Monique returned the kisses all around. Kisses for everyone! Oh, she loved being French.

She nodded at the Headmistress and looked at the food. Was she hungry? Ehh... she didn't really feel anything other than a hint of butterflies. A slight hint. It wasn't because she was nervous, she was just anxious. She had been chosen and now it was time to prove herself.

She looked at the others and wondered if anyone else had a case of the jitters. "Oui. They do not look too bad." In fact, most of them looked quite the opposite... but now was not the time to compliment them.

She then looked around. Ooohhh! Camera! "Are we going to get interviewed?" she asked. She loved talking. And she especially loved talking about herself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by demented_death_eater

FOOD!

Professor Vindictus followed his nose to the location of the Weighing of the Wands Ceremony. He promised Miles that he'd be there (of course he'd be there - he was the Ravenclaw Head of House) but first he had to take care of one very important thing - EAT.

He made a beeline to the food table and immediately began to pile his small plate with as much sugar as humanely possible - cheese danish, chocolate croissant, apple fritter, and chocolate chip cheese muffin. Then he grabbed a cup of black coffee before sitting himself down so that he could eat and enjoy the 'action.'

Finally finding his plate deserted in the corner, Fletcher took a bite out of every thing he had piled on there and once it met his approval, carried the plate off to get a seat. He carried the plate as preciously as if it contained the Triwizard Cup.

He plopped himself down next to a fellow man's MAN, Professor Vindictus. Raising his eyebrows approvingly at the flying instructor's appetite, Fletcher took a big bite out of a cream horn and savored the flavor. Mmmm hmm.

Being a champion was a pretty good life so far. Til the tasks started, of course.

Her eyes flicked to Danika. There weren't French girls. Nothing close. Even though she was sure the boy had mistaken them for the Beauxbatons' girls, it still didn't mater to her. They looked so much hotter then those two girls. Sandra spared the girl's a brief glance.

So much hotter.

She didn't address the boy any more since Danika had set the boy straight. Being called a French girl twice would not be acceptable. At all.

Looking away from Raiden when yet another camera was flashed in his face, she listened to the Hogwart's Heamaster spoke. No camera time now. That was good. Meant she could chat with the other champions a little more.

The young woman looked at the food once more.

Nope. Still not hungry.

When Zitnik gave them the look, she simply nodded in return.

Where was Vlad?

Her eyes searched for them, but she only found Nik being antisocial. That was odd. Especially with the Beauxbatons' girls. She was surprised he wasn't standing between them both.

Giving the room one last sweep with her hazel eyes she turned back to Raiden, still wondering where Vlad was. Zitnik surely wouldn't be pleased.

"Not used to taking pictures, Raiden?"

DFMADSMGSDG. O____O

"Heyyyyy," Raiden half-whined, hand automatically rising to belatedly stave off the flash. He hadn't even been looking at the guy and he'd snapped off a picture. Waugh. He willed the slight blush out of his face and blinked a bit more as spots danced in front of his eyes.

This was embarrassing. Stupidly so.

"I... not really, no." The spots slowly cleared and he looked at Aleksandra. "At least not the ones where they tell you to pose and 'hey, you'll possibly see this in the newspaper eventually'..."

Cela would have been so put out with him over this, he just knew it. She'd probably know exactly how to stand and exactly what to do and everything. She'd have prodded him until he was doing it right... merrrr. Did not want.

Thank Merlin for Tate putting an end to the camera brigade.

"I have a feeling that it's gonna be happening quite a bit this year, isn't it..."

Great. Just great. He hadn't gotten suckered into posing with brooms in his fifth year, so this was just gonna have to fill that empty void, wasn't it.

Having continued to stare at the buffet table and feeling his stomach rumble, Noel was about to take a step over there when the girls started to speak. Not to mention that a few others were starting to enter the room as well. It came to no surprise to him that Brielle and Monique would be talking about fashion at the moment. Then again, he was thinking about food.

Interviewed?

Her had figured about the picture being taken, but had not thought about being interviewed. "I do not know." he whispered, looking back over to the table. "I'll be right back." Nodding at the three of his friends, Noel stepped around them and headed towards the table.

Not before passing his Headmistress first of course. What was that? Pausing, he glanced her way for a moment, wondering if that stomach grumble came from him, or her. "Excuse me, Madame Enzo..." he said, taking a step towards her. "Would you like anyzing from ze table?"

He was headed that way, so might as well be polite and ask, oui? He could definitely carry two plates, or one plate and drink. Whatever she wanted of course.

More people arriving! Great. Now, could this thing go any faster?

And now Cedric was explaining he was from the Quill. Yeah, she sort of got that what with her being one of the...helpers. Heh. "I see." Dull voice. "Carry on." Or whatever.

Walking over to the food table again, the Mexicana scanned the thing again. Sighing, she put down the knife besides the fruit bowl and proceeded to pick out an apple to eat. This reminded her, she needed to chop more wood for her fireplace. Hm. Yes, the faster this sillyness was over the sooner she could get back to work.

And that man looked like he wanted to be one with the wall. Smirk.
Swallowing the piece of apple she'd been chewing on, Maya approached the Groundskeeper, "Trying to find some espace?"

Bah, good luck with that.

"Of course," she said, getting comfortable in her seat. She'd always preferred the use of first names. It was something her parents loathed.

"Ah yes, the books. Grazie," she nodded in response, offering the woman a small smile. She had been quite pleasantly surprised to find the books waiting for her when she arrived that following morning.

He was late?

So be it.

Vladimir was one of Sputnik's favourites, and though the man didn't shower him with praise and adoration yada yada yada he was still not allllllways like, treated like a common student. For the most part. Still... he wasn't cocky about it, so Vlad entered the reception area and immediately took a seat, proudly wearing his Durmstrang uniform and avoiding the food.

Yeah.

Not hungry. Vlad rarely ate.

''Headmaster Tate'' Freja greeted the man back with a small smile appearing on her lips and standing up she took a few steps towards him. ''Looks like we have lots of wands to work on to-day.'' and as she said that she looked around the crowded place. Those students, no doubt, were the champions. Hmm. Freja hoped that they knew how to respect their wands.

''I think i am ready'' The sooner she started, the better it was.

The Gryffindor did not like camera's. She did not like crowds and she most certainly did NOT like being pulled into a hailstorm of people begging to talk to her.

"Miles." Levelly. She didn't want to join the crowd of chattering champions because meeting new people was frankly the most awkward and unsettling thing she could imagine.
"I don't like photos.. But she walked over anyway and stood next to the giant boy and eyed him.
"What are we doing her anyway?" She'd been summoned, yes summoned, to the second floor to participate in Champion Stuff. She did 't know WHAT though..

There was a lot of people here - more people than she'd expected. Not all were champions - some were obviously reporters grommets auspiscious way they were clicking their little flashy camera things.

Ergh.
*scowl*

She couldn't decide whether Tate was always so brusque or whether he just despised her. She giggled. "Enjoy?" She repeated and laughed with a shrug. "I'm not a fan of these... shindigs.." Flashy lights and lots of talking? Umm.. no.

And speaking of which.. why was Pygie!Stealer here? Odd. And why did he have a camera? Had he stolen that too?
"Cedric. What are you doing here?" Or was he a Champion too?

Hecate looked over at the French woman... she seemed like the type of woman that had everything brought to her on a silver platter... she didn't much fancy that type... She turned and didn't speak to her.

"Headmaster Zitnik," she said bowing her head to him. "I trust you are finding your accommodations adequate?" She said and smiled to the man. "I must say I've been watching one of your students, the Malik girl? She seems to be quite apt in potions. If I wasn't supporting the Slytherin Champion, I would support her in the tournament."

Not her too... She shook her head and opted not to say anything. "Kimber, have you met Durmstrang's charming Headmaster? Josef Zitnik?" She said introducing the woman.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luna Laufghudd

And that man looked like he wanted to be one with the wall. Smirk.
Swallowing the piece of apple she'd been chewing on, Maya approached the Groundskeeper, "Trying to find some espace?"

Bah, good luck with that.

Constantine jumped slightly at the sound of someone talking to him. He hadn't jumped because he was scared (*snort*), but more the fact that someone was actually speaking to him. Wow.

Oh, it was that woman that Roma had tackled in Diagon Alley. And then he had laughed. Heh.

But she HAD ripped his shirt...

"Err...does it look that way?"

"Great," Tate offered the woman his arm. "Why don't we move with the champions into the next room, and we can begin the ceremony? Afterwards, we'll move on to picture taking and interviews."

"Fan or not, you're a Hogwarts representative," Tate dropped his voice to address the young Gryffindor. "And a representative for your house. You're also the only Hogwarts female champion. You volunteered for this position. Chin up, child, or we'll find someone who wants to be here. Make us proud."

He wasn't late, was he? WAS there a being late to this event? Or reception. Or whatever it was. Because the actual weighing of the champions' wands was only going to take place later. Right? This was mainly about...err...meeting people...and food. Yes, mostly food, probably.

Entering the Reception Area Jeremy let his hazel eyes scan the room briefly, only to confirm what he had already known beforehand. He knew absolutely nobody. Or at least it seemed like it. He didn't even know who was who of the Hogwarts champions. Well, he knew Cameron. Who looked just absolutely thrilled to be there. Not.

With a small slightly sympathetic smile in the red-head's direction Jeremy went over to find something soothing to eat...like a mango. Perfect. While carefully peeling it he looked for somebody he actually knew...which was when he spotted Kimber. Who was talking to Hecate. How nice, his two Staff Table neighbors. "Kimber...Hecate...good to see you." He greeted the two women with a warm smile as he stood next to them.

They didn't mind him joining them, did they?

Um?

Crowds. Food. Both in the same place. Di... did not like that idea. It could mean trouble. So when the Runes Professor stepped into the Reception area, her pale gold robes flowing to her feet and happily hiding the missing stone that should have adorned her left slipper, it was no wonder that her large, hazel eyes were sliiightly uncertain.

Oh. Look. Champions and colleagues. Di caught sight of [among maaaaany others] Headmaster Tate, the librarian, the Potions Mistress, Maya and... Ice-cream Guy. Jeremy Zookara.

"Hello," she said poliiiitely. To, you know, everyone in general.

Glancing over at the food and then at all her colleagues. She wasn't at all hungry at the moment and she didn't want to even risk getting her new robes dirty. No, eating now was just asking for trouble.

Seeing Di enter, she smiled as she moved away from the food. "Hello," she replied. Yes, the more distance between her and food, the better.

Di decided she knew that voice. Half-turning her head, the blond spotted - as she had expected to spot - a colleague. Her lips turned up into a smile - a sort-of-warm, sort-of-polite type of smile.

"Professor Welton," she acknowledged, the smile still in place. "How are you, this morning?"

Sylvie returned the smile and gave a small shrug. "I'm quite well and yourself, Professor Markovic?" she replied as she got a good distance between herself and the food table.

"It is a bit early for my liking though, but everyone does seem to be in good spirits." Yes, everyone did look to be happy at the moment.

Cameron stared at her Headmaster.

Thanks for the great encouragement, Sir.

But she did want it - not the photography and press conferences and what not. But the challenge and the feeling of doing something properly and well and .. Perhaps showing herself that she could do it.

"I was chosen, right? So I'm going to do my best. She was Hogwarts only Gryffindor AND female champion. She might not be a micro genius but she knew what hard work meant and she was stubborn. She would give it her all - well perhaps not to the extent that.. anyway..

"That's my only hope, sir," She told him in a quiet voice. Proud. Well.. she'd try her very best, wouldn't she?

Herself? Fine, fine. Because Di had no doubt that the History of Magic Professor did not expect a different answer.

So. In accordance with [what was likely to be] her expectations...

"Fine, thank you," Di said. Being a rise-'fore-the-sun-does kind of person, Di did not find this an early time to be up and about, but to each his or her own. "It seems like the excitement has officially begun now, does it not, Professor Wel... Sylvie?"

Nathan smiled warmly. Kenzie was a nice woman indeed. “It might be easier to wait until we're ushered into the press conference.” Nathan suggested, taking in what the Headmaster had said. “I've got a few candid shots but that's all. It might be easier in a more formal setting to get the kids to pose."

“Are you alright there, love?” He asked her as she shifted her robes. She seemed sort of... uncomfortable.

According to the Headmaster, they should be mingling... chatting to the champions and what not. Nate spotted a young redheaded girl among the other students and sent a smile and a nod her way. She looked sort of... familiar. Strange. Perhaps she just had one of those faces.

“Hello, love. Congratulations on becoming a champion.” He addressed her in his laid back way. Yep.. he recognised that face.

Was it normal for strangers to smile and nod at you?

Odd. Really odd.

She sent the stranger a cautious smile back - hoping maybe that would discourage him if he was tempted to come over and speak to her.

Alas.. nup. He was one of those annoying 'friendly' people. But she pushed up a smile and winced over his 'love' introduction. Another scottish. He had pretty eyes though. Very pretty.

Erm.. "Umm, thank-you.." She trailed off, awkwardly. She had no idea what she was supposed to do..

OH YEAH!

"I'm, um.. Cameron. Cameron Caddock. Gryffindor Prefect?" She didn't know why that had sounded like a question but she was so nervous. Was he going to take a photo? Oh merlin no.. that little compact camera/critter looked hella scary.

Nathan, of course, was rather oblivious to the redhead's trepidation as he approached her to make light conversation. Perhaps he should turn this into a mini interview and make himself more useful. He didn't half feel like a spare part.

“Nice to meet you Cameron, love.” He greeted her and extended his hand to shake hers. “Gryffindor? That's the brave house isn't it? Are you looking forward to the tournament?”

“I'm Nathan by the way. Nathan Greenwood. I work for the Daily Prophet.” If it wasn't obvious by scruffy facade and the press badge on his muggle jacket.

Kimber eyed Hecate a moment. Was she flirting with the man? He looked old enough to be her father. ODD. "I don't believe I've had the pleasure," she replied.

Turning in her seat, she held out her hand. "Good morning, Headmaster," she said convivially. "Kimber Donovan, Hogwart's school Librarian."
When Kimber heard her name, she turned and smiled. "Good morning, Jeremy," she said. Already she was starting to think of him as a new friend.

"Won't you join us?" If she was going to be stuck at this table then so was he.

Nodding, she smiles in return. "Perhaps, as long as they don't dash away as a few have tried already." Laughing lightly she shakes her head "Apparently some of them don't care for pictures, others are delighted about them."

A sigh escaping, she nods "They're just starting to get a little tight, I suppose I'll have to get bigger ones soon. That's all." a smile flittering across her face again, she really didn't mind it, it just bothered her they had to start irritating her on the day of the ceremony.