Chapter 3

"Very well, then. Send the soldiers to search for Harry at once!" The soldiers run out of the room. "Deep within the Minish Woods, you will find a place called Deep Wood Shrine. Once, humans and Picori shared that shrine as a meeting place. I think it would be best if you started your search there." Wormtail walks over to Draco. "Take this map with you. If you get lost on your way to the forest, simply check your map. Good luck, and be careful." "I am counting on you, Draco. Only you can break Harry's curse and free

Princess Hermione." Draco sets off and enters the Minish Woods. After a wandering, he hears a voice. "Helllllp! Help meeee!" A bird-like cap taking a beating by two octoroks. One octorok shoots him. "Ouch! Won't somebody stop them!?" The other octorok shoots him. "Ow! Ow! Help…somebody! Can't anybody hear me?" Draco finds the talking cap and two octoroks. "Hey! Kid! You there!" One octorok shoots him. "Ow! Hey! Don't just stand there! Do something!" The other octorok shoots him. "Ow! What's wrong with

you!? Do you like watching me take this abuse!? Help me!" Draco defeats the two octoroks. "phew! Well done! That was close. Not that I couldn't handle them myself. But that's beside the point! What in the world is a lone child doing so deep in the woods? Ho Ho! I see. The…Picori, you say? And Harry? Harry's cursed someone? What? The sacred blade!? Is that so? I see, I see… You know, you and I have a lot in common. You see, too am on a quest to break a curse of Harry's. And you say that reforging the

sacred blade can break his curse, eh? Well, then you have found yourself a companion, my boy! My name is Dumbledore. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Dumbledore follows Draco, hopping behind. "Wait! Wait, I say! You walk so quickly! Too quickly, in fact! Can't you go any slower? Surely you've noticed I have no legs…" Draco walks some more. "Boy! Take a good look at me! Do you really think I can walk that fast!?" Draco walks some more. "Augh! If it isn't one thing, it's another! You are a

troublesome boy!" Dumbledore jumps on top of Draco's head and acts a normal cap. "There! Now, you can't possibly leave me behind. My… It's quite comfortable up here. More comfortable than it looks, surely. Any much easier on me! Hey! Quit your squirming! Can't you sit still? See! There… Yes, yes! That's it. Much better. Now, I suppose a boy like you still have much to learn about the world. If ever you need my insight. I'll be happy to help! Ah, such a helpless child…" Draco continues through the forest and

comes across a tree stump. "Hold on for a moment, my boy! We've stumbled across something very important! The world of the Minish is very small. You're far too big to meet them now. Eh? Who are the Minish? Ah, yes! Silly me! Allow me to explain… You humans call them the Picori," but they refer to themselves as the Minish! Strange how, in the world of humans, only this forest has kept that name… Anyhow, deep in the forest they built a tiny village, where many now live. But if we're to enter the village we'll have to make you a touch smaller first. Look at that. At first glance, it appears to be a stump, yes? No! That stump is a portal used by people long ago to adjust their size! With my help, you can use it to shrink down to Minish size. Just stand on the stump to shrink. Get me up there and we'll give it a try.