Happy New Year! ((Main Thread))

Hermione had volunteered to continue the preparations and run the New Year's festivities to allow the new administration time to continue adjusting to their new roles. She was helping to make sure the giant snitch would be functioning once it was time for the countdown.

Around Hogsmeade, there were bunch of kiosks selling 2021 merchandise along with plenty of food stands to satisfy appetites. Hermione was very excited to be able to spend yet another year with her loved one and helping others out.

Rose wasn't sure what to hope from this year's new eves year festivals. She hoped it would be interesting at least. The girl was walking around the kiosks and did shrug at the most things there was sold. She just walked over to one of the food stands and ended up looking at what they offer there now. She was a bit hungry. She didn't really have anything better to do right now, she wasn't sure where all her friends and family had gone.

Hugo ran up to his mother with a bag of popcorn in hand smiling. "I know you're working, but do you want some popcorn?!" he asked with a wide grin of his face showing Hermione the bag.

"It has chocolate!"

Catherine had decided to go this New Years Eve festival thing since she wanted to see what would happen here. She had skipped all the previous years one since she was busy baking or just didn't feel like coming but this year she had made it here. She was currently standing in the line to buy some hot dogs, she figured why not try those out.

Ron was running a kiosk on behalf of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, with some of their 'new year' merchandise. The ever-sparkling sparklers were a hit ("draw in mid-air and sticks around for a time!") although there were a lot of rude words floating around the streets now. They faded away after about two or three minutes. There were also novelty hats, whistles that played auld lang syne and various, sillier items for the joker connoisseur.

He had some help from his family running the kiosk, as it was very busy.

When he had a moment to breathe, however; he went to find his wife. She was with their son. He quickly took some of the popcorn Hugo had. "Have you seen where the hog roast is? I'm starving..." Smirking, he kissed Hermione on the cheek.

((Note: any Weasley/Potter can be helping out on the kiosk if they want!))
@Hermione Granger @Hugo Granger-Weasley

He practically jumped at the opportunity to work with his uncle Ron. The Wizard Wheezes were always a barrel of laughs, and this was his opportunity to handle some of the fireworks. It looked like a good, clear night for the firework display; which is all they really needed. Rain wasn't in the forecast.

"Who're you gonna snog at midnight then?" He asked someone, grinning.

Louis hadn't seen Carina yet, but she was difficult to spot amongst the crowds. They might have passed one another several times already. but he was completely unaware of it. So, deciding to stop searching and go back to Uncle Ron's kiosk; Louis started bringing out more merchandise to display.

Rosemary had found herself a spot to protest. What better way to celebrate the coming new year than to speak about the wizarding world's injustices?

"The use of owls as a postal service is inhumane!"

"Preach, sister!" Blanche yelled, when passing by Rosemary's protest stand.

Victoire had gotten the bright idea to sell her own mushroom snacks and hand our free spores to those who visited her family's joke stands.

"Victoire's corner on wheels! Celebrate New Year's with some fungi!"

Hermione smiled seeing Hugo. "Maybe a bit later, sweetie. I had a sandwich earlier." It was always nice when one of her children had thought of her; to her, it meant she wasn't that bad of a mother.

"Well, dad will definitely take some bites of those!" She looked over at Ron. "How's the kiosk going? Have you seen James? He'll be of age next week, and I want to give him some advice on how to be  a responsible adult." It was her duty as his godmother after all.

Hermione figured that Rose was exploring the grounds of the festival some which she couldn't blame her for - she was at that age where confusion regarding identity and life in general was very real.

@Ron Weasley @Hugo Granger-Weasley

He smiled widely when he saw his dad and tried to give him a hug. "I haven't! It smelled really good! Can we get some, dad?!"

Hugo definitely got his affinity for food and sweets somewhere. "I'm gonna look for my friend Mermaid!"

Desdemona walked around the fairgrounds observing how Hermione was running it; it seemed rather happy. A good distraction, yes, but truly a bit too sanitized. She adored a party, but this just wasn't it. However, all she could do was smile along and take photos with the occasional wandering citizens.

Something interesting needed to happen...

Darcy was munching on a corndog the cooking professor had been selling at his booth; he was honestly a bit surprised he even got the okay to sell very American foods. He had to admit, however, that it was actually pretty good.

Where was Albus? He wanted to spend the New Year with his friend. Of course, his still-nameless spider was residing in his pocket enjoying some mini sausages after that revelation he and his friend had discovered a few weeks ago. Might as well continue trying to teach the spider to not crave human flesh...

Rose at the end walked closer to this food stand she was eyeing for awhile. It happened to be selling hog roast and some other roasted foods. The girl decided to take one hog roast and she added some french fries next do it. Now she had to find table where to enjoy her food.

Bill was running a kiosk for Blackrock Seafront to help people plan vacations for the next year; it also contained some souvenirs for the occasion that were themed to the beach resort.

"Aloha! Aren't you excited for the new year?" he wondered with a wide smile to someone that had come up to his kiosk.

James had been trembling around the fairgrounds looking for Blanche. There was a ton more people than he expected as it wasn't even dark enough yet.

"Blancheeeee? Where ya at?"

Miriam had bought a sparkler from the Weasley's kiosk and was mainly enjoying taking in all the sights of the end of the year; she had no idea why she was told to take off for the festival, but Miriam wasn't going to take free off-time for granted. It would allow her to get more things done in her apartment and have some fun here and there.

"What is your resolution for the New Year? Mine is to spend more time with my loved ones," she asked someone beside her.

Harrison was assigned to be part of the security at the festival - mainly to keep the Minister and former Minister safe from maniacs.

It made a good distraction from his own problems at home at least. He was going to take anything that wouldn't make him stuck in his thoughts at this point.

Draco being the sponsor of the event and of the festival that was following decided that he should make a presence if only to see what Hermione had done with his money. He had to admit that he liked what he saw and the fact that she was pulling everything off with just volunteers costed him less, however he would have paid a few members for extra security but that was just his mind driving him crazy. He walked over to Hermione, as he just wanted to congratulate her on a job well done with the decorating.

"Hermione, the place looks splendid," he said with a smile on his face he could not help but think all the fun his kids would have here if they decided to show up, he had left it to them to come if they wanted.

Carina had decided to explore a bit before going in search of Louis. She saw her father it’s louis aunt and decided to say hello, it would be rude otherwise. She walked to her fathers side and smiled up at him, “Hey dad. Hi, Ms. Granger Weasley.” She wasn’t sure if Hermione went by both last names or just one, “Have either of you seen Louis anywhere.”
“@Draco Malfoy” @“Hermione Granger”

Edith was strolling around the grounds somewhat impatiently for a new story to cover; she had a feeling it wasn't going to follow the status quo and be the same as usual. In fact, she was told it wouldn't be ahead of time. How? She had no idea.

"Hello, would you like to talk to the Daily Prophet about your plans for 2021?"

Theodore had stepped away from the crowds and lingered around Hogsmeade's back streets. He didn't want anyone seeing him with any member of the Lestrange family; particularly not this one. Deimos Lestrange had his hood up and had this haunted look of someone who hadn't slept for days. It was clear that Theodore was repulsed by him.

"Are you making progress?" He asked him stiffly, his voice lowered.

"You don't have to worry."

Deimos showed him something underneath his cloak.

"But, man. That's fucked up. You must have some kinda grudge. This ain't a way to go."

Just then, however; Deimos turned a fraction towards the mouth of the alleyway. He was sure he heard someone coming.

"Thank you, Draco. It's so nice to see everyone excited for the New Year. How are you and the kids?"

Well, that answered one of her questions. Hermione shook her head in response to Carina's inquiry. "Sorry, I haven't seen Louis yet."