The Arival
Britan: Lower Hogsmede
The Potters were headed toward a secluded part of lower Hogsmeade. They had gotten all their affairs in order, making sure to let everyone they cared about know what they were doing. They had explained that they had to protect what was theirs, though they left out the details of where they were going. It was still early morning, and the streets were eerily empty. The only sound was the crunch of snow underfoot, and the occasional faint whisper of the wind.
Harry, unusually fussy this morning, seemed to sense that something momentous was about to happen. It was as though, even at his young age, he knew that the world he had grown up in was about to change forever—and, from the look on his tiny face, he wasn’t too happy about it. Lily and James walked closely together, their matching dark red robes pulled tightly over their heads, hiding their features in the chilly air. Sirius and Remus followed closely behind, dressed in black robes, looking just as solemn.
"Let’s hope this isn’t a trick or a trap," James muttered, his voice tight with worry. The tension was evident on his face as he scanned the road ahead.
Sirius snorted, an edge of humor in his voice. "I doubt the Malfoys will keep their word, especially if my cousin is involved. Narcissa was always too good for that prat."
Remus shot Sirius a stern look, shaking his head. "Oi, watch your language. There’s a child here."
Sirius chuckled, rubbing the back of his head where Remus had lightly slapped him. "Sorry, Moony. I’ll try to keep it PG."
James squinted ahead and then nodded, pointing. "Look over there. Is that Malfoy?"
The group slowed as they made their way toward the tall, silver-haired figure standing at the edge of the road. Lucius Malfoy was waiting for them, his posture stiff and composed as usual. He barely seemed to acknowledge their presence as they approached.
"You’re here," Lucius said flatly, his tone colder than usual. "Let’s get to business."
With a swift, deliberate motion, he handed Lily a small, inconspicuous object. It was a portkey, a small, weathered-looking vial. "Here. This is a one-way portkey, straight out of Britain," Lucius explained, his voice indifferent. "It’ll take you to a small magical town just outside of Sofia, Bulgaria. No one knows I have it, so it’s secure. Just say the word 'Incarterium,' and you’ll be transported there."
Lily hesitated for a moment, her eyes searching Lucius’s face for any hint of deceit. Finding none, she accepted the portkey and passed Harry to James.
"Thank you," Lily said, her voice filled with quiet gratitude. "You don’t know what this means to us."
Lucius scoffed, his lips curling into a sneer. "Yeah, whatever. Just don’t get into too much trouble," he muttered, turning on his heel. Before anyone could respond, he strode away, disappearing with a flick of his wand and an almost imperceptible crack as he Disapparated.
The Potters, along with Remus and Sirius, quickly formed a tight circle around the portkey. One by one, they placed their hands on it, and together, they whispered the incantation: "Incarterium."
In an instant, the familiar world around them dissolved, and Harry let out a sharp wail, his small body shaking from the sudden, jarring transportation. The air around them shifted, the cold biting in an unfamiliar way.
James immediately cradled Harry against his chest, trying to calm his son, his voice soft and soothing. "Shh, it’s okay, Harry. We’re safe now."
Lily, still shaken from the Portkey, scanned their surroundings. The landscape was unfamiliar, the light from the rising sun casting long shadows across an expanse of snowy fields. There was a distant village in the background, but it looked unlike any place they’d seen before.
"Let’s head to that inn," Remus suggested, pointing to a small building off in the distance. "We need to regroup and figure out our next move."
"Agreed," Sirius said. "It’s better to rest up before making any decisions. We don’t know what’s waiting for us here."
The group trudged toward the inn, the wind biting at their faces as they made their way through the snow. Once inside, they gathered around a small table in the warmth of the common room.
Lily, ever practical, was the first to speak. "We’ll need to make a plan. We can’t just wander around aimlessly."
"Right," James said, setting Harry down carefully in a small chair beside them. "Lily, you’ll open a shop. Potions, of course. You’ve always been brilliant at it. I think it will be a good way to stay under the radar."
Lily nodded, her face brightening slightly at the thought. "I could make it work here. It’s a fresh start."
Sirius grinned. "And I’ll be freelancing as a curse-breaker. There’s a good chance they’ll need someone with my skills around here. You never know when an ancient vault or enchanted relic might need a little tampering."
Remus, ever the more thoughtful one, paused before speaking. "I think I’ll try for a job at one of the local schools. The magic here might be different from what we’re used to, but I’ve taught before, and I’m sure I can find a place for myself."
James rubbed his hands together and looked at the group with determination. "This is it, then. This is our chance to rebuild, to keep Harry safe."
Lily smiled softly at her husband, though a shadow still lingered in her eyes. "We’ll make it work. Together."
The plan was set. The Potters had a new life ahead of them, one far from the dangers they had left behind in Britain. But as the group sat there, the weight of their decision hung heavy in the air. They were safe—for now. But they all knew that peace was a fragile thing. The future would be uncertain. The road ahead, long.
But they were together. And for now, that was enough.