Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter franchise. That belongs to J.K. Rowling and her respective partners. I do not own Disney or Disneyland Resort. That belongs to the Walt Disney Corporation. I do not earn any profit from this.
Claimer: I now own this story and its reworked plot.
Pre-Chapter 8
Why I Haven't Updated
My Present for Being So Slow
Typing the last words of a descriptive essay for her English class, Jenna sighed of frustration. Much rather be drawing or something of more importance than homework. Like spending countless hours in front of a computer screen for instance.
For you see Jenna was known as Gifted online. What does she do online? Well, she likes to connect to other people mainly, watch videos on Youtube or Livevideo, draw and look at fanart, play Club Penguin, listen to Wizard Rock, and of course, read and write fanfiction.
Despite the desire to be doing something else, something stood in the way of that. You know, life. Boring homework always got in the way. That usually left her fanfictions not updated in a long state of time. So there she was, struggling to get a pointless essay over with.
There was complete silence except for the typing of the keys on the keyboard. Once in a while, a pause while she thought of more words, but the typing would eventually continue. It had been a while since she started, but she was still alone and quiet in her work. Her household had gotten to bed, looks of disappointment at her for leaving her essay until the last minute, but they were ignored.
A male voice broke the silence, "Hello there. We need to talk."
"Wha!" Jenna was startled and gave a large jump. She turned to see an unfamiliar teenager in the chair next to her. She had not been aware of another presence. Heck, she hadn't even heard footsteps or any sounds of breaking and entering. Her heart raced in panic as she realized this was definitely not her brother.
First of all, this boy was smaller in size to her brother who was a mountain in comparison to others. The only light in the room came from the blinding computer screen which illuminated him. He had jet black hair that was arranged messily like he never combed it. He had large round glasses and seemed to be wearing a uniform of some sorts that consisted of a tie, buttoned down shirt, and black pants. Though it was hard to detect in this light, Jenna could see that his eyes were a bright green much like her own. He was very relaxed in the chair and acted as though he wasn't in a stranger's house at all, but rather his own.
"Who are you and what are you doing in my house!" Jenna said very shrill, upset at the sight of the calm intruder.
"Well, first of all: calm down," he replied in an unmistaken British accent, "Your family's sleeping." Incensed about being told what to do by someone she didn't even know she bit back her tongue. She took a deep breath and released it, hoping to slow her rapid heartbeat to a normal pace.
"Good," he smiled while she suppressed yelling, "To answer your question, like I already said, I'm here because we need to talk."
"You expect me just to chat with someone who broke in and entered my home in the dead of night?" Jenna asked, an eyebrow raised. She was starting to doubt the kid's sanity.
"Oh, well," she was very pleased to see that he was nervous for once, "It's very hard to explain."
"I'm listening."
"Um. Er… To start-but. Well. You know me in a way. Er…"
"Spit it out."
"I'm Harry Potter." Jenna's eyes widened in surprised, her earlier suspicions were confirmed. This teen was nuts.
"Heh, well, Harry, I'm just going to pick up the telephone and I'll call some nice people. Sound good to you?" Jenna said slowly raising; watching him carefully in case he turned violent.
"I am not crazy!" he defended. Jenna finally realized that the tie was a Gryffindor tie. Why couldn't she have seen this coming?
"Of course you're not."
"Look, does this prove it?" he lifted his bangs to reveal a lightning bolt scar. She stared. It certainly looked real.
"How do I know it's not just a tattoo?" Jenna questioned.
"Go on then. Feel it." Frowning slightly at this odd request, she stepped forward and placed her hand on the scar. Tracing its lightning bolt pattern, she could feel the raised skin and the texture. She had a scar herself that she constantly traced absently. It certainly felt real like hers.
"Believe me now?" Harry asked smoothing his hair back down.
Jenna nodded hesitantly, "You chose a good time. I'm not in a mood to debate whether I lost my marbles or not."
Harry smiled again, glad that the topic was over with, "Anyway, I have a bone to pick with you."
Jenna gave him a puzzled look wondering why Harry would need to talk to an obsessive muggle fangirl, "I'm all ears."
"It's very serious," Yes, Jenna could tell that from his expression, "It's about your fanfictions."
"My what?" Jenna asked very surprised at what was so serious, "What's so urgent about them?"
"You haven't updated in a while!"
"You do realize your interrupting schoolwork that is due tomorrow just to talk about fanfictions don't you?" Jenna said rather harshly. She hated being pressured into things she just didn't have time or patience for at the moment.
"Er, yeah. Well, it is important!" he replied, "I'm at Disneyland and you've left us after Space Mountain for quite a while. Plus, who can forget the new one. You know the one when I'm five and it's going to have Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall? What happens there? Why do I get separated from the Dursleys? I'm desperate to know!"
"Oh Merlin's beard…"
"Come on, you can't leave us all hanging!"
"Just leave."
"But-"
"Go."
"You have to write it sometime."
"G-O spells go!"
"Write. Now."
"I can't!" At this point, Jenna had sheltered her face in her hands. At such a position, Harry seemed more hesitant on continuing, knowing how emotional some girls got.
…
"Why?"
"My writing sucks."
…
"What? You write well!" Harry was stunned at this.
"Oh, stop lying to me."
"You spell well, you are in character, you have good grammar sense, and you even make somewhat almost believable plots! What are you saying?"
"Look, I've tried. I really have. It's terrible."
"Can I look?" Harry asked tentatively. Silence met his request and she didn't move. She was obviously thinking out the pros and cons.
"Fine."
"Really?"
"Yeah," she said using the computer mouse to open another document in word. Harry watched in anticipation as she pressed a document with the title ascendiochap1. Without any sound, she got up and they switched places. Harry rolled his chair up the screen and started reading. At first, a smile was plastered on his face, glad that she had attempted to write. Slowly, the smile turned into a frown. Then into a grimace. He finished the story with a bad taste in his mouth. She wasn't kidding or being modest. It sucked.
"See? "
"Yeah, but what happened?" he asked truly puzzled. The writing was stiff and wooden. It portrayed the characters emotionlessly and was quite painful to read.
"I don't know. Writer's block? Maybe I am just out of sorts right now. The point is I can't put this up. I hate badly written stories and I'd be ashamed to update with this."
"Does this mean you'll never update again?" Harry asked, hoping that it wasn't the case. Jenna stared at him before breaking into giggles. He was stumped. What was so funny?
"What a silly question!" she said between laughs, "Of course I'll update! It's just I need time to give a quality story. I just hope you will all be patient for me."
Harry smiled relieved and smoothed his hair back, "Yeah, of course we will. Or, well…at least I will. Can't speak for the rest of the readers."
"Thanks Harry," Jenna grinned back. A pop was heard and Harry had apparated out of the room; the chair was empty. The fanfiction writer returned to her seat, closing out the bad first chapter and wrote the essay. She just hoped now that Harry was gone, she wouldn't be visited by little hamsters…
Author's Notes: That was just a fun way to explain why I haven't been updating. I was in this funk where whatever I wrote was just weird. Well, the funk has passed and I can write again.
By the way, I think that helped me with descriptions a lot more than that stupid essay my class has to do. Also, I mentioned hamsters because I have a Hamtaro fanfiction and as much as I love the Ham-Hams, I would probably lose it if little talking hamsters came to me in the middle of the night. At least if Harry came, I could delude myself into thinking he was some kind of weird thief after my Harry Potter merchandise.
Chapter 8
"Splitting Up"
Hermione sucked in her breath forcing herself silent. After the showing of Captain EO, the group rose rather stiffly to the exit; no one said a word as the muggles chatted about the film. They deposited their 3D glasses and gathered tightly together, not to be overheard by the non-magical folks around them.
She waited for a response from the others, but they seemed rather dumbstruck. Professor Snape had the look of annoyance; no doubt the show was a waste of time to him. Remus seemed to try to avoid talking by staring off into space with a blank expression. Professor McGonagall tried not to comment while Professor Dumbledore had a look of pondering. Ron's face was screwed up into confusion. Harry looked around at the group as well, gaining Gryffindor bravery to speak first.
"Well…that was interesting," he tested the waters by stating something neutral.
"Oh yes, very interesting," Snape replied rather sarcastically, making his dislike apparently.
"Honestly 'Mione, what were you thinking?" Ron said, not even bothering to hide the accusing tone.
"Well, how was I supposed to know?" Hermione snapped. Books had never failed her before. The Disneyland book had described it as a "fantastic and entertaining three-dimensional show starring Michael Jackson." Little did she know that the show was only remotely interesting to muggle fans of Jackson. Otherwise, it was odd film including something involving making the alien queen beautiful through use of song.
"Well, at least we have seen another part of Disneyland," Dumbledore said silencing the banter.
"Yes, now can we now move on?" the Transfiguration professor said hastily, willing to get the spectacle out of her head. The others agreed full heartedly.
Hermione had opened the map, revealing the rest of Tommorrowland. Several names of attractions caught the interest of different individuals. The Headmaster asking about Autopia and Lupin wondering if Star Tours really was a tour of stars.
"What's Star Tours?" McGonagall asked, genuinely interested. It sounded more serene than the others.
"It's a simulation ride. It's very fast," Hermione explained. Minerva frowned and immediately did not want to ride anymore. However, Ron and Harry were interested.
"Something like Space Mountain?" the red head asked while Hermione nodded her head, "Wicked! Harry, we got to try that."
"Innovations?" Severus asked, the only one that sounded interesting to him.
"That takes place in the building that goes around and around. It showcases muggle technology," Hermione explained. Harry and Ron kind of grimaced, Severus did a motion like shrugging, and the other three adults seemed a little interested.
The werewolf sensed the problem, as did Hermione. Everyone seemed to like different things. While the others pointed out other attractions, Remus started a conversation with the young Gryffindor. The potions master was just remarking how the People Mover didn't look at all entertaining to the headmaster, Lupin and Granger called the attention of everyone.
"Well, Hermione and I noticed that we all want to go experience different things," Remus started and everyone nodded in agreement, "So we figured we split up. Hermione also wants to see some of the slower paced attractions and I just want to have a good time. So we figured that the ones who want faster paced rides can come with me and the others with Hermione."
Everyone seemed to be tolerant of the idea. Minerva naturally went to Hermione's side not particularly rides like Space Mountain. Harry and Ron immediately went over to Lupin, very pumped for getting on the rides soon. Albus, though he was fine with trying a bit of everything decided to join Minerva and Hermione. Severus was torn at first not really interested in anything and would rather be at Hogwarts. Seeing as everyone he disliked was with Lupin, he was about to join Hermione's group despite his annoyance of her.
"Severus, don't you think you should join Remus, Harry, and Ron?" Albus interrupted him. Snape gaped at him and then turned to see their expressions which could definitely be interpreted as looks of reluctance. He was about to look back at Dumbledore to object, but he saw that they were already a whiles off and that he was stuck with them.
"Well…welcome to the group, Severus," Remus greeted trying to smile though it ended up as a grimace.
"It's Snape to you, Lupin."
"Well, Miss Granger, what is our first ride?" Albus asked, very happy he had gotten Severus to join Remus and Harry.
"I thought first that we would go on the Peoplemover," Hermione answered smiling, "It's a very calm tour around Tomorrowland."
"That sounds much better," Minerva approved. The three walked to the line the student pointed out.
"Is that it?" Ron asked pointing to a large line into a building, the name Star Tours was on the building.
"I believe so," Remus answered stuffing the map into his pocket.
The group eagerly (except for Snape) got in the long line. After a half hour or so of waiting, they were finally there at the loading platform and watched an instructional video on how to ride safely. When the doors finally opened, Ron led the way down followed by Harry, Remus, and lastly Severus. They sat in their row and snapped in the seatbelts.
"I hope you enjoy your flight with Star Tours," the young cast member ended her spiel with a smile. As she left, all the doors closed finalizing the preparations for the attraction.
"Er…Harry," Ron turned his head to Harry.
"Yeah Ron?" He looked at Ron as well, wondering what he had to say.
"Did Hermione ever mention what a zi-simalation ride is?" Ron asked struggling with remembering the word.
"I don't think she did," Harry concluded, "I guess we're about to find out."
Before Ron could reply, the wall in the front of them lowered to reveal that it was really just a window to a control panel. It showed the "outside" of the shuttle, the loading station they were just at except they could see other shuttles that were about to take off as well.
"Welcome abroad!" A robot at the control panel greeted as the window lowered, "This is Captain Rex in the cockpit. I know this is probably your first flight and it's mine too."
"Oh, great," Snape muttered under his breath knowing this wouldn't be his favorite ride.
"Please keep your hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times and please refrain from smoking. Thank you," a female voice greeted the passengers embarking on the Peoplemover. Albus, Hermione, and Minerva quickly sat rushed into one and sat down as a cast member closed the vehicle door.
"The line was very short," the headmaster remarked.
"Thank goodness," the Transfiguration teacher replied, "We been waiting in a few long ones already and it's not even lunch time yet."
"You are now beginning a grand circle tour of Tomorrowland abroad the Peoplemover. The first system of its kind in the world," the female voice continued again, "Since its 1967 opening, the Peoplemover has carried over more than 50 million guests."
"50 million guests?" Albus asked in surprise, his eyes twinkling.
"Yes, it's very popular," Hermione clarified.
"Your tour of Tomorrowland will cover 3 quarters of a mile and will give you a close up look of many shows and attractions as well as previews of many others," the tour continued as the train begun to start its journey, "Across the way is Star Tours-"
"Isn't that where the others went?" Minerva asked leaning her head over briefly.
"Yes," the Gryffindor student said.
"Look, I think I see them right there," Albus pointed to group in line.
"You're right," Professor McGonagall agreed, "Too bad they don't know to look up to see us."
"We'll tell them later," Hermione said grinning.
"-a thrilling new adventure inspired by the George Lucas Star Wars film," the voice chattered on as if the wizard's conversation was not happening. The Peoplemover traveled across the bride that went over the entrance of Tomorrowland and right in the Star Tours building.
When inside, they could see a view of the line inside. In the pre-loading area, there seemed to be a large a shuttle with a circular moving robot on it and another golden robot nearby seemingly moving and talking.
"What are those things?" Minerva asked her student gesturing to the robots below.
"Robots," Hermione answered, "They're from the Star Wars film the woman just mentioned."
"Hello," another voice entered their speaker, distinctly male, "I am CP3O and this is my counterpart R2D2 (some beeping noises occurred as if coming from the circular robot). Welcome to the Star Tours first modernized space port."
The Peoplemover turned and they soon left the people waiting in the room.
"Just below us," the female voice returned, "is the Star Trader where you'll find the largest collection of Disney signature clothing, toys, and gift items here at the Magic Kingdom. You are about to enter one of Tomorrowland's exciting attractions: Space Mountain."
"Not again," the Deputy Headmistress muttered.
"Don't worry, we're just watching it," Hermione reassured her.
"For everyone's safety, we remind everyone to please remind seated. Inside Space Mountain, you can race through the cosmos, past spiraling galaxies, and meteor shows and an experience that is truly out of this world," the voice chatted while they moved past an arcade several children played in, "And now, here's an example of the high speed adventure that awaits you in Space Mountain."
They saw a few brief moments of a roller coaster speeding around in the dark with multitudes of little lights ("stars"). Then, they saw sunlight again and were seeing the people outside below them.
"In the Magic Eye Theater, Michael Jackson challenges galactic powers in Captain EO, an unprecedented 3D musical adventure."
"They certainly use the word 'adventure' a lot," Hermione remarked while the other two agreed.
"Just ahead is Vision to Mars. There you can blast off on a voyage to the mysterious red planet."
"That sounds interesting," Dumbledore said at that announcement. Hermione and Minerva were about to agree until another voice came on the speaker.
"Warning," a man voice interrupted, "You have invaded the electronic realm of the Master Computer Program, the computer program. Prepare for the game grid of Tron."
"Prepare for what?" Minerva asked confused. The PeopleMover then went into an odd tunnel that had flashing lights swirl around them and felt air on their face as though they were going very fast.
Finally, they were released into the sunlight were they were intrigued by what just happened.
"You have escaped Tron's game grid for now user," the man's voice returned, "But take heed. Next time, you may not bear so well."
"What just happened?" Dumbledore asked.
"It has something to do with a movie," Hermione answered.
"Above you," the female voice went on as if nothing happened, "is Disneyland's highway in the sky, travel by sleek monorail trains. The Disneyland Monorails have carried more than 75 million guests."
"What's that?" Minerva asked looking down at an attraction with cars, "Don't muggles drive those?"
"Yes," Hermione answered, "They're cars. It's called Autopia and it gives kids a chance to drive."
"We should try that," Albus smiled, "Miss Granger, I was wondering. What is that mountain we keep seeing?"
Hermione looked at the mountain in question that had snow at its peak and lots of trees at its bottom, "That's the Matterhorn, there's a rollercoaster inside."
"From here, you can see the spires of It's a Small World, place with the children of the world, the happiest cruise that ever sailed the 7 seas," the female voice said. The Peoplemover took a turn where they could see Space Mountain and cables that held cabins that rose in the air.
"What are those Miss Granger?" Minerva asked.
"I'm pretty sure that's the Skyway," she answered giving a quick glance at the map, "That takes you through the Matterhorn I think."
The Peoplemover then traveled above a lagoon filled with submarines where they look at the map and concluded it was an attraction called the Submarine Voyage.
"Below us is the Submarine Voyage," the woman said confirming their suspicions while chattering on about more information about it. They passed the Monorail again while the narrator gave more information about it.
The next tunnel showed different pictures of scenic places like mountains with hot air balloons or cityscapes. Apparently they were over a building called Circle Vision. The last part of the tour gave beautiful views of the murals on the walls of the buildings.
"We hoped that you enjoyed your tour on the Peoplemover and that you'll have a pleasant visit to the Magic Kingdom," the tour ended. The three quickly out of their vehicle.
"Thank you for suggesting this," McGonagall said to her student who beamed.
"Yes, it was rather nice," the Headmaster agreed.
"I thought you would like it," Hermione said, "Now our next destination is the American Space Experience."
Author Notes: And…that's enough for now. I am sorry for being so slow. Now you have eleven pages of content including the extra short story. I'm done of typing right now because I feel crummy and possibly have homework I can do. Next update will be for my new Harry Potter story Ascendio. Check that one out too! By the way, that is the actual dialogue for the Peoplemover and Star Tours. Sorry the ending was rushed, I couldn't hear the rest of the tour very well in the video I was watching.
Also, I apologize. It's getting really hard writing this story. One, because my Annual Pass has expire and I'm trying not to have my parents waste money on me with the economy crisis so I haven't renewed. This means with not a lot of visits, it's hard to reconnect to the Disneyland atmosphere. Although I find this a good thing too so now it will be more special to me if I go occasionally again. Two, even though I was alive during this year, I can't remember a lot. There are so many different attractions now it's astounding to think this version of Tomorrowland was just a few years ago. Originally, they were to go to every attraction in Disneyland, but I decided against most of the rides in Tomorrowland. To be honest, some were kind of dull anyway.
By the way, Youtube rocks. If you have no idea what these rides were like, go look them up. There are videos that show you the ride. I was able to write the Peoplemover I was thinking of skipping because of Youtube. Search Disneyland rides, especially of the rides that aren't there anymore.
Next time on Adventures at Disneyland, we'll be concluding Remus's, Harry's, Ron's, and Severus's adventure on Star Tours. Also, American Space Experience will be included. Another plot point too if time permits. Not betaed and partly hot off the presses (partly is the keyword, some of this was written months ago) so please point out mistakes. I do accept offers of a beta if anyone wants to.
Last Edited: March 13, 2010
Minor errors fixed.
