Piano? Errrr... right.

Toby looked over to Lotus and gave her an apologetic smile. Like 'sorryyyyyy, I didn't mean to steal your birthday song and I'll boop your nose later to make up for it' kind of smile. He went up to the piano too, where he got the FULL BLAST of the singing from every angle.

Except it didn't last long. From Toby's vantage point he could see the door and Healer Tillstorm's entrance was immediately apparent to him. When she said about being 'broke', all Toby could really do was look to Airey... and then back to Tillstorm... and then Airey again.

Wut.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The1HBIC

Healer Tillstorm had spent hours upon hours going over the finances of the yearbook. No matter how many different ways she crunched the numbers the results were always the same. There was no where near enough money in the budget to produce a successful yearbook this term.

With budget books in hand, Cece arrived at the yearbook meeting only to find what looked like a party going on instead of a meeting. And what was Kildare doing there? Last she knew he was not on the yearbook committee.

Spotting Flamsteed at the piano she went over to him. "This is how you run a meeting Flamsteed? It's no wonder the yearbook is broke." Yeah, she interrupted him right in the middle of this silly birthday song. Now was not the time to be celebrating birthdays. Now was the time to be having a yearbook meeting and trying to figure out just how they were going to fix the financial problems they were having.

Airey was just about to go into a third round of Happy Birthday - because why not?! - when Cece made her appearance and...................

"WHAT?!" he exclaimed as both hands came down hard on the piano and filled the room with an atrocious sound. "Broke? Wh----ho----wha-----" His mouth was now opening and closing like a bass flopping on dry land. Hadn't Hogwarts fixed all its financial woes by now?!

And for the record, no, this was not how he ran meetings because technically the meeting had not started yet.

Jumping up from the piano, he walked towards the Healer still completely dumbfounded by this news and then turned his attention towards Mr. Kildare. "I'm going to have to ask you to leave, Mr. Kildare," he said firmly. The boy wasn't on yearbook and he had already heard too much as it was.

"How bad is it, Healer Tillstorm?" he questioned with his jaw clenched.

The wiggling fingers wave was sooo adorbs. Cassie like that student already. She gave her another quick grin before turning her attention towards Airey. Why was he whispering, wasn’t he supposed to be leading them or something? She just kind of laughed a bit at his next words. Why on earth would she talk to them first on a matter of coming to join the yearbook staff? Nessa was asked and asked her, because clearly it was just an overlook. They would want her on the committee. “Observe?” Well then she just gave a chuckle, “I will have you know I was top of the yearbook in my day and it would be a shame to waste my thoughts and ideas, but if I am not needed.” The blonde was going to get up, she wasn’t going to just sit and observe when she had so many ideas and excitement running through her head.

Though she didn’t get far when he started singing. She couldn’t help, but stop. Her birthday was in October so she could stay a few more moments and celebrate too. Oh and look neighbor lady was there, she got happy waves. “Cece hello, I didn’t know you were on yearbook. “ Now she would stay, because her neighbor would loooove her to be on it she just knew it.

Though her news wasn’t very nice news and the blonde frowned some. She wasn’t a frowner, but the yearbook being broke wasn’t a happy moment. Something else that wasn’t a happy moment was when Mr. Flamsteed seemed to be kicking out a student. Well that wasn’t nice at all. No snaps for you Airey Flamsteed. She got up and went towards Mr. Kildare as the Astronomy Professor called him. “Well if I was allowed to speak other than just observe I would say that being broke isn’t a bad thing. There is a great saying when things get tough the tough get going. I think you could fix your problem easy. " but she wasn't allowed to talk now was she? She was suppose to be just observing. Well they knew where to find her if they would like to hear more of her brilliant ideas.

With that she gave a sassy smile towards Mr. Flamsteed turned on her high heel towards Mr. Kildare, “Why don’t we go to my office for some hot chocolate and brownies that the house elves just had brought up for me.” Since they were clearly unwelcomed by one person here. With that she turned and happily walked out of the room.

Ah so now he was being kicked out. Ok. And then the school nurse came in, reprimanding Airey and then Ohhhhh. Juicy gossip. That Tag had no intention of telling anyone else because it was only yearbook, and Tag figured not many people would be interested in hearing about yearbook being broke. Though, he wouldn't have enough information to keep people interested about it. But, yes, Tag kept that in the back of his mind.

Yes, Airey, we know Tag is being asked to leave but he was here for a priority and that priority was to sing to his girlfriend. But, then again, the school nurse had interrupted that, rather rude you know? She could've waited till they were done. But Tag just gave Airey a nod and stood about a few more seconds, watching.

Now, Professor Bubbly here was talking to Tag and he looked up at her and nodded. He was being kicked out, but being kicked out only to be fed. That was a win win, even if he wouldn't be here with Lottie. "I love hot chocolate and brownies." Tag said, simply smiling. It was time for him to depart, seeing as he had been officially kicked out. "Adios Amigos." said the blonde giving all of the yearbook people a wave, but Lottie got a wink and salute, and he headed out the room.

Yes, of course. Her boyfriend was being adorable, and she was beaming at him. There were just too many people in this room. Too many. It was almost too hard to keep her comments to herself, so she merely winked at him.

Okay. That little girl over there. Lotus was hoping she didn't have to work with her. Who was she anyway? The photographer one was late and there was hardly anything to tell him, so that 'discriminating against short people' comment was perfectly out of line.

Just as much as how out of tone (was he even deaf?) the other little boy was. One, he was also late. Two, he could NOT sing, at all. How awful. He will be avoided at all cost. Actually, Lottie half-expected her bestie to silence him, why didn't she? Lex wanted to, didn't she? Which is why she couldn't understand why she didn't do it. It's not like being in front of Professors has stopped her before.... just saying.

Tobias' smile got noticed, and, sigh. Fine, kid, everything's okay. She nodded and smiled back. She could share with Tobias, it was fine.

OH, WOW. Talk about interruptions. Wait a minute. Broke? You mean, the Yearbook used to have money? LOL, no one told her. This was news. She wanted to laugh. She'd assumed everything was free, just like the food and tea. Even when Hogwarts was broke, the Yearbook was still functioning, so, yeah, it makes perfect sense for this to be slightly shocking. Only slightly.

On a scale of 1 to Airey Flamsteed, how terrible did you find these news? Ascanius Stark.

"What do we need the money for?" Seriously, she wasn't getting paid, yo. Where was the money going? Whoooooooo was taking the money?? Are these the same people who took Quidditch away?

That's all Lottie said. Now Airey was making her boyfriend leave, as if she wouldn't tell him about this afterward. Though, what was her name again? The new blonde? She was talking and talking and talking and talking and... inviting Tag for hot chocolate and brownies?

EXCUUUUSE ME????

Her eyes widened, even more so at her boyfriend's reply. WHAT? So he loves hot chocolate and brownies. Well, good for him. The wink and the salute were noticed. You can bet she did not approve of this new Professor. And if they were gonna vote to let her in, then she will vote against that.

Now she could eat a Caterina cupcake.

Lottie wasn't looking very impressed by Dima's singing and it got her glancing back at the kid. He...was one of those happy go lucky eager ones, probably didn't mean anything bad by the singing, just trying to help if she was guessing. That was probably the only reason why she didn't silence him. He wasn't bad, just terribly untalented.

She noted the Professor about to go into a third round of happy birthday when the door suddenly opened and in walked Healer Tillstorm. Oh, she was on the yearbook too? You learned new things every day and the Gryffindor just sat there on the floor taking it all in. It was a lot to know okay and being new at this she had to make sure she new enough, like why the Healer looked so gri--

Did she just say the Yearbook was broke??

That right there, took precedence over everything else happening, even the new Divi lady trying to gloat her way into the yearbook. Someone needed to be frank with her. If she wasn't invited then she couldn't sit with them. It didn't get any simpler than that, mostly because Lex didn't know what to make of the lady...who was offering hot chocolate to Tag as they both left. She spared a look at Lottie but didn't say anything about it. There was just something about that woman, she didn't know what it was yet but it was unsettling so she opted to focus on the Healer and the Professor.

"Is the school going broke again, starting with the smallest sectors?" Was that the honest to goodness reason why they actually cancelled Quidditch? Couldn't afford to retain Tyner? If so then she could see why they couldn't afford printing either. Lex wasn't ready to go through hard times again, thanks.

Vesper had been there, hiding inspecting a rather mysterious piece of lint behind the piano. Yes, she'd wanted to actually play the piano...but people were here she didn't want to be around. So, she was content to continue hiding inspecting said lint.

Besides, it was really loud in the room and Ves wasn't really feeling it. Not at all.

Of course, this didn't mean her ears were broken. The Ravenclaw was listening intently (kinda hard not to) and making up her own mind about things. It was so very sad, really. Broke. Why did money rule so many aspects of life?

...Maybe the Healer was trolling them, though. She did seem like that type of woman sometimes. So...Ahem.

Short people and a kitty purse? What now?

Before Noel could question what the girl was talking about or even introduce himself, the space professor started singing. Waho. Noel couldn't help but grin, wanting to sing along with the cool professor but he didn't really know the girl they were suppose to be singing to. He was still no good with names and he did find himself looking for the birthday girl.

But no luck because the healer was here.

DRAMA.

Noel quietly watched - before being completely flabbergasted. BUT HE JUST JOINED. How could they NOT have money for the yearbook? He was FINALLY going to be a part of something cool.

Cue flailing?

Ergh.

LOL WHAT?

Maddie had been very contentedly NOT singing AND watching the little birthday celebration with mild interest when a person she did NOT know wandered in and interrupted the whole thing. DRAMAAAAAAA indeed. The first year raised her eyebrows and watched as the people around her reacted to the news. BROKE? The yearbook was BROKE? WELL.

Apparently this was NEWS to everyone involved as Professor Astro man looked utterly flabbergasted. It would have been funny, his expression, if it wasn't for the whole JUST starting with the yearbook thing. Brown eyes found Tobias then and Maddie gave him a questioning look. Did this mean she was OUT of the club, now?

Also, how much money could the yearbook POSSIBLY spend? Merlin.

Er....right then. He simply watched as the Divination professor dismissed herself and shrugged. Being broke isn't a bad thing...Merlin if she had been around the term where the goblins had come and repo'd vital school supplies she may be singing a different tune. But his attention was soon enough back on the students, particularly Miss Wisteria who had asked a question.

"Equipment. Cost of printing. Doing things to subsidizing the price so those who wish to purchase it do not need to spend the full amount..." Students already had to buy textbooks, school robes, and various supplies. Lots of galleons already spent that way, you know? So much for treating yearbook like a gift back. Although he THOUGHT everything had been checked and balanced and.....Oh wait. Yeah...that had probably done it.

Just gonna grin and bear it. GRIIIIIIIIN and bear it.

"She is right though," he nodded. She being the Divination professor. "We CAN fix this but we need to act quickly and come up with a plan right now." Okay, so maybe that was a bit over dramatic, but he also didn't want yearbook to have to resort to printing on napkins instead of high quality heavy paper they were used to. He would get the details from Cece later on the specifics, but for now it was time to just plow on ahead. "So what do you all propose we do? What are your strengths and how can we play to them?"

He was NOT going to give up his rock collection again, just so everyone knew. He had been a good sport at temporarily donating them to take the place of the jewels in the hourglasses before, but not again. Or selling one of his suits. Not his precious babies. Nope.

Oh so THAT'S where the money went. Maddie twirled a piece of hair around her finger absently and watched as the space man did his best to, well, make the best of the situation. And he was right, they DID need a plan. But where to POSSIBLY begin when listing her strengths? Did he have ALL DAY?

"We're cute," She provided helpfully, pointing to herself and then Dima. She eyed the Noel kid speculatively TOO and then gave a half hearted head nod in his direction. She guessed he was okay. "That means people will probably donate money if we go all puppy-eyed or wobbly chinned." Was she suggesting guilting people into donating to the yearbook? Why yes, yes she was.