First Edition

[angelfruitcake]

It seems the powers that be have quite the esoteric sense of humour. I arrive to take up my new duties and a large portion of the student body has been rendered incapable of reading anything more challenging than the most simplified versions of "Babbity Rabbity and her Cackling Stump".

In any case, greetings, Hogwarts. My name is Ezra Fell. Headmaster Dumbledore has requested I take up the mantle as Librarian of this school, as apparently my predecessor was found lacking in some way. Some of you may be familiar with the bookshop I run in Soho down in London; it's a popular location for youngsters to duck into to try to pluck up the courage to try to sneak into some of the more... illicit establishments in the area.

[VOICE]

Er, I might as well speak this part as some of the potentially interested parties may not be able to read at this juncture. If any of the small children would like to see a presentation of Muggle sleight-of-hand "magic", I am something of an enthusiast and would be pleased to put on a show.

[/VOICE]

Comments

[notyourmum]

Hello Sir!
You Are Very Kind To Offer The Younger Ones A Distraction I Will Make Sure To Usher Them Your Way If I Can.
Im Not Sure Whats Happening But Try To Keep Calm.
The Castle Has A Mind Of Its Own At Times!


Oh!
My Name Is Dolores.

[angelfruitcake]

[Oh dear. Ezra had read the faculty and staff roster Dumbledore had given him. Looks like it's not just the students who have been affected.]

Pleased to meet you, Dolores. Believe me, the pleasure is all mine to assist in any way I can.

Your last name wouldn't happen to be Maryam, would it?

[notyourmum]

No Sir, My Surname Is Pennington.
Theres A Ravenclaw Boy In The Year Above Me Whose Last Name Is Maryam Though!

Would It Be Any Trouble For Me To Come Down To The Library At The Moment?

[angelfruitcake]

Ah, my apologies. As I'm sure you understand, everything's all rather confusing at the moment.

To answer your question, it would be no bother at all. By all means, feel free to drop by.

Voice

[bundangos]

=Hello, Mr. Book! How are you talking?=

[Because little Japanese muggle Children don't know books can talk. Or English]

Voice

[angelfruitcake]

Oh my. Japanese, is it? I picked up a tiny bit of it when I visited to purchase some rare texts on the magical creatures of Japan. And the sushi tour as well. Let's see, er...

=Hello, small girl. I am book man. Are you untroubled?=

[His accent is atrocious.]

Voice

[bundangos]

[She giggles vivaciously]

=You talk funny, Mr. Book. I'm not troubled, I'm Usagi! Mr. Book? Why do you talk, books don't talk.=

[speterman]

[Ezra do you feel that? It is the stare of a very small four year old peeking around the door-way at you. He's not going to say anything though, nope, too shy. Just watching. First adult sighting is a go!]

[Action]

[angelfruitcake]

[Ezra looks up from his desk in the library, getting that strange sensation that he's being watched. He sees a small figure lurking at the door.]

Ah, hello? May I help you?

[Action] is this needed really we both know it's action, come on

[speterman]

[No Giles Ezra, he doesn't need your help.]

Have you seen my mum or dad?

[Not budging because STRANGER DANGER.]

[mysterytwin]

Welcome to Hogwarts, sir.

[angelfruitcake]

Why, thank you, young man. You must have excellent manners to take a moment out of all the excitement for a nice greeting.

[mysterytwin]

Well I figure I should since the library's pretty much my second dorm or something.

My name's Dipper Pines. I'm a second year Ravenclaw.

[bubblingover]

Ooooooh!! A show, i want to come see this show!!! 38D

[angelfruitcake]

It would be my pleasure to put one on for you and any others who are interested. It's always gratifying to engage in one's hobby.

Are you at all familiar with Muggle "magic"?

[bubblingover]

Thank you mister!! You are really nice!!!

Ooooooh, muggles can do magic as well?!

[wwehs]

[oh boy oh boy time for some messy handwriting from a small child hehe]

an a magic showw?
if papa says i ca i wa an va wanna go!

[angelfruitcake]

[It takes Ezra a little while to get read and understand Eridan's less than legible handwriting.]

Well, for the age you likely currently are, I'm sure your penmanship is surprisingly good.

In any case, if your father does agree to it, by all means attend!

[savviest]

I am inclined to believe we have been suckered into something dubious here! Trickery of the highest form, if you will.

I don't know about you, but I bloody well made sure my contract made mentions of students being over reading age. Also tall enough to climb stairs, I've found that helps.

[angelfruitcake]

In my personal opinion, it is probably the school acting persnickety again. I recall quite a few unusual moments from my own time here as a lad.

That said, you do have a point. At least I have not seen any young enough to still be in nappies. Thank goodness for small miracles.

[savviest]

Ah, yes. It does have a tendancy to meddle with ones mind. That said! So does the headmaster! I'd assumed this had been some sort of horrible plan of his to frighten my delicate sensitivities!

It takes a good man to see the silver lining in such a dreadful, bawling and tantruming cloud.



Oh!!! Best of luck for the year to you!!

[action]

[greenteengenius]

[6-year old Lyrl is in the library hiding between the shelves, reading a book that should be well above his level. He was freaking out about being kidnapped by wizards and things, but then there were books and he got distracted.]

[action]

[angelfruitcake]

[Ezra is restocking some of the books and generally tidying up when he turns and sees the small boy curled up with the difficult book.]

Oh, hello. That's an impressive book for someone of your current age. Are you enjoying it?

Re: [action]

[greenteengenius]

[Lyrl freezes when Ezra talks to him, but that seems like a safe enough question so he tentatively answers it.]

Yes. I haven't gotten a new book in awhile.

[thesmallesttrickster]

Muggle magic? This sounds very interesting! If you would not mind, I am in the library quite often and would love a demonstration, sir!