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chapter three; love, death, and ambushes
The minute they docked on the harbour the world went to shit.
James and Sirius didn't even have a chance to understand what was going on as the ferry exploded.
With a roar, the rear of the boat erupted in a plume of fire and debris, hurling shattered wood and chaos into the air James and Sirius had been thrown back from where they were, managing to keep their balance, as screams filled the atmosphere as passengers were thrown from their feet, a nightmarish blend of shock and terror unfolding before their eyes.
"What the hell?!" Sirius shouted, instinctively pushing James and himself behind as the flames leapt closer.
James' heart raced. He barely had time to process what was happening before two dark figures emerged from the shadows of the dock—hooded Death Eaters, wands drawn in the direction of the ferry eyes glinting with malicious glee. The realization hit him like a cold wave: they had been ambushed.
His eyes found the other people on the ferry, running for their lives, jumping into the ocean just to get on land, as he saw the dark figures coming closer, James made a decision, gripping Sirius' arm, he pulled him away from the flames and into the inside of the ferry. "We have to take everyone out," he yelled and let go of Sirius, each going their separate ways.
Another explosion tore through the wall at his left, throwing James across the room along with it. He hit the ground with a thud, his head smacking against the metal flooring and he groaned when he felt pieces of wood from the wall stabbing him. He didn't have time, James stood up, ripped the piece of wood at his side, and ignored the wound he could feel on his brow. Wand drawn and kept looking for any remaining passengers, he found a mother and her son on the other side, trying to lower the safety boat.
"Ma'am, I can help," he said, his voice strained as the pain grew, "Get in the boat."
"We need to get it on the water," she said in a panic, holding her toddler.
"Get in the boat, trust me," James urged and after a moment the woman nodded, sitting inside the boat, just in time for a couple of other people to run that way, James told them to get it. Then he pointed his wand at the boat, and said, "Wingardium Leviosa."
Using his magic to power the spell further, the boat began to float, and the muggles inside were wild with shock, James ignored them and lowered them onto the water. As soon as they were afloat, one of the adults used the motor attached to it and they fled.
And James was hit by a curse he didn't know and the next moment, he was muffling a shout with his fist, a large slash running across his thigh, bleeding profusely. James looked up at the two Death Eaters coming to him and didn't hesitate another moment, fighting through the agonizing feeling of his leg being ripped apart, as he held on to the railing for support.
