Hey readers - here we are with the next chapter : )
Again, this is kind of a self-indulgent chapter, as I really enjoyed having the magical gang stumbling through the Muggle World in the last chapter. Plus, a lot of this was drawn from my own experience went I went to New York, and I couldn't resist adding this. I promise that things will be moving back to forwarding the plot very soon though ; )
Anyway, beyond that I just want to say a GIGANTIC thank you for the support you guys showed by favouriting, following and reviewing this story. It is very much appreciated, so thank you : )
Please remember that Harry Potter is not mine, and I hope you enjoy this story : )
One Step Closer
The moment the wheels of the aeroplane kissed the tarmac at JFK Airport, a jolt of excitement surged through Lily's veins, igniting her senses like fireworks on the Fourth of July. The familiar hum of the engines winding down felt like a prologue to a grand adventure that was about to unfold. Beside her, James, his face lit up with anticipation, nudged her as he pointed towards the terminal, where the bustling crowd swirled like a vibrant kaleidoscope of cultures and stories. Frank, ever the pragmatist, was already rummaging through his carry-on bag, muttering about travel essentials as if he were preparing for a journey into uncharted territory rather than merely stepping into the city that never sleeps. That was just in the Auror in him though. Alice, with her slightly more laid-back charm, and Albus, whose eyes twinkled with his usual sense of mischief, exchanged conspiratorial glances, both clearly devising their next move. The air buzzed with possibilities, and the scent of street food wafted through the air, teasing their senses and beckoning them into the urban playground that lay just beyond the terminal doors. As they stepped off the gangway, their hearts raced in unison, each beat resonating with the thrill of freedom. Together, they were more than just friends; they were members of the Order of the Phoenix, on the brink of a mission with the potential to change everything. It was a little overwhelming to be honest. Little did any of the five witches and wizards know that the city would reveal secrets that would challenge their bonds and test their resolve, forever changing the course of their lives.
Soon enough, the group were off the cramped metal tube they'd just spent the last few hours in.
It came as a great relief to be free, and still following Lily's lead, the group soon found themselves standing around the conveyor belt, watching as suitcases and bags of various shapes and sizes emerged. Lily, James, and Albus chatted amicably as they waited to collect their belongings, whilst Alice looked a little green around the gills. Frank was dutifully keeping a watchful eye on her.
"There's our last bag!" Lily pointed cheerfully as a familiar suitcase slid into view. James grabbed it and clutched it tightly, "Now we just need to clear through customs and then we're done. Let's go!"
Relieved, the group quickly started making their way towards the customs check-point.
"I'm just glad that's over" Alice admitted in a strained tone, still clutching her stomach tightly as they walked through the airport. This Muggle means of transportation had not agreed with her. Not. One. Bit. As such, she was still suppressing the urge to be sick again, "I don't think I've ever been so sick in my life. Not even when I was pregnant with Neville".
From his spot slightly ahead of her, James nodded his head in agreement.
"Tell me about it. I've spent half my life up in the sky, but never like that before" the dark haired young wizard complained, not missing the way his wife's smile became much more amused at his words, "I swear, I'll never get used to those Muggle contraptions. They're just not for me".
Lily, Frank, and Albus all just remained quiet, amused by the exchange.
"Agreed" the talented female Auror moaned as another wave of nausea crashed over her, "I think I'd rather take a risk and just use magic next time. Secrecy and discretion be damned!"
The smile on Lily's face only widened as those words slipped past the other woman's lips.
"Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you both, but I'm afraid we're not done with Muggle transport just yet" the red haired young witch informed them with a giggle, her emerald orbs twinkling with a mix of mischief and amusement.
James and Alice didn't even try to hold back their twin groans of despair.
"What do we have to endure now?" James asked his wife in a pitiful whine, running a hand through his hair, his expression miserable, "Can't we just Apparate to the hotel now that we're in America?"
Albus just threw him a reproachful look.
"James, I know you're not enjoying this, but we have to be careful at all times, remember?" the brilliant yet eccentric elderly wizard gently reminded his former student, "We're trying to be as discreet as possible here. That means no unnecessary magic, no matter how tempting it might be".
At his side, Frank nodded firmly in agreement.
"Which means no Apparatting in the middle of a Muggle city" the pragmatic Auror told the other young wizard in their group sternly.
James pouted indignantly.
"Fine" the dark haired young wizard grumbled petulantly, "But I still think all this cloak and dagger stuff a bit much. I mean, Voldemort's back in Britain. We're literally thousands of miles outside his reach right now".
Albus just sighed, slightly aggravated himself now.
"That doesn't mean we can afford to throw caution to the wind" the kind elderly headmaster said with an air of sternness that was unusual for him, "There are other threats to our kind other than Voldemort after all. Especially in the Muggle World".
It was very difficult for James to argue with that kind of logic.
"Cheer up, dear" Lily reached out and gently patted her husband's arm comfortingly when she saw how put out he seemed, "The hard part's behind us now. Don't worry, it won't be so bad this time. We're about an hour from the district where our hotel is, so we'll just need to get a taxi. No more flying today, I promise".
Her words seemed to thankfully be enough to reassure her husband.
"What's a taxi?" Alice asked curiously. The talented female Auror also looked pleased to hear that the were done with the Muggle flying machines for the time being.
Lily smiled as she once again took on the role of guiding her friends through the Muggle World.
"It's a type of car" the red haired young witch explained, knowing that she'd know what one was since the Ministry of Magic also used them on occasion, "The driver will pick up passengers and, for a fee, take them to their destination of choice. It's like a smaller version of the Knight Bus, but without the magic making everything jump out of the way".
The other woman in their group still seemed a little sceptical.
"Will we have to wait for hours before we can get in this taxi thing?" Alice asked with an air of concern. She wasn't keen on waiting around anymore today, thank you very much, "Like we did with the aeroplane?"
Lily chuckled at her friend's impatient and shook her head.
"No, not at all" the red haired young witch smiled reassuringly, much to the relief of the others, "All we need to do is to go to the taxi rank and flag one down".
James blinked in confusion from his spot at her side.
"What flag?" the dark haired young wizard asked nervously, worried they might have forgotten something they'd need, "I didn't bring a flag".
Lily couldn't help but giggle at her husband's misunderstanding this time.
"That's not what I meant, James, but don't worry about it" the red haired young witch assured him as she patted his arm again, "It's just a turn of phrase that Muggles use. I'll show you when we get there".
James didn't seem overly convinced though.
"I don't want to travel by Muggle transport anymore" the dark haired young wizard whined loudly, not caring if he sounded more like his toddler's age than the grown man he was suppose to be, "I still think we're just being paranoid now. Why can't we just Apparate?"
Frank sighed and ran a hand down the length of his face in poorly-hidden frustration.
"James, we just went over this" the pragmatic Auror told the other young wizard bluntly, his patience running out, "You know why we have to be careful. Muggles are everywhere, and we can't afford to do anything to draw attention to ourselves. We are here on a secret order mission, you know".
The Marauder sighed and wilted, the fight draining out of him.
"Fine" he pouted.
"Come on James" Lily needled him, trying to bolster the spirits of the group before any real tension could arise between them, "I promise, they'll be nothing to make you freak out this time".
James huffed indignantly.
"I did not freak out on that plane" the dark haired young wizard muttered, but at least some of the tension in his shoulders was easing away, "It just... caught me off-guard, that's all".
"Sure, darling" Lily soothed, "Whatever you say".
James could clearly tell that she was just trying to humour him without outright teasing him. The dark haired young wizard sulked, but allowed Lily to link her arm through his, before she led him all the way through the airport and out to the taxi rank outside. Albus, Alice, and Frank all followed behind them.
Thankfully for all concerned, this time the waiting was absolutely minimal.
Within minutes, the group of witches and wizards had managed to hail down two identical, bright yellow taxi cabs. Lily could scarcely believe that there would actually be driving into New York City in something so beautifully iconic. She did her best to temper her excitement though, knowing that if she tried to explain it to the others, they would only be left with more questions than answers. The group quickly made their plan. Between them, they arranged to meet outside the Hotel Edison, a renowned hotel in the Theatre District of the city, and split into two groups. Lily and James got into the first taxi, whilst Albus, Alice, and Frank all pulled into the second one. Lily would freely admit that she was pleased to be the only one travelling with James in the back of the cab. It would appear that Muggle Transport made her beloved husband rather cranky. She have to remember that in the future. Right now though, she didn't want to subject their friends to his grumpy mood. She could handle it. The others should have to.
Before they know it, their luggage was loaded and they were all strapped in. The two taxis set off down the highway towards New York City.
Sitting in the back of the yellow taxi cab that was leading the leading the other one, James was still looking a bit disgruntled. Lily on the other hand was perfectly content. She was peering out the window with an air of curiosity. Just because they were here on an important mission for the Order of the Phoenix didn't mean she couldn't take in the sights whilst she had the chance to after all.
And what sights she saw.
Honestly, it was enough to take the red haired young witch's breath away. Everything seemed so much larger than everything back home, including the cars themselves. Her emerald orbs had grown to the size of dinner plates, and she hadn't even seen the famous New York skyline yet. The taxi driver, a friendly-looking man in his fifties, caught her awestruck expression in the rear-view mirror, and chuckling fondly, he started a conversation.
"First time visiting New York?" the taxi driver asked in a friendly tone. He had a strong New Yorkers' accent, clearly a local boy.
Practically bouncing in her seat, Lily nodded excitedly.
"Yes, it is!" the red haired young witch confirmed with a bright grin, happy to have someone other than her still-sulking husband to chat with, "We're really excited to see the city".
That wasn't even a lie.
Despite the fact that the only reason any of them had even come to America in the first place was because of their ultimate goal of obtaining vital information from the alleged Seer, Lily would be lying if she said that he wasn't also excited about the opportunity to visit one of the greatest city in the world. New York was a place where she had always longed to visit at some point in her life, and considering that she and her family had been in war-time lockdown for months, the chance to do something she had always dreamed of doing was positively invigorating. Lily didn't know how many of the famous tourist spots she would get to see in their brief time here, but even seeing just a fraction of what the Big Apple had to offer was definitely worth it. It was better than nothing at all after all.
The taxi driver smiled at her obvious enthusiasm.
"You're in for a treat then" the man chuckled good-naturedly as he carefully manoeuvred the taxi into the next lane of traffic on the highway, "I'll let you know when we get to the good part".
"The good part?" Lily questioned, puzzled by what he meant. How could a taxi ride have a 'good part' to it?
A twinkle appeared in their driver's eye.
"Just keep looking through the front window and you'll see" the man grinned with an air of mystery.
Intrigued, Lily, along with James who was admittedly curious in spite of himself, both did as the Muggle taxi driver had instructed them to, staring through the front windscreen and waiting patiently for something to happen. Thankfully, the Potters weren't kept in suspense for very long, as moments later, the taxi drove over a slight rise in the land. Immediately, Lily and James both gasped in pure and unadulterated awe.
The sight before them was... beautiful.
Lily and James were both aware that their hearts were racing in unison as the taxi they are passengers in crested the final rise. The moment was electric - a hushed whisper filled the vehicle, the sound of dreams colliding with reality. Suddenly, like a painting coming to life, the fantastic skyline of New York was unfurling before them, a breath-taking tapestry of steel and glass glittering under the autumn sun. Skyscrapers stretched high into the azure sky, each one telling a story of ambition and grit, of countless souls who once dared to dream big. Lily squinted at the iconic silhouette of the Empire State Building, its majestic form piercing the clouds like a sentinel watching over the city. The vibrant pulse of Times Square flashed in her mind, a kaleidoscope of lights and energy that she had only seen in books and old Muggle movies. Beside her, James's hazel coloured eyes widened in awe, reflecting the shimmering brilliance of the city that never sleeps. A thousand thoughts raced through his mind, each one more exhilarating than the last. This was a moment they had never envisioned but had secretly yearned for whilst in hiding - a chance to explore the bustling streets, to become part of the vibrant tapestry that made up New York City, to just be... ordinary for a while.
Sadly, with Voldemort in hot pursuit of their precious little boy, that simply wasn't an option for them back home.
As the taxi rolled down the turn-off to begin their drive into the city itself, past food vendors and street performers, a sense of adventure welled up inside the young married couple. Unable to help but grin widely, Lily and James exchanged another glance, unspoken excitement building between them, as if they were both silently promising to seize every moment whilst they were here. With each passing block, they could feel the weight of possibility pressing down upon them, whispering tales of exploration, romance, and dreams yet to be realised. This was no longer just a mission to hopefully the information that might prove vital in protecting their son's life; it was the beginning of an amazing adventure, a journey into a city that held the promise of everything they had ever wanted, and so much more beside it.
It was breath-taking.
"Oh... my... goodness..." Lily whispered as the power of speech slowly returned to her, having temporarily been rendered speechless due to the fantastic landscape stretching out before them, "James, look at that!"
At her side, James looked utterly gobsmacked.
Up until this point in the car journey from the airport into the city, James had been in a right strop, barely speaking and only answering with short, to-the-point responses whenever spoken to. He had still been tired and a little grouchy from the flight in. Now though however, even he couldn't keep up his pouting, and a look of pure astonishment and genuine wonderment lit up his handsome features as his hazel coloured eyes eagerly drank in the mesmerizing site before them.
"Wow..." the dark haired young wizard breathed, his tone and expression both thoroughly awestruck, "I've never seen anything like it. It's incredible!"
The taxi driver let out a good-natured chuckle.
"You Brits all have the same reaction to that, but it never gets old" the American man said in his thick New Yorkers accent, his eyes twinkling with fondness, "Only one New York, you know. No other place like it in the whole world!"
The Potters were forced to agree with his assessment.
"No, there really isn't" James replied in a somewhat breathless tone, his eyes still glued to the spectacular landscape they were driving towards, "It's just... amazing".
Seeing that the other man was no longer stuck in a funk, the taxi driver's smile widened.
"You're going to love it here" the taxi driver told his young passengers enthusiastically. It was clear that he really loved his presumed home-city, "New York is full of life and surprises".
Lily and James believed him.
The taxi continued driving, and the skyline remained visible for a few more minutes before their vehicle merged onto the highway, crossing the boundary-line and heading deeper into the city.
It was even more astonishing up close.
As the yellow taxi cab rumbled along the asphalt, the unmistakable pulse of New York City enveloped Lily and James like a warm, electric embrace. With eyes wide and hearts pounding, they leaned closer to the windows, straining their necks as if trying to reach out and touch the vibrant tapestry of life unfolding just beyond the glass. Skyscrapers stretched toward the heavens, their glass facades sparkling under the rays of the sun, while the symphony of honking horns and distant chatter blended into an exhilarating chorus that echoed the city's relentless energy. Each block they passed was a vivid snapshot of dreams and stories - street performers dancing on corners, vendors calling out their wares, and the aroma of pretzels and hot dogs wafting through the air.
"This is it" Lily whispered, her voice barely audible over the cacophony outside, but the wonder in her eyes was unmistakable, "We're really here..."
James nodded, his gaze fixed on a group of artists painting vibrant murals on a nearby wall.
When the two of them had agreed to come on this trip, on this mission to find answers to protect their little boy, neither of them had imagined a moment like this. But despite the severity of their reason from being here, seeing this now, their first glimpse of the city that never sleeps - it gave both of them hope. Hope that they would keep their beloved baby boy safe. Hope that they would find a way to defeat Voldemort. Hope for a brighter, happy future.
But all too soon, their journey finally came to its end.
Almost to the disappointment of Lily and James, the taxi driver had finally brought them to Hotel Edison and parked outside. The Potter had to admit, it was a very impressive building. Nestled in the vibrant heart of the Theatre District, the Hotel Edison stood as a timeless beacon of elegance and sophistication. Its façade, a blend of Art Deco and modern architectural elements, was adorned with intricate metalwork and luminous signage that glowed warmly against the bustling backdrop of Times Square. The building's majestic presence was further accentuated by its towering height, punctuated by rows of sleek, reflective windows that mirrored the endless activity of the city below.
"Here you are, sir, madam" the taxi driver smiled at them as the all disembarked, "Hotel Edison".
Lily and James both thanked the driver profusely, grateful for the experience the drive in had given them. James tried to pay him with the Muggle dollars Albus had supplied them with back at Hogwarts, but it quickly became clear that he was confused by the Muggle American money. Taking pity on his husband, Lily quickly took the money from him.
"Sorry about that" Lily explained to their driver as she paid him the correct amount of money, "It's my husband's first trip abroad. He's still getting used to American money".
The taxi driver took it in his stride.
"Well, you certainly picked a good place for your first trip. New York is incredible" the taxi driver gushed as he helped them both with their bags, "I hope you enjoy your stay here sir, madam".
He got back in the bright yellow car, and then he was gone.
No sooner had the friendly man driven away did the taxi with Albus, Alice, and Frank as its passengers pull up, and they quickly got out onto the sidewalk. After he was paid too, the second taxi driver sped off as well. Albus and the Longbottoms all smiled as they joined up with James and Lily again.
"Did you have any trouble?" Albus asked in lieu of a proper greeting.
"No, everything was fine" Lily shook her head in response, knowing that he wasn't being rude and was simply in the mindset of a person on an important order mission, "How about you?"
Albus returned her reassuring smile.
"Everything went smoothly" the brilliant yet eccentric elderly wizard confirmed. He quickly cast a slightly suspicious glance at the Muggles milling about on the sidewalk though, "But we can't be too careful".
From her spot next to him, Alice couldn't help but snort.
"You're starting to sound like Alastor, Albus" the talented female Auror told her former headmaster teasingly.
Her husband grinned playfully.
"CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" Frank bellowed in a remarkable impression of the infamous Auror, Alastor Moody. They all of course knew the man, the Potters through their involvement with the order, Albus because he was a close friend, and the Longbottoms because they had all been Aurors together, at least before Frank and Alice had been forced into hiding when the prophecy came about. They all laughed at the spot-on impersonation.
The cheerful shout earned Frank some odd looks from other people on the street though.
"Alastor has a good point, though, even if he is starting to get a bit paranoid" Alice commented lightly. They all knew she had a soft-soft for the brilliant Auror, him having taken Alice under his wing during her training days, "Just because we're outside of Voldemort's reach for the moment doesn't mean we should throw caution to the wind. There might still be danger here".
Her words brought them all back to seriousness with a gentle bump.
"Quite right" Albus nodded his head in agreement with the wise words of warning that the talented female Auror had just delivered to them, "We'll need to stay alert".
"Well, we're here, finally" James sighed in relief, "What do we do now?"
Lily honestly wasn't sure if her beloved was talking about the logistics for checking-in at Hotel Edison, or if he was talking about the plan they still needed to outline in approaching the Seer, the mysterious Caspian Kairos. If it was the latter, well... this was hardly the place for such a sensitive discussion. Not only would they be risking sensitive information, but they'd sound like raving lunatics to anyone listening in.
"Let's get off the street first before we start planning" the red haired young witch suggested, "We're a bit too exposed here for such a sensitive conversation".
The others all agreed.
Collectively, all five of the gathered witches and wizards readjusted their grips on their luggage before entering the Hotel Edison. The group had to admit, the interior was just as impressive as the exterior.
Stepping into the lobby of the Hotel Edison in New York City was like entering a sanctuary of elegance and nostalgia for Lily, James and the others. The grand space was adorned with intricate chandeliers that cast a warm, golden glow, reflecting off the polished marble floors and rich wooden panels. Vintage photographs of the city's illustrious past lined the walls, each telling a story of a bygone era, while the soft hum of classical music filled the air, creating an atmosphere of refined tranquillity. The reception area was a marvel of Art Deco design, with its sleek, streamlined counters and gleaming brass accents that harked back to the 1920s. Behind the desk, a sprawling map of the city served as a backdrop, inviting guests to explore the vibrant streets just beyond the hotel's threshold. Comfortable armchairs and plush sofas were scattered throughout, offering inviting spots to relax and converse, all while basking in the timeless charm of this historic landmark.
Needless to say, the group of weary travellers were immediately taken with their temporary dwellings.
Lily led the others over towards the grand reception desk, where they were immediately greeted by the receptionist, a bubbly young woman who happily welcomed them to Hotel Edison. Lily provided her with the necessary booking information, and they quickly paid for their three separate rooms. Again, Lily needed to step in to keep the others right, but once the money had exchanged hands, the woman behind the desk handed over three strange-looking cards, rather than the traditional metal keys as Lily had been expecting.
"What are these?" James asked curiously as he turned the unfamiliar object over in his hands.
The others instinctively looked at Lily.
"Honestly, they're a new one on me" the red haired young witch replied with a shrug. The others all seemed surprised that she was actually in the dark as well, given that they had been relying on her Muggle experience all day. Not letting their slightly taken aback expressions bother her, Lily turned her attention back to the bubbly young receptionist behind the welcome desk, "What are these, miss?"
The young woman looked particularly proud as she began to explain.
"Hotel Edison is one of the first hotels in New York to deploy the new key card locking system that is slowly being rolled out nationwide" the receptionist announced in her most professional, albeit slightly oily, tone of voice, "All you need to do is hold the card up to the lock on your room's door, and the magnetic strip inside will activate the mechanism, provided it's the correct key card. It's much more secure than a traditional key".
By the end of her spiel, the group of travellers looked rather impressed.
"That's fascinating!" Lily eventually said with enthusiasm, eyeing the key card in her husband's hand with renewed interest, "Thank you for explaining".
"No problem" the receptionist beamed.
With no more questions for the moment, the group were ready to head on up to their rooms. Thankfully all three of their hotel suites were on the same floor, that being the fifth. Very kindly, the receptionist called over a bellboy to assist them with their bags. After a slightly cramped ride up to the fifth floor in the elevator, the group was directed to their respective rooms by the bellboy. Lily made sure to give the man a generous tip, knowing that that was a part of the culture in this city more than it was back home. The young Muggle then wheeled the trolley they had all piled their luggage on away up the corridor, so that he could drop the bags off in their respective rooms.
As soon as they were alone in the corridor, the group turned to face each other.
"Okay, what do you guys say we each check out our own rooms before we get down to business?" James began the conversation. The dark haired young wizard would admit that he was curious to see a Muggle hotel room, having only stayed in Wizarding ones before. He couldn't help but wonder how different the two might be.
The Longbottoms seemed to be of a similar mind.
"That's not a bad idea" Alice smiled in agreement, eager to take a short break given how exhausting the day had been so far, "It'll give us all a chance to freshen up".
"Which in turn will help make us more alert" Frank added pragmatically.
Albus and Lily both nodded.
"It's a good logic. Sharp minds are definitely going to be needed when dealing with someone as potentially dangerous as a genuine Seer might be" the brilliant yet eccentric elderly wizard acknowledged, "Very well. I suggest we take thirty minutes before we reconvene in my hotel suite. Do you call remember the room number?"
Lily, James, Alice and Frank all nodded to show that they did.
Everyone comfortable with that arrangement, the five witches and wizards split up into three smaller group. Albus immediately swept off up the corridor by himself, disappearing around a corner a moment later. The Longbottoms were slightly closer, and soon enough they had found their room and slipped inside as well. That left just Lily and James, whose room was closest to the elevator out of all three of them. Once their headlock heated the right room number Lily held the key card up to the lock as the receptionist had instructed them. There was a small beeping noise, then the lock clicked open.
They pushed open the door and stepped inside.
As far as hotel rooms went, this was not too shabby at all.
The room was elegantly appointed with a plush queen-sized bed, dressed in crisp, high-thread-count linens that Lily had no doubt would ensure a restful night's sleep, even with the weight of the prophecy and the meeting with the potential Seer hanging over her. Large windows offered stunning views of the bustling city, allowing natural light to flood the space during the day and no doubt a glittering panorama of lights at night. The décor was a harmonious blend of classic and contemporary styles, with rich mahogany furniture, soft ambient lighting, and modern amenities. The room also featured a spacious work area with a comfortable desk chair, ideal for planning the day's adventures, if this was your average tourist trip. The en-suite bathroom was a sanctuary of its own, equipped with a rain shower, complimentary toiletries, and fluffy towels. For added convenience, the room included a well-stocked mini-fridge, a small kettle, and a selection of teas. These were just a few of the thoughtful touches that made this room a home away from home for its guests.
"Not bad. Not bad at all" James grinned as he swaggered into the room and immediately flopped down on the bed.
Lily couldn't help but nod in agreement. This room would suit their purpose well. And with any luck, they'd only be staying here a few nights anyway. As such, Lily began to unpack some of the essentials from hers and James' respective bags. She had thirty minutes to get ready after all.
And then... well, then the real trials and tribulations would begin.
Thirty minutes past by quicker than they'd have liked.
As expected, Lily had used the short respite wisely, unpacking a new outfit for both herself and her husband from the cases, before she bustled off into the bathroom to go and freshen up. James meanwhile had decided to squeeze in a quick power nap before they reconvened with the others, something Lily didn't begrudge him. Today had been exhausting for all of them, but she suspected more so for her husband than her. After all, at least she had had the added benefit of knowing what was happening each step of the way. That was a luxury that James hadn't had, and so she suspected the journey out here had taken more of a toll on him than herself. She decided to just let him rest whilst he had the opportunity.
Sadly however, it was now time for them to get going again.
Dressed in a fresh set of clothes - which felt amazing after the long flight they'd just endured - and feeling rested enough to at least plan their next move, the Potters left the comfort of their hotel room, Lily pocketing the key card as they did. As the slipped out into the corridor, James and Lily noticed that the Longbottoms were just exiting their own suite. The younger couple hurried over to join them.
"Hey you two" James greeted them, still a little tired but managing to raise a smile for them, "Ready to figure out our plan of attack?"
The Longbottoms smiled just as wearily.
"As ready as we'll ever be, I suppose" Alice was the one to verbally respond, whilst Frank just gave the Potters a tired, slightly strained smile of his own, "Though, I'm still not entirely sure what we should do for the best".
"That's why we need to plan this very carefully" Frank said seriously.
"Well, hopeful Albus has some kind of plan" Lily was the one to reason, her emerald orbs glittering with a strong sense of hope, "I know it was us that pushed for talking to a Seer, but it was his idea to bring us all out here to America. He must have some kind of plan on how to approach the man".
"I hope so Lily" James sighed.
The group of the four young witches and wizards made short work of crossing the fifth floor, and soon enough they arrived outside of Albus' hotel room. James raised his hand and smartly rapped his knuckles against the wood. The door flew open almost immediately to reveal Albus in a suite identical to the Potters' own. He smiled warmly at his four former students, his eyes twinkling with their usual mischief.
"Ah! There you all are!" the brilliant yet eccentric elderly wizard greeted them, "Come in, come in!"
He quickly ushered Lily, James, Alice and Frank inside, immediately shutting the door behind them with a sharp snap. Alice opened her mouth to begin the conversation, but before she could utter so much as a single syllable, Albus held up his hand to silence her. The four younger witches and wizards all watched in bemusement as with a quick flick of his wand, the brilliant wizard magically locked the door and sealed it shut with a series of intricate wards.
Lily couldn't help but feel somewhat amused.
"Was that really necessary, Albus?" the red haired young witch laughed, surprised by the lengths her old headmaster was going to to ensure they had some privacy.
At her said, James grinned mischievously.
"Yeah!" the dark haired young wizard drawled playfully, his tone and expression both taking on a teasing lilt, "What happened to 'not using magic here unless absolutely necessary'?"
Albus chuckled, a twinkle in his eye.
"Oh I can assure you, it is necessary, my dear James. Absolutely necessary" the brilliant yet eccentric elderly wizard said, his tone somehow both amused yet leaving no room to be argued with, "For what we are about to discuss...requires discretion".
None of them could argue with that sentiment.
When nobody else made to interrupt him from his work, Albus turned his attention back to the job in hand. The brilliant wizard began muttering incantations, his wand weaving intricate patterns in the air. Some the younger witches and wizards recognised as Muggle-Repellent spells, some as powerful silencing charms. Some they didn't even recognise at all. In awe, Lily, James, Alice and Frank all silently watched as powerful, glistening wards subtly shimmer into existence. It was a fascinating sight to behold. When Albus was satisfied that the room was secure enough, he moved the hotel furniture aside with another flick of his wand. Finally, he summoned five comfortable armchairs out of thin air, and they all took their seats.
It was time to plan out their next move.
"Okay, so we're finally in the right city" James stated as a means of starting the discussion, before he asked the question that was pressing heavily on everybody's minds, "But how do we track down this Seer? I don't know if any of you noticed on the drive in, but New York is big".
Across the circle from him, Alice scoffed.
"That's an understatement" the female Auror shook her head, knowing from the experience of her chosen profession that this would be like looking for a needle in a haystack, "This place is massive! Albus, do you have any idea where… what was his name again? Caspian something?"
"Caspian Kairos" her former headmaster supplied.
"Yes, him" Alice nodded at the man grateful, before pressing on with the inquiry she was trying to make, "Did you manage to track down an address for him?"
Unfortunately, Albus shook his head.
"Not his home address, no" the brilliant yet eccentric elderly wizard replied, but neither his smile nor the twinkle in his eye diminished with the admittance, "But I was able to locate his place of work, which might work to our advantage".
Lily and James exchanged a slightly confused glance.
"What do you mean?" the red haired young witch was the one to ask him for further elaboration.
Before Albus could reply, Frank chimed into the conversation.
"He means it'll be less intimidating to approach him in a public area rather than at his home" the male Auror explained to the younger couple, having learnt that back in his early days on the job, "Don't forget, we're complete strangers to this man, and he needs to be able to trust us just as much as we need to be able to trust him".
"Precisely" Albus nodded at the explanation Frank had provided.
"You think he'll be more willing to help if we don't come across too strong?" James asked, realisation hitting him. He ran a hand through his dark hair. He wasn't exactly renowned for his softly softly approach after all.
"Exactly" Frank nodded in confirmation.
James sighed.
"So, where does he work?" Alice was the one that asked the next most obvious question. She cast her mind back to what Albus had said when he originally told them about this Seer, "You mentioned he was some sort of… Muggle entertainer?"
Albus smiled and nodded his head.
"Mr Kairos allegedly has an act in a local circus" the brilliant yet eccentric wizard stated as he produced a slip of parchment from the pocket of the Muggle clothes he was still wearing, "Strange name, though. Apparently, it's called… 'The Big Apple Circus.' Charming, but strange".
Across the circle from him, Lily's eyes suddenly grew very wide with excitement.
"I've heard of that!" the red haired young witch exclaimed, and the others all glanced at her in obvious surprise, "It's become a huge tourist attraction. A surprisingly big one actually, considering it's only been around for about four years. It's meant to be really popular".
James rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he pondered on his wife's words.
"I wonder if that's because of this Caspian bloke" the dark haired young wizard mused aloud, a far-off look in his eye, "I admittedly don't know much about Muggle entertainment, but I imagine he must draw a crowd if he makes predictions that are almost always right. To them, it must be like… well, like magic".
A soft chuckle rippled through the group.
"If only they knew the irony" Albus laughed good-naturedly, his eyes twinkling with fond amusement.
"So, is that our plan then?" James asked to get them all back on track. He wanted to make sure they were all on the same page. They couldn't afford any mistakes after all. Not with his precious baby boy's life riding on the outcome, "We go to this Big Apple Circus and confront the Seer there?"
Lily immediately held up her hand before anyone else had a chance to speak.
"Hold on. We're not confronting anyone, and we're definitely not going in there, wands out blazing" the red haired young witch said so sternly, it would be impossible for James to try and argue with his wife, "We're here to ask for his help, not demand it".
James held up his hands in a pacifying manner.
"I know… but for our Harry, for young Neville…" the dark haired young wizard trailed off as he calmly held his wife's gaze, "I'm willing to be a little… forceful. Only if necessary, of course".
Frank and Alice both nodded in agreement, but Albus raised a hand in objection.
"I understand your motivation. A parents' love for their child is a powerful thing, but you mustn't get lost in that fierce desire to protect your sons" the brilliant yet eccentric wizard implored of them, "We can't strong-arm this Caspian into analysing the prophecy for us. Don't forget, that's incredibly sensitive information, and if we anger him, he could deliberately expose it to the wrong people out of revenge".
Judging by the look on James' face, it was clear that he hadn't considered that.
"That's not even the point!" Lily chimed back into the conversation, her tone and expression both incredibly stern as she regarded the others, "Regardless of how much we want his help, if we try to force him, we'd be no better than Voldemort! I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't want to cross that line, regardless of how much I want Harry and Neville to be safe".
James, Frank, and Alice all deflated, looking suitably chastened. They could see that Albus and Lily were right.
"Okay…" James sighed as he let his wife's words sink in. He ran a hand through his raven coloured locks, "I guess we'll just have to appeal to his humanity then, and pray he decides to help us by involving himself. When should we approach him?"
Albus held up the papers in his hand as he responded to the question.
"The Big Apple Circus has a performance scheduled for tonight. That means that Caspian should be there then" the brilliant yet eccentric elderly wizard explained, "While you were all freshening up, I apparated over and procured us all tickets".
Pleasantly surprised, the rest of the group all smiled.
"So, after the show then?" Alice was the one to suggest. She had to admit, she was rather curious to see what this Muggle Circus would be like. If it was a popular as Lily claimed it was, it should be quite an experience.
The rest of the group nodded in acceptance of the proposal.
"I think that's a good idea" Lily was the one to verbally respond to the other woman, "We can go to his dressing room once all the performances have wrapped up. It might make him more agreeable".
Across from her, Frank nodded.
"Not a bad idea" the pragmatic male Auror agreed. He then turned his attention back to his former headmaster and asked the next most logical question, "What time does the performance start, Albus?"
"Seven o'clock" the man promptly replied.
"What time is it now?" James asked, glancing down at his watch before realising that that would do him no good, "I'm still on British time".
His wife offered up the answer
"It's two-thirty in the afternoon, local time" Lily informed the others, having had the foresight to correct her own watch the moment they had touch down on American soil, "We've got some time to kill".
"More waiting" Alice sighed despairingly.
"Yes" Frank gently placed his hand over hers, able to see that his wife was starting to get frustrated by the constant delays, "But if it helps protect our Neville and little Harry, it'll be worth it".
That was more than enough to bring a smile back to the female Auror's face.
"Of course" she whispered softly.
With the plan set and agreed upon, all four of the younger witches and wizards turned to look at Albus. They were all curious to know if there was any other action that needed to be taken, or if, at the very least, he had any suggestions on what they could until it was time to set the next phase of their mission into motion.
"What should we do in the meantime?" James was the one that asked the question now weighing on their minds.
Albus pondered for a moment.
"Well... we are relatively safe here, far beyond the reach of Voldemort. And you've all been in hiding for months" the brilliant yet eccentric wizard offered the four younger witches and wizards a mischievous grin, "Perhaps you might want to explore this fascinating city for a couple of hours as you each see fit, before we need to prepare for tonight? That's what I intend to do with myself".
James, Lily, and Alice's faces all lit up in excitement at the suggestion.
"Really?!" Lily gasped with an air of hope, her emerald orbs shining. At her side, James took her hand in his own and grinned. After months of being confined at Potter Manor, it was obvious that they were back eager to put themselves out in the world again.
Alice seemed to be of a similar mindset, but Frank was more hesitant.
"We didn't come here for a holiday, Albus" the pragmatic male Auror reminded the older man sternly. He was surprised that Albus would suggest something like that, especially after all his warnings about how cautious they needed to be whilst here.
Their former headmaster just shrugged.
"Well that's true, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy a moment of freedom since the opportunity has presented itself" Albus calmly reasoned with the younger man, "Besides, unless you know of a spell that can speed up time, I don't see what else we can do".
Frank was forced to reluctantly agree with that. Alice gently squeezed his hand.
"Cheer up, love" she smiled at her husband bracingly, "Spending some quality time together in New York? I can think of worse ways to spend an afternoon".
Her words managed to coax a chuckle out of her husband.
"True enough" Frank acknowledged.
With no more protests, a ripple of pure and unadulterated excitement surged through the group. Sensing their eagerness to get going, Albus adjourned the meeting after they arranged to meet back at Hotel Edison at six-thirty that evening so they could all head to the Big Apple Circus together. The weight of their mission hanging in the air, Albus then unofficially dismissed his former students, and Lily, James, Alice and Frank all left the room. The Longbottoms bid the Potters farewell for the moment as they returned to their own hotel room, no doubt to quickly plan out their free afternoon. Once they were alone together, Lily and James exchanged an excited grin, the promise of a New York adventure brightening their faces.
"So my love, how do you want to spend our first afternoon in this amazing place together?" James looked down at his beloved wife with a playful smile.
Lily had to think about it for a moment.
"Well... we're definitely not going to Times Square" the red haired young witch immediately shot that area of the city down, "Not when it's a known hot-spot for crime, drugs, prostitution and pornography".
James arched an eyebrow.
"And that's right around the corner for here?" the dark haired young wizard shook his head in amusement, "Such a lovely spot Albus has chosen for us to stay at".
Lily laughed, then gasped as an idea suddenly stuck her.
"Oh!" the red haired young witch exclaimed in delight, her emerald eyes widening to the size of dinner plates. She knew precisely how they ought to spend the little free time they had in this most wonderous and magnificent city, "I know exactly what we can do!"
James' smile widened at his wife's obvious excitement.
"What?" he asked fondly.
Lily just grinned up at him, the smile on her lips and the twinkle in her eye somehow both mischievous yet promising an adventure all at the same time.
"It's a surprise!" she grinned teasingly.
And without offering her husband so much as a single clue about her plan, Lily then took off up the corridor, leaving James to follow after his, his curiosity stoked.
This was going to be... magical.
And that's another chapter done : D
So yeah, as I said at the beginning, this was another pretty... mundane, I guess... chapter. Still, it needed to happen to get the characters to where they needed to be. Plus, it's fun researching what would and would not have been around in the early 1980s. But I promise, we'll be back on track soon. We're actually very close to getting our first glimpse of the Seer, which I'm really looking forward to, and I hope you guys are too : )
Anyway, I think that's just about everything from me for this week, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and please leave a review telling me your thoughts and opinions. Also, if you have any suggestions of what you'd like to see further on as this new timeline unfolds, be that characters, plotlines or events you'd like to see, please feel free to leave them in a review as well, and I'll give them due consideration : )
Until the next time, keep on reading : )