Chapter 20

Sitting with the Enemy

The next morning, they woke early, despite their late night. They quicly ate breakfast and left the Leaky Cauldron.

"Where are we going now?" Lily asked as they walked down the street.

"We're going to the airport. The next horcrux is in the Black Sea."

"Why not just apparate or take a portkey?" Sirius asked.

"Because it's too far away."

"How did you get eight tickets? Aren't tickets expensive?"

"I didn't. We're going to have to sneak onto the plane. A train will take too long and won't go over water and there's no other way to get there."

"When does the plane leave?" Lily asked.

"Two hours."

"I've never ridden on a plane before," Ron said.

"Neither have I," Sirius and James said.

"It's not bad at all. It can actually be quite pleasant," Hermione said.

"I'd rather take something else to get there," Ginny said.

"There isn't any other way. Well, come on, then. Let's go."

"We're walking? Ron asked.

"No! The airport's miles away. We're taking the Knight Bus."

"Couldn't we just take the Knight Bus to the Black Sea?"

"Technically, it's Romania and no, we couldn't unless you want to spend days on that bus." Harry stuck out his wand and a few seconds later the Knight Bus arrived.

A man in his early twenties stepped out of the bus. "Welcome to the Knight Bus. We are here to help any stranded witch or wizard find their way. I am Michael Cross."

"Where's Stan?" Ron asked.

"Who?" Michael looked at the group, confused, but then his eyes widened. "Oh! Him. He's in Azkaban still."

James heard Harry growl. He walked forward and gave the man eleven sickles and entered the bus. As soon as they were all seated, James asked Harry, "Stan's in Azkaban? What for?"

"To prove the Ministry has a handle on the death eaters and Voldemort. He's innocent."

"Where to?" Michael asked.

"Airport."

"So how are we going to get onto the plane?" Ginny asked.

In answer to her question, Harry reached into his bag and pulled out his invisibility cloak.

"We can't all fit under there!" Draco exclaimed.

"I know that," Harry said. "Look, two of us can fit inside this comfortable. It will be a squeeze to get three, but here's what we're going to do. Ron, Hermione, and I will go first. I will come back with it and then take Draco and Ginny. Sirius and I will go then and I'll come back for James and Lily."

Harry lifted his cloak over himself and his three friends and they slowly walked toward the gate where the plane was.

James and the rest of the group that was left behind looked around the airport, fascinated, as only one of them had ever been in one before. "Look! There are stores in here!"

"Yes, James. There are also restaurants."

"Really? Wow! This place is amazing!"

"Look how many people there are carrying bags!" Sirius said.

"Sirius, please tell me you aren't seriously intrigued by that."

"Well—"

"Look!" Ginny cried, pointing out the window. They all turned and watched as a plane took off.

"Wow!" James and Sirius cried.

"Honestly, if you don't tone it down, people are going to start questioning your sanity," Draco said.

Just then, Harry came back. "Okay, Ginny, Draco. Come on." Now, the only ones left were Sirius, James, and Lily. Sirius and James continued to admire the airport and the planes when Harry came back. Harry led Sirius away leaving Lily relieved to have him led away.

"I still can't believe we're going to Romania with our son!"

"I still can't believe we have a son!" James smiled. "I never would have thought you'd be the one I married."

"Me neither." They stood in silence until Lily said, "James, does that man look familiar?" James looked at where she was pointing and saw a man in black robes walking with a woman also dressed in robes. The man had blond hair, while the woman had black."

"Yeah, they do, but I can't tell who they are. They're probably nobody."

"I don't thinks so, James. Look at what he's carrying."

James looked and saw a long stick in his right hand. "Could that be a wizard?" James asked.

"Yes, and that woman is a witch." Suddenly, Lily gasped. "James! That's Bellatrix and Lucius!"

"Oh no! We have to tell Harry!"

"I know, but what can we do? Everyone else is already on the plane!"

"We don't know if they can get on. We might be alright."

"What's wrong?" Harry asked as he walked up to them.

"Bellatrix and Lucius are here," James said.

"Where?"

"Over there."

"Great! All right, come here. Let's go and hope they don't board the plane before it takes off." When they were safely under the cloak, they walked toward the gate to board the plane. They entered unseen and walked toward the back of the plane. The plane didn't have many passengers so they were free to choose the seats that weren't occupied. They joined the others. James and Lily sat together in front of Sirius and Draco and behind Ron and Hermione. Harry sat with Ginny behind Sirius and Draco.

"What's wrong?" Ginny asked Harry as she noticed him straining to see the front of the plane. "My parents saw Bellatrix and Lucius in the airport. I just want to make sure they don't get on the plane."

"I hope not. We've had enough trouble already."

Harry turned to Ginny and hugged her reassuringly. Just then, Draco turned around.

"My dad and aunt just got on the plane!"

"Oh no! Tell the others," Harry said. "And stay low!" As he said that, he shrunk in his seat, but not before Lucius saw him. They saw him walk briskly toward them.

"Fancy meeting you here, Potter."

Harry stood up, followed by Ginny.

"We can't fight on a plane, Potter. We'll have to wait until we're off. We'll draw too much attention to ourselves. We'll have to wait until we're off the plane." Lucius smirked and Bellatrix laughed at the indignant look on Harry's face. "Hello, James and Lily. How are you? Is your stay in the future satisfactory? How about yours, Black? Ah, Draco, I thought I might find you here! The Dark Lord is not happy with you right now, but I'll let him deal with you when the time comes." Lucius looked around. "It looks we'll have the entire back of the plane to ourselves. I think Bella and I will sit here," Lucius waved his hands to the seats beside Harry and Ginny. "And if any of you feel the need to move around anywhere, you'll have to bring either Bella or me with you. We don't want you getting lost." Lucius smirked and sat down in the isle seat across the way from Harry.