her balance. Madam Hildegard took a moment to right herself before turning to the young girl with a severe look.

"You clumsy child!!!!" She shrieked, her coarse voice cracking here and there as her indignation rose. "A curse! I see a curse on you and an agonizing end!" And another one. Come to bump into her too then not pay for a reading? "And on your friend! Get out of my way unless either of you wants a further reading." Or a reservation with her soup cauldron.

OoooHHhHHh a potential customer.

"Of course I can, Dearie. Once you have a question in mind, I can search my crystal ball, or use my tarot cards. I have several methods for you to choose from but first." This wasn't a charity drive. "Do you have any coins?"

Children everywhere, delicious, tasty......but broke if their parents didn't provide them money. The hag did not work for free.

In such a large crowd, it was hard to tell the direction of the voices she heard. Somewhere, very vaguely, she heard someone suggest a fortune reading but looking about the crowd, it was hard to tell who.

" Yes, yes! Come and have your future told, every answer worth its weight in gold!" She called aloud hoping whoever had wanted the reading would make there way over while she dealt with this other potential customer. Couldn't lose a single customer.

Nathan wasn’t in the slightest mood to socialise or be nice today. Terrible smells, loud street vendors, old hags and kids running about everywhere...yeah not exactly his way of fun. All it did is just dampening his mood every minute he spend here. Why was his here, again? Oh right, to avoid his mother. Nathan has wandered off to find places his mother would disapprove of. The food stands, of course.

He walked to one of the stands, not particularly interested with anything they selling. Nathan heard the old hag offering fortune services and stopped to take notice. Hmm... already people were making a bee line for the old hag. He couldn’t help but chuckle at his inward joke. Alright, let’s see what she has to offer.

Food Stands? DELICIOUS. Chase was so excited that he had decided to venture over here and explore the little event that was happening.Yes. Yes. Yes. He passed through the crowd, slipping past the female Slytherin Prefect and a couple other students and found his way over to a candy stand. Hold up. Had he just heard Mint Chocolate Truffles. "How much for those?" he asked Anthony. "The Mint Chocolatey Truffles." Also could he get a free sample?

Yes, yes? He was a hungry boy. Chop Chop.

And then he saw someone else waiting. NO. Was this dude trying to get his chocolate truffles? THEY WERE CHASE'S ALREADY... Even if he HADN'T WRITTEN his name on every individual truffle.. Heh.. Maybe he should have. Chase was going to have ALL the truffles. He just had to find a way..... So he nodded at Griffin.

Watching the older girl walk away, Ewan brushed himself off, still a little shaken after the fall. In all honesty, he played it off but he was a little hurt. Looking down, he checked his clothes for holes and then stood up straight, adjusting his limbs, checking for aches and pains. He was okay after all. At the time, he'd been more worried about the girl and her books, but now that everything was okay, not so much. Looking up, he noticed the old woman with her cart looking for customers. Hmm...that may be intersting, I wonder if she can tell me how my year at hogwarts will go he thought as he watched the woman's encounter with the other children. There was something... not quiet right here, he thought, as he watched, not quite sure what he wanted to do next.

Oli was frightened by the old hag who was now yelling at her. Oli quickly picked up the last of her fallen books and slipped it into her bag. A shiver ran down Oli’s spine. The little girl pulled her bag closer and step back. One, two, three...

That's when she heard the old hag revealing Oli her... 'PROBABLE' demise. Like seriously, finishing all that is there for her to meet and to achieve in life. Oli gritted her teeth and scowled at the woman.

And then she was being dragged, the older girl she met at the food stand was tugging her by the hand...away from the hag who was cursing them. Suddenly she lost her grip and stumbled backwards. Oli scraped her knee and crash to the ground. She sat down, blowing on her wounded knee.

NOT AGAIN. Oli scratched her eyes as a reflex. This is getting out of hand.

“Thank you for the save,” said Oli looking up at the older girl.

Though she was still angry at the old hag.