Right to business huh? Well if making kids eat slightly spoiled foods counts as busniness...Not a bad job. "I'd say we should." He uncrossed his arms and took a step forward. The kids in here seemed to concerned with the foods that were selected, so he eyed them over too. "Maybe I will." Yeah no...He'll pass. "If there's any left over, I'll down a few of them. They all look well prepared. It's a very nice assortment of food." Next up...those curious, and cautious Kids, just standing around. "ALRIGHT! You Lot just gonna stand around like Trees? I could always us more Lumber." He stretched his arms out and locked his fingers fingers together palms facing out. Cracking his knuckles. "The food is edible. The Ghosts aren't going to deliberatly make you all Ill." He gave a quick glance over to Sir Nick then back to the Kids. "Partner up now. Come on, anyone left out Will get me as their Partner." There that was his participation. If they all decided to stand around daized and confused after this He'll just start going all Drill Sargent on them. 100 Jumping-Jacks, 50 Crunches, 50 Push-Ups, and maybe 20 laps around the Dungeon Corridor. YES HE HAD THESE ROUTINES PLANNED OUT!

Lex was intrigued, oh yes she definitely was. This was ghost food? Why was it stale? Just because they couldn't taste it didn't mean they had to hurt her heart the way they did. You know what happened when you showed a Gryffindor wasted food? A little part of them dies. The part that can't help thinking they could have eaten that food while it was still good and proper.

Her eyes bounced from the table at the sound of a familiar voice. "Hey Terry." She said with a grin. If he was here he was trying this too. Definitely, he had to no matter how disgusted he happened to be looking now. This was...half the fun? Yeah, something like that. "Shame they made this all go to waste, don't you think?" Because YES, it WAS a waste...a terribly interesting one at that...

And there was a girl she didn't know. Not surprizing given she wasn't in Slytherin and hadn't been bumping into people the way she did but now it could be fixed. Real easy too. "Hi!" First step to making friends right there, where was Kevin to take notes? Merlin knew the boy needed friends and was too dense to get any.

"I don't actually know you and consider that a problem. The name's Alexa but you can call me Lex cause just about everyone else does--and you are?"

Yeah, her name, she had one, yes?

Lex watched her house ghost floating over, taking a measured step back to avoid any accidental run ins. Her joints were sore enough without her having a cold chill running through them, thanks.

A vomit relay...and she had to try because it was fun...? OKAY, she was sold. "Where do I begin?" She asked with a wide grin, not at all deterred by the prospect of what this whole thing could entail. It was a relay of sorts and the ghost of Gryffindor had decided it would be fun. What more did she honestly need?

There was a side glance at the Professor's when they were mentioned before Lex leaned in and whispered. "Professor Tyner maybe, but I don't see how we'd rope in Professor Bellaire. Any ideas?" If this was FUN then they simply couldn't leave a Professor out on the merriment. Heh. Noooo.

Was that even a serious question right there? "Of course you should be honoured. Not everyone's cut out for Gryffindor you know, in fact I can think of a few that aren't suited at all but the hat must have been half asleep when sorting them so we'll overlook it and hope they don't die." Truly, Gryffindor's knew how to get out of near death experiences. If they wanted to be outted the least they could do was be sorted into Hufflepuff first. Merlin.

Lex noted the grey in Bellaires hair and couldn't help but wonder if she had something to do with the lock of grey hair in her own head. Whatever caused it, she and Lottie were going to the Healer to get it removed since dying it didn't seem to help AT ALL.

Her attention was once again caught when Benjy had the jam on a scone. "You're about to make me 15 galleons richer Barton, go for it." There was a look of anticpation on her face. Even if it wasn't actually gone bad and she had to pay him 15 galleons it wouldn't be a major issue, she just wanted to see him try the jam.

And this stuff...wasn't meant to make them throw up? That was rich. But she wouldn't question it. This thing needed to get started NOW because she was anxious and ready. Yup.

"Alright, any rules we should know about?" THEN starting, yes?

Sophia was sure that the Quidditch instructor was really just trying to patronize her by saying it looked sophisticated but that was just a small portion of her worry.

"Even so, masking the grey hair doesn't solve this extremely abnormal occurrence. No one in my family ages poorly. My mother didn't get a strand of grey hair until she hit her 60s and even then it wasn't this!" She tugged at her hair and frowned.

Sophia muttered. "Yes yes..lets get this thing started so we can end it, so I can find myself at Primpernelle's."She tried to offer Kirby a smile when he got there but it was so hard to produce given her current situation that it came out as something of a grimace instead.

"I wouldn't go as far as to calling this slop edible looking." She mad a face at the food table. Who would eat that?

The transfiguration professor nodded over at Nick to answer his question. "Yes that's it. Just try not to vomit in my general direction after eating that slop." She added.

"Alright everyone, partner up and let's GO!" Chop chop.

Benjy had never stopped to think that the ghosts might have had favourite foods. It made sense though, now that he thought about it. Shame they had to have such old, decayed versions though. It WAS a waste, not eating such delicacies in their best form. "Which is your choice then?" he asked the Gryffindor ghost with a grin. "Let me guess, the roast?" A cream team didn't seem right for a Gryffie. No...that seemed more, well, lady-like.


The Slytherin's description of a Yorkshire pudding was probably much more useful description in trying to pick it out, but Benjy was definitely correct about the syrup bit. In his opinion, it was much better than having it with a roast...even though a roast was pretty awesome. His mouth watered a little at the thought. All of this talk of food was making him hungry. Couldn't he start eating yet?

Wouldn't have seen the dish? Benjy chuckled. "You sound like guy after my own heart," he replied. Maybe Slytherins weren't all bad. Especially since Lex seemed to know this one. A fellow sweet tooth, perhaps?

Oh, and introductions! The Ravenclaw grinned, and gave a little wave with his non-scone holding hand. "Benjamin. Most people call me Benjy though." Benjamin was a mouthful, though his full name was a LOT worse.

FINALLY, Lex was on board. Like, PROPERLY. Not just interested kind of on board. Clearly she wasn't feeling quite as reckless as him today. What was being a Prefect doing to her?

SNORT. Get Bellaire involved? Benjy leaned in too. "That's not gonna be possible. C'mon, she's a stickler for being clean and strict and well..." he dropped his voice to a whisper, leaning in a little closer. "Boring." Nah, he couldn't see her joining in any time soon.

Benjy raised an eyebrow, bemused by her comment about the sorting hat being sleepy. Maybe it was sleepy when he was sorted. Though, he wasn't sure he could believe that given he was one of the first of the year to be sorted. There weren't many surnames that came before 'Barton'. "In that case, I AM honoured. Very much so."

Make her 15 galleons richer? Benjy shook his head confidently. "Oh I doubt it Cambridge, I doubt it." He recognised that anticipation in her face, and his lips curled upwards into a smirk just as he took a nice big bite. ChompChomp. "Eetsa piffle fry..." Benjy said with his mouth full, as he tried to get some moisture into his mouth. "'ut of-her-ise ukie." The thick jam was gluing the scone to the top of his mouth, and he swallowed it forcefully. "Fancy a bite?" he wafted the scone in front of her nose, before taking a second bite. Well, he had to show he meant it, right? It was a bet, after all.

"Al-we-ffy der, pwo-fes-oaaar," Benjy answered, possibly splitting some of the scone-jam concoction in her direction as he did so. Wasn't his fault the food was dry and sticky in his mouth. He gulped the gunky stuff down once more and looked at Lex. "Partners?" he asked, wiping the edge of his mouth on his sleeve. He would eat or piggy back or both. Whatever was required.

The grin that was on Lex's face was reflected by Terry as she greeted him. He nodded at her statement, his eyes scanning over the table. "This would've made an amazing meal if they hadn't of left it out for a while." The kids would've gone wild for that trifle.

All the discussions about foods and how they were supposed to be cooked and eaten was making the Slytherin extremely hungry. But there was no way that he was going to eat all this sloppy off mess. It looked like it would do more harm than good. He chuckled at Benjy's response. "Who doesn't love a good pudding?" he asked. Seriously, find him one person that wouldn't go weak at the knees for a decent apple crumble, or a knickerbocker glory sundae. "Good to meet you Benjy" he responded, still with his eyes on the icky trifle.

The boys nose wrinkled as the Groundskeeper explained that the food was actually edible and that it wouldn't make you ill. Certainly looked like it would to him. His next statement about having to partner up with him drew his attention to Ana who looked like she was practically about to beg Terry to join in with her. He sighed, unable to resist her pleas. "Fine. I'll join in" he said, slightly reluctantly. Could he just eat the jelly and the Yorkshire puddings then?

"I'll go with Ana" he nodded in her direction, ready for the challenge to begin. She definitely owed him.

Ana eyed Benjy with slight distaste as crumbs came out of his mouth. That was just gross. Had he not learnt to swallow his food before he spoke? He was just lucky he hadn't gotten any on her, or she'd be aiming at him. She also didn't understand why they were eating the food before the relay began. Honestly, why would anyone want to do that?

"Hi," Ana returned, shooting the girl a smile as she introduced herself. "I'm Anastasia, you can call me any variant of that I suppose." Ana was using her nice tone of voice. Just because Lex would be her rival in this relay didn't mean they couldn't maybe be friends. Because Ana could use more of those. Especially now that her Otchim had confirmed they'd be staying in the UK until she finished her schooling.

As Mr Kirby threatened all of them, with the fact that they'd need to partner with him if they had no-one else Ana turned even more desperate eyes on Terry. He wouldn't make her go with a Professor would he? She'd literally beg him if that's what it took. Ana was lucky that it didn't.

"Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you," Ana chanted excitedly as she impulsively threw her arms around Terry in a hug. She'd probably end up owing him for this if his lack of excitement was anything to go by but he'd agreed to do the relay with her and that's what was important! She did note that it seemed as though her puppy dog eyes worked on him. Inwardly deciding not to use them too often even if that were the case.

As soon as Bellaire mentioned something about starting Ana bounced back to her original place beside Terry. This was going to be so much fun. Not only was she going to get to eat, even if she was still doubtful about how edible the food was, but she'd also get a piggyback ride. If she was honest Ana could admit that she was probably more excited about the piggyback then the eating. Mainly because she was pretty sure the piggyback wouldn't make her want to be sick.

She really hoped no-one in here vommed anywhere near her direction.

Would she compete? "I suppose that depends on how many people we have. If it's already an even number without me, then I would be more than happy to merely watch." Because who wanted to eat that disgusting food anyways?

Orsino seemed to agree with her. After all, they didn't have ten days to get this shindig going. "I'll suggest it to Sophia." She was in charge of this thing right? "Would you like to partner up?" She figured none of the students would want to be with the staff.


So this was an anomaly, apparently. "I've heard that new stress in life can cause hair to gray or fall out, even if it was up to six months ago." Which was quite remarkable, actually. "So if you've had anything like that, it could explain it." She thought she could think of one or two 'small' things that could fit into this category.

Oh good, they were starting. She looked over at the Groundskeeper. Her raised eyebrow was asking if he was okay to partner with her.

Staff partnering up with a Staff...Well that'd be interesting. Orsino raised the opposite eyebrow of his to the one she raised, she had caught his attention with that request. "Sounds Excellent to me. Although might I suggest I take Piggy-Backing Duty." He reached his arms behind his back and stretched them out, to loosen up. "We'll go as soon as you're ready Tiara." Orsino was surprised that she would be willing to eat all this food. He could imagine himself, but Tiara...maybe he still didn't know enough about the other staffers.

Sir Nicholas turned to the boy whom he had accidently stuck his hand through. Grinning broadly he nodded with a gesture to the food display "Yes I do want you to eat the food. It's delicious and safe for living consumption." Lie. But the kiddos didn’t need to know that. They should have some fun and if that ended up leading to vomiting than so bit Sir Nicholas reasoned.
"If you’ll win you’ll get the glory of winning the first ever Hogwarts vomit relay." That should be enough Nick thought. You didn’t always need fancy prizes.

Grinning proudly at the groundskeeper he responded. "Its all the house ghosts favourites. We prepared them with help from the house elves." Sir Nicholas would try and save some pieces for Mr Kirby. The man lived on the grounds after all and had further to walk to get to the kitchens if he wanted a bite to eat.

Alexa you could always trust to get excited and jump on board to make something fun. Sir Nicholas liked that about his house’s prefect. "First thing you need to do is find a partner." He instructed calmly. Shooting a glance over at Professor Bellaire upon hearing Alexa’s whispered question Sir Nicholas whispered back. "You could be right. Hmm I’m not sure. Maybe if there are uneven pairs she'll play too? But honestly I don’t know. You can probably come up with better ideas than me." Alexa was a resourceful girl after all.

Turning to one of the older boys Sir Nicholas beamed excitedly. "You’re spot on. My favourite is definitely the roast beef with Yorkshire pudding. Any guess on the other dishes?"
Glancing over at Madam Tyner he nodded. "You're quite right but I hope you'll play. I am already supervising." It would be probably more fun to take part than just standing on the sideline watching. And besides Sir Nick couldn't even if he wanted to so the professors should.

Terry couldn't have been more right. This all could have made for an epic feast if they'd worked harder to keep it preserved. The idea behind it being a vomit relay was becoming more apparent by the second. "You think any of it still tastes good?" It certainly didn't LOOK good.

And the girl with Terry was Anastasia. Long name. Lex didn't like those so she was more than happy to oblige with calling her any variation of it. "Ana it is then!" And a firm nod. This girl was added to her small list of Slytherins that she knew. The Fifth Year didn't make a habit of talking to too many of them. "Hope you've got a strong stomach." No really. LOOK at the table. A strong stomach was required for such things.

Benjy caught her attention with his disbelief. He would see in a minute then she would collect her 15 galleons. Who knows where the ghosts store their food in anticiaption for events like this and let's face it, how often do these events take place anyway? She watched him take the bite and the way the jam wasn't doing what jam was meant to do. It didn't look anymore edible being force!churned in his mouth. Pffft. Not too surprizing. If they found anything still relatively intact at this table it would be a miracle but that didn't stop her from taking the offered treat. Of course she knew it wouldn't be any good but life was full of experiences. "Should be interesting." She commented, but before she could take an actual bite they were moving on.

Unfortunately she had no answer for her House Ghost. "I'm as stumped as you are. Even with a player short, she's a stickler like that." She mumbled, keeping her voice well out of range for the Transfiguration Professor. "Maybe after she sees how fun it is, her mind will change." That was all they could hope for.

Now then, on to the business of partners. "Definitely!" She replied, grinning at Benjy's offer. "I think we wanna win which means I can't be giving the Piggy-back ride." And a gesture to her thin arms then his stature. It would be a whole lot of hobbling and that might only cause the horrid food to come back up before they hit the finish line. Of course now this meant she might be the one eating? Lex didn't know, she was just going with things.

"Who indeed," Benjy returned with a grin. Certainly not him. Sweet tooth, he had it. Perhaps not quite to the same extent as Lex here, but not too far off. He was certainly as adventurous. Hence the pre-mature eating of dry scone and jam, which apparently Ana was eying him in digust about. Benjy simply shrugged at her. She was the one who was apparently unhappy about him starting early, but seemed overly excited to be pairing up with Terry. Weird.

See, this is why he liked Lex. Straight-talking and to the point, mhmm.
Benjy grinned as his guess was confirmed as correct. "Nice choice, Sir, especially the yorkie puds," he replied, looking back along the table a little more closely. "I'd say the afternoon tea is the Grey Lady's? I'm a bit stuck after that though. I'd say the Friar is more likely to have the sweet tooth though, so the trifle for him, and the..." Benjy paused to bend over and get a closer look at the meat in pastry, "Beef pie of some description is the Baron's?"

Oh, she was going to take a bite herself? Or not.

Benjy slowly swallowed his second bite, and looked round for a goblet of something to drink as Lex spoke to her house ghost. The tea maybe? Cold tea wasn't exactly his beverage of choice, but it'd be better than nothing. He'd just not take the milk with it. He poured a small cup, and gulped it down as quickly as possible. "BLEH." He shuddered as he tried to get the overly strong and bitter taste out of his mouth, before heading towards his now confirmed partner.

"I can definitely do piggy-backing," he said with a slight chuckle at Lex's weedy arms. "I thought you were meant to be in training," he said, punching her lightly in the shoulder. "I'd avoid the scones if speed is of the essence," he added, dropping his voice to a whisper. "Really claggy in the mouth. Taste alright though. And sugar with the tea. At least three heaped spoonfuls."

See, he'd just won 15 galleons from Lex, and together they were totally gonna beat both the Slytherins and the Professors in the race. Booyah!