Bill made his way through the thick foliage. He was finally getting away on a well-deserved vacation. His mother could not understand why he was spending his holiday doing such a Muggle-like activity. And in America of all places! He could just hear her now. "You know that there is very little known magic there, Bill. Separation from the old ways and all that... Muggle technology..." She had gone on for hours about how it was so far away and such an unknown place. He had tried to explain that situations were not really as bad as she made them out to be. Although, in truth, part of the reason why he picked this particular vacation spot was because he was hoping for a little get-away time from the magic world. He knew that he would get precious little of it in the months, perhaps even years, to come. Most of his family and friends thought he was either a bit mad for wanting to get away at this moment or that he simply had some strange urge for adventure. Only Charlie was supportive and understanding of his real reasons.

It was that last sentence that clinched the idea for Bill. Find what I'm looking for, he thought. If only I knew what it is I'm looking for! Charlie had known for years that Bill was not satisfied with his life. He had always felt as though something were missing, but he couldn't tell what. In the meantime, he dedicated himself to his work and travelled quite a bit doing curse breaking for Gringotts. It was fun, and he enjoyed it. But still... well, for the moment he would simply enjoy himself in the woods. Some of the flora and fauna on this continent were quite different from that which he had seen before. Not necessarily more beautiful, just different. And he was rather amazed that these national parks and woods could be so secluded, void of all sign of civilization though in the middle of miles of highway and city.

He travelled on, hiking for a few more hours, pausing now and again to take a sketch of this plant or that bird. He was travelling fairly light, feeling quite like the character from the film he saw on the plane ride over. The plane ride. I have to remember to tell Dad all about that. The film was about this man named Jones who was always getting into trouble at archaeological digs. All Bill needed was the hat and the whip! He already had the right trousers and jacket, and, although his shoes were hiking boots made out of dragon skin, he did have a similar pouch as well. It held his sketchbook, a light lunch, and some water. And, of course, hidden at the bottom, his wand. Being a wizard came in handy. He probably would not have been able to carry so little otherwise.

Just when he started to get hungry, he thought he heard some trumpets blaring and then people cheering. The noise cut in and out, as though he was only close enough to hear it when it came to a distinct roar or when the wind was travelling in just the right direction. Pulling an apple out of his pouch, he decided to allow his curiosity to get the best of him and headed in the direction he thought it came from.

Eventually, Bill came to a small road. This must be the edge of the park, he thought. He heard rather than saw the car coming, and ducked down so as not to be seen. After seeing which direction it went, he looked right and left to make sure no one else was coming then hopped out of the bushes and walked after it. Every 50 yards or so he saw a colourful sign that read: Annual ____ Park Renaissance Faire! Come join the revelry! Open to the public. Not really knowing what a Renaissance Faire could be, he was a bit sceptical, but was intrigued enough to find out about this festival which must obviously be celebrating a new period in American culture so nice it was titled after the great developmental period in European history.

As he walked along, the music and cheering became louder and louder, and at a few points he thought he heard horses. It did not take long before he arrived at a fairly large parking area full of cars. At the opposite end, he saw what looked like a small castle gate, complete with chains connected to a lowered drawbridge. Ever intrigued, Bill walked straight towards it.

As he got closer, he could make out some of the words that people were shouting. Bill grew concerned when he heard a voice shrieking out a curse of some sort, something about a pox and a codpiece. He reached inside his pouch and adjusted his wand, making it easier to grab. He was not quite sure what was going on here, but he thought he might as well be prepared. And if there was something dark and sinister... Well, he hoped that he was overreacting. So much for a vacation free of worry caused by the magical world. Bill drew a deep breath and, with a sense of trepidation, made his way through the gate.