Well, almost everyone.
The angry cry of Lee Jordan ricocheted down the stairs into the
Griffindor common room, where students milled about preparing
for their day. Fred and George Weasley broke into hysterics and
the sound of Lee's shouting
" Oh, no, what have they done now?" Hermione Granger
wondered, staring across the common room at Weasley twins who
were smacking each other's shoulders in congratulations.
"It can't be that terrible. It's not even 8 o'clock in the
morning." Harry Potter answered wryly.
"Never underestimate them. They cause trouble like its their
job." Ron Weasley said, shaking his head in the direction
of Lee's cries. As if on cue, Lee Jordan suddenly appeared at
the top of the stairs leading to the boys dormitories and the
common room exploded with laughter.
True, Lee was only wearing a towel, which he was holding firmly
around his middle as he stood dripping wet on the stairs. But
funnier still was the fact that Lee's skin had suddenly turned
a peculiar shade of -
"BLUE!! I'M BLUE!!! WHAT IN HELL DID YOU TWO DO TO ME?!"
Fred and George were slumped on the floor, laughing so hard that
tears rolled down their faces.
"Sorry there, mate. We were experimenting with some new
bath products - guess we forgot to take 'em out of the shower!!"
George gasped, wiping his eyes. Lee glared at him.
"Pomfrey better be able to fix this, or you two are DEAD!"
he shouted, sprinting through the common room and out of the portrait
hole.
"Lee, what about your clothes?!" Alicia Spinnet shouted
after him.
"I hope he doesn't run into Snape . . . although, can
you imagine how great that would be?" Fred choked, picturing
the evil Potions master's reaction to a blue, half-naked Griffindor
student running wildly through the corridors at 7:30 in the morning.
"Or better yet, what if McGonagall sees him?" George
wheezed and the two Weasley twins burst into even more uncontrollable
laughter.
"We can't miss this!" Fred cried as the two of them
took off after Lee. The rest of the common room watched them go,
still trying to comprehend what had just happened.
"Never a dull moment with those two around." Harry
said grinning. Hermione simply grabbed her books and turned expectantly
towards Harry and Ron as though the whole scene had never happened.
"We'd better hurry up or we're going to be late for - ahem!
- breakfast."
"Hermione, we can be late for breakfast, they've only just
started serving it!" Ron cried indignantly. Hermione sighed
with exasperation and rolled her eyes.
"I didn't really mean breakfast, Ron! Have you forgotten
what Hagrid told us yesterday? About Dumbledore's big surprise?"
Ron's eyes grew wide with understanding, and Hermione nodded
at him with a knowing look. Harry remained standing across from
them, clearly in the dark about the entire conversation.
"What? What surprise?"
"We're not sure. Hagrid accidentally let something about
about 'Dumbledore's great surprise' while we were helping him
clean up after Care of Magical Creatures yesterday." Hermione
said.
"Yeh, he said we'd find out about it this morning at breakfast."
"Well, why didn't I know about it? Why didn't you tell me?"
Harry asked, a little hurt that his friends had been sharing secrets
with Hagrid without him.
"We promised Hagrid we wouldn't tell anyone else, not even
you." Ron replied.
"Why not? Its not like he told you what the surprise was,
did he?"
"No, Hagrid doesn't know what it is. No one on the faculty
knows, except for Dumbledore. He really wants to give everyone
a treat to start this year off on a good note." Hermione
said, smiling. "I'll bet they're adding some great new classes."
Ron snorted. "Yeh that would be a really great treat, now
wouldn't it?"
"Well, I'm not going to stand around here all day speculating.
C'mon." Hermione said firmly. Harry and Ron picked up their
books and eagerly followed her towards the Great Hall.
Dumbledore was sitting in his regular seat at the very center
of the staff table, calmly eating his breakfast. On either side
of him sat Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape, who also
appeared to be going about their business as usual.
"Maybe Hagrid got it wrong." Ron mumbled, picking up
a piece of toast. Further down the Griffindor table, Fred and
George were regaling the crowd with the story of Lee Jordan's
mad dash to the hospital wing.
" - so then Filch comes around the corner, and he was so
stunned I thought he was going to drop his teeth!" Fred announced
loudly. Lee looked up from his breakfast plate, his face now back
to its normal color.
"Do you have to tell the whole world about it? It was bad
enough that they all saw me . . ." he motioned around
at the rest of the Griffindor table. Fred and George just laughed
and continued their tale.
"You should have seen Pomfrey's face, it was priceless
. . ."
"Hermione, did you finish the Potions homework?" Neville
Longbottom tentatively asked. Hermione nodded.
Neville looked at her almost fearfully, as if just talking about
Potions would somehow ignite the wrath of Professor Snape.
"Did-did your conclusion look anything like this?"
he whispered, passing a roll of parchment across the table for
Hermione's inspection.
"Um- I think you've gone wrong here, Neville, where it says
that newt's brains are the active ingredient. What you need to
do is -
"Can I have you attention, please?"
Dumbledore's voice suddenly cut through the noisy din of the
Hall, and the students fell silent. Neville snatched his Potions
report from Hermione's hand and shoved it under the table while
looking fearfully in Snape's direction.
Everyone's attention seemed to be on Dumbledore, however. Even
the teachers had put down their forks and were watching the headmaster
with interest. Dumbledore smiled warmly as he surveyed the four
long tables of students before him.
" Good morning to you all! While I do apologize for taking
up this valuable homework time, I'm afraid I have a rather important
announcement that requires eveyone's attention."
A quiet buzz ran through the Hall. Dumbledore paused for a moment
until it subsided, and then continued on.
"I'm sure many of you have noticed that the atmosphere around
Hogwarts this year has been somewhat . . . tense. Your teachers
have had an unusually busy summer on top of preparing for the
upcoming school year. Therefore, it is my wish that we might be
able to lighten the mood around here a little bit and all . .
. get away for a few days."
More excited murmurs filled the Hall. At the head table, the
teachers seemed a bit puzzled as well. Dumbledore again waited
patiently for silence before continuing on.
"It gives me great pleasure to announce that next Friday
the entire school will be taking a brief holiday. A 'field trip',
if you will."
"To where? Are we actually leaving the school, Professor?"
Fred Weasley asked loudly. Dumbledore chuckled.
"Yes, Mr. Weasley, I assure you we are. I believe you are
all going to enjoy this immensely."
"Well don't leave us in suspense, Professor! Where are we
goin'? Hagrid called merrily from the end of the staff table.
His question was met with a murmur of assent from the students.
Dumbledore grinned, enjoying the moment.
"We will be going to . . . Snickity Glen's Amazing Amusements
& Funfair."
It took a few seconds for Dumbledore's words to sink in, and
then suddenly the Great Hall exploded into cheers. Fred and George
Weasley leapt from their seats and began jumping up and down shouting,
"We're going to Snickity's! We're going to Snickity's!!"
Even the Slytherin table, which rarely got excited about anything,
seemed to be rejoicing as much as everyone else.
The reaction at the staff table, however, was slightly different.
The only person who seemed remotely excited was Hagrid, who jumped
from his seat and rushed to shake Dumbledore's hand. Professor
McGonagall was choking on a mouthful of tea, and a rather stunned
Professor Sprout sat numbly beside her, patting her on the back.
Professor Snape looked as though he might explode.
Harry grinned. He knew absolutely nothing about this Snickity
place, but he could tell from the general reaction that it was
definitely not your typical 'field trip' spot.
"Ron, what's Snickity's?" asked Hermione, who was watching
Fred and George dance wildly in the aisle.
"Only the best place on the entire planet!! It's got all
sorts of things - rides, this museum of Wizarding Wonders and
Oddities, a zoo - and tons of other cool stuff!" Ron was
positively starry-eyed with excitement. "I've only ever been
there once, and it was when I was little so I couldn't even get
on to half of the rides and things. This is going to be wicked!"
"Ahem - if I could have your attention for another moment,
please. I know you're all very excited, but I do have a few other
things to say before the bell rings."
It took a minute, but gradually the pandemonium ceased, and everyone
found their way back to their seats. Dumbledore continued.
"We will be departing from Hogwarts on Friday evening and
we shall be arriving at Snickity's early in the morning on Saturday.
We will spend Saturday night at accommodations near the park before
leaving for Hogwarts on Sunday. I'm sure you all have a million
questions, but I'm afraid I will have to put them on hold for
the moment. However, the Heads of Houses will be meeting with
students in their respective common rooms this evening, and they
will be able to answer any questions you may have."
The bell rang, signaling the end of breakfast. Harry, Ron, and
Hermione gathered their books.
"I can't believe Dumbledore's taking us to Snickity's -
its just too cool!" Ron marveled, still shaking his head.
"Wait until you guys see it, you won't believe all the stuff
they have there . . ."
"It's official, we go to the best school ever!" Dean
Thomas was saying as he passed the trio on his way to class. "I
take back everything bad I ever said about the place -"
"Five points from Griffindor, Thomas, now move along."
Professor Snape spat as he marched angrily out of the Great Hall.
"Well, maybe not everything ." Dean grumbled,
and Harry, Ron and Hermione nodded in agreement.
variety of exploding candies and sweets covered several tables
in the Griffindor common room. Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown
pulled out the entire contents of their wardrobe and were prancing
around in various outfits, already trying to decide what to pack
.
As promised, Professor McGonagall arrived in the common room
that evening after dinner. She looked rather tired and cross.
"All right then - Weasley, get all of this ridiculous stuff
off of the table. Does anyone have any questions about the -ahem-
field trip?"
Nearly every hand in the room shot up. McGonagall sighed.
"Yes, Mr. Longbottom?"
"Professor, where are we going to sleep on Saturday night?"
Neville asked, looking slightly nervous.
"Yes, and how are we getting to Snickity's? On the train?"
asked Katie Bell.
"I believe we will be traveling by bus. One bus per house
- and to answer your question, Longbottom, we will be sleeping
on it."
"Who's driving our bus?"
"I don't know, Weasley. Raise your hand. Yes, Mr. Finnegan?"
"Is it a big bus?"
"Yes, I'd imagine so - are there any questions that don't
pertain to the bus? Yes, Miss Weasley?"
"When we get to Snickity's, are we allowed to walk around
by ourselves?"
"You will be staying in groups, and each group will be assigned
to a chaperone who they will check in with at designated times.
I don't know who the Griffindor chaperones are yet, so don't ask."
"Will the chaperones be riding in the bus?"
"I forbid anyone to mention the bus again! Yes, Miss Granger?"
"Should we bring spending money?"
"The school has already paid for transportation, the price
of admission, food, and lodgings for Saturday night. If you would
like to buy anything at the park, you should bring your own spending
money. Miss Patil?"
"How many suit cases are we allowed to bring, Professor?"
"I should think one would be sufficient, Miss Patil. We're
only going to be gone for three days."
Professor McGonagall glanced around the common room.
"Is that all for questions?"
Fred Weasley put his hand up.
"Can I please ask another bus question?"
"No.
"But -"
"That's enough, Weasley! All right then, I have a few things
to say, and then you are all going to bed. Now first of all, there
is a reason that we don't often take students on field trips.
It is a difficult undertaking to pack up the whole school and
take you somewhere. Professor Dumbledore has put a lot of time
and money into planning this trip, and I expect that you will
all be on your absolute best behavior. You all know what I expect
from you. There will be serious consequences for anyone who so
much steps a toe out of line on this trip. End of story.
That being said, anyone who has any allergies, or a medical issue
of any kind needs to speak with Madam Pomfrey before Friday.
We will be having a half day of classes on Friday, and then you
will report back to your dormitory to collect your things.
There will be a schedule of events, which I will give to you
on Friday. You will have plenty of time to go through the park
by yourselves, but I believe there are some group activities planned
as well."
Professor McGonagall stood up.
"I think that's everything, now I want everyone upstairs
to bed immediately. Weasley take all of your things with you."
"Oh! Professor?"
"What is it, Jordan?"
"Are there bathrooms on the bus?"
The portrait hole slammed loudly as Professor McGonagall left
the common room, students giggling in her wake.
"Just think, this time tomorrow we'll be in heaven!"
said Ron dreamily.
"Did you two remember to bring spending money?" Hermione
asked.
"Yes, mother." Ron replied sarcastically, and Hermione
shot him a look.
"I wonder who our chaperones are going to be." Harry
pondered aloud as he watched Lavender and Parvati haul two huge
trunks down the stairs from the girls dormitory.
"I really hope we get Hagrid," Ron said. "That
would be perfect."
"Well at least we know we won't have Snape. Can you imagine,
being stuck on a bus with that git? I think I'd get out and walk."
"Me too." Ron nodded in agreement.
A sudden crackling noise made everyone pause, and suddenly Professor
Dumbledore's voice could be heard, magically amplified through
the walls.
"All students please assemble in front of the school with
your luggage, immediately please. Thank you."
A cheer rang through the common room as Griffindor students eagerly
gathered their belongings and headed downstairs. Outside, the
front lawn was a mass of people and suitcases, with teachers vainly
trying to direct students where to go.
"Here come the buses!" Ron suddenly cried, pointing
down the drive. Harry turned to look. Sure enough, four huge buses
were lumbering their way slowly towards the school. They reminded
Harry of the Knight Bus he had taken to Diagon Alley the year
he'd run away from the Dursley's.
"Griffindor students over here, please!" Professor
McGonagall called. Harry, Ron and Hermione joined the rest of
the Griffindors as Professor McGonagall took attendance.
"All right - wait a minute now . . . where are Miss Patil
and Miss Brown?"
"Erm - the last time I saw them, Professor, they were trying
to carry all their things down the stairs."
"Thomas, Finnegan, go see if you can find them. Hurry up,
now, we're leaving in a minute."
Dean and Seamus sprinted back into the school while the rest
of the Griffindors waited in a fidgety group on the lawn. Professor
Dumbledore stepped forward with the magical megaphone and addressed
the crowd.
"In just a few moments we will be boarding the buses. You
will notice that each bus is a different color, corresponding
with each of the four houses - yellow for Hufflepuff, blue for
Ravenclaw, green for Slytherin, and scarlet for Griffindor. I
will ask that students only board the bus of their respective
house. I will now ask those teachers who will be serving as chaperones
please join the house that they have been assigned to. We will
be underway in just a minute. Thank you."
"Who's coming with us?" Ron asked, stretching to see
over the heads of the crowd.
"Um - wait, is Professor Binns coming this way?"
"No, he's going with the Hufflepuffs. What about Sinistra?"
"No, she's over there with Snape." Hermione scanned
the lawn hopefully. "Maybe we've got Dumbledore?"
Madam Hooch was suddenly spotted hurrying across the lawn towards
Professor McGonagall. The Griffindors cheered.
"Hooch isn't bad - not bad at all! This is going to be excellent!"
Lee Jordan shouted, slapping five with Fred and George. Harry
Turned to Ron and Hermione, grinning.
"This is going to be very cool."
"Let's not celebrate too much yet," Hermione cautioned.
"I'm sure we've got more than just two chaperones."
While Harry and Ron nervously watched for more teachers, Dean
Thomas and Seamus Finnegan once again joined the Griffindor group,
huffing and puffing as they carried Parvati and Lavender's huge
suitcases.
"What'd you girls pack, anyway? Bricks?" Seamus wheezed
as he dumped Lavender's suitcase on the ground.
"None of your business, Seamus." said Parvati, flipping
her braids over her shoulders. "Now when are we getting on
the bus?"
"Oh my God!" Hermione suddenly gasped, grabbing Harry's
arm.
"What?" Harry asked, staring at her.
"No - no, Dumbledore wouldn't do that to Professor McGonagall
. . . . would he . . . ?? Oh my God, I think he has!"
"What are you talking about?" Ron demanded. Hermione
pointed in the direction of the school.
"Look! Look over there!"
Harry and Ron followed Hermione's gaze. Standing beside Madam
Hooch next to the Griffindor bus was a very starry-eyed Professor
Trelawney. Harry and Ron gasped.
"Why would they let that old bat come? She never leaves
her classroom, never mind the school!" Ron fumed. Harry glanced
over at Professor McGonagall, who was looking rather pained. He
grinned.
"This could be amusing, though, couldn't it? McGonagall
and Trelawney, trapped in a small confined space for a long period
of time?"
Fred and George, who overheard Harry's comment, suddenly laughed.
"That's brilliant, Harry! Let's start taking bets - 5 galleons
says McGonagall kills Trelawney before we reach Snickity's. Or
at the very least, turns her into some sort of toad. Anyone? Anyone?"
Before Fred and George had time to open books, however, Professor
Dumbledore announced that it was time for students to board their
buses. The Griffindors made their way across the lawn towards
the huge scarlet and gold bus that was waiting at the far end
of the drive .
"Hey," cried Lee Jordan, who was at the front of the
line. "the door isn't opening!"
"Let's move this along, please!" Professor McGonagall
stomped over to the waiting bus, glaring menacingly at the Griffindor
crowd. "Jordan, what's the hold up?"
"The door isn't opening, Professor! It's not my fault!"
Lee called back defensively. Professor McGonagall pushed her way
to the head of the crowd and rapped on the door of the bus. There
was a series of bangs and grunts and suddenly the doors flew open,
nearly knocking Lee and McGonagall backwards.
"Er- sorry 'bout that, Professor McGonagall. I'm just gettin'
used to the controls here." Hagrid said sheepishly, looking
down from the drivers seat at a very startled group of students.
"Hagrid, we didn't know you could drive!" Ron cried
in admiration. Hagrid grinned.
"Well, it can't be that hard, can it? Anyway, they've only
sent over three drivers, so Dumbledore asked if I'd take up the
slack."
The students eagerly pushed their way on to the bus. On both
sides of the narrow aisle were long, squishy seats made of red
velvet. Lee Jordan and the Weasley twins immediately headed for
the back of the bus. Harry, Ron and Hermione chose a seat towards
the middle of the aisle and sat down.
"I can't believe we're really going, this is going to awesome!"
Ron crowed, nudging Harry. "Did you bring enough money for
admission to the Quidditch World Cup Experience?"
"Uh-huh."
"And the chocolate frogs for the ride?"
"Yep."
"And the invisibility cloak?"
Hermione whirled around at Ron.
"Why would you need the invisibility cloak? What are you
two planning to do?"
"Nothing! Sheesh, Hermione, you don't have to get all shirty
about it!"
Hermione continued to stare at Ron. She seemed unconvinced.
"You'd better not get yourselves into any trouble, Ron.
You heard what Professor McGonagall said."
"You're right, I did. I don't need you to remind me. What's
wrong with you, anyway, Hermione? Ever since Dumbledore announced
this trip you haven't been very excited at all. A person would
think you didn't want to go to the best amusement park on the
planet!"
Hermione blushed and turned away furiously.
"Maybe I don't! Maybe I don't particularly care for amusement
parks or silly rides or - or -"
"But Hermione - "
"Just leave me alone, Ron!" Hermione snapped, turning
her back on him. Ron sighed.
"Great. Just great. We haven't even left yet and she's already
mad at me! Pass me one of those chocolate frogs, Harry, I could
really use it -"
"Can I have everyone's attention please!" Professor
McGonagall was standing at the front of the bus with Madam Hooch,
who was nervously watching Hagrid fiddle with an important looking
lever, and Professor Trelawney, who was standing with her eyes
closed and her palms face up in front of her, apparently in some
sort of trance.
"I'd like to introduce your chaperones, Madam Hooch and
- ahem!- Professor Trelawney."
CRACK!
"Er- sorry 'bout that." Hagrid said, hastily trying
to reattached the lever he'd just broken off of the dashboard.
"Anyway," Professor McGonagall sighed and turned back
to face the students, "we will be underway in just a few
moments. I would ask that you remain in your seats at all times,
please."
Madam Hooch took a seat at the very front of the bus just behind
Hagrid, while Professor McGonagall stepped down to speak with
Dumbledore. Professor Trelawney remained standing in the middle
of the aisle with her eyes closed. Several students began to snicker.
"Be quiet! She's in a very deep meditative state!"
Lavender Brown hissed at them. Ron pressed a hand over his mouth
to hide his laughter.
"Hey Hagrid, does this bus have a radio?" George Weasley
shouted up to the front of the bus.
"Er - lemme see . . . "
There was a moment of silence as Hagrid played with some knobs
next to the steering wheel. Suddenly, there was a loud bang and
the whole bus gave a tremendous shudder.
"Hagrid, what are you doing?" Madam Hooch asked fearfully,
leaning over the front of her seat to examine the control panel.
"Sorry, guess that's the wrong one. Hold on a minute, there,
Fred!"
"I'm George!"
"Right! Sorry!"
"What about this button here?" Madam Hooch asked tentatively.
Hagrid dutifully pressed it, and after a moment the booming sound
of static filled the bus.
"There's a start, Hagrid, tune it to a station!" Lee
Jordan cried.
"Hold yer horses . . . " Hagrid mumbled, turning
several complicated looking dials. Suddenly-
"YES?! WHAT DO YOU WANT?!"
A loud, scratchy voice blared.
"Uh - hello?" Hagrid answered back in confusion.
"WHOSE BUS IS THIS? HELLO?? IS SOMEONE PLAYING WITH THE
INTERCOM?! THATS 5 POINTS FROM GRIFFINDOR - ER - WHATEVER HOUSE
THAT IS, WHEN I CATCH YOU - "
"Hagrid, turn it off!!! That's Snape!!" Fred Weasley
shouted, and Hagrid quickly pressed the button again to turn it
off.
"We don't really need the radio, Hagrid."
"Yeh, we'll just sit back here and sing."
The bus doors whipped open again and Professor McGonagall climbed
up the steps. She stopped at the sight of Professor Trelawney,
still standing in the aisle.
"Sybil? SYBIL!!"
Professor Trelawney nearly fell over.
"Wha - what is happening?" she looked around in a daze.
"Sit down!" Professor McGonagall snapped, pushing her
into the seat beside Madam Hooch.
"We're all set then! Everyone ready?" Hagrid announced
cheerfully. "Um - I'll just get 'er goin' here . . ."
"Snickity's, here we come!" Ron cried. A cheer went
up through the bus.
"Hagrid, why aren't we moving?"
"Just a moment, Professor McGonagall . . . "
"Hagrid, you don't know how to start the bus, do you?"
"I'm just lookin' for the cunbustulator . . ."
"Hagrid-"
BANG!!!
There was a loud noise as though something had suddenly exploded
and the bus took off like a rocket, shooting past the three buses
in front of it and down the drive.
"Wohooo!" Fred and George Weasley cried.
"The end is near!!" wailed Professor Trelawney.
"Snickety's here we come!!"