Chapter 29: Everything Harry Potter Needs to know about Quidditch
"Ginny, dear, what's the matter?" Mrs. Weasley asked with great concern. Hermione and Ron were leading Ginny in the right direction as they exited through the Dino Institute's shop. Her face had gone paler than usual, if there was such a color, and her arms were held out in front of her as if still holding the hand bar on the Time Rovers.
"She got a bit spooked on the ride," Ron said. "You wouldn't have liked it either, Mum. It was dreadfully frightening, but fun all the same! They had real dinosaurs there! They attacked us from left and right and the Carnotaurus kept following us! It had the most hideous face and razor sharp teeth and if it breathed fire, I could've sworn it was a dragon and-"
"Ronald, be quiet!" Mrs. Weasley screamed, for Ginny looked ready to cry.
"They weren't real dinosaurs, Ron," Hermione said as they browsed through the shop while they waited for Ginny to return to normality. "How would they ever handle them? They were audio-animatronics of course. Just gears and wires. Though to me they looked authentic! I mean, though the color schemes may have been a bit off, they honestly looked like living, breathing, dinosaurs. I'm surprised that I wasn't as scared as I would have been if I met a real dinosaur. Though it helped to know a little background information- Ron, are you listening?"
"Do I ever?" Ron replied, paging through a book.
"I'm just glad Tomás isn't here to trap me in there or something," Harry said.
"Wasn't that wicked?" Fred said, meeting up with them. "Me, George, Oliver, and Professor Lupin are going to ride it again. Want to come?"
"I'll have another go at it," Ron said, putting the book down.
"We should get, Mum to ride it," George said joining it. "Since she missed the first time."
"She won't like it at all," Hermione said. "Besides, you shouldn't force her to do something she doesn't want to."
"Hey, Mum!" George called. "You want to ride Dinosaur with us?"
"Look at your sister!" Mrs. Weasley said. "You think I can leave her alone in this state? She looks petrified!"
"I'll watch her, Molly," Arthur said. "You really should ride it. It's like nothing I've ever seen before!"
"Come on, Mum," Fred said. "You're not pregnant, short, nor do you have heart conditions. You're coming with us." With that said, he grabbed Mrs. Weasley by the arm and they marched to the line.
"George, no! I said-"
"Relax, Mum. It's going to be great," George said. "Come on, Harry."
"Wait for me!" Professor Lupin said. "Go, Snuffles. Snuffles?" The poor dog lay his head down and covered his face with his paws and made a scared moan, very similar to the way the dog had moaned in the jail scene in Pirates of the Caribbean.
"It looks like poor Snuffles doesn't want to go again," Mrs. Granger said as if she was talking to a baby. She scratched him behind the ears. "Aww, you don't have to go again you poor thing."
"Well then," Lupin said. "I'll need someone to lead the way…" Fred and George took Lupin's hands and pulled him in the right direction.
"I'm staying here," Hermione said to Harry when he asked if she was coming. "I think its time to tell Mother a few things."
***
"I think he's at the Animal Kingdom," Tomás said to his men at the Lodge. "We're going there now. We have to get to the Harambe Reserve like this."
"Yeah. It will be easy to blend," Zeke said. "Besides, the tourists just love when we come up to the jeeps."
"It would've been better with Geoffrey though," said Zira, the other zebra.
"He won't be better for a while though. We have to hurry and get this right," Tomás said.
"And if we don't succeed?"
"We must succeed!"
***
"Merciful heavens!" Mrs. Weasley gasped as they exited Dinosaur for a second time.
"Come on, Mum. It wasn't that bad," George said, now leading her instead of Lupin.
"Yes, George…it was very exciting," Mrs. Weasley said, "But don't you dare ever make me do something again!" She collapsed on a bench outside, where Mr. Weasley was still sitting with Ginny. "You run along now…and…ride again…while I catch me breath…"
Meanwhile…
"I'm not sure I can believe you, Hermione," Mrs. Granger said, looking warily at Snuffles.
"Why would I make this up? Lupin really isn't blind and Snuffles is more than just a dog," Hermione said quietly, looking at her mother. She whispered, "Mother, remember…I'm a witch. Things like this is actually quite common in the other world."
"The Other World…wasn't that some television drama?" Mr. Granger said, pondering.
"It's Another World, dear," Mrs. Granger corrected. "Still, I don't see how this dog can be a-a-a-" Sirius was listening and stood on his hind legs and went to sit next to Mrs. Granger. "Oh my! Aren't you a playful animal?" Hermione needed to find support for her argument.
"Snuffles, bark once for yes and twice for no," Hermione instructed. "Is your name Snuffles?" Snuffles barked twice. "No I mean, as how you are now, is your name Snuffles?" He barked once. "Is Harry your godson?" He barked once. "Are you on the run from the Ministry because you've been framed for Pettigrew's stupidity?" He barked once, in what seemed more like a low angry snarl. Hermione whispered so only her mother and Snuffles could hear. "Are you human?" Snuffles barked twice. "No, no, no, I mean you were originally born one and can switch and-" Snuffles understood and barked once. He then jumped off the bench when he saw Remus coming and led him back to where the Grangers were resting. He barked at him so as to make Lupin explain.
"What's wrong with you?" Lupin asked.
"We've been trying to explain to Mother about Snuffles," Hermione said.
"Apparently, I'm the only one who doesn't know. But being a, what do you call us? Moogles?"
"Muggles, Mother…"
"Well being one of those, I'm finding it hard to believe that this dog is a mad criminal for real."
"He's not a criminal. He was framed. And I am not really blind," Lupin said in a low voice. "I can see very clearly that you are wearing a dark purple blouse with a pattern of gray flowers."
"Wrong, it's lavender with white flowers," Mrs. Granger said smartly. Lupin lifted his sunglasses.
"Oh, you're right. My mistake," Lupin said, lowering his sunglasses once more. Mrs. Granger just looked at him oddly, then at Snuffles, who was wearing the saddest of dogfaces. He lifted his paw up towards Mrs. Granger.
"I think he wants to shake hands," Hermione said. Snuffles nodded and his tail wagged happily. Mrs. Granger slowly took his paw and they shook on it.
"I guess this means we both agree that he's human," Mrs. Granger said. Snuffles barked happily just as Harry and Ron had come over.
"We're going on the Safari next," Ron informed them. "Mum says she wants to do something less turbulent."
"But I've read that the Kilimanjaro Safari can be very rough sometimes," Hermione said.
"Maybe this won't be 'sometimes' and we'll have a nice smooth journey," Ron said hopefully. They headed towards Discovery Island and stopped to take pictures in front of the towering Tree of Life. The artificial man-made tree had a trunk carved with hundreds and hundreds of animals and served as the icon and focal point of the Animal Kingdom.
"Oh look, there's another 3D show inside," Mr. Weasley said, looking at the map.
"What's it about?"
"It's called It's Tough to be a Bug," Mr. Weasley said when they found the entrance. "I guess it's a show focusing on the life of an insect." They joined the 15-minute wait line, which wound through trees and plants and underneath the extending roots of the tree. Finally, they entered the tree and were given "Bug Eyes" so the bugs could be seen. They piled into the theatre of wooden bench seats and the curtain flittered away as a mass of butterflies and the show began!
Twenty minutes later, the group came out laughing. The show was full of wonderful surprises and effects the author does not wish to spoil for future visitors who happen to be reading this story. [I am not using this as a pretext to promote Disney World. I just don't want to spoil it for anyone.]
After a hop, skip and a jump to the back of the Kingdom to Africa…
[A/N: I may have twisted the ride sequence a bit and I apologize in advance for spoilers.]
"This ride can get a little bumpy at times, so hang on to your hats and cameras," the jeep driver said to his jeep of guests. "There will be no stops for anything while we're in the Reserve." The jeep, which had very big wheels for traveling over the roughest terrain, also had no windows for better viewing, and had animal guides on the back of the seats to inform the guests of what to look for. The Weasleys, Grangers, Harry, Oliver, Lupin, and Snuffles had a jeep to themselves. For behind them in line was the large Chinese Tour group, and they didn't want to be separated. Harry wished Cho and her family would come with them. Ah, young love…Anyhow, the safari started out nicely with a look at some unique birds and a pool of sunbathing Hippopotamuses.
"Now they are not exactly swimming when they move around," the guide said as they passed by. "The Hippopotamus actually are walking on the floor of the pond."
"Can they breathe underwater?" Ginny asked.
"No mammal can breathe underwater, but the Hippopotamus can hold its breath for quite some time. Dolphins and Whales, though not featured in our reserve, can hold their breath for much longer. Now as we pass here, I'd like you to notice…" The guide was interrupted by a radio signal. The reserve zoologists in some plane overhead continually radioed the jeep with more information and advice. When heading towards a bridge, the zoologist from above told them to be careful, for it wasn't all that trustworthy anymore. The jeep drove over onto the bridge and the pilot was right. The bridge lurched and it felt like the jeep was going to collapse into the river below.
"Ahhhhhh!" Mrs. Weasley screamed, holding onto her husband.
"I guess I better tell the next tour to stay away from this area," the guide said, taking his CB radio.
"Molly, it's just part of the ride," he chuckled as the jeep successfully drove back on solid ground.
"You bet it is," Fred said to Harry and Ron. "I can see the bridge setting itself back up." They looked behind them and laughed. The Safari continued as they went through the forest and drove out into the open Savannah plain. It was hard to remember that they were in Florida in a theme park and not the Serengeti Plains of Africa.
"Now this particular Baobab tree, native to Africa, is a favorite among the elephants and is hundreds of years old. Many of the foliage in the Harambe Reserve are the same plants found in Africa, giving the animals the natural environment they're used to. To your right you can see some of the Thompson's gazelle. Oh, we're lucky. One seems to be approaching us." The guide stopped the jeep. "Oh look, two zebras are coming our way, too."
Harry and everyone else knew what was going on. This wasn't just any gazelle.
"Keep driving! Keep driving!" they all said.
"Don't worry, they won't bite you. The plain animals are usually quite tame and friendly," the guide said.
"We'd actually, uh, like to see those…elephants up ahead!" Lupin said, quickly.
"Er, okay," the guide said, slightly confused to be following the directions of the "blind" man. They just got away as the smallest gazelle took a flying leap towards the spot where they once were.
"Oh my goodness!" the guide said, shocked to see one of the animals act so hastily. "As you have just seen, the gazelle can leap great distances when under the pressure of predators." He took out his CB radio and called the Harambe Reserve people again, though this time he sounded a bit alarmed. "Yeah, we're passing through the Serengeti Plain and one of the gazelles took a flying leap at my jeep. I think you should come out and calm him down."
"Is that you Herb?"
"Yes. I'm out on the Serengeti…Route 1."
"Okay, we'll be there. Tell the other guides to take route…2 or 3…" the voice called back on the radio. Herb warned the other jeeps behind him, though this time it wasn't a fake call like the one about the bridge.
"You mean, that wasn't supposed to happen?" Mrs. Weasley asked in fear.
"Uh…" Herb said, wiping his brow and trying not to get the guest to panic. "We can never predict what the animals do on this Safari, since they roam freely. Usually they only act like this when alarmed by predators, but I don't see anything harmful out here. A bug or something may have bitten him. Er…over on your left are our giraffes. They like to eat from the high branches of these trees and-"
"Look! Tomá- The Thompson Gazelle is following us," George said, his head craning out of the side of the jeep.
"Please keep all body parts in the vehicle at all times," the guide said, looking at the gazelle through the rear view mirror.
Stop running, Harry Potter. I'll catch you just yet! A voice said.
"Did you hear that too?" Harry asked Ron, alarmed.
"Hear what?"
I'll get you, too Weasley! I don't want any witnesses. That includes all of you! Everyone's eyes grew big as a loud thump was heard as Tomás made contact with the side of the jeep. All the females screamed.
"What in the world is it doing?!" Herb said out loud. He grabbed his radio again. "Mission Control, this is getting crazy. A gazelle just purposely hit the side of the jeep!"
"We can see you, Herb. Just stay calm and try to lose him," the radio crackled back. The jeep picked up speed and raced down the route. They were soon in very close proximity with the tour jeep in front of them, leaving Tomás far behind. Harry looked behind and saw that Tomás lay limp and a group of Animal Kingdom zoologists were laying him in a cage.
"Mission control, I think we lost him," Herb said. "We'll stay with this group."
"It's okay, we've got him now," the radio crackled back. "We're taking him to the Animal Shelter. Your folks all right?"
"They seem fine, just a little spooked," Herb said.
"Is everything all right back there?" a female voice said from the radio.
"We're fine for now, Julie," Herb said, addressing the tour guide in front of him. "We're going to stay with you. I'll explain later." So the Safari continued after the unexpected episode. Ginny grew pale again and looked like she had ridden Dinosaur for a second time. Harry though was not scared. He was actually relieved to see that Tomás wasn't coming after him anymore and the humans had control. He knew that Tomás wouldn't change forms in front of the Animal Kingdom people. He'd have to wait to be healed, and that could take days. Harry wasn't scared, he felt safer.
***
"What do you mean you're not scared?" Ron said as they exited the Kilimanjaro Safari. "Didn't you hear it? I know Mum and Dad and Ginny heard it, too. Tomás wanted to get rid of all of us."
"Didn't you see? The humans have got him now. He can't change forms!" Harry said to Ron.
"Harry's right!" said Hermione. "I don't think he'll be out of the Animal Hospital for another few days. They hit him with a tranquilizer gun. He won't wake up for another few hours."
"Right. And then they've got to tame him," Harry said. "What can we do next?"
"Do next? What are you talking about, Harry?" Mrs. Weasley said. "I think it's best to get away from here and go back to the hotel."
"But I'm all right! And they've got him now!"
"How can you be sure, Harry? What if it was just a mad animal? A real animal?"
"But the guide said they're usually friendly and there were no predators so it shouldn't have been doing that stuff! It had to be Tomás!"
"And if it wasn't him," Lupin added. "Then he's still lurking around, so we better keep moving rather than stay in one spot." So they toured the rest of the park, though Harry still felt they shouldn't be so alarmed. That gazelle had to be Tomás and it was now tranquilized and trapped in the Animal Hospital. He couldn't get Harry from there. Right?
It happened at the Convention.
"I'm sorry we missed the convention at MGM Studios. There was a particularly large exhibit since they held it in one of the old studios," Mr. Weasley said as they entered the station of the Wildlife Express Train right next to the Kilimanjaro Safari. Yet again, Muggles were staying away from this attraction, wanting to do other things instead and passing it by. Some didn't even notice it or that Harry and his group were going towards it.
"That spell must be powerful if most of them don't even notice it," Harry said as some of the large Chinese Tour Group walked by.
"Yes, it was difficult to find a spot in Animal Kingdom since nothing was closed," Mr. Weasley said.
"But what about in the Magic Kingdom? That restaurant wasn't closed down or anything. It wasn't even on the schedule of closed attractions," Hermione said.
"Well, I thought you noticed? At the Magic Kingdom, the convention was there only one day as a welcoming and opening, then most of the merchants went to Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, or MGM Studios, since the accommodations were bigger," Mr. Weasley explained.
"Yeah, everything was gone when we came back that afternoon," Ron remembered. The train arrived and they all took their seats and set out for Conservation Station, the place where the convention was held.
[A/N: We didn't get a chance to go when we visited, so I don't know what's there or if there's room. Oh well…]
Just like the others, the Wizards Convention was packed with small tables and large tables of Wizards from all over the country and the world selling or showing off their products. There was a special exhibit in a heavily draped tent where Seers were telling fortunes. Hermione refused to go in.
"That's all baloney and the most imprecise branch of magic there is!" Hermione said. "I'm going to the book merchants. We ought to start buying school supplies!"
"But Hermione, it's THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER!" Ron said. "September 1st isn't till a month or more!"
"It's better to start early while then save it for the last minute. Besides, Professor McGonagal gave my mother my school letter already and I'd think she'd want us to take advantage of the sales at the conven- Harry, it's your cousin!"
"Dudley?!" Harry said, looking around. "Where? Where?"
"There, by the Honeyduke's Table!"
"I forgot he was a wizard…"
"Isn't that your Aunt and Uncle, too? How'd they get in?" Ron said.
"Well, obviously my parents are allowed in, so why can't they?"
"But still, Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia would never in a million years want to set foot in anything that has to do with the Wizard World! Someone probably forced them here."
"Look, he's here with Neville," Hermione said. The three of them made their way over to see what was going on.
"Honestly, Uvvern, you have nothing to be frightened of," Grammy Longbottom said. "We're actually quite safe."
"But we're normal! We can't possibly-" Vernon Dursley was looking very angry and stopped speaking when he saw Harry. He exploded with fury, "YOU! WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY BOY?! YOU FREAK!! MONSTER!! SHAME TO YOUR AUNT'S FAMILY!!" His hands were ready to clasp Harry's neck, but Harry ducked and Petunia and Grammy Longbottom stopped him.
"Calm down, Uvvern!" Grammy said, holding him back. She took out her wand and used a holding spell, planting his feet to the ground.
"What did you do to my darling husband?" Petunia asked. "Release him at once!"
"Marigold! You don't know what you're saying!" Grammy said. "We've already spoken at the hotel, and it's not our fault your husband can't take it."
"I told you to stay at the hotel," Dudley said to his father. He was so embarrassed already that he was a wizard and that his father was acting so angry and stupid.
"There's no such thing as magic! There's no such thing as magic! There's no such thing as magic! There's no such thing as magic! There's no such thing as magic! There's no such thing as magic! There's no such thing as magic! There's no such thing as magic!" Vernon shouted. Many of the people around him stopped what they were doing and looked at him. There was a brief moment of silence followed by a loud chorus of laughter.
"This is a dream! That's it! When I wake up we'll be at merry ole Disney World ready for a merry ole holiday! Yes, that's it!" Vernon said, then he started giggling like a madman. A wizard from the nearby exhibit of St. Mungo's came over.
"Is everything all right with him?" he asked.
"He's just in denial," Grammy said. "Marigold, you better take him back to the hotel. I can look out for your son, and besides, his cousin's here now."
"Well, I think I can…I don't know if I could…" Petunia said, nervous at what was all around her. She tried to speak with all the patience she could muster. After all, she hated everything her sister was and hated when Harry had to return with more odd things from his world. "I think we should go. This was a bad idea."
"But your son has to get his school supplies!" Grammy Longbottom said. Hermione nudged Harry and Ron and gave them an "I told you" look. "Isn't that what all these students are here for?"
"Oh yes," Neville said, looking to the others for support. Hermione quickly nodded.
"Well, what if we don't want our boy to be taught at some freak school?! What do you say to that?" Petunia said.
"Mummy," Dudley said quietly, knowing the reaction to his next sentence. "I'd think I'd like to go to Hogwarts…"
"WHAT!!?!!!" Vernon and Petunia said out loud together.
"I've always thought magic was…interesting…I was just afraid because of you two!" Dudley said, mustering up some courage.
"You tell them, Walter," Neville said.
"I…uh…didn't know…" Petunia said, very much taken aback. "My darling boy…wants to be…a wizard…" She started crying into Vernon's shoulders.
"We'll have you know that if you even try to get on that train to get to that bloody school, we'll call the lawyer and have you disowned!" Vernon shouted. He turned to Harry, who had been staying very quiet all this time. "And don't you think we'll ever let you into our home again!"
"Good! It's not like I'd want to!" Harry said, glaring at Uncle Vernon. Petunia looked nervously at Uncle Vernon at his comment, but didn't say anything. [Those of you who have read OotP will know why.]
"We're leaving!" Vernon said. He tried to walk away but forgot that his feet were planted to the ground. "Blasted magic!" He started wriggling around, trying to free himself. It was rather funny, and Harry wanted to see his uncle at it for hours, but the wizard from St. Mungo's undid the spell and freed him. Vernon took Petunia by the arm and half-walked half-ran out of the convention. Dudley stared at them leaving, then turned back to Harry.
"What did you do to me?" Dudley said angrily.
"Nothing! You know I can't use magic away from school!"
"But you did before!"
"Listen, Dudley," Hermione said. "There is no spell that can make a Muggle a wizard. None at all!" Nobody said anything after this. Grammy Longbottom was looking very tense.
"I think I'd better fetch your parents, dear," she said to Dudley. She walked away as the merchants went back to their business. "Honestly, the worst sort of Muggles…thought they'd be thrilled!"
"So what do I do now?" Dudley asked.
"Well, if you're going to Hogwarts," Hermione said, "you better get your school supplies. You're starting first year, right?"
"I guess so…I don't know! I'm supposed to be a human!"
"We're all human, Dudley!" Hermione said. Neville looked at Dudley oddly, then turned to Harry.
"Isn't his name Walter?" he asked. "He said his name was Walter…"
"Don't worry about it, Neville," Harry said. Dudley sat down on the ground and started rocking back and forth chanting "I'm normal, I'm normal."
"Honestly, Dudley," Hermione said, and pulled him up. "Come on, I'll help you get your first year supplies." Ron found him a nice set of brass scales and Neville found the bookshop. Harry felt very odd helping his cousin. After all, who would want to pay and support the one who had ruined Harry's childhood? Then they went around to see if Mr. Ollivander was here, and lucky for them, his brother was.
Dudley was having trouble finding the right wand since he was a late comer. No wands seemed to want to be owned by Dudley, and many hadn't done anything at all when he waved them. Mr. Ollivander finally pulled out a rather short, stubby, strong wand made of beech wood containing a dragon heartstring. The wand took an immediate liking to Dudley and produced a nice trail of blue sparks.
"Now we've got to find you a standard potion making kit," Hermione said. "I believe I saw a few tables over there." Dudley followed with Harry and Ron close behind. They went to Professor Jekyll's Apothecary tent and found everything they needed. After a visit to Ratcliffe's Robes, Harry found his moneybag considerably lighter. Lucky for them, Gringotts also had a booth with a display of Transportals to get to the different vaults all over the world. They found London and a goblin called Griswald took Harry and Professor Lupin, who refused to let Harry go alone, to the Gringotts Vault at Diagon Alley.
"It shouldn't take long, right?" Hermione asked Ron.
"Well, you know how fast those Gringotts carts are? It'll be just like another ride on Space Mountain," Ron said.
"Well, I wanted to take a look at some of those spell books at the Franklin's," Hermione said. "We do need the Standard Book of Spells Level 5 anyhow."
"What about him?" Ron said, nodding towards Dudley, who had taken great interest at the goblins stamping books and checking Wizard checks.
"Will you be all right here, Dudley?" Hermione asked. He just nodded and continued to stare at the working goblins. Neville offered to watch him, so Hermione and Ron returned to the Franklin's.
"It's like we're babysitting a child," Ron said, looking back at Neville and Dudley. "The guy has the brilliance of a first year!"
"Well, he is one, isn't he?"
"And I thought Harry said he was wider than he was tall," Ron said, chuckling.
"Don't you remember. He said he went to Fat School and got thin. I think it was called Miss Piggy Winkle's or something…"
"Miss Piggywink's?"
"Yeah, that's right," Hermione said. Ron stopped dead in his tracks. "What is it Ron?" He pointed to a tent owned by a tall bespectacled witch with shoulder length, brown hair wearing a pink robe with many lacey frills and ribbons. Her table was laid with brochures and pictures of fat and skinny people as well as beautiful and ugly people. Hermione clapped her hand on her mouth and they went over to see what she had to say.
"Hello young witch and wizard!" Miss Piggywink greeted sweetly. "Are you interested in improving the lives of Muggles? Right here, are some pictures of last year's successful School for the Obese and Miss Piggywink's Beauty Academy. This year, I hope to start Miss Piggywink's Hospital and Miss Piggywink's Counselor Center." Ron and Hermione's eyes were hanging open and looked dumb founded.
"But…but…what about the statute of Secrecy?!?" Hermione said, flabbergasted with Miss Piggywink.
"Don't worry, dear. The Muggles don't know its magic! After all, they believe magic built this happy place and magic is what makes the world go round. Don't worry darling, this won't be a problem. With my first two schools, it's just a lot of potion making and a few charms," Miss Piggywink said. "And, I am a certified Medi-witch and as a young girl, I studied as a nutritionist in a Muggle university."
"But, still! You're performing magic on Muggles! Haven't you been arrested yet!?" Ron said, almost shouting.
"Look, sonny," she said, rather bitterly. "I don't intend to get into trouble with my good deeds. After all, the silly Muggles don't ask questions and their ignorance is an asset to my schools. If you would be so kind as to leave since you are not interested in helping the Muggle world."
"She's crazy! She's mad!" Ron said as they left Miss Piggywink far behind.
"She's an activist," Hermione said. "She's not really a 'Miss Piggywink.' She has been caught by the Ministry before and now she's disguised."
"You mean you know who she really is?"
"I think it's that witch that's been trying for years to lift the Statute of Secrecy-"
"Carlotta Pinkstone!" Ron said.
"Why…yes," Hermione said, surprised with Ron's knowledge.
"This American witch at EPCOT showed us her autograph book and Carlotta Pinkstone was the one she said that tried to tell her witches exist, not knowing she was one." Hermione just looked at him in surprise and then just dropped the conversation. They were browsing through the books when Ron said something very interesting.
"You don't think…that because she's been using potions on Muggles, that Dudley became a wizard?" Ron pondered while looking through the 2nd edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
"I've told you…there aren't any spells that can make a Muggle a wizard," Hermione said.
"But what about Harry? Remember when You-know-who cursed him, he passed some of his powers to Harry," Ron said,
"Carlotta Pinkstone is not a dark witch. She couldn't have made Muggles into wizards," Hermione said.
"Oh, you're quite wrong," Abigail said suddenly, her appearance making Ron jump.
"What do you mean?"
"My family has been printing spell books for centuries, and a particular one got us in trouble," Abigail said. 'There was one written by Hesper Starkey that contained potion recipes that had terrible side effects if administered to Muggles. My father couldn't print all of them since it did not have this warning. But we did print out a few, and many paid millions of galleons for them. The business grew from there."
"You've built your business from illegal sales!" Hermione said.
"Well it is not my fault! I was not even born yet, so don't blame it on me!" Abigail said, swiftly turning to leave.
"Girls," Ron said, sighing. He put down the book he was reading and found a small hardcover book with a very interesting title: Everything Harry Potter Needs to Know about Quidditch. "What's this?" He reached for the book.
"That's mine!" a woman said, snatching the book away. She wore robes with vertical black and white stripes. She then walked swiftly turned away and looked at the shelf of mushroom books.
"Weird…" Ron said.
"What was that book anyway?" Hermione asked.
"It had Harry's name on it," Ron said.
"Probably one of those American Fan books of famous people," Hermione said. "Here, Ron. I've got you a copy of the Standard Book of Spells Level 5. It's three for 12 galleons! A real bargain!"
"Whatever you say," Ron said. "I guess the third can be for Harry." The woman with the stripes seemed to be listening.
"We'll pay for them now and he can pay us when he returns," Hermione said. She collected six galleons from him and handed those and six of her own to Abigail, who was acting particularly cold towards them. They left to go back to the Gringotts tent and found Harry had just returned. Hermione collected four gold galleons from him and gave two to Ron.
"Come on, we have to get Dudley's books," Hermione said. They returned to Abigail Franklin's tent and found all of Dudley's books. The woman in stripes was still there.
"That reminds me, Harry," Ron said, looking at the woman. "They've written whole books about you."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, interested.
"Well, I guess that woman had the last one. It was called Everything Harry Potter Needs to Know about Quidditch. I think Americans think you don't know how to play Quidditch, mate," Ron laughed.
"But I'm Gryffindor Seeker! Of course I know how- Let me see it," Harry said.
"I told you, I think she had the last copy," Ron said.
"Then I'll just ask her," Harry said. The woman heard this and quickly walked away.
"Harry, where you going?" Ron asked. He laughed as Harry pursued the woman. He wanted to see what rubbish this book was. She turned around a corner in an empty room of the Conservation Station Building.
"Excuse me," Harry called to her from the doorway. "My friend said-"
"I know who you are," she said, turning to look at him. "Of course. Take a look. I'd be interested too if it was me." She handed him the book. Harry read the cover and felt the anger building inside of him. Who did they think they were? Writing a book about his Quidditch skills…"I think you'll find page 42 very interesting."
Harry flipped to page 42 and found a picture of a gazelle hurt, in a cage. Like all wizard pictures, it moved. Suddenly, the gazelle's eyes pierced into Harry's and Harry found the uncomfortable feeling of being transported away…
***
"Where's Harry?" Lupin asked Ron who was looking at a book about the Chudley Cannons, his favorite Quidditch team.
"Getting a book about himself," Ron said without looking up.
"Where? Here?" Lupin asked. Snuffles started sniffing on the ground, trying to find Harry.
"No. Some woman had the last one and Harry followed her to just take a look at it," Ron said, without looking up again.
"Is Hermione with him?" Lupin asked, a hint of nervousness in his voice.
"No, I'm right here," Hermione said, approaching with a stack of books for Dudley, who was right behind her with Neville.
"You mean to tell me you let him off alone?!?" Remus Lupin said, his face turning pale and a sense of anger towards them. Hermione dropped the books she was carrying and looked at Ron with a look of anger like Lupin. Ron hadn't thought about that before. In the hype of all the surprise with Dudley and the very interesting book he was reading, Ron totally forgot about Tomás and the dangers of the Dark wizards after Harry Potter.
"You what!?" Hermione said to Ron.
"I-I-I…forogt. But, he can't be in danger! Tomás is locked up in an-"
"Yes, but he most likely had colleagues, accomplices!" Lupin said. "Which way did he go? Who was he following?"
"I-I-I don't remember," Ron said, starting to panic. How could he do such a stupid thing? Lupin grabbed him by the shoulders and looked him straight in the eyes.
"Remember, then!" he said. The others have never seen him like this before.
"Maybe he's not in danger," Hermione cried quickly. "Maybe he's just…just…"
"Ron, please! Try and remember!" Lupin pleaded. Snuffles started barking. He picked up Harry's scent. Being a dog had its advantages. He pulled on his leash and Lupin was running behind him. Ginny, who was by a booth selling more love potions, saw the odd parade of Snuffles, Lupin, Hermione, Ron, Neville, and Dudley.
"What's going on?" Ginny asked, running along side Hermione.
"Stupid Ron let Harry wander off alone!" Hermione said. She seemed to be crying. Really, Harry couldn't be in so much danger?
***
Harry Potter. Now I have you in my trap, Tomás thought. He had a tranquilizer stuck in his side, yet he could move around like normal.
"Why have you brought me here?" Harry asked angrily. He felt very cramped in a cage. He looked around and saw that he was in a white room with all kinds of instruments and shiny metal tables and cabinets. The cabinets reflected his image of himself in a cage with a gazelle.
Why, to lure you and your friends to their doom! Then, quick as a flash, he had disapparated out of the cage and changed back into human Tomás, leaving poor helpless, Harry Potter in a metal cage. He muttered very quickly in Latin, holding his wand at Harry.
"What are you doing?" Harry asked. He was so stupid! How could he have fallen for such a simple trap? He was going to die like a lab animal in a cage, most likely with the same curse that had failed to do him in before. But Harry felt still very much alive when Tomás had put his wand down. He was smirking and laughing. He took the tranquilizer out of his arm, which had not emptied its contents into his own blood stream. Then with a flash of pain, Harry found himself falling into a forced sleep. Just before his eyes shut, he saw a gazelle with a needle in its side staring back at him from a reflective cabinet door.