[video]

[alwaysimpure]

[It's Sirius Black, on video, apparently in a good mood. That can't be good.]

I'm interrupting everyone's busy schedule of catching mice and grooming for a very important announcement: It's Harry's birthday tomorrow! Happy Birthday, Harry!




[A wizard with a wand and some fre time on his hands can do a lot of real life sparkles.]

So, I'm not sure how comfortable you are with making this all public, but let's be honest, birthdays are always partly an excuse to publicly embarrass the birthday boy. At least I'm not singing. Yet. I will in a few hours, when it's your actual birthday, I'm just starting early, because you never know what this island will be up to next.

I did however already get you a present and I think I finally managed to work out most of the kinks.

[With that he moves the device to show the gift he made for him.]



I've been working on it for a while now and chances are this one won't break free and evade capture for months on end. Probably. Anyway, I'd like to celebrate. If you don't mind. There's a lot of catching up to do and I have some things to show you.

Everyone else, you should celebrate tomorrow too! It's a great day.

[Private to Sheska and Once-ler]

I need birthday food for a teenage boy and I thought, hey, I know two people very likely to be willing and able to help me out. Against payment of course, Once-ler. Maybe you two could work on it together? [nudge nudge wink wink]

[ooc: Sorry for spamming the comm, but it's HARRY POTTER'S BIRTHDAY, damn it. Also, the image isn't quite right, but you try finding a flying broom that's not a replica of a Harry Potter movie prop.]

Comments

[thneed]

You don't have to research that. I can just tell you. You can practice with it. It's not like we're going to run out of trees or something.

[librariansheart]

I won't write a book on it or anything, but I'd like to at least come to you with a basic understanding. Then you don't have to explain every little thing! I'll need to practice, of course, but I really shouldn't use your good material. You wouldn't want to give my first anything to a customer, and you'll want that to make thneeds to sell. I really don't mind! It'll be fun!

[thneed]

I think maaaaybe you just want to do research and this doesn't have anything to do with wasted materials or anything. Haha. Okay, you can find out some basics and then I'll move you into advanced mode.

[librariansheart]

Haha Well maybe that does figure in a little bit. I like finding out new things! [And it means she won't look like an idiot in front of you later.] When the winter gets a little colder, then? For now we have a birthday party to plan!

[thneed]

When it gets colder then! What do you want to do for this party?

[librariansheart]

Well, I know that Harry likes magic and broomsticks and a sport that involves a lot of differently sized balls that fly around, and there are gold hoops on long sticks that are like goal posts. He's adventurous, and strong-willed, and Sirius adores him. I think... I think he's at least fifteen, so I'm not sure what sort of decorations would be appropriate, but maybe we could make a cake that looks like the sports pitch for the game? Sirius told me that the spectator stands around the field are striped with the colors of the different houses - maybe we could find striped candles and use those? I wonder what flavor of cake he prefers.

[thneed]

OR the candles are the hoops? So we can light the hoops on FIRE. That's always fun.

[librariansheart]

Oh goodness! That's... an idea. Hm. I bet Sirius would love that. And Harry too, obviously. I'll have to double-check with Sirius on how many hoops there are. Maybe we could string balloons from the ceiling to represent the various types of balls? I mean, they won't be as much fun as real balls, but they also won't be zooming around trying to knock people off of broomsticks. ...At least, I think that's what he said they did. Do you still play games when you're that age, or is it more movies and music or dancing or something?

[thneed]

That could be neat. ....And I wouldn't know. I've only had the one birthday party. Hahaha. I think there should be games if he likes games no matter what age.

[librariansheart]

Oh no, that's right! That will definitely have to change. But what sort of games would we prepare for? Pin-the-ball-in-the-goal-hoop? Blind Man's Bluff? Um... We might be able to make a balloon maze, but it's a little short notice for that. And that might be more geared for little children anyway.

[thneed]

I think maybe we should ask Harry about that one.

[librariansheart]

Wasn't it supposed to be a surprise party?

[thneed]

Didn't Sirius announce everyone should celebrate though? I'm pretty sure that gave away the surprise.

[librariansheart]

Well, yes, but I think he meant in a more general way? I'm not sure if he was saying "hey we're throwing a party and everyone should come"...

[thneed]

Can you not ask him if it's a surprise party?

[librariansheart]

Sirius? Oh! Sure! That... hadn't occurred to me. [Well that's embarrassing.]

[thneed]

Then we have to be subtle about it if it's a surprise so we can sneak everything past him.

[librariansheart]

......I'm not sure that I'm very good at subtle.

[thneed]

That's the whole point of a surprise party though.

[librariansheart]

Which might be why I'm not very good at surprise parties. But Sirius says it doesn't have to be a surprise party, so you're right - we should find out what Harry likes best.

[Calling all Sirius'! (Sirii?)]

[librariansheart]

Sirius, is this supposed to be a surprise party for Harry?

[Totally Sirii.]

[alwaysimpure]

Er. I dunno, do you think it should be?

[Does that mean he's good at giving directions?]

[librariansheart]

Well, I thought maybe you meant that it should be? Otherwise why would you want it to be a secret?

[Wouldn't count on it...]

[alwaysimpure]

I don't know, so he doesn't worry about us going to any trouble?

I just want to do it right.

[Nonsense! Look at all the good relationship advice he's been giving.]

[librariansheart]

Oh, I see! Hm. You know, is there anything magical we should be including? Or some expectations? Things that every wizard has at his birthday party?