Sorry if this part is out late, and thanks to my beta reader The Blue Yeti!
Harry Potter And The Cup Of Resurrection
Part 4
The gateway had opened up above an ocean, (Harry did not know which). Early morning sun shone down onto the bright blue of the waves and was reflected back up to the group of fliers. They were about twenty meters above the waves that slowly sloshed and turned.
It was a cloudless day, the sun bright - it was quite beautiful. But one thing disturbed the tropical image, it disturbed the powerful smell of brine and what disturbed him even more was that James didn't seem to have noticed. It was really, HOT!
It was sweltering! Harry estimated the temperature was at least twenty-five degrees. James took a deep breath of the salt-soaked air. Taking it in. He let out a long sigh before raising his voice " Ladies, gentleman this is the land of OZ, it's about twenty to thirty and it's our bright winter, also..." (Mouths dropped at what had just been said as they all exclaimed "Winter!?") James smirked. "Our weather teams have predicted extremely high temperatures this season"
His face suddenly split into a wide grin, as he pointed straight ahead. "If we keep going we should reach Sydney soon. Be careful to stay high when we see land; there are lots of muggle boats on the harbour." James turned and shot off in a flash of colour. Fred and George glanced at each other, nodded, and, crouching low over their brooms, raced off after James. Hermione was struggling to keep on her broom. Her parents were holding onto her, so she was doing...as well as could be expected. But she kept looking down towards the swirling waves, which gave Harry the impression she most likely couldn't swim.
James, however, gave no qualms as he raced off, the twins on his tail. James just grinned and urged his Starfire 3000 into a step dive towards the waves. Fred and George glanced at each other and followed. James let out a shrill cry of exhilaration as he shot down towards the depths. They neared the water the "terrible two", known for their jokes and their guts, pulled up, unwilling to let themselves get wet. James didn't. Doing exactly what he had done at the Weasley's, he pulled up at the very last moment. But, to much better effect. The rush of air he'd brought with him sprayed water up behind and to his sides swirled the blue of the ocean as he shot across the white-water.
Harry shot after them, Ron with him. They plunged towards James who was happily skimming the waves - occasionally getting caught as a spray of water hit him. Hermione and the adults moved off in the original direction James had pointed. (Hermione calling out "Stop fooling about!") But no one really listens to her.
James was unaware of Ron and Harry speeding up on his flank. James turned in mid air to see Harry bearing down on him. They were nearing, the Firebolt's superior speed showing. James saw what they where trying to do - make him swim. And that wasn't going to be happening today. As they neared, James leaned hard across on his broom. Hanging from the broom, one hand and foot touching the water, he spun round hard and fast, and a wall of spray shot straight at Harry and Ron.
James was already swinging himself back onto his broom as the wall of spray hit his friends. James laughed hysterically as they where coated in water. Laughing, Fred and George bore down behind James, ready to dismount him. James had no chance of turning or running, so he leapt from his broom. The twins braked in astonishment as James' broom casually floated under them, then suddenly Fred's broom dipped and was pulled downwards. Fred looked shocked, and let out a cry. Then James' voice said, "Would you mind not going up and down for a minute, mate, I'm trying to get on my broom." Fred bent down and looked under his broom. James was hanging onto it, his broom floating below him.
"How, what? Aarrrr, what are you doing?" Fred asked dumbly.
James just smiled and answered, "Nothing much, just hangin' round" Fred nodded at the quip as James let go. He fell straight onto his broom and winced at the painful landing. "Here," he said almost as soon as he was mounted, "I'll show you a stunt." They watched, more than slightly bemused, as James speed away for a moment. Stopped. Then taking firm hold of his Starfire with one hand, he sped forwards. Suddenly, he braked, but instead of flying forwards into the blue deep, he let his body flip upwards, and balanced with one hand on the broom.
He held his pose, legs in the air, a very tiny moment, he stood still, and then fell back onto his broom. Landing with not his bottom, but his feet on the broom. He gently sat himself back into place and took a mock bow.
They all clapped as he did. "That was very, very well done James" Fred said, and for once (in a situation NOT involving pranking), he was in awe. "Cool, could you teach me how to do some tricks."
"And me!" George added.
James smiled "I'll try, but we'll need to go to a safety arena. Do you two swim?"
Fred and George looked at each other, then at James. "What on Earth does swimming have to do with flying tricks?"
James smiled slowly "Because safety arenas don't have a pitch, just anĀ·almost deep stretch of water"
Fred's awe disappeared. "We can't swim," he said simply.
James rolled his eyes "Typical, come on, the others should be approaching Sydney by now and I'll need to direct them." He spurred his broom and shot off. Harry swung his Firebolt around and raced after him. Ron behind and a sullen Fred and George further back.
They began to glimpse the first shorelines as they raced. Harry drew level with James and called, over the rush of the wind, "Race you?" James turned his head, queering. "I'll give you a five second head start." They could see the small, dots of color that was the Weasleys and Grangers and raced towards them. James had a small, but clear lead. Harry pushed his broom harder. The Firebolt was speeding up. James was speeding up too. But he was reaching his speed limit as he crouched low over his broom. The twins where in hot pursuit. The shapes of the Weasleys and Grangers began grow larger, much larger. And before long they were nearing them.
Harry and James reached them first and both passed to the side as they tried to slow. They joined the main group as the younger Weasleys came up. Mrs Weasley looked at them. "What have you been doing?" She said it sternly, but they could hear something more floating through in her voice.
"I've been showing these, clots," James said, pointing at Harry then at the Weasley siblings, "how good tricks and stunts are done." Mrs Weasley nodded, smiling, then looking around said, "It must be lovely here James. Nice weather, sun, sand and surf. Do you have any brothers or sisters to enjoy it with?"
James features sunk considerable, what had popped his mood? "Umm," James began and halted. "Well, actually, yes I do have a brother and a sister." Harry looked at him. Ron looked at him. Then Hermione, who had overheard, looked at him.
"You never told us about your family. Nothing, except that your Dad's an Auror!" Harry exclaimed in disbelief. He had never told them about his family, never once!
James defended himself almost sheepishly, "I,I couldn't tell you about them. It might put them in danger. If Westerner knew, he'd kill them!"
"Calm down, James. We weren't accusing you." Ron said. "I'd guess I'd feel the same way, we don't blame you" James nodded.
"So," said Hermione, "What's your brother and sister like?"
James thought for a moment before saying, "My brother Jordan's fourteen, a pest, and brainless a lot of the time." Harry smiled. "Mara, my sister," James continued, "is fifteen and her bark is much worse than her bite, and she hates me most of the time."
"Umm,Why?"
James sighed. "What do you think Ron? Me and a female relative without enough of an age difference between us?"
Ron shrugged stupidly. "Don't have a clue."
James groaned, "she hates me because I up stage her at times. I read her diary, you know. She goes off at me. Throws language in technicolour at me. Get the picture?" (Ron gave a "Ahhh!" And James groaned again.)
Mrs Weasley gasped and exclaimed, "Look at that!" And they all looked. A large blue bay appeared below them. Muggle boats cruised the sparkling water of the pristine bay. Muggle skyscrapers were everywhere, reaching to the clouds. Shades of grey and black defined the city they approached; it was as far as the eye could see. Lines of buildings, roads and towers everywhere you look. But their eyes were drawn to a large bridge that spanned across the harbour, joining one side of the city to the other. It was a crisscrossed pattern of girders and steel shaped in to a half circle bridge.
"God's coat hanger, also known as the Sydney Harbour Bridge." James commentated. He glanced downwards. "Look down there," he said and they all glanced down at the sea. A moderate island was there. Filled with small buildings, but dominated by a large red square. Wharfs littered around the island. A large muggle boat was approach the island; cruising straight towards the island, not stopping.
"It's going to crash!" cried Mrs Weasley.
James laughed "Watch," he said, simply. So they watched. The boat was a large 'river-cat' ferry that was gradually getting closer and faster. Just as they all thought a disaster was about to happen the boat disappeared. And then reappeared on the other side of the island.
"What!" Hermione's parents stuttered. "What happened?"
James laughed. "That's Red Square, capital of The Australia Magical Republic. It's protected by a phase charm, it just let the ferry disappear, and reappear as if nothing happened. Which it didn't really." James was about to continue when a sudden magically booming voice filled their ears.
"Unknown flying group, you have been seen by Muggles. Oblivators have been dispatched but we wish to inquire as to what you are doing in this restricted area?" The voice was deep and filled with official smarminess. James swore, then he yelled down, "Air control, this is flight group YQC 324 straight from Britain."
"What is this?"
James was about to reply when the voice returned. "Confirmed Master Wills, state your business."
James sighed before saying, "we're en-route to the See on Sea Hotel and then to my residency."
"Acknowledged, displaying cloaked route"
Suddenly flashing lights appeared in front of them, leading down towards the island. The lights flashed red and white, then blue, pink, orange and many other colours. "Thank you control" James called, then to Mrs Weasley said, "follow the path to a large building with a flashing sigh reading 'See On Sea'. You can't miss it. I think I'll show Harry and the others Red Square tomorrow, we should see you then." Mrs Weasley smiled and thanked him. She then went over to Ron, muttered something in his ear that made him angry, before she kissed him on the cheek and he blushed furiously.
Hermione parents talked to her for a moment, and then smiled and let go of her broom and she wobbled for a moment before balancing. As the large group of Weasleys and Grangers departed (with a few "Thanks, James!" and a "See ya, guys!") James turned to the opposite direction to where they had gone. Another bright path of floating lights appeared leading to a muggle suburb on the edge of a wooded headland. "Is that where you live?" Ron asked. "I thought you'd live down at that Red Square place." James shook his head and motioned to them to follow the lights.
"The muggle house are nicer than some of the wizarding houses on the island." He began to go down towards a house. It was two-story high with cream coloured walls and a black roof with hints of silver and grey. The ground floor was large and had a glass sliding door like the Weasley's opening up onto a green lush garden. A pier came out of the lawn and onto the water where two boats were moored. And next to it was a large swimming pool, almost sitting in the harbour. The whole house was built on a slanting block so the garden led up to the house like tiers. The level nearest the house had roses and other flowers, the second, a water feature and the last one had trees.
They touched down on the lowest tier where unusual trees and ferns grew. A number of eucalyptus and fruit trees were set at the lowest level. James smiled as he landed on the ground. "Ahhh, home sweet home." As the others landed, they looked about at their surroundings. The greens were a welcome change from the metals of the city. James grabbed his broom and called to them before they could sink into the surroundings. "Come on, come and meet the family."
They walked up a set of sandstone steps that led to the second tier. A water feature with a few fish was there; water plants, lilies and reeds overflowed from the pond. They kept walking up to the last tier. Roses in full bloom where there, obviously magical from their colourings. Pansies, daffodils and many bright flowers also littered the garden. James led them up another set of steps to a pine balcony; the polished boards sparkled in the sun. James reached the sliding door and tugged it open. Cool air wafted out as James ushered them into the house.
Gray carpet covered the floors and straight-ahead of them, about 20 meters away, was a door that led outside. To the left was a window and next to was some steps that led down to a lowered section of the house where a seating arrangement with a muggle television and a coffee table in the centre. On the other side of the lower section was a table where a man sat working on a parchment letter some kind. Small glasses sat on his face and a quill danced in his right hand.
The man sported short black hair, a few scars and dark green eyes as well as a prominent crooked nose. He looked up and smiled at them, he fitted the description of James father. Past James and to the right was what looked like a bar in the wall, and a door next to it. It was propably the kitchen. Next to that was a staircase that wound up to the second floor and past that was a corridor.
James' father smiled "Back so soon, it was getting quiet around here, without you arguing with someone."
James smiled and said "I missed you too Dad"
Another voice called from behind the bench, "James back already back Michael?" A woman's head popped up from the bar. Her red-streaked ebony hair to her shoulders, with youthful features that must be James' mother.
"Hey Mum" James said. He walked over and kissed her on the cheek.
"I see you've brought your friends." His father commented, "when will it ever be quiet, again?" He mused sarcasticly. "Well come on, introduce us!" James sighed and pointed at his friends in turn. "That's Harry Potter - the Harry Potter." Harry winced and glared at James. "That's Ron Weasley. And that's Hermione Granger."
A sharp, mocking voice cut the air. "Ohh, so it's James' girlfriend!" and laughter came from above and they all looked up.
The stairs led up to a sort of walkway that met the other rooms on the second floor. A head with long, plain and unaspiring brown hair, popped over the rails. James sighed, "Guys you are unfortunate enough to have to meet my sister." Her face was adorned with an average nose, eyes, lips, and nothing more than that. But she made up for the average looks with an above average temper and language use.
"Mara means absolutely no offence to you, just me." James said before launching into the argument "Well, at least I can get a close friends, not like you, the last boyfriend you had, you punched him in the head! Not a good impression for the only guy who'll ever date you!"
Mara began to walk down the staircase threateningly. "He was a pig, James, and you know it."
James shrugged "You could've just dumped him, not thumped him."
Mara grinned. "It was fun to make him pay for all those missed dates." She paused, "Jordan will be in stitches by now."
James smiled at her. "Come on," he called to his friends. "Let's get your stuff up stairs." They walked upwards, Mara running ahead of them. "If you don't mind we'll be sharing rooms around. Ron with Jordan, Hermione with Mara, and me and Harry. Is that OK with everyone?" James asked. They nodded, Hermione a bit glumly as James said to her, "Mara is, sorta nice you know, Hermione. It's just me she hates. She is nice really, aren't you Mara?"
Mara looked down at them, "yes," she said, not a bit afraid to let a streak of grumpiness in her voice because she was 'nice!' "I am very nice."
"See, straight from the horses mouth." They reached the top of the stairs. Mara walked straight to a door and went in.
The halls were set out like walkways around the walls. Four doors led from the wall to their right - each with an ornate letter on it. A large curved 'J' was the one on the nearest door. "This is Jordan's bedroom," James said as he opened the door, "Dump your stuff in here Ron, it'll annoy him, but not too much." They went to the next door along which had large 'M' on it. Before James could touch it, the door burst open and out rushed a short boy, looking like James, without any scars, and a longer nose. Mara was right behind him.
"You ba...."
Their mother's voice bellowed from below. "No foul words in front of our guests Mara. I'm sure they have must better habits in England." Mara muttered indulgently to herself as she ran after Jordan.
"Sure, Mum." She called as she raced after Jordan down the stairs.
"What has he done?" Hermione asked.
James shrugged, "Read her diary, probably, though there's nothing much in it."
"JAMES!!?" Mara's voice exploded from the stairs. James went white. Muttering quickly he turned to them. "Harry, my room's the next one along, put your stuff in there and meet me in five, outside, with as much money as you can. I've gotta start running." Mara raced up from behind as James disappeared into another corridor.
Wonder what that's about don't you? I hope so. PLEASE R&R
Paladin Starfire
Disclaimer: Harry Potter, his enemies and friends belong to J.K Rowling & Warner Brothers as well as all magical item and creatures etc. All other characters, monsters, creatures and items are owned by me. Unless they are mention in one of J.K.R's books.
