FINAL POST FROM HOGSMEADE ... THE RIDES! JC MARTIN'S RACE FOR 200 ENTRY

I'd like to start today's post with JC'S blog contest entry. It's an excerpt from my m/g fantasy novel, Amber and the Whispering Willows. I hope you enjoy it.

A horrific screech reverberated around the solid stone cell, violently shaking the delicate glass urn. DO NOT SAY THAT NAME AGAIN!

Jasper backed up against his glass prison, quivering.

“You know what I desire. Help me acquire it, and I will set you free,” Sedah said silkily. “That delectable little hybrid elemental will give me just enough power to break through the fairies’ enchantment.” 
The shadow swirled, materializing into a small cloaked figure gliding towards the glass. Jasper watched in terror as Sedah appeared before him. 

“I know that particular child is protected by the fairies and her beautiful half-sylph mother.”

“You’ll never get her!” Jasper bellowed, regaining his anger.

 “So true. She, too, is protected. But I did snag you, didn’t I? One less barrier for me to break through ... not that you were difficult to capture.” Sedah’s laugh raised the hair on Jasper’s hackles. 

His defiant stare locked with Sedah’s cold fathomless eyes. They blinked several times, revealing horrors into the underworld. Jasper turned away and shook with terror in his eyes.

“There are so many ways to skin a rabbit, as you have just seen. So, for the last time you lagomorph, what is your answer?”

Jasper glared at Sedah.

“Ah, someone’s entered the Willows.” Sedah circled Jasper. “Perhaps I will not need you after all.”

Uncle Paul advanced with silent steps toward the pond, hoping there might be a message from Elena. With his senses heightened, the cooler temperature prickled his skin. A twig snapped ... his eyes darted, but saw nothing. 

Arriving at the pond, he knelt and looked into its murky depths, waiting. Elena did not appear. He took out an arrow and prepared for the raven’s attack. The dense quiet gripped him like a vise. He stood up and paced. 

Uncle Paul searched for the raven. An ice-cold breeze rose goosebumps on his arms. It grew darker, and heard the flapping of wings. 

The raven attacked before he could aim the bow. It clawed and tore at Uncle Paul, knocking him to the ground. 

“NO!” Justin screamed as he ran toward them, tripping on a jagged rock. He scooped it up, aimed, then let it rip. The stone whooshed through the air and hit the raven. It cawed and took flight.

Justin ran to his father and helped him up. Deep gashes bled from his arms and forehead.

“What are you doing here?” he roared.

“Dad! Look out! It’s coming back!” 

“Get behind me and don’t move!” Uncle Paul watched the raven as it made its way back for another attack, its bright yellow eyes aglow. 

“Dad, hurry! I see the dark shadow coming ... it’s Sedah!” 

With quivering fingers, he pulled the arrow back, lined up, and let it discharge. The arrow whizzed through the air. It screeched a loud, bloodcurdling “CAW.” Drops of blood rained upon them followed by a loud thud. 

“Move, now!” Uncle Paul exclaimed. 

The shadow crept toward them ... It enveloped the dead raven, as a hair-raising shriek reverberated through the Willows.

A frigid gale-force wind forced them ground. Uncle Paul got up, grabbed Justin, and raced down the path.

Another powerful wind blasted after them. Uncle Paul crouched down over Justin as it passed over the top of his head. 

The shadow advanced toward them. 

They stood and bolted. 

Another blast struck Uncle Paul hard, slamming him to the ground. 

“Dad, get up!” Justin tugged at him. “Dad, please. We’ve got to get out of here!” The ferocious winds blinded Justin and he couldn’t see the twin willows. 

The weight of his father bore down upon him. Justin shook him, but he remained lifeless. 

Justin managed a few more steps. Sweat poured from his face. “Dad, please wake up!” Justin dropped to the ground. He shook his father again, pleading. A tear fell from Justin onto his father’s face. A moment later, Uncle Paul stirred and opened his eyes.

“Justin, are you all right!” He hovered over his son, as the dark shadow closed in on them.

“Dad, It’s right behind us! What do we do?”  

“Calm down and listen.” He pointed. “See that bush? When I say run. Run to it. On the next big blast we’ll jump right into the wind. With luck, it’ll send us through the enchantment. Grab onto to my shoulders, and don’t let go.” 

Justin nodded. 

The constant wind rushed around them. Uncle Paul raised his arm and felt the blast. He faced Justin, “Get ready ... NOW!

Now for my final post from the Wizarding World series. The RIDES....

I must admit that the rides held very little interest for me, but I still had to experience them. My favorite by far was the Forbidden Journey, pictured above. After winding through the greenhouses in back of the castle, you climb your way into Hogwarts Castle. 

As you have seen from many of my former pics, the details are insanely real and beautiful. The pictures speak. Slytherin in particular is unhappy by the "muggle" invasion. Winding through the castle, you visit Dumbledore's office and have a meet with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. As you approach the final corridor and the sorting hat greets you with ride-safety warnings in rhyme.

Next you slip into your comfy bench, the students bring down your safety device and you hold on for DEAR LIFE! Actually it is a very exciting ride and experience. You spin, twist, jerk, and maneuver your way through high action meetings with, spiders, dragons, the whomping willow. and quidditch with Draco Malfoy.  Harry leads you through all these dangerous obstacles. Definitely don't eat a thing before this ride, you are bumped around a lot.

Flight of the Hippogriff is a charming family-friendly roller coaster. As you follow the queue around the grounds, you get see Hagrid's hut and pumpkin patches. The sounds of the munching bowtuckles and Fang barking adds to the charm. Eventually you board the wicker replica of Buckbeak and you're treated with a "bird's eye" view of the castle and surrounding grounds.

For those of you with nerves of steel you will enjoy the Dragon Challenge. Twin Dragon coasters race each other looping, spinning, and cork-screwing. I sat this one out, but I was told it to be one of the most thrilling rides in the park.

Well my fellow HP fanatics, I hope you enjoyed your tour of Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It was a thrill a minute and I hope you all can make it there soon. Perhaps we can all meet sometime in the future year!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

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