Harry Potter and the Sorceress Queen

Chapter 9-The Dome of Enchantments

The students from Hogwarts found their life at Manxwell Academy of Magic fairly enjoyable and pleasant. The teachers and students were friendly and spoke flawless English. (A/N: The Dutch do speak good English! It's good that they do, because I'm dreadful at making accents)

Harry's favorite classes were Botanology (Herbology) and Zoology (Care of Magical Creatures). They were studying how to grow their own individual tulips by mixing magical tulip mixture in a hollow tulip bulb. Hermione, having done research on tulips before, made her tulip grow twice the normal size and changed into various colors every second, which earned her top marks. In Zoology, since Manxwell Academy was surrounded by water, the Zoology teacher Professor Klass, a tall muscular man, took them out to the sea on a boat, and coaxed magical fish to leap out of the waves so the students could feed them.

Perhaps the only unpleasant things Harry experienced were his fame and Cho's being with Randolf Vandyke, the Manxwell Seeker. Although his bangs were long enough to cover his lightning scar, many students could still recognize him. Even the people in paintings pointed and whispered at him. Harry was used to this since his first year, so he didn't mind it so much, but it really bothered him seeing Cho walking with Randolf Vandyke to classes and to dinner. Vandyke, a tall good-looking sixth year of Bodem House (A/N: Bodem means "earth" in Dutch), seldom was seen without Cho beside him, and Harry knew he couldn't blame him or Cho, as Vandyke was Cho's 'receptionist'.

Gustave and Anatje became close friends with Harry, Ron and Hermione. Gustave was popular in school, especially with girls, and often introduced Harry and Ron to the girls he knew, much to Hermione's and Anatje's disapproval. Anatje, on the other hand, didn't have Gustave's power of attracting people, but she was friendly and helpful. She wasn't smart, but diligent, which made her get along very well with Hermione. Anatje usually played peacemaker when Ron and Hermione struck up a battle.

At ten o'clock on the first Saturday since the Hogwarts' students' arrival, students crowded on the lawn excitedly, waiting to take the boat to the Dome of Enchantments, which was also on an island. The Zoology teacher, Professor Klaas steered the boat they used in class to observe sea creatures up to the edge of the island, and the students were forced to form in lines before they got in.

"Okay, that's all we can take. I'll come back for the rest of you in twenty minutes!" Harry heard Professor Klaas yell at the unlucky students who had to wait for the boat comes back.

The boat started to move away from the island, and gradually picked up speed as it rode over waves.

"You'll love it," said Anatje enthusiastically. "It's the biggest amusement park for wizards in Europe. We can go on Rainbow Rusher, a huge roller-coaster, and Devil's Dungeons and Windmill Wheel..."

"They add a new feature every year, I've read in 'A Thrillseeker's guide to Magical Rides in Europe'," put in Hermione, her eyes shining.

"I can't wait," said Ron, his face glowing with anticipation. He elbowed Harry. "Eh...Harry?"

Harry was scanning through the students in search for Cho. He saw that every Hogwarts student was aboard, but she seemed to be missing. Knowing Cho, he was sure she would be just too eager to come to the Dome.

"Looking for your crush?" asked Gustave, smirking. He had somehow found out about Cho since he noticed that Harry wasn't interested in the girls he introduced and often stole glances the Bodem's table.

"Now, don't tease him, Gustave," began Anatje severely. "We're here to have a good time..."

Gustave merely shrugged and walked away. Harry felt rather embarrassed and tried to divert their attention by taking up the topic of the Dome again.

Soon the boat began to slow down. The students focused their gaze on the island ahead of them. It had an enormous shimmering transparent wall shaped like a dome on it, which seemed to cover the island completely.

Professor Klass guided the boat to a spot where a gnome was sitting on a stool. He sprang out of the boat and tied it firmly to a piece of rock jutting out from the edge of the island.

"Hogwarts students come up here!" he shouted to the crowd of disembarking students.

Fourteen people went over to him eagerly.

"Now, since you are our guests, you won't have to pay anything this time," Klaas told them. "But remember to bring five Galleons with you if you'd like to come again." He reached inside his robes and produced a small sack. Tipping it over, he shook out a heap of Galleons, counted them carefully, and handed them to the gnome.

The gnome took the Galleons, pointed a long finger at the pile and the Galleons changed into fifteen rolls of parchment.

"Give the maps back to my brother at the exit when you leave," said the gnome. He turned back and raised both hands and pointed toward the dome. A large hole appeared and the Hogwarts students climbed through. When they were all inside the dome, the hole closed up immediately.

"Wicked!" exclaimed Ron, looking around, wide-eyed.

There were large roller coasters with mega-loops, sharp turns and steep drops. A large roundabout was going round and rounds not far from them, flashing in different colors to the rhythm of the music. Swings and slides several times longer the Muggle ones were everywhere. Shops with fairies and elves and gnomes as owners dotted here and there, loaded with souvenirs and fun stuff like those sold in Zonko's. A quaint little train was puffing around the dome walls on a railway raised fifty feet above the ground. Fireworks sizzled and exploded in the top of the dome. Wizards and witches of every age (but teenagers were the major group) were walking about, laughing and talking busily. And to top it all, the temperature inside the dome was just fine; it was like being on a warm spring day.

Hermione was already scanning the dome map eagerly. Harry opened his map too, and saw all the attractions in the dome drawn out in silver ink, with labels on them, just like the Marauder's Map. At the bottom of the map was an incantation: Summaris.

"Summaris!" he said, tapping the map with his wand.

The silver outlines disappeared and numerous words appeared, also written in silver ink. They were brief descriptions of everything in the Dome of Enchantments, all categorized in Shops, Rides, Shows, Diners ......

"Hey, you guys!" Gustave tapped Harry on the back. "Where would you like to go first?"

'How about the Devil's Dungeons?" said Hermione, looking up from the map. "It's the nearest next to that merry-go-round." Her tone indicated that she had no interest in the latter.

Devil's Dungeons was a large strangely shaped cave with a vampire's mouth (two sharp teeth jutting from the upper lip) serving as the entrance.

"I don't like the look of it," remarked Anatje, frowning at the pitch-black opening.

"I heard that girls usually burst out screaming from it," teased Gustave. "Would you like me to accompany you?"

Anatje reddened and said, "Don't try act like a knight before me. Your tricks may fool other girls, but I'm taking none of this." She took Hermione's arm and walked ahead of them into the vampire's mouth. Harry, Ron and Gustave followed.

When Harry entered, a wave of coldness and darkness swept over him. Skeletons danced around him, making him feel dizzy. Harry tried to concentrate walking on the path, which was the only light in the room, glowing in an eerie green color. Whispers and wailings sounded in the darkness. As they continued forward, white, semi-transparent hands reached for their legs from the floor and the ceiling. Hermione made a small scream when a large hand slithered up to her waist, but she felt nothing solid, the hand went through her body completely, giving her a cool feeling.

After ten minutes, the five friends were forced to separate. A big black wall stood before them. Anatje, slightly trembling, walked inside when the wall parted before her, making a grating noise. Hermione started to follow, but an invisible force prevented her from moving forward, and the wall closed shut. A minute later it parted again, and Hermione walked inside. They went through the wall one by one.

When Harry stepped in, he saw nothing before him except for a hooded figure gliding toward him noiselessly-- it was a dementor! For a second he froze, and then quickly pulled out his wand. "Expecto patronum!" he yelled.

The dementor stumbled and fell when the white stag from his wand charged to it, and Harry realized this was a boggart. "Riddikulus!" and the boggart disappeared in a wisp of smoke. Another wall parted before him, and daylight shone on him. This was the exit.

Hermione and Ron were slightly shaken from the boggart encounter.

"I...hate...spiders..." groaned Ron. His face was green and he looked like as if going to vomit. "I...thought...it was coming...to get me...but..."

"The boggart won't hurt you." said Anatje soothingly. Then she added, "Oh, I guess it's because this is your first time here. Come on, let's go on the Windmill Wheel over there. It's a nice ride; I'm sure you'll feel better after those nasty stuff."

The Windmill Wheel was a towering windmill with seats attached to the four sails. The sails slowly turned round and round like a Ferris wheel. They had to take a lift first to the middle of the windmill, where a platform was built, to get on the ride.

Anatje was right. As the sail they got on rose slowly into the air, a cool breeze whipped over their faces, refreshing them after their gloomy, unpleasant experience in the haunted house. Harry leaned back on his seat lazily, letting his gaze rove from the spectacular display of fireworks to the spinning rides below.

"I say," said Ron suddenly, pointing to something in a distance. "Is that the Rainbow Rusher, Anatje?"

"Yes. Do you want to try that next?'

Harry looked at the Rainbow Rusher. Even though it was a bit far away, he could see that the Rainbow Rusher was a huge complicated mix of twists and turns. If you substitute the railways of a Muggle roller coaster for a rainbow, and take off the poles supporting the rails below, and perform some advanced magic on it to add more thrills, that was how the Rainbow Rusher seemed to be. To be honest with himself, Harry didn't like the thought of going on that ride, not now anyway.

On the way to the Rainbow Rusher, they came across the Weasley twins, the Gryffindor Chasers and Lee Jordan. Angelina, Alicia and Katie were throwing small black balls to a large wooden board planted about fifteen yards from them. On the wooden board hung approximately sixty fat balloons.

Plop! Katie had just done a well-aimed throw, and the balloon she hit burst, and a golden Galleon fell down on the grass below. Harry observed there were already more then twenty Galleons lying scattered on the grass. The twins and Jordan cheered, while the owner of the game, a fat pixie, was moping his forehead with a red spotted handkerchief. Owing to their fierce training in Quidditch, the Gryffindor Chasers easily hit the targets one by one.

"Hey Harry, Ron, want a go?' Fred noticed the group passing. "You've only got to pay three Knuts for a ball. Look at what we've earned!" He roared with laughter.

"Er...no, thanks." Harry thought it would be more convenient if he could use the Multiplex Charm.

"Did you have a go on the Rainbow Rusher?" asked Ron.

George grinned and said, "'Hurry up mate. That Rainbow Rusher's sooooooo..."

"Damn cool." finished Lee Jordan, chuckling when the thirtieth balloon went down.

An extremely long line of people was lined up before the entrance of the Rainbow Rusher. Hermione wanted to go some other place when she saw it would be a long wait, but Gustave and Ron disagreed.

"Hermione, the Rainbow Rusher's always like this. You'll find it well worth the wait," Gustave protested.

"Let's go and get some ice creams then, if you're tired of waiting," suggested Anatje. "You guys go ahead."

Still, an hour and half passed--after the ice creams were finished--until they reached the entrance. They climbed a flight of stone steps to a wide platform. The rainbow ran like a long railway at the edge of the platform. A minute later, a dozen carts like the ones in Gringotts came gliding on the rainbow and stopped. A tall, thin brownie sitting on a wicker chair on the platform stood up and gestured toward the students to get in the carts. Harry could see why it took so long to wait; the ride only allowed twelve people at a time. When they were all in, Hermione grumbling behind Ron, the brownie clicked his long fingers and strong ropes sprang out from the inside of the cart, binding them tightly. Then the brownie gave a shrill whistle and they were off.

The carts sped on the rainbow at an incredible speed that could be compared to the Firebolt. They made no noise as the carts had no wheels, but magic kept them glued on track. The riders squealed and gasped as the carts went into three large loops, and climbed up a steep track more than twenty stories high (Gustave giving warnings in a conspiratorial tone), then hurtled down at breakneck speed (Ron was yelling).

They skimmed through a blazing tunnel made of fire (Gasps from Hermione), and another one of ice, and up a vertical helix, fifty feet high. The carts slowed down at the top of the helix for five seconds. They were now so high that the fireworks booming above seemed enormously breathtaking. Suddenly, without any warning, the carts whizzed madly down again at a 90-angle drop (Harry came close to yelping). They were beginning to slow down again, when the carts made a turn down the rainbow and raced in a straight line, the passengers completely upside down. Suddenly, the carts skidded to a halt, and the ropes that bound them tightly to the carts loosened and everyone, clawing wildly in thin air except for Gustave and Anatje, fell headfirst into a big swimming pool.

Spluttering, Harry surfaced, blinking water out of his eyes. The pool was deep, but a strong current forced him upwards. Looking around, he saw the others had all surfaced, except Ron, who was pulled up by Hermione a second later. Hermione's bushy brown hair was smooth and sleek from the soak in the water.

"Wasn't that great?" grinned Gustave, as they trod on water to the edge of the pool.

Hermione made no reply, but she seemed to agree silently that the Rainbow Rusher was worth a try. It was better than Muggle coasters, anyway.

"Are we going to stay like this until our clothes get dry?" Harry asked Anatje, as they hauled themselves out of the water, dripping all over. The people passing glanced and sniggered at them.

"Don't worry, the dome has thought of it," replied Anatje, going over to a small mountain of cardboard boxes piled under a tree that bore tulips, near the pool.

She picked up a box and opened it. A puff of smoke, the color of a peach, drifted out and gradually engulfed her whole body. A minute later, the smoke thinned and disappeared. Anatje had beads of perspiration on her face and neck, but other than that, she was completely dry.

"Cool!" said Ron, taking up a box too.

When they had all dried themselves, Harry felt himself starving. He consulted his watch. "It's nearly one. Can we have lunch now?"

"I'm game." Said Gustave, and Ron nodded.

Hermione opened her map. "Oh my, there must be a hundred shops in the place! Let me see..."

"Witch Wendy's Waterfront Wafts is pretty good," said Anatje, pointing a set of tables and chairs grouped round a huge waterfall not far off. "Or the Grumpy Goblin's Grill. The goblins aren't very nice, but the food is. Oh, and how about Looney's Luscious Lodge..."

"Why didn't you mention the Snowflake Summit?" demanded Gustave. "It's the newest feature, just finished last month!"

"Well...I'm a bit...afraid of heights..." protested Anatje mildly. Gustave snorted. "I think you're just afraid of being a wallflower. Don't worry, I'll take you if no one does." Anatje went red and consented quietly.

When Gustave mentioned the Snowflake Summit, Harry looked it up on his map. The description was as follows:

"Dine at the highest point of the dome offering everything your heart desires, while magic snowflakes sprinkle down and the Misty Fairies play music to you. Plus, a fantastic breathtaking view of the whole dome outside! A MUST experience!"

It sounded so good that Harry, Ron and Hermione made no objection to visit the place.

Gustave led the way to the very heart of the park. A glass lift stood there. Harry craned his neck to see the top, but all he could make out was a black mass.

"Come on, Harry!" Ron pulled him inside. Gustave reached out to a golden rope hanging down from the glass ceiling of the lift and gave a hard tug. The lift rose slowly but it became faster and faster as it shot upwards.

Hermione and Anatje were slightly dizzy, for the lift was made entirely of glass, even the floor was totally see-through. But it didn't last long, the lift stopped after fifteen seconds at a large cave-like house.

They stepped inside. Tiny white snowflakes fell from the black velvety sky-like ceiling. They evaporated when they reached the floor, which was pleasantly warm and glowing with a blend of pink, yellow and orange. Candles lit the round glass tables, which were set around the spacious room. In the center was a raised stage. Three fairies wearing misty floaty robes sat in the middle of the stage, playing instruments skillfully. Wizard folks in their teens or twenties danced gaily around the stage. A counter for drinks was standing in one side of the room, and another counter serving food stood in the other.

The five friends found a table. Gustave was almost immediately asked by a girl to dance, so Harry and Ron went to get drinks, while Hermione and Anatje went the other way to order food.

When Harry and Ron walked up to the counter, Ron's jaw dropped.

There was no menu written on the blackboard hanging behind the smiling owner. "Barry Bott's Every Flavor Drinks" were the only words, written large and loopy in chalk.

"Anything you'd like, boys?" asked Barry, who was the owner, smiling down at them. Seeing that Ron hadn't closed his mouth, he chuckled. "I'm Bertie Bott's brother. You've had Every Flavor Beans before?'

"Er...yeah." said Harry, giving Ron a poke.

Ron recovered. "Do you really have every flavor?" he blurted.

"Yep."

"Then, I'd like a drink flavored with apples, lemons, guavas, strawberries and pumpkins. Oh, and add some whipped chocolate ice cream topped with cherries."

Harry whirled around at the voice. "Cho!" he exclaimed.

"Hi!" she said, smiling at him and Ron. "Sorry if I scared you."

"Isn't there anyone with you?" Harry asked, looking around.

"Randolf's over there with some friends." She pointed to a distant table blocked by the stage.

"Your drink's ready, young lady. Seven Sickles. " Barry set down a goblet on the counter, grinning. Cho paid the money, took a sip and stuck out her tongue.

"That's horrible! Are you sure you didn't add anything disgusting?"

Barry laughed. "Young lady, it would be alright had you not said the pumpkins."

Ron nudged Harry hard. He got the message. "Ouch...oh, can I buy you a drink, Cho?"

The girl looked at him, and suddenly blushed a little. "Oh...okay. Thanks."

"Six butterbeers," Harry told Barry, deciding it better not to try anything unknown.

When the drinks were ready, Cho helped them carry the tankards to their table. She said hello to Anatje and Hermione, who returned her smile and invited her to join them. Cho declined the offer, saying she was happy to come, but it would be rude to Vandyke and her other sixth year friends.

Just then Gustave came back, his face pink from dancing. "That's Cho Chang?" he asked Harry, pointing. When Harry nodded, he whistled. "She's real pretty."

They started on the food. Anatje and Hermione were careful to select the favorites of the restaurant, and the boys devoured the meal of hot cheesesteak sandwiches, chicken-ham-pie and freshly baked waffle cones. After they drained the tankards of butterbeer, Gustave suggested they go out on the balcony to take a look.

A door opened to outside. There was a long glass wall about Harry's shoulder height surrounding the Snowflake Summit. "They've put an Unbreakable Charm on this," said Gustave, seeing Hermione's anxious look.

There was nothing like this. The view did take their breath away, as the Snowflake Summit was a hundred stories high above the ground. Harry could see the fireworks a little way below, and everything else in a minimized version. You could see countless white lights if you stand at the top of the Eiffel Tower, but the thousands of glittering flashing lights of various colors the attractions gave off was something the Muggles couldn't make.

They stood watching the fireworks and talked. Many people had come out to see the view too. Gustave had gone inside for another dance, and when he came back, he went up to Harry and began dragging him inside. Ron, Hermione and Anatje were startled and hovered curiously a little way from them, listening.

"What's up with you?" said Harry, trying to pull back.

"Man, if you don't make haste, you're gonna be sorry for the rest of your life."

"WHAT?"

"I saw your Cho Chang is free now, you can ask her to dance. Come on, you've got to..."

"Gustave!" Harry managed to pull free from Gustave's grasp. "I can't...I don't know how to dance..."

"It's simple, she knows anyway..."

"I..." But Harry stopped abruptly, because he saw Vandyke had finished dancing with a blonde, and was now approaching Cho. Without thinking, Harry sprinted into the restaurant, almost knocking down tables as he dashed to Cho. Fortunately, or maybe not afterwards, he reached her just before Vandyke did.

"Will...will you dance with me?" he panted, skidding to a halt before Cho's astonished eyes.

"Sure, but Harry..." Cho was waiting hopefully for Harry, but as she didn't see him at his table, she assumed he had no intention of dancing.

Harry led her to the stage, his heart pounding. The Misty Fairies began playing a slow, mournful tune. Harry looked around and seeing what the male partners did, he hastily put an arm around her slender waist, and grabbed her fingers in the other.

Cho wanted to laugh out loud, but instead she forced an encouraging smile, knowing how nervous Harry was. But when the music went on, something struck her and her lip quivered. Harry now realized that the song was the same one played by the Weird Sisters in the opening of the Yule Ball. He glanced down at Cho.

Her cheerful expression had faded away, as she remembered her last year, dancing with Cedric to this very melody. She had tried hard to love him back; Cedric was so nice and caring to her, the perfect guy girls were crazy about, but...a scrawny, black-haired boy kept lingering in deep depths of her heart. Cedric was cruelly murdered by Voldemort, and she...she was now dancing in that boy's arms....

Cho could not take it anymore. Breaking away from Harry, she turned and ran away, out of sight.

Harry was stunned for a moment, and so were his friends and Cho's. Ron and Hermione may have guessed the reason why Cho left, but they didn't know what to react at the moment. Then Harry tore after Cho, but he was a second too late-Randolf Vandyke had planted himself in the way.

"What did you do?" he growled.

"I can't explain now," snarled Harry, trying to get past him, but Vandyke's figure was bigger than him.

It was lucky that a few teachers sitting not far away noticed something went wrong, and managed to prevent Harry or Vandyke hitting each other. Knowing that by this time Cho would be impossible to find, Harry gave up. Viktor Krum was among the teachers, and let Harry off easily. (A/N: If you're wondering why Krum didn't ask Hermione to dance, it's because Anatje had cajoled Ron to ask Hermione before Krum did)

"Sorry, Harry..." Gustave really looked it, and he was seldom sorry to people.

"No...just leave me alone for a while." Harry went to the balcony again and stayed there until Anatje asked tentatively if he'd like to go on another great ride, with Hermione's help.

After the incident in the Snowflake Summit, the afternoon wasn't half as much fun. Though Anatje, Ron and Hermione did their best to keep a conversation flowing, Harry remained quiet. He appreciated his friends' evident desire to help, but somehow he couldn't bring himself to laugh and chatter with them.

During dinner that night, Alicia came to the Vuren table and passed Harry a piece of parchment from Cho, asking him to meet her at eight o'clock in the Quidditch field.

There's no need to say that Harry could think of anything else after dinner, and when the time came, he quickly grabbed the warmest furry coat he had, told his friends where he was going, and set off to meet Cho.

Cho was standing on the grass, her hair rather messy in the blowing wind. When she saw Harry coming, she immediately ran to him and said, "I'm sorry, Harry, about today at the Snowflake Summit..."

"No...no...'s not your fault..."

"It was very rude of me to run away, and I heard you nearly had a fight..." Her eyes fell on the bracelet Harry gave her for Christmas, and on an impulse, Cho reached up and put her arms around him. "I'm so sorry..."

Seeing she was really distressed, Harry patted her on the back, whispering soothing words. Maybe she was feeling sorry or that she couldn't help it, Cho shyly laid her head on his chest, and saw no more of the night sky, the trees or anything apart from Harry's arm, which slowly encircled her waist.

But the priceless moment lasted less then a minute. The couple did not notice a small, furry animal was watching behind a hedge, and slowly grew bigger and bigger...its pert nose elongated into a large, cruel beak and its bushy tail parted into two and enlarged into strong flapping wings. The creature rose in the air gently, but the next second, it swooped down and captured the two with its powerful iron-like claws and carried them off in silent night.