Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. Hogwarts OverExposed - Salazar's Return
"Where are you going to do it?" Emily asked Tyler as they departed the room.
"I'm not sure," he croaked nervously. "A part of me wants to be alone to transform and another part of me is uneasy to be off on my own."
"I know what you mean," Emily said understandingly. "Why don't you come with Kim and I? We're going to go to the Room of Requirement so that we can be totally alone and undisturbed."
"But…" Tyler shilly-shallied. "Won't that be sort of creepy? I mean you will both be guys and I'll be a girl and well… I sort of intended to get naked and sort of check out the new equipment."
Emily laughed. "What did you think Kim and I are going to do? Come on, it will be fun," Emily said grabbing Tyler hand and pulling him along. "We can show each other how to properly do certain things."
Tyler's mouth dropped wide open, but he uttered not a word. He had the feeling that he was about to partake in the most bizarre experience of his young life."
Chapter Twenty-two
Fantastic Island
Kim, Tyler and Emily firmly clutched their containers of Polyjuice Potion as they made their way speedily up to the seventh floor. Emily chuckled mildly to herself as she realized that she and her sisters seemed to be becoming frequent users of the Room of Requirement. Her face colored as Emily wondered if possibly one day Tyler and she might use the room for a much more personal experience.
"Okay, this is the place," Emily advised when they reached the stretch of blank wall opposite the enormous tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. "We have to walk past this bit of wall three times, concentrating hard on what we need."
They did so, turning sharply at the window just beyond the blank stretch of wall, then at the man-size vase on its other side. Tyler had screwed up his eyes in concentration; Kim was whispering something under her breath. Emily, on the other hand, was having a difficult time keeping her mind focused on the task at hand.
"Emily," called Kim excitedly, as they turned around after their third walk past.
A highly polished door had appeared in the wall. Tyler was staring at it, looking slightly wary. He wasn't concerned so much with entering the room, but rather with what they were going to do once inside. Emily reached out, seized the brass handle, pulled open the door, and then stood motionless, gawking at the sight before her eyes.
"I think somehow the room got confused," she mumbled sheepishly. "We must have all been concentrating on different needs."
In the center of the room was a huge bed, much like the one Caitlin had described to her and next to it was a large bathing pool. One wall of the room, on the other hand, was lined with dressing rooms such as used in clothing stores.
"Well, I certainly wasn't thinking about a bed," Kim countered sharply.
"Neither was I," Tyler responded, almost defensively.
"I believe that was me," Emily admitted guiltily. She looked at Tyler and then shook her head apprehensively. " My mind just wandered; I wasn't concentrating properly."
"Exactly what were you thinking about?" Kim grinned impishly.
"Nothing! Just forget it," Emily said, flustered. She sat her container of potion on a nearby table. "Just pay no attention to the bed and let's get on with what we're here for."
The words had barely escaped her lips before Emily's clothes had dropped to the floor and she stood bare before the others.
"What are you two waiting for?" she asked impatiently, her hands on her hips. "Get naked."
Tyler and Kim exchanged nervous glances, and then just stood momentarily staring dumbfounded at Emily.
"Oh, come on!" Emily said exasperatedly. "You two aren't going to play shy and bashful, are you? We're best friends. Certainly you aren't still ill at ease about being nude in front of each other."
"I thought possibly we could take our clothes off in the booths and come out after we've transformed," Kim suggested timidly.
Tyler nodded his support of this idea.
"If we do it that way, we'll miss out on half the fun," Emily argued. "Don't you want to watch as I sprout a penis?"
Tyler resisted the urge to shout, no. He adored Emily and was quite smitten with her current appearance. He'd much prefer to gaze at her in this form. The idea of his girlfriend suddenly developing a willy was thoroughly revolting. Nor did he look forward to his own emasculation.
"I have an idea," Tyler said cautiously. "Why don't we just forget about taking that disgusting looking potion and just inspect each other?"
Emily's eyes widened at this notion. "You wouldn't have a problem with Kim and I touching you?" she asked.
Tyler had, for a moment, forgotten that Emily wouldn't be the only one exploring his body. He looked nervously from Emily to Kim. "I… I think I could handle that better than the alternative," he stuttered. "The whole idea is just weird," he faltered briefly, "and gay. I'd still be me, a guy, but trapped inside a girl's body. Meanwhile, you two would be two naked blokes. I'll feel like a fag just being in the same room and looking at you."
Kim nodded sympathetically. "I understand, but what you suggest would negate the whole idea of the experiment. Professor Weasley doesn't just want us groping and feeling each other up. She wants us to actually experience being a member of the opposite sex. Besides, I'd feel out of place. I don't think either of you want an audience when you get to explore each other intimately."
Tyler and Emily both blushed at Kim's statement, knowing that she was correct. When the time eventually came for them to closely explore each other's body, they both wanted it to be in a romantic setting, not as a part of a class research project.
"You're right," Tyler conceded. He gave Kim a nervous glance, and then turned away and started to slowly remove his clothes. Kim audibly gulped and likewise began to disrobe, although at a snail's pace.
Emily tapped her foot impatiently until Tyler and Kim, their backs still to each other, finally completed undressing. "Come on you guys," she said encouragingly. "We're best friends, a team. Time for a group hug!"
Apprehensively, Kim and Tyler turned toward Emily and the three friends united in a tight embrace. Tyler couldn't believe his good fortune. He was twelve years old and engaged in a hug with two nude girls, arguably the two best-looking girls in his year at Hogwarts. He shivered as he felt their bare breasts press against his naked chest.
"We better let go of Tyler before he gets a stiffy," Emily suggested with a giggle. "I can't wait to transform into a boy and see what it feels like to have one."
"One what?" Kim asked. "A penis or a stiffy?"
"Both," answered Emily eagerly. "Let's get started."
"I take it then that we're not going to use the changing rooms at all?" Kim asked forlornly, gazing longingly at the booths along the wall.
"As I said, watching the conversion will be half of the fun," Emily repeated. "Look! I know you guys are edgy, so I'll go first."
Neither Kim nor Tyler argued; they weren't the least bit eager to drink the thick, sickly yellow colored mud-like solution.
"Professor Weasley said we each had enough potion for three doses," Kim reminded Emily. "So only drink a third of what is in the container."
Emily nodded and picked up her container, careful not to spill a drop. Pinching her nose, Emily drank two large gulps of the potion. It tasted like overcooked cabbage.
Immediately, her insides started writhing as though she'd just swallowed live snakes - doubled up, she wondered whether she was going to be sick - then a burning sensation spread rapidly from her stomach to the very ends of her fingers and toes - next, bringing her gasping to all fours, came a horrible melting feeling, as the skin all over her body bubbled like hot wax. Emily's chest and groin area felt like they were being ripped apart. Before her eyes her hands started to grow, her hair shortened and her chest flattened.
"Oh my god!" Emily shrieked as the slit between her legs closed and then painfully took on a new shape. Momentarily, Emily was in agony and then as suddenly as it had started, everything stopped. She lay face down on the stone floor trying to catch her breath.
"Are you okay?" Tyler called, rushing to her side, but it wasn't a pretty girl he helped to her feet; it was a strapping boy of about fourteen.
"Yeah, I'm fine," answered a deep voice definitely not belonging to Emily. "I just feel a little weird."
"You look fabulous," Kim said gushingly. "Is there any chance of you keeping that form; I think I'm in love."
Although Kim was only joking, one look in the mirror confirmed to Emily that she indeed had assumed the form of an extremely handsome boy. Tyler even looked a bit envious.
"This is unbelievable," said Emily, first rubbing her chest and then grasping her new appendage. "Unbelievable! Who is going to go next?"
"I guess I will," Kim volunteered, worriedly. "I imagine the hairs were all from the same boy, so we'll undoubtedly end up looking like twins."
As Kim studied her potion, Tyler suddenly jumped backward. He had kept his arm around Emily when helping her to her feet and just now realized that his hand was resting on a boy's arse.
"Tyler, it's still me," Emily said in her now deep masculine voice. "I still love you."
"I love you too," Tyler answered tensely, "but can we please not talk about it anymore until after you're back to being you?"
"I though perhaps you'd like to hold and caress me," Emily said wickedly.
"Sure, offer me heaven when it's turned to hell," Tyler retorted. "You're an evil tease, Emily Potter."
"I'm sorry," the boy Emily replied sincerely. "I'll make it up to you when I transform back. I promise."
"If you two are about done lollygagging, I guess I'm set to do this," Kim said half-heartedly.
"Okay," Emily said reaching out to grasp Tyler's hand, but then realizing he had deliberately stepped out of her reach. "Whenever you're ready."
Emily watched intently as Kim swallowed two gulps of the potion. The involved pain had caused Emily to miss some of her own transformation and she wanted to see every bit of Kim's. She stared in fascination, as her friend slowly became a mirror image of Emily's boy self.
"What a waste," Tyler commented as the change ended. "I find myself locked in a room with two gorgeous girls, just to have them both become boys; naked boys at that."
"I like the subject Professor Weasley chose for the experimentation," Kim commented, admiring her nude male form in the mirror. "He's quite good looking and well endowed. Don't you think so, Tyler?"
"Guys don't look at other guys down there," he said firmly, averting his eyes to the ceiling. "We especially don't chat about each other's size."
"Guys are so odd. Girls are always checking out other girls," Emily remarked. "Maybe not their twats, but most certainly their breasts and arse."
"Oh wonderful!" Emily shouted excitedly. "I have to pee. I can't wait to see what it's like to do that standing up."
"Can I watch?" Kim asked uncertainly.
"Of course you can," Emily answered without hesitation. "I just hope this room came equipped with a chamber pot. How about you, Tyler? Do you want to watch me use my new gizmo for the first time?"
"No!" he answered empathetically. "That would be gay. Guys just don't do that."
"Oh come on now," Kim said, shaking her head in disbelief. "I've seen the inside of the boys' bathroom. You guys have those urinal thingies hanging on the wall right next to each other without even any partitions between them. Surely, you occasionally glance to your right or left."
"Never," Tyler rejoined, as if to do so would be a dreadful sin. "Guys always look straight ahead at the wall. Only a fag would check out another guy when he was taking a leak."
"How about a girl?" Emily asked mischievously. "Would you watch a girl take a pee if you had the opportunity?"
Tyler blushed, and then sheepishly nodded his head yes.
"Well you'll have the occasion as soon as you drink your potion," she said with a giggle.
Tyler shook his head awkwardly. That wasn't exactly what he had in mind.
"But before you transform, I need to find a bathroom," Emily said desperately, clutching her groin as if in agony.
"Over there," said Kim, pointing to a lone urinal hanging next to a washbasin on an otherwise blank wall. "I don't remember that being there when we came in."
"I don't believe it was," Tyler replied, stupefaction evident in his voice.
Emily didn't comment, but rather hurried toward the plumbing device, wasting no time in relieving herself. "Wow," she said, flicking the last drop of urine from the tip of her penis and stepping over to the sink in order to wash her hands. "I wouldn't mind having one of these on a permanent basis. It certainly makes taking a pee more convenient."
"I don't think that would make Tyler very happy," Kim said, glancing at the appalled expression on the young boy's face. "Besides, you'd have to lengthen all your dresses so that a stiffy wouldn't show beneath the hem."
"Speaking of stiffies, will you show Kim and I how to make ours get hard?" Emily asked Tyler, without the least amount of embarrassment."
"Emily, take it easy," Kim suggested. "Tyler hasn't even transformed yet. Aren't you eager to see him as a girl? After all, we have three hours for experimentation."
"I'm sorry," Emily said honestly. "I was being selfish. Go ahead, Tyler. Drink your potion."
Truth be told, Tyler was not at all keen to drink the potion. The very notion of swallowing the concoction gave him a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. However, the girls had drunk theirs and he most certainly didn't want to give the impression of being a coward.
Tyler pinched his nose shut, raised the mixture to his lips, closed his eyes and then took two quick gulps and prepared himself for the worst. His stomach writhed. Abruptly he experienced a sucking sensation; his groin area felt as if it were being turned inside out. Without thinking, he moved to clutch his private area. It was too late; the change was complete. It was gone. His hand was grasping his newly formed vagina.
Emily's eyes had been fixed on that section of Tyler's body, engrossed by the dramatic change, taking place. "If you'd like, I'll show you how to do that properly," she said with a laugh and then for the first time she looked at Tyler's altered face. She gasped in shock.
"What's the matter?" Tyler asked with concern. "Do I make that ugly a looking girl?"
Emily didn't answer, but instead she turned to Kim. "What have you done?" she asked, alarm evident in her voice.
* * * * * *
"I know it's not very large, but they allocate the lodgings based on seniority and family size," Jamie
explained.
Alex looked approvingly around the accommodations. "I think it's grand," he said excitedly. "You can always do an expanding charm if you feel you need more space. It's nice that the Headmaster is giving you such early access to it."
"He thought that I might want to do some redecorating spells before we moved in. What with preparing for NEWTS and the final challenge, the school year will be over before we realize it." Jamie sighed.
"I can't believe how fast the last seven years have passed, "Alex remarked. "Soon we'll be having to say our good-byes to good friends, some of whom we may never see again."
Jamie nodded her head dejectedly in agreement, and then tried to brighten the conversation. "I still find it hard to believe that I'm actually going to be a Hogwarts Professor. Professor Zacherley! It just gives me goose bumps thinking about it."
"You deserve it," Alex said, taking Jamie in his arms and embracing her tightly. "You've worked hard and now it's time for you to reap the benefits. Just imagine, someday you'll be teaching the sons and daughters of our classmates."
"That's a good many years in the future," Jamie exclaimed. "As my dad always said, a lot of water will go under the bridge between now and then."
"Meaning?" Alex asked.
"That it is a long way off. Enjoy life; take one day at a time,"
"Speaking of enjoying life, what are we going to do for furnishings? We at least need a bed. You know, for sleeping and other good things."
"Other good things?" Jamie questioned naughtily. "Do you actually think we'll have time for such niceties with you studying to be a legal representative and me teaching full time?"
"We'll make time," Alex guaranteed.
"I guess we can find a few minutes for sex once or twice a month," Janie conceded, a devilish grin on her face.
"Please tell me that you're joking," Alex implored. "I was hoping we'd do it every night once we moved in together."
"Have you been talking to Harry?" Jamie questioned. "I don't think he and Hermione ever let a night pass."
"We've talked," Alex admitted, "but not about that." His voice suddenly took on a grave tone. "Has he discussed the third event at all with you?"
"Not really," Jamie declared. "He doesn't know any more about it than the contestants. Just that it will take place on Fantastic Island and that some of the beasts located there will be involved."
"He hasn't come right out and said anything, but I've gotten the impression that he is extremely concerned with the task taking place there," Alex divulged. "He gave me the impression that he's worried about the safety of the contestants."
"I love Harry, but sometimes him and Hermione worry too much," Jamie declared. "Emily, Kim and I will be fine; so will everybody else. I imagine it's because of all the ordeals that they've been through, but the two of them have a tendency to be rather paranoid. I'm sure the island wouldn't have been approved as the location for the task if it weren't one hundred percent safe."
"I suppose you're right," Alex conceded, "but nevertheless I'll be glad when this whole competition is over and you're home safely in my arms."
"I'm here right now," Jamie answered lovingly. "If you like, I can do a cushioning charm on the floor while you lock the door."
Suddenly, the third task was the farthest thing from Alex's mind.
* * * * * *
"Our numbers are growing appreciably, Master," Nott said confidently.
"Yes," Slytherin agreed, although his voice seemed somewhat disheartened. "Intimidation has a way of convincing people which side to take in a conflict. I wish more were joining our ranks due to allegiance."
"Many are," Nott injected timidly. "The Bancrofts for a case in point. They were loyal followers of the Dark Lord and are extremely enthusiastic to serve you in whatever way you wish. They have two sons that will also undoubtedly help swell our ranks when they graduate Hogwarts.
Salazar nodded his head approvingly. "What has become of this Draco Malfoy of whom you spoke so highly? I thought he was to deliver the Mudblood wife of Harry Potter into my hands?"
"He still promises to do so, but he assures me that she has not left the confines of Hogwarts castle since our last discussion of her," Nott said enlighteningly. "Malfoy remains in regular contact with me. He lastly informed me that she would be accompanying her husband to the final task on Fantastic Island. Perhaps we could snatch her then."
Slytherin snapped the quill he was holding in half and abruptly jumped to his feet. "That is unfortunate," he said, striding across the room. "I very much looked forward to meeting this Hermione. The mind of the body I occupy is extremely besotted with her." He paced the room silently for several moments as Nott watched tensely."
Finally his anger seemed to calm and he returned to his seat. "I imagine in war even I must make some sacrifices," he said solemnly.
"I'm not sure I understand," Nott whispered cautiously. "Do you not feel that would be a good time to kidnap the Mudblood?"
Slytherin sighed. "Our plans are finalized and they won't be altered. Everyone on Fantastic Island will die."
"But Master, the oldest son of the Bancrofts' is a member of the Hogwarts team," Nott declared.
"If that be the case, then their first act of loyalty to me shall be accepting without question the death of their eldest offspring."
* * * * * *
Tyler looked around the walls of the room urgently searching for a mirror. Once he sighted one, he ran toward it intent
on finding out what had traumatized Emily to so great an extent. As soon as he saw the face he now bore reflected in
the mirror, he stopped dead. First he gawked at his mirror image and then he turned to Kim and Emily. "How? I
thought the hairs were from an American acquaintance of Professor Weasley?"
"So did I," Emily concurred. She glared at Kim suspiciously. "Perhaps Kim would care to enlighten us."
"I had to do it," Kim insisted. "It was an opportunity to get somewhat back at her for what she did to you at the Yule Ball and for the humiliation she has been causing me with those posters."
"Will all the second year boys be transforming into her?" Emily asked concernedly.
"No! Just the Slytherins," Kim answered regretfully. "The Professor had separate envelopes of hair for each class. I only had time to switch the ones for our group."
"Where did you get the strands of Denise's hair from?" Tyler questioned.
"I ran back to our dorm and got them from the hair brush on her dresser," Kim explained. "That's why I was so out of breath when I returned to the classroom."
"She's going to kill you when she finds out," Emily sighed. "I understand your reasoning, but didn't you think about the consequences? What about Professor Weasley? She could lose her job. Denise's father is on the Board of Governors. "
"Why would she lose her job?" Kim asked fretfully. "I'm the one that switched the hairs."
"The whole idea of having us take the potion was the Professor's," Emily explained. "She had the Headmaster's approval, but I doubt the Governors were even consulted. Secondly, she was the one that gave you access to the hairs. Your heart was in the right place, but I think the consequences will far out weigh the benefits."
"I don't think Denise will ever find out," Tyler said hopefully.
"You can't be serious," Emily huffed. "Five boys have or will change into Denise. They'll all have seen and examined her nude body closely." Emily pointed toward Tyler's now female chest. "They all know now, beyond a doubt, that she stuffs her bra. You actually don't think anyone will confront her?"
"No I don't," Tyler said, and he went on to explain his reasoning. "Obviously I won't let it slip, knowing the cost, but I don't think the other guys will either. They're all scared to death of Denise. They all know the depravity she is capable of. Then there is always her cousin, my brother Dick, to be considered. I doubt that any of the guys will even talk about it amongst themselves, fearing retribution."
"Then this was all for nothing," Kim groaned. "I tried to get even with the bitch by embarrassing her and all I did was put Professor Weasley and myself in possible jeopardy. If Tyler is correct, Denise will never even know that all the boys got to examine her form up close and personal."
"Sometimes things just don't work out, despite good intentions," Emily sighed. "Have faith, Denise will get her just payback some day."
"What I don't understand is why Denise thinks it's necessary to stuff her bra," Tyler said, admiring the reflection in the mirror. He looked at both profiles, even turned to appreciate the rear view. "I think she has a really cutie body. Nothing is wrong with her small perky boobs and this is a great arse. Hell, if she'd smile once in awhile instead of walking around with her nose in the air, I'd even consider her pretty."
"I agree with what you said earlier, Tyler," Emily said, quickly interrupting him. Her voice sounded worried. Obviously she was not at all pleased with the way he was appreciating the body reflected in the mirror "This switching sexes is totally unnecessary. I think we should allow ourselves to transform back at the end of the first hour and forget about using the balance of the potion."
"But we haven't actually spent much time on close examination or touching of our new differing body parts," Kim complained.
Emily grabbed her chin, trying to hide her grimace. She was only sure of one thing at the moment. She was willing to do whatever necessary to prevent Tyler from becoming more acquainted with Denise's body.
"Look! We're good friends. Best friends!" Emily asserted. "And we're not little kids anymore. I think we're mature enough to touch and examine each other on a clinical level without letting childish emotions get in the way."
Kim just stared at Emily, a petrified expression of dread etched on her face.
As the potion began to wear off and Emily started to transform back to herself, she reached out and grabbed Kim's hand. "If you're concerned about Tyler touching you in intimate places," she said nervously, "I'm sure he'd be willing to limit his journeying to me."
"It's not that so much," Kim revealed timidly. "I'd trust Tyler with my life and I know how much he adores you. Truthfully, it might be better if it were I he examined. Considering the feelings you two have for each other, it might be difficult for you both to maintain a detached mindset. My concern was more with how you both would feel when it was my turn to scrutinize Tyler."
Tyler noticeably gulped as he and Emily exchanged penetrating looks. He had the feeling that he was about to boldly go where a twelve-year-old boy had never gone before.
* * * * * *
As a side note to our story, none of the boys ever did divulge to Denise or anyone else, as far as we know, that
they had transformed into her likeness. Evidently they all considered it a secret better kept to themselves. Denise
did, from time to time, catch a number of the boys from her year sneaking peeps at her, especially her '
well-endowed' chest, and then abruptly turning away and laughing. It irritated her a great deal, but she simply
chalked it up to teenage male hormones and immaturity.
* * * * * *
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
"Ron, what's bothering you?" Sam asked, a tinge of irritation evident in her voice. "You've been
pacing the room like an expectant father for the last thirty minutes."
He shilly-shallied momentarily and then finally sat down next to her. "I'm concerned about the third task," he said uneasily.
"The third task?" Sam questioned. "It's not till next Saturday. Besides, why the sudden concern. I know you'd like to see Hogwarts win, but it isn't like it's a life or death situation."
"That's just it, it may well be just that," Ron said, shaking his head in frustration. "Harry has been acting really odd the past couple of months and I was finally able to get him in a corner today and drag the truth out of him. I thought perhaps Hermione and he had been arguing, but it's worse than that. Somehow, they've both gotten this weird idea that something dreadful is going to happen on Fantastic Island. They have absolutely no legitimate reason to be concerned; not even any circumstantial evidence. Yet they are both convinced beyond a doubt that the students' lives will be in peril. That's why Hermione is going with him; her being a chaperone is just a facade."
"But if there is no proof? Ron, I'm sure the promoters have taken every conceivable precaution. Don't you think that perhaps Harry and Hermione or just being somewhat overprotective?" Sam asked.
"No!" Ron declared adamantly. "I've been best friends with those two since we were all eleven. They both have a nose for trouble. If they mutually agree that something awful is going to happen, then something awful is going to happen."
"Assuming that they are correct," Sam conceded. "I can't see that you wearing a rut in our carpet is going to help them any. They're a team; they defeated Voldemort. I'm sure they can take care of themselves."
Ron still shuddered when anyone spoke the Dark Lord's name. "That's the problem," Ron admitted. "They're only two-thirds of the team that defeated He Who Must No Be Named. I was there, too. My contribution might not have been as key to the defeat of Voldemort as Harry's or Hermione's, but without me they might have failed."
"Do you want to go with them to the Island?" Sam asked.
"You know I can't do that," Ron retorted. "You're pregnant. I have responsibilities. I can't just go running halfway around the world because of gut feelings."
"What if they're correct? What if something awful does take place? What if something happens to them because you weren't there to help? Could you live with yourself?" Sam hounded.
"Are you telling me to go?" Ron asked, a dumbfounded expression on his face.
"You guys are a team," Sam emphasized. "You've always been a team. If something happened to them because you weren't there, you'd never be able to live with the guilt. You don't have a choice; you have to go."
"But what about you and Timmy?" Ron asked guiltily.
"We'll be fine," Sam insisted. "I was a single mother when I gave birth to Timmy and I managed. I'm not weak and helpless you know."
"I know." Ron faltered. "It's just that I feel so guilty leaving you."
"You'll feel even more guilty if you don't go. Don't worry about us. Timmy and I will be fine," Sam maintained.
"If you're positive, I'm going to pop over and advise Harry and Hermione to figure out a way to get me included in the group," Ron said.
"I'm sure," Sam persisted. "Just one thing Ron. I might have raised Timmy by myself, but that doesn't mean I want to ever go it alone again. Promise me that you'll take care of yourself and return home safely to me. I love you."
* * * * * *
Friday, June 23, 2006 08:00
"I keep thinking I've forgotten to let you know something important," Hermione fretted.
"If you have, I'm sure it's covered in your written instructions," Ginny laughed, dropping the manual size instructions on the table. "You'll probably be back before I get a chance to thoroughly read through this."
"I guess maybe I did go overboard," Hermione admitted, looking at the book length instructions. "Mothers tend to be overly concerned. You'll know what I mean quite soon. Emily can probably answer any questions you might have."
Emily nodded and gave Ginny a reassuring smile.
"What time is the Portkey scheduled to depart?" Ginny asked.
"We'll be using three; the first leaves at 09:00 and the last at 09:10." Hermione explained. We'll check in this morning at the resort hotel and then we're all scheduled to go on a tour of the Island after lunch. Tonight the third task will be explained in detail to the contestants.
"The task itself commences Saturday at noon, Island time. There'll be a party Saturday evening and then we'll return to Hogwarts on Sunday. You're sure that you'll be okay taking care of Benjamin? You look like you're about ready to give birth."
"I am," Ginny said with a laugh. "Just three more weeks to go. But seriously, even though I look like a whale, I feel fine. Watching Ben will be a good experience."
"Just remember to give Sam a call if he becomes too much to handle," Hermione reminded her. "She's more than willing to take over."
"We'll both be all right. Don't worry about Ben and I, just relax and enjoy yourself," Ginny recommended.
"Mum, it's going on nine o'clock," Emily reminded her. "I know it's hard for you to leave Ben, but you're going to miss the Portkey if we don't hurry."
Hermione nodded, then gave Ben a last hug and kiss before allowing Emily to drag her from the room.
"Honestly Mum!" Emily chastised. "I know you love Ben, but you're only going to be gone for two days. A person would think that you never expected to see him again."
Hermione didn't answer, but instead looked back longingly as they turned a corner and Ginny and Ben disappeared
from view. Had she possibly seen her son for the very last time?
"You had me worried," Harry shouted as Emily and Hermione hurried down the steps to join him. "I'm
not sure what I would have done if you hadn't arrived by departure time."
"It was hard saying good-bye to Ben," Hermione said, tears filling her eyes.
"Get a grip Mum. I'll keep an eye on Ben," Emily assured. "You guys will be back before he even realizes you're gone."
Hermione clenched her lips, and then enveloped Emily in a bone-breaking hug.
"Mum, people are staring," Emily whispered, gasping for air. "You and Dad will be back in two days. Ben and I will be all right."
When Emily finally struggled free from her mother's grip, she gave Harry a hug and kiss, and then ran off to wish her sisters and Kim good luck.
"I'll be leaving in the first group with Rishard and the officials," Harry advised a teary eyed Hermione. "You'll be supervising the second group which will be composed of the girls from both teams. Ron will be departing last with all the boys. A party from the resort will be meeting us on the beach with transportation to the hotel."
"Why aren't we going straight by Portkey to the hotel?" Hermione asked.
"It seems the computer controlled electrically enhanced wards and spells surrounding the resort are even stronger than those protecting Hogwarts. Not only can't you fly or Apparate into the resort itself, but Portkeys also can't penetrate the barriers."
Hermione nodded, ostensibly impressed with the security. "It's almost nine," Harry said, glancing at his watch. "I'm going to join my group. I'll see you on the beach." He gave Hermione a brief kiss and then departed. Hermione turned and headed toward the female participants.
She smiled as she noted Alex and Jamie clutching each other in a passionate embrace, clearly oblivious to the staring onlookers. The apparent love that Alex and Jamie shared reminded her so much of the feelings that she and Harry carried for each other.
Hermione was not quite as comfortable with the display of affection Caitlin was heaping on Evan. It wasn't that Hermione didn't approve of Evan; just the opposite, she liked the boy immensely. It was more the age situation. Jamie and Alex were legally adults in the wizard world; Caitlin was only thirteen, Evan even younger. Such strong emotions at such a tender age could without doubt lead to trouble.
Despite her fears, Hermione had to smile as she watched the two young people. They were unquestionably the embodiment of the term odd couple. Caitlin in the last year had undergone an incredible growth spurt. She was now slightly taller than Hermione. Although still thin, her body was definitely taking on the structure of a young woman. Evan, on the other hand, was small for his age and probably still a couple of years away from his growth spike. The difference in heights was dramatic by itself, but especially evident when they hugged. Evan's face was actually leaning against Caitlin's chest.
Momentarily, Hermione wondered whether Caitlin was actually wearing clothing or simply using the concealment charm. Considering the proximity of Evan's lips to Caitlin's breast, she decided she didn't really want to know.
As she arrived at the girls, Hermione noticed that Harry and his grouping had suddenly disappeared. "I'm sorry," she said, clearing her throat, "but we must bring the farewells to an end, the first group has already departed. Our Portkey will activate in under five minutes.
"Make sure your knapsacks are secured tightly. Is there anyone who hasn't used a Portkey before?" Hermione asked in a businesslike fashion. She was surprised that a few hands shot into the air.
"A Portkey is an object used to transport a wizard or group of wizards that can't or don't want to Apparate. Ours has a prearranged departure time of 9:05. We will be using the same Portkey to return on Sunday," she explained. "Portkeys can be anything, usually something unobtrusive that a Muggle wouldn't pick up and start playing with.
"This cane will be our Portkey today," she said showing the object to the girls. It gives us plenty of space to allow all of us to hold on." Hermione checked her watch. "Nearly time. You just need to touch the Portkey, that's all, a finger will do."
With some difficulty, owing to their large backpacks, the nine of them crowded around the old cane held out by Hermione.
"Be sure to maintain contact," Hermione warned, "or you'll be left behind.
Hermione began a count down. "Ten…nine…eight…" Everyone grasped the cane tighter, no one desiring to be left behind. "three…two…one…"
It happened immediately. As if an invisible hook were attached behind their navels, they were all suddenly jerked irresistibly forward, their feet instantly leaving the ground. They sped forward in a howl of wind and swirling color, arms and legs banging together, their hands stuck to the cane as though it was pulling them magically onward and then-
They slammed into the ground. Hermione and a few of the others managed to remain standing upright, but most of the girls were scattered pell-mell about the beach.
"Sand makes a much nicer landing spot than concrete," Emily said, getting to her feet and dusting herself off." Obviously she was calling to mind her arrival in Fort Lauderdale the previous summer.
"Look at the water, isn't it beautiful?" one of the American girls commented. "I live in New Jersey and the Ocean water there is filthy compared to this."
"Plenty of time to admire the scenery later," Harry called out. "Hermione, you better move the girls out of the way, Ron and his group will be arriving shortly." Hermione scooted the girls over to where Harry was standing and they all waited eagerly for the arrival of Professor Weasley and the male contestants.
Once Ron and his group had arrived and gathered their equanimity, Rishard Simone called for everyone's attention.
"You all look divine today," he remarked in his normal irritatingly high voice. "I'm so pleased that you all remembered to wear to your exquisite uniforms like the good little girls and boys that you are."
"I bet he'd pee his pants if he knew that not a one of us is in fact wearing his degenerate costumes," Caitlin whispered quietly into Kim's ear. "I'm pleased that all the others, especially the guys, realized that we were better off using the concealment charm."
"I just hope, in fact, we are," Kim uttered uncertainly.
"It is now my splendid glee to introduce our host for the weekend," Rishard crowed pompously, "the founder of Fantastic Island, Dr. Milton Soderbergh."
A short, stooped back, elderly man wearing Muggle clothes slowly approached them, leaning heavily on his walking stick. He didn't speak until he was in the midst of the contestants. At first he seemed scandalized by the uniforms the competitors were wearing, but he quickly collected himself.
"Welcome to Fantastic Island," he said, pride obvious in his voice. "I'm extremely pleased that we have been selected to host the final event of your contest. Fantastic Island is the culmination of my life long work and dream; a place where wizardkind can see and study beasts that until now most have only been able to read about. I'm sure that in your classes, many of you have read Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by the erudite Newt Scamander. I am proud to say that nearly ninety percent of the creatures listed in that book now call Fantastic Island their home, hence the name.
"But enough from me, you didn't come here to hear an old man ramble on. We have transportation waiting to take us to the resort's main hotel." He gestured toward a number of off-road vehicles parked nearby. "After you have settled in and enjoyed a hearty lunch, we'll embark on a safari-like tour of the island. I sincerely hope you enjoy your stay."
"He seems nice," Jamie commented as she and the other girls started walking toward the waiting transport.
"Yeah," Nora agreed. "He's the type that usually plays the kindly uncle or grandfather in a Muggle movie, except in this case he's not a Muggle."
"It's very nice to meet you," Harry said, extending his hand to Dr. Soderbergh, "I'm Harry…" But before he could finish Dr. Soderbergh grabbed Harry's outstretched hand and shook it vigorously.
"Harry Potter! It's a delight to meet you. "You can't imagine how pleased I was when I saw your name on the guest list," Dr. Soderbergh said excitedly. He turned beaming toward Hermione. "And is this charming woman your beautiful wife, Hermione?"
"I'm not quite sure about the beautiful part," Hermione said, blushing, "but thank you. It's a pleasure to meet you Dr. Soderbergh; I've read all your books."
"Please, call me Milton," the doctor insisted.
"This is our good friend Ron Weasley," Harry said in introduction.
"An honor Mr. Weasley," Dr. Soderbergh said, eagerly taking Ron's hand. "I can't believe all three members of the covenant are here at my resort. Please, come ride with me so that we can talk."
As they went to climb into the waiting vehicle, Dr. Soderbergh gave Harry a strange look and then said, "Excuse me, but make I ask why you're carrying that manky old boot."
"It's a Portkey," Harry replied. "So are Hermione's cane and Ron's fedora. There're how we got here and our return ticket home."
"Goodness gracious! I'm thankful that I asked," Milton replied urgently. "It would be best if you secured those here on the beach, perhaps in that abandoned work shed. It is chancy to transport anything charmed through the gates onto the actual resort grounds. The intensified wards protecting the resort sometimes have a odd affect on charms. I wouldn't want to see your return trip culminating at say the North Pole."
Hermione waited until Harry returned to the vehicle and secured his seatbelt before questioning Dr. Soderbergh concerning the safety of Fantastic Island. "Doctor, is it true that you actually have a Nundu in captivity here?"
"Not just one," the Doctor replied proudly. "Up until last week we had a pair, but the female just gave birth to cubs, now we have a family of four."
"Four!" Hermione gasped. "But the East African gigantic leopard is arguably the most dangerous beast in the world. Its breath can cause disease virulent enough to eliminate entire villages. My understanding is that fewer than a hundred skilled wizards working together have never yet subdued one. Do you actually have a staff large enough to control four?"
"Most certainly not," the doctor answered, frankly as the parade of vehicles drove onto a road leading away from the beach. "If our safety and security were dependent on old-fashioned magic alone, Fantastic Island could not exist. It is only the blending of up-to-the-minute Muggle technology with ancient magic that makes our being possible. We'll be reaching the outer perimeter fence in a few minutes. I think you'll find that one picture is indeed worth a thousand words."
Hermione nodded and sat quietly taking in the gorgeous scenery while waiting expectantly for them to arrive at the enclosure. When they reached the crest of a ridge, she was the first to catch view of the fence and gasped audibly.
"How tall is it," she asked, gaping in awe as a tourist would at New York City's skyscrapers?"
"Sixty feet at the lowest point and five feet thick, charged with over 200,000 volts of electricity," Dr. Soderbergh explained.
"Then you actually control the beasts with electrified barriers rather than magic?" Hermione questioned.
"No!" Dr. Soderbergh continued. "We are dealing with the strongest and most powerful magical creatures the world has ever known. In time, some of these creatures would penetrate even the best built Muggle ramparts."
"I don't understand," Hermione said, shrugging her shoulders. "Then how?"
"These iron barriers are not designed to hold the creatures in nor is that the purpose of the electrical charge. They are rather just parts of the amplification system. Old wards, charms and spells do the actual work. We have combined Muggle computer technology with old magic. The electricity intensifies the magical power. Imagine a simple repelling spell if you would. Now imagine a wand positioned on every square foot of the immense fence casting the identical spell and you have some idea of the power generated. The creatures have learned to maintain a sensible distance from the fence."
"But Muggle technology isn't foolproof," Hermione maintained. "Electricity can fail and computers develop glitches and programs stop working."
"Certainly, all that is feasible," Dr. Soderbergh admitted, but we have taken every conceivable precaution. We have a secondary backup system in place and even that system has built in fail-safes."
"Nothing can be made one hundred percent foolproof," Hermione insisted.
"I agree," the doctor conceded with a deep sigh, "but we have done everything wizardly possible to insure the integrity of our security system. We feel confident that we are prepared for any eventuality. For our system to fail it would have to be a case of deliberate systematically planned sabotage. Honestly," he laughed, "who would ever consider such an act of hostility against a zoological park?"
At this statement, Ron, Harry and Hermione exchanged troubled looks.
End of Chapter 22
My thanks go out to the betas for this chapter: Lucy, and Mistri - Tonks' Admirer. Please be a good reader and take the time to review.
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