Harry shifted nervously. He, Ron, and Hermione were on their way to the nearest airport. A muggle airport. While he and Hermione felt comfortable with that, Ron was constantly attracting attention with his long curly red hair, and his frequent remarks.
"Look at that! What's that for?" exclaimed Ron.
"Lower your voice," said Hermione, jabbing him in the ribs.
"It's where you pick up your bags," said Harry.
"What makes it rotate like that?" asked Ron.
"Electricity." Harry was beginning to feel cross that they couldn't apparate. He had suggested it, but Hermione had insisted that they were not experienced enough.
"Oh," Ron nodded. "Dad told us about that. Eclecticity. Pretty cool."
"Come on," said Hermione crossly. "We don't want to miss our flight."
"Hold it!" said Harry suddenly.
"What is it?" Hermione looked worried.
Harry squinted. If his vision hadn't betrayed him, he believed he had just seen… "It's Snape."
"What?" Ron jumped.
Harry pulled his wand out of his pocket, and was about to hex his ex-Professor when Hermione yanked his hand back.
"What do you think you're doing?" she hissed. "We're in front of muggles!"
"Where do you think he's going?" asked Ron.
"Dunno," said Harry. "Looks like he's got a crate under his arm… It says… crystallized pineapples."
"Nevermind that!" said Hermione. "We can't do anything about him, and we better stay out of his way if we want to get to Antarctica. Come on. Harry, I said, come on."
Harry frowned and followed Hermione and Ron, and they stepped on the plane.
"Oh gosh Ron, how can you be so airsick?" Hermione rolled her eyes.
Ron shrugged.
"Hey babe, I bet if you sit next to me by the window you'll feel better," said a male voice from behind them. Hermione turned.
"Not you, her," said the teenage boy.
Grinning weakly, Ron turned around.
"Holy---!" the boy flinched and ran down the aisle.
Other than that, their flight to Antarctica went pretty smoothly. They stepped off the plane shivering.
"Did you bring any extra sweaters?" asked Ron, shivering.
"No, but you've got your wand haven't you?" retorted Hermione a little curtly.
"Stop it you too," said Harry. "I know you guys haven't snogged for a while, but there's no need to be grumpy."
They crowded into the terminal, and found a small cafeteria.
"Let's get some hot cocoa," said Ron, and ran off to order three.
"Where do we go from here?" asked Hermione.
Harry unfolded Dumbledore's letter. "We need to find Hokey. If only we could find out where the nearest wizarding community is…"
"Now why would you want to do that?" came a voice behind them.
"Professor Slughorn!" exclaimed Hermione. "What are you doing here?"
"That's none of your business!" he said. "If anyone should be asking that question, it should be me! Now why aren't you kids in school?"
"Eeeeh…"
"Obliviate!" came a quiet voice.
They turned around and found Ron standing there, with his wand peeking out of his sleeve.
"Well!" Harry and Hermione were impressed.
"No need to thank me," grinned Ron, handing them their mugs of hot cocoa. Hermione smiled at him.
Slughorn stared blankly at them. "Hello. I'm not sure why I'm here. Could you tell me?"
"Right," said Harry. "You were just about to tell us where the nearest wizarding community was."
"Oh…" Slughorn raised his eyebrows. "Right. Sure. There's a small clothing shop by the name of Arnold's Weather Gear. Go in there and find Arnold, and tell him the secret password."
"Which is…?"
"The Abominable Snowman."
"And how do we get there?"
As Slughorn walked away after giving the trio directions, Hermione worked another memory charm on him so that he would not remember that they had met him.
"I pity the bloke. He's going to be awfully confused," Ron shook his head.