Harry and Draco had spent the better part of the morning working on their act. They were, to put it lightly, bushed. It was bad enough trying to create a compelling narrative, when Harry hadn't ever been to a circus (or a funfair), and Draco, well, kept imitating Snape. When Harry tried to point out how much of a no-go that was, Draco just lifted his eyebrows and said, ever so innocently, "But he's the most dramatic person I know!"
Having met Pansy Parkinson, Harry Potter highly doubted that, but mentioning her would just lead Draco into ever escalating impersonations.
Making matters worse, Blackie wanted to help. Being a Big Black Dog in a Snake charmer act, though, wasn't really on.
Ceija walked over to them, smiling, "Not getting anywhere fast, are you?"
Both the boys shook their heads.
"Well, eat lunch, and for god's sake, let the dog bark!" Harry looked up at Ceija, caught her smirk, and completely cracked up. It was utterly brilliant! Of course, Blackie could have a part - getting people to come see the snake charmer! He could bark, or herd people, or just sit at attention - or could Blackie point? That might work even better!
"Brilliant!" Harry laughed at last, while Draco just looked confused. Well, with enough prompting, maybe Draco could choose between the ideas.
Getting to lunch was an adventure in of itself. It had been fairly calm and quiet when they'd woken up (they'd later learn that was because most entertainers kept late hours). By noon, however, the entire encampment was a riot of colors, mostly from what people were wearing. It seemed like no one had ever told any of these people, children or not, that one should stick to one color, with maybe a second as accent. This was like...
It was like standing in the center of a kaleidescope
It was a riot of color, a brilliant sea of everchanging hues.
Albus Dumbledore would have loved it.
The boys looked at each other, and started laughing.
As Draco stifled his last gasp of laughter, he said, "Well, I guess we'd better get changed."
Which led to a further gale of laughter.
Lunch was simple, and they sat with Ceija, who neither asked questions nor answered them. Instead, it was Eating Time, and so they ate. When her brother came by, they figured out why it was Eating Time, as he hadn't a care in swiping half of Draco's 'leftover' chickenwing.
"Hey, that was mine!" Draco said, sounding offended.
"Yeah, and I'm Johnny-on-the-spot," Ceija's brother said from around the chicken wing, already half eaten.
He delicately spit out the bones, as his Uncle's voice boomed, "If you like it so, learn to eat it and go!" The table boomed with his laughter, which was shortly joined by some older ladies.
All in all, this was turning out to be good fun.
[a/n: I wish Gypsies were really like this. Leave a review?]
