Well, of course, as SOON as they got there, some of the children began stepping on the balloons -_________- Paul winced. He didn't know what was coming--WHAT HAD PEARL PUT IN THE BALLOONS.

Well.

When Max stepped on a balloon, Paul had to cover his ears, because what sounded like a piano ORGAN in a very looooow Dooooh-note rang out but it was LOUD.

"GAH--Pearl!" he cried out, and the old woman quickly shuffled into the room. "Are there.........music notes in these?" he asked.

Pearl nodded. "Yes sir! Music notes in all of 'em! And as we pop 'em, the notes record on that paper---" she grinned toothily. "I thought it'd be how you could write the music with the kiddies!" she wore a jingly bracelet that, as she spoke, she shook around. She stepped on a balloon, producing a VERY high LAAA note. This time, it was done with what sounded like a banjo.

Paul sighed. "Well...I guess that is...fun..." he looked around at his students. "I guess we...can...pop all the balloons...? And the notes will record themselves........."

O_o

"If you all want to, that is..since Pearl was......nice enough to do this for us." HOW WEIRD WAS THIS? Paul stepped on another balloon...and another DOH note happened.

Well then. He glanced at Beatrice and just...shook his head. "Let's pop sone balloons!"



****


Mark was waiting for any stragglers when he spotted the small boy. He smiled warmly. "Hi there! Of course--I'll give you some floo powder and you can go right in!" he handed the boy some. "Just go right into the Leaky...and say, very clearly, "Twisted Paper Music!" and you should swoop right in!"

And he would wait some more.