The Mystery Potion

A young sorceress has to help Harold return to his normal self.

         "Do you remember what it tasted like?" Wyn asked.
"Blue?" the ugly goblin that used to be Harold asked in a tiny voice.

         The young sorceress sighed and rested her head in her hands. After a few moments she looked up to see the diminutive creature now had it's index finger buried in it's floppy ear.

         "Stop that!" she snapped, but the creature continued to dig.

         "I'll never know what possessed you to drink an unknown potion taken from a dead alchemist's lab. I just wish you in your right mind and body so I could strangle you!"

         The harold-goblin blinked and camly folded it's hands in it's lap. "Banana," he said and sagely nodded.

         "What, it tasted like banana? Are you sure about that?" she asked looking over at the goblin still nodding his head.

         "I think so, yeah," Harold said quizitively.

         Wyn stared back at her potions, looking over each one. "I've never heard of one that tastes like banana. This is going to be harder than I thought."

         Looking back over at Harold, she sighed and said, "I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to strangle you for a few days. I'll have to mix a lot of potions and unfortunately, you're going to be here with me the whole time. You'll have to try each potion as I mix it so I know if I'm getting it right or not. There's no other way. Unless you somehow remember the name of the potion."

         "Banana," was all the goblin could say, licking his bottom lip.

         "Ughh!" said Wyn, turning back to her table of potions. "Where do I even start?" she asked herself, grabbing for her potion book. Wyn sat there flipping page after page, getting more irritated every second. "Well maybe, no not this one," continuing to flip through more pages.

         Turning to the goblin, she noticed that Harold had curled up into a ball and fell asleep. She thought about waking him up, but he actually looked cute curled up like that. Well, there's really no sense in waking him right now. At least I can work with no distractions. Wyn went back to looking through her book.

         When she reached the end of the potion book with no luck, she slammed the book down on the table and stood up. Noticing she woke Harold up, Wyn walked over to him and sat down in front of him. He was stretching and yawning and she noticed just how ugly he was as a goblin. She couldn't help but stare at him.

         "What?" Harold asked, looking at her confussed.
         "Oh, nothing... nothing." Wyn said shaking herself out of the stare. "Listen Harold, I need you to think really hard about this. Do you at least remember what color the bottle or potion was?"

         The goblin had once again stuck his finger in his floppy ear and was drooling as well. Sucking in his bottom lip, all he said was, "nope, sorry."
         "Stop that Harold! Yuck, you're drooling all over the place. Harold concentrate, try to remember," she scolded, slapping at his hand. She grabbed a towel and threw it to the drooling goblin.

         "I can't help it Wyn. My bottom lip is so big, I can't stop myself from drooling." Harold held the towel up to the bottom of his chin and frowned. "It's not like I enjoy having drool run down my chin and drip everywhere. It's gross!" He was trying to clean up some of the drool on his lap. It was stringy and slimmy. "Yuck!"

         "Just try holding in your lip, like this," she turned to Harold and held her bottom lip in with her top teeth. Harold tried to copy what Wyn was doing, but his bottom lip was heavy and kept flopping back out and slapping at his chin. It didn't help either that his two front teeth were crooked and straggly.

         "It's no use." Harold slapped his hands in his lap and began to sob. Wyn really felt sorry for him. It wasn't his fault that he kept drooling. It's not like it's something he would do if he were his normal self. But then, he is the one who drank the potion without knowing what it was. Still, he didn't deserve this.

         "It's okay Harold," she tried to comfort him. "I know you don't like being like this and I'm sorry. I'm just frustrated is all. I wish you never would have drank that potion, but it's done. Now we have to find the cure for it. Are you ready to work with me?" she asked calmly. "I want to get you back to normal as much as you want. We just have a lot of work to do. I promise we will find the right potion to get you back, okay? Now shhh... stop crying." Wyn was trying her best to calm Harold down, but once he started it was like he couldn't stop.

         "I...I know Wyn. I'm just scared is all. I don't want to be like this forever. I'm sorry I drank that potion and I'm sorry you have to waste your time fixing me, but I really appriciate it. I trust you and I know you will help," he said to her with a small whimper. Clearing his throat he asked, "So where do we start?"

         "Well, first I'm going to have to find my other potion book. Then we are going to have to go from there. If I can't find the recipe in the potion book, then you're going to have to taste each of these potions. If that doesn't work, then I'll start mixing potions until we get it right," she explained. "Does that sound fair to you? Are you willing?" she asked Harold.

         "Well it's not like I really have a choice, now do I? It's either try until I'm back or stay like this and I don't want to stay like this, that's for sure," he said with sarcasm.

         "There's one other thing you need to know Harold and you're not going to like it, but it's the only way. When you try the potions, you're going to end up changing. Something, if not everything, about you will transform into something else. But remember, it's only until we can get you back to your normal self. You'll have to remember what each potion tastes like okay?" she asked.

         "You mean I will change every time I drink a different potion? Are you sure I won't stay a certain way after drinking one? I mean, what if we never find the right one. What will I look like then?" asked Harold with fear.

         "Now Harold, I'm a good sorceress, but... I have never tried anything like this before. It's going to take time. Let's not worry about any of this just yet. Maybe the cure will be in my other book and we won't have to do all of this stuff." Wyn started looking for her other potion book on the shelf with all her other books. "No, no, no," was all Wyn kept saying. She was almost to the bottom of the pile when, "finally, here it is!" she screetched, holding up the book.

         Wyn didn't notice it was getting dark out but Harold did. "Umm, Wyn."
         "Yeah Harold," she said without looking at him.
         "Well it's getting dark out. What am I going to do? I can't go home like this. My mom would freak!" said Harold.

         "Oh, you're right. Well, I'll go over to your house and tell your mother you are helping me with something and ask her if you can stay over night as I need to get what we're working on done by morning. Do you think she'll by that?" Wyn asked, still not looking up from her book.

         "Yeah, I think mom would be happy to get rid of me for a night. She always tells me I need to find something to do to get out of her hair, so I guess she should be fine with it," said Harold shrugging.

         "One more thing Wyn. I'm really hungry," he said grabbing his roaring stomach.

         "Uh okay. Hmm let's see. When I come back from your house, I'll bring you something to eat. I'll ask your mom for your dinner as I don't have anything here," she said looking around.

         "Okay, but could you hurry? My stomach hurts and is really rumbling," he asked, still grabbing his stomach and leaning forward as if it would help.

         When Wyn came back from Harold's house, she handed him his food and sat back down to look through her book. She looked over at the goblin eating his food like it was the first time he ever ate. He was using his hands instead of the silverware his mother had sent with the food. More of the food ended up on his lap and on the floor instead of in his mouth. Wyn had thought about getting herself something to eat, but after watching the goblin, she lost her apetite. Before she knew it, Harold's food was gone and he was picking up the food from his lap and eating that too. She figured she better occupy herself just in case he decided to clean the floor as well. By the time she turned back to Harold, after hearing a disgusting belch, he had, as she guessed, cleaned up the food off the floor as well.

         "Excuse... me," said Harold, putting his hand over his mouth.

         "Ughh, that's disgusting Harold!" she scolded and turned back to her book. She decided that this was going to be the last time she looked over at him from then on. She needed to focus on the potion book. He was never going to be normal if she didn't get busy and frankly, she couldn't stand the sight of him anymore. She already lost her apetite, she didn't want to loose her lunch too.

         Wyn spent a long time searching through her book. She really did try her best to focus on the potion. Wyn got half way through the book with no luck and decided to see what Harold was up to. When she turned around, the goblin was asleep again. Mouth open and drooling again. The sounds coming from him, she guessed, where supposed to be snores, but they sounded like a lot of horses trampling on gravel. She let him sleep. Even if she couldn't stand the noise, at least she could read her book without much distraction. Wyn covered the goblin with a small blanket. It wasn't even big enough to cover his entire body, but at least it covered his bulging stomach, somewhat.

         She turned back to her table and placed her head in her hands while she read. Wyn felt herself getting tired too, but she really wanted to at least get through the book this night. Hoping to have the cure ready for Harold when he woke up in the morning. She already knew the recipe wasn't in her book, she had read those books thousands of times and never came across any to fit such a case as this. But then, she was never looking for anything like this before. Wyn would rather be safe than sorry. Actually, she would rather mix one potion instead of making Harold try them all. She could just imagine what he was going to transform into with each potion. She got almost to the end of the book when she felt herself falling asleep. Oh please, just let me find this recipe son, she whispered. Wyn forced herself to continue reading. She finally got through the book and just as she figured, nothing was in there. She finally let herself fall asleep. As she slept, she dreamt of the goblin and what things he could be turning into in the morning after drinking all her potions. She had to wake herself several times and remind herself they were just dreams.

         Wyn woke to Harold standing over her rubbing his eyes and yawning.
         "Did you find the cure?" he asked sleeply.
         "No Harold, I'm afraid we're going to have to start with the potions," Wyn said, trying to wake herself enough to look at the goblin. By the time she was able to focus, Harold had went back over and laid down again.

         "Come on Harold, wake up. The sooner we start the sooner we'll find the cure," she said, trying to shake the goblin back awake.
         "No mom, go away. I wanna sleep," was all she could get out of Harold.

         Wyn had to jerk him right off where he was sleeping to actually wake him enough to be coherent.
         "Oh come on Wyn, I'm tired. You kept me up way past my bedtime last night!"
         "Come on Harold," Wyn grabbed his arm and led him over to her table. "Wouldn't you rather get back to your normal self? Now come on, sit down so we can start."
         "But I'm scared Wyn," he started lightly sobbing. "I mean, I know I have to do this, but I'm worried about what I'm gonna change into next!"
         "What could be worse than a goblin?" Wyn giggled, trying to lighten the mood.
         "Ha ha, very funny Wyn, but I guess you're right. How much worse could I get!" He started to perk up.

         Wyn turned her back to Harold. She didn't want him to see the expression on her face as she was remembering her dreams. If you only knew Harold, if you only knew, she whispered to herself. Turning back around, she noticed Harold was now staring at the bottom of his enormous foot. Because of his over sized belly, he had to pull his foot up above his stomach in order to look at it. Wyn decided to ignore the fact that she saw him. She really didn't find it necissary for him to explain. Hopefully it would be over soon enough and Harold would be back to his normal, shy self.

         "Okay Harold, I don't really have too much of a plan from here. You're just going to have to try one, tell me what it tastes like. I'll write it down then we'll move on to the next one okay. Ready?" she asked the goblin, without looking at him.

         "So we're just going to jump from one to the next?" Harold asked, finally loosing focus on his foot.
         "Yes, we have a lot of potions here, but hopefully we'll find it soon and not have to go through them all. The sooner we start the sooner you're cured kiddo," she said, ruffling the orange mat of hair on his head.
         "Wyn, just one thing. Can we eat breakfast first? I'm so... hungry," he said grabbing his grumbling stomach.

         This time Wyn heard his belly moaning and decided maybe they should eat. She noticed her stomach was growling as well. She knew she would have to go out to get food, but figured a little time spent to get something to eat, was worth it.

         Harold scarfed down his breakfast and what Wyn wasn't able to eat. So it was now time to start with the potions. Harold closed his eyes and began mumbling something to himself.

         "Harold? Harold, what are you doing?" she asked puzzled.
         "I'm praying Wyn. I figure it couldn't hurt," he said with enthusiasm.

         Wyn handed Harold the first potin. "Now remember, just a little sip. Enough to get a taste of it. Don't need you drinking the whole thing. Who knows what would happen to you then!"

         As the goblin took a sip, Wyn could tell he was trying real hard to come up with the taste. "Mmm, blueberry. Mmm could I have some more?" he asked. Wyn snatched the bottle from him. As she turned back from writing down the taste, she noticed Harold's ears weren't floppy any more. They were becoming pointy. She watched for a minute to make sure nothing else would happen then said, "well that wasn't so bad!"
         "What, what?" he asked touching his face.
         "It's just your ears, they're not floppy anymore is all," she explained.

         Harold took his hands up to his ears, feeling all the way to the tips. "That's the only thing that changed? Well, I guess if I'm not going to be cured, I'ld rather just have little changes happen."

         Wyn handed the goblin the next potion. He was relaxing now, she could see that. "Umm, this one tastes like peppermint." As he was saying it, his nose began to grow. It began to look like a parrots beak.

         Harold could see his nose now in front of him and he actually began to laugh. He started making noises to see how they would sound with the change. Pig noises, horses, cows, chickens( which really sounded weird), and even sheep! Wyn was surprised at how many sounds Harold actually knew.

         They went half way through when the changes started becoming more dramatic.
         "Yuck, this one tastes like grass!" said Harold, spitting it back out. Soon enough, Harold began to take on aspects of a donkey. Hooves for hands and feet, bucked teeth, pointy ears and a long square shapped nose.

         "Well, it looks like the potions are getting stronger. Maybe that's a good sign," said Wyn trying to be confident. "Okay, let's try the next one." She went to hand Harold the bottle and he held up his hooves to her.

         "Oh yeah, well I'll pour some in your mouth then," she said almost laughing. Harold tilted his head back just enough to get a sip. The taste must have been worse than the grass because he spewed it all over Wyn.

         "Oh gross, it tastes like mud!" he screetched, wipping his square shaped chin with his hoof. As he was wipping, his hoof began to change. It began to have claws and scales. Then he could feel something coming out of his back.

         "Oh my, you've got wings!" Wyn shouted. She reached out to touch them and suddenly had to take a few steps back. Fire was beginning to blast from his mouth.

         "Oh cool, I'm a dragon!" Harold proclaimed. "I could handle staying like this!" he said, spreading his irridesent wings all the way out. His whole body from from head to tail and wing to wing, took up much of the space in the already small room.

         "Be serious Harold. You know you can't stay like this. What about your mom, your baby sister? Don't you think they would miss you? I mean, you haven't been home all day, I can just imagine what your mother thinks you're up to."

         "Yeah, I guess you're right. But hey, if we never find the cure, can I change back into a dragon? I would rather be a dragon then an ugly goblin if I couldn't go home," Harold begged, letting out another ball of fire. "This is so cool!"

         "Don't worry Harold, you're going to go home normal. I promise you that. No... matter how long it takes. I don't need any mothers blaming me for the loss of their children. Plus I have a reputation to build and not a bad one either," she said, handing Harold another potion. "Now let's get going to another one before you set this whole room on fire!"

         They finished the potions without any luck. Harold ended up changing into a lot of different creatures, from a snake to a rabbit and even a centuar. At least they got the names and tastes of each potion so Wyn could take the next step in mixing them. More changes were on the way and this time she knew it wouldn't be a pretty sight.

         "Okay Harold, I'm sorry we didn't find the cure in any of these, but at least we are down to the only other choice. Mixing some of these potions has got to work. You'll be back to normal in no time. You want to take a break and stretch before we start?" she asked the now transformed fairy goblin.

         "Yeah, I think I should get out some," he said standing up.

         "Okay come back when you're ready, but remember to stay somewhat hidden. We don't need you causing a scene out there. While you're out, see if you can scrap up some lunch huh?"

         "Sure, I'll find us something," Harold said shutting the door.

         Harold walked around outside for a bit. Whenever someone was coming close, he would duck behind a house as a tree wouldn't him him completely. Even though he had wings, he was unable to fly because of his enormous weight. "Man I should have changed back into a dragon first," he said kicking a few stones. "OUCH!" He looked around for something they could eat in a hurry and headed back.

         By the time he entered Wyn's, there were potions mixed and waiting. Wyn sat at her table while Harold sat in his usual place eating in silence. It was too quiet actually. Wyn found herself getting tired and figured Harold was too. Sure enough, she turned to look at him and he lay there asleep. She knew she should wake him. They needed to get busy finding the cure. Just as she was thinking of how to explain needing Harold another night, there was a light knock on her door. She open it just enough to see who it was.

         "Oh, hello Mrs. Can I help you?" she asked pretending she didn't already know.
         "I was wondering if I could speak with Harold for a minute. Is he here?" she asked, bouncing her daughter on her hip.
         "Well we actually had a long night and still didn't get done. I was just about to come over and see if I could borrow him for one more night. He's sleeping right now. Working so hard for me I thought it wise to let him rest," she explained.
         "Oh well, that's okay don't wake him. I just wanted to make sure everything is alright. Let him know I'll send his dinner later. And Wyn, thanks for taking care of him. He's a good boy and all, but the littlest break helps," she said still bouncing the baby.
         "I understand. I'll send him home as soon as we are done. Don't worry about anything, he'll be fine here," Wyn said shutting the door.

         Wyn sat down at her table looking at the potions. She wanted to get more mixed before Harold woke, but felt herself fall asleep.

         Wyn woke to loud roaring noices. She realized she hadn't slept for long. Getting up to find the source of the irritation, she noticed it was the fairy goblin. Because of his contorted position, he was snoring. Wyn never would have guessed that the sounds would be coming from him. It sounded like a sick pig, literally.

         "Wake up Harold. You're snoring and I can't concentrate," she said shaking him. "Plus we need to get started, it's almost dark."

         Harold sat up, yawning and rubbing his eyes. He stretched himself all over. "Oh, I'm sore," he said spreading his wings and bending over to touch his toes, although he couldn't reach them.

         "Oh by the way, your mom came by while you were asleep. She's going to send your dinner by later and says it's alright if you stay here another night," she explained. "Hopefully by morning you'll be cured. As long as we get started soon." Wyn handed Harold a potion. He took it but didn't drink it immediately. He put his hands in his lap and Wyn could tell he was becoming serious. The expression on his face turned and he slumped over and wouldn't look at her.

         "Wyn," he said, looking up. "What if this doesn't work? I mean, will I never be normal again? I don't want to be anything but me, not even a dragon. I miss my mom and dad and even my sister. I miss my friends. I even miss chores," he said softly.

         Wyn went over to him and put her arm around hids shoulder. "Don't worry Harold. I promise you I won't stop until we find it and we will find it. I miss the old you too. So let's get started. What do you say huh?"

         Harold slowly sipped at the potion. He knew the changes were going to be worse than before. I've got to remember it's only until I'm cured, he told himself.

         Instead of changing slowly, one part at a time, his whole body transformed in an instant. Harold had now become a boar, tusked teeth, hooves for feet, and a lond hair tipped tail. He squeled and ran around the room in circles. Wyn noticed he looked mad, as any boar does. Very dangerous, nasty creatures they are. Wyn grabbed the potion with one hand and tried to catch Harold with the other. A task she was incapable of doing with only one hand. She set the potion down and chased Harold around. He knocked her over a few times until she was able to snatch his tusk and drag him over to her table. She hurried and poured the potion down his throat while he was fighting to get away.

         In a snap he changed. Dizzy and confused he asked, "what just happened? I feel like I hit a brick wall with my head!" He didn't bother to look at his new image, the wide eyes on Wyn gave him the impression it wasn't cute. Wyn couldn't speak. She looked scared out of her mind. "What? What's wrong? It's just me, Harold!" He took a step towards her, but she backed up.

         "Just hurry and drink another potion. Hurry!" Wyn said still backing away. As soon as he transformed again, Wyn was able to take a breath, a deep one at that. Even though he was the most disgusting thing she had ever seen, it was still better than the last one. It was like looking in a mirror, only she was younger. She knew it was Harold, but to look at herself standing in front of her was scary. Wyn had never heard of a potion such as this one. She wondered if maybe it was a sign. She stepped over to her table and slid the potion behind her lamp. Once she was done with Harold, she swore she would investigate. Shaking her thoughts free, she uttered, "well (clearing her throat) this one's not you for sure. I don't think you're an actual slug are you?"

         Another potion and another change. They both were beginning to loose hope. Wyn was concerned about when not like Harold who was concerned with if. Suddenly a knock at the door broke the tension in the room. It was Harold's dad come to bring his dinner. He just knocked on the door and left the plates on the door step. He was walking away when Wyn opened the door. My he looks tired she thought to herself. He had that slow slouch about his walk and his hand barely left his side when he turned to wave to her.

         Back inside she set the plates down on her table. Harold wouldn't be able to eat in his condition so he needed to take another potion. Wyn would have never thought a slug's eyes could pop out so far as Harold's did when she brought the food in. Apparently he was hungry. Wyn couldn't tell if it was slim or drool dripping from his chin, but guessed it to be drool. Because his mouth was so small, he had to take very small sips of the next potion. He looked so sad trying to drink it down with little success. Finally after a minute ot two, he had finished and changed into a troll. Not the best looking or friendliest creature, but at least he could eat. Wyn felt sure with the other potion which made him look like her and this one, they might be getting close. She refused to get Harold's hopes up so she didn't tell him about her thoughts. While Harold finished his food and hers, she decided to mix the two potions together. That would be his next drink. If it didn't work, hopefully she would be on the right track at least.

         "Okay Harold, let's continue before you want to fall asleep again," Wyn said handing him the potion with a smile. Harold rolled his eyes at her and drank down the potion. He didn't exactly become himself. He took on most of his natural looks, but he had webbed feet like a duck, wings like a fairy, and a snout of a pig.

         Wyn couldn't help but clap. She knew she was getting closer. Justr one or two more mixes should do the trick.

         "Why are you clapping? I have webbed feet," he said looking down at the dry, orange triangles that used to be toes. Wyn found her mirror and held it out to Harold.
         "Here take a look for yourself," she said as he grabbed it from her and held it to his face. "We're getting closer!" she admitted with excitment. Harold just stood there staring at his reflection.
         "I'd  almost forgotten what I look like, except I know I don't have a pig nose," he said almost laughing. Wyn hurried and mixed another potion with the previous one.
         "Here," she handed it to him. "Let's see if this one is it!"

         Harold quickly gulped down the potion. "Hurry, give me the mirror," he screeeted at Wyn.
         "I better not," said Wyn sadly. "It didn't work. Let me try again," she said walking back to her table. She handed Harold another potion. She could tell Harold was crushed. "We're getting real close Harold, honestly," she calmly said as he dran it down. Still no luck, nothing about his apperance resembled Harold.

         "What am I doing wrong?" Wyn asked herself. She sat down and looked out the window. "It's getting late. You want to get some sleep and resume in the morning?" she turned and asked Harold.
         "Are you kidding!" he yelled. "I was almost back to normal a few minutes ago and now you want to quit!"
         "You're alright for the night. Even if we found the cure now, you couldn't go home till morning anyway. Plus it will give me some time to figure out what went wrong with these last two. By the time you wake up I'll have some more potions ready. I can take my time and concentrate without feeling rushed,"  she explained.

         "I am kind of tired and like you said I can't go home till tomorrow anyway," Harold said disappointed.
         "Don't worry bty tomorrow night you'll be home. I promise," Wyn spoke softly.

         As soon as Harold lay down, he was asleep. The constant change must really wear him out. He hadn't slept this much since he was a baby. At least this time he could sleep comfortably.

         Wyn sat at her table looking over the potions. Which one do I try now? she asked herself. She decided to mix one of each potion with the other two. One of them was bound to work. Wyn still had a lot of potions left, but at least it wouldn't take all night to mix them. Just a drop or two in each bottle was all she needed. She knew sleep for her was on the way. Setting aside the the one's they already tried as well as the one's she knew for sure wouldn't work, she began.

         It only took about an hour to mix them all. Plenty of time to get some sleep, she told herself. She moved the potions back and crossed her arms on the table. She rest her head on her arms and closed her eyes. The room was quiet for a change. No snoring from Harold and the breeze outside was light. She reached out and turned off the lamp before drifting into a deep sleep.

         On waking, Wyn noticed Harold had to have been up for awhile. There were several empty potion bottles on the table, but harold was gone. Of course the first thing she thought was that he was cured and went home, but she knew he wouldn't go before telling her first. She moved the empty bottles to the back of the table. She decided to step outside and get some fresh air. When the door opened, Wyn stood there taking in the scents of the morning. Eggs and bacon frying was the strongest, very unusual for Wyn. She followed the scent to the source behind her house. There something that looked like a troll and turtle, she guessed to be Harold, was cooking. He dstood straight and walked towards her.

         "Good morning," he said handing her a plate. "Was wondering when you were going to wake up. Figured I would make us some breakfast. Hid back here so noone would see me." Behind Wyn's house was nothing but forest. No one ever went back there. Stories spread all over town about creatures in the forrest. Harold never believed it though and figured since he was still a creature himself, if it was true, he'd fit right in. It was such a beautiful morning they both decided to eat outside. The view of the clear blue sky was magnificent. Wyn took it as a good sign.

         "I see you've started on the potions already," she said between eating. "I appriciate you fixing breakfast and letting me sleep in, but you should have woke me."

         "You looked so tired and I thought it would be nice to surprise you. I was hoping to get through all the potions and be cured before you got up, but I got real hungry and decided to make breakfast first. I used your mirror to check myself after each potion. You wouldn't believe the things I changed into!" Harold said shaking his head. "No where close to who I am, although I'm sure my mom would disagree," he said with a hearty laugh.

         Wyn couldn't help but giggle at that. "Well thank you for all of this. It was a nice surprise. I haven't been out since you first came to me as a goblin. Not that i'm complaining, I've enjoyed spending time with you and actually working!"

         Wyn finished eating and stood up. Harold had been done for a while, but stayed to keep her company. "Well I'm expecting coompany later, family you know. So what do you say we get inside and get Harold back?" she asked opening the back door. Harold put out the fire and followed her.

         "So family huh? I never knew you had family around," he said sitting down with a potion.
         "My aunt is coming from the next town over. Can't have two sorceresses in the same town, especially family," she giggled sitting down. "It has been a while since I've seen any family so it will be nice. She's the one who taught me everything I know and set me up here. I want to make her proud someday!"
         "Well you'll always have this story to tell her, especially if she gets here after I am transformed," said Harold smiling.
         "yeah, I guess I do, so let's get started so it will be a happy ending story!" she said handing harold another potion. Another change but still no sign of Harold. After two more Wyn began to frown and slink away in apperance. She was begining to loose hope she would find it before her Aunt arrived.

         When Harold saw her reaction he decided it was time to stop waisting time. As soon as he would transform, he would drink down another. He was begining to run out of potions. When he got down to three bottles left, he paused for a minute. He closed his eyes after smiling at Wyn and drank another potion down. Without opening his eyes, he reached for another potion when Wyn suddenly yelled, "No Harold don't!"

         Harold opened his eyes and looked at Wyn and then himself. Starting with his feet, he scanned what parts of his body he could. Turning to look at his backside, the tail he had in the previous body was literally sucking into his behind. Harold let out a long sigh of relief and said, "I knew that was the right one! As soon as I picked it up something told me I had it!"

         Wyn's eyes were full of tears. Harold ran to her and gave her a hug. "Welcome back," she said with a smile.
         "Thanks Wyn. I promise I will never do that again!"

         Just then there was a knock on the door. As wyn went to open the door she said, "Well you know where to come if you do!" She opened the door and there stood her aunt. Just behind her, Harold's mother was walking towards them. Her aunt steeped inside while wyn said, "Harold this is my Aunt Clarise. Auntie this is my good friend Harold. By the way Harold, your mother's coming for you."

         "Nice to meet you Harold. I'm so glad to know my neice has such a good friend," said Aunt Clarise.
         "Nice to meet you too," said Harold almost knocking her over as he ran past her. "I'm sorry but I've gotta go now." He gave Wyn another hug and ran out the door into his mothers arms. "I've missed you," he said hugging her with all his strength.
         "Well I missed you too," she said holding him. They began to walk home together and Harold turned and waved good-bye to Wyn.
"See you tomorrow," he yelled.

         Shutting the door, Wyn led her aunt in. "What a handsome little boy that is," said her aunt.
         "You should have seen him an hour ago,"  Wyn laughed. She bagan to tell her aunt the story of Harold and the goblin and everything she had done to help him. "He literally just changed back right before you knocked on the door!"
         "Well that sounds like quite an adventure for the both of you. Why didn't you just ask me? I would have told you all you needed was some garlic, stink weed, and Vanderbond potion," her aunt explained.

         Wyn threw her hands in the air and laughed loudly. She was so loud Harold could here her from where he was on the street. "Well I guess she's having a good visit," said his mother looking down at him smiling.