Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
A/N: To my wonderful readers, I know it has been a long time since I posted on this story. Since April of 2023 I have been dealing with some major health issues and my muse has not felt much like writing. I am getting better now, and plan to pick up this story again. It is one I love, and I know those that are following it love it too.
-WolfgangNH, 16 September 2023
-oOo-
This time on The Magic of Amber: The arrivals.
-oOo-
August 30, 1993Isla Nublar, Costa Rica
Owen watched the water as it passed below the helicopter. It was speeding by. He turned when he thought he saw a whale. "Wicked," he said, never having seen one. At least, he hadn't outside of Boston Aquarium, but those were dolphins, not whales.
"What are you looking at?" Mr Black asked.
"Whales," Owen told him.
Sirius looked out the window to where he was pointing. They were on the edge of their vision as the helicopter sped away.
"You really like animals, don't you?"
Owen nodded. "I miss the farm and Michigan," he told Mr Black.
"Well, I think you'll like the island. Lots of animals there. I'm sure Harry and Lex will be able to show you around," Mr Black told him.
Owen gave a wan smile. Mr Black had been nice to him the last few days, as had Mrs Murphy. "Is Mrs Murphy and Tim coming out here?"
"Linda is finishing up some stuff at her university and will move out to the island in a few days with Tim. There will be more joining us over the next few months," Mr Black told him.
Owen smiled.
"We are approaching Isla Nublar," the pilot said over the headphones on his head. "Should be in sight in just a moment."
Owen looked out the window towards the front of the helicopter. Mr Black had a slight smile on his face. Owen watched a ridgeline peek over the water. As they got closer, he realized it was a mountainous island with a large volcano cone on one end. "Is that it?"
"Isla Nublar, pup. Home to Jurassic Park."
Owen looked confused. "There's an amusement park on the island?"
"Something like that," Mr Black said in a teasing tone. "Time to buckle up."
"Why?" Owen asked, moving to put the seat belt buckle on like Mr Black.
"It can be a little bumpy," the man said with a smirk, as though it was a big joke.
Owen's hands were white from how hard he had gripped the rail in the helicopter as they came in. Bumpy didn't begin to describe it. Even with feeling queasy from the ride, his curiosity wasn't sated. As they were coming into the helipad, he saw a jeep that was painted red and white with a tyrannosaurus skeleton head on the side. Out in front of the jeep was a boy that looked a few years older than him, and a girl with blonde hair and a rack that had his thirteen-year-old mind taking notice of. They were both wearing khaki shorts with pockets on the side. The boy was in a t-shirt with the same logo on the jeep, while the girl was wearing a crop top that showed off her midsection.
What caught his eye more than the girl was the boy wearing a sword on his back.
"That's Harry and Lex," Mr Black told him as the helicopter touched down.
"Is that real?" Owen asked, looking at Harry.
"Oh, the sword, definitely. Maybe once you get trained up some you can have your own," Mr Black said with a smirk.
"Wicked," Owen said with some excitement.
When they got out, Mr Black guided him under the helicopter blades before it took off again. Getting closer, Owen could see that Harry wasn't overly tall, but for an older teen he was relatively built. His shirt showed muscles and when he pushed off the front of the jeep, there was something about the way he walked that reminded Owen of a stalking leopard from a nature documentary. His green eyes didn't seem to miss anything. He could picture the older boy using the sword and instantly wanted to be like him.
Lex, though not a hunter like Harry, was extremely attractive. She looked just as fit as Harry. Her blue eyes where beautiful, her body like a poster model and she moved with a grace that caught his eye.
"Sirius," the boy said, shaking the man's hand and they pulled each other into a one arm hug.
"Hey, pups," Mr Black said, moving to hug Lex. Owen felt a little jealous of that.
"I'm glad to see you back, Mr Black. Harry told me everything that happened," she said.
Harry was eyeing him up and Owen straightened up. He wasn't going to be intimidated by the older boy, even though he felt like shrinking into himself. There was no way he would be able to match Harry, but he would try.
Harry extended a hand. "Harry Potter."
"Owen Grady," Owen replied. Harry's hand was like a vice. Owen didn't' think he was trying to show off though. Owen returned as strong a handshake as he could.
"Lex Murphy," the girl said next. Her hands shake was firm, but not overly so. Her hands were also much softer and longer.
"Right, now that you have all met, let's get going. Are you driving today?" Mr Black asked Harry.
"Yeah. Thought we could go around the island," Harry told him.
"Sounds good. You may want to show him your friend too. The kid seems to really like animals," Mr Black told the older boy.
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Really? You trying to scare him away?"
Mr Black had a manic grin. "If this doesn't, then he's a keeper."
Owen wasn't sure what was going on, feeling nervous about this. Lex gave him a smile. "They're always liked this. You get used to it."
"Uh, sure," Owen said.
Getting into the jeep, Harry put his sword next to Lex as he and Mr Black sat in the back. "What type of animals are there here?"
"Big and small ones," Harry said cryptically. Lex playfully hit his arm. "Oi, woman! I'm driving."
"Be nice to him," Lex chastised. She turned around. "Ignore him when he's like this. I do."
Mr Black laughed. "She's got you pegged already."
Owen smiled as the three bantered with each other. As they drove along, Owen looked out the side of the jeep. His curiosity peaked to see thirty foot high wire fences with electrical warnings on them. What where they keeping in a zoo that would need fences like that?
He was looking out the open window when the trees pulled back. Owen's eyes popped out of his sockets. Down in a valley were large animals. Larger than elephants. His mouth opened as a mournful horn echoed in the valley. A dozen other large animals with a long crest on the back of their heads all turned their heads up and emitted the same sound.
The jeep stopped.
"I think Owen saw our surprise," Harry said with a laugh.
"Are those… holy shit… are those dinosaurs?" Owen asked.
"Bloody great. Another one with a foul mouth," Mr Black complained.
"I'm not that fucking bad," Lex said, and Mr Black laughed.
"Those are real?" Owen asked in disbelief.
"Yeah. You want to see one up close?" Harry asked.
A huge smile spread across his face. "That would be wicked," he said.
"You ready to go or want to stay for a moment," Harry asked.
"I want to touch a dinosaur," Owen said excitedly.
"Be careful what you ask for," Mr Black mischievously said.
"Rexy is a big baby," Lex replied.
"That's because he likes you rubbing his belly. I think he would bite most other's arms off," Mr Black grumbled.
"He's promised not to. Not unless they try to hurt him or us," Harry added.
"Who is Rexy?" Owen asked.
"You won't believe it until you see it," Mr Black answered.
Harry started the jeep again and they went up and around the valley, eventually ending up at a large paddock. As they got out of the jeep, he commented, "Why is there that metal box in the road?"
"Tour vehicles for the guests. Some electric… I got that right, right?"
"Yes," Harry said.
"Some electric lorries will be taking people around to see the dinosaurs. This place is going to open soon," Mr Black said.
Harry whistled with two of his fingers. Owen looked into the pen. "What am I looking for?"
"Just wait," Lex told him. He had the feeling she was watching him for some reason, which had his cheeks feeling warm. Had he mentioned how hot she was yet?
Owen scanned the trees, stopping when he saw a head the size of him peeking out under some branches. His heart pounded in his chest. Harry looked at him curiously. "You see her too?"
"What is she?" he asked in a whisper.
"A tyrannosaurus rex," Harry told him.
Owen watched her move her head and he saw the undergrowth stir on the far side of the clearing. Owen watched as a nine foot tall tyrannosaur walked out of the undergrowth. When it saw them, it gave out a roar that was a little louder than a lions. He had a sense it was greeting them.
He jumped when Harry let out his own roar. Lex giggled. "You get used to it."
The bigger one stepped out into the sun. It didn't approach the smaller tyrannosaur as it lopped over to the gates. Harry walked over. Owen was standing stock still. He watched in amazement as Harry and Lex approached the smaller tyrannosaur, extending their hands through the gates to pat the tyrannosaurs snout. The sounds going back and forth between the giant beast and Harry sounded like they were talking.
The larger one tentatively approached the gate.
Owen took a step back. "Are they going to eat them?"
Mr Black laughed. "If you believe it, the smaller one is his familiar. The larger one has been coming closer lately."
Harry turned to him. "You want to pet him?"
Owen's eyes couldn't get any wider. "Is it safe?"
"As long as you don't threaten us. Looks like Romilda may come over today," Harry told him.
"Harry, she's never been this close," Lex said, sounding a little frightened.
"She won't hurt any of you, will you?" Harry said in a hard tone. Owen thought he saw the giant beast eye him for a moment before ducking her head, as though in submission.
"Holy shit," Owen muttered.
"About my sentiments too," Mr Black said. "Go on up. Harry wouldn't let you if he thought it too dangerous."
Owen inched his way up. The smaller tyrannosaur lifted his head, sniffing at the air before his eyes focused on him. Owen felt a little like running, but if Harry and Lex could do this, he could too.
"Just hold out your hand just outside the gate," Harry encouraged.
Owen did, holding it palm up like he did with the horses they used to have. The beasts breath smelt a little fetid as the large dinosaur sniffed at him, eventually lowering his snout. The fear he felt slowly went away. "Go ahead. You can touch him."
Owen tentatively put his hand through the fence. When his hand touched its skin, a smile crept over his face. It was a rough texture, like running his hands over smooth pebbles. Rexy closed his eyes after a moment, pushed against his hand, which made Owen take a step back. Owen was amazed at how strong the animal was.
He jumped, then stilled, when a snort came from just behind Rexy. He looked up, wide eyed, to see the larger tyrannosaur looking down at him. It made a gravelly sound in its throat. Harry made a few barking sounds and the large one huffed. At least that is what it sounded like.
"Is the other one going to eat us?" Owen asked in a whisper.
"Not today. She's just curious and a little protective of her territory. This is the first time she's come this close," Harry told him.
"Are you talking with them?" Owen asked.
"Yeah. I can talk with them, the parasaurolophus and the edmontosaurus. Dr Wu said they had to use some snake DNA in them and that's probably why. I can talk to snakes too," Harry told him. "When you're ready, we can go up and get dinner."
Owen looked back to Rexy meeting the dinosaurs eyes. Owen had the feeling that without Harry he would be in trouble, but to be around such large hunters was amazing. The fact he could touch one was even more so. "When do I get my own familiar," he asked.
Harry chuckled. "It wasn't really planned."
Lex sighed. "You think Romilda will like him?"
Said giant dinosaur huffed, then turned to slowly go back to her forest.
"I don't think so," Harry said.
Owen didn't care. He wanted his own dinosaur familiar.
-oOo-
September 14, 1993Isla Sorna, Costa Rica
Harry was driving through the rainforest with two large trailers and four other Humvee like vehicles. Yvonne, Simmons, Muldoon and Owen were with them. Harry was surprised that Owen had been allowed to come along. He had only handled the dart guns once, and had been decent, but not the crack shot that should have been allowed to come. He also couldn't really use his wand yet. Harry felt uneasy about it, and Muldoon was giving them an eye as he looked at them.
"Listen, lad," Muldoon said to Owen. "You are strictly here for observation because Hammond said you could. You stick to Potter's side like glue. If he gives you an order, you do what he says."
Owen gave a huge smiled. "I will, Mr Muldoon."
Harry wasn't sure to be flattered or annoyed that the boy stuck to his side so much. It was starting to get hard to find alone time with Lex between starting Owen and her brother on magic lessons, his own training and the planning going on with Isla Mataceros.
"You get that? You handle your shadow," Muldoon said, a small hint of amusement on his voice.
"He's not my shadow. What if you need me if something goes wrong? I can' be looking after Owen and you at the same time," he groused.
"Nothing will go wrong. You are to stay back today," Muldoon ordered.
"What did you do to get in trouble?" Yvonne asked with a smirk.
"I didn't do anything. I've been an angel lately," Harry shot back.
Simmons looked amused. "You've been with an angel lately."
Harry flushed some. Owen grinned like an idiot. "Lex and I have been good."
"Alright, everyone ready?" Muldoon asked, taking his dart gun and checking it over. He then took the live ammunition rifle and made sure it was loaded. Harry eyed it, realizing it was a large calibre rifle instead.
"Expecting trouble?" Harry questioned.
"It never hurts to be prepared. Especially with new dinosaurs," he said back. Muldoon was still jumpy after the near collapse of the park a month back. Harry touched his wand and made sure the dart rifle between his legs was loaded and clear. Yvonne and Simmons did the same.
When they got to the paddock, Harry scanned the forest. The enclosure was more grassland than jungle, but had a few spots that the juvenile allosaurus could hide in. Unlike the tyrannosaurs, these larger predators didn't seem to mind each other.
The others jumped out of the jeeps. They had eight guards from the island with them, but Muldoon was the one in charge. One of the trucks with the trailer moved to line up with the gates. He watched as the men got out and took the ties off the crane.
"What are they doing?" Owen asked.
"The allosaurus are too big to move by hand, so they have to put a sling around them and lift them onto the trailer," Harry told them.
"Why not use one of the big helicopters?" he asked.
Yvonne stepped up next to them, her rifle was already on her shoulder as she scanned the paddock. Harry could see the two allosaurs towards the back of the paddock. They were looking at the commotion and obviously not liking the sound of the vehicles.
"They tried doing the big chinooks originally, but the wind shear in the centre of the island is too much, so they only operate out of the peninsula that has the main research facility," she told them.
"Do you see them?" Harry asked Owen. If the boy was going to be around him, then Harry was going to make sure he paid attention.
"Where?" Owen said, looking away from the trucks. Harry didn't say anything as he waited for Owen to look. It took about ten seconds before he said, "In the back. Two of them."
"Yeah, the handlers separated these two a few days ago. From what I understand there are two others, but the bigger one was too aggressive. Something about a DNA abnormality," she replied. Harry knew that from the briefing, but Owen hadn't been allowed in that. It was only Owen's comment about wanting to see other dinosaurs during a dinner with Hammond that had Owen with them.
"Alright people. Simmons and Umbridge, take point and drop those beauties. Ross, your team is to move in only after we certify they are out. Potter and Grady, you are to stay back today," Muldoon told them.
Harry kept an even face but was unhappy that he wasn't going to be allowed inside. He wanted to see the allosaurs up close. He had been told that they had some snake DNA as well. He would like to have another species to talk too.
Owen looked a little nervous and raised his own rifle. Muldoon had looked a little uncomfortable giving the boy a dart rifle, but he wouldn't have the boy come without some protection. Harry moved his hand to point the boys muzzle down. "I'm sure that Yvonne doesn't want that pointed right at her back."
Owen realized what he had been doing and flushed. It didn't take long for then to sink two darts into each of the allosaurs. Harry was itching to go in and work with the ones putting the harnesses on. Owen just watched. When they got back into the Humvee, Owen looked pensive. "Why did Muldoon have a real gun?"
"Sometimes the tranquilizers don't work or wear off quicker. I hear Dr Wu and the scientists are trying to figure out why. If they attack any handlers, then it would be Muldoon's and mine responsibility to either subdue them or kill them."
Owen looked at him surprised. "Why you?"
Harry shrugged his shoulders. "I like the dinosaurs. Magic is pretty powerful. I've done it before," Harry said, not trying to sound conceded or as though it had been anything big. Yvonne snorted.
"You saved us all. I would trust this kid at my side or back any day," she said.
"Gert off," Harry complained, shoving her hand off his head when she rubbed it. Owen smiled, the hero worship growing in his eyes. Harry kept from sighing. It was like how people used to look at him at Hogwarts. Merlin, that feels like a life time ago now, he thought to himself. In just over six months, his whole life had changed, and he liked this one much better than his old life. Even the pang of his missing friends was slowly being forgotten.
"Ah, but you're so cute when you get all flustered. I'll have to get Lex to rile you up later," Yvonne teased.
"Alright, that's enough you two," Muldoon barked from up front as they came into the gates of site B. Harry was a little grumpy as he looked forward, then his brow furrowed. There were two InGen helicopters on the runway. They weren't there earlier. "Keep your eyes open. There are other visitors."
"Sure, Muldoon," Yvonne said.
"You want me to stick with the kids?" Simmons asked.
"No. You keep an eye on the allosaurs as they load them into the containers. I want to be out before the first copter," he told them. "Potter, you and Grady stay close to me. I wasn't aware of any other team or others coming out here today."
"Sure," Harry said. He shifted his sword to make sure it was easier to get.
Owen seemed to catch onto the unease. "Should I bring my rifle?"
"No. Only Simmons and Yvonne will have them. The Allosaurs should sleep until we get them to Isla Nublar," Muldoon told them.
When they stopped at the cages for the allosaurs, Harry got out to watch the trucks back up to them and the workers use the hydraulics to move the platforms from the trucks to the cages. The allosaurs were sleeping soundly and they were about done when he heard the clink of a cane on the tarmac of the runway. Harry turned to see Mr Hammond walking with Benning, Mrs Murphy and four Japanese men in suits.
Mr Hammond called out, "Ah, Robert. I see you are about to take our newest additions to the park."
Muldoon turned away from the operation as the gate to the second cage was closing. "I was just about to get the chinook up. We shouldn't keep these beauties in the cages for longer than necessary," he said. The man was a little tense, like he always was when they were moving dinosaurs around, and holding his gun in a position it could easily brought to bear on any trouble.
"Yes. I won't keep you long. I wanted to introduce you to some of our largest investors. The advertisement for the park starts next month and they wanted a better view of what is on display before then," Hammond told him. "This is Robert Muldoon, Jurassic Park's game warden and head of security. Robert, Takahashi Katsumi, Muraoka Saki, Muto Yutaka and Uyeda Aya. They are all part of the Sato Consortium."
Harry felt a little concerned that he didn't know about this. By Muldoon's look, he didn't know about this either. "Good to meet you, gentlemen."
Looking at the others, Harry recognized two of the men from the dinner he had first had with Lex. Harry did a partial bow like the men had done that night. "It is nice to see you again, Mr Katsumi and Mr Saki."
"Nice to see you, Potter-san" Mr Katsumi said in a heavy accent. "John has been telling us much about you."
"All good I hope," Harry replied.
"Of course, Harry. Harry is apprenticing with our game warden, and I believe he will take over someday," Mr Hammond told them.
"I'm sorry, John, but we really should get the helicopters spun up and going back to the park," Muldoon said.
"Of course. We would just like to watch and then follow you to Jurassic Park to see them released. We just got done with a tour of the research facility and were talking about a new site if we get as many visitors as we expect next year," Mr Hammond said with a huge smile. Harry wasn't sure if he like or disliked the idea of more places like Jurassic Park. He couldn't be everywhere and if there was another problem, what would happen?
"You are always welcome to watch. Please just remember the safety precautions. Come on, you two," Muldoon said, nodding towards one of the chinooks. Harry bowed again. Owen copied him. When they turned, Muldoon gave a signal to the teams and the chinooks started up their engines as they walked towards them.
The sound was soon too loud to really hear each other unless they were shouting into each other's ears. Muldoon indicated for Harry and Owen to get on board the smaller helicopter near the chinooks. They would be on the ground team, meaning they had to fly separately. Owen watched while the hooks were attached to the cages, and everyone made sure the allosaurs were secured.
Owen watched from a window, his curiosity still on overdrive. Harry sat and put on the flight headphones. "I'm listening in," Harry said into the receiver.
"Nice to see you again, kid. Get the other strapped in. We're taking off as soon as we get the signal," the pilot said into the headphones. Harry gave the man a thumbs up when he saw him turn to look at them.
Owen sat and put his headphones on as soon as he could. "Can you hear me?"
"Loud and clear, kid," the pilot replied.
"Wicked," Owen said enthusiastically. Harry chuckled at him. When Muldoon and the rest of the team came on board, Muldoon looked disgruntled.
"Let's get going. I need to be at the paddock before the others get there," Muldoon said into his head set.
"Yes, sir," the pilot replied, and they were soon in the air.
Yvonne was watching the airfield until they pulled away around a ridge. "Are you sure about having these others around? We've never dealt with the allosaurs before," she asked Muldoon.
"Nothing for it. If Hammond wants the investors around, we have to do this," he said, sounding displeased. "Listen. Harry, I'm going to ask you to keep an eye on them. Keep them back and make sure Hammond doesn't get too close. If something goes wrong, you use your popping thing to get them out of there. Owen, you are going to go back to the centre with Yvonne once we land."
"But I want to see them be set free," Owen complained.
"Not today. Not until we know this will go well," Muldoon told them.
"That's not fair. Why does Harry get to stay, and I don't?" Owen whinged.
"Because Harry can kill them if he needs too and you can't," Simmons said.
Owen looked a little wide eyed. "Kill them?"
"I don't want too, but if I have too," Harry replied. "It's only the raptors I don't really like."
"What are raptors?" Owen asked.
Muldoon frowned. "Big nasty things with claws the size of your hand and teeth that would rip your innards out if you let them. Hammond and Wu are breeding more," he said unhappily. "There is a new pen being built on the north side of the island on the new loop. It's supposed to be even more secure."
Everyone that had been on the island a month ago didn't look happy at the prospect.
Owen looked excited about another new dinosaur. "When can I see them?"
"The eggs are due to hatch in a month or so and they will be moved there as soon as its ready," Muldoon said. "Until then, they should stay small enough to keep them in the labs for a month or two. Get him trained up."
Harry nodded. "I will."
By the time they landed, Harry was about ready to throw Owen into the pen to see if the allosaurs liked him. He was pestering them all about the new dinosaurs. He let out a big sigh when Owen was driven away by Yvonne. He turned to hear the other helicopters coming towards the landing pad. "We're going to head over to the paddock. You stay here to escort the investors."
"Do I have to play babysitter again?" he whinged.
Muldoon gave him a smile. "I wouldn't ask you if I didn't trust you. Keep them safe. Until all the new upgrades are done, I don't want any incidents. I'm afraid that this will push Hammond to open the park before we are fully ready. I heard talk of March now, not July."
"Great," Harry muttered.
"You'll do well, Harry," Simmons said with a pat on his arm. "Better you than me doing the babysitting."
Harry scowled at the man. "I'd rather play with the dinosaurs."
"Once this is done, go take a run with Rexy," Simmons said.
"Come on, Simmons. The chinooks will be here soon," Muldoon said getting into a jeep. There were two other jeeps and drivers waiting for Hammond and his group.
"Bloody dicks," he said as they drove away. He wasn't looking forward to this.
-oOo-
October 3, 1993Isla Nublar
The last two days had been a whirlwind for one Daphne Greengrass. They had left her home the morning before, then spent a night in Lakselv. She had been into Lakselv a few times with her father, and into the preserve too many times for her to count since she was six, so the trip didn't seem that special. Now though, she was thousands of kilometres away from where she had grown up.
They had boarded the plane that Mr Black had said been sent for them. It wasn't very large, but the stewardess, Macy, had been very nice and got them everything they wanted. She had asked for five cans of Coca Cola to keep her awake on the eight hour flight, not to mention it was a treat that they so rarely got. Only when they went into town. Between the five cans, not to mention the three candy bars she had eaten, she was feeling sick by the time they had landed at a small airport in Mexico to refuel.
Growling at Astoria, she threatened, "If you poke me again, I swear I'll use you for target practice."
Astoria gave her a big grin as she moved out of her reach. Karl chuckled at them as he watched the workers fuelling and doing something with the plane.
"Are you sure all our belongings will be there?" her mother asked her father for the tenth time.
"Sirius assured me that everything is on another aircraft and will arrive in about a week on a ship that frequently goes to the island," he assured her.
Daphne leaned her head back, her hand on her stomach. When there was a clunk and a shiver in the plane, she had to close her eyes, unsure if she was going to get sick or not.
"We should have taken my mother's silver with us," her mother worried.
"It will be all there when it arrives, I promise you," her father assured her.
"I still think the others should have come," her mother commented.
That had been a large argument with the enclave. Her father was willing to move them all to this new place in Costa Rica because of the potential to learn real magic again. Since getting their wands, spells and magic that none of them had been able to do in the family tomes had been able to be cast again. She had gone through the books as fast as she could… that was until she scared herself.
There had been a fire spell that she had tried, but when it was cast, the flames had been impossible to put out. She had to watch one of the abandoned houses where she had secreted herself away burn. She was still in trouble, which meant her father had her wand and rod. She understood, and for the first week she hadn't wanted to touch anything that could bring her magic fourth again.
Now, though, two weeks out, she was itching to feel the magic again. Once they were to the island, she couldn't wait for the classes to start.
Her stomach was feeling really achy when Macy came into the cabin. The workers on the tarmac were quickly moving away from the plane. "I'm sorry to rush you, but the captain says you need to get belted right away. As soon as the engines are up again, we are going to move to the runway."
This had her father and brother at once on alert. "Is something wrong?" her father asked in English.
"I'm sure there isn't, Mister Greengrass," Macy said.
The door up front closed and the engines started up. Daphne looked out her window as Astoria took her seat across the aisle. "Then why are we leaving now? I thought you said we would be here about an hour?" Karl questioned, looking at his pocket watch.
"I don't think anything is wrong, I was just told we are leaving right away," she told them.
The whine of the engines increased in pitch and the plane started to move. Macy stumbled. Karl moved to catch her before she fell on the floor. "Thank you. I need to go sit. Please stay seated and belted in."
"Papa?" Astoria asked.
"I'm sure everything will be fine," their papa tried to sooth them.
"Anders, I feel something is wrong," their mama said.
"Papa, there is something going on at the gates over there," Karl commented. Astoria looked out her window while Daphne tried to look over her sisters shoulder.
The plane moved to the runway. Almost at once it lined up and the engines increased in pitch and noise. The small jet started to speed down the runway. Between the way she was thrown into the seat and the bumps in the runway, her stomach felt like it was going to rebel. She groaned.
The plane took off. The way it had her stomach dropping to the floor had her swallowing something that tasted foul. The plane was going fast and banked away from the airport. The move finally had her stomach doing flips. She reached for a bag Macy had given her. She just got it to her mouth when the loudest and longest belch she had ever given left her mouth. It left an absolutely horrid taste when done.
Astoria started to giggle. "Really Daph? That was like a fire salamander."
When she was sure she wasn't going to throw up, she glared at her sister.
"Warned you not to eat so many sweets," Karl told her.
"I'm not in the mood," she told her brother.
Her father chuckled. "Like the time I told you not to do the same thing when you found out what a vending machine was, Karl?"
Her brother looked a little green at that memory. Astoria was extremely interested. "What happened, papa?"
"I think Karl remembers," their papa said.
Macy came back into the cabin. "The captain wants to apologize about that, folks. We've had a few issues with protestors lately and when they saw the InGen logo a group tried to break through the fences."
Daphne sat up. There was a look shared between them all.
"Thank you, Macy," her father said.
When she had stepped out to get her mother a water, Karl asked, "You don't think we alerted the church?"
Their papa frowned.
"We never should have left, Anders," her mother stated.
Their papa took her hand. "Dorothy, you know we had too. Our families are dying, as is our magic. The wards around the preserve are failing. If Karl and I can learn how to fix them, then we need too. You know that the Jahmsburgs will send their girls here in another year or two, once they are old enough, and the Kristiansens don't have anyone with magic left in their family. With us gone, they think it's time for go into the regular world."
There mama leaned her head against his shoulder. "I just never wanted to leave. I left Oslo because I enjoyed the country life, the winters and how we lived."
"I know, my veela," he said to her. Papa rarely acknowledged their mama's ancestors. It was where their beauty came from. She just didn't have any of their powers, except her longer life and beauty.
"Papa, was it just protestors?" Astoria questioned.
"I'm sure it was, my aster flower. I have taught you all about the hunters. They don't make scenes like that. They fear being found out more than we do," there papa said. Daphne was feeling a little naked without her wand or rod. Her papa reached into his vest and pulled out her wand. No one missed that he was concerned as he gave it to her. "I trust you with this. Don't break that trust again."
She took her wand, feeling the warmth it gave her right away. "No, papa."
Karl frowned and looked out the window. She reached across the aisle to take Astoria's hand. "I'm sure we will be fine."
When she was sure that no one was paying attention to them, Astoria whispered, "Will you teach me that spell you got in trouble for?"
Daphne frowned. The purple fire snake that had devoured the house still scared her. But if hunters found them, they may need it. She made sure that Karl was in a deep conversation with their parents. "Only if I know how to control it."
Her twelve-year old sister nodded.
It was a few hours later after she was shaken awake, mercifully falling asleep instead of suffering. Looking out the window, she was surprised to see them flying over the water. "I didn't think we would be over water."
"Macy said we are being flown straight out to the island," Karl said.
She turned, wanting to see what this mysterious place was that Mr Black and Harry had disappeared too. She perked up to think of the green eyed boy. She had never felt like that around anyone before. Mama had said it was a natural attraction. Papa had said he had asked Mr Black about a possible marriage proposal. That thought had her flushing a little as she thought about his green eyes again.
Astoria moved into the seat behind her. "Can you see anything of these dragons they talked about?"
"Nothing," Karl commented.
"All I can see is that ridge of trees," Daphne stated as the plane flew lower to the water. She was getting nervous they might try to land on the water until the land suddenly appeared below them. The plane dropped quickly and Astoria let out a small squeak when they hit the ground with a jerk. The engines started to roar as they slowed. She had sat back, her hands grabbing the seat until the engines stopped their roaring.
"Anders, I swear I am never getting on one these things again," their mama said.
Daphne wasn't really paying attention to them though. She had caught sight of a few cars that the plane was heading for. She was sure that the shorter, black haired man standing in the centre before the centre car was Harry. She ran her hands through her hair, wishing that she had had thought to check it before they landed. She then looked down at her slightly rumpled dress. She sat tall, trying to press out a few wrinkled over her developing breasts and her stomach. She missed Astoria trying to preen herself, and the look her father gave them while their mother was still complaining about never wanting to fly again.
Karl was watching the wings fold themselves back together.
When they stopped, Macy moved to open the door while two men rolled a stair up to the plane. She got up and moved to be just behind her father. "In a rush? I'm sure he won't run," Karl teased her.
She elbowed him. He grunted. Astoria snickered and their mama gave them a look to behave.
When they got out of the plane, she felt like she had been hit by a wall of heat and water. She had never felt anything like it outside of a sweat lodge. Her mother looked to wilt right away, while Karl pulled at the collar on his long sleeve shirt. They had been told to be prepared for heat, but nothing like this.
The second thing she noticed was how people were dressed. There was a mixture of long trousers and short ones that ended above the knees. She wasn't used to seeing anything like that. Next, everyone had short sleeve shirts, except this one blonde girl that wore something that covered her chest… somewhat… while baring her midsection, showing a flat stomach and her shorts were short enough to show off most of her legs. Daphne's mouth about dropped open to see someone dressed like that. Not even her underclothes showed off that much.
She was still staring at what the girl wasn't wearing as a man in white pants and shirt walked up to them. He was using a cane. "Mr Greengrass? Let me introduce myself. I'm John Hammond, the creator and mastermind of Jurassic Park."
"It is nice to meet you, Mr Hammond," her papa said, reaching to shake the man's hand.
"It's nice to meet you all. I hope the flight out was good. The airstrip here was only recently finished so you are the first ones to use it," Mr Hammond jovially commented.
Her attention was taken off the girl when she turned to the boy next to her. Well, he really was a young man. She whispered something to him, he smiled, then kissed the side of her head. The happy little butterflies that had been dancing in her turned sour. Her face dropped without her realizing as the girl took his hand and they started to walk over. She knew that Harry and Mr Black had said he had a girlfriend, but she looked almost as beautiful as they did. Worse, she was willing to show what she could offer him and the way he had kissed her head and the look he gave her had Daphne knowing that she wouldn't have a chance with Harry.
All of a sudden, her excitement for wanting to come here over the last month and a half was gone. Astoria sidled up next to her. She looked just as disgruntled. "How indecent can you be?"
"I could never show a boy that much skin," Daphne whispered.
"She looks like a whore," her sister hissed.
Daphne had to agree. At least the other woman she could see had a nice shirt on with her longer shorts. When Harry came up to greet them, Astoria was looking daggers at the girl. Daphne didn't miss that the girl had a wand on her arm in the same type of holder that Harry used, nor that she moved with a confidence that Daphne would never pull off in clothes like that.
"Hey, Daphne. Astoria. I hope you like this little place I call home," Harry said as he greeted them.
"It is hot," Astoria stated.
"You get used to is. Daphne and Astoria, I wanted you meet my girlfriend. This Alexis Murphy," Harry said.
The girl reached her hand out to greet them. Daphne crossed her arms across her chest when Astoria sniffed.
"Right," Alexis said. "Harry had some good things to say about you."
"She talks to us," Astoria sniffed again.
"Be polite," their mama said a little angrily over their shoulders.
Daphne sniffed then reached out to take the hand that the girl was just about to drop. "Daphne Greengrass. It is nice to meet you."
"Astoria Greengrass."
"Nice to meet you too. If you want, my grandpa thought you would like to see the island with us. Get away from our parents for a bit," the girl offered.
Karl moved up next to them. "Ah, hello. Karl Greengrass," he said. Daphne looked at him a little oddly as he seemed entranced by the girl.
"Hi. Alexis Murphy. Most call me Lex though," she said in a friendly tone, happily taking their brother's hand.
Karl took it, but instead of shaking it, he lifted it to his mouth. "Nice to meet you," he echoed as he kissed the back of her hand. The girl gave him an odd look. Harry looked like he wasn't happy with her brother. Seeing the reactions, her mind raced to figure out if she could use this. Karl was eighteen. He was old enough to marry. The girl looked old enough to bear children…
Her mind was whirling as Harry indicated one of the cars that he called a jeep. Karl jumped at the opportunity. Alexis gave Harry an odd look as Karl started to lead her away. Harry frowned before turning back to them. "Ladies," he said.
Astoria, acting fast, jumped to Harry's side, taking his arm and just about dragging him away towards the jeep. Her little sister had picked up on the situation and had come up with a plan first. Daphne was not one to lose.
Narrowing her eyes at Astoria, she decided that if anyone was going to get Harry, it would be her. She stalked off after them.
-oOo-
Next time on The Magic of Amber: The world finds out about Jurassic Park, plans for Isla Matanceros and the Church