Disclaimer: Okay peeps. Since everyone already knows that the wonderful realm of Harry Potter does NOT belong to me, this is the last time I write the disclaimer. Check the Prologue for it if you want it.

AN: I am sooooooooooooooo, soooooooooooooooo, sooooooooo sorry! I know it's been a long time and it's very short (again) and I think I've lost people (that I've never had...(.;;)) but for everyone who is following this fic, I swear that it will be finished. Eventually. I hope.

Chapter 3

The trio could only stare in wonder and astonishment at the bustling kingdom of Celestia, the realm of Magic and home to all the creatures of fantasy. They could see unicorns prancing about on the bright green fields and griffins flying majestically in the sapphire sky. The beautiful and mysterious mermaids flitting about in the clear waters of the lake nearby. Centaurs galloped about, dressed in shiny armor and holding spears of silver. There were even goblins and brownies, dwarves and gnomes, pixies and fairies. A bright glittering castle loomed behind them, banners waving cheerfully in the air and exuding a calm and peaceful aura. Yet, the most wonderful sight they could see was the one of the Elvin folk dressed in all of their finery. Wood elves, with hair and skin as green as the leaves, dressed in browns and blacks that enable them to dart about in their wooded homes, wandered about the stores of Celestia. Fire elves, dressed flamboyantly in reds and oranges laughed uproariously in the streets. Dark elves slunk about in the shadows, covered with long black cloaks, shunning the light that drains them of their powers.

"What is this place?" Hermione breathed, stunned at the sights before her eyes. Ron and Harry looked at her incredulously, unable to believe that Hermione, the bossy know-it-all didn't know what Celestia is. Draco was the one to answer her as the other two were still gaping.

"Celestia, the realm of Magic. I've already told you this Hermione," he said, absentmindedly. Draco had been scouring the area with his eyes, looking for the one person who could get them into the Realm without anyone knowing that humans were there. He caught a glimpse of blue before he was tackled and smothered by the overeager Elvin woman.

"Cousin! How are you today? You have not come by recently," she said, half scolding and half laughing. She then noticed that he was not alone.

"Hmm, strangers! Moreover, humans as well! Wonderful!" she declared. "Always behave like a duck--keep calm and unruffled on the surface but paddle like the devil underneath.1" At this, the trio stared at her blankly, wondering what a duck has to do with meeting humans. Draco twitched at his cousin's behavior before shoving her off him and brushing himself off.

"Yes Starla, these are humans. In addition, it is imperative that we get them to the Castle without anyone noticing. You know that humans are not too welcome here," he said, ever so watchful of his surroundings. Starla frowned at him.

"Humans are not welcome for a reason. If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack.2" she said, pointedly. Harry, Hermione, and Ron were quite confused as to what the young elf was saying; only understanding that they weren't quite welcome.

"I know but they are needed here. Grave danger is afoot in the Mortal realm. Danger that needs the attention of the High Council." Draco explained patiently. "I can't explain it now but trust me on this. These humans need to get to the Castle safely and return to the Mortal realm safely. Will you help me?"

Starla looked as if she was contemplating her choices before nodding decisively. "Yes, I will help but only because you are kin. Nevertheless, I do expect an explanation and soon. When choosing between two evils, I always like to try the one I've never tried before.3" Draco looked rather relieved when he heard that she would help him and then looked annoyed as she kept spouting out the most random quotes.

"Do you even know what any of that means?" he demanded, irritated. Starla smiled benevolently at him as she began to prance off to gather supplies.

"I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that I don't know the answer.4" She replied, cheerfully. "I shall be back with the hooded cloaks and a carriage. Don't move and try not to bring attention to yourself Draconis. After all, you do want to get to the Castle unnoticed, no?" Draco sighed as he watched her dart through the crowd and turned back to the others.

"Is that your cousin, Malfoy?" Hermione asked, hesitantly. "And why is she talking like that?" She was rather shocked at how different the two were. Starla with her long black-blue hair, sapphire eyes, and pale skin and Draco with his long silvery-blonde hair, silver eyes, and snowy skin. To her, Starla reminded her of the night sky while Draco reminded her of a stormy night. Their personalities seemed to be quite different as well. Starla was more cheerful and bubbly, while Draco rightly earned his nickname of the "Ice Prince." Draco just sighed again, clearly annoyed with the question.

"Yes Hermione," he said, stressing her name. "Starla is indeed my cousin. The ever so annoying cousin who seems to get into trouble faster than you could say 'not that!' I gave Starla a book of quotes for her birthday and she's been causing mischief with it ever since. And my name is Draco. If you seem to be having trouble calling me that, call me Dee or Drake or whatever name you want. From now on, there is no Draco Malfoy. Only Draco. Do you understand?" Hermione just nodded, curious as to why he didn't want to be called Malfoy any longer. However, she wasn't about to antagonize the only ally they had in this strange new world. Ron was about to retort rather angrily on Hermione's behalf when the rattling of a carriage was heard coming their way.

"Here's the carriage and the cloaks cousin! I am free of all prejudices. I hate everyone equally!5" Starla called out, waving her hands above her head. Draco groaned. He wanted subtlety and quiet. Instead, they were gathering the attention he didn't want as he noticed passersby looking their way.

"Into the carriage, now!" Draco commanded quietly. He practically shoved them into it and quickly got in as well. "Starla, just head towards the bloody Castle! And be quick!" With that, the carriage began to make its way to the shimmering Castle, with the trio quite confused and desiring to know what exactly is going on.

1 Quote by Jacob Braude

2 Quote by Winston Churchill

3 Quote by Mae West

4 Quote by Douglas Adams

5 Quote by W.C Fields

Please R&R! Tell me if I should just delete it now...and if someone feels as if they could do a better job, send a message my way. hides behind the sofa as the barrage of emails saying they could do better heads my way