Ayla sat behind her festive booth smiling at the passerbys. The standard booth assigned to her by whichever committee had put the festival together had been heavily decorated with wreaths, holly, mistletoe, snowflakes and a truck load of other festive images. The banner across the top that read 'BAKE SALE' had been enchanted to show a few scenes of children building snowmen, couples taking carriage rides and a family cozy by the fire decorating a Christmas tree.

The table of the booth was sprinkled with glistening snow and several large silver plates were overflowing with delicious looking treats. Ayla had jumped at the chance to sell her enchanted goodies and had even added a few new ones to the roster. Each of them were properly marked of course. She didn't need someone accidental eating a love spell. There were Giddy Gummies shaped like snowmen that left you in the holiday spirit for at least three hours, Sweetheart Cupcakes, decorated with Christmas trees, snowmen, reindeer and mistletoe - that made you fall for the first member of the opposite sex you saw, Cheerful cookies shaped like little Father Christmases - little shortbread men that had a powerful Cheering Charm baked right into them - and of course the biggest one the Cherish Cake - a three layered triple fudge cake that had the most powerful love charm that Ayla could create baked into it, that one was good to last for at least three months, unlike the cupcakes that were only a twenty four hour spell. The newest ones added to the roster of Ayla's enchanted treats included the Caroling Ginger snaps - round ginger flavoured cookies that were bound to have you joining in any sort of carol you might hear and the Mistletoe  Chocolates - not unlike Hershey kisses but these ones had you kissing pretty much anyone you found attractive.

Ayla sat at the booth with her hands folded in her lap letting the smell of her sweets be the only advertisement she needed. It wasn't long before people wandered over practically drooling over all the goodies she had laid out for them. She cheerfully greeted a depressing looking older witch with fly away hair and a tattered travelling cloak. She sold the woman a slice of the cherish cake to which the woman looked overjoyed to have in her possession, "Enjoy, Happy Christmas!"

Percy Dervish was still battling with forming a new image for himself.  Shedding his old glasses, lack of hairstyle, and attempting to hone his look to sync with popularity.  He was a good looking young man and he was doing his best to keep his posture and facial expressions exuding "coolness."  But that didn't change the fact that he was incredibly nervous in social settings, especially involving the opposite sex.  Percy was hesitant as he stepped through the Winter Festival.  He eyed over the booths, but seemed to almost flinch from direct eye contact by anyone working the booths.  Finally Percy slowed down as he smelled traces of deliciousness waft under his nose.  The young Dervish followed the delectable delicacies...all the way to Ayla Collin's booth.  Percy was hesitant in approaching the booth, standing kind of...sort of near the area where a line should form, but Percy was first for now.  Eventually, he was feeling awkward for being so close without talking so he finally broke the silence.

"Hello."

Blast!  Percy was trying to cut back on saying "hello."  "Hey" was his usual chosen greeting of choice, but this wasn't a big deal.  He could roll with that, right?

"Everything smells brilliant.  Did you cook all of these by yourself?"

Good.  Casual conversation starters.  Percy was doing well here!  Luckily his knees weren't knocking into each other.  His brown eyes scanned over the goodies, before he smiled in a reserved fashion to Ayla.

Thank goodness Ayla had gotten permission to have the house elves help her with this project before she left school. It meant that she had dozens more of everything sitting under the booth's table in an enchanted bubble that kept them warm, giving them all that fresh out of the oven taste and smell. Her Dad had helped her with the enchantment but with any luck she'd be able to perform it herself in no time. With the smells wafting down the street Ayla had already made quite a bit of coin and though she felt slightly bad that none of it was going to charity, at least not at the moment, like the Kissing booth was supposed to be doing she was proud of her creations and was going to use every sickle to save up for her own shop once she finished school. Although she had initially wanted to go into beauty and design like her mother she felt she had now found her true calling.

She spied the shy Ravenclaw before he spoke. She found him intriguing mostly because she had no idea who he was and that just didn't happen. Ayla prided herself on knowing who everyone was, it was her job to know who they were, who they liked and what she could do to make it happen. He definitely looked like he was school age probably somewhere between fourteen and sixteen, unfortunately dressed in normal casual wear she was unable to determine which school he actually attended. It made her wonder if he didn't attend Beaubatons and had come to Hogsmeade to enjoy the festival. How wonderful would it be to be swept off her feet by a cute french boy. A nice holiday fling to get her mind off of everything horrible that had happened at school during her first term.

As the boy spoke it was obvious he wasn't from Beaubatons but that didn't keep Ayla from smiling and taking pride in her work. As she stood to reach the front of the booth her full holiday outfit could be seen. She knew it wasn't exactly traditional to wear pink around Christmas but she couldn't resist. She let a light blush rise to her cheeks to show that she had appreciated his compliment.

"Well I did get the house elves to help me with the quantity of it all but the recipes are all mine and of course the enchantments. They were a hit at my friends birthday party so I figured I might as well sell them for the festival. I'm saving up to buy my own bakery once I'm out of school." She gestured to the mountain of sweets in front of her, "Anything catch your eye?"

Percy was certainly impressed.  This seemed an immense amount of work.  Percy had baked a few times himself and knew how involved an undertaking it could often be.  Ayla might not have known of Percy, but Percy recognize Ayla.  He didn't really know her personally, but there were very few students in Hogwarts that he actually felt he knew.  This was a time of coming out of his shell...but it was a grueling, difficult process.

As Ayla daydreamed of Percy sporting a beret, eating cheese, and whipping out the language of love...Percy was struggling to speak in his own native tongue.  The kindhearted Brit smiled somewhat as she addressed him in return. 

"Well you and the elves have certainly outdone yourselves."

Percy really hadn't had any experience with cooking other than in muggle fashion...so the enchantments that Ayla spoke of were actually totally foreign to him.  Percy being quite the bookworm, was rather intrigued by this unstudied field of learning.

"I really must say I'm quite at a loss here.  Could you recommend anything?"

Percy was a trusting individual, even if a nervous one.  Ayla seemed like a nice girl.  Surely she wouldn't give him a brownie that induced warts and a runny nose....or anything of the like?

A true blush came to her already rosy cheeks as he once again complimented her. She may not have known who he was but she was definitely enjoying this little exchange. She was planning on using her holidays to forget all about the horrible first term she just had even if that meant doing everything she could to forget about Blake. She was thankful for her best friend and everything he had done to keep her happy and distracted while his older brother single handed destroyed her reputation but thinking about him just made her think about everything that had gone down and how quickly she seemed to be falling in love with him.

She leaned forward with a wide smile, her elbows resting on the booth table as she looked over her many goodies, "While if you're just looking to have a good day I'd suggest the Giddy Gummies, the Cheerful Cookies or the Caroling Ginger snaps." She pointed to each of them in turn, "But if you're feeling adventurous you might be interested in the Mistletoe Chocolates, nearly uncontrollable urge to kiss any little lady you find attractive." She gave him a playful wink, "But if that's not your thing because you've been saving all your affections for a lucky lady you might want to give her a slice of the Cherish cake, she'll be head over heels for you for at least three months."

Wait!  Was Percy Dervish actually making a girl blush?!?  A cute girl nonetheless!  True, he was a tad older than her...and she didn't know him, so he wasn't having to overcome that bookworm reputation that he'd built for so long.  Still...it was sweet, innocent, and merely a humble reaction moreso than a signal of attraction.  Still...it was something special for Percy.

Ayla's body language was quite warm and endearing.  She was very friendly and outgoing, which was something Percy desperately envied.  He wished he could be more open and at ease.  The poor Ravenclaw yearned to bring others (especially attractive girls) into a closer relationship, but his comfort zone wouldn't allow it.

Percy repeated the list, as if giving each option thorough consideration and attempting to memorize the menu Ayla explained to him.

"Giddy Gummies, Cheerful Cookies, Caroling Ginger Snaps...."

He paused and nodded.  These all seemed simple enough, but there was a question on his mind regarding the ginger snaps.

"Do those actually force you to sing carols?"

After this, Percy proceeded to rattle off the next list of treats.

"Mistletoe Chocolates..."

And here was where Percy was suddenly frozen in his tracks.  His eyes bulged momentarily.  He'd be an uncontrollable kissing machine with those!  But...that wasn't Percy!  He couldn't just go around kissing girls like that!  He couldn't!  Right?  And now...to make matters worse, Ayla winked at him...WINKED!  At HIM!  Now things were spinning.  He was feeling rather lightheaded and unsure of just how he was standing or why he felt more like he was floating instead...He also heard something garbled about a Cherish Cake, but now it seemed that poor Percy's mind was short circuiting at the possibilities.

Ayla still had a sweet smile on her lightly frosted lips as Percy ran over the options she had presented for him. She took the time to study him. He was definitely cute if not a little awkward but it was driving her crazy that she had no idea who he was. His accent suggested that he was from Britain or at least somewhere in the UK. Ayla had never been good with accents. If he was from around here then he must go to Hogwarts. How was it that she had never seen him before? He obviously wasn't in her year otherwise there would have been no way she would have missed him which meant he was likely older than her but not by much she figured. He was probably a fourth year, she didn't really know too many of the fourth years, at least not personally but she still knew them by name.

She chuckled softly when he spoke of the Caroling Ginger Snaps, "Only if there's music around. You won't be stuck singing Jingle Bells all day but if someone else starts it up you'll be happily singing along." She covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a giggle. She didn't want him to think that she was laughing at him but he was just so darn cute with how awkward he was being. It was as if he never talked to a girl before, a concept totally lost on Ayla considering she made a point of talking to everyone she could. She was a total social butterfly and loved being involved in a conversation no matter what the topic.

As Percy became flustered she stood up and came around the front of the booth pausing to sell a pack of three Cheerful Cookies to a cute little girl that was shopping with her parents. She dropped the sickles in her bucket and turned her attention back to Percy. She placed a hand on his upper arm and offered a sweet smile that caused her braces to glint in the sunlight, "You alright there hun? I think I lost you for a bit." She wasn't sure whether it was the Mistletoe Chocolates or the Cherish Cake that had him fumbling over his own thoughts but it definitely had been something she had said. Perhaps she should have stuck to the more friendly and less romantic treats. The poor boy seemed absolutely flabbergasted when it came to the subject of love.

The Blackpool native was really struggling with his interactions with Ayla.  When a wallflower meets a social butterfly, there is definitely a gap in personalities.  Percy was having a difficult time organizing his thoughts and found himself wishing that he knew more about Ayla and her interests.  Surely that would aid him in conversing with her!

An attractive girl...that was laughing with him instead of at him!  Things were going splendidly!  Now if he could just figure out why she was laughing.  He smiled in a reserved manner and chuckled along with her quietly.  Percy had indeed spoken to girls before, but the instances were always few and far between.  Plus, it was only during his fifth year that he had lost the glasses in favor of contacts and changed his hair from the personality lacking, generic, Ken doll hairstyle that parted on the far left and hung limply down like an 8 year old boy's.  Percy now had the "look", but it was difficult incorporating that into his personality and how he interacted with others.

"Maybe I should pass on the ginger snaps then."

Percy had so very little confidence in anything aside from book smarts.  Percy eyed the Cheerful Cookies that the little girl had bought and thought perhaps that was the route he should choose for himself.  However, when Ayla not only smiled at him, but touched his arm, AND called him "hun"...Percy bit his bottom lip in an effort to keep his head from exploding. 

"Y-yes.  It's all just a little bit...to process.  That's all."

Percy's voice didn't shake or stammer too much, much to his own shock and awe.  Percy's mind had practically wiped clean from the previous information she'd given him now.  He remembered something about the singing...cookies?  Wait, no ginger snaps!  But he couldn't remember what the other goodies did...He really didn't want to get into trouble.  Percy quickly diverted his attention from Ayla to the table's delicacies again. 

"So...what is it that you recommend?"

Ayla was having a hard time getting over how adorable Percy was and thought she was going to get a cramp from smiling so much. Perhaps getting closer and extending a friendly arm wasn't the best course with him as it seemed to turn his brains from over easy to all out scrambled. She stifled another giggle at his stammering. She really didn't want it to seem like she was making fun of him but he was just so adorable she couldn't help but giggle. Why couldn't she had fallen for a guy like him at the beginning of the year instead of someone like Xavier. Sure she would have had to break him out of his shell but that would have been a welcomed challenge and if it went sour she doubted he'd be spreading any rumors about her like the stupid Slytherins had.

What would she recommend? Well if she were trying to make a sale she would suggest the Cherish cake only because it was the most expensive item at her booth but she wasn't concerned about the money. Sure it would help her save up for later but he main concern was that people genuinely liked what she made. She was just trying to please others through her treats and being a sleazy underhanded salesman wasn't going to help her do that.

She turned half way to look at her table and the assorted goodies there. If he wasn't into singing carols then the cheerful cookies or the giddy gummies would definitely be the best thing for him. With a cute smile over her shoulder she reached for one of her treats and brought it back to him. She couldn't believe she was actually flirting with him but whatever happened at the Winter Festival stayed at the Winter Festival right? She handed him the treat, "Here try this, if you don't like it you don't have to pay for it but trust me you'll love it."

Unfortunately for the pair Ayla had been so distracted with being flirtatious with the cute older boy she didn't know that she was unaware of the fact that she was now handing him a Sweetheart cupcake instead of the cheerful cookie she had been reaching for. If Percy decided to eat it or if Ayla didn't manage to catch her mistake in time to stop him the poor unsuspecting Ravenclaw would be absolutely smitten with her for the next twenty four hours (granted that was as long as he didn't happen to spy anyone else after eating it)

Percy had no idea how "adorable" he was, nor that his shy nature was the primary cause of Ayla's amusement.  Ayla certainly seemed like a nice girl and she was definitely cute.  Percy was so out of the social loop, that the gossip surrounding Ayla was a complete mystery.  He had never heard any slander spoken of her and he would have surely felt terribly sorry for her if he knew her woes regarding Slytherins.  They almost always were immensely troublesome.

Had Percy realized that this bake sale was to help provide Ayla funds to open up her own shop, he likely would have been more of a big spender, but he honestly wanted the chance to talk to a pretty girl...and who didn't like baked goods? 

Her smile was adorable!  The way she was doting and flirting with him had him gleefully tensed. 

"Oh this looks...smashing!  How much do I owe you?"

Percy couldn't accept her charity.  She'd worked hard on these items and so had the house elves.  They deserved to be recompensed.  Percy smiled down at the little cupcake with its vivid red frosting.  He smiled as he bit into it, and then realized he needed to remove the little wrapper underneath.  Flushing with embarrassment, Percy attempted to retrieve the wrapper from his mouth in the most dignified fashion.  He chewed with a smile, guarding to make certain no frosting smeared on his face in the process...but it was a pretty hefty cupcake!  And soon...like a cartoon lightbulb flashing over his head, his brown eyes snapped wide and locked onto Ayla. 

"Oh wowww...."

He swooned as he sighed and stared dreamily at Ayla from the initial effects of the cupcake.

"Y-you're just...you're bloody beautiful!"

Ayla was caught up with how much he owed her. She was about to say One sickle and five knuts since that was the price of a single Cheerful cookie but then she realized she hadn't handed him one of her cookies. Instead she had somehow managed to hand him a sweetheart cupcake, one of the treats she had been specifically avoiding. Her mouth open, her eyes wide and a hand outstretched to stop him no words came out as he took that initial bite. She drew back biting her lip. There was no sense in stopping him now, the charm would already be in effect just from that first bite, she might as well let him enjoy the rest of the treat. Glancing back at her price list she sighed and said weakly, "Uh the cupcakes are two sickles eleven knuts."

She couldn't help but blush at his outburst. She knew it was only because he was under a love spell, a powerful twenty four hour love spell that she had inadvertently made him eat, but it was still nice to hear. She felt horrible about it all. He had trusted her to give him a delicious treat that would keep him in a good mood and instead she had turned him into a love sick puppy dog that would likely be following her around for the rest of the day telling her how beautiful and wonderful and smart she was . . .

. . . which actually didn't sound that bad.

Since there was nothing she could do about the spell now, all she had to do was wait for it to wear off, Ayla figured she might as well enjoy it while it lasted. Her blush deepening even more she playfully nudged him, "Please I'm no Maeve Whitman." Who in Ayla's opinion was the prettiest girl in school even if she was a bloody Slytherin, "So how was the cupcake?" She still had her hand on his upper arm. At least she'd now know first hand just how powerful the spell she had baked into the cupcakes was and if she got a few tender kisses out of it as well she could consider this a rather productive day.

While Ayla was figuring up the cost, Percy had already taken a big chomp out of the cupcake.  At first he began pulling out coins to pay, but then he sank to his knees and grasped at her hands.

"Yes yes...anything for you, Ayla!  You majestic and picturesque illumination of splendor!"

It seemed the cupcake was now in full effect and Percy was quickly pulling out his currency and letting it fall to either side, before attempting to retake her hands.  To see his innate nature so overridden by this tasty treat was a sight indeed!

"Not even all the powers of Merlin could best your beauty!  Your wit!  Your grace!"

Percy gazed up at her with intent, smitten, brown eyes as he walked on his knees ever closer until finally throwing his arms around her legs in a firm embrace.

"Oh that I may touch perfection all wound up into one woman!"

Apparently Percy had a flair for the dramatic that not even he realized.  And if her ego needed a boost...it seemed few others could compete with this type of boost! 

"Maeve Whitman?  That pasty, bug eyed twit?  She can't possibly hold a flickering flame next to you, my love!  Neither can any treat be as sweet as if it were to come from your own honey tinged lips...."

Percy gazed up longingly toward Ayla, though his cheek was smeared up against her stomach as he peered up at her.  He was ever so slightly clingy and affectionate on this cupcake enhancement!

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea afterall.

Ayla wobbled as Percy was suddenly on his knees, his arms wrapped around her legs and his face smooshed into her stomach. A strong part of her was worried about the rich red frosting he was now rubbing into her sweater but she was even more concerned about holding her balance. Ayla was not a big girl by any means, at only five feet and ninety pounds, it didn't take much to bowl the small Hufflepuff over, which was exactly what was happening.

Ayla spread her arms out and twirled them in a rather comical show of trying to regain her balance but it was no use. Before she knew it she was toppled over into the cobblestone street which had thankfully been plowed for the festival. Percy was still holding onto her legs, putting them both in a rather compromising position especially with crowds of people still walking up and down High Street.

A deep shade of red took over her cheeks as she looked down at her new human belt, "Hunny, uh think you could let me up?" She didn't want to be mean to the boy especially since that would probably just make him crazier for her but she needed to draw less attention to him. She saw a pack of slytherin girls, sixth years by the looks of them, who were giggling and pointing as they passed. If all the rumours about her breast enlargements and Professor seducing passed by the time she got back to school she was sure this little spectacle would be right on the tip of everyone's tongues instead.

She could just hear it now, 'You know that Collins girl, I hear she was snogging some boy right in the middle of High Street,' and 'Ayla's so pathetic she had to use a love charm just to get a boy to like her'. She shook the nasty imaginary voices from her thoughts and focused back on the problem at hand, Percy.

"Um," She suddenly realized she didn't even know his name, "you want to help me run the booth?" She figured it was the best way to get him off of her and also to keep him under wraps while she dealt with his enchanted infatuation. Maybe she made the love charm a little too strong afterall.

Apparently Percy didn't realize his own strength, or the power of his strength augmented by an enchanted cupcake.  Percy's eyes snapped wide as Ayla teetered and flailed to support her balance.  As she began to fall back, Percy scrambled to attempt to cushion her fall.

"Yes!  Let me help you, please?"

Percy quickly clamored to pull Ayla back upright.  He made certain she was balanced and unharmed.

"Are you alright, my love?"

Percy did not really notice the Slytherin girls, as he was far too entrenched in gazing on Ayla.  He was very focused on Ayla and spending his time with her.

"Yes yes of course!  Whatever I can do to make you happy.  Anything to see that precious smile!"

The typically timid Ravenclaw smiled and sighed at Ayla happily.  He was certainly feeling elated and experiencing more freedom than perhaps he could remember in his lifetime.

"Is there anything else that I can do for you, my dear?"

Ayla's cheeks were matching her candy cane broach and stocking bracelet. She was sure that if he kept all this up her cheeks would permanently turn red. She nodded her thanks as he helped her to her feet and couldn't help but looking into his chocolate eyes as he once again complimented her. Although she was still weary about how clingy he was being she was definitely enjoying the attention. No one had ever really called her 'my love' or 'my dear'. She had only ever been with one guy and as suave and smooth talking as Xavier was he had never given her any pet names.

She led him over to the booth and sat him down behind it alongside her own stool. She wondered if she could keep him in line long enough to finish up her bake sale and then take him off to the Three Broomsticks or somewhere less public. Not that she wanted him in a private intimate setting she just figured he'd make less of an ass of himself if there were less people to witness it. Once again she was thankful this was only a twenty four hour spell and not the three month spell that was baked into the cake.

"Umm actually there is something you can do for me." She gave him another braces filled winning smile and put her hand on his knee, "You can tell me your name."