OOC: This is an RP for visiting/being at Hogsmeade Village. Please keep out of character conversation behind spoiler tags.

Leaving the Headmistress office Gaia made her way to the castle entrance. It was her favorite time of year and time for holiday shopping, thinking of Acid Pops and Owl Treats she made her way to a spot where she could stand and address the students "Hello fellow students!" Only a few students turned around. She cleared her throat and tried again a little louder "HELLO EVERYONE!" grinning Gaia continued "It is time for our holiday Hogsmeade visit. I have been told there are new places to visit and Holiday vendors we did not have last year! That said remember to hand in your permission slips and start heading down the path. If there are any questions you are welcome to ask me or any of the older students. We also have some maps available for those that are new to Hogsmeade." Gaia pondered for a moment going through her mental list "Oh yes! I almost forgot; remember your packages can be sent directly to Hogwarts. Keep in mind professors will be getting their shopping done as well. They can be quite helpful if you are stuck on a gift idea!" Gaia laughed "I think that is it for now. I will be here until the last student leaves and then I shall meet you all at Hogsmeade! Happy shopping!" Gaia waved them goodbye as she collected some forms from other students.

((OOC: Teachers and vendors may Pop-up during the RP and interact with you! Also there will most likely be random small giveaways throughout the RP.))

The air was cold and crisp, with the fog making tiny droplets of ice that floated lazily down to the snow covered cobblestone street. Aria watched as many shoppers busily walked from one store to another. Many children were standing outside of well decorated window displays, peering in at things they wanted to buy, but either their empty pocket or reasoning mind told them not to.

Pulling off her gloves, Aria reached into her pocket and gathered out her coin purse, checking to make sure she had her money. She had a very small list of gifts and personal items that she was looking for, but knew exactly where she needed to stop first, Gladrags Wizardwear.

Aria walked down the street towards the clothing shop and was stopped abruptly by a group of first years. They were excitedly running around, sharing a bag of candy and laughing as it turned their skin varying hues of color. She watched them and giggled as they almost ran into a well stacked pyramid of planting pots on sale.

Gladrags Wizardwear was packed with customers, so Aria quickly walked in and and towards the hosiery section. She had recently discovered that she loved socks and needed some lovelies to wear under her school uniform.

Browsing through the large selection of socks she found many that caught her interest. Aria decided that the most desirable pair of socks were the ones that heated your feet, keeping them constantly toasty warm. Other pairs were rather unique, including a pair left a trail of floating mini butterflies as you walked. And another pair of socks made the sound of rain and the faster you walked or ran, the louder the rain storm sounds became.

After looking through a variety of socks and thigh highs, Aria came away with two pair. She decided to get the warming socks and a pair of thigh highs that depicted a starry night scene, complete with twinkling stars.

Back outside, Aria found a bench and took a seat, not quite sure what shop she wanted to go to next.

Magnus was happily lined up to go to Hogsmede. He looked around for Katsumi, whom he had been dating since the ball. He was hoping his friends and sister would be joining as well, though he was hoping for some time alone with just him and Kat.

[img align=left]http://i.imgur.com/P4yiyjd.png[/img] Gaia waved as Magnus () walked past. "I will see you in a little while! We have some students still getting ready!" Gaia called over the crowd as she took slips from eager hands.

Magnus smiled brightly, "alright, behave yourself." He snickered knowing she should make that comment to him.

"If you find the others let's meet at Las Palmas! The owners are friends of my mom and they said they would open for breakfast!"

[IMG align=left]http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/harperhogsmeade.png[/IMG]Harper had run up to the Common Room in a flash, looking for her permission form. Once she found it, she bounded back down the stairs to the Entrance Hall. She saw and beamed, then ran over to give her friend a hug.

"Gaia! I'm so glad a Hogsmeade trip was put together. I could really use a day out," she said. "Do you want some company while you wait? I can stick back a bit."

() Gaia squealed when she saw her friend. "Yes, you got here on time! I was wondering where you went. I saw you leave the room, but I didn't see you around. Sure, you can help me with the slips! It seems there are a lot more students going to Hogsmeade than I expected." Gaia grinned at her friend and help her up to where she was standing.

[IMG align=left]http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/harperhogsmeade.png[/IMG]Harper happily helped collect permission slips from the other students. She was glad she didn't have to go to the town alone just yet. She wasn't sure if any of her other friends were planning on going shopping that day.

"I'm eager to check out the new shops. Some of the others were getting pretty stale. There's only so many times you can go into stores like Scrivenshaft's, you know?"

While there was a lull between groups of students handing in the slips and heading out into the grounds, Harper picked up one of the maps had been handing out, checking out some of the new spots. She was excited to see a new herbology shop and made a mental note to check it out. Today wasn't about shopping for herself, however. It was always a little difficult to find gifts for her family that weren't sweets. What would muggles do with quills or wizard's robes or cauldrons?

She folded the map and tucked it in her pocket as she saw another group of students come up.

"Enjoy Hogsmeade! Stay warm!" she called to them, smiling.

"Oh I know! That is one of the main things I pointed out to the Headmistress. Since dad comes to Hogsmeade regularly with our owls I have come to know everything in the shops. The Headmistress had the idea of request new vendors. I guess branching out from Diagon Alley is a smart business move and a plus for us! I need to stock up on Acid pops." Gaia laughed "I am excited about one of the vendors. I hope he is there today! He makes handmade Quidditch players and I want the Irish team for my dad." Gaia nodded as if it was an important part of her gifts list.

()

Katsumi trotted up to the growing group with only a little bit to spare, tying her scarf around her neck as she went. She spotted Magnus right away and came up behind him. She almost slipped her hand into his, but couldn't quite bring herself to do so. She was still uncomfortable with a lot of physical contact, though she'd been trying to be more open to it. With Magnus around, she was pushing her limits, but it was slow going. Hard to believe it hadn't even been a month since the Morostide ball, their first official date. The thought made her cheeks turn red. The Ravenclaw still had trouble believing Magnus was really interested, but of course the thought that followed right away is that there was hardly any other reason for his actions.

"Hey, hope you haven't been waiting long." Shoving the various thoughts out of her head, Kat spoke up, giving Magnus her warmest half-smile when he turned around. "Anything in particular you wanted to do? -- Aside from the joke shops, of course, I know you'll want to pop in there."

"Will do," he said to Gaia. "'Ey there, I was wonderin' if I was gonna become a snowMagnus waitin'," he said with a large grin and a twinkle in his eyes. "Actually, just got 'ere meself not to long ago. Well, bookshop o' course, but then neither one o' us will wanna miss that... and maybe we can 'ave lunch together somewhere... and well I ain't actually thought of a joke shop but if you, little trouble maker, insist on corrupting an innocent thing like me...well then I guess I'll 'ave to go." He tweaked her nose and laughed. "'Ow about you?" He started walking so as to warm up a little. "Man, so 'appy ta get out and explore and o' course 'appy it wif you." He blushed a little--flirting for real was new--flirting to just flirt was all he'd really ever done before.

Gaia noticed Magnus and Kat and smiled she loved seeing her friend flustered but happy, she took a mental note to poke fun later, she called to Magnus before they left "I heard a new Italian restaurant perfect for lunch, tell the Porto's you want the chef's table!" Gaia winked at her friend before she return to collecting forms.

()

Kat groaned. "God save me from bookstores," she said, shaking her head. "I don't dare set foot in there, I won't have money left to get people presents if I do. It's a risky enough endeavor any other time of the year." She flinched away when Magnus tried to grab her nose, startled by the motion. "Sorry, I wasn't expecting..." The girl flushed darker, embarrassed that she'd reacted in such a negative manner. She tried to change the topic. "Well, honeyduke's of course, but I hear there's a stall that has enchanted quidditch figurines, and I wanted to take a look at them."

An Itallian lunch huh? was worth a thought. The chef table could be neat. He nodded to one more time before they were out of view and on the path.

Magnus blushed. "Should've asked i guess. Sorry." He looked down. "I've gotta go to the bookstore. Ain't got any idea what else to get for Paul. O' course, I ain't really sure what to get anyone... Any ideas what you'd like? I could buy you some books. Mum made some o' those quidditch figures."

"Well then maybe I'll stop by the radio station while you're in the bookstore. I wonder if anyone would have time to answer some questions..." Kat trailed off, her expression turning pensive. "Oh, me? Um...iunno.". She shrugged. "Your mom did? Wow, that's pretty cool! I know you've mentioned her beoing involved inQuidditch stuff before."

Well that answer wasn't very helpful was it? Magnus thought. "Yeah, she's been crazy busy since June getting Quidditch supply orders ready for verious vendors and stuff for the 'olidays."

( )

Thranduil was excited to go out and explore Hogsmeade Village by himself. He and his parents had arrived late last night, and this morning he had slipped out of their room at The Three Broomsticks before they had woken up. 'I left a note, ' he reminded himself, when he started to feel a little guilty about it, and he had his phone on him. 'and I fed Kiki and Murdy, so...' he smiled as he came down the staircase.

As he stepped outside and into the street, he was glad he had bundled up, it was cold out here. Still, it was invigorating.

He had plenty of time until he was supposed to meet his friend Snow, so he took his time, taking in the sights and smells of this strange, new town.

He heard a man calling out "Flowers, flowers, get your flowers here " and thought that a nice bunch of flowers for his mom would be nice. He would slip them back into their room at the Inn, and just sign it with 'I love you.' Whether she thought it was from him or his Father didn't matter to Thranduil.

Thranduil walked up to the vendors and smiled. "Hello. I was looking for a large bouquet to put together, do you have time to help me with that..? "