(A/n) Thank you for the reviews, alerts and favorites. I'm happy y'all enjoy the story so much. Sorry for lack of updates, have very little time to write these days.

They were looking down upon a valley. There were green meadows on either side of the valley and along the bottom of it there flowed a great brown river. What is more, there was a tremendous waterfall halfway along the river- a steep cliff over which the water curled and rolled in a solid sheet, and then went crashing down into a boiling churning whirlpool of froth and spray.

Below the waterfall, a whole mass of enormous glass pipes were dangling down into the river from somewhere high up in the ceiling of this underground vault. There must have been a dozen of them and they were sucking up the brown water from the river and carrying it off to somewhere only Mr. Wonka knew. All round the edges of the river, where the glass pipes continued to suck away, graceful trees and bushes grew- weeping willows and alders, tall clumps of rhododendrons with their pink and mauve blossoms. In the meadows there were thousands of buttercups. It was a very beautiful sight.

The moment the group crossed the threshold and into the Chocolate Room, the hum of magic that floated about the place twanged the very nerve endings of Verity's body. A small gasp escaped as her steps faltered, her hazel eyes growing wide as the force behind the myriad of spells nearly overtook her. There were only a few that she recognized, all the rest were of some unknown enchantments that must have been of Mr. Wonka's doing. She took the moment to remain by the door, the hum of the strange magic setting off her defensive mechanisms. She folded her arms beneath her breasts, the tips of her fingers hovering above the pocket where her wand was within reach.

Mr. Wonka strolled ahead of the group, not noticing the witch as his golden capped cane swung lazily from his gloved hand. He pointed his cane toward the waterfall, the twinkling in his violet eyes growing. "That my friends, is all chocolate. Every drop of that river is hot melted chocolate of the finest quality. There's enough chocolate in there to fill every bathtub and swimming pool in the entire country. Those pipes you see vacuum up thousands of gallons an hour." No response came from the group of children and adults, everyone was simply too stunned at the sight that lay before them.

"The waterfall is most important," Mr. Wonka went on, "It mixes the chocolate! Churns it up! Makes it light and frothy! No other factory in the world mixes their chocolate by waterfall. It is the only way to get the chocolate just right." At this he held up his free hand, making a gesture with his thumb and index finger so that it looked as if he were about to pinch something. He turned around to face the group, his winning smile growing as his violet eyes swept over them. "Isn't it an amazing sight? This entire valley is eatable. Every tree, every flower, every blade of grass can be eaten." His eyes landed on the stationary form of Verity, who stood apart from the group. The tense look on her face was a clear indication that she could feel the magic here and his smile dimmed slightly. "I suppose you wouldn't take my word for it though..." He thumped his cane down onto the soft, edible green grass and gave a slight bow. "Go on then, enjoy."

It took only a moment but all nine adults and five children were rushing past Mr. Wonka and down toward the valley. They spread out amongst the trees and bushes, sampling everything to be sure it was truly edible. Mr. Wonka kept his violet gaze on the lone witch, his grip on his cane firm. They stared at one another before Mr. Wonka walked slowly toward young Charlie's cousin. Verity's hand had reached down to grab the handle of her wand, her hazel eyes throwing a warning. At this, Mr. Wonka paused though he kept his gaze locked with hers. Silence hung between them, tense and thick, only broken by the sound of laughter from the muggles down by the chocolate river.

"The magic in this room is harmless," said Mr. Wonka, his violet eyes sweeping over the face of the woman who had haunted his thoughts for hours. "They are spells needed to sustain the plants in this room, to keep the river flowing..."

She didn't respond but the flicker of doubt was not missed on the chocolatier. He allowed a gentle smile to touch his lips as he started walking closer to her, noting the unease and soft hitching of her breath. He didn't like the sight of it, he wanted to see the sparkle of affection in those hazel depths, not mistrust. He continued to walk to her until he was but a foot from her and he leaned down toward her ear. "I had no idea you would be here Verity... This is as much of a surprise to me as it is to you..." His whisper was soft, his gentle voice bringing up a pleasant shiver.

She backed away from him, her eyes growing wide as she looked at him. They swept over his face and the shocked look gave way to the anger he had seen before. "I have no idea what games you are playing Bill and I don't want to know. You never told me who you were or what you did so yes, I am surprised." Her frown deepened as she walked around him, her body shivering at the feel of the strong magic about the place. "I find it hard to believe that you would be surprised when I had been honest with you about myself and my family." She turned to look at him and the pure loathing that touched her face took Mr. Wonka by surprise. "I don't care what you have planned on this little 'tour' of yours but so help me, if anything harms my uncle or my cousin, if anything obvious appears to these other muggles, I will have the Ministry on your head." She continued seething at the chocolatier before turning on her heel and walking off to find her family, leaving a stunned Bill behind.

He hadn't been expecting that either... The affection he was so used to seeing on her face had been the light of his days for weeks now. All of sudden, thanks to some odd quirk of fate, it was all dashed to pieces. He knew she had been angry but the complete loathing she had given him... It hurt him more than he would like to admit. He knew she was very protective of her muggle family but he honestly had not known the Buckets were that family. She never mentioned them by name and he respected her too much to snoop behind her back. His frown was deep as her threat sank in... Yes, having a large group of muggles running about his magical chocolate factory would be cause for concern. Thankfully, this tour had been planned way in advance with all of the necessary precaution and the profits that rolled in from the muggle world kept the Ministry happy. The threat of the Ministry was not one he was concerned about. What he was concerned about was the fact that the woman he had become exceedingly fond of now wanted nothing to do with him. He hoped he still had a chance at winning her completely.

She knew who he was now, he could be fully honest with her, fully honest with why he had decided to reopen his factory doors to the muggle world after so many years. The thought brightened him considerably as he caught sight of her with Grandpa Joe and Charlie. The hesitant curiosity and awe on her beautiful features struck a cord with him as she delicately ate the petal of a buttercup. Despite this slight hiccup, he knew the passion and unmistakable knack she had for candy making. He knew that the best way to woo her would be to share with her his life's work. If anyone could understand him, Verity was sure to. The fact that young Charlie's ticket had been the strongest of the five in untapped magic was now no longer a surprise. It was in his blood, this passion for magical candy. His cousin was living proof of that.

Feeling much more joyous at the thought of what the day would surely bring, Mr. Willy 'Bill' Wonka strolled down the field of edible green grass to join the rest of the large group. His violet eyes remained on the witch, the warm feeling that filled his heart now rivaling that of his passion for candy making.

.

"Isn't it wonderful?" whispered Charlie. "Hasn't it got a wonderful taste Vee?" He turned his attention to his cousin, who was currently contemplating whether to try a branch of a nearby tree that smelled of dark chocolate. Verity glanced down at her cousin and smiled in reply, giving a firm nod . The grass was very delicate and it melted the moment it was placed on your tongue. It was eerie when the moment you plucked the grass that more suddenly grew to cover the empty spot. No one seemed to notice this but the witch and she had to admit that the magic that flowed through the ground was incredible. She reached out to ruffle Charlie's dark brown hair and he laughed before quickly running off to join the other children to try the plants by the chocolate river. Verity smiled after her young cousin, rather glad that he was enjoying himself. She sighed gently and turned her attention back to the broken branch, debating whether or not she should see if it tasted like chocolate...

"You should try another buttercup," said a soft voice behind her and she instantly froze. She could hear his footsteps as he walked closer to her, could sense his gaze on her as he stopped just a foot behind her. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end as he leaned in close, his lips just a breath away from her ear. "They taste so much nicer than that branch..."

She shivered, automatically hating her body's reaction to him. She hated that she still felt the same attraction for him, hated the fact that he was the infamous Willy Wonka. He had been better when he was just plain old Bill. Sure she didn't know him well but that was the wizard she trusted. With this new revelation of him being the chocolate maker known all over the muggle world, that trust she had quickly shattered. How was she to know he would be Willy Wonka? Had he been toying with her all these weeks? Was he so bored with his life? She had no idea what to think of him, she simply didn't know him...

Her thoughts were brought to a screeching halt as she felt a featherlight kiss against the side of her neck. She gasped softly but she quickly saw that it was nothing more than a buttercup he had brushed against her skin. He was still close behind her and the tension between the two of them was palpable. He brushed the petals of the candy flower against her flushed cheek, a gentle intake of breath her only reaction.

"Don't think that we've had these last several weeks was a lie Verity." He brushed the flower down along her jawline and she trembled, all semblance of normal thought functions were completely thrown from her mind. "You have been such a wonderful surprise... I intend to win that prize, no matter what it takes." He tucked the flower behind her ear, his fingers lingering over her copper hair, before he moved on to where his guests were lingering about the banks of the chocolate river.

She stood there, her chest heaving slightly as she stared after Mr. Wonka, her hazel eyes were slightly wide with disbelief. What had that been about? Surely he didn't mean what he said... She had been a surprise? What could he have meant...?

Verity would have continued along with these thoughts if the sudden screams had not made her jump. She glanced over to the banks of the river where everyone else stood, catching that the excited screams were coming from one Veruca Salt. She was pointing frantically on the other side of the river, her brown curls bouncing along with her as she pulled on her father's sleeve. "Look Daddy! Look!Over there! What is it? He's moving! He's walking! It's a little person! It's a little man! Down there below the waterfall!"

Verity's interest peaked at the description of the little person the young girl was screaming about. Surely Bill- no, Wonka- would not have magical creatures working in his factory? Not with muggles about at least. Her curiosity getting the better of her, she made her way to stand with the others, catching Charlie's excited voice from the front of the group. "She's right Grandpa! It is a little man!"

"I see him Charlie!" Grandpa Joe said in such an excited manner, his glasses slipping down his long nose. He kept a firm bony hand on his grandson while they looked on, watching the little man as he went about his business. By this time, everyone else was shouting in an excited manner over the little person, pointing with various looks of awe and confusion on their faces.

Verity made her way to the front of the group where her family stood, catching sight of five little creatures that stood no higher than her knee. She had no idea what her family nor what the other muggles were seeing but Verity could clearly sense that the creatures had thick glamour spells about them. She could see them for what they were and they were nothing at all like what the muggles were describing. They were actually house elves that were dressed in identical elegant, violet towels that were wrapped like togas around their small bodies while large pins in the shape of an intricate and curly 'W' held the towels in place. The five house elves had stopped whatever it was they were doing and were now standing on the opposite banks of the chocolate river. They were staring and openly laughing at the muggles that were staring at them in turn. One of the house elves had pointed a long and spindly arm toward the five children and whispered something to the others. They erupted into peals of laughter then, their pointed bat-like ears flopping as they fell against one another.

"But they can't be real people," said Charlie, a confused look settling across his young face as he stared at the creatures. Verity looked down at her cousin and she noticed the look of concentration on his face. Could he sense that something was not quite right about those creatures?

"Of course they're real people," answered Mr. Wonka from directly behind Verity, who had jumped in surprise at the sudden sound of his voice. She turned to glare at him and was about to open her mouth to give him a talking to in regards to personal space but stopped short at the look on his face. He flicked his violet eyes her way and she could practically see the sparkle of amusement that appeared within them as a delighted smile grew on his handsome, pale features. "They're Oompa-Loompas."

She choked on air, she had to have choked on air, because she had inhaled and then started coughing violently after the statement Mr. Wonka had made. The absurdity of such a name for little people, even by wizarding standards, when they were simply house elves under strong glamour charms. She felt Grandpa Joe's large hand slapping her across the back while the cries of the others rose up in echoes of the house elves' new name.

"Oompa-Loompas!"

"Imported directly from Loompaland!" said Mr. Wonka in a proud manner, his violet eyes focusing on Verity, who's coughing fit had finally subsided. She was staring at him, her hazel eyes wide with disbelief. Oh, he was well aware that she could see past the charms he had placed on his house elves but she would not say anything about it. It was hilarious to see the surprised look on her face and the moment he stated the land from which his creatures had come from, her surprised look gave way to a twitch of her lips. His heart soared at the sight of it, she was holding back laughter! That was a step in the right direction.

"There is no such place!"

The voice that spoke broke Mr. Wonka's gaze from the enchanting sight of his witch and he looked at Mrs. Salt. "Excuse me, dear lady, but-"

"Mr. Wonka!" cried Mrs. Salt, her voice a shrill sound that grated on the nerves of those who stood beside her, mainly her husband. "I am a teacher of geography-"

"Then you'll know all about it," said Mr. Wonka, interrupting in a much more charming manner than she had. "Oh, what a horrible country it is!" He shuddered in response, adding to the effect as he went on to describe the thick, steamy jungles of Loopaland that were filled with all manners of dangerous beasts. Beasts with names such as hornswogglers and snozzwangers and those terrible Vermicious Knids that gave the life of the Oompa-Loompas such grief. He had been away in search of new and exotic tastes for his candies when he came upon the little people. He had felt so sorry for them that he invited them back to his factory to live in peace, he would pay them in whatever they chose. It so happened that the Oompa-Loompas loved the cocoa bean and when he had told their chief that he had more than enough for the entire village, they had accepted his offer. He had them transported secretly into the country by methods he felt were best left up to the imagination.

By the end of this tale, he noticed that Verity was the only one who wasn't completely engrossed by his story. She was the only one trying her best to keep a straight face. She was biting on her lower lip to keep from making a sound, her hazel eyes sparkling from amusement. He put on an affronted look, the thought that she did not find his tale of selfless heroism as engrossing as the others a tad disappointing. Of course, the fact that his tale was complete hogwash did not help in matters. He could not help but feel the bubble of warmth in his heart at the fact that she was looking at him with laughter in her eyes. Yes, this was a good step back in the right path to wooing her. She would see that he was still the same person she had known save for the fact that she now knew his true identity, which was a relief to him...

"Well, as you can see they are all wonderful workers." Mr. Wonka continued his story with some reluctance, his heart beating a little too hard at the fact that Verity was now smiling. "They all speak English now. They all love to dance and sing and make up all kinds of songs when the mood strikes them. I expect you will hear a bit of singing today from time to time." He paused and turned to move his gaze over his guests, the playful smile growing as he held up a finger. "I must warn you though, they are rather mischievous. They do like to make jokes..."

"Daddy!" cried Veruca Salt, pulling earnestly on her father's sleeve once again as she whined. "Daddy! I want an Oompa-Loompa! I want you to get me an Oompa-Loompa right away! I want to take it home with me! Go on Daddy! Get me an Oompa-Loompa!"

"Not now my pet!" her father said to her, patting her head with affectionate swap of his hand. "We mustn't interrupt Mr. Wonka."

"But I want an Oompa-Loompa now!"

Verity actually cringed at the shrill whine that erupted from the muggle girl and she frowned at the father, who was gently hushing her with promises of getting one for her before the day was out.

Sure he would... Good luck with that. Verity thought to herself as she rolled her eyes and shook her head. Spoiled rotten that one was... What in the world was Bill thinking when he sent out those tickets? Giving a tour of his factory to this lot would have been a nightmare come true for her. Save for her own cousin of course, he was just such a sweet and mild mannered child it would have been hard to say no to him. Of course, she was biased when it came to her little Charlie...

"You shouldn't think so hard Verity... One might assume you were plotting something in that pretty head of yours..."

The blush rose up in her cheeks before she could stop it and she frowned at once, cursing her body's reaction to the handsome wizard. She didn't answer him, not trusting herself to speak. Instead, she turned her head slightly to glare at him as she folded her arms beneath her breasts. She allowed herself a moment to calm down before trusting herself to speak. "It's a little hard not to think after such a story as the one you gave..." She narrowed her eyes a bit as she studied Mr. Wonka, ignoring the feel of her skipping heart beat. "Honestly... snozzwangers?"

He smiled that charming smile of his, his violet eyes twinkling with such amusement that she felt her annoyance drop a fraction. Damn the man and his charming visage...

"Why my dearest Verity, surely you can appreciate my tale more than anyone else here." He had taken a step closer to her, his gaze lingering upon her lips as the tension from before crackled between the two of them. He leaned in a little, looking almost as if he were about to kiss her. "You can appreciate the absurdity of such a tale since there is no possible way for a muggle to refute such a claim after seeing the little people with their own eyes." He had whispered this to her, his breath fanning gently against her flushed cheek.

Damn him... Have to stay mad...

He seemed to notice that her anger from earlier had apparently lost its steam and his smile grew at this, his violet eyes focusing on her hazel ones. She lost all train of thought, her heart had begun in a skipping beat against her chest. The sight and sounds of the others had fallen away and all she could focus on was that his lips were so close to her own...

"Augustus!" shouted Mrs. Gloop, her heavily accented voice filled with alarm. It effectively broke through the thick haze of attraction that had kept the wizard and witch so intent on one another."Augustus, sweetheart, I don't think you should do that!"

Mr. Wonka's eyes remained on Verity's but she noticed that he had gone completely still, his chest rising and falling as he took in a deep breath. She could see the tension in his face and she could have sworn she had heard a muttered curse emerge from his lips as he turned around. She followed his gaze and noticed quickly that the Gloop boy was kneeled down at the edge of the chocolate river. He was scooping handfuls of hot, melted chocolate into his mouth as quickly as he could.

The muttered curse from before emerged from Mr. Wonka but more noticeably as he clenched his hands, the gloves making a squeaking noise in complaint.

Uh oh... This can't be good. Bill does not look happy...