Disclaimer: I do not own anything.
AN: This is a collaborative effort between me, Midnight Lily and Steve2. So if you don't like it… it's not my fault.
Chapter 14 The Happiest Place On Earth
"My advice to you is get married: if you find a good wife you'll be happy; if not, you'll become a philosopher."
Socrates.
Remus and Amber woke up early their first morning together as man and wife. They had spent the night in Paris and now were on their way to the Apparition Point to start their honeymoon journey. Amber had their tickets and travel itinerary out as they made their way to the Paris departure point.
"Where exactly are we going again?" Remus asked.
"Mum and dad used there regular travel agent. Marge said she knew the perfect honeymoon spot; a place in the states called 'The Magic Kingdom,'" Amber said reading from a brochure.
"I thought America was a democracy? I didn't realize they had any kingdoms over there?" Remus said. "It must be within their wizarding society."
Amber nodded, "That makes sense to me. Wow, look at the picture of the castle," Amber said. "It's not as big as Hogwarts, but then not many castles are."
Remus was looking at the picture, "I wonder if that is where the American school is for witches and wizards. It would make sense that they would keep it in the Magic Kingdom."
"This says The Magic Kingdom is the happiest place on earth," Amber continued to read from the brochure. "Take a walk down Main Street USA, visit Tomorrow Land and Fantasy Land. This place must be huge. I wonder how they hide it from the Muggles." Amber was letting Remus guide her in the queue for the Transatlantic Apparition Point while she continued to look through the packet of information.
They were next in line to depart. Remus handed their tickets to the attendant, "The Magic Kingdom, Florida, United States of America," she read aloud, "Have a pleasant trip. Just step into the circle and relax, on three, two, one, go."
There was a loud crack and suddenly Remus and Amber were in a bright room and another attendant was helping them from the dais they had Apparated onto, "Welcome to Florida, orange juice is available through that doorway over there, enjoy your visit."
Another attendant with a gorgeous tan was waiting in the next room. "Have a taste of Florida sunshine," holding out tiny paper cups of orange juice.
Remus and Amber both accepted a cup while looking around the room.
"Just follow the signs to baggage pickup and transportation," the smiling attendant told them cheerfully.
Taking Amber's hand, Remus led her from the room and followed the yellow signs until they came to another room where a large carousel was rotating. Every few moments a loud crack would herald the arrival of another set of luggage. Remus nabbed his and Amber's suitcases and headed out to transportation.
A tiny little man in a black suit and cap was holding up a sign "MR. AND MRS. R.J. LUPIN".
Approaching him cautiously, Remus said, "We're the Lupins."
"Come along then, no time to waste, the quicker there the quicker I can get back for my next fare," hoisting their luggage up until he resembled nothing more than a mound of bags with feet, the tiny man tottered off towards the door.
Remus and Amber followed their luggage, not exactly sure what was going on. They exited into the early morning coolness. They had left France at 8 AM and arrived in Florida at 2AM. The tiny man was dumping their luggage into the back of a long, black car. Wiping the sweat from his forehead he looked at the couple, "Ever hear of traveling light? Well get in, I can't leave without you. No matter how much I might like to," they heard him mutter as he opened the back door for them.
Remus bent over and stuck his head into the auto to check it out. He was not going to let his wife get in to a vehicle unless he was sure it was safe. He had just enough time to see that the vehicle was empty before he felt a shove on his rear and he went sliding across the slick leather seats and ended up with his face smushed against the opposite door. Amber let out a squeak as she was unceremoniously tossed inside as well.
Before they could get themselves sorted they felt a lurch and heard a horn blowing. Through the window of his car door, Remus could see a tiny arm with a tiny hand come out of the driver's window giving the horn blower the tiny finger.
Remus helped Amber sit up and then he reached forward and pressed a button that was marked with a down arrow. The dark glass separating the driver from the passengers slowly disappeared, "Where are you taking us?"
The little man looked at him in the rear view mirror, "To your hotel. And don't lower the glass again," he said forcefully as he pushed a button on the dash.
Remus watched the glass go slowly up before it stopped suddenly, "And don't touch anything back there, I just cleaned it up and I don't want to have to clean smudges off of my windows," with that the glass resumed its journey up.
Remus and Amber exchanged looks. "He must be related to Severus," Remus grinned.
They arrived at the hotel and the car door was opened by a uniformed bellman, "Welcome to the Disney Contemporary Resort," as he helped Amber out of the limo.
The tiny little driver had opened the trunk and was now tossing their luggage willy nilly onto the sidewalk. When he had finished unloading the trunk he hurried around and thrust a clipboard into Remus' hands, "Sign here, here and here."
Remus saw that everything had been taken care of including the tip so signed as quickly as he could being unused to using a ballpoint pen.
"Finally," was the last thing they heard as the tiny little man got back into his big black car and drove off.
"Don't mind Tank," the bellman advised,
"Tank?" Amber said confused.
"Yes, your driver. Don't tell me he forgot to introduce himself again?" The bellman was pushing their luggage on a rolling rack into the hotel.
"That tiny little man's name is Tank?" Amber asked in disbelief.
The bellman grinned, "That's his nickname and the only one he'll answer to. He's just like a tank, rolls right over anything that gets in his path. Don't rightly know what his real name is. Now you can call me Tink, 'Cause I like to tinker with things. Right this way to the front desk, you just want to sign in and then I'll take you up to your room," the loquacious bellman smiled at them.
"Thanks, Tink," Remus said as he and Amber headed up the foyer to the front desk.
"Welcome to The Disney Contemporary Resort, my name is Ms. Tunk. How may I assist you today?"
"I am Remus Lupin and this is my wife, Amber," Remus told the smiling night clerk.
"Do you have reservations?"
"Not too many. I mean we have never been to the States before and this is very different from England, but everyone has been very nice so far… well other than our driver… but everyone else has been very nice…" Remus trailed off as he realized what she meant. "Yes, they should be under Lupin."
"Ahh here they are Mr. Lupin, the honeymoon suite, congratulations. Here are your keys and your resort credit cards. All charges will be billed to the account that made the reservations. You can use them anywhere within the Magic Kingdom. Here are your park tickets. As guests of the resort you are allowed inside any of the parks an hour before they open to the general public, tomorrow it opens at 9 AM so you can enter anytime after 8 AM. The fireworks display is at 8 PM inside Disney World Park, the laser light show begins at 9 PM at EPCOT. If you have any questions or if there is anything I can do to make your stay more pleasant, please let me know."
Remus just nodded at the rapid fire information, "Thank you?" he said when she paused for breath.
"You are welcome Mr. Lupin. Now Tink will take you to your rooms," with a wave of her hand, Tink was behind them.
"Mr. and Mrs. Lupin just follow me," he trundled off with the luggage cart toward a double row of elevators. "The honeymoon suite. Now isn't that nice. I should have known right away with the glow your pretty little bride has. Me and the missus will be celebrating our fiftieth anniversary this year."
Tink led them out onto the fifth floor and down a long carpeted hallway. There were rooms on one side while the other side was open to the lobby and restaurant. There was a long narrow track that ran through the center of the hotel and out the other end stretching off as far as they could see. This was a far cry from The Leaky Cauldron. Taking the small stiff card that Ms. Tunk had said was the room key from Remus, Tink inserted it into a slot on the door and when a little green light lit up he opened the door and waved them inside.
Much to Tink's delight, Remus swept Amber off her feet and carried her over the threshold. Tink followed pushing the luggage trolley, "Here is the main room, with a king-sized bed, through here is the bathroom with whirlpool tub, you have a small sitting area over here and your balcony overlooks the pool. TV and remote are in the armoire, alarm clock and phone beside the bed and complimentary coffee maker is beside the sink. If you need anything just ring the front desk," he said as he unloaded the luggage.
Remus slipped some money into Tink's hand as he was exiting the room, "Thanks Tink."
Shutting the door, Remus looked to see how to lock it. Carefully reading the directions he was able to turn the deadbolt and slide the chain on.
Amber got up and began to unpack. Remus watched as she pulled a large bottle out of her case.
"What's that?"
"Oh, that's the pre-natal potion Severus made for me. Its chocolate flavored," Amber said licking her lips.
Remus found that unbearably arousing, "Come here and say that," he leered.
Amber had just taken a dose of the vitamin potion, "Not right now Remus, I want to unpack before everything gets wrinkled."
Remus stared at her. Until recently she had been chasing him down demanding attention. In fact he had been forced to start taking a strengthening potion in order to keep up with her.
"Are you feeling okay, Amber?" Remus asked her.
"Yes, why?" Amber was trying to decide if two doses of the pre-natal potion would be over doing it.
"You just seem a little distant lately," Remus came up behind her and hugged her.
"Don't be stupid, you know I love you," Amber kissed him on the cheek and then moved to finish unpacking. "I guess we better settle down for a nap so we will be well rested." Amber went into the bathroom and began to strip down, " So what do you want to do for the rest of the day? We can tour The Magic Kingdom and then watch the fireworks display tonight."
"Is that what you want to do on the first full day of our honeymoon?" Remus questioned.
"Either that or we can go to the EPCOT center and see what that is all about. Or there is a pool here at the hotel. Whichever you want to do is fine with me," Amber was changing into a nightshirt and pulling the covers down on her side of the bed. Being pregnant meant never having to say no to a nap, "You don't think this place is a Muggle resort, do you?"
"With a name like The Magic Kingdom?" Remus laughed as he got ready to get back in bed with his wife.
Remus smiled as he pulled out a vial Snape had slipped to him right before they left the reception. It was Viagerus Potion, Snape had told him it should be enough to last through the honeymoon. Remus never would have thought that Snape would turn out to be such a good friend. Taking a small sip of the potion, Remus stripped down to the buff and slipped into bed next to Amber. Snuggling down he was surprised to find Amber wearing a pair of his flannel pajamas and sweat socks. Slipping a hand under the top he found she also had on an undershirt. Remus finally reached soft silky skin and began to slide he's hand up to her breast. Gently caressing and pulling on her nipple he started to kiss her neck. An elbow to his stomach had him gasping for breath, "Not now Remus, I'm sleepy," Amber yawned.
Remus reared up to look down on his wife who was now snoring lightly. Remus was a gentleman, not an unthinking beast, well only during the full moon and that was a couple of weeks off. No meant no. Settling down beside Amber he took her into his arms and spooned around her. A sleepy pat on the arm was his reward.
Remus found it hard, literally, to fall asleep. He was wishing he had never taken that damn potion. The excitement from the last couple of days caught up with him and he was drifting off when Amber gave him another elbow to the ribs, "Remus I told you no. Now stop poking me with that thing and go to sleep."
Remus rolled over away from Amber so the results of taking the Viagerus Potion would no longer poke her. Hugging his pillow instead of his wife, Remus stared into space wondering if this was a portent of how the rest of his honeymoon was going to go.
Remus followed Amber down to the lobby where they were directed to the fourth floor concourse, "Can't we just Apparate to the entrance?" Remus looked suspiciously at the long, ultra-modern looking train that was straddling the narrow track far above the ground.
"No, they don't seem to allow that. Come on, everyone else is getting on." Amber took Remus by the hand and dragged him over to the cabin directly behind what looked to be an engine of some kind.
"Welcome aboard folks, just sit back and relax. We will be departing in just a moment," the driver gave them a friendly greeting.
Remus had Amber move all the way to the middle of the carriage. He wasn't taking any chances with either of them causing the train to tip over. There was a brief toot of a horn and he heard a muffled "All clear," from the rear of the train and a voice saying to step away from the doors. Remus and Amber watched as the doors swung shut all by themselves, "See, I told you this was a wizard resort," Amber whispered in delight.
"What did they say this thing was again?" Remus whispered to Amber.
"I heard moan-o-rail," Amber whispered back.
Just then someone began to talk. Remus looked all around wondering where the speaker was, Amber tugged on his arm, "They must be using a sonorous charm since it seems to be the guy that was in the caboose of the moan-o-rail."
Remus nodded his understanding trying to pay attention to what the man was saying, but the speed and the height they were traveling at was making him dizzy. He was used to flying a broom, but this was totally different. He was feeling a tad claustrophobic. Finally with a screeching halt and a jolt, they stopped. The doors opened again by magic.
Remus got off and forgot to watch his head, even though the voice had just reminded everyone, and gave it a jarring bump. Helping Amber down with one hand, he was rubbing his head with the other, "I can understand why they call it a moan-o-rail," he complained.
Amber pulled him over to an out of the way spot and made him lean down until she could see the bump. Pulling her wand out she muttered a quick healing spell before kissing it.
"Isn't that sweet, Herb? She kissed his bump to make it better, just like I used to do for you," Amber heard a tall, painfully thin older woman say to her short, chubby, balding husband.
"Yes, Gladys, but you never had to pull my head down," Herb chuckled.
"Oh, don't mind us. It is just so nice to see young people in love," Gladys smiled at the younger couple.
Amber smiled back, "We just got married two days ago."
"Congratulations, and from your accent you're British? Is this your first trip to Disney World?" Gladys gushed.
"Thank you, yes and yes," Amber laughed in answer.
"Come on Gladys, leave the young people alone. They just told you they are on their honeymoon and they won't want to be hanging out with two old farts like us," Herb said taking Gladys by the arm and starting to lead her away.
"Make sure you take the train ride around the park first, that will give you a better idea of what to see. And if you are going to eat dinner in the park you better go ahead and make reservations or you will end up eating hotdogs from a street cart. Don't forget to sign up for…" Gladys' voice trailed off as Herb continued to pull her away the last thing they heard was, "But Herb, I have to go to the bathroom."
"The natives are certainly friendly," Amber said. "I wonder where we would go to make dinner reservations."
After they had presented their tickets at the gate, they entered under the train station and stared down Main Street at Cinderella's Castle, "Wow, it is almost as pretty as the picture in the guidebooks." Amber said.
"Look, those must be some of the students," Remus pointed to a group of children about twelve years old all wearing similar clothes of shorts and t-shirts, "They certainly dress more casually over here."
"Well it is Sunday, perhaps they visit the town on Sundays instead of Saturdays," Amber said.
"Maybe," Remus shrugged. "Now the man at the ticket booth said to go to City Hall to make dinner reservations, that is… over there," Remus pointed to a building with the appropriate sign on it.
Entering the building they queued up with the rest of the guests. When their turn arrived they approached the counter and were greeted with a smile, "Good morning and welcome to The Magic Kingdom. My name is Tenk, how may I make your stay more enjoyable?"
"We would like to make dinner reservations?" Remus told him.
"Are you guests at one of the resorts?"
"Yes. The Disney Contemporary Resort," Remus replied.
"Do you have your hotel room key?" Tenk politely asked.
Remus handed it to him and he inserted it into a slot, "Mr. and Mrs. Lupin?" at their nod, "Where would you like to make reservations?" Tenk handed them their key back.
"Do you have any suggestions?" Remus asked stunned by the level of magic at the Magic Kingdom.
Tenk made some tapping noises, "How about six o'clock at the Crystal Palace?"
They shrugged, "Sounds good to us."
"Wonderful, dinner for two at six o'clock," Tenk pulled out a colorful map the likes of which they had never seen before, "You are here," Tenks circled a spot on the map, "and the Crystal Palace is here," he circled another spot, "the quickest way to get there this way," and he drew a line. "Any questions? Anything else I can help you with? Well enjoy your stay and any of the cast members will be happy to assist you." As they were turning to walk away, "Oh, and congratulations on your wedding."
Remus and Amber stared at him in shock before thanking him and heading out. When they were in the street Remus looked at Amber, "And you thought this place might be a Muggle resort?"
Amber just nodded her agreement, "So where to now?"
Remus pulled out a brochure, "The only thing I don't understand is why the photos don't move," he complained.
"Maybe it is too expensive to make up so many brochures with moving pictures," Amber shrugged. "Or maybe American Muggles don't use moving pictures like we do."
"It is just very disconcerting to see all these people just stuck there," Remus complained jabbing a finger at some people watching a frozen parade, trying to see if they maybe just had to be urged to move. Giving it up as a lost cause, he looked around, "There's the train station and Gladys did say to take the train around the park and see it first."
"Sounds like a plan," grabbing Remus' hand Amber headed toward the train station.