A Parade!

Tan-ta-rah!

rushlight75 has arrived!

*icarusancalion, switchknife and amanuensis hoist onto their shoulders while the tickertape falls. Teeming masses of Harry Potter fans throng, cheering, as a marching band attempts a stumbling cover of the Pistols 'God Save the Queen'... the parade approaches a traffic circle that's been cleared, and the mayor of the fanfic community (who else but mctabby?) is handed an envelope, an a rather absurdly large key... a script rolls on the teleprompter...*

The Crowd hushes. Sort of.

"We all know why we're here today." Mayor mctabby reads carefully in a clear voice. Actually, the press office didn't tell her anything, but she figures she'll know by the end of the speech.

"rushlight75 has made many fine contributions to the fanfic community...

...these includes such gems as 'Rite of Pass -" someone walks in front of the teleprompter and mayor mctabby attempts to peer around them. "- Passage' and 'Through a Shattered Mirror.' "

The crowd goes wild. Now this the mayor is used to. She holds up her hand.

"While I cannot guarantee rushlight75 will participate in our Blame Somebody Else challenges -"

The crowd giggles. They're eating out of her hand. The press office deserved a raise for this excellent election-year ploy.

"- I can say she is a welcome addition to any friends list, and...

"...a welcome addition to the Harry Potter Fanfiction Community!"

*wild cheering* After waiting a moment for the crowd to settle, mayor mctabby hoists the ridiculous key so everyone can see it.

"With no futher ado - " major mctabby scowled inwardly. How many times had she told the speechwriters to drop the old-fashioned words? She was courting the Young Vote for Merlin's sake! She already had the Dumbledore/Aberforth generation. " - I present rushlight75 the keys to the city! Welcome to Diagon Alley."

*wild applause!!!!!!!*