The Notting Hill Carnival

[Colle Giate]

"Held each August Bank Holiday since 1966, the Notting Hill Carnival is the largest festival celebration of its kind in Europe. Every year the streets of West London come alive, with the sounds and smells of Europe’s biggest street festival. Twenty miles of vibrant colourful costumes surround over 40 static sound systems, hundreds of Caribbean food stalls, (make sure you visit Mama’s Jerk Station, on the corner of Portobello Rd and Oxford Gardens) over 40,000 volunteers and over 1 million Notting Hill carnival revellers.

Starting its life as a local festival set up by the West Indian community of the Notting Hill area, it has now become a full-blooded Caribbean carnival, attracting millions of visitors from all over the globe. With many astonishing floats and the sounds of the traditional steel drum bands, scores of massive sound systems plus not forgetting the hundreds of stalls that line the streets of Notting Hill. The Notting Hill Carnival is arguably London’s most exciting annual event."

- www.thenottinghillcarnival.com/

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[Junior Floyd]

He had actually never been to the Notting Hill Carnival before, even though that would be the talk of the muggles from sunup to sundown the days preceding the carnival. It was one of the few times a year the muggles had their milky beverages in excess. This year, however, seemed to be different than other years. It had been advertised in the Daily Prophet, with the swishing faces of wizards and witches staring up at the reader. It wouldn't have seemed like it mattered, but it was quite unusual to inform about muggle events in the wizarding paper. It could have been that maybe this year would be particularly different from the others. With Hogwarts going through some sort of revamp, the editors wanted the wizarding world to somehow notice this event.

So he came. He apparated into the crowd, being whisked away just as quickly as he arrived. He was thrust in the middle of the people, trying to move his feet, but being rather stuck. He was not an individual anymore, he was just a small part to a big whole. He shuffled onward, like a car in the middle of traffic, and managed to pull off the main road onto a street. He glanced up at the sign which read "Easy Street." Hmm. He wondered if "Hard" Street was around here somewhere when he caught a whiff of something that smelled fantastic.

He turned and noticed a vendor offering chicken kabobs to those passing by. This vendor, however, seemed to be scantily dressed and expressive, especially when demonstrating how to eat the chicken off the kabob.

"I'll take one please" he said with a wide smile plastered on his face. While eating his, he wondered briefly, how many people could possibly be in that crowd and thought, maybe he knew a couple of people.

[KarnaRose Talbot]

Karnarose wasn't much for mixing with muggles since she had been accepted to Hogwarts, unless it was her father's side of the family. Actually, her father was the only member of that side, so she didn't mix with them much at all. IT was kind of laughable actually. Instead, she spent the majority of her time alone. She didn't feel lonely, simply busy. SHe had spent the last few years studying, everything she could think of. She had followed various magical creatures across the world, learning everything she could. Of course, she tended to sidetracked with all the fascinating plants along hte way as well. Her garden and greenhouse were full to bursting with all the new specimens she had collected in her years of traveling.

upon her arrival back to London, she had decided it was time to see what was really happening int he world. Of course, the Carnival was not exactly the real world, she wasn't likely to find out anything useful, but it would be fun. Besides, it was a way to delve back into life without worrying about being spotted as someone a little different.

She wandered aimlessly around the various booths, simply gawking. She had money jangling in her pocket, but she was more than content to merely look for the time being. It was comforting to not be expected to do anything else, even though she was the only one that ever really expected anything of herself.

[ABBA]

I guess that was before he stopped by Karna's, or maybe after. Who knows, I'll figure that out later...yes I am picky about rping and storylines.

Either way Abba found himself in London at one his favorite Carnivals anywhere in the world. He was in full costume including a mask. Being as famous as he was international the only way he could enjoy things in peace was to don a disguise. He had just arrived and was already surrounded by thousands of people, not to mention all the activities. He would post more next time when he had a better grasp on things, so for now he made his way into the carnival to see what was happening.

[Professor Serafina Butail]

Serafina had never been to the Notting Hill Carnival before, if she was honest she'd never even heard of it before. Having visited London so many times before to have never heard of it made her feel rather sheltered. However she'd heard tell that this year, what with the proposed re-opening of Hogwarts, there would be quite a considerable gathering of witches and wizards from all over the country. It had been about a decade since she'd left Hogwarts and had seen so few people she remembered since her return it was too good an opportunity to pass up.

Throwing on some appropriately festive attire Serafina apparated to London and followed the sounds of the massive street party to see what she might find there. It was already pretty busy, and Sera wasn't sure if she'd be able to spot anybody she recognised in the crowd (especially what with it being about 10 years since she'd seen many of them) but she was hopeful.

Leisurely she breezed through the crowd, taking in the excited faces and the bright colours that were everywhere. It certainly was an amazing event to witness, how could she never have known about this.

A face stuck out in the crowd that looked vaguely familiar, could that actually be Karna? Sera wasn't sure and decided against rushing through the crowd just in case her eyes had deceived her, but the resemblence had certainly been uncanny.

The smell of food reaching her nostrils she actually did spot someone she recognised. Junior, the guy she'd first met properly in the teashop in Hogsmeade only a few days ago. "Hello again," She said with a smile, "So I wasn't just hearing rumours when they said there would be quite the magical gathering here this year then. Have you seen anyone else you recognise yet? Or was the lure of food just too tempting?"

[Colle Giate]

Colle had heard about this carnival once or twice before. It's not like it wasn't the biggest deal in the country at this time of year or anything. But for one excuse or another, he always found himself doing something else instead, missing the truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the extravagance of this fair. Since graduating, Colle left England to pursue his varied and not-well-thought-out interests, and he forgot about the Notting Hill Carnival altogether. This year, however, the carnival was featured in the Daily Prophet for whatever reason. Perhaps the news was as dry as the summer had been, but in any case, the Prophet showcased a few recognizable wizards and witches having their own sort of fun--and it wasn't like they had to dress like a muggle anyway, as there was a plentiful amount of abstractly-clothed people there. After seeing the article, Colle convinced himself he had nothing better to do, and journeyed back to London for the first time in many many years.

The outskirts of the carnival was overwhelming, to say the least. All sorts of strange things were visible from the entrance, and Colle was hesitant to enter the throng of muggles. He checked to make sure his wand was still in the inside pocket of his jacket, and then counted his money, which was a disappointing array of various bills from different countries and barely twenty pounds (of English currency). He made a mental note not to get hungry any time soon. Colle walked into the crowd, perusing the various booths and tables that were set up. Occasionally, a face of a figure would catch his eye and he would imagine that it was someone he knew from school. It took several double takes for him to realize the chance of running into someone familiar was very low.

After escaping the convincing sales pitch of an elderly woman and her beautiful granddaughter, Colle found himself being pulled aside by a Spanish man dressed in a lime green wet-suit type ensemble with bright yellow feathers and a hat that reminisced the swirl of ice cream on an ice cream cone. A bow was thrust into his hands and the man was ushering him to shoot at a target about ten feet away. Apparently it was a laser-guided arrow, or something of that nature, and the technology was able to guess where the arrow would land if you actually had one. It was all very confusing and Colle was flustered at his technological illiteracy. But, apparently, if you were able to hit the target, lights would go off and the target would sound and you would win a prize, so he figured it was at least worth a shot, albeit a miserable one.

[Bob]

Bob breathed in the smells of the sweltering waves of humans pressed around him and drooled. Broke and almost broken, the starving wreck of a man staggered through the streets watching people eat and drink and make merry, while his stomach roiled and growled in despair. All around him people were gorging themselves, gaining the valuable resources of fat and lard that would keep them warm during the winter months (and make frying even more delectable) and passing him by without taking any notice.

He whimpered as a rather large woman behind her counter dished out Jerk Spam, the spices singing his nostrils. He hated jerk anything, and hoped the smell wouldn't cling to her if he managed to get her alone. He leaned over and asked, "Hey...are you hiring?"

He tried to look innocent and helpless, while his eyes were fixated on the double chin wagging at his eye level, while she took change and passed out extra napkins. She had some good eating on her. Neckbone soup, knees could be used for a rich and meaty broth, barbecue ribs...he swallowed hard and smiled up at her. He was just so hungry.

[ABBA]

All Abba could think was damn...it seemed like someone had open the flood gates and every person on the face of the planet were here. Borrowing a pair of stilts from a clown carnival worker on break just to see where the madness ended. It didn't, where there wasn't people there were booths, stages, rides and attractions. His memory was still intact and yet he couldn't remember seeing this many people at one place since his last party.

And his arrival couldn't have been planned any better. By his calculation, the masses consisted of at least 80% females. And everyone knows how much Abba loves his women. To top that, the weather was extremely warm so yes, he was digging all the exposed flesh. Most of the women didn't know the meaning of the word conservative, no complaints here.

Lots of pregnant women here as well, every time one passed by he had to check and make sure his mask still hid his face. Cmon now, ya'll know Abba got around and the last thing he wanted, especially here was an onslaught of his babies momma's causing a scene because he hadn't stopped back by or called. Yea I know that sounds mean but you have to consider that there was only one Abba, plus he would get back to the many thousands of women eventually.

Not bragging but even with his mask on, his pockets were already over flowing with phone numbers and addresses of the women he hadn't hooked up with yet...or had he. Even noticed a growing number of fangirls trying to keep up with him. He lost most of them when he ducked behind a beverage booth. A drink or twelve later he was back at it.

A few minutes later he noticed a stage over in one of the alleyways. Nothing yet was happening but it looked like the musicians and crew were starting to set up for a show possibly later. It had been ages since Abba had sung in public and although the crowds weren't paying attention, he wondered if he could jam a little with the band to see if he still had it. Don't forget, Abba came from a musical family and he had talent to go along with his great looks and perfect hair. Not bragging but the guy could do it all.

Once the group onstage found out that it was Abba Faltskog on their stage...well that was enough to have things set up in minutes. Yes he was that famous. He let the others warm up a few, approached the microphone...

"Let's do this, hit it guys"

The music began as his voice rang out to the masses with nobody in the crowd really paying any attention yet. In his mind he dedicated this song to his good friend Robin Gibb who had just passed away........

Well you can tell
by the way I use my walk
I'm a woman's man
no time to talk
Music loud and women warm
I've been a bad ass
since I was born

And now it's all right, it's ok
and you may look the other way
We can try to understand
Why I'm such a sexy man

Whether you're a brother
or whether you're a mother
you're stayin' alive, stayin' alive
Feel the city breakin
and everybody shakin'
and were stayin' alive, stayin' alive
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive

Well now I get low and I get high
And if I can't get either, I really try
Got the wings of heaven on my shoes
I'm a dancin man and I just can't lose

I'm stayin' alive baby.....

Hey wasn't that? It was hard to tell from his place on stage, but a few faces in the crowds looked familier.

[Annalisse Childs]

Somehow Anna had never made it to the Notting Hill Carnival before, despite its being held every year and being such a big deal and all. When she brought it up after seeing it advertised in the muggle paper her mother told her that she used to take her every year when she was a child, but it must have been too far back for her to remember. Or she was lying, but Anna trusted her mom too much to believe that. After a day of begging she was allowed to go on her own to enjoy the festivities, so with her wand (that she was of course not planning to use) tucked away in a secret pocket she strutted out of the house and made her way to Notting Hill.

It seemed that Anna had arrived just in time, for as she waltzed up the streets of a very busy London she heard the beginnings of a song being belted out just beautifully. Standing up on her tiptoes, she was able to spot the stage that she presumed the noise was coming from and made a beeline for the area, stopping when she was able to see the band pretty clearly but not getting too close to get in the way of any over-excited fans. She was sure they had fans, I mean, even from here she could see that the man singing was a total babe. He did look strangely familiar, but that was probably just from seeing him on the cover of a muggle magazine or something. Where else would she know someone that handsome from?

When the song ended Anna clapped and cheered with the rest of the crowd, waiting for a minute to see if they were going to play another one. Perhaps after this she'd go to try some food, it did all sound quite delicious. But where to start...

[Kisten Hayes]

Kisten wasn't sure exactly how he'd managed to blag the day off of work, the ministry wasn't exactly generous with their days off unless you booked months in advance, but somehow he wasn't at work and was free to go and visit the Notting Hill carnival. It was always a fun event, he'd been a number of times before with his mother and younger siblings. On rare occassions his father had managed to tag along but in more recent years Kisten had chosen to go alone, as he got older he'd grown out of wanting to spend time with his kid brother and sister and it was much more fun to explore the sights and sounds without them nagging and whinging in his ear.

He could hear it before he could see it. Streets away the sounds of music and people echoed between the buildings and the smell carried through the air and made Kisten hungry. He was especially looking forward to this years carnival as he'd heard that there was going to be an expectionally large gathering of witches and wizards present, all keen to reconnect with each other before the new term began at Hogwarts.

It felt like it had been a long time since he had seen many of the people he'd known from school, a lot of them had probably disappeared over time, moved on to new places and new things. But it would be nice to see if he could reconnect with a few, or meet some new people. His kid sister was due to start at Hogwarts this coming term and it made him feel a little nostalgic for his schoool days.

Kisten rounded a corner and the carnival came into view, in full swing. He picked up his pace and immersed himself in the crowd, taking in the sights and the faces a few of them sure looked familiar. He was definitely glad he managed to make it this year.