h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Ah, hello Pippin. Help yourself to the food. Gandalf is just over there. *Points at Solsbury*

*tucks in to a huge plateful of beef*

Grand party, are we doing later?

Any one bring the Sorting Hat?

{l was at school for a bit, and then l wasn't at school for a bit, and then l was back at a different school, and then l wasn't at school for an even longer bit, and now l am at yet another school. Probably also for a bit. lf that makes sense. *grins*

l'd much rather be at Hogwarts...though l do guiltily confess that l've not read the HP books yet. l will, though! l swear it! So very much to read...}

*sips a little punch, then idly dips a strawberry in. To her delight the punch so thoroughly permeates the berry that it turns from lush red to pure blue. She nibbles experimentally -- the strawberry retains its natural flavour but acquires all the kick of a blue powder punch*

{l've heard of blue raspberry...but blue strawberry...hmm...}

*eats her salad very correctly, conscious of her manners now that she is in a prominent seat.*

*giggles as her skrewt begins to climb a tapestry, looking for a way to get at Mrs. Norris*

These are wonderful presents, such wonderful wrappings that I hope I can spell them off without tearing the paper! I've been practising this morning.

*Smiles at the mention of Gandalf, and saunters over to Solsburry*

Well, now, Gandalf. Are we going to see any of those marvelous fireworks of yours? Where have you been all this time? Have you seen Frodo? Where's Merry? Did you ever see --

*Rambles on with Pippin's trademark inquizitiveness*

So, with all that on-again-off-again schooling, how come we didn't see you more? Never mind. The important thing is you are back now.

*Notices Mad-Eye having some beef. No ill-effects ensue, so SB gets some for himself.*

Be watchin those skrewts now. They can light your fire easily.
(Finnished the series today. Any word on year 5?)

*starts on a plate of Turkey Dumbeldore with Flitch *

Excellent food! I do like the way the plates just keep refilling.

*Passes Pipkin some food and drink hoping to shut him up for a short while...
Tries to bat whoever is batting his hat and watches as it sails over the table to land in the soup*


No I'm not sure where the others are but as there is free food and drink for a party I'd have thought they would turn up sometime.

*uses staff to get the hat back*
Now anyone know a good laundry?
Why couldn't it have landed in the punch.

*is slightly disgruntled at her plaything being taken away. turns her back on Gandalf and instead watches the skrewt at the curtains*

*Harold walks back into the hall, through a space that makes the square of tables incomplete, and sets up a low dais, onto which the presents are then piled by two other bots*

*the presents shift and argue amongst themselves in low voices before arranging themselves to best effect*


Marv, I just knew you would like being Hagrid!


*It's well-known that a completed square of tables could have unintended consequences involving a lot of uninvited poltergeists*

*is attempting to contend with a plateful of peas, but the things won't stop skittering about in circles. As she steps up her efforts the peas continue to whirl, hovering above her plate like a green-veg Bohr diagram. At last she thinks to imagine the peas lying sedately on her plate, and they promptly settle down and behave themselves.*

*thinks, "As opposed to those invited poltergeists." *

*flies into banquet hall, clinging to broomstick for dear life and showing no sign of controling the thing. Barely clears the door jam. Attempts to land, but he is carrying much to much speed, instead rebounds off the floor and shoots ceilingward. Colides with a squid. Both fall to the floor, flapping their limbs weakly.*

I...I...I brought gifts...I think they ended in a tree some ways back...

*hops down from her ottoman and tries to disengage Neville from the squid. This proves a daunting task...*

*gives a silent at Neville, pops out of existence and pops back in accross the room, still upside down. looks very surprised, then begins washing her tail again*

*sits peacefully on the floor, picking the carrots out of her salad to eat first and minding her own business. A pepper shaker, rattled by Longbottom's impact with the floor, topples and scatters much of it's contents on her head.*

Ah-ah-ah-chew! *her sneeze is accompanied by a jet of flames*

Dear, me, did I do that? Please excuse me. Ah-ah-ah-chew! *Foosh!*

*looks a bit singed. meows out what might be a "bless you" then walks across the ceiling to escape the flames*

*staggers beleaguerdly out of the squid-wreckage, trailing a tentacle behind her. Norbert's sneeze conveniently immolates said tentacle, freeing the badger. She shakes herself briskly, hops onto the ottoman, and has a drink*