CARNIVAL du MYSTIQUE
A Harry Potter UNIVERSE/ Sasporilla Bucket Fan Fiction
by Darren Kelly
Chapter 15
Sasporilla Bucket slid a single knut into the slot of the old wooden coin push game. The knut ran down a thin ramp into the slot of one of seven wheels that rotated in different directions against the back wall of the game. The coin rotated from the slot of one wheel and dropped into the slot of another, then another and another, until it finally dropped with tinkle onto a pile of other knuts, sickles and galleons.
The whir of gears and pulleys came from the machine as a section of the back wall moved forward, pushing the coins forward towards a ledge. Galleons, sickles and knuts dropped over the edge down to the back of the next level. Small magical explosions blew some of the coins up and off of the back plate and on top of the coin pile where they would have no pushing effect. A large pile of coins mixed with small potion vials, jewelry, magical treasures, and even a key to one of ten super secret surprise prize boxes, teetered on the edge of pay off.
Sassy dared not even breathe to hard. The sign on the machine said it best, 'ANY MAGICAL OR PHYSICAL INTERFERANCE WILL RESULT IN THE GAME BEING NULL AND VOID. ALL PROCEEDS BEING SIEZED AND THE GAME BEING RESET!'
"Why are you wasting yer time and money on that thing?" Alana asked. "It's all fixed. Yer just wasting yer money!"
"I find it relaxing." Sasporilla said dropping in another knut. "Zen like."
"Well if wastin' money is relaxin' to you, give me twenty galleons and I'll set ya right at ease!" Alana laughed.
"I don't think so." Sasporilla smiled. "What's up?"
"Afternoon off." Alana said. "Got a couple' a tickets to a SPHARX match. Wondered if ya wanted to go?"
"Spharx?" Sasporilla asked watching her coin push to no advantage and drop another.
"YA!" Alana said. "Haven't you ever seen a Spharx match? It's a sport. Don't tell me yer a Quidditch or nothin' girl!"
"No I know there are other sports." Sasporilla insisted dropping another knut in. "I've just never really seen any."
The coin dropped in bounced from its wheel, pushed into its ledge which dumped a huge flow of coins down to the next level. Coins banged, bounced, exploded, danced and quivered as so many had fallen there just weren't enough magical rube traps to take care of them all. The lower wall pushed forward and the whole ledge of coins pushed forward, and teetered. Sasporilla and Alana stood back breathlessly holding each other as the ledge fell in to the scoop and poured out of the machine lighting up the 'BIG WINNER' sign.
Sasporilla started scooping up the coins and putting them in her bag. Alana held off the well-wishers who all wanted to grab a few hand-fulls of wealth.
"Alana don't worry so much." Sasporilla said. "Take some for yourself."
"Don't be silly Sassy." Alana laughed. "That's funny. Silly Sassy, silly Sassy. No I couldn't."
"Well there's plenty here." Sassy insisted. "Grab some for yourself."
"What's going on here?" Lloyd Ablecross, the roly-poly carnivals arcade man yelled.
"I guess I've won." Sasporilla smiled.
"Impossible." Lloyd said frowning. "You cheated! Return the coins! I'm closing the machine.
"How dare you!" Sasporilla said standing outraged. "To make such accusations without first casting even a simple REVELIO or a more appropriate EXPONAM DOLUM!"
Lloyd stood looking sheepish. This witch knew her investigative spells. Probably had family in the aurors office which could be problematic... all things considered.
"You're right." Lloyd smiled with a Cheshire grin. Pulling his wand he cast EXPONAM DOLUM! The entire event replayed as if Sassy herself was a patronus. It showed she was innocent of any fraud.
"Well young lady." Lloyd sighed. "You are indeed the winner."
"Yes she is!" Mr.Beauxchamps cried raising the cheers of the gathered crowd. "In the Carnival du Mystique, all are winners, but some rise to greatest of heights! I understand you won, one of the ten great and secret keys?"
"Yes!" Sasporilla smiled pulling the old iron skeleton key from the pile of coins. "Here it is."
With a wave of his wand the coins and treasure on the ground gathered up and was packed into a tight heavy leather sack bounced along the ground behind them as they walked to the ten ornate iron locked prize box.
"Which number key do you have Ms.Bucket?" Mr.Beauxchamps asked.
"Number six." Sasporilla smiled.
"The come forward Sasporilla Bucket," The old showman cried with flair, "and claim your most wondrous prize!"
Taking a deep breath Sassy stepped forward and walked up to iron box number six. It was only about two feet square. Not like box ten that was a full six feet square at least. She noticed the slot, unlike the other boxes, had no cobwebs on the keyholes. Sassy slid the key inside. The key turned easily to the right and clicked. The small iron door swung open. Everyone in the crowd peered into the boxes dark interior.
Sasporilla knew something was off and drew her wand as a long ashen claw in dark cloak reached out of the box.
"DEMENTOR!" Lloyd screamed, wetting himself as he ran off.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" Mr.Beauxchamps cast as the creature pulled itself from the box looking down at Sasporilla.
Sassy looked at the creature that lazily avoided the butterfly Patronus. This was not a dementor. Even though it look just like the one she killed in Hogwarts. She looked into the iron box. There was a small plastic box inside no bigger than a box of mints. Sasporilla reached in and grabbed the plastic box and placed it in her bag.
Sasporilla pointed her wand at the creature and cast "RIDICULOUS!" The bogart changed into the funniest thing Sassy could picture. The old wizard Beauxchamps, in his boxers, dancing topless to a snake charmers flute.
"Ah." Mr.Beauxchamps said looking over his glasses. "I see Miss Moorsehead shared that story with you."
"She did." Sasporilla laughed casting the creature back into the iron box, shutting and locking the door. "Accio key!"
"How did you discern so quickly it was a Bogart?" Mr.Beauxchamps asked.
"It reacted to slowly to your patronus," Sasporilla said, "and I recognized it. It took the form of not just any dementor, but what I fear most. My father became a dementor. I fought him. Killed him. Freed him from the curse. I still fear that it could some how happen to me, as it happened to him."
"Very wise young lady." Mr.Beauxchamps smiled. "What was in the box?"
"Oh!" Sasporilla gasped. "I almost forgot!"
Sassy dug into her bag and pulled the small plastic box out. Printed on the top read 'HIDE-A-KEY'. Sasporilla tried several ways to open it, but found finally that body of the box,slid in half. Inside, was a blue key. The key was inscribed with the word ‘CUBIC’ and the number 2*18.
"What is this?" Mr.Beauxchamps demanded outraged. "This is not a proper prize! Someone has absconded with the original prize and replaced it with....with….. this! Lloyd! Lloyd! I demand answers!!!"
"Sasporilla!" Alana said. "We have to go if we want to get to the Spharx match. It's clear across the festival grounds."
"Ok but I have to get this sack of coins back to my caravan." Sassy cringed not wanting to hold up her friend.
"I think we have time but let's hurry!" Alana smiled.
Alana helped separate the crowd for Sasporilla, as they passed through shifting masses, levitating the sack of winnings. Sassy quickly stowed it just inside the front door of the caravan.
"I can get us to the festival field quickly." Sasporilla said. "I've been there."
"Brilliant." Alana smiled widely grabbing on to Sassy as they spun off, disapparating into thin air.
The two young witches reappeared at the back of the music festival crowd. MUGGLER was on stage playing their hit 'Dibbly the Dog'.
"Ok that saved us at least an hour." Alana smiled. "We still have a way to go though, come on!"
The crowds only thickened as Sasporilla and Alana moved towards the stadium that sat dead center of the Dingle inter-dimensional festival grounds. Alana pointed towards a domed building, whose dome was very slowly opening, revealing the brightly coloured lights and odd shapes within.
"That's where we're headed." Alana pointed.
"We need a faster way in this crowd." Sasporilla said.
"Need a ride ladies?" A young man asked sitting atop his Thestral drawn open carriage. "I can get you two, to the stadium in a couple of minutes. For twenty galleons."
"Yer feckin mad." Alana laughed and turned to moved off but Sassy grabbed her hand.
"Five galleons." Sasporilla said.
"That'll not even pay my parking fees!" The cab man insisted. "Twenty."
"Eight."Sasporilla said.
"Your killing me lady." The cabby said. "Look, your nice girls. I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll go sixteen for the pair of you. Final offer."
"Twelve." Sasporilla said. "Or we walk."
"Deal." The cabby sighed. "Get in."
"I can't believe you." Alana laughed. "You can really negotiate!"
"My mum would have got it for ten!" Sasporilla laughed.
With the crack of his whip the Thestral’s pulled the cart up into the skies above festival. They made great time as they headed towards the Dingle Festival Sports complex. The lights were criss-crossing in the sky announcing the impending Spharx match, to begin in under an hour. Fire works exploded over the stadium in celebration of the Irish and English teams that were competing.
"Now about my payment?" The cabby asked.
"Yes of course!" Sasporilla said digging the coins out of her bag with one hand her wand discretely held in the other.
Sassy placed some coins in the hand of the cab driver who tipped the carriage upside down.
"This is your out ladies!" The cabby laughed as Sasporilla and Alana dumped out over the stadium.
Alana screamed as she fumbled for her wand. She drew it but it got away from her in the rushing wind. Sasporilla cast Accio and brought Alana's wand to her. Then Sassy caught up to her friend just in time to wrap her arms around Alana and cast ARESTO MOMENTUM. They halted inches above the concrete outside the stadium.
Sasporilla and Alana dropped into a pile on the ground. Sassy laughed but Alana was outraged.
"How can you laugh?" Alana asked. "He'd have killed us? And he took yer money!!!"
"I'm just relieved we're ok," Sasporilla laughed, "and he only got about seven knuts!"
"It's about bloody time." A young woman with short fair hair, wearing the white and red robes of the English Spharx team, said as she stepped from the side of a stadium pillar. "Been waiting for you nearly a half hour Alana!"
"Sorry Cody." Alana said. "We got held up."
"Ya I saw you get dropped off." Cody laughed. "What was that all about?"
"We'll catch you up after the match." Alana said. "Oh. Cody, this is my friend from the carnival Sasporilla Bucket. Sasporilla, this is England’s premier Spharx Forward Cody Parsons."
"Pleasure." Sasporilla said shaking the rather tough looking young woman’s hand. "Parsons. Any relation?"
"I don't know?" Cody laughed. "What was your mums name? My dad got around!"
"Stop it Cody." Alana chuckled. "Sassy's a friend."
"Ya." Cody said. "Billy Parsons, of the Wand shop, is my big brother."
"Awesome." Sasporilla smiled. "I'm friends with Myron Wagtail."
"And her boyfriend is Vinny Lazar." Alana said.
"Oh my god." Cody gasped. "Are you the girl he's pining over?"
"I guess so." Sasporilla said. "I tried to get to him the other day but no luck."
A loud gong sounded and echoed low and steady through the festival grounds.
"Five minute warning." Cody said handing Alana an envelope. "Here are the tickets. Enjoy the match. I'll catch up with you after right here ya?"
Cody took off through the gate and inside. Alana opened the envelope and pulled out two silvery tickets flashing the white and red colours of England.
"She's a nice girl." Sassy said. "How do you know her? School?"
"She used to date Lester." Alana said. "She had to break it off with him."
"Because he's a muggle?" Sassy asked.
"No." Alana said surprised. "Because he's such a miserable begger!"
The pre game show was well under way by the time Sasporilla and Alana found their seats. A tattooed woman danced center stage, in the middle of the stadium, to the celestial melody of a Lumophonosphere. Woman’s body swayed to the music. Her movements drew you in, entwined with the hypnotic music. The tattoos that covered her body flowed and moved as if alive. Snakes tattooed upon her limbs slithered. Fabric tattooed on her skin fluttered. Wings tattooed upon her back burst forth and flapped as the fabric and serpents extended far beyond their natural reach. Snakes stretched and entwined through flowing silks that neared the crowds. Vines sprouted and thorned, then blossomed with beautiful rainbow roses. A wolf jumped off followed by its pack and howled at a rising moon which shifted, to a blackened sickening green dark mark. The skull with serpent slithering from its mouth caused many in the stands to gasp. A tattoo of a young man in glasses flowed from her thigh and cast a bright spell dispersing the dark mark, much to the crowds delight.
The music began to fade, the dance slowed, and the tattoos withdrew. A fat man in a tuxedo and a witch in referee robes joined the center stage. The fat man placed his wand to his neck.
"Let's have hand for the charming LYDIA, THE TATTOOED LADY and ARDWIWEIL Mistress of the Lumophonosphere!"
"That instrument is most fascinating." Alana said. "A Sphere of light with strands of light and magic and inside is an elf that plays them harmonically, like a harp. Amazing."
"Really?" Sasporilla said. "That's amazing. Sounds really complex."
"I guess that's why only elves can play it." Alana said.
"Now witches and wizards, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls," the fat announcer cried, "LET'S.... PLAY.... SPHARX!!!"
The referee pointed her wand skyward and cast "CONGREGAMINISPARX!"
A rainbow of energy shot from the witches wand skyward and burst into a cloud of swirling light that quickly formed a spinning colourful ring at the center of the stadium.
"First our challengers." The announcer cried. "From the far off desolate regions of England, may I present the LONDON LUMOS!"
Sasporilla Bucket slid a single knut into the slot of the old wooden coin push game. The knut ran down a thin ramp into the slot of one of seven wheels that rotated in different directions against the back wall of the game. The coin rotated from the slot of one wheel and dropped into the slot of another, then another and another, until it finally dropped with tinkle onto a pile of other knuts, sickles and galleons.
The whir of gears and pulleys came from the machine as a section of the back wall moved forward, pushing the coins forward towards a ledge. Galleons, sickles and knuts dropped over the edge down to the back of the next level. Small magical explosions blew some of the coins up and off of the back plate and on top of the coin pile where they would have no pushing effect. A large pile of coins mixed with small potion vials, jewelry, magical treasures, and even a key to one of ten super secret surprise prize boxes, teetered on the edge of pay off.
Sassy dared not even breathe to hard. The sign on the machine said it best, 'ANY MAGICAL OR PHYSICAL INTERFERANCE WILL RESULT IN THE GAME BEING NULL AND VOID. ALL PROCEEDS BEING SIEZED AND THE GAME BEING RESET!'
"Why are you wasting yer time and money on that thing?" Alana asked. "It's all fixed. Yer just wasting yer money!"
"I find it relaxing." Sasporilla said dropping in another knut. "Zen like."
"Well if wastin' money is relaxin' to you, give me twenty galleons and I'll set ya right at ease!" Alana laughed.
"I don't think so." Sasporilla smiled. "What's up?"
"Afternoon off." Alana said. "Got a couple' a tickets to a SPHARX match. Wondered if ya wanted to go?"
"Spharx?" Sasporilla asked watching her coin push to no advantage and drop another.
"YA!" Alana said. "Haven't you ever seen a Spharx match? It's a sport. Don't tell me yer a Quidditch or nothin' girl!"
"No I know there are other sports." Sasporilla insisted dropping another knut in. "I've just never really seen any."
The coin dropped in bounced from its wheel, pushed into its ledge which dumped a huge flow of coins down to the next level. Coins banged, bounced, exploded, danced and quivered as so many had fallen there just weren't enough magical rube traps to take care of them all. The lower wall pushed forward and the whole ledge of coins pushed forward, and teetered. Sasporilla and Alana stood back breathlessly holding each other as the ledge fell in to the scoop and poured out of the machine lighting up the 'BIG WINNER' sign.
Sasporilla started scooping up the coins and putting them in her bag. Alana held off the well-wishers who all wanted to grab a few hand-fulls of wealth.
"Alana don't worry so much." Sasporilla said. "Take some for yourself."
"Don't be silly Sassy." Alana laughed. "That's funny. Silly Sassy, silly Sassy. No I couldn't."
"Well there's plenty here." Sassy insisted. "Grab some for yourself."
"What's going on here?" Lloyd Ablecross, the roly-poly carnivals arcade man yelled.
"I guess I've won." Sasporilla smiled.
"Impossible." Lloyd said frowning. "You cheated! Return the coins! I'm closing the machine.
"How dare you!" Sasporilla said standing outraged. "To make such accusations without first casting even a simple REVELIO or a more appropriate EXPONAM DOLUM!"
Lloyd stood looking sheepish. This witch knew her investigative spells. Probably had family in the aurors office which could be problematic... all things considered.
"You're right." Lloyd smiled with a Cheshire grin. Pulling his wand he cast EXPONAM DOLUM! The entire event replayed as if Sassy herself was a patronus. It showed she was innocent of any fraud.
"Well young lady." Lloyd sighed. "You are indeed the winner."
"Yes she is!" Mr.Beauxchamps cried raising the cheers of the gathered crowd. "In the Carnival du Mystique, all are winners, but some rise to greatest of heights! I understand you won, one of the ten great and secret keys?"
"Yes!" Sasporilla smiled pulling the old iron skeleton key from the pile of coins. "Here it is."
With a wave of his wand the coins and treasure on the ground gathered up and was packed into a tight heavy leather sack bounced along the ground behind them as they walked to the ten ornate iron locked prize box.
"Which number key do you have Ms.Bucket?" Mr.Beauxchamps asked.
"Number six." Sasporilla smiled.
"The come forward Sasporilla Bucket," The old showman cried with flair, "and claim your most wondrous prize!"
Taking a deep breath Sassy stepped forward and walked up to iron box number six. It was only about two feet square. Not like box ten that was a full six feet square at least. She noticed the slot, unlike the other boxes, had no cobwebs on the keyholes. Sassy slid the key inside. The key turned easily to the right and clicked. The small iron door swung open. Everyone in the crowd peered into the boxes dark interior.
Sasporilla knew something was off and drew her wand as a long ashen claw in dark cloak reached out of the box.
"DEMENTOR!" Lloyd screamed, wetting himself as he ran off.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" Mr.Beauxchamps cast as the creature pulled itself from the box looking down at Sasporilla.
Sassy looked at the creature that lazily avoided the butterfly Patronus. This was not a dementor. Even though it look just like the one she killed in Hogwarts. She looked into the iron box. There was a small plastic box inside no bigger than a box of mints. Sasporilla reached in and grabbed the plastic box and placed it in her bag.
Sasporilla pointed her wand at the creature and cast "RIDICULOUS!" The bogart changed into the funniest thing Sassy could picture. The old wizard Beauxchamps, in his boxers, dancing topless to a snake charmers flute.
"Ah." Mr.Beauxchamps said looking over his glasses. "I see Miss Moorsehead shared that story with you."
"She did." Sasporilla laughed casting the creature back into the iron box, shutting and locking the door. "Accio key!"
"How did you discern so quickly it was a Bogart?" Mr.Beauxchamps asked.
"It reacted to slowly to your patronus," Sasporilla said, "and I recognized it. It took the form of not just any dementor, but what I fear most. My father became a dementor. I fought him. Killed him. Freed him from the curse. I still fear that it could some how happen to me, as it happened to him."
"Very wise young lady." Mr.Beauxchamps smiled. "What was in the box?"
"Oh!" Sasporilla gasped. "I almost forgot!"
Sassy dug into her bag and pulled the small plastic box out. Printed on the top read 'HIDE-A-KEY'. Sasporilla tried several ways to open it, but found finally that body of the box,slid in half. Inside, was a blue key. The key was inscribed with the word ‘CUBIC’ and the number 2*18.
"What is this?" Mr.Beauxchamps demanded outraged. "This is not a proper prize! Someone has absconded with the original prize and replaced it with....with….. this! Lloyd! Lloyd! I demand answers!!!"
"Sasporilla!" Alana said. "We have to go if we want to get to the Spharx match. It's clear across the festival grounds."
"Ok but I have to get this sack of coins back to my caravan." Sassy cringed not wanting to hold up her friend.
"I think we have time but let's hurry!" Alana smiled.
Alana helped separate the crowd for Sasporilla, as they passed through shifting masses, levitating the sack of winnings. Sassy quickly stowed it just inside the front door of the caravan.
"I can get us to the festival field quickly." Sasporilla said. "I've been there."
"Brilliant." Alana smiled widely grabbing on to Sassy as they spun off, disapparating into thin air.
The two young witches reappeared at the back of the music festival crowd. MUGGLER was on stage playing their hit 'Dibbly the Dog'.
"Ok that saved us at least an hour." Alana smiled. "We still have a way to go though, come on!"
The crowds only thickened as Sasporilla and Alana moved towards the stadium that sat dead center of the Dingle inter-dimensional festival grounds. Alana pointed towards a domed building, whose dome was very slowly opening, revealing the brightly coloured lights and odd shapes within.
"That's where we're headed." Alana pointed.
"We need a faster way in this crowd." Sasporilla said.
"Need a ride ladies?" A young man asked sitting atop his Thestral drawn open carriage. "I can get you two, to the stadium in a couple of minutes. For twenty galleons."
"Yer feckin mad." Alana laughed and turned to moved off but Sassy grabbed her hand.
"Five galleons." Sasporilla said.
"That'll not even pay my parking fees!" The cab man insisted. "Twenty."
"Eight."Sasporilla said.
"Your killing me lady." The cabby said. "Look, your nice girls. I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll go sixteen for the pair of you. Final offer."
"Twelve." Sasporilla said. "Or we walk."
"Deal." The cabby sighed. "Get in."
"I can't believe you." Alana laughed. "You can really negotiate!"
"My mum would have got it for ten!" Sasporilla laughed.
With the crack of his whip the Thestral’s pulled the cart up into the skies above festival. They made great time as they headed towards the Dingle Festival Sports complex. The lights were criss-crossing in the sky announcing the impending Spharx match, to begin in under an hour. Fire works exploded over the stadium in celebration of the Irish and English teams that were competing.
"Now about my payment?" The cabby asked.
"Yes of course!" Sasporilla said digging the coins out of her bag with one hand her wand discretely held in the other.
Sassy placed some coins in the hand of the cab driver who tipped the carriage upside down.
"This is your out ladies!" The cabby laughed as Sasporilla and Alana dumped out over the stadium.
Alana screamed as she fumbled for her wand. She drew it but it got away from her in the rushing wind. Sasporilla cast Accio and brought Alana's wand to her. Then Sassy caught up to her friend just in time to wrap her arms around Alana and cast ARESTO MOMENTUM. They halted inches above the concrete outside the stadium.
Sasporilla and Alana dropped into a pile on the ground. Sassy laughed but Alana was outraged.
"How can you laugh?" Alana asked. "He'd have killed us? And he took yer money!!!"
"I'm just relieved we're ok," Sasporilla laughed, "and he only got about seven knuts!"
"It's about bloody time." A young woman with short fair hair, wearing the white and red robes of the English Spharx team, said as she stepped from the side of a stadium pillar. "Been waiting for you nearly a half hour Alana!"
"Sorry Cody." Alana said. "We got held up."
"Ya I saw you get dropped off." Cody laughed. "What was that all about?"
"We'll catch you up after the match." Alana said. "Oh. Cody, this is my friend from the carnival Sasporilla Bucket. Sasporilla, this is England’s premier Spharx Forward Cody Parsons."
"Pleasure." Sasporilla said shaking the rather tough looking young woman’s hand. "Parsons. Any relation?"
"I don't know?" Cody laughed. "What was your mums name? My dad got around!"
"Stop it Cody." Alana chuckled. "Sassy's a friend."
"Ya." Cody said. "Billy Parsons, of the Wand shop, is my big brother."
"Awesome." Sasporilla smiled. "I'm friends with Myron Wagtail."
"And her boyfriend is Vinny Lazar." Alana said.
"Oh my god." Cody gasped. "Are you the girl he's pining over?"
"I guess so." Sasporilla said. "I tried to get to him the other day but no luck."
A loud gong sounded and echoed low and steady through the festival grounds.
"Five minute warning." Cody said handing Alana an envelope. "Here are the tickets. Enjoy the match. I'll catch up with you after right here ya?"
Cody took off through the gate and inside. Alana opened the envelope and pulled out two silvery tickets flashing the white and red colours of England.
"She's a nice girl." Sassy said. "How do you know her? School?"
"She used to date Lester." Alana said. "She had to break it off with him."
"Because he's a muggle?" Sassy asked.
"No." Alana said surprised. "Because he's such a miserable begger!"
The pre game show was well under way by the time Sasporilla and Alana found their seats. A tattooed woman danced center stage, in the middle of the stadium, to the celestial melody of a Lumophonosphere. Woman’s body swayed to the music. Her movements drew you in, entwined with the hypnotic music. The tattoos that covered her body flowed and moved as if alive. Snakes tattooed upon her limbs slithered. Fabric tattooed on her skin fluttered. Wings tattooed upon her back burst forth and flapped as the fabric and serpents extended far beyond their natural reach. Snakes stretched and entwined through flowing silks that neared the crowds. Vines sprouted and thorned, then blossomed with beautiful rainbow roses. A wolf jumped off followed by its pack and howled at a rising moon which shifted, to a blackened sickening green dark mark. The skull with serpent slithering from its mouth caused many in the stands to gasp. A tattoo of a young man in glasses flowed from her thigh and cast a bright spell dispersing the dark mark, much to the crowds delight.
The music began to fade, the dance slowed, and the tattoos withdrew. A fat man in a tuxedo and a witch in referee robes joined the center stage. The fat man placed his wand to his neck.
"Let's have hand for the charming LYDIA, THE TATTOOED LADY and ARDWIWEIL Mistress of the Lumophonosphere!"
"That instrument is most fascinating." Alana said. "A Sphere of light with strands of light and magic and inside is an elf that plays them harmonically, like a harp. Amazing."
"Really?" Sasporilla said. "That's amazing. Sounds really complex."
"I guess that's why only elves can play it." Alana said.
"Now witches and wizards, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls," the fat announcer cried, "LET'S.... PLAY.... SPHARX!!!"
The referee pointed her wand skyward and cast "CONGREGAMINISPARX!"
A rainbow of energy shot from the witches wand skyward and burst into a cloud of swirling light that quickly formed a spinning colourful ring at the center of the stadium.
"First our challengers." The announcer cried. "From the far off desolate regions of England, may I present the LONDON LUMOS!"
English Spharx Team Anthem
|
IRISH Spharx Team Anthem
|
The ring of light pulsed with the colours of white and red as the witches and wizards of the English Spharx team rose up through the center stage to the song HIGH HOPES by PARSONS WAND SHOP. The ring started to hum and spit out large bubbles, Sassy estimated were about twenty meters in diameter, with a loud SPHARX sound.
"I hear where the sport gets its name!" Sasporilla said.
"Yep." Alana laughed.
The bubbles formed in a horizontal square above the vertical ring. The English team waved and bowed to the crowd. Team Captain Cody Parsons called the team into a last minute huddle for some final tactical instructions. The team stepped back into a circle, pulled their wands, and touched them tip to tip. The London Lumos raised their wands high above their heads and cast "ASCENDIO!" The team shot up into the air and into their assigned zones.
"And the home team!" The announcer called. "From the Emerald Isle!"
The crowd went wild as the ring spun around and started to pulse green white and orange as the center stage opened up and began to rise through the pulsing light to the song WILDCATS OF KILKENNY by the POGUES. Alana was on her feet cheering willdly as the announcer continued.
"The DUBLIN CLÁIRSEACH!"
"That means harp!" Alana said to Sasporilla clapping as the Irish team took the stage, linked arms and started to river dance.
"Alright!" Alana said sitting down in the seat next to Sasporilla. "I'll explain the game to ya as best I can."
"Ok." Sasporilla said. "But I'm not really a sports person, so be gentle."
"Right." Alana laughed. "The basic point of the game is to score points by putting the ball into the goal. Simple."
"Sounds simple enough." Sasporilla said as the center ring started humming and spharxing as it spat out more bubbles forming four new bubbles under the upper four.
"Those eight bubbles are called zones." Alana said. "The teams play the game by moving the ball through the zones trying to get it to the goal. The spinning ring in the center Zone."
The ring spharxed out one last bubble that formed around it. The ring glowed and took on the red and white colours on one side and the green white and Orange on the other."
"Now both teams have twelve players." Alana said. "One Forward who can move to any sphere, transport the ball between zones, cast gate spells and score goals. Four Hunters that can move between two zones only! They can't transport the ball between zones though, and of course they can cast gate spells. Three Backgaters who can cast gate spells and defend the team. Three Havocs that cause zone wide anarchy against the other team to help advance their team. Last but not least is one Goal Tender who tries to stop the other team from scoring on our side of the goal ring."
"So some can cast some spells, got it." Sassy said.
"No." Alana sighed. "And yes. They can all cast spells. Any spell is fair, except for the unforgivable three of course."
"Of course." Sasporilla agreed trying to follow.
"Only certain players can cast GATE SPELLS to move the ball or a player from zone to zone." Alana said. "The HAVOC spells anyone can cast, but the Havocs are especially GOOD at casting them. Oh their getting ready for the tip off!"
The referee floated up to center field on a disk of magical energy. The captains of the English and Irish Spharx teams joined the referee on the platform. Captain Cody Parsons, five foot seven inches, English Forward, stood toe to toe with Captain Donnel O'Rielly, the Irish Goal Tender, that toward over her by two feet. The referee balanced the Gunnel, a trefoil shaped ball with shifting internal weights, on the tip of her wand.
"Ready?" The ref asked Cody?
"Ready" Cody Parsons smiled.
"Ready?" The ref asked Donnel O'Rielly."
"I'm gonna crush yer little head." Donnel growled.
"Are you still upset I dated your brother over you big guy?" Cody asked.
The referee placed the thin brass ships whistle between her lips...
"No offence meant to you..." Cody smiled. "... but there are other sizes on a man more important than height!"
The referee shot the Gunnel ten feet into the air and blew her whistle. The giant Irish Captain drew his wand and cast stupify at Cody who had already leaped into the air and stepped on his shoulder and leaped off his head. The Irishman stumbled and knocked into the referee. With a flick of her wand the referee cast a wall which blocked them from falling off. Captain Cody Parsons grabbed the Gunnel and cast "ASENDIO" lifting her up and casting "PORTA!" opening a gate into zone two. The match was on.
The Irish had only put one Backgate in zone two. An Irish hunter gated in from zone six below to join him as Cody Parsons formed up with the English Backgate, Havoc and Hunter.
"Why are there different amounts of players in each bubble?" Sasporilla asked.
"Zones!" Alana insisted. "The bubbles are called zones! Remember??? The team Captain assigns players to different zones in each half of the game. The half’s run thirty five minutes each with no stoppages. It's a fast sport. The reason the Captain puts the players in the zones he does is for tactical plays they run. To try and beat the other team. You can only have one of each kind of player per team in each zone at any one time. It's not like Quidditch where everyone just flies willy- nilly all over the pitch on their brooms!"
The referee took up position, floating in the air above zone two, for a clear view of the action. The backgates for both teams cast "PORTA". The Irish to Zone six where their Forward was taking up position to intercept and the English to zone nine, the goal zone.
The Irish hunter cast a spell at Cody who deflected it off with ease, despite the Gunnels strong shifting pull up. The gravity of zone two was currently flowing up. Not condusive to tossing the ball through a gate. Cody knew she'd have to do a Bombarda play.
"Scrapps," Cody called to the English Havoc, "GuyFox!"
"Oh ya!" Scraps, the rather skinny havoc with one side of his head shaved and blue shaggy hair on the other side said as he wildly waved his wand casting a Bombarda Maxima that blew everyone in Zone two wildly in all directions. Cody took advantage of the shifting gravity to manipulate her blast angle and fly through the gate into zone nine.
The spinning goal ring was just starting to spin to the Irish side. Allura McNemara was a tough one. Cody had known her at school. Never got along with her. Allura had always been a bully. Cody thought maybe she'd just needed a hug, but then any one who tried she'd punch in the stomach and spit on. Lovely girl.
Donnel O'Rielly the Irish Forward was stuck in zone six as the English Backgate cast "INTAGLUMAXIMUS" and surrounded him in vines. The other Irish players were busy trying desperately to free him as the English cast every spell they could think of to deter them. Cody was free to throw.
"Yer not getting the Gunnel past me Parsons." McNemara growled.
Cody felt the weights inside the ball shift. She knew every position of every weight in the ball and how they effected her throw in every shifting gravity. Her favorite was the reset. That moment when the Gunnels shifting mechanism reset itself. In this static gravity it had her favourite effect. All she needed to wait for was a small click.
The Irish Havoc took the form of an emerald dragon and ripped the vines from Donnel O'Rielly. The Irish Backgate cast a gate to zone nine but the English hunter cast a wall spell across it blocking access.
"CLICK!"
Cody jumped left and Allura didn't move refusing to be deeked. Cody stepped right but Allura was an unmovable unfoolable tower. Cody through the Gunnel to the far right side of the ring Allura moved right. The Gunnels internal mechanism reset and shifted and it took a ninety degree turn left. Allure dived left as the internal mechanism shifted again and turned right and passed the Irish goal tender. The final mechanism shift pushed the Gunnel through the Goal.
Allura looked at Cody with disdain as Cody smiled. "Some one need a hug?"
"SCORE!" Alana yelled! "That's one point for you guys! I know I should be cheering Ireland but Cody's my friend so I don't care who wins really! Plus I just like the game when it's well played like this."
"How do they fly without brooms?" Sasporilla asked?
"The robes are enchanted with a spell that lets them stay a float in air. They need to use spells or push of or pull to go up down or move."
"Makes sense" Sasporilla said.
"The cool thing is the zones all have different rotating gravity’s!" Alana smiled. "Doesn't effect the players but it can effect the Gunnel or the spells!"
"That's interesting." Sasporilla mused. "That must make the passing of the ball difficult."
"The Gunnel." Alana corrected her. "The ball is called the Gunnel."
"Right." Sasporilla nodded feeling just a tad overwhelmed and truth be told a bit lost already.
"Don't worry." Alana laughed. "It'll come to ya time. Just remember, ball in ring scores a point!"
And score they did! It was a battle of English tactical genius and Cody Parsons raw athletic ability versus Donnel O'Rielly's brute strength and size, as well as the Irish team’s sheer love for mayhem. After every goal a gate open-end in a random zone and the Gunnel dropped in. Players from both teams in that zone scrambled for the Gunnel and play continued.
Some plays were as simple as the Backgate sneak. A time-honoured play where the back gate holds the Gunnel while the forward distracts several zones. At some point the Backgate sneaks the Gunnel to the forward into the goal zone. Other plays were very complex, involving multiple tactics over each zone involving every player performing their task perfectly. When the whistle blew to end the first half the score was...
ENGLAND -3- IRELAND -2-
The players lowered from the zones and disappeared into their team locker rooms. A stage rose up beneath the Spharx field. The fat announcer in the tuxedo was back.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. I have an announcement. Our previously scheduled halftime entertainment canceled on us at the last minute due to unforeseen circumstances. Luckily we have got some wonderful volunteers. Old friends who stepped up just when we needed them most."
"Oh great." Alana said. "Probably the best friends of some ones cousins aunts kids."
"Everyone needs their big break somewhere." Sasporilla said positively. "Maybe they'll be great?"
"So ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you Orpheus Manxx, Timpany Munchausen , and Myron Wagtail THE CHOCOLATE FROGS!"
"Myron!!!" Sasporilla yelled and clapped excitedly as the simple trio took the stage.
"Hello Dingle!" Myron said as instruments were cast in. "We are the Chocolate Frogs. We got together tonight just for you and so like a real chocolate frog we might just have one good jump in us."
The music rose out of the stadium speakers was lilting and mystical. The guitars had an almost Middle Eastern sound to them. The keyboards and drums made one sway. The sounds entranced the senses yet reminded Sassy of something, like the pulse of the Inter-Dimensional market streets. The song was the Bazaar, a tale of a woman in the market. Sasporilla knew it was written by Myron and was one of the most beautiful he'd ever written. By the time the song was over she was in tears at it's complex beauty.
Sassy cheered louder than anyone else in the stadium, still after all these years, Myron Wagtails biggest fan.
Sasporilla spent more time watching the sides of the stadium for Myron than the match like Alana. However Sassy never saw Myron or the other members of the Chocolate Frogs leave.
It was in the final minutes of the match when something grabbed her attention. Cody Parsons wrestled the Gunnel from the hands of Donnel O'Rielly in the middle of an open gate between zones eight and nine. Donnel pointed his wand in Cody's face. Cody bent back, like a reed in the wind, an the "SUFFOCATUM" spell flew past her but struck Mirvish Lymron the English Backgate, covering his face with a magical metal mask. Hot riveted onto his face as the young man screamed.
The score was tied at
ENGLAND -5- IRELAND -5-
but if Cody didn't act fast Mirvish Lymron would die. That mask was not just suffocating the young English Backgate. Metal bands shot out the sides and wrapped around the back of his head joining up and began to tighten.
Cody let go of the Gunnel and kicked off Donnel O'Rielly by pushing off her boots from his crotch. She flew with the gravity pull towards Mirvish. Her wand at the ready Cody aimed and cast "NEVIS MALUM SUFFOCATUM!"
The blast of blue energy flew from her wand and blasted the mask but it refused to let go. The rivets popped and the bands broke but it hung on to Mirvish’s face like it was alive!
Cody flew into the young man and grabbed hold of him, wrapping herself around him as tightly as she could. Cody began to help him tug and pull at the mask which fought not to be removed. It wasn't a bloody spell! They'd been tricked! It was some kind of creature from another world stuck inside an old modified death eater mask! Bloody cheek!
"Thank you." Mirvish coughed and gagged as Cody took the mask and headed off angrily.
"GOAL!"
The whistle blew. The match was over. Ireland had won. The referee had to get between Cody and Donnel as the English Forward was likely to tear the big mans head clean off.
"You'd put a mans life at risk to win a game?" Cody yelled.
"We've all done it." Donnel said.
"What is this creature?" Cody demanded. "Is it safe? What world does it bloody come from? It looks like a hand with a bloody tail!"
"Relax." Donnel smiled. "It's just a bit a fun."
"I've not seen the creature before," The referee said, "but the maneuver is well within the rules and deemed legal."
The crowd cheered.
"Fine." Cody smiled. Throwing the mask at Donnel O'Rielly and cast "SUFFOCATUM!" The mask attached firmly. "Fair is fair then."
In the stands Sasporilla and Alana were walking out with the excited crowd.
"That was the most amazing Spharx match I've seen in my life!" Alan exclaimed.
"It was good." Sasporilla said. "I enjoyed it."
"Just enjoyed?" Alana said amazed. "It was exciting! It was magical! It was... was... SPHARX AT IT'S BEST!"
"It was the best Spharx match I've ever seen!" Sasporilla smiled enthusiastically.
"You better believe it." Alana agreed. "Wait! It's the only Sph..."
"Where do we have to meet your friend Cody?" Sassy laughed.
"Oh right!" Alana said. "In front of the stadium where we met her."
Sassy cheered louder than anyone else in the stadium, still after all these years, Myron Wagtails biggest fan.
Sasporilla spent more time watching the sides of the stadium for Myron than the match like Alana. However Sassy never saw Myron or the other members of the Chocolate Frogs leave.
It was in the final minutes of the match when something grabbed her attention. Cody Parsons wrestled the Gunnel from the hands of Donnel O'Rielly in the middle of an open gate between zones eight and nine. Donnel pointed his wand in Cody's face. Cody bent back, like a reed in the wind, an the "SUFFOCATUM" spell flew past her but struck Mirvish Lymron the English Backgate, covering his face with a magical metal mask. Hot riveted onto his face as the young man screamed.
The score was tied at
ENGLAND -5- IRELAND -5-
but if Cody didn't act fast Mirvish Lymron would die. That mask was not just suffocating the young English Backgate. Metal bands shot out the sides and wrapped around the back of his head joining up and began to tighten.
Cody let go of the Gunnel and kicked off Donnel O'Rielly by pushing off her boots from his crotch. She flew with the gravity pull towards Mirvish. Her wand at the ready Cody aimed and cast "NEVIS MALUM SUFFOCATUM!"
The blast of blue energy flew from her wand and blasted the mask but it refused to let go. The rivets popped and the bands broke but it hung on to Mirvish’s face like it was alive!
Cody flew into the young man and grabbed hold of him, wrapping herself around him as tightly as she could. Cody began to help him tug and pull at the mask which fought not to be removed. It wasn't a bloody spell! They'd been tricked! It was some kind of creature from another world stuck inside an old modified death eater mask! Bloody cheek!
"Thank you." Mirvish coughed and gagged as Cody took the mask and headed off angrily.
"GOAL!"
The whistle blew. The match was over. Ireland had won. The referee had to get between Cody and Donnel as the English Forward was likely to tear the big mans head clean off.
"You'd put a mans life at risk to win a game?" Cody yelled.
"We've all done it." Donnel said.
"What is this creature?" Cody demanded. "Is it safe? What world does it bloody come from? It looks like a hand with a bloody tail!"
"Relax." Donnel smiled. "It's just a bit a fun."
"I've not seen the creature before," The referee said, "but the maneuver is well within the rules and deemed legal."
The crowd cheered.
"Fine." Cody smiled. Throwing the mask at Donnel O'Rielly and cast "SUFFOCATUM!" The mask attached firmly. "Fair is fair then."
In the stands Sasporilla and Alana were walking out with the excited crowd.
"That was the most amazing Spharx match I've seen in my life!" Alan exclaimed.
"It was good." Sasporilla said. "I enjoyed it."
"Just enjoyed?" Alana said amazed. "It was exciting! It was magical! It was... was... SPHARX AT IT'S BEST!"
"It was the best Spharx match I've ever seen!" Sasporilla smiled enthusiastically.
"You better believe it." Alana agreed. "Wait! It's the only Sph..."
"Where do we have to meet your friend Cody?" Sassy laughed.
"Oh right!" Alana said. "In front of the stadium where we met her."
It took almost twenty minutes for the girls to get out of the stadium and back to the place where they were to rendezvous with the captain of the English team. They waited patiently at the large cement pillar, by gate C as the crowds passed by. An old security guard checked to see that there weren't any large groups of fans about and opened the gate a small crack for Cody to sneak through.
"Cheers Mike." Cody said slipping on a simple blue jacket over her white button down top. In a pair of old comfortable jeans she fit in with the other young ladies around. No one recognized her as the popular Captain of England’s Spharx Team.
"Hi guys." Cody smiled as she walked over.
"Hey Cody!" Alana waved.
"Where are we gonna hang?" Cody asked.
"I thought we could hit Pixie’s Pepperoni Palace?" Alana mused.
"That sounds like an adventure." Sasporilla smiled.
"Best pizza in the festival grounds." Cody said. "And wait 'til you meet pix! You'll bloody love her!"
Pixie's Pizza Palace was a four spired pavilion with a blue and bronze roof and walls. It's old fashioned round tables with checked table cloths still had a very modern vibe. It was just after seven when the girls arrived and the dinner rush was waning.
"Peter!" Cody smiled as she walked up to the sloth matradee with a dark mullet and mustache.
"Mmmmssssss......Coooooodddddddyyyyyy." the sloth slowly smiled back.
"We'll save you the time old friend." Cody said grabbing three menus. "Table for three, you give us a number and we'll seat ourselves!"
"Rrrrrriiiiiiiggggghhhhhhttttttt!" The sloth said turning painfully slow to look at the house, then painfully slow back to reach into his greeter podium and get out his glasses to put on.
"Ttttttaaaaaaaaabbbbbblllllleeeeeee..... ssssssdiiiiixxxxxxxxxxx.........tttttttttteeeeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnnnn." Peter the sloth said.
"Cheers mate." Cody said.
"Thank you Peter." Alana said.
"Thank you very much." Sasporilla smiled politely as the walked by, found their table, hung up thier coats and bags on the magically secured private coat hanger, and sat.
"What a unique matradee." Sasporilla said. "A clumber sloth."
"Oh no he's a muggle." Alana said.
"What?" Sasporilla gasped shocked.
"Indeed he is!" The bright smiling, pale caramel skinned face of Pixie herself! "He's my cousin, three times removed."
"How can you do that to him?" Sasporilla said outraged.
"Now, now." Pixie said pulling up a chair, sitting down and folding up her white cane. Sassy hadn't noticed her eyes were a bit off. "Let's not get all judgey! He's happier that way and he sure works faster."
"True that." Cody laughed.
"Really?" Sasporilla asked.
“He always dreamed of being an animal of some kind.” Pixie smiled.
"And we'd still be standing there, tenth in line while he finished reading his comic book." Alana said.
"My apologies for jumping to conclusions." Sasporilla said holding out her hand.
"A witch with a social conscience, who can admit when she's wrong!" Pixie smiled taking Sassy's hand. "I accept. Now wait, pink hair... are you? No. Sasporilla Bucket from the battle of Hogwarts chocolate frog card?"
"Yes." Sassy blushed rather embarrassed.
"That she is!" Alana smiled.
"No kidding?" Cody said.
"Well then I've found my table for the night!" Pixie said pulling over a chair and taking a seat at their table. She lifted up her discreet white cane and folded it up, slipping it into her apron. For the first time Sasporilla noticed Pixies eyes were a bit off.
“Do you like them?” Pixie smiled looking at Sasporilla who didn’t realize she was staring rudely.
“I’m so sorry.” Sassy apologized.
“Don’t be.” Pixie Laughed. “I’m just taking the piss. I’m partially blind but I can see well enough to see that Jimmy had better serve table three soon or he’ll have my foot in his butt!!!”
“Sorry mam!” Jimmy called.
“I may be handicapped, but I never let it stop me from doing what I want to do in life! Anyone who does, is just making up excuses!” Pixie called over her favourite waiter, "Benny! We have A Famous carnival performer, a Spharx Athlete and a famous veteran of the battle of Hogwarts! The parties over here tonight! What can we get you? Your meal is on Pixies Pizza Palace... please don't eat me out of house and home. I should formally introduce myself, I'm Rhianna. People call me Rhi, Pixie or Pix."
"Nice to meet you Rhi." Sassy said. "Sasporilla Bucket, friends call me Sassy."
"Sassy it is then!" Pixie smiled brightly. "I heard Myron Wagtail made an appearance at game tonight...."
The girls talked for hours like the dearest of old friend. They ate more pizza than was comfortable but laughed most of the calories off. They danced to songs on the juke box and were amazed when at one point Jorge showed up and took the dance floor to a Latin tune.
"Jorge!?" Sassy said surprised.
"You know that bird?" Pixie asked. "He dances here every night."
"Yes." Alana laughed watching Jorge shake and shimmy. "That's her owl."
"A flamingo is her owl?" Cody asked.
"Yes." Sasporilla said stiffly and proudly then all burst into laughter.
"You are one of a kind Sasporilla Bucket." Cody Parsons said as they all joined in a conga line.
*********************
It was late by the time the time Sasporilla, Alana and Cody wandered back to the Carnival du Mystique. Alana had invited Cody to spend the night but the talented Spharx captain was understandably trepidacious given her previous relationship with Alan’s cousin.
"Look Alana I'm not saying that he's pure evil incarnate." Cody said. "I'm just saying he's unredeemable fekker that will never change and your better off getting as far away from him as you can! Now that the troubles are over."
"No Cody, I think he's turned it around." Alana insisted. "He's worked hard to build this act and he's keepin' it all above board. I think Lester's gone honest."
"I think you're to trusting." Cody said. "If he's making it look like he's honest over here then just like his act he's making something else disappear that's not legally his over here. He's a fekker and he'll never be any good!"
"So you won't stay over then?" Alana asked.
"No." Cody said hugging her friend good-bye. "Nice seeing you again Alana. We'll get together again next time we're near each other."
"Send you an owl." Alana smiled widely.
"Nice to meet you too Sassy." Cody said holding out her hand.
"Bring it in." Sasporilla said taking Cody's hand and pulling the girl in for a hug. "It was lovely to meet you Cody."
"It was great to meet you to!" Cody smiled. "Well I best get back. Early morning training and I want to look in on Mirvish. He had a touch of a tummy ache."
Cody waved as she disappeared back into the festival crowds. Sasporilla and Alana walked into the Carnival du Mystique. People were rushing towards the Devil's Fork. Some where in the gathering crowd a woman was screaming. Sasporilla and Alana ran towards the commotion.
A woman holding a small child and a torn back pack stood inconsolably frantic next to the Devil's Fork Ride operator. Mr.Beauxchamps ran up demanding answers. "What has happened?"
"My child is missing!" The mother screamed.
"Did the child fall off the ride?" Beauxchamps asked?
"A monster took my sister." The little boy started to cry.
"Not again." Mr.Beauxchamps said.
* The Character of Alana is based on a wonderful young lady @_hufflepuff_princess_ on Instagram.
** The Character of Cody Parsons is based on a great friend and wonderful inspiration @lostinfiction_ on Instagram.
*** The Character of Pixie is based on My favorite YouTuber, a wonderful inspiration, and my surrogate adopted niece @pixiepotterhead on Instagram.
"Cheers Mike." Cody said slipping on a simple blue jacket over her white button down top. In a pair of old comfortable jeans she fit in with the other young ladies around. No one recognized her as the popular Captain of England’s Spharx Team.
"Hi guys." Cody smiled as she walked over.
"Hey Cody!" Alana waved.
"Where are we gonna hang?" Cody asked.
"I thought we could hit Pixie’s Pepperoni Palace?" Alana mused.
"That sounds like an adventure." Sasporilla smiled.
"Best pizza in the festival grounds." Cody said. "And wait 'til you meet pix! You'll bloody love her!"
Pixie's Pizza Palace was a four spired pavilion with a blue and bronze roof and walls. It's old fashioned round tables with checked table cloths still had a very modern vibe. It was just after seven when the girls arrived and the dinner rush was waning.
"Peter!" Cody smiled as she walked up to the sloth matradee with a dark mullet and mustache.
"Mmmmssssss......Coooooodddddddyyyyyy." the sloth slowly smiled back.
"We'll save you the time old friend." Cody said grabbing three menus. "Table for three, you give us a number and we'll seat ourselves!"
"Rrrrrriiiiiiiggggghhhhhhttttttt!" The sloth said turning painfully slow to look at the house, then painfully slow back to reach into his greeter podium and get out his glasses to put on.
"Ttttttaaaaaaaaabbbbbblllllleeeeeee..... ssssssdiiiiixxxxxxxxxxx.........tttttttttteeeeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnnnn." Peter the sloth said.
"Cheers mate." Cody said.
"Thank you Peter." Alana said.
"Thank you very much." Sasporilla smiled politely as the walked by, found their table, hung up thier coats and bags on the magically secured private coat hanger, and sat.
"What a unique matradee." Sasporilla said. "A clumber sloth."
"Oh no he's a muggle." Alana said.
"What?" Sasporilla gasped shocked.
"Indeed he is!" The bright smiling, pale caramel skinned face of Pixie herself! "He's my cousin, three times removed."
"How can you do that to him?" Sasporilla said outraged.
"Now, now." Pixie said pulling up a chair, sitting down and folding up her white cane. Sassy hadn't noticed her eyes were a bit off. "Let's not get all judgey! He's happier that way and he sure works faster."
"True that." Cody laughed.
"Really?" Sasporilla asked.
“He always dreamed of being an animal of some kind.” Pixie smiled.
"And we'd still be standing there, tenth in line while he finished reading his comic book." Alana said.
"My apologies for jumping to conclusions." Sasporilla said holding out her hand.
"A witch with a social conscience, who can admit when she's wrong!" Pixie smiled taking Sassy's hand. "I accept. Now wait, pink hair... are you? No. Sasporilla Bucket from the battle of Hogwarts chocolate frog card?"
"Yes." Sassy blushed rather embarrassed.
"That she is!" Alana smiled.
"No kidding?" Cody said.
"Well then I've found my table for the night!" Pixie said pulling over a chair and taking a seat at their table. She lifted up her discreet white cane and folded it up, slipping it into her apron. For the first time Sasporilla noticed Pixies eyes were a bit off.
“Do you like them?” Pixie smiled looking at Sasporilla who didn’t realize she was staring rudely.
“I’m so sorry.” Sassy apologized.
“Don’t be.” Pixie Laughed. “I’m just taking the piss. I’m partially blind but I can see well enough to see that Jimmy had better serve table three soon or he’ll have my foot in his butt!!!”
“Sorry mam!” Jimmy called.
“I may be handicapped, but I never let it stop me from doing what I want to do in life! Anyone who does, is just making up excuses!” Pixie called over her favourite waiter, "Benny! We have A Famous carnival performer, a Spharx Athlete and a famous veteran of the battle of Hogwarts! The parties over here tonight! What can we get you? Your meal is on Pixies Pizza Palace... please don't eat me out of house and home. I should formally introduce myself, I'm Rhianna. People call me Rhi, Pixie or Pix."
"Nice to meet you Rhi." Sassy said. "Sasporilla Bucket, friends call me Sassy."
"Sassy it is then!" Pixie smiled brightly. "I heard Myron Wagtail made an appearance at game tonight...."
The girls talked for hours like the dearest of old friend. They ate more pizza than was comfortable but laughed most of the calories off. They danced to songs on the juke box and were amazed when at one point Jorge showed up and took the dance floor to a Latin tune.
"Jorge!?" Sassy said surprised.
"You know that bird?" Pixie asked. "He dances here every night."
"Yes." Alana laughed watching Jorge shake and shimmy. "That's her owl."
"A flamingo is her owl?" Cody asked.
"Yes." Sasporilla said stiffly and proudly then all burst into laughter.
"You are one of a kind Sasporilla Bucket." Cody Parsons said as they all joined in a conga line.
*********************
It was late by the time the time Sasporilla, Alana and Cody wandered back to the Carnival du Mystique. Alana had invited Cody to spend the night but the talented Spharx captain was understandably trepidacious given her previous relationship with Alan’s cousin.
"Look Alana I'm not saying that he's pure evil incarnate." Cody said. "I'm just saying he's unredeemable fekker that will never change and your better off getting as far away from him as you can! Now that the troubles are over."
"No Cody, I think he's turned it around." Alana insisted. "He's worked hard to build this act and he's keepin' it all above board. I think Lester's gone honest."
"I think you're to trusting." Cody said. "If he's making it look like he's honest over here then just like his act he's making something else disappear that's not legally his over here. He's a fekker and he'll never be any good!"
"So you won't stay over then?" Alana asked.
"No." Cody said hugging her friend good-bye. "Nice seeing you again Alana. We'll get together again next time we're near each other."
"Send you an owl." Alana smiled widely.
"Nice to meet you too Sassy." Cody said holding out her hand.
"Bring it in." Sasporilla said taking Cody's hand and pulling the girl in for a hug. "It was lovely to meet you Cody."
"It was great to meet you to!" Cody smiled. "Well I best get back. Early morning training and I want to look in on Mirvish. He had a touch of a tummy ache."
Cody waved as she disappeared back into the festival crowds. Sasporilla and Alana walked into the Carnival du Mystique. People were rushing towards the Devil's Fork. Some where in the gathering crowd a woman was screaming. Sasporilla and Alana ran towards the commotion.
A woman holding a small child and a torn back pack stood inconsolably frantic next to the Devil's Fork Ride operator. Mr.Beauxchamps ran up demanding answers. "What has happened?"
"My child is missing!" The mother screamed.
"Did the child fall off the ride?" Beauxchamps asked?
"A monster took my sister." The little boy started to cry.
"Not again." Mr.Beauxchamps said.
* The Character of Alana is based on a wonderful young lady @_hufflepuff_princess_ on Instagram.
** The Character of Cody Parsons is based on a great friend and wonderful inspiration @lostinfiction_ on Instagram.
*** The Character of Pixie is based on My favorite YouTuber, a wonderful inspiration, and my surrogate adopted niece @pixiepotterhead on Instagram.
PLEASE REMEMBER
I am in no way affiliated with Warner Bros. or with J.K.Rowling. My work is purely that of fan fiction & do not ask for, nor accept money, gifts or other compensation for my work. If you really feel you must do something, donate to J.K.Rowling's charitable foundation LUMOS! Link below! ( https://www.wearelumos.org/ )
I am in no way affiliated with Warner Bros. or with J.K.Rowling. My work is purely that of fan fiction & do not ask for, nor accept money, gifts or other compensation for my work. If you really feel you must do something, donate to J.K.Rowling's charitable foundation LUMOS! Link below! ( https://www.wearelumos.org/ )