~Heather's POV~

As the boat glided through the chocolate river, Charlie turned to me with curious eyes. "Miss Heather, what was the first candy Mr. Wonka ever gave you?"

Before I could answer, Willy's eyes met mine with a hint of nostalgia. But Mrs. Beauregarde's sharp laugh cut through the moment.

"Oh, how precious," she sneered, adjusting her too-tight tracksuit. "Let me guess - some failed experiment that probably turned your teeth green?"

"Actually," I started, but Violet interrupted.

"Mom says you were probably just the weird science girl nobody liked," she smirked, popping her gum loudly. "Bet you just followed him around like a lost puppy."

I felt my cheeks burn, memories of those school days flooding back. Willy's hand tightened on his cane, and I could see that familiar protective look in his eyes - the same one from when we were kids.

"If you must know," Willy spoke up, his voice carrying an unusual edge, "it was a chocolate rose that bloomed in moonlight. Quite the scientific achievement, actually. The petals would only open under specific wavelengths of light."

"It took us three months to get the formula right," I added softly, smiling at the memory. "Though the first attempt did turn my tongue silver for a week."

"How romantic," Mrs. Beauregarde muttered sarcastically. "I suppose that's what happens when two freaks find each other."

"I think it sounds magical," Charlie defended, shooting a disapproving look at the Beauregardes. "Did it smell like real roses too, Miss Heather?"

"Better," Willy answered before I could, his eyes never leaving mine. "It smelled like possibilities."

Veruca Salt made a gagging noise. "This is boring. Daddy, I want to see something more interesting!"

"You know what I find interesting?" Willy said cheerfully, though there was a glint in his eye. "That some people mistake meanness for personality. Quite fascinating, really. Almost as fascinating as what happens to people who don't appreciate the sweeter things in life. Isn't that right, my dear Oompa Loompas?"

The rowing Oompa Loompas nodded in unison, and I noticed how they seemed to row just a bit faster past the more unsavory turns in the tunnel.

"I'd be careful if I were you," Charlie whispered to Violet. "The Oompa Loompas always know when someone's being nasty. Right, Grandpa Joe?"

Grandpa Joe nodded sagely. "Indeed. And they have a special song for bullies, don't they, Mr. Wonka?"

"Oh yes," Willy grinned, that familiar mischievous spark returning to his eyes. "Though I doubt we'll need it. After all, we're about to reach a rather... interesting... part of the tour. I do hope everyone's ready for some rather unusual side effects."

Mrs. Beauregarde's face paled slightly. "Side effects?"

"Nothing to worry about," I assured her, unable to resist adding, "Though you might want to be careful about trying any experimental gum. Scientific observation suggests some rather... colorful... results."

Willy's slight wink told me he appreciated the hint about what was to come. As the boat rounded another bend, I felt his hand briefly brush against mine - whether by accident or design, I couldn't tell. But the touch sent that familiar warmth through me, like drinking hot chocolate on a cold day.

"The chocolate rose still blooms, you know," he whispered, just for my ears. "I kept the formula. For scientific purposes, of course."

"Of course," I replied, fighting back a smile. "Pure scientific interest."

Behind us, Charlie beamed knowingly at Grandpa Joe, while Mrs. Beauregarde looked like she'd bitten into a particularly sour candy. But for once, I didn't mind the jealous glares or mean comments. After all, some things were sweeter than revenge - like the memory of a chocolate rose blooming under the moonlight, and the boy who'd spent three months getting the formula just right.

~Willy's POV~

The Inventing Room was alive with bubbling sounds and whirring machines. Steam hissed from copper kettles while my beloved Oompa Loompas worked diligently at their stations. I couldn't help but grin as Heather's eyes widened at the controlled chaos before her.

"This is incredible, Willy!" she exclaimed, immediately drawn to the Ever-Lasting Gobstopper machine. "The molecular reconstruction happening here must be-"

"Mr. Wonka," Mrs. Beauregarde interrupted, pushing Violet forward. "Perhaps you could show us something more... impressive? Something worthy of a champion?"

I caught Heather rolling her eyes as she mouthed 'champion' sarcastically to Charlie, who stifled a giggle.

"Ah yes! Come here," I led them to my greatest invention yet. "This is the most revolutionary piece of gum in the world. It's a three-course dinner all by itself!"

"A gum that's a three-course dinner?" Heather's scientific curiosity was piqued. "How did you manage to isolate the flavor compounds without-"

"Let me guess," Mrs. Beauregarde cut in again, "another one of your 'experiments' with the science nerd?" She practically spat the last words.

I felt my smile tighten. "Actually, this is quite new. Though Heather's theories about molecular gastronomy did prove quite helpful in the early stages."

"Tomato soup, roast beef, and blueberry pie," I continued, watching the machine work its magic.

"It sounds weird," Mike Teavee scoffed.

"It sounds like my kind of gum!" Violet reached for the strip that emerged.

"Uh, I wouldn't do that," I warned, exchanging a knowing look with Heather. "There are still a few wrinkles to iron out..."

"I'm the world record holder in chewing gum," Violet bragged, already unwrapping it. "I'm not afraid of anything!"

"Violet," Heather stepped forward, her scientist's instincts kicking in. "Perhaps we should run some tests first. The molecular stability of-"

"Oh, shut it, professor," Mrs. Beauregarde sneered. "This is what a real champion looks like. Show them, honey!"

Violet popped the gum into her mouth, her current record-breaking piece stuck behind her ear. "It's amazing! I can taste the tomato soup! It's hot and creamy... wait... now roast beef with baked potato!"

"Don't get to the dessert," I muttered, backing away slightly. "I have a feeling the blueberry pie might be a bit... problematic."

"Blueberry pie and cream!" Violet exclaimed. "I can taste it!"

"Violet," Heather noticed it first, her eyes widening. "Your nose... it's turning violet!"

"What do you mean?" Mrs. Beauregarde demanded, then gasped as her daughter's face began turning a distinct shade of blue.

"I told you I hadn't quite worked out all the kinks," I said, watching as Violet began to swell. "There's still a few issues with the dessert course..."

"She's swelling up!" Charlie exclaimed.

"Like a blueberry," I nodded sagely. "It's always the blueberry pie that does it. I just can't seem to get the formula quite right."

"DO SOMETHING!" Mrs. Beauregarde screamed, all pretense of sophistication gone as her daughter continued to expand.

"Fascinating," Heather murmured, her scientific mind clearly racing. "The juice is somehow affecting the cellular structure... Willy, is this similar to what happened with the inflating candy incident of '85?"

"Quite similar, though with more... spherical results."

Violet was now completely blue and nearly perfectly round, still growing larger by the second.

"She's going to burst!" Mrs. Beauregarde wailed.

"No, no, that won't happen," I assured her, though I couldn't resist adding, "I think."

"WILLY!" Heather gave me that look that meant I wasn't helping.

"Right, right. Roll Miss Beauregarde to the juicing room," I instructed the waiting Oompa Loompas. "She needs to be squeezed immediately, before she gets any bigger."

As the Oompa Loompas began their song about the dangers of experimental gum, Mrs. Beauregarde chased after her spherical daughter, all thoughts of flirting with me apparently forgotten.

"♪ Listen close, and listen hard, to the tale of Violet Beauregarde... ♪"

~Willy's POV~

As the Oompa Loompas rolled the giant blueberry that was Violet toward the door, Mrs. Beauregarde grabbed my sleeve in panic. "You'll fix her, right? You can fix her?!"

Gone was her earlier flirtatious demeanor, replaced by genuine fear. I adjusted my top hat, adopting my most serious expression.

"Well," I began solemnly, "there is a small chance she might stay blue forever. The last child who tried unauthorized experimental candy... well..." I trailed off dramatically.

"What? What happened to the last child?!" Mrs. Beauregarde's face had gone pale.

"Let's just say they're still rolling around somewhere in the factory," I whispered conspiratorially. "We use them to make my special blue raspberry candies now."

"WHAT?!" Mrs. Beauregarde shrieked.

Behind me, I heard Heather snort with suppressed laughter, quickly turning it into an unconvincing cough. She always could tell when I was putting on a show.

"Oh yes," I continued, twirling my cane. "Though your daughter might make excellent blueberry-flavored treats instead. Much more marketable. 'Made from Real Champion!'" I gestured as if imagining the advertisement.

Mrs. Beauregarde swayed slightly, her tracksuit now notably dampened with nervous sweat. "But... but... you can't!"

"Can't I?" I raised an eyebrow. "After all, wasn't it you who said something about 'weird science nerds' and 'freaks' earlier? Perhaps you'd like to sample some of my... special blue raspberry collection?"

At this point, Heather lost her composure entirely, dissolving into fits of laughter. Charlie joined in, and even Grandpa Joe was chuckling.

"You... you're joking, right?" Mrs. Beauregarde's voice had risen several octaves. "This is just a joke?"

I maintained my serious expression for a moment longer before breaking into a grin. "Of course it is! She'll be fine after we squeeze her. Though she might be a bit more... flexible... than before. Perfect for those championship competitions you're so proud of!"

"You... you..." Mrs. Beauregarde sputtered, looking between me and the still-laughing Heather.

"Oh, and Mrs. Beauregarde?" I added as she turned to follow the Oompa Loompas. "Next time you feel like bullying someone in my factory, remember - I know how to make candy that can turn people into everything from blueberries to toffee. And some transformations... well, let's just say they're not as reversible as this one."

She practically ran from the room, her designer tracksuit squeaking with every step.

"That was wicked," Heather wiped tears of laughter from her eyes. "Did you see her face when you mentioned the blue raspberry candies?"

"Well," I smiled, offering her my arm as we prepared to continue the tour, "nobody messes with my favorite scientist."

"Your favorite scientist, am I?" Heather's eyes twinkled as she took my arm.

"Always have been," I replied softly. "Even if some of your temporal chocolate experiments did temporarily turn my hair green."

"That was one time!" she protested, but she was smiling.

"Actually, it was three times," Charlie piped up. "Grandpa Joe told me all about it!"

"Thank you, Charlie," I grinned. "Now, shall we see what other chaos we can cause? I believe Veruca Salt is due for a lesson in patience..."

As we led the remaining group toward the next room, I couldn't help but notice how natural it felt, having Heather by my side again. Even my Oompa Loompas seemed to approve, humming a cheerful tune that sounded suspiciously like a love song as they worked.

Some revenge, it seemed, was sweeter than candy.