Chapter 11: Caves, Americans, and Little Button Man


A/N: Ok. Yeah, last chapter was dramatic and the end. I'm going to start off from Wendy's point of view when Harry shut the door.

Disclaimer: All of it is JK Rowling's, except for Wendy, who is all mine. And I am talking about Piper and Leo form Charmed (read on about the Elders and whatnot.) Thank you Wilson from Cast Away, for your inspiration of a certain...

* * *
It pained Wendy to watch him go. She wouldn't be able to hear him call, meaning if he was hurt she wouldn't be able to heal him. Well, if there isn't anything else you need me for, she turned to orb away.

Hold on a moment, Miss Halliwell, the old Elder in the center stood up.

Wendy slowly turned back around. she said skeptically.

We have two things to address to you, he began. we know about your relationship with Sirius Black. Two; we are giving you another charge while Harry is... incapacitated.

Wendy stared at them, not knowing how to react. Should she be scared that they know about Sirius? A new charge? Would she be able to handle the responsibility of protecting two people?

I suppose we will allow you to see Mr. Black, for we have allowed this only once before, and it would be unconstitutional to not allow you.

She gave a sigh of relief. When did this happen?

A few years ago, between a witch and a whitelighter. They are married now, and are expecting.

She truly felt relieved that their relationship lasted that long under the Elders. She wanted to know more about about them, but the center Elder began to speak again.

And about your new charge, he said with a smirk, She is an American Muggle. I thought you might enjoy her.

It is never a good sign when an Elder smirks about a new charge.

You may orb to her now.

Wendy orbed as she was told, headed towards America. Strangely enough, she had never been there in all her orbing days. So here she was in the middle of who knows where, America, trying to find a girl who just happened to be her charge. They hadn't told her who this girl was, although that would have helped.

The Elders always have a way to make things more difficult, she thought.

Wendy found herself in a small town, near a park. She decided to go see if her charge was one of the children there, and made her way over to one of the benches. Soon, a young girl, around age seven in pale, blonde pigtails came running up to her and sat down next to her.

Hi, my name's Belle. Wanna be my friend? the girl spoke to Wendy with a sudden amity.

Wendy told her back, thinking she may be her charge. My name is Wendy.

The girl giggled at her. You talk funny.

That's because I'm from England, on the other side of the ocean, way far away.

She stared at Wendy for a moment. You look like someone from my dream, she said, making Wendy sure that she was her charge.

Really? What was I doing there?

You were holding your hands over someone, and white light was coming out of them.

Can you tell me what that person looked like?

Belle looked down at her feet. I can't remember too good. I think it was a big kid, yeah. And it was a boy.

Wendy looked around the park. Are your parents here? she asked. Belle shook her head. I think you have a very special talent, and if you wouldn't mind just coming with me for a few minutes then –

My mommy says I shouldn't go with strangers.

Ok. Why don't you go play for a while, and I'll be back later. Belle smiled and ran off towards the jungle gym. Wendy went behind a tree, making sure no one was watching her. She orbed back to the Elders.

She rushed into the Elders room.

Belle's my charge, correct? she asked. The Elders all nodded. And can she get premonitions? They nodded again. And was that boy Harry? More nods. Wendy found a chair and sat down. She had to think for a minute, she had to remember. She looked up suddenly. I know that she has to be more than a witch, she declared. Why don't you just tell me and be done with it?

Because we enjoy watching you go out of your way to get the truth, one of the Elders said, Wendy didn't care who.

Please, just this once, she pleaded. You already have me worried sick about Harry.

The Elders all exchanged glances. The center Elder stood up once more. She is a future Elder.

*****

Harry wandered through the cave's taverns. It had gotten much colder over the past couple of hours, and whatever he did didn't seem to help. He had several bruises on his head from running into stalactites from lack of light. It wasn't that his lumos' was weak, but that this cave was much darker and blacker than any other cave.

He wouldn't stop walking. He had to get out of the cave; he had to call Wendy. He was cold, he was hungry, he was exhausted. His head ached his pain.

I need to get some sleep... he began to slow down. No! I have to keep walking and I have to get out of here.

Harry decided he had to try to keep his mind occupied on other things, like Ron, Hermione, Wendy, Sirius, his parents, Voldemort, Jell-O, his stupid Transfiguration homework, and outie belly buttons. Really, anything that would keep him from thinking about where he was right now.

Suddenly, he tripped on something and fell smack onto the hard, rock ground. He turned his head to see what he had tripped on, and found something odd. He sat up, and picked up the somewhat large object in his hand. It looked like a button from a cloak, but this button was much larger than a normal one.

He placed the button into his pocket and picked himself off the ground. This was much harder than he had expected, so he remained sitting. He slowly pulled himself against a wall and eased into an unsteady sleep.

*~*~*

Wendy orbed back to the park and surveyed the area for Belle. She spotted her by the large silver slide, and jogged over there.

Hey, Belle. I'm back, Wendy said.



Listen, I know that your parents don't want you to come with strangers, but I'm not a stranger. We're friends, remember? Wendy held out her hand for Belle to take.

Belle glanced around the park uncertainly before gently placing her small hand into Wendy's. Her eyes suddenly shut tight, and her body tensed.

Belle, are you OK? Wendy asked, knowing she just had a premonition.

She opened her eyes. Yes, yes. I can go with you. I think it's safe.

Belle, can you tell me what you just saw?

You... You know that I can see things?

Yeah. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me, Wendy smiled at Belle. Belle gripped Wendy's hand tighter, and smiled back at her.

So where are we going? she asked.

Have you ever been to England?

*~*~*~*

Sirius, Remus, and Ron all sat on the couch still watching television. Though Remus was half asleep, and Ron was still playing with the remote, Sirius was worried about why Wendy and Harry weren't back yet.

Ron, just pick one show to watch! he was beginning to get annoyed with his oblivious knowledge of Muggle things. Remus, help him!

No... this couch is too comfy. I'm not moving.

Just then white lights appeared next to Sirius. Thank God, she's back, he whispered to himself.

Sirius, there's something I need to talk to you about, Wendy started to say when Sirius realized that Harry wasn't there.

Did you turn Harry into a girl?

No! This is Belle, my new charge, but that's not what I want to say –

Then where is Harry?

This is what she wanted to avoid. I don't know. Sirius's jaw dropped. But the Elders say that he is fulfilling his destiny. That's a good thing, right?

Sirius just stared at her. He couldn't believe what she was saying. Aren't you going to orb to him?!?

Well, um, I kind of... can't.

What do you mean you can't? Yep. He was angry.

I don't know where he is, like I said. But that's where Belle might be able to help us.

Belle looked up at an angry Sirius, and hid behind Wendy. Sirius knelt down on the floor. Hi, my name is Sirius, he began. Can you help us find our friend Harry?

The child looked up at Belle, then back at Sirius. Wendy says I can, but I don't know how.

Belle, why don't you go watch TV with Ron and Remus on the couch over there, Wendy suggested, and the little girl obeyed. Come on Sirius, we need to talk. She led him into her bedroom, and shut the door.

What were you thinking, letting Harry go off on his own without anybody with him?

Listen to me, Sirius. The Elders think that he's ready to do this. When he can call for me, he'll call for me. But with Belle's help we might be able to get to him sooner.

How can she help us?

She has premonitions. She has already had some with me and Harry in them, but she can't figure out where we are yet.

She's only seven, he said.

I know. But I think she can do it. Now, she's a little bit stubborn sometimes, but we can get her to find Harry for us. She looked reassuringly at Sirius. I know Harry will be all right.

Sirius put his arms around Wendy. I love you.

I love you, too. Which reminded her... Oh, by the way, the Elders know.

Know what? he asked innocently.

About us. And I know what you're thinking right now, but they say that it's fine with them. They even told me about a witch and a whitelighter who hooked up.

That's good to know. He hugged her tighter. There's been something I've been wanting to ask you for awhile now, he said, but was interrupted from outside.

YOU LITTLE BRAT! YOU GIVE ME THAT REMOTE CONTROL RIGHT NOW!

Wendy and Sirius rushed out into the living room to find Ron chasing Belle around the couch with Belle holding the remote high in the air. Remus was snoring.

Sirius grabbed the back of Ron's shirt, keeping him from attacking Belle.

Make her give the remote back! Ron shouted at her. Belle giggled insanely.

Wendy crouched down on the floor. Will you please give me the remote control? she asked Belle. She shook her head. And why not?

Because he called me a brat!

Only because you took the remote from me, you little...

Ok, this is stopping now! Sirius shouted. Remus snored louder. Wake up already!

Lupin's eyes shot open. he groaned. What's happening?

Ron, you should probably go back to the Common Room and tell Hermione about Harry being away. Ron looked at her with puppy dog eyes. Fine, you can come back and watch TV later. He smiled and left Wendy's place. Remus, take Belle to Dumbledore. He'll know what to do with her for a while.

Remus nodded, and looked at Belle worriedly.

Don't worry, I'm sure he already knows. He knows always knows before everyone.

Remus skeptically took Belle by the hand and walked out of Wendy's place.

Sirius looked back at Wendy, who was already preparing to push him down on the couch for a mad snogging session.

** ** **

Harry had woken up a few hours ago, and had spent those hours walking. Walking, walking walking. He was pretty damn sick of walking. He was lonely, and he needed someone to talk to. He began to think about the Muggle movie Cast Away, and how the main character had a volleyball to talk to.

He stopped to take a breath and he leaned against the cavern wall. He then remembered the large button he had stumbled across earlier, and pulled it out of his pocket. On the ground he found a small rock and etched a smiley face on the button.

Now to give you a name... he pondered. He recalled that in the movie, the volleyball's name was Wilson, like the company that made him. I don't think I know any button companies.

He stared at it for a moment, but decided he could name it later and that he better keep walking. You know, little button man, I am going to be so sick of walking after this. Maybe I can get Wendy to orb me all around Hogwarts when I'm through with this. Wendy... I wish she could just orb me out of this fricken cave, but she can't even orb to me. Darn Elders...

Harry saw a glimpse of light up ahead of him. He ran towards it. We did it, Little Button Man! We're out of the cave! Wendy, orb to me please!

* * * * *

Wendy and Sirius had been snogging for a long time now...

Sirius, Harry's calling me now, she said between kisses.

Harry can wait, he said, kissing her more.

* * * *

Any day now Wendy... He waited a few more minutes. Wendaria Halliwell, you orb your ass down here right now! I am tired, and sore, and I need to talk to something that isn't a button!

* * * *

Sirius, I really should go.

he tried to sound depressed. I'll go with you.

They orbed to Harry, who was standing with his hands on his hips. Where have you been? Do you know what I've been doing for the past day?

Wendy looked guilty of something and nudged Sirius. Sorry... We were kind of...

Sirius finished.

Harry's face contorted. Ok, gee that makes me feel real important. And when did you hook up?

Sixth year, but that's not important. Are you hurt? Sirius asked.

Just a few bruises, but not really. Harry looked around him. I don't think that I picked the right path first. They were standing in front of a field of wheat.

Maybe you could orb Harry to the other exits of the cave so he doesn't have to walk so far, Sirius suggested. Harry liked this idea.

It's worth a try, she grabbed Harry's hand, and began to orb, but Harry wasn't orbing with her. This is work of the Elders! I can feel it... she gave a menacing stare into the sky.

Wendy, since Harry can't come back to Hogwarts, let's bring him some survival gear.

That's brilliant! We'll get food, and a sleeping bag, and a tent, and a lantern, and –

Slow down, Sirius chuckled. I'm getting the idea that you want to camp out with Harry.



What? I wasn't serious... But ok, if you really want to.

Thank you thank you thank you! she hugged him tightly. You want to camp out with us?

Well, why not. I don't even have to be a dog!

Wendy laughed. Let's go get some stuff, then. We'll be back soon, Hare Bear.

I told you to stop calling me that, Harry said as they orbed away.

****

Forty-five minutes later, Wendy and Sirius returned with plenty of camping supplies, food, and Lupin, who seemed to be bickering about something.

I don't see why we had to leave her, he said.

She's a seven year old American Muggle! It's not like we could go knocking on her door and ask her parents if she could go camping in the middle of nowhere with three wizards and a whitelighter, replied Wendy.

She's a little monster, too, added Sirius.

She is not! Lupin shouted back.

Who are you talking about? Harry asked, joining in the argument. Everyone stopped to look at him.

Oh, that's right, you haven't been at Hogwarts, Wendy realized. Ok, after you went through the door the Elders told me I have a new charge that was American so I meet her and she is seven years old and her name is Belle and she's rather stubborn but anyway she gets premonitions and she's a future Elder and Ron's obsessed with televisions and Remus really likes her.

Really, could you say that any faster? Sirius asked, but quickly replied with a kiss realizing that she would actually try again to go faster.

Do they do that all the time? Harry asked Lupin.

Yes. It's disgusting.

Harry spoke loudly. Should we set up camp? His question was more directed to Wendy and Sirius, who broke apart.

Oh, certainly. Harry rolled his eyes. Anyway, tell me more about this Belle? In slow motion?

I made Remus take her to Dumbledore. God knows what happened there...

She's such a sweetheart. I miss her already, Lupin said.

You were scared of her a few hours ago.

Well, that was when she was running amok with a remote control in her hands, and a Weasley chasing after her.

So Wendy has two charges now? Harry asked.

Yeah. We thought she might be able to get a premonition of where you were, but she had too much fun torturing Ron.

Well, what did Dumbledore do with her?

He had Professor McGonagall take her to the Ministry. We know that Wendy wasn't available to orb her back... Remus said.

Wendy blushed. I had a very good excuse!

But anyway, she's back in America until Wendy can get her back tomorrow.

Finally when camp was set up, all four of them squeezed into the tiny tent.

You could have at least gotten a magical tent, Harry said.

But camping is so Muggle-like. It wouldn't be the same.

You two better not do anything while Harry and I are also sleeping in this tent, Remus said. We may have to separate you.

Don't worry, we'll behave. Wendy suddenly remembered that Sirius was going to ask her something. Sirius, what did you want to ask me earlier?

Oh, that... never mind.

All four of them fell asleep squished together in a tiny Muggle tent, in the middle of who knows where, by a wheat field.


A/N Like it? Tell me what you think: REVIEW PLEASE! Oh, I just want to say that Remus and Belle's relationship is like Sully and Boo's relationship in Monster's Inc. That is such a cute movie.
~Whitelighter Enchantress