Okay, so my internet service got really messed up AND we got the stupid worm virus thing that infects Windows 2000 and Windows XP!!!! I couldn't post or e-mail! Chapter 31 has been sitting unread forever, but it has been edited and revised very much, so I REALLY hope there are no errors or confusions.
I'm a little nervous about this chapter. What it turns into seemed really fun and interesting at the moment, but now it seems kind of stupid. Oh well, maybe it will work out okay (I hope). You'll see…
Chapter 31: A Second Look at Harry's Book and The Wild Goose Chase
In case any of you didn't understand the end of chapter 29:
"Tomás, what are you doing here? I thought you had work at the Magic Kingdom today," the woman at the Animal Kingdom Animal Hospital said.
"I…uh…was checking on Geoff- I mean the giraffe we found yesterday," Tomás said, hoisting himself up onto the metal counter and taking a seat.
"Aww…you named him," she said. "Well, Geoff is still not ready to return to the 'wild' for another few months."
"I knew you were going to say that, Helena," Tomás said sadly. "I was…er, also checking on this gazelle. He's the mad one they just brought in."
"This Tommy doesn't look too bad," Helena, the healer, said, crouching down to check the Thompson's Gazelle, sleeping in its cage. "What did he do again?"
"Crashed into one of the Safari Jeeps," said Tomás.
"Well his head looks okay, but I'd like to take a few scans to see if he bashed his skull. Did they say if he crashed on purpose?"
"Oh, yes. They said he's gone mad and crazy and needs to be properly trained."
"Well, that's all right. This one looks like a sweetie," Helena said, stroking the gazelle's fur.
"Well, I better get going to work," Tomás said, jumping off the counter.
"Have you thought of a name for this little one yet?" Helena asked as Tomás made his way to the door.
"No, not yet," Tomás said, laughing. He then stopped and looked over his shoulder. "Come to think of it, I think we can call him Harry."
***
"The thing is," Hermione said, pacing around the movie viewing room, "now that we're going off to find Harry, where do we begin?"
"There has to be a clue in here," Ginny said, opening up the book. She flipped through the pages and stopped at page 42. "Oh my! It's a picture of that awful Tomás!"
"Hah! He's in a cage!" Ron said.
"It could just be a Muggle picture of a normal gazelle in a cage," Hermione suggested. "Just to throw us off."
"No, that's important," Lupin said. "Zira said the book was used to send Harry to him. Maybe this picture is what did it."
"You may be right. But I don't think it even is a wizard picture."
"Well, it looks like it's sleeping. We can check on it late- oh wait, look! There's someone there!" Ginny said, pointing at the book. Helena, the healer, was tending to the gazelle with a stethoscope.
"Is she a good witch or a bad witch?" Ron asked.
"I don't think she's a witch at all," Ginny said. "See, she's using all these different instruments. If she were a witch she'd use her wand."
"Why would there be a picture of a gazelle and a Muggle veterinarian?" Hermione wondered out loud. "And if it is Tomás, why did he leave a picture of himself like that? I mean, he already knows that we know that he's an Animagus. It's just not making sense."
"Well, it's something," Sirius said. "Is there anything else in the book?"
"No," Ginny said, flipping through it again. "All the other pages are blank."
"Maybe this is where Harry was transported to! There's nothing else in the book, so this has to be it!" said Sirius.
"But Harry's not in the picture," Hermione said.
"He could be out of view," Sirius said. He then tried poking his finger at the picture. "Come on! Let me in!"
"It's no use, Sirius," Lupin said. "We may as well try something else."
"Well, we best wake him up," Sirius said, pointing to Neville. "We can go out and do the television bit again so I don't have to stay as a dog." Lupin thought this was good, but voted against it since there'd be no point at the Convention with non-television-owning wizards. Besides, even with a disguise, Sirius could be recognized. So Sirius had to change back into a dog.
"Neville, are you all right?" Hermione asked after she woke him with the counter-curse for stunning.
"I saw Sirius Black! Right here! Where'd he go?" Neville said, jumping up to his feet.
"He's not here. Maybe you were dreaming it," Ron said.
"Then how did I fall asleep? And why am I here?"
"Er…" Ron said. They had no choice. They had to spell out to Neville all about finding Harry, the truth about Sirius, Lupin's 'blindness' and what they were going to do. Neville still was very much confused when Hermione had finished, but seemed to understand once Sirius returned to original form.
"So what's it going to be?" Sirius asked. "How are we going to go about and find Harry?"
"First off, we should ask anyone if they know who that woman is in the picture," Ginny said.
"Right. Then I guess we should go." They all were heading out the door as Ginny opened the book to find the picture again. Once the front cover became parallel with the back cover, the blank pages suddenly became filled. Ginny screamed and dropped the book. Everyone gathered around it and read the words that emerged onto the once blank pages.
Everything Harry Potter Needs to Know about Quidditch
by Tomás Riddle
"Turn the page, Ginny!" Ron ordered when the words stopped appearing. She quickly turned the page and they found the table of contents. It was hard for everyone to see the tiny little book, so Hermione used a projector spell to project it onto the movie screen in the room. They all took the seats in front of the screen and Ginny held the book in her lap.
Table of Contents
Introduction……………………………………………………2
Ha, this isn't about Quidditch………………………………3
You're not seeing the rest until you read the above………5
"I guess he wants us to read the Introduction and the first chapter," Hermione said. They turned to page two and more words appeared onto the page.
Introduction
I see, dear friends of Harry Potter, you have done the right thing and read this book. I congratulate you for getting this far. I have Harry Potter with me, and I must say he's in fine health, unless I decide otherwise. Now, I am willing to give you a chance to get to him. But first, I have a few errands for you.
"Give us a chance? Yeah, right! He just wants us!" Hermione said. The words suddenly stopped appearing.
"Hermione! You broke it!" Ron said.
"It can't hear me! It's probably the end of the Introduction."
"The Introduction can't be that short!"
"But she's right," Ginny said turning the page.
Chapter 1: Ha, this isn't about Quidditch
Why would I write a book about Quidditch? That was only a false name so that Harry Potter would fall for it and grab this book. Now as I had said previously, I want you to do a few errands before I tell you where to find Harry Potter. First, I'm feeling generous, so I'm giving you a tour of the world and its foreign countries. Go there then open to this chapter again for further instructions.
The words stopped appearing.
"Go around the world?" Ron said. "How in the world are we supposed to-"
"Ron, we're in Walt Disney World," Hermione said. "Tomás is a cast member, remember? Of course he means the World Showcase at EPCOT." The others felt kind of stupid for not thinking of this right away. "We better get going right away!"
"But what about our parents?" Ginny asked. "Should we tell them?"
"No. We can't waste any time," Sirius said. "Let's go, NOW! And Remus, I'd feel much better if we use the old television act again."
"If you say so," Lupin said, waving his wand and changing everyone. "But we have to be really, really careful! Sirius, you better stay behind the camera." The director's hat and vest appeared on Lupin and Sirius's robes changed into jeans and a T-shirt reading "Cameraman" again. He magicked spectacles and tied back his hair in a fine ponytail. Ginny started chewing like a cow with the bubble gum in her mouth and she made a lot of noise with all sorts of dangly earrings and bangles and bracelets. Lupin conjured up the beautician's case and brush. Hermione was once again pretending to be a television star with Ron and Neville as her co-stars. Sirius was holding an enormous camera on his shoulder and they set out to the Wizard's Convention. They got many strange looks as they winded through the many tables and tents of merchants. Finally, they reached the Wildlife Express Train Station. Fred and George were waiting for the train as well.
"What's with the get-up again?" Fred asked. "Are we pretending to be-"
"Yes," Ron said. "We're going off to find Harry."
"What do you mean?" George asked. Hermione and Ron started explaining, finishing each other's sentences.
"He wants all of us?"
"Fred, what'd you get us into?"
"It's not my fault! You're the one who wanted to get on the train back to the Muggles."
"Well, you're…you're…you're just nosy!"
"So are you!"
"It was you first!"
"No, you!"
"Fred, George, it doesn't matter," Ginny cried. "Harry's in trouble! Are you going to help him or not?"
"Sure!" they both said.
"If it involves the chance of losing our lives, we'd be happy to help!"
"What better adventure can you think of?!"
The train arrived and they were the only ones who boarded. Fred and George didn't feel like being co-stars again, so Hermione gave them long poles with boom microphones on the end. They all suddenly realized how big the Animal Kingdom was as they tried to find their way through the park to the exit. They also had trouble passing through the Muggles, for word got around fast that there was an English television cast and crew taping in the parks. Hermione, Ron, and Neville were wondering why in the world people wanted their autographs when they really weren't on a television program.
"Now I know how Harry felt," Ron said, quickly scribbling in a book. They finally made it through to the exit and headed right to the shuttle stations.
"Hurry up! The shuttle for EPCOT has just arrived!" Hermione said, sprinting away. It took a good 30 minutes to take the shuttle from the Animal Kingdom to EPCOT center and make their way to the World Showcase.
***
"He should be waking up now," Helena the healer said, posting the x-ray on the light board. She saw the gazelle stir in his cage. "You're a lucky little gazelle, Harry."
Harry lifted his head at the sound of his name.
She knows who I am! Harry thought. He tried to talk but just brayed like a sheep.
"What's wrong? Are you all right?" Helena asked, kneeling down next to Harry's cage.
Get me out of here! Turn me back into a human! Harry thought, banging his tiny horns against the metal bars.
"Calm down, Harry," Helena said. Harry stopped moving at her command. "Good, now go rest yourself."
Maybe if a do everything she says, she'll let me out and figure out I'm not supposed to be like this, Harry thought. He put his head down and lay his four legs at his sides and pretended to be resting.
"Hmm, no fractures of the skull…no signs of sudden pressure…Harry it seems like you didn't even hit a jeep," Helena said, examining the x-rays again.
I didn't! That was Tomás! You've got the wrong gazelle! Harry thought. No I mean person! You've got the wrong person! Ugh, she can't read my thoughts. If only I can do magic. Can transfigured wizards do magic? Harry figured his wand and clothes were transfigured with him, so he must be able to do something. He stood up on all four of his legs and tried to do something.
Wingardium Leviosa! Harry thought, waving his legs and hooves and horns. Nothing happened.
"You are mad," Helena said, watching Harry wave around. "You trying to dance, Harry?" She laughed and turned back to her research, leaving Harry to stay trapped in his cage and hope for a miracle.
***
"Now where is my animal guide?" Helena wondered aloud. Harry saw it lying next to his cage. He pushed his small hoof through the bars and pushed the book. It slid across the floor and to Helena's feet. "Oh, thank you, Harry." She picked up the book, turned back to her work and started writing in a notebook. She then stopped to realize what had just happened.
"Did you understand me?" Helena asked, looking down at Harry. He looked up and nodded his head excitedly.
Now let me out! Let me out! Harry thought.
"How many fingers am I holding up?" Helena asked, holding up three of her left fingers. Harry tapped the floor of his cage with his hoof three times. "Oh! This is marvelous! This gazelle has a highly advanced thinking and understanding ability!"
Yeah, yeah, because I'm a human! Now let me out!
"More tests! I must perform more tests!" Helena said. She then scribbled the word "dog" on a piece of paper and lay an opened book in front of Harry. There were two pictures: one of a dog and one of a gorilla. [hah, you thought I was going to say cat, didn't you?] "Okay Harry, which one is this?" She held up the paper with the "dog" written on it. Harry stuck out his hoof and pointed to the picture of the dog. "Stupendous! Wonderful! You're a genius!" She then started to create more and more tests, still leaving Harry locked up in his cage.
***
"Does it matter which country we're in?" Ginny asked between chews.
"I don't think so," Hermione said.
"Where are we anyhow?" Ginny asked.
"This is Mexico," Ron said.
"I didn't know ravens dwell in Mexico," Ginny said, looking at a blackbird with a lazy eye, sitting high up in the branches of a tree.
"Let's see the book." They were in front of the Aztec Temple at the Mexican Pavilion. Ginny opened the book to page 3 and the words began to appear again. Just as the first word appeared, something very very odd happened. All the guests stopped moving. They all froze as if someone hit the world's 'pause' button. The wind stopped blowing and the clouds stopped moving. The Mariachi music playing in the background ceased from continuing. Time had stopped for the entire world, Disney and the real one. The only ones moving were Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, the four youngest Weasley children, Hermione and Neville (and of course, Tomás and his gang, who was who knows where…).
"What just happened?" Neville asked, looking around at the frozen guests, most looking odd, as they froze mid-sentence and mid-word. "I think this chap was saying 'watermelon.'"
"Tomás must've stopped time," said Hermione. "But the question is, why?"
"He doesn't want us to bother the other guests. He doesn't want them involved," Lupin guessed.
"Well? What does the book say?" Ron asked.
world and its foreign countries. Go there then open to this chapter again for further instructions. Good. You're at EPCOT. As you can see, I've conveniently stopped time for you. I don't want you to have trouble getting through. These stupid tourists just get in the way. So…are you ready? Let the games begin!
The words again terminated from appearing. Suddenly, all the Muggles around them disappeared and were replaced with Skeletons of warriors from times past. There were dead Vikings, Trojans, Civil War soldiers, red coats, skeletal fighters of wars from eras in history. That is, the Muggle History.
"Eugh! What are they?!" Ginny squealed as the skeletons began to come alive. They dragged their bones around and marched towards them. Everyone took their wands out to properly arm himself or herself.
"Impedimenta!" Hermione cried, pointing her wand at a particularly close skeleton Viking. He flew in the air and crashed to the ground, his bones flying apart. Then, as if a vacuum was turned on, the bones returned back to the spine and built itself up again. "Oh! That's not too good, is it?!?"
"In here!" Sirius said, motioning them towards the entrance to the Aztec Temple. They all followed him inside, leaving the cameras and television props behind. Inside, guests were frozen, but translucent. One found himself able to walk through a motionless being. Ginny opened the book again.
Hahahaha! The Death Army has awoken. Find the Black Cauldron, and you'll be able to stop them! Tour the showcase, I'm sure you'll find it somewhere.
"The Black Cauldron? How will a Cauldron stop these Skeleton things?" George asked.
"It's the Black Cauldron from the Chronicles of Prydain!" Neville said. "It's a Muggle Fantasy book series, I've read it before. I think it was an Animated movie as well."
"Well then, what's the Black Cauldron?" Fred asked.
"It's a horrible cauldron that trapped a great evil king. It can be used to make the most horrible army of deathly warriors. It's a great weapon that causes devastation to anything in its way. It can only be stopped if a living being steps into the cauldron of his own free will."
"Well then let's find it and hop into it!" Ron said.
"But the one who does, sacrifices himself. The one who steps into it does not step out of it alive," Neville said, as if telling an urban legend. The rest of the group was pretty spooked at Neville's scary demeanor.
"How do you find it? Where was it in the books?" Ginny asked.
[A/N: I never read the books, but I've seen the Disney Movie. I heard that the movie was totally wrong and askew from the original story in the books, so I really don't know how they really found the cauldron in the books.]
"The Black Cauldron was a Disney Animated Feature released in 1985," Hermione said. "I think Tomás would be using that version as a reference."
"Well, have any of you seen it?" Ginny asked. No one had, but Hermione seemed to.
"I read a book about it at the Animation Studio yesterday. The Cauldron was found in Morva at the witches' house. They were dark witches."
"How are we going to find them?" Ginny asked.
"Well, the heroes in the movie had help. It was a little fairfolk named Doley. But I don't see any fairfolk here."
"Maybe we can help," a red rooster said, taking off his sombrero. He had a strong Latin accent. He was accompanied with a duck in a blue nautical suit and a green parrot. They were three short birds, only coming up to Ron's waist. They also seemed very flat and 2-demensional.
"Who are you?" Ron asked, surprised with their sudden appearance. [These scenes would be so much more fun if you imagine the voices.]
"We are the three caballeros!" They all said at once. The three of them had huge sombreros atop their heads.
"My name is Donald Duck!" the white mallard in the nautical suit said in a very throaty, unclear voice.
"My name is José Carioca!" the green parrot said with a fine, proper Portuguese gentleman voice. He had a yellow dinner jacket and a black tie. The red rooster was last to introduce himself.
"And my name is Panchito Romero Miguel Junetaro Francisco Quintero Gonzalez!" said Panchito Romero Miguel Junetaro Francisco Quintero Gonzalez. He wore the traditional cowboy outfit, complete with spurs and a gun holder with two pistols on his side. They all then started singing. South American background accompaniment music started playing. [Lyrics taken from House of Mouse, sung to the tune of La Bamba]
♪ We are the Three Caballeros!
We love to sing and to dance and to jump up and down!
Why, we play lots of music!
And we listen to everyone screaming out loud
We're the three caballeros!
Hear them shout out our names!
I'm Panchito!
José!
Donal- ♪
"Wait! Stop, stop, STOP!" Sirius shouted. The music stopped playing as if someone made it slow down and stop. "How is it you can help us?"
"Yo no sé, pero una chica said go and help you," Panchito said very fast, with a playful Latino accent. "And here we are to help you!"
"Sí, sí, sí. She asked us if we could be so very very very kind and come here to assist in your quest," José Carioca said, rolling his R's.
"Do you know where to find the Black Cauldron?" Ron finally asked. "We need it and now would be a very good time!"
"The Black Cauldron?" Donald Duck said.
"No, the Black Cauldron," Ron said.
"That's what I said, didn't you hear me?!" Donald said angrily. "The Black Cauldron! The Black Cauldron!"
"What did he say?" Ron asked Hermione, who just shrugged her shoulders.
"I said 'the Black Cauldron'!!!" Donald screamed, pulling out a picket sign from behind his back with 'The Black Cauldron' written in big red letters.
"Yeah! That's what we're looking for; the Black Cauldron," Ron said. "That's it."
"I do not think we know where that is, Señor," José said to Ron. "But we could find someone who could help you."
"Where? here?" Neville asked, looking around at the inside of the temple. They were in a lightly lighted room with an exhibit of Mexican art. Up ahead was a bustling Mercado whose ceiling was made to look like a night sky. But then again it wasn't so bustling, seeing as the guests inside were all frozen.
"No, no, no, no, no," Panchito said. "Of course not here! We can go over there!" He was balancing himself on his tail feathers and pointed his hands/wings towards the exit and back outside.
"I don't think we can go out there," Hermione said. "The Skeleton warriors are still out there." Panchito toppled onto his feet and gathered his compadres into a huddle. They were whispering quite fast and one of them occasionally looked up at them, then snapped his head back down. Finally, they broke up and spoke up.
"We're not afraid of Skeleton Warriors!" Donald said, proudly, heaving his chest up and looking valiant.
"What did he say?" Ginny asked Sirius, who just shrugged his shoulders.
"I said 'We're not afraid of Skeleton Warriors!'" Donald repeated, looking like he was trying to hold his anger in. Steam was smoking out of where ears should be.
"What Donald is trying to say," José said. "Is that we are not afraid of what's out there. We will go with you." They all went out into the sunshine, only to find that their fears were confirmed. The Skeleton Warriors were still roaming the streets of the World Showcase. Panchito, José, and Donald were all trembling and one could hear teeth chattering.
"¡Ay Cuidado!" José cried seeing the skeletons. Donald had shrunk and was hiding under his sombrero. It was trembling and one could see his eyes poking out, shooting in all directions.
"What's the problem? You said you weren't scared," Ron said.
"We…uh…thought you meant…the other Skeleton, uh, warriors," Panchito said, teeth still chattering.
"Well…if we're no threat to them…then gulp, they won't threat us," José said.
"How about, you three create a distraction," Sirius pondered, "while we make a run for it."
"Then what's gonna happen to us?" Panchito asked.
"Good Luck to you," Sirius said. Donald and Panchito started wailing, huge drops of tears releasing from their eyes like a fountain.
"How about Snuffles has a hunt for some bones?" Lupin suggested, a smile emerging on his face. The kids all looked at Sirius while Donald and Panchito were holding each other, crying. "Remember, for Harry's sake."
"Oh, alright," Sirius said. He changed into Snuffles and fled out into the street. The Skeleton Warriors, which were dragging along with their clubs and swords, suddenly snapped up to attention and ran as the great big black dog chased the skeletons. Hermione, Ginny, Ron, Neville, and the twins were cheering Snuffles on as he happily chased the skeletons all over. But soon a particularly large skeleton swung his battle-axe and was two inches from beheading Snuffles.
"Run!" Lupin shouted as he sprinted to the next country at the World Showcase. The others followed and the three Caballeros ran for their lives, their legs spinning so fast that they made little clouds. They turned left into the Norway Pavilion and ventured to the end of the street were the waterfall spilled out from the river of the Maelstrom Attraction. They all kneeled or sat as they caught their breath.
"We're lucky," Lupin said, breathing hard. He gulped some air. "None of them followed us."
"Wheeeeeeeee! We're free! We're free! Time for a fiesta!" Panchito cried, taking the pistols from their holders and shooting them into the sky. A blackbird fled in fright into the trees. "Ay-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi!" Suddenly, the heavens opened up with festive music of trumpets, horns, guitars, maracas and-
"Quiet or we'll be found!" Hermione hissed at him. José and Donald grabbed Panchito and pinned him down to the street. The music died down just as Sirius ran into the street.
"Huff-puff-huff-puff…what now?" Sirius asked, gasping for breath.
"We've still got to find that cauldron," Ginny said.
"Maybe in there," Donald said, standing by the entrance to the Maelstrom attraction and peering inside.
"Oh that's just a ride, Donald," Fred said. He pointed to the long line of still, translucent guests. "See all the people in line."
"Well it doesn't hurt to try," Lupin said, leading the pack. They were winding through the empty line leading to the loading area.
"So who sent you?" Hermione asked José as he walked in front of her.
"I never met her before," José replied. "But she was like you. A real person."
"Did she say her name?"
"She would not tell us. She did where robes with stripes and told us to be careful and help you along the way," José said. "And she said there are more of us that will be of assistance to you."
"You mean more birds?"
"No," a cheerful, young voice said. It was the voice of a male, who sounded a lot like a studious college student. "More animated people like me." He emerged out of the darkness. He was different than the Three Caballeros. He had less round lines, but was more geometrical. He was a tall, skinny man with enormously round glasses that sat on a long, pointy nose. He had a square face with a pointy chin. He was holding a brown leather-bound book with blue brackets. There was an odd symbol on the cover. "I'm supposed to help you find a cauldron." He opened his book and flipped through the pages. "A new passage appeared in this journal, explaining about a Black Cauldron."
"You know where it is?" Hermione asked excitedly.
"It's all right here," he replied, showing her the open book. There was a picture of a great black cauldron with a face of an angry man carved on the front. There was print on the page, though it was written in the same odd symbols as on the cover.
"I can't exactly…read it," Hermione said.
"Well, it's Atlantean," the man said.
"You mean from the lost continent of Atlantis?" Hermione asked. She then looked as if a sudden revelation dawned on her mind. "This is the Shepherd's Journal from Atlantis: The Lost Empire! You must be-"
"Milo Thatch," said Milo Thatch. [If it helps, Milo Thatch was voiced by Michael J. Fox.]
"And we're the three Caballeros!" the three caballeros said.
"My name is Donald Duck!"
"My name is José Carioca!"
"And my name is Panchito Romero Mig-" Fred and George stopped him by clasping his beak shut.
"I can honestly help you," Milo said. "I've already been on a quest to find Atlantis using these ancient writings. But now, I've been sent here to help you find this cauldron. I'm an expert on ancient and dead languages. These Viking boats, though a little inaccurate, can lead us to where it is." He led them to the loading area and found the same old Viking ships for the Maelstrom attraction.
"You mean it's hidden in there?" Ginny asked.
"Well according to this passage, it should be 'In the forest of a three-headed troll'."
"Well that's definitely in there," Ron said, remembering the ride they had ridden a few days ago. Sirius, Lupin, Hermione, Ron, Neville, Ginny, the twins, the three caballeros and Milo Thatch loaded onto the wooden Viking Ship and it embarked down the river. Though, instead of going down the original track, the boat turned into the painted background of the Norwegian Diorama and merged with the paint and colors. [A/N: Think Mary Poppins.]
"Welcome to our world," Milo Thatch said as he helped them out into the animated grass.
"It's like we're in one of those motion pictures," Ginny said, "except its all…real…"
"Are we in an animated Norway?" Hermione asked.
"Yes. The forest is just over there," Milo said, leading them along.
"But since the painting is real and the forests are real…does that mean the trolls won't be robots anymore?" Ron asked.
"Of course," Milo said, leading them through the thick branches of the Norse Forest. "According to the passage, it says we should come to a clearing called Morva…"
"I guess this is it," Neville said, pointing a trembling finger to a sign. It's writing said 'Morva'.
"That's where the cauldron was in the movie," Hermione said.
"So where's the troll?" Sirius asked. "I'll just wrestle him to the ground!"
"I'm not exactly sure…" Milo said, squinting behind his classes and rereading the passage written in an ancient, forgotten dialect. "But I think this is saying…'The troll has gone since he has trespassed the premises of…the three witches. Be careful when confronted with them, or you just might be turned into'…hold on…I think it says 'a log'…or is it 'a frog'…"
"A frog? I'd always wondered what it'd be like to be a frog," Fred said thoughtfully.
"Well wonder no more! Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee!" a cackling voice cried. A blast of magic whizzed through the trees and hit Fred right on the nose. "Heeheheheheheheheheeee!" A batty old witch with nobly knees and a high pitched voice was racing after Fred who began hopping along. She had wrinkly-green skin and wore a pointed blue hat, frock, and scarf. Like Milo and the caballeros, she was animated.
"Fred! Fred! What's happened to you?" Ginny asked, as she caught Fred in her hands.
"Give it here, girl! He's my supper! Heeheheheehehee!" the witch said, now chasing Ginny around the wood.
"You didn't get him, Orduu," a very fat green witch with long, thick red hair and rosy cheeks said in a sweet voice, holding George by the ear. "He's still here."
"Let me go you wretched old hag!" George said as his ear strained under the pulling of the stout short witch.
"What did you call me?!?" she said, sounding much more menacing.
"Impedimenta!" Lupin shouted, causing the fat witch to fly away into the trees, causing a bird of dark plumage to flee into the orange sky.
"What magic is this?" a third witch asked. She seemed to be the leader of the three, having the most warts and sounding the most proper. "Who are you and what do you want?"
"We're looking for the Black Cauldron, ma'am," Donald Duck said.
"What did he say?" the witch asked her friend, who had given up chasing Fred, still in the safety of Ginny's hands.
"I said 'We're looking for the Black Cauldron'!" Donald repeated, ruffling his feathers.
"I'm sorry, you're going to have to repeat that," the first witch said, holding her ear out.
"Why doesn't anyone understand me?!?" Donald shouted, jumping up and down and squawking his angry gibberish quaking.
"Please, may someone else explain," the third witch asked.
"We want the Black Cauldron," Ron said finally. "And if we don't hurry, my best friend is going to die."
"The Black Cauldron? Why would you want that?" the third witch said.
"Just give us the cauldron, NOW!" Sirius said, losing his patience.
"We just need it to stop the skeleton warriors," Hermione said. "They're out there at his very moment."
"Well if you ducklings don't bother them, they won't bother you," she replied. "Besides, whoever brought them to life had the cauldron in the first place."
"What?!? You mean Tomás had it all this time?" Sirius exclaimed. "We didn't have to go here at all!"
"Exactly, if he is the one who sent the skeletons on you," she said. "So kindly leave the premises. There is no such cauldron here!"
"No wait!" the second witch said. "We don't have to let them go. After all, we haven't eaten in so long. And this one looks like he'll make a nice juicy frog." She pointed her bony hand towards Neville, whose eyes widened in fear.
"Very well," the third witch said. "We'll give you three seconds head start." They all looked at each other, not understanding. "One."
"RUN!" Milo shouted, heading out of the forest once the witch had counted to two. The others sprinted away as if fleeing from a skunk.
"Three," the witch said, and immediately, sparks were flying as Frog Spells were aimed at the humans. Believe it or not, but George was hit by the spell, and he too was a frog, just like Fred.
"Oh, what will Mum say?" Ginny said to them both, who were hiding in her arms.
"No, no, no, no. You don't want them," Panchito said fleeing with the others, but turning his torso around to face the three racing witches (the fat one had come out of the trees and followed). Panchito took out his pistols again and shot at the witches' feet. "Do the cha-cha-cha, señoritas!"
Milo had led them back to their Viking Ship and they all piled in and set sail.
"That wretched Tomás sent us on a goose chase for no good reason!" Hermione said in anger as the ship sped away down the animated river and out back into the real world, though time was still frozen. "Now how are we going to find this cauldron if we don't know where he is?!"
"Isn't it obvious, Hermione," Neville said. "He just wants us to get to him. In the meantime, he's trying to get us to waste time!"
"Yeah, but we know he's mainly trying to get us all together so he can get Professor Dumbledore," Hermione said. "Ugh! What are we going to do?"
"We don't know where he is yet," Lupin said. "But we may as well go on with his little game. It has to lead us to him, since that's his goal."
"But he doesn't know we know," Ron said. "So let's take him by surprise!"
"Not now. It's too early," Lupin said. "If he sees that we're not playing his little hunt, he'll probably suspect we know and will just kill Harry then and there."
"But he wants to get rid of the rest of us first! He doesn't like people in the way! Look what he did to the other guests!" Hermione said. "I think we should go along with his game. Besides, Ron, we have no idea where he is."
"Who are we speaking of again?" Donald asked.
"What?" Ron said.
"I give up!" Donald said. He then started grumbling to himself. "Can't understand English…who are these lousy kids…grumble…"
"Who are we speaking of?" Panchito finally asked.
"Tomás Riddle," Hermione said. "The lunatic who sent us on this quest."
"That woman who sent us spoke of him," said José Carioca. "She says he's not a good guy. He's a villain."
"Speaking of villains," Milo Thatch said, stopping the boat. He gave a nervous laugh. Standing before them by the entrance of the loading area stood a great robed monster. He looked like the king of the Skeleton Warriors. He had horns growing out of his head and was so emaciated that his face resembled a human skull. Very odd sci-fi horror music was playing, as if they were in a movie and the background music was setting the mood. [If any of you have seen The Black Cauldron, you'll know what music I'm talking about.]
"Get your wands out," Lupin instructed. He and Sirius were standing up while Ron, Hermione, Neville and Ginny got their wands out. The twin frogs just sat quietly by Ginny. The three caballeros were shaking with fear and hiding underneath their seats.
"Who are you? What do you want?" Sirius called out to the skeletal being.
"I am the Horned King," the Horned King said in a hoarse, evil voice. "I was told to give you a clue…for you seem to have been unable to find the cauldron."
"Why are you helping us?"
"The one named Tomás wishes to aid you in your search. He says that Harry Potter grows weaker, as you take longer to get what he wants."
"But doesn't he have the cauldron?" Hermione rudely interrupted. She stood up as well.
"No, foolish girl," the Horned King replied. "He doesn't do what you beings call 'Dirty work.' He had ordered someone else to do the job."
"Well, who?" Hermione said, in an angry impatient tone.
"That is why I am here," the Horned King said. "Now listen, for I'll only say this but once…
"She once was the fairest of face
But changed herself, to regain her place.
As a hag she set out to fright
The one with skin a wintery white.
But the tables turned and she did not succeed
She hadn't done her wicked deed.
But Tomás has given her another try
To attack the girl and let her die.
The cauldron that you have in mind
Is in her country, so please be kind
And listen to my advice
For I do not plan to say it twice.
The wicked old hag dwells in the land
Of clocks and beer and pretzel stands." The Horned King had finished and disappeared in a whisk of smoke.
"Is he gone?" Panchito asked, poking his head out. Neville nodded and they all came out. "Wahoo, he's gone! Time for another fiesta!" The Three Caballeros' theme song started playing in place of the Horned King's theme. Panchito, José, and Donald made a conga line and danced to the beat.
"Of course! It all makes sense now!" Hermione said to herself. She sat down and was in deep thought.
"What makes sense?" Ron asked as Panchito took out a pair of maracas and started shaking them to the tune and parading his line through the waiting queue. Ginny soon joined them with Fred and George on her shoulders.
"He's theme-ing the countries with corresponding characters from Disney films!" Hermione said, as if this was a wondrous revelation that could really help them.
"What do you mean?" Lupin and Sirius asked at the same time.
"See, Tomás already used the Black Cauldron to lead us to Norway, where we found the three witches and the Horned King. They're all from The Black Cauldron."
"Hermione, The Chronicles of Prydain was an English novel series," Neville said. Hermione looked crestfallen.
"Oh…well it sort of fits," she said. "No, but I know that's what he's doing! I mean the next villain he's sending us to is the Wicked Witch from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The Disney feature was based on the fairy tale of the same name by the Brothers Grimm. And they were German. The clues match! Clocks, Beer, pretzels, they're all found in the Germany pavilion at World Showcase. There's a pub there called the Biergarten and a clock shop and a pretzel shoppe! Germany is where we'll find the cauldron! I know it!"
"I think Hermione's right," Neville said. "You can't really set Prydain in the UK World Showcase. Here, it's more like the London streets. Maybe Tomás improvised by using the forests of Norway. It is a better setting…sort of."
"And the Three Caballeros appeared at Mexico! So they're kind of Mexican too, so he improvised!" Ron said, feeling happy to figure something out.
"Yes, but this Tomás guy didn't send them," Milo said after remaining silent for quite a while. "We were sent by a woman."
"What did she look like," Ron asked.
"Well she was of a Hispanic blood and had dark hair and-"
"She wore striped robes," Hermione said. "That's what José Carioca told me." Hermione began thinking again and she suddenly spoke up with Neville, Ron, and Lupin.
"Zira!" they all said together.
"She must be sending the help and doing the same theme-ing thing," Ron said.
"Milo, are you Norwegian or Scandinavian?" Hermione asked.
"No, I'm an American," Milo replied. Hermione looked downcast again. "But my mission to Atlantis started in Iceland."
"That's close, so it still fits!" Ron said. "Tomás is sending Villains while Zira is sending the heroes! Man, I wished we had a TB so we could see these Disney films."
"Then, I guess we should head to Germany," Lupin said. "Where's Sirius?"
"Vaminos, Remus!" Sirius said, holding Ginny's shoulders and following her and the three caballeros through the queue. "Come join El Fiesta Trene! Arriba Arriba!"
***
Will the group find the Cauldron in time? Who else will they meet up with? Why does Tomás need the cauldron? Is Hermione correct with her hypothesis? Find out next chapter in Harry Potter Goes to Walt Disney World!
LOL! Told you I got a little cuckoo with this chapter. I got a little carried away too since this is mad long. The search for Harry has turned into the search for the Black Cauldron, which will turn into something else. Don't fret, Harry's not going to die. At least not until Tomás has the rest of them first. MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Here's a little explanation of what in the world is going on: Wow, its been a long while since November 7th, 2002. It all started with Harry's note saying he was vacationing with the Dursleys. Then it was an odd vacation as Harry met up with his Hogwarts friends, finding that there was trouble with Dumbledore. They toured the famous Walt Disney World but the mystery remained…until Harry had the dream of Dumbledore's attack and Lupin explained what happened and that's why they're at WDW. Then what was the reason for Dumbledore's attack? This mystery was solved when the Elucidations from Zira told them why Dumbledore was attacked in the first place. Now it's a zip-a-dee-doo-dah quest through the World Showcase to find clues to Tomás's hideout and to get Harry. But will the gang fall to their doom or will they fight back and triumph over evil? Stay tuned as more Disney Villains and Heroes join the ride and for the continuing story of Harry Potter goes to Walt Disney World.
Sequel still set for autumn release.
I haven't written any thank you notes in a long time, so for the kind, generous FanFic readers who have recently left a review:
Sailor Sol: Sigh, what can I say? You hopped on the Harry Potter-Disney Train a little later than the publish date, but you've remained loyal since then. I just want to give you a great big huge humungo gigantic titanic ultra super big Thank you for staying with me for all this time. Not only have you read my story, you actually reviewed and responded and told me what you liked and disliked and all that. AND you even read my new stories when no one else has yet. I thank you very much and your concern and interest is very much appreciated. Thank you! ºoº Hey, other people reading…¡Follow Sailor Sol's example!…
Crookykanks: Thank you so much! I like the sound of Genius…hehehehe…You're very welcome for the e-mail notifications. Also, I'm very glad that you are still enjoying my story and continue reading and reviewing. Thank you for your interest and setting a good example. Happy Reading!
Hole Diggin' Hufflepuff or Beena-Pani: You're right. I shouldn't rush. That's why I hadn't posted this chapter when I was going to [also b/c of the stupid computer virus!). Though it's still long, I've cut and changed some of the chapter, BUT it still has some crazy stupid stuff, but my bro' says it's okay. Annnndd, Thank You for reviewing! I'm sorry if I sound like a nag when I keep telling people to review. But that's what keeps me going. I have to know if I'm writing up to par and if people are liking it. Thanks again and I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the entire story.
Helga243: First off, you're very welcome for the e-mail notifications. I got the idea from another FF member, Zephyre, who also writes fabulous stories. It's so much easier for the reader to have someone else tell them it's updated, so I'm glad you appreciate it. I'm also in high spirits that you "love" my story. That seems a little strong, but it must mean you really do like it! Thank you! Also, thank you for checking out my other stories. I really appreciate knowing a variety of opinions!
Ankita: THANK YOU!!!!! A new reader always makes me so happy!! I'm glad you like my story and my other one! Thank You and keep reading!!!!
Insaney: You're very welcome for the e-mails. I'm sorry if I pestered you with the e-mails when you were so busy, but I'm glad you finally found time to read again! You were also one of the first few! Thank you!!!
Maruadette: THANK YOU TO YOU TOO!!! Like I said to Ankita, new readers make me happy! I really hope you get to read the whole thing since you reviewed Chapter 1. I'm so glad this is one of your favorites!!!
ºoº Have a Magical Day! ºoº