The Whomping Willow

It has been an interesting couple of weeks, what with planning our upcoming trip, watching Le Tour at the Mount Bakery at 5am, and adventures such as we found Tuesday night.

Jamie Paxton is a Harry Potter fanatic. It is really rather scary. As part of her Harry Potter support group, we decided to go to the midnight opening of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Tuesday night... in costume. Jessica Luce suggested that I go as the Whomping Willow, which really isn't a character, just a tree that whomps anything that comes to close. I don't think the suggestion was an insult, but it was a good reminder to everyone of my tree-like nature.

So there we were, at the Burlington Mall, my costume consisting of a branch taped to my head and one in each hand for which to whomp any Harry Potter character that might cross my path. As we entered the cinema, I whomped all the people waiting in line for the 12:30 showing. We made our way to our theater, and I promptly whomped any muggle that commented on my appearance.

When we entered the theater, shouts of "It's the Whomping Willow!" were heard between the roar of applause I received while walking down the aisle to the front row, whomping everyone I passed of course. I then stationed myself in the front corner of the theater and whomped any and all passersby.

Much to my surprise (and delight) a costume contest was announced. 30 people lined up in front, including Jamie in her Ginny Weasley outfit that she already owned, and Kristen in an amazing homemade Hedwig (owl) costume. As a worn out movie theater manager explained the rules of the contest, he slowly backed closer to me. I inched towards him, and to the immense pleasure of the audience, gave him a prompt whmoping. I don't think he liked it very much.

The contest consisted of polite clapping and whoops from friends for the first few competitors, and when it came to my turn, the crowd burst anto an uproar for a good 10-15 seconds. During this time, I managed to give the theater guy another solid whomp or two, as well as the entire front row. By some jdging shenanigans, it was announced that there were three finalists, myself, a creepy guy dressed up as Severus Snape, and a genuine 10 year old Harry Potter. The movie theater manager kept saying it was a tie, and I had to win the overwhelming support of the audience 2 more times before he said "Unfortunately.... I think we have a winner..... The Tree." And there was much whomping among the people.

The grand prize was a 5 by 10 foot banner advertising the movie. Creepy Snape sidled up to me and told me he would give me 50 bucks if I chose the one with Hermione on it and gave it to him. Alas, I had already promised Jamie Paxton the Harry poster. Anyway, as Mark later pointed out, anybody willing to pay $50 for a larger the life poster of an 18 year old wizard girl is probably better off without it.

I did kind of feel bad that the kid didnt get it, but any kid who's parents buy him a full wizard outfit and take him toa movie at midnight is doing pretty well for himself.