GRYFFINDOR : A day at the races

June walked across the field and gazed around. For this section of the fashion show, G+G had decided to move the show from the normal stage to an actual racetrack. A group of horses stood ready and fidgeted while the 'backstage' crew got things ready for the show. "Hey everyone!" June shouted when she was within earshot of her friends. Waving, June dropped off some clothes that they would be modeling and walked to the racetrack to look at the horses. She smiled as she thought of how the setting would change for some parts of the show... The category was A Day at the Races, and although racing horses was implied, no one had said anything about racing... lions. "We are Gryffindors, after all," June murmured to herself. "It's our job to be the bold and daring ones... The ones who break out of the mold." June looked up at the sky and shielded her eyes with a hand. The sun was bright and there were only a few clouds in the sky... perfect weather. The grass was green and sparkled with fresh water droplets from the sprinklers that had just finished spraying. June smiled and gave Swifty a giddy thumbs-up.

Cris entered the backstage in a hurry, expecting to be extremely late. However, she realised she was even going to be the first model. She sighed, then saw June and went up to her. "Hey, should we get thing party started?", she asked. She hurried into her dressing room and came out again just in time to see 10 lions being brought to the racetrack, in starting positions. She looked up to Swifty, smiled and hurried down to the starting line.



This time, Cristina wore one of her favourite outfits and that gave her courage to be the one to start the lion race. She walked to the racetrack on a "g"-shaped carpet instead of a catwalk, with a gently shaking her head to the rhythm of the music - "Tokio Drift" by Teriyaki Boys. It wasn't exactly the words that appealed to her, it was the atmosphere - typical racing atmoshere, Cris thought. Well, no wonder, it was part of the soundtrack of a movie with a lot of speedy car races.

When she got to the end of catwalk – and the starting line of the race track, where the lions where waiting – the commentary was heard.

“Ladies and gentlemen, what a beautiful and sunny day for a race! – uh, I mean, for a fashion show! Well, you’ll also have a race, and what a race! But for now, let’s concentrate on our model! Do please notice the perfectly white t-shirt, with a small cherry print, a wavy cut and fluffy sleeves - 7 galleons! And the jeans are dark blue and getting narrower at the ankles, and you can get even the thin red belt in the set for only 15 galleons! Next, Cris wears black and white diamond-patterned textile shoes - just light enough for a warm summer day but perfect for the dust around the race track. You can get them for 13 galleons! And what outfit is complete without the bag? Ladies and gentlemen, Gryffindor is proud to present you our latest trendy bag - red, with a typical red and white racing flag sewed to it and the word "RACING" in black letters at the side. 10 galleons. And now to the details - did you notice the red plastic pearls? They even come in a set with 2 red bracelets: 4 galleons! Wonderful, right? Well, then I don' tsee any reason why you shouldn't chose Gryffie's "Day at the Races" wear!"

Cristina blushed. It really sounded even greater the way the comentator put it. When he was finished, she raised the black and white flag, and the countdown started: "..5..4..3..2..1..GO!". She waved her flag down with a swift move of her arm and quickly ogt out of the way of the 10 lions. She grinned and asked a random person of the public, "You did place your bets, I hope?". Then the comentator was heard again: "Ladies and gentlemen enjoy! We're gonna have 5 laps of racing, then our second model will walk for you!".

Cris walked slowly back to the backstage area but everybody's attention was now caught by the race. Smiling, she sat down on a free chair to enjoy the show and cheer for "her" lion, the one with the number 3, "Squeaky".

June watched, transfixed, by the lions racing, but tore herself away from the sight in time to see Cristina walk backstage. June smiled and ran to hug her sister. "That was great Cris!" June cried. She turned back to watch the race, but then, realized that the five laps were almost over. Mentally berating herself, June raced to change into her outfit and, when given her cue, she apparated out onto the stage.

When she got to the stage, June saw that the lions had finished their race and everyone was cheering. She craned her neck and saw that Number 3, the one Cris called Squeaky, had won!!! With a grin on her face, June felt confident and cued Swifty to start the music. As "One Girl Revolution" began to play, the commentator began to describe June's outfit as she posed and as the crowd tuned in. June was wearing a white long-sleeved shirt that was layered with a black shawl. She als o wore a red split belt that joined with one round buckle. On her bottom half, June wore a red plaid and pleated skirt that matched her belt. To top it all off, June wore a pair of white suede high heeled boots that June showed off. The shirt was only 45 galleons, the belt was 20, the shoes were 20 as well, and the skirt was 35 galleons!

When June's commentary ended, she apparated backstage and said "Good luck" to the next model. She then turned to watch the next race: this one was a more conventional one with horses.



One Girl Revolution:

I wear a disguise
I'm just your average jane
The super doesn't stand for model
But that doesn't mean I'm plain
If all you see is how I look
You miss the superchick within
And I christen you titanic underestimate and swim
I've got the rifle gonna be myself
I've got the rifle gonna be myself
I've got the rifle gonna be myself
I've got the rifle gonna be myself

[CHORUS]
I'll be everything that I want to be
I am confidence in insecurity
I am a voice yet waiting to be heard
I'll shoot the shot, bang, that you hear round the world

And I'm a one girl revolution [x3]

Some people see the revolution but most only see the girl
I can lose my hard earned freedom if my fear defines my world
I declare my independence from the critics and their stones
I can find my revolution I can learn to stand alone...

[CHORUS]
I'll be everything that I want to be
I am confidence in insecurity
I am a voice yet waiting to be heard
I'll shoot the shot, bang, that you hear round the world...

And I'm a one girl revolution [x3]

I'm a one girl revolution

I'm a one girl revolution

And I'm a one girl revolution

[CHORUS]
I'll be everything that I want to be
I am confidence in insecurity
I am a voice yet waiting to be heard
I'll shoot the shot, bang, that you hear round the world

[CHORUS]
everything that I want to be
I am confidence in insecurity
I am a voice yet waiting to be heard
I'll shoot the shot, bang, that you hear round the world

Traci walked out to 'Fast Cars and Freedom' by Rascal Flatts. She was in her element. Clothes she would normally wear and happy about it too. She bounced a little with the beat as she walked down the runway. Smiling brightly she got to the circle place where she is suppose to pose as the announcer person described her outfit and costs. This idea made her roll her eyes.

"On the run way is Traci and she is displaying our wonderful race fashion. With her wavy shoulder length hair she looks just like some of you out there." He paused as applause came from the crowd. "In an orange tank top and a white under shirt she is looking fabulous. With her wrinkled jeans and and white belt her legs are moving in style." He paused again to look at the rest of her assemble and Traci did some major eye rolling as she posed in a punk pose with the peace sign by her chest. "And on her fabulous feet red and black striped shoes. The total outfit is only 102 galleons and 56 sickles."

Traci stoke her last pose which was blowing a kiss to the audience and turned to walk back down the runway. "We love you Traci." She smiled and waved to her family. She just got down the runway when the song ended and backstage she took off running to find what she needed to do next. Smiling and waving to other models not to mention trying to trip them.

Cris was still on her seat, absorbed by the races and the shows of the other models. The wonders she had seen had brought her train of thoughts far away, somewhere on the Formula 1 racing track in Monaco, then she drifted towards holidays and sun, and the parallel beach-fashion show got her thinking about where to spend those holidays.. maybe at the seaside or so... ahhh and with a coconut cocktail and and and...

Suddenly someone poked her. It was Swifty. "Come on, get dressed, you're next!", she said. "Awww," Cris answered, "I was having such nice dreams... can't you just send somebody else?". Then she saw the look on Swifty's face and took her own words back. "Mmmm hey.. forget what I just said, I'll be down there on the catwalk in just a minute!". She smiled and she was gone.



The music started playing - "Crash" by Gwen Stefani.

Back it up, back it up
You got it, you got it
Put your hands up, put your hands up, put your hands up
You got it, you got it

Drive back baby to me, fast in your car
I'm here waiting, crash into me real hard
[2x]

I wander round the room and I'm getting things ready
I picture you driving, just like Mario Andretti
I got the cush, Kettle One, waiting for your engine
Your Grand Prix attention, it's gonna be a party

Don't forget to make a U-turn
I see you left your blinker on
I got it rolled and ready here to burn
Meet me back at home (a-oh, a-oh)

Drive back baby to me, fast in your car
I'm here waiting, crash into me real hard
[2x]

Driving fast in your car
I've got you tracked on my radar, oh

It's just such a trip, how you're still my speed racer
You got me so addicted, just like a free-baser
I want you all over me like L.A.M.B.
So get here A.S.A.P., it's gonna be a party

Don't forget to make a U-turn (don't forget to get here)
I see you left your blinker on (you see, I want to get it on)
I got it rolled and ready here to burn
Meet me back at home (you know you need me so come back)

Drive back baby to me, fast in your car
I'm here waiting, crash into me real hard
[2x]

Now you know you're qualified
You're in the pole position
Put it in first gear, step on the pedal and drive fast

Back it up, back it up
You got it, you got it
Back it up, back it up
You got it, you got it
Put your hands up, put your hands up, put your hands up
(uh, uh, uh, uh)
You got it, you got it
Put your hands up, put your hands up, put your hands up
(uh, uh, uh, uh)
You got it

(I'm ready for you)
Drive back baby to me, fast in your car
(Me and you boo)
I'm here waiting, crash into me real hard

(Don't make me wait too long)
Drive back baby to me, fast in your car
(For me and you boo)
I'm here waiting, crash into me real hard

Come on baby, please hurry up, you know I'm waiting for you
[4x]

Cool!, Cris thought smiling. She was wearing a pair of dark blue baggy jeans with a XXL belt that was hanging loose, almost to the ground. Well, after all, you couldn't always look like a girlie-girl, right? Then she also wore gray sneakers - which were hidden almost completely by the jeans. But they didn't have to stick out anyway, that's what the top was for. She wore a tight top bound behind her neck. It was short enough and allowed a certain amount of skin to be seen and Cris could already see some elderly ladies in the public frowning. But after all, it was supposed to be a sort of young fashion, modern fashion - and racing was all about fun anyway. It had pink and gray little squares and Cris also wore a thick bracelet with the same pattern.

Getting to the end of the catwalk, she turned a few times and posed. She heard a kid from the first row cry, "Mummy, she's got a tattoo, can I have one too?". The mother of the child frowned and the commentator seemed to have noticed it, because he added, "Oh - in case you were wondering, that tattoo's fake!". Cris rolled her eyes. Yes it is, she thought, but only because I'm not allowed to have one myself! .. uh .. and 'cause it probably hurts... . She gave the child a friendly smile, then ran her hand through her hair - just a wig, unfortunately, but she was toying with the idea of getting that haircut and colour herself - then walked back in a relaxed pace. Seeing the next model at the exit, she hi-fived her and wished her good luck.

Prices:
jeans - 30 galleons
belt - 5 galleons
sneakers - 35 galleons
top - 15 galleons
bracelet - 5 galleons
wig - 10 galleons
fake tattoo - 1 galleon