Author's Notes: I don't have a good Editing note for this chapter. Don't like it, go home...
Reviews: As ever reviews are not required, but are greatly appreciated as positive ones are half the fuel that keeps me going.
GMT 7:00 P.M
Amelia swayed slightly with the rocking motion of the elevator as it descended into the depth of the Department of Mysteries. At this hour, it was quiet, aside from the rattle of the elevator around her. The workers had long since gone home for the day, and only a few security personnel and unspeakables remained on duty overnight.
She couldn't help but wonder if the all encompassing silence this department typically cultivated was intentional or not, it certainly served to enhance the disquiet one felt when approaching the unspeakables domain.
She stepped off the elevator to find a single unspeakable waiting for it so they could make their way home. "Excuse me, can you tell me where Director Croaker is?"
The unspeakable considered her silently from beneath her shadowed cowl for a time before pointing deeper within the department, "main office, last door, keep quiet." the voice murmured before stepping into the elevator without further consideration.
Amelia shook her head as the elevator rattled back up out of sight. The unspeakables always had been an odd bunch. Most intellectual types tended to enjoy speaking about what they had learned in her experience, but down here it was exactly the opposite. Every secret, every scrap of knowledge, important or not, was hoarded jealously. Only occasionally did the department allow a small piece of information out in the form of an official release. A new potion, a new spell, some forgotten lore.
She reflect on this as she passed deeper within the department. She could count on her hand the number of times the unspeakables had released a new discovery to the public since she'd taken the director's chair. Though she wasn't fool enough to think that in anyway gave a true indication of just how much they knew. They undoubtedly had secrets they hoped never to share with the wizarding world at large.
True to the Unspeakable's—admittedly brief—word, she found her quarry in the last door on the left in the main research office concealed in the deepest reaches of the department. Croaker appeared tired, then again he had likely been at work for the majority of the day already, however she had been right in assuming he was the type to work late into the night.
He glanced up at her, before brightening somewhat at her presence. "Ah, Amelia. Strange to see you down here so soon! Something I can help you with today?"
Croaker...was different. Very unlike the others he worked with, perhaps that was why he'd made it high enough to become Director? She smiled blandly at him. "Sorry to bother you so late Saul. There's a matter we need to discuss. Do you mind if we keep this confidential?"
He nodded easily, fiddling with a couple objects on his desk. "There, privacy screens are up. So what can I help you with?"
"It falls under our previous conversation, I'd appreciate you considering it covered by that oath…" She explained, then continued when he nodded his understanding. "Speaking of, have you had any success in that matter?"
He shook his head tiredly. "No, in the magical world, same as the muggle, mind to mind communication is generally considered a myth, as yet I haven't found anything particularly solid to follow up on. I'll keep looking though, just as I promised."
Amelia nodded soberly, "Alright, then that brings me to the current matter I suppose. I was recently reflecting on the battle at my residence against You-Know-Who and the Death Eaters. And I remembered something which I had forgotten in the mess that kicked up."
He leaned forward in interest so she explained. "While attempting to draw You-Voldemort's attention away from me, Harry said some things which seemed to singularly irritate the bastard. Now normally I wouldn't bother you with something as inconsequential as combat banter, but Harry mentioned something intriguing when he was goading him."
"He mentioned that Voldemort shouldn't have entrusted his 'memory container' or some such to Lucius Malfoy, and that he, Harry that is, had destroyed it. That it had told him things. When he mentioned this it temporarily diverted Voldemort's attention, causing him to lash out in an attempt to kill Mr Potter." She noted with interest the way Saul seemed to pale somewhat. "I take it from your expression you have some idea what he was talking about?"
Croaker hesitated, his eyes darting sideways uneasily. "I'm not sure, it does however remind me of a particularly dark and foul piece of magic I have heard of in the past…." he hedged uncomfortably.
"Is this something that he would likely take interest in?" She asked, her tone clearly conveying whom it was she was inquiring about.
"I'm-I am reluctant to say. There are some magics it is better left forgotten. We have a policy of not discussing this particular branch of magic with anyone…" He admitted.
Amelia gave him a pointed look. "Saul, if it is relevant to our efforts against Voldemort...I think I need to know."
He sighed, rubbing at the bridge of his nose. "Yes, I suppose you do at that. What you described bears a strong resemblance to what is colloquially known as "The Darkest Magic" Now, I admit I am uncertain as to whether or not this is hyperbole or not. It is however undisputable that it is particularly foul and repugnant. Even the most depraved individuals seldom descend so low as to attempt it."
"Speak plainly Saul." his counterpart directed tiredly.
He nodded. "I apologize, tell me Amelia, your family has it's share of dark arts practitioners in its past, but have you ever heard of a Horcrux?"
She shook her head, and he nodded seriously. "Yes, I suppose you wouldn't have. Your family's skeletons tended more towards the literal kind if I recall correctly. Which while similar in some facets Necromancy is a very distinct branch of magic from that of Soul magic."
She blinked in surprise. "Soul magic? You mean such as a phylactery?" She asked. Soul magic she knew was a very esoteric field of study, it was said, with a very limited amount of practical use. Phylacteries were the only semi-well known product of this art as far as she knew.
He hummed noncommittally. "Mmm-yes and no. A phylactery as you know is a sample of magically imbued blood, bone and muscle tissue kept in a specialized device or container. It essentially contains a small sample of the sum total of a person's physical essence. Blood, muscle, bone " He reiterated, then shrugged. "and a bit of their aura in the magic within them, in other words, body and soul. If used in the correct rituals or enchantments a phylactery can be used to track a specific person's whereabouts over great distances, or make them subject to magics cast whilst they are absent. The most clever example I've seen of a benign Phylactery is that clock Arthur Weasley is so proud of. It tracks and states the status of each member of the family at any given time." He explained patiently.
He paused and leant back in his chair. "No, a Horcrux is something a little different from that. Though it's more a difference of degree, as opposed to anything else. Where a Phylactery takes a sample of body and soul byproducts. A Horcrux takes a literal shattered fragment of the person's soul and mind. Another one of Herpo the Foul's thrice cursed discoveries, though we believe the 'art' did not actually originate with him."
"So, the object Harry destroyed…" Amelia asked her sense of unease deepening.
"Was almost certainly a literal fragment of the Dark Lord's soul fused into an object." He took in her worried and disgusted expression and nodded sagely. "Now, if that were the sum total of it, that would be monstrous enough. The acts necessary to shatter one's soul so that a piece can be broken off and stored are heinous in the extreme. But it is much worse than that Amelia, if he has done this thing. If he's created Horcruxes...then our task has just become a whole lot harder."
She eyed him warily. "Why, what does a Horcrux do precisely, I'm getting the impression it may have something to do with why he didn't die that night all those years ago?"
He sighed, appearing to age before her eyes. "It grants immortality Amelia, while the Dark Lord possesses and safeguards active fragments of his soul he cannot be truly destroyed."
The atmosphere of the current meeting of the Order of the Phoenix was much less exuberant than it usually had been in the past. This could be because the Order had all but been gutted in recent weeks.
First had of course been the death of Sirius Black, something which truly had dealt a body blow to most of the Order, and not just because he'd played host to their little get togethers. Sirius had been, by and large, an amiable and likeable sort.
Then had come Emmaline Vance's hospitalization, which she had only recently been released from, and was not yet up to attending these meetings regularly. Rounding out with the way the Auror members had been so expertly excised by the actions of Amelia Bones.
All in all, the Order could be said to be in a sad state. It's remaining members being, three school teachers, one of which was a Death Eater, led by an aging headmaster, a somewhat divided family of red-heads, one depressed werewolf, a thief, two somewhat batty old codgers, and a grumpy paranoid old coot who had been showing less and less of late. Apparently preferring to execute his own operations against the Death Eaters in secrecy.
All in all it left Dumbledore a little melancholy. This was not the Order of old that was for certain. Gone were the ranks of faithful and competent followers who would have followed him into hell itself. Most of the former members of that organization dead, or now thoroughly disillusioned by it all.
Then again, half of the dour atmosphere currently pervading the Weasley kitchen could likely be attributed to the presence of Severus Snape. A man who basically embodied the term dour in every way.
Snape was at this very moment delivering yet another report. "The Dark Lord continues to plan an operation, though as yet he has not seen fit to read me in on affairs. As likely as it is that he doesn't trust me entirely, it is more likely still that this is in actuality a case of compartmentalization. None in his army can betray what they do not know. I will still however endeavour to find out more before it is too late to act." He assured them. His dry tone and disinterested personna leaving none, save Dumbledore, with any real confidence. Snape paused considering then seemed to give a small internal sigh of resignation. "There is one further matter I have to report, though the Dark Lord has largely abandoned his search for Potter, he has put out word to all foreign contacts to be on the lookout for him. He is not convinced that the boy would leave these shores but felt it best to cover all possibilities as best he could."
Dumbledore snorted internally at that. Let Tom chase wild Snorkacks in the bushes. The idea was utterly absurd that Harry would venture abroad. The boy had no experience with lands other than England. He'd been very pleased to learn of the Dursley's aversion to foreigners. And there were no loose ends to draw him abroad he was sure, he'd seen to that himself.
That entirely left aside the fact that the boy's destiny lay here on these shores. Fate would not allow him to so easily escape, Albus assured himself. Still, as he took in the already depressed attitude of the Order, Dumbledore could not help but feel the need to bolster them somewhat so they could set themselves to their tasks with purpose.
He pushed to his feet. "Yes, thank you Severus as ever for your contributions. They shall not be forgotten." Dumbledore agreed piously. "I just want to take this time to reassure the members here that all is not lost. We are doing everything in our power to find Harry and return him home…I am confident that Harry will soon be back with us." This didn't seem to meet with much beside vague skepticism from everyone save Molly Weasley who brightened considerably and resumed knitting humming happily to herself.
"Which brings me to our last order of business today. As our numbers are somewhat depleted by circumstance I would like to officially open the Order of the Phoenix to a recruitment drive. I would like each of you to think hard in the coming days on those who might be swayed to our cause and to tell me so that I might approach them. Times have been hard, I assure you this has not gone unnoticed, but the Order's future is as bright as ever, do not despair!"
Narcissa Malfoy, could not remember the last time she'd felt so nervous simply approaching a house.
Oh, she'd been plenty nervous returning home after Lucius' trial to report how it had gone against them. To say the Dark Lord had not been pleased they been unable to sway matters in their favour was a monumental understatement which left Narcissa shivering in remembrance.
Ironically, that state of affairs was no one's fault but Lucius himself. He, like so many other Pure Blood lords, refused to trust their wives with full access to the family funds and accounts.
There were a number of reasons for this, some practical, most selfish. Lucius desired to keep as much funding as possible available for their...guest as possible. As that was the only thing keeping them truly useful to the monster. However he also didn't trust her, for reasons of inbred and learned distrust of the female gender, to not run off with everything in the vaults first chance she got. It may also have had to do with the fact that had Narcissa been able to view account balances he suspected she'd have murdered him in his sleep for spending so much money on mistresses and prostitutes.
Which really only served to deepen the irony, as despite his attempts at subterfuge
Narcissa was unfortunately aware of her husband's less than loyal tendencies. Had she been raised to be anything other than a dutiful Pure Blood mother and wife, she might have left him a long time ago.
Regardless, the fact remained that despite everything she now found herself in the unenviable position of being the most nervous she could ever recall being. Which was saying something.
It was not that the house she now approached was particularly foreboding. In fact it was actually fairly plain, especially when measured by her rather high and opulent standards of living.
It was simple, small and white. A single level home of muggle construction, situated in the heart of a small neighbourhood on the outer edge of the London urban sprawl.
She'd never had occasion to visit this house before. Which was when one reflected
upon it a fairly sad commentary on just how badly her relationship with her remaining sane sibling had deteriorated.
So there she stood, wringing her hands nervously as she stood on the front step outside her sister's home. She'd felt the wards react rather strongly to her presence and for half a second had expected to find herself hurled across the street. Instead feeling the slight sting of the wards testing caress before they allowed her passage. She couldn't help but wonder just what have happened had she approached with hostile intent. Nothing good, she was certain. Say what you would about Andromeda Tonks, she was still one of the black sisters when one came down to it.
Narcissa shook off those thoughts, she was dawdling she knew, procrastinating, putting off what was bound to be an unpleasant conversation. She steeled herself then uncoupled her hands to raise one and knock at the door.
Despite the sharp staccato she rapped on the doorway the house remained studiously silent. And after a minute she peered around confirming that lights were indeed on within the house.
Perhaps...the door lacked a knocker, however it did possess a small, strange glowing button beside the door, imbedded in the frame. She pressed it hesitantly and gave a small start when there was a short ringing chime which sounded clearly through the door.
She was at least comforted that this seemed to have produced results as she soon
heard muffled footsteps through the wood of the door. She braced herself as she noticed the small pinprick of light from the door's tiny aperture wink out.
She sighed when the sound of muffled cursing and thumping came from the far side of the door. It was odd—a both fond and bitter memory—that allowed her to imagine quite clearly and accurately what was going on on the far side of the door. Andromeda had just experienced one of her 'mostly' silent temper tantrums. An affair which involved a lot of hopping about and foot stamping, generally accompanied by half uttered curses and growls while she attempted quite industriously to strangle the life out of the air in front of her with her bare hands.
Merlin knew she and Bellatrix had both elicited such a reaction on more than one occasion from their usually reserved sister.
Finally that came to an end and there was a less muffled, and clearly heartfelt curse from beyond the door before the locks began to click and grind, and the door pulled open with a snap.
Narcissa couldn't help it, she took a hurried step back at the thunderous expression playing across her sister's features. Andromeda however took no action to move towards her fleeing sibling, instead opting to observe her coldly while she leaned against the frame tapping her wand against her leg, eyes narrowed.
The silence stretched a few moments before she spoke to her well and truly spooked younger sister. "Well then…I admit I certainly didn't expect to see you darkening my doorstep anytime soon." She sucked her teeth a moment before jerking her head slightly indicating the area behind her. "At least not without a few of your buddies along to help you burn the place down."
Narcissa winced, had it been Bellatrix approaching this house, that undoubtedly would have been the situation. That Andromeda lumped her younger sister into the same category as Bella...well that was less than reassuring. "I am, uh-I am not here on his business." She admitted, her tone clearly confirming just whom he was.
Andromeda rolled her eyes. "Yes the lack of spell fire, hooded and masked goons and mad cackling made that clear." She sighed tiredly, closing her eyes momentarily before refocusing on the woman across from her. "What do you want Narcissa?"
That Andy hadn't referred to her as 'Cissa' also served to underscore how badly things had gone between them all those years ago. Still, she had to try, "I um-May I come in please?"
This was met with a scornful sound from her sister. "May I see your forearm sister?"
In other times, in other places Narcissa would have been insulted both at the assertion and the bluntness of the demand. Normally she didn't kowtow to others in such a fashion, but desperate times had dulled her pride and she was promptly pulling up her sleeves wincing slightly when one of the buttons there tore loose and pinged away across the porch.
There shining slightly in the pale moonlight were her forearms, clean and bare. She couldn't help but be a little hurt at the look of surprise which crossed her sister's features.
Though she knew she really had no right to be.
It was perhaps her hurt which made her offer the next thing, her tone a touch more sure and brisk than before. "I don't have my wand with me either. Feel free to check."
Andromeda considered the woman across from her a moment before nodding, first flicking her wand at the woman's still outstretched forearms, causing a wave of horripilation to skitter across her flesh as the sensory spells searched for glamours finding none. Then Andromeda directed her wand elsewhere, first at her clearly searching for a wand or weapon to summon from her person, however she could tell that it surprised her sister somewhat when it met no resistance, nor did it produce any results. Finally Andromeda flicked her wand to the side and the button which she had lost a minute before flew into her hand.
Andromeda considered the small bauble dispassionately before holding it out to her to take. "Fine, come inside. We leave shoes at the door."
She waited just long enough for Narcissa to grab the proffered button before turning to allow her through the door.
Narcissa stepped inside and waited for her sister to secure the door again before pulling off her shoes as instructed, placing them on a mat clearly provided for the purpose. Her sister then silently led her deeper within the small, tastefully decorated home. "You are lucky, Ted is out on business right now. Won't be home for a few hours yet." Andromeda explained.
Narcissa didn't see it but her sister frowned slightly when she refrained from commenting on her husband one way or the other. It was unlike almost any of Andromeda's relatives not to offer an acerbic barb about her choice of spouse.
Which was why she ended up surprised when Andromeda stopped in the middle of the hallway and turned to eye her speculatively. "Before we go any further, what was the last thing you said to me when I left home?"
Narcissa was confused, why bring that up now? Andromeda sighed before explaining.
"It's a security question, to ensure it's you. Should have done it at the door…"
The younger sister winced, thinking back to that day. "I-er, I told you that I had only
one sister and that you were not her." She admitted bleakly.
Andromeda nodded stiffly, before loosening up again and turning without a further word to lead her into the sitting room down the hall. She paused only to proffer a chair to her guest before beginning a slow pace across the room. Narcissa tried not to be intimidated as she sat in the chair smoothing the skirt of her dress. She knew more than her fair share of spell and magic in general. And being a Black, much of that was dark in nature. But that advantage availed her little here. Andromeda always had been a better student than she, and had been a mean fighter in any of the practice duels they'd fought in the day. She was, despite being disowned, a Black sister by birth too, and knew just as much in the way of horrifyingly painful magic as she did, if not more.
Narcissa recalled an incident from near the end of the last war. Andromeda had been present in diagon alley with her husband and young daughter when Bellatrix had led a raid there. That was the only time she could remember Bella returning from a fight with wounds not inflicted by her master. Apparently the two siblings had duelled when Bellatrix, predictably, had lashed out at her former sister.
She'd never heard just how Andromeda had fared compared to Bellatrix, but she had survived where so many others had not, and had managed to hurt a woman few trained aurors dared to stand against.
"Now, what is it that you want Narcissa?" Andromeda asked brusquely.
Though she had anticipated this meeting more than her sister had, she still needed a moment to consider how to proceed. Eventually settling on the blunt truth. "Things have gone badly...particularly since the battle at the Ministry." She admitted. "The Dark Lord blamed Lucius for the failure there, and with the latest Carrow fiasco….he decided his use for Draco and myself had ended. He chose instead to use us as a method to send a message to Lucius. When he abandoned our residence, which he had been using as a base prior to that, he left me and my son bound and gagged in our home. He left us to die. The elves being forbidden from aiding us."
Andromeda paused, a brief glimmer of surprise in her eyes before she quashed it. "Are you truly surprised that the bastard turned on you Narcissa, I'd thought you more astute than that."
Normally she would have bristled at the implied insult, however current events had her pausing and considering that question seriously. "In retrospect, we indeed should have expected that he would not keep to his bargain. We had hoped he would hold with the traditions and protocols he professed to champion. Obviously, as I am here, he did not."
She grimaced and then shrugged. "It is only because one of our elves was brave enough to defy him that we escaped at all."
Her sister nodded, before resuming her slow pace back and forth. "And why come to
Me?"
Narcissa sighed, there was nothing for it but to be honest. She had nothing to gain by
lying, and her sister was just as well trained as her, she'd undoubtedly see through any falsehood she spun. "Frankly? It is because I have no other choice." She saw the mild surprise in her sister again before forging onward. "Most others I could have even contemplated approaching prior to this would either be unwilling or unable to cross the Dark Lord in such a manner. That's assuming they were not directly in league with him to begin with."
She shrugged and continued. "My only other options of note besides contacting you, would be to approach Potter, who is unlikely to look favourably on such a thing, or to go on the run. Something we both know would be of little use should he decide to hunt us."
Andromeda had ceased pacing and considered her seriously from behind grey eyes. "Well, at least you're honest," She allowed with a snort of dark amusement. "So, you want me to help you out is that correct, to shelter you?"
Narcissa nodded. "Our own home is no longer secure, and we have next to no funds
we can access with Lucius in Azkaban. Not that he would dare to cross the Dark Lord were he free regardless."
Her sister nodded, mulling that over, before hesitating. "My-home, is not so safe right now that you could shelter here long term." She put up a hand to stall any objections. "However, that could be remedied, though it will likely come at some cost to yourself…."
Narcissa sighed, "As I said I do not have access to-"
Andromeda cut across her irritably. "Not what I meant Cissa." Her stoney facade suffering somewhat in her impatience. "The only people I could reasonably see us approaching right now in order to make this place safe enough for you are Nymphadora's superiors at the DMLE."
Her younger sibling scowled at that. "I am not eager to throw myself at the Ministry's feet-"
Another impatient sound cut her off. "You likely don't have a choice little sister." Andy noted acerbically. "Though I will ask Dora to ensure it reaches as few ears as possible, for security's sake if nothing else…assuming we go forward with this at all."
"There is one other matter however." She said calmly, and noted the worried look in Narcissa's eyes. "I will not harbour an enemy in my own home Cissa. If you and Draco shelter here. You will abide by my rules, and the first time I hear you or your boy slander my husband because of his blood so help me-"
Narcissa was already nodding hurriedly pleased her sister seemed to be considering it. "Of course, I will be certain to impress upon Draco the need for etiquette and tact. I will mind my own manners as well-"
Andromeda shook her head, sighing wearily. "That may not be enough Cissa. How am I supposed to trust you with my family's safety if I know you are merely being polite whilst still harbouring biases against us?" She asked, "IF I do this, and I'm not saying saying I will. I will need to know you are willing to change."
Her sister sagged in the face of such a requirement. "It is not so simple as that Andy-I've lived my whole life this way, as has Draco. Such things do not simply go away…"
She was then surprised to see her sister's face soften slightly. "I do not expect miracles overnight Cissa. But I do expect you to try and make a real effort."
The younger sister nodded cautiously, that at least was something she could do. "I-Very well, I will try, if it means my son and I will be safe."
Andromeda nodded, accepting that, before pausing to consider again. "Alright, tentatively yes, I will shelter you. But I will need to talk with Ted first. I will not do this without his permission, this is as much his home as mine." She hedged. "There is one other thing I wonder about however, and want to know if you have considered it. What do you plan to do for Draco in terms of schooling? In the current climate Hogwarts is likely unsafe for him."
Narcissa nodded soberly in agreement, the thought had occurred to her. Draco had, up until now, very nearly ruled Slytherin house, though if she were honest with herself that was more due to his father's efforts than his own. However with his father imprisoned and subject of the Dark Lord's displeasure, and he himself persona non grata with the Death Eaters, this situation would be reversed. With most of his fellow housemates looking to kill him in hopes of earning the Dark Lord's favour.
"I may need to see about homeschooling him. If situations eventuate that he must attend that school...I will need to see what might be done to protect him from the worst of the backlash." She admitted.
Andromeda nodded slow agreement. "Very well, I'll speak with Ted tonight, if he says yes, I'll owl you tomorrow. Remember what I said though."
As Narcissa was led once again from the house she couldn't help but reflect on the irony of her situation, that now it was she who was the outcast, seeking her sister's favour. And that it was her own beliefs which were unwelcome, as opposed to the other way around. She was willing to do anything however if it meant she and her son would be safe. If she needed to change to ensure that, then so be it.
GMT 9:00 A.M-10:30 A.M
Air travel was equal parts wonderful and awful at the same time Harry decided. The obvious downsides being cramped in a relatively small metal tube rocketing across the sky at unholy velocities, for hours on end. The positive side being that you actually got to see something of the world while travelling this way, unlike if they had travelled by portkey or apparition.
Most didn't realize it, especially if they spent their whole lives in the UK, but Portkeys, apparition, floo? They all had a sort of maximum effective range. Now when you dwelled in an area as relatively compact as the British Isles it wasn't that big a consideration, the entire lot of them falling well within the range of any of those methods.
International portkey, being the magical option with the longest range, would require a hop from England to Labrador in order to then hop the rest of the way across the Atlantic to North America. Add to that the fact that all international portkey usage was carefully monitored by the ICW and their little band was obviously not about to travel using such a method.
The alternative of course, which could be used to circumvent this oversight was to
portkey within range of the nation's border and then cross it normally before once again taking portkeys to reach their destination. The problem with that method in this case was thus. The Magical Congress of the United States of America guarded its domain just as carefully if not more so than its non-magical counterpart. And kept close watch over magical transit signatures near its borders. Often investigating and duly reporting magic users travelling the muggle way to the ICW who they were on better terms with compared to their northern neighbour.
So, they were stuck with air travel as their transportation of choice if they wished to
move undetected by interested parties to their destination. Still, it wasn't all bad. Their party had gotten the chance to discuss life in general with each other and better acquaint themselves with their new travel companions. Also, arrival at their destination alone, made up for much of their discomfort all by itself.
Even from the air one could easily tell Hawaii was beautiful. Lush green set against the
startling blue of the ocean framed by shining white sand beaches.
Landing had been somewhat bumpier than that they'd endured in Churchill. Though
Hermione explained this was likely due to the warm updrafts coming off the sun heated ground and water. Immediately on opening the plane doors, Harry could tell just how different this place was going to be. A flowery scent he couldn't quite place permeated the plane as the stale cabin air was replaced with fresh air from outside.*
Once again they made it through the airport with relative ease, a squib agent once again helping to process them, and the enchantments on their familiars dispelling any undue interest from those around them. Soon enough they were piling into a cab and headed out.
Honolulu...was a big city, even the Hawaiian overtones couldn't truly dispel that notion. Though it and their journey was lent a bit more interest by the way Hermione and the cab driver kept a running dialogue going pointing out things of interest. Soon enough they passed through a tunnel leading to the island's north shore, and the driver was careful to put names to the various locations they passed. Such as a small island off the coast aptly named Chinaman's hat, a squat conical prominence just off the coast as they worked their way westward.
They arrived at their destination soon enough, though the Driver found himself somewhat confused as to why his passengers desired to be dropped off on a back road at the foot of a well forested foothill. This could largely be attributed to the enchantments they already suspected would be in place over this property. Those in their party with magical blood could see the small path leading up into the trees and the rooftops further inland poking up out of the thick foliage.
It didn't look like much from here, but then again, they couldn't see much anyways. They soon had their belongings unpacked and were making their way towards the entrance to the property.
*Fun fact time: I'm told this flowery scent is Plumeria flowers. I'm also told that it smells wonderful. I can't smell plumeria it turns out. Just a quirk of my physiology. It smells like damp plant matter to me. Nothing more.
Author's Note: As ever thanks to my super-beta/pseudo-coauthor Temporal Knight! He's been awesome!
Recommendation(s): And...in the star wars universe we've got "The Dangers of Foresight" by Anne Camp AKA Obi-Quiet.