James had a very hard time preparing for their travel. It would be very uncommon for a single child to travel from England to Japan. However, the Ministry of Magic regulations made it almost impossible to travel magically.
James started to study the possibilities of travelling. He studied the possibilities, but it was thanks to the Dursleys that James came up with the plan. Their help was not direct, but James could not think of any other way to describe it.
Harry was sleeping in the cupboard, and Vernon was watching the TV. The news and the colourful advertisements on the TV caught James' interest.
From the TV box, a man said, "In another news. The American child who was missing for 2 days was found in New York. The kid seems to have confused a man with his father, entered the wrong gate, and boarded the wrong plane while his family was on their way to fly to a different city."
James hid behind his phone while watching the news. He was pleased that the kid was back with his family, but it gave him an idea.
"Tired of going everywhere to buy what you want, only to discover that the product is no longer available? Are you tired of going to your bank to take your money whenever you want to buy something? Why leave your house if you can buy it at home. Use our Credit Card, and we can help you buy; with a small commission, you can have everything delivered to your house. Call 1 800 MY CARD, Remember 1 800 MY CARD." And the plan was formed in James' mind.
He waited until the Dursleys were sleeping. He woke Harry and asked him to put him on the house's second floor. Using his size to his advantage, James entered Vernon and Petunia's room and took Vernon's wallet. He searched for and found the credit card, took it from it, and put the wallet back in its place.
The next day, James waited for everyone to leave the house. Harry and Dudley were at school, and for the first time, he did not go with them. Harry protested, but James assured him that it was going to be for the best.
Vernon went to work, and Petunia spent much time outside the house. James did not know if she was just speaking with the neighbours or having an affair. She had an awful time outside the house, and he had a hard time thinking that somebody would find Vernon the attractive type. 'Even Snivelly was better,' thought James.
He found a big book, which he had seen Dursley use to find the number of a store. He started to search and then found the right one, a 'tourist agency'. He dialled the number and waited for the answer.
A woman answered, and James asked for the price of a trip to Sakaiminato, Japan. The woman told him they did not have a package for that city, but they had packages for Tokyo and Kyoto. James asked for the price, and the woman told her a number that James did not care about, as he had never cared for money in his life. Then the woman told him about another requirement: a passport.
The next day, James investigated and discovered that the whole process should be done with the approval of Harry's guardian. Although he was his father, Harry's guardians were the Dursleys in the muggle world, so it was out of the question.
James decided that the best bet was to go in contraband. He thought for a moment about using portkeys, but they are monitored by the ministry, and he cannot create one in his current state. He only hoped that he wouldn't make the others worry, especially Sirius, who surely had become an Auror.
On a weekend evening, James asked his son to go outside and grab everything of importance, which was not much. Harry wore a cap so his father could hide inside it. He also helped to keep his hair still to hide his missing eye. At Harry's side was his cat, Crookshanks.
"Follow me," James whispered, leading his son to the small window in the kitchen. With a bit of effort, Harry squeezed through, and they both slipped out into the night.
The streets of Surrey were quiet, with only the occasional car passing by. James led Harry through back alleys and narrow streets, avoiding any potential encounters.
They reached the train station just as the first light of dawn began to creep over the horizon. James guided Harry to a secluded spot behind the ticket booth.
"We need to find a way to sneak on the train to London," James whispered. "Let me on the ground".
Harry obeyed his father and took off his hat. He watched as James scurried around, scouting the area. The eye returned quickly with a plan: "There's a maintenance cart that the staff use to transport supplies. We can hide in it and get on the train."
Harry followed his father's instructions and arrived at the maintenance area, where a cart loaded with supplies was parked. They crawled into an empty crate and waited. Soon, an unsuspecting staff member wheeled the cart onto the train.
Once the movement stopped, they stayed quiet for a while. James was the one who adventured outside. When he came back, he told Harry that they were in the clear, and Harry also left the crater.
The train ride to London was long, but Harry was happy.
"Oh, yes. Padfood was always good-looking. I bet he has to just comb his hair back with his hand, and you will hear a girl calling for him or sighing"," said James.
Harry smiled. "Why I haven't met him?"
The little eye went and sat on Harry's foot. "I think it is because he is following the orders of Dumbledore. He, like many, believes that he is an infallible man."
Harry frowned, "I don't like that Dumbeedoor man".
James laughed, "It's Dumbledore, but I will remember that nickname." He continued laughing, and Harry smiled. After a while, James calmed down, "But… he has done good things, too. Also, bad things, but that's what humans do, Harry. Wizards, Muggles, we are all the same. None of us are perfect." Harry smiles
The train made a screeching sound, alerting James, "Harry, quick, let's go close the doors." Harry nodded, grabbed his father, put him over his head, and then put on his hat. Fortunately, the door was not fully closed, and Harry was able to slip out and blend into a bustling crowd.
Navigating through the crowded streets of London was daunting, but James was determined. He led Harry to a small plaque near the train station, on which a map showed the layout of the city. There, they localized where the Airport was located. After watching the map a few more times to make sure that they had memorized the information, they started their trip.
They walked through the maze of people, always finding the safest paths. James instructed Harry to walk close to some restaurants with tables outside and then guided him to steal food from a plate that was not fully finished.
They arrived at Heathrow Airport, where planes bound for far-off lands awaited.
"We need to find a way to get on a plane to Japan," James explained. "Stay hidden while I look around." Again, James left to check the whole Airport by himself. Meanwhile, Harry waited on one side of the Airport.
After a while, James came back, out of breath. "This place really is big for this small body." The eye took his time before he talked again, "We are lucky. I found a cargo plane leaving for Tokyo tonight. We need to sneak on board."
"Tokyo?"
James nodded, "Yes. We are going to move to another city in Japan called Sakaiminato. There, we can find a family friend who can help us. Now let's go!"
Harry and his father made their way to the Airport's cargo area. James pointed out a small, unattended access point used by the ground crew. They waited until the workers were distracted, then quickly and quietly slipped through.
The cargo plane was massive, with towering stacks of crates and the constant hum of machinery. James led his son to a secluded spot near the rear of the plane, where they found a small, hidden compartment among the cargo.
"We can stay here, I think," James said. "No one will find us."
Harry settled into the cramped space, feeling a mix of fear and excitement. The plane's engines roared to life, and they felt the vessel begin to move. Harry's journey to freedom had truly begun.
The journey was filled with constant noise and vibrations from the cargo plane. It was difficult to rest, and the confined space was uncomfortable. Harry and James huddled together, trying to stay warm and hopeful.
Harry was concerned about the constant turbulence as the plane was tossed about by fierce winds and air pockets.
"We'll be okay," James reassured him. "Muggles do amazing things with these metal things. You just have to be brave for a little longer." Harry nodded at his father and tried to forget his concerns.
After a while, the turbulence passed, and Harry left a heavy sight. James couldn't do anything but feel pride in his son.
After 12 more hours, what felt like an eternity, the plane was shaped differently from before, and then Harry heard the screech of the plane's brakes.
"We need to find a way off the plane without being seen," James said. "But don't worry, we'll figure it out, son."
As the plane landed and the cargo was unloaded, Harry seized the chance with his father on his head under his cap. They slipped out of their compartment and carefully made their way to the cargo bay door. With the crew distracted, they quickly and quietly descended to the tarmac.
Harry took his first steps on Japanese soil, his heart racing with a mix of fear and exhilaration. James patted Harry's head so he could calm down and then guided him through the bustling Airport and into the city.
"We need to go to the train station. Don't worry; we can just jump the entry," said James. Harry nodded, not sure about the instructions. Harry arrived at the train station and skipped the entrance under the turnstile. Once inside, James tells Harry that they need to wait for the last train.
Harry waited with his father until midnight when the train arrived. But the train looked as if it was from another era. It was small; the exterior was made of rusty steel, and the inside was made of wood.
At the station, there was only Harry, his father, and a drunk man in a muggle suit. But Harry could see many other people who looked transparent. Harry entered the empty train, and a shiver ran through his spine. He sat and looked around.
"Don't worry, son," said James. "I'm with you. This is just transportation for us."
The train, though weird, was the most comfortable ride of his journey. But Harry could not enjoy it completely because he was hungry. He hadn't eaten since he left the train in London.
A voice then yelled, "Tsugi wa basoba!"
Harry felt a strange sensation and then looked at the windows. The sky was black, almost purple, and he saw as they passed a river. The muggle man was sleeping in his seat, and the transparent people looked as if nothing wrong was happening.
Then the train stopped. Harry was going to stand up, but his father stopped him, "this is not our stop, Harry. Wait a little longer."
The transparent people then helped the sleeping man to stand up and leave the train. Then, a hooded creature appeared. "Ningen? Chigaio. Mahō shōnen. Naze koko ni iru nodesu ka?" (Human? No. Wizard. Why are you here?)
James then jumped from Harry's cap, "Gomen'nasai. Yōkai-mura e mukaimasu." (I am sorry. We are heading to the Yokai village.)
The man in the hood looked at James. "Yōkai-muraka?" (Yokai village?) Then he nodded. After a few minutes, the train moved again, now with only Harry and his father, who sat next to him.
The ride was long. It took them two hours, and Harry, already tired, felt like he was sleeping. James had to jump over his head to wake him. "We are here. Come on!" Harry put his dad over his head, but when he was about to wear his cap, James said, "Don't worry, son. In this place, I can be seen with no problem."
Harry nodded and stood up, still tired. Once they left the train, they saw an old train station. It was made of wood and small, almost as big as the garage where Harry's uncle Vernon parked his car.
James guided his son through the streets, which, strangely enough, felt alive. There was no concrete; instead, the streets were made of dirt, which was not unpleasant to step on. The houses around were made of wood, and all their roofs were pointy, like triangles.
They continued walking until James asked his son to get close to one of the locals to ask for directions. Harry then decided to talk with someone who was standing against the wall. It was a man as short as him, with a small moustache and a bottle in an eight shape. Harry was about to talk, but James spoke first. "Gomen'nasai.Yōkai apāto ga doko ni aru ka shitte imasu ka?" (Excuse me. Do you know where the Yokai apartment is?)
"Yōkai apāto?" (Yokai apartment) said the man in a cheery voice. James only nodded, and then the old man pointed to his right before drinking from the bottle.
James bows slightly, "Arigatō" (Thank you). Then the small eye and Harry go in the direction they are pointed.
"Dad. I did not know you could speak other languages," said Harry.
James nodded, "Yes. One of the many things my mom, your grandmother Euphemia, makes me learn." They kept walking, looking at the different small buildings. "In reality, this contact is closer to your grandmother's family side, the Black family, although Sirius doesn't like anything about the Yokai."
Harry looked at the next building, "my godparent? Why?"
James shrugged, "He wanted to live a 'simple life'. And from a British standard point of view, all of this is dark and consequently evil. But don't worry, son. They are just people capable of doing good and bad, just like any other person."
Harry nodded and continued walking until his father stopped him. In front of him was a small building as large as the Dursley's house, just as tall but old and made of wood. A sign was there in a language Harry did not know.
"Let's enter," said James. Harry was about to knock, but James told him to only open the door. Harry followed the instructions and entered the place.
"Sumimasen!" yelled James.
"Hai, hai. Ikimasu yo," said a raspy female voice. After a few minutes, an old woman appeared. She had large eyes, long white hair, and was wearing a purple kimono, but what made Harry feel strange was that she appeared to have specks of sand all over her face and eyes.
"Nandeshou, bōya," (What do you want, boy?) said the woman.
"Ohisashiburidesu, Obasan," (It's been a while, Aunty) said the small eye at the top of Harry's head.
"Me" (an eye?), said the woman.
James chuckled, and then he spoke again, "Moshika shitara, korega tasuke ni naru kamo shirenai" (Maybe this will help). James then cleared his voice and started to sing, "Ge, ge, Gegege Potter. Asa wa nedoko de gūgūgū. Tanoshī na, tanoshī na. Obake nya gakkō mo. Mo doko ni demo tonde ikeru", (Ge, Ge, Gegege Potter. All morning I will slumber. It's so fun, so fun. Here I don't have to learn. And I can fly everywhere.).
The old woman smiled, "Jēmuzu?" (James?)
The little eye nodded, and the old woman smiled wider. After that, Harry was invited to another room, where the old woman offered them tea. Fortunately, James was able to tell the old woman all the details beforehand, but before that conversation was done, Harry fell asleep due to the heavy exhaustion.