𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐬𝐭, 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲!

Chapter 4

"James. Get up! James."

James' eyelids fluttered open. For a second he was very still, trying to remember where he was, before the events of the day before flooded back to him and he took a deep exhale. Remus swatted at him again one more time for good measure.

"We're landing soon," he explained as soon as James had fixed his glasses which were crooked from sleeping with them on. He looked around for some water, his mouth incredibly dry from the plane and Remus tossed him a half-full water bottle.

"Thanks," James muttered while taking a drink.

"Save some for Marlene, she's gonna need it," Remus grinned slightly as Marlene let out a loud snore from the seat in front of James.

"You didn't sleep," James asked, looking at Remus' dark circles.

"Sleep? No, I didn't. Something about being up in the air in a giant metal tube while a pilot who's not actually a pilot flies us over the fucking ocean doesn't do much to calm the nerves and induce sleep," Remus responded shortly, astounded and a little jealous that both James and Marlene had been able to just close their eyes and nod off. Remus wanted to go up and sit with Regulus, not for the same reasons as James, but because Remus had major control issues. He would be the first to admit it. He wanted to be involved in every process to ensure it went through smoothly. He knew absolutely nothing about how to fly an aeroplane but he was positive that if he was up there with Regulus, nothing would go wrong.

James ignored Remus' sharp remark and leaned over the seat to wake Marlene up, who jolted with a start and nearly punched James in the process. He gave her what was left of the water which she accepted gratefully.

As soon as they had landed, a whirlwind of events took place. They had to go through customs, show their passports, and fill out declaration forms. This set James on edge slightly, but he looked to Regulus at the front of the group who answered everything with a calm unbothered ease, and James relaxed. They were then shuttled into cars, similar to the one that picked James up from his flat and hauled off into the countryside.

He was in a car with Remus, Barty, and Dorcas. Dorcas sat shotgun next to the driver and spent the majority of the time flipping the radio stations and changing them when advertisements came on or when someone from the back complained. Barty complained the entire time about how he was dying from hunger and about how much he missed Evan and would perish without him. Remus had his head propped against the cool glass window and was attempting to get some sleep. James spent most of his time upset that Regulus wasn't riding with him and wondering how the others were fairing in their vehicles.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me," Dorcas uttered when the cars finally slowed and stopped outside of the house. Not a house, a mansion.

They were in the middle of the New England countryside, there were no signs of civilization anywhere, and amongst the flat and desolate landscape stood a Victorian-style mansion, partially obscured by large trees. James gaped at the sight.

They all stood in a little group after getting out of the cars. Their belongings were on the gravel at their feet. Regulus was the last to exit the car and as soon as he closed the door, they all sped off down the road and out of sight.

"This is my house, our house now I suppose. It's a bit of a grim old place from the outside I'm afraid, but the inside is much nicer I assure you."

"This is grim," Marlene scoffed in disbelief, and Dorcas cast a brief glance at her and smiled.

"Collect your things and follow me," Regulus demanded and the rest of the group followed. He led them down large corridors that were elaborately decorated and ornate. Each alcove was a feast for the eyes. Little paintings and statue busts, old cherry oak and mahogany, walls painted in rich greens, and windows with flecks of stained glass. "This house is where you will study, you will learn, you will eat, sleep, breathe. This is where we will spend all of our time until I am convinced without a doubt that we are technically perfect and can complete this heist without error or issue. This will of course take several months so get comfortable."