Duty

[Nixon Mercury]

The yule ball was finally beginning, and the many practice photos Nixon had taken in preparation for fulfilling his responsibility to work for the yearbook that night were about to prove their worth. His work during the Halloween feast had been sufficient from what he gathered since there were no complaints from Zoe or Sianna, but nevertheless he knew the yule ball was a different tier. Students dressed their best for the yule ball and expected to be photographed in kind, the photos taken during the night a showing of some of the best times of their lives for years to come. Nixon wasn't so much nervous as he was excited for the opportunity to take photos considered 'glamorous'; something he was yet to do in spite of writing for the Hogwarts Monthly and interning for a few years. But he could admit the pressure on his shoulders to keep everything in focus despite his shaking hands and take photos people were happy with all around was daunting to say the least.

Trying to remain optimistic and adamant he would do his best, Nixon strolled to the yule ball as it was about to begin, wearing nothing more than a simple button up shirt, nice trousers and one of his newer pairs of sneakers. Being behind the camera rather than in front of it with a date, he didn't feel the need to dress up more than necessary to blend in and allow every other student to enjoy their night. As he arrived to the hall Nixon paused by the entrance, looking around for his fellow yearbook members while absent mindedly playing with the camera strap hanging from his shoulder. If none of them were there just yet, he was sure they would arrive soon and he wouldn't be standing alone and feeling out of place for too long.​

 

[Vader Hume]

Vader had been uncertain of what a night like this would bring him. He was nervous about any school event, but it wasn't like Vader could just hide away. He had a job to do, he was a photographer for this very event, and that at least enabled him to hide slightly more in shadows and have attention upon others. It would be a fun night he sure, for most others, but not for him. Vader had tried to pick fancy clothes, well, clothes that would suit the job he was doing. Fancy because of the nature of the event, but not too fancy. The gryffindor had his camera hanging around his neck and he stepped slowly into the great hall, realising that the jean jacket was not appropriate for this event and this event was further from anything that he was used to even for the magical world. The school dances he'd been to before had been cheap, forced and tacky. This was fancy, well thought out and just had all the hallmarks of an event that was enjoyed by those who went. He wasn't sure how to even get started, perhaps it was just like the halloween feast? It had to be. Vader had to get better at this, come the end of this year he would be flying solo at these events, he'd be helping the editor of the yearbook with what he was doing.

Vader stood at the entrance for a few moments before noting the other accio worker, someone he'd be working with during this event. Vader approached him, "Nixon,"he greeted with a tentative tone, almost as if he wasn't too sure that was the other boy's name. The uncertainty in his voice was clear, as well as his nervousness at the event. He was glad at least that this boy wasn't dressed too fancy either, "I feel underdressed for this," Vader said, making lightly conversation with him, "At least I'm here to do a job, so it's not too strange that i'm underdressed," what he said was more for his own reassurance than for others to hear. He hoped to do well on this event. This boy older and a full member of the team, so anything he could learn off him would be helpful.
​

 

[Nixon Mercury]

Nixon was right in assuming he wouldn't be alone for long, soon hearing his name called and turning to see an intern approach him. He waved and smiled at the boy, remembering his name was Vader. The younger boy was newer to the yearbook than him but only by a fraction. Nixon being in his first year as an official part of the team still felt unsure of what he was doing, but he could tell Vader was sort of relying on him in a similar way Nixon relied on the other members of the yearbook team during his own time as an intern. It made him feel an extra pressure on his shoulders he hadn't expected. He didn't want to accidentally do something wrong and cause the night to become a disaster for the yearbook so early on in his time as a photographer. After shrugging at Vader's comment on feeling under dressed, Nixon looked around again in search of any other yearbook members there to work, pursing his lips to one side when he couldn't immediately spot anyone else familiar. He looked back to Vader, nodding once before speaking. "I'm thinking we wait a couple more minutes and then if no one else is here to help us we go in and start taking photos, sound good?" There wasn't much else the hufflepuff could think to do, and he did not want them to spend time waiting and distracting themselves from their task.​

 

[Caro Taylor]

Caro felt a little surreal about the Yule Ball this year. She had never really had much to do at dances in the past. Watch, nibble food, avoid Lizzie, take some pictures... this year however, there was more than enough to be done. Although they weren't going as a group she had agreed to meet some of her new colleagues on the yearbook to get some work done, and though they didn't need her camera for the yearbook she had decided to bring it anyway, and snap some shots for whatever Hogwarts Monthly articles arose from the night. She was relieved to already know Nixon from the Monthly, it made getting to know the Accio team a little less intimidating. Caro made a beeline for Nixon and Vader as soon as she saw them, trying not to be nervous as she smiled in greeting. "Hey." She said quickly, fidgeting with her camera anxiously. She felt overdressed next to Vader, and struggled not to let her selfconsciousness show. "Are you guys ready to head in?"

 

[Vader Hume]

Vader nodded at what the older boy said, he didn't mind how they went about this, just hoping that it wouldn't be too bad and he wouldn't have to interact with too many others. He could still hide behind his camera with even those people he was meant to be working with. Vader looked at the older girl and couldn't help the blush which reached his cheeks as he realised just how underdressed he was. In comparison with Nixon it was okay, in comparison with Caro he looked like he'd made no effort at all. Vader had been sure this event would be no different from his other school events before hogwarts but much like with everything else, it was different. He didn't know what to be doing with himself. Vader looked between them and nodded, "I'm ready," he said quietly holding the camera in his hands to show that he was indeed ready. he would just follow them, since he knew that Nixon was a full member of the accio team and that though Caro wasn't a photographer for accio she was for the monthly, he knew he could learn from them both.
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[Nixon Mercury]

Nixon smiled as Caro arrived, although quickly noticed how well she dressed and feeling anxious at his own choices in attire. In his mind it had been smarter to dress only to blend in rather than impress since they wouldn't be interacting with anyone other than themselves but it seemed Caro thought differently. He couldn't help but feel a little worried and embarrassed that it appeared he had not made as much effort and this would translate to the opinion everyone on the yearbook team had of him and his photos, but he tried to bury it down when Caro asked if everyone was ready and Vader responded in kind. Nixon responded to with a nod of his head and a confident sounding "yes," despite his worries over his outfit. With that prompting Nixon soon walked inside the hall, momentarily marveling at the decorations and general aesthetic of it all before alternating looks between Caro and Vader. "Alright, I'm thinking we split up and take as many photos of people and the decorations as possible, then meet up in a little while to see each other's progress." This seemed like the smartest option to Nixon but he wasn't against a different plan of action being suggested. "Do we agree this is a good idea?" He asked to be sure, hands moving to the camera hanging around his shoulder, bringing it to his face and beginning to take photos anyway regardless of what the others' answers were. Nixon thought it couldn't hurt to begin taking photos immediately regardless what their plan was. The more photos they had at the end of the night, the better in his opinion since the editors had more options to choose from.​