RP: Cultural Centre Benefit Dance

[rar_fleur]

Date: 16 March 1999 | 7-11pm
Characters: Fleur Weasley, Bill Weasley, Verity Jackson, Eloise Midgen, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Katie Bell, Dean Thomas, Rita Skeeter, Gawain Robards, Wayne Hopkins, Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Pansy Parkinson, Neville Longbottom, Lavender Brown, Parvati Patil, Roger Davies, Andromeda Tonks, Greg Goyle,

Comments

[rar_verity]

Verity was nervous. It had been ages since she'd truly dressed up, and she couldn't ever remember wearing anything like this. But it was an important night for the Association, and she wanted to help them make the most elegant impression possible. She'd fiddled with her hair, her dress, even bought new knickers so they wouldn't show through the clingy fabric. She paused at the cloak check, handing over her simple navy cloak, then headed to find Fleur.

Following the signs, she spotted Fleur, her silvery blonde hair fairly glowing under the candlelight in the main room, and she gave the top of her dress a tug, making sure all was in place before approaching her.

"Hello, Mrs. Weasley," she said nervously. "You look lovely tonight..."

[rar_fleur]

"Thank you, Verity. You look very pretty yourself and thank you again for 'elping to set up earlier." Fleur had caught her tug on her dress when before she came over and added softly, "You know at Beauxbatons, zey teach us a charm so zat we do not 'ave to worry about our strapless robes and our modesty. Would you like me to cast it for you discreetly? I can teach you later when there is privacy." Fleur would only need to touch her wand which was in the special pocket sewn into her dress.

[rar_verity]

"Oh, it was my pleasure," Verity said with a nod. "Everything looks amazing with the candles and everything..."

She flushed as Fleur mentioned modesty charms, then bit her lip. "Would you? It's been ages since I've worn anything so...well, you know. Strapless..."

[rar_fleur]

"Let's hope ze fund raising goes as well. Remember to tell everything that every Galleon they bid goes directly to the Cultural Centre fund," Fleur had been stressing that to everyone. They weren't only trying to obtain the auction item, they were donating as well.

"It is no problem," Fleur reach in and touched her wand and cast the spell quietly. "It is on the gown and you can still remove it normally. It is a very handy charm."

[rar_kingsley]

Kingsley arrived at the event a few minutes early and was glad to see that the ticket-takers were allowing entrance into the building before the official start time. He wanted to be as unobtrusive as possible. After his recent public exposure, he wanted to be sure that his presence did not detract from the true message of this evening's event.

Everything looked exquisite. Fleur and her team had certainly outdone themselves. He had no doubt that the evening would be a success, and that brought a smile to his face as Kingsley made his way to the bar for a glass of water. Paying the bartender for an alcoholic beverage--he wanted to stay away from anything that might possibly slow his mind tonight but didn't want to deprive the organization of its proceeds--he wandered into the ballroom. There were a few people who'd come inside with and before him, and he made pleasant conversation in passing.

[rar_fleur]

Fleur excused herself after getting Verity settled with Mariah to answer questions and help with the bid forms for the Silent Auction. She wished to greet her friend Kingsley and properly thank the Minister for coming.

"Good evening, Minister," she said holding out her hand. When the few people attending her greeting returned to their own conversations, she added softly, "You look very handsome zis evening, Kingsley. I am very glad you decided to come. Normally, I would convince you to save a dance for me but I do not theenk I will 'ave much energy for dancing."

[rar_kingsley]

Hearing a familiar soft voice, Kingsley turned and smiled. "Good evening, Fleur," he said, taking her hand and kissing it. "I clean up pretty well, don't I?" He grinned, looking down at his dress robes. There was really very little difference between this set and the ones he wore to work on a regular basis. "You look absolutely radiant yourself."

He looked around the room. The crowd was still small, but the night had barely begun. "It would have taken nothing short of a national disaster to keep me away." At her admission of her lack of energy, he put a hand on her shoulder. "Perhaps you can save me a dance for the next one, then. No doubt this will no be the first event you host."

[rar_fleur]

"Ze bebe is coming next month," she told him, "and gives me a very nice glow." She had been glowing a richer shade when happy as her pregnancy progressed, which her maman had told her meant she and the child were both very well.

"I theenk it is best not to talk of disasters," she chuckled. "Not for either of us. I am pleased to see you are in good humor. Would you like me to make mention of you being here when I give my leetle speech? I could thank you for attending as part of ze Ministry's desire to support Equality for all witches and wizards, which would be good I theenk. I will not if you would prefer not, zough." Fleur thought he needed to be seen in public more often to help boost confidence but it was not her place to say. "I theenk zat if I do zis again, it will 'ave to be after I 'ire someone to manage fund raising full time. I do not theenk will 'ave ze energy to organize anozzer and care for a bebe too."

[rar_eloise]

Eloise finished the various displays for the cultural centre, straightening the black sash on her dress.
Fleur was speaking with the Minister, so she waited several feet away until they were finished talking. She wasn't about to interrupt that conversation.

Verity was helping as well, which was nice to see. Wayne would likely arrive soon, and Eloise assumed other friends and supporters would arrive any moment.

[rar_fleur]

Eloise had gone to change and Fleur had not seen her dress. "You look beautiful! Did you take Sophie's advice and bring a young man?" Fleur and Eloise's supervisor had both told her that she would not need to spend the entire night minding the exhibits. There were over a half a dozen volunteers plus Fleur and Sophie to help answer questions.

"This is very exciting, yes? I will tell you a secret. I am a leetle nervous," of course she did not look it. She only showed her vulnerability to Bill and a few close friends willingly, and even then, she preferred to appear strong even when she might not be feeling that way. Thankfully, Bill had seen to it that she rested properly last night and she felt very confident despite being slightly nervous over the results. Ticket sales had been higher than expected, although not so high that they were unprepared for the number of guests. Still, it was the Silent Auction and the cash bar proceeds that would bring in the most money and those were still unknowns.

[rar_eloise]

"Thank you, Fleur. I said it before but I really love that dress." Eloise didn't think people were supposed to look that good while pregnant, but clearly had been very wrong. Fleur was always breathtaking.

Eloise blushed. "Not really, but my best friend Wayne will be attending. He'll keep me occupied if I get bored, which is highly unlikely." She grinned. "It is very exciting, and I am more than a little nervous. But I know everything will be wonderful."

[rar_fleur]

"I am sure it will, Eloise. If you'll excuse me ze people who just came in are very important donors. I must say hello. Please find me if you need assistance," Fleur smiled as she headed off.

[rar_katie]

While Dean checked their cloaks, Katie stopped to admire the decorations. The Morgana looked just as lovely as it had for the Autumn Ball, but in silvers and blues. Dean returned, wrapping an arm around her waist and kissing her forehead. He was wearing the same suit he'd worn to the Autumn Ball, but he'd charmed his waistcoat to match her dress.

They moved through the small crowd towards the bar. Dean was a bit nervous about the display of his paintings, so Katie planned to slip off and see them when he was busy with someone else. He'd told her that her painting wasn't there which had relieved her greatly.

When they reached the bar, Katie ordered a glass of white wine. It had been a while since her accident, so she figured she'd be okay to try some alcohol. White wine seemed like a safe choice. In any case, she had a bottle of red set aside for Dean's birthday tomorrow.

"Fleur did an amazing job," She murmured to Dean. "All this and she looks like she's going to pop out that baby any day now. I don't know how she does it."

[rar_dean]

Katie was gorgeous, the Morgana looked really nice, there were plenty of people showing up, but all Dean could feel was butterflies in his stomach like never before. His first public display of artwork--it was a little overwhelming, to say the least. He desperately wanted to go and see the display, both for the Cultural Centre models and his paintings, but he was feeling more than a little self-conscious about it. He could express his feelings and opinions about both pieces...he just wasn't sure he wanted to do so with so many people around.

"Yeah, it looks really great," he agreed, ordering a beer. Maybe the alcohol would be calming. If nothing else, it would give him something to do with his hands. "I imagine she's had plenty of people jumping at the chance to help out. It's hard not to want to. Fleur's really great with people."

[rar_katie]

"She's very good with people. Of course it doesn't hurt that she's devastatingly gorgeous," Katie pointed out with a smile.

Dean seemed jumpy and anxious, so she put her glass down and wrapped her arms around him. After a few moments, she pulled back.

"Can I have this dance?" She asked playfully.

[rar_dean]

Katie wrapped his arms around him, and they listened to Fleur's opening speech, which was even better prepared than the venue itself, if that was possible. Dean really hoped the auction would get a lot of bids--he knew Carine was planning on attending and bidding, and she'd promised to spread the word to a few of her associates. Considering the crowd, it was likely to be a successful evening all around.

"I'd love a dance," he said, leading her out onto the newly opened dance floor. That would keep his mind occupied for certain.

[rar_rita]

Timing one's entrances was an art form. The last time she'd attended a function at the Morgana, Rita's had been far too late. This time, though - this time it wasn't bad at all.

Her dress was simple but striking, black and white, set off by the jade jewellery she'd bought earlier that day.

She entered the Morgana feeling like a real femme fatale - a look she hadn't truly embraced for a while. After checking her cloak, she surveyed the room. Fleur Wealsey was easily spotted - the woman had absolutely no business looking so gorgeous when she was so heavily pregnant - and there was the Minister, braving the Prophet's attack to appear in public. Interesting.

No sign of the other subject's of the article yet, though.

[rar_robards]

Robards had been checking the lay of the land, making sure all the exits were covered, so that he could be confident of the Minister's safety. Really...what did he think he was doing out here, anyway? He tried to blend in, which might have been the reason why he'd found it so easy to slip up beside Rita, placing his hand on her shoulder as he stepped in front of her.

"Miss Skeeter," he said, looking her over unashamedly. "You are looking perfectly ravishing this evening, if I do say so myself. I thought you were coming as a reporter, but now I see I'm mistaken." He smiled and forced his eyesight back upwards. "It's good to see you. Can I get you a drink?"

[rar_rita]

Rita started slightly when someone touched her shoulder, but the surprise turned into a smile when she saw who the hand belonged to.

"Auror Robards," she greeted, looking up at him, lips curling into a smirk as he looked her up and down. "Thank you." She chuckled. "What did you expect 'reporter' to look like, and what do you think I am instead?"

Gawain always looked like an Auror, even when he was dressed up; or, well, at least at public functions. She didn't recall him looking that way at Narcissa's party. But it was something in the slant of his shoulders and the cant of his head. "It's good to see you, too. A Martini would be lovely, thank you."

She moved with him when he headed toward the bar, interested in the way he moved through the crowd - stayed away from the Minister but kept him more or less in his line of sight.

"Were you trained by Alastor Moody?" she asked, when they reached the bar.

[rar_robards]

"Oh well...I'm not entirely sure what you might be instead, but I've known a few reporters who believe that because they spend most of their time behind a type writer, they have no need to make an effort. Type writers are not excellent at judging fashion." He winked.

"A martini then," he agreed, and made their orders, looking back to Rita when they were near the bar and waiting for their drinks. Her question startled him slightly.

"I did some training under him, yes. Why do you ask?"