Montauk
The Ministry of Magic of the United Kingdom is the administrative center that regulates, oversees, and sustains the British magical world from the shadows. For non-magical people, it is nothing more than a place that should not exist at all, hidden far beneath the city.
For witches and wizards, however, it is a living underground city; a labyrinth of corridors, enchanted offices, and halls where, at every moment, the delicate balance between secrecy and chaos is decided.
Its primary role is not to govern in the political, Muggle sense, but to maintain magical order.
It supervises the use of magic, protects the International Statute of Secrecy, regulates magical creatures, controls dangerous artifacts, and manages conflicts between wizards. It also functions as a court, a security force, and a diplomatic body.
Every decision made there carries the weight of affecting a world that exists alongside the human one, but depends entirely on remaining hidden.
"Oh, well. That's what the book says," Harry said as he walked through the corridors, watching the massive number of people moving in every direction. Witches and wizards stepped out of fireplaces lined along an immense hallway, while others entered or vanished into them just as quickly. The constant flow made the place feel more like a living city than a government building.
"Yeah. I heard it from Hermione when she forced us to study," Percy replied with an interested look, now focusing on the large statues placed at the center of the hall. They depicted a wizard and a witch standing at the highest point, upright and proud. At their sides were several magical creatures, such as a centaur and a goblin, gazing toward the humans with respect and submission.
That made Percy frown slightly.
It was as if wizards believed themselves superior or something like that. Then again, considering the way they looked at Muggles, maybe they did see it that way.
"Follow me. This way," Sirius said with a smile, guiding the boys.
They walked behind him as he moved confidently through the sea of people. Some paused when they saw him, surprise crossing their faces. Others murmured among themselves, and a few even stepped aside to clear a path.
That seemed to inflate Sirius's pride just a little, and he cast a satisfied glance toward the two boys. However, both of them were far too busy looking around to pay him any attention, which left him slightly disappointed.
It did not take long for him to lead them to a specific office. As they crossed the doorway, Harry and Percy could not help but feel that it looked very much like a Muggle travel agency, like the one they had entered years ago when they went to the beach with their mother. The difference was that the photographs hanging on the walls moved.
They showed happy families in completely eccentric locations.
One image showed people inside a pyramid, posing next to a mummy. Another showed a family at the top of a snow-covered mountain, with a caged yeti behind them. In another, there was a monument that looked like an enormous bag handle.
"Oh. Welcome, welcome. Who would like to book a travel plan?" said a man with a friendly smile, dressed like a Muggle tour guide. Except that his shoes were enormous, almost clown-like, and his hat looked as though it had been taken straight out of an old western gunslinger movie.
"Well, he got pretty close," Percy muttered upon seeing him, while Harry could not help but agree. At least the rest of his outfit did look like that of a tour guide.
"We have trips to Egypt. They're very popular right now because a new, still unexplored pyramid was discovered. Dozens of curse-breakers are already working in the area. We offer a premium package that includes a guide, a porter, and a translator, as well as the best four-star hotel," the man said. As he mentioned the last part, he exaggeratedly covered his mouth and leaned closer, as if sharing a secret. "It's a Muggle hotel, but it's really very good. Much better than many magical inns, as long as you don't use magic, of course."
"We don't need any of that. Just a regular trip to the United States," Sirius said bluntly.
"The United States," the man repeated, bringing a hand to his chin as he thought. "Oh yes, we have several packages for that as well. Although magical regulations in that country are a bit stricter. There are various monuments suitable for all audiences, such as the Statue of Liberty, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Gateway Arch. That last one even has a gift shop…"
"This is a business trip, not a vacation," Sirius interrupted.
"Aah," the man replied, part of his smile fading as he realized he would not be selling an expensive package. "Then just a Portkey transfer?" he asked, his tone a bit drier.
"Yes. For three," Sirius confirmed.
"Follow me," the man said, his expression shifting to boredom as he walked toward a door behind him.
Sirius and the boys followed. When they crossed it, what they found was a completely chaotic room, filled with objects scattered everywhere, as if it belonged to a compulsive hoarder. There were shoes, bottles, glasses, cups, and even a rubber duck.
The man approached one of the piles and looked back at Sirius.
"What part of the United States?" he asked.
Sirius quickly pulled a small piece of parchment from his pocket and read it. Harry leaned slightly to see what it said and noticed that it was written instructions from his mother. He could even read, in large letters: "Do not deviate", "Do not let Percy wander too far." And below that "If Harry looks interested, assume something has already gone wrong."
Sirius folded the parchment again.
"Long Island," he replied.
The man began rummaging through the pile, tossing aside an old, dirty boot, until he picked up what looked like a seashell. A small piece of paper was stuck to it, with the word "Montauk" written on it.
"Ten galleons per person," he said, shaking the shell lightly.
Sirius pulled out the money without much concern and handed it over.
The man counted it and slipped it into his bag before looking seriously at the three of them.
"In case you've never traveled using a long-distance Portkey, you should keep in mind that you must hold on to it at all times, or you may be thrown off along the way. Preferably keep your eyes forward, as dizziness is quite common. Upon arrival, you may experience nausea, fainting, or even temporary comas. If you happen to lose any limbs, contact the assistant at the arrival point immediately. You will also find buckets there for vomiting. Please do not dirty the floor; it takes us quite a bit of effort to clean it all the time."
Sirius nodded casually and motioned for Percy and Harry to place their hands on the seashell.
"Wait… did he say lose limbs?" Percy asked in a worried tone.
But the man had already activated the Portkey.
The three of them, as if sucked into a small spatial tunnel no wider than a toothpaste tube, vanished instantly. The employee simply tossed the shell over his shoulder and returned to his work, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
…
"Uagh."
That was the first thing Percy said upon feeling solid ground beneath his feet. He barely had time to react before dropping to his knees, fighting with all his strength to keep from vomiting. It felt as though his eyes were spinning inside a whirlpool that had no intention of ever stopping.
Harry was not doing much better. His face had taken on an alarming greenish tint, and he remained conscious only through sheer force of will.
Sirius, standing a few steps away from them, watched with a faint, mocking smile.
"Looks like you can't handle much," he remarked.
Though his own completely pale face did little to support his comment.
The room they had arrived in was very similar to the one at the Ministry. Practically identical.
"Please use the buckets if you're going to vomit," said a monotone voice.
It came from a man sitting calmly in the room, legs crossed, a newspaper held open in his hands. He did not look up even once.
"Welcome to Montauk and blah, blah, blah. The exit is to your left. Remember to always respect the laws of magical secrecy while you're in another country, and also the laws of that country, and all that," he added without enthusiasm, turning a page of the newspaper.
Percy, after managing to suppress the nausea, quickly checked himself over and let out a sigh of relief upon confirming that everything was still where it should be.
Harry, on the other hand, had to use one of the buckets. He then wiped his mouth with a napkin, wearing a look of absolute disgust. Both of them were still pale.
Sirius waited until they recovered a little before continuing.
"Alright. Looks like you can walk now," he said, pulling out what appeared to be some kind of pamphlet. "Let's see… it's not that far. We can use my motorcycle, take the road, and grab something to eat along the way. What do you think?" he suggested with a smile.
The pamphlet he waved around was the one Grover had left for Sally. In large letters, it read: Camp Half-Blood.
"Aren't we going to wait for the others? Mom said that once we arrived, we had to wait before moving anywhere. And for Grover too," Harry pointed out, looking at his godfather.
"It's not necessary. Who could possibly attack you with me here?" Sirius replied with complete confidence as he guided them toward the exit.
"Remember to recommend us to your families and friends," the employee said flatly, without lifting his gaze even once.
The three of them stepped out of what looked like an ordinary old shop. Looking around, all they saw were locals walking calmly through the area. It was a small town, without much activity.
Percy's eyes widened slightly with excitement when he saw the sea in the distance, the beach stretching not far away.
Sirius glanced around for a moment before pulling out something that looked like a black cloth. He tossed it onto the street and shook it as if uncovering something hidden.
Then it appeared.
A black motorcycle, classic cruiser style, with a two-seat sidecar attached to the side, one seat behind the other. Helmets rested on the seats, one for each of them.
"I still think we should wait for the others," Harry insisted.
"You worry too much, pup. Even if we're in another country, I'm still a pretty powerful wizard. Besides, it'll be fun to take a little ride and get to know the place. With the others, we'll just go straight to the point and say goodbye right away," Sirius said, giving him a wink.
"He's right, Harry. Even if I'm not sure about the part where Sirius is strong, we can have a bit of fun," Percy added, clearly excited by the idea of exploring another country.
Harry made a face, still not entirely convinced. But with two against one, the decision was already made.
He climbed into the back seat of the sidecar and put on the helmet, while Percy took the front seat with a more animated smile.
Sirius returned the smile as he started the engine. The sound echoed like the roar of a dragon. He adjusted the visor of his helmet and twisted the accelerator.
The motorcycle shot forward at great speed, leaving behind a thick cloud of smoke, like a curtain hiding their departure.
…
Not far from where Sirius and the boys had left, within a small forest, an enormous creature, even larger than Hagrid himself, moved through the darkness between the trees.
It stopped for a moment.
Only the red glow of its eyes was visible.
Then it turned its head, as if it had caught a scent.
"Muuuuuu," it groaned with such force that the animals of the forest fled in every direction.
Heavy, rapid footsteps thundered like drums of destruction, while trees were torn from the ground in its path.