Harry Takes a Break

Chapter 9

          The plane rolled to a gentle stop at JFK, and the familiar chime echoed through the cabin. Ron, Harry, and Hermione sat at the very front of the First Class cabin, allowing them the perfect view of the bustling activity outside. The engines whirred softly as they powered down, and the flight attendants moved efficiently through the aisles, preparing the cabin for disembarkation.

The captain's voice crackled over the intercom once more, cheerful and calm. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. We've arrived at Terminal 8, Gate 36. Please remain seated until the seat belt sign is turned off, and we kindly ask that you have your passports and necessary documents ready as you disembark. It's been a pleasure having you on board with us today, and we wish you a pleasant stay in New York."

As the seat belt sign clicked off with a soft ping, Hermione was the first to stand, grabbing her carry-on and stretching her legs after the long flight. Harry followed, rubbing his neck as he reached for his backpack. Ron, however, remained glued to his seat for a few moments longer, his eyes darting to the window for one last look outside the A380 that had safely carried them across the ocean.

"I'm still not sure how that thing flew us all the way here," he muttered, pulling himself to his feet. "It's like one of Hagrid's pets—big, noisy, and shouldn't work, but somehow, it does."

Harry grinned as he slung his bag over his shoulder. "Magic of Muggles, Ron."

The trio moved quickly, being at the front of the cabin. As they stepped off the plane and onto the jet bridge, Ron fumbled with his new phone, the iPhone 15 Pro that still baffled him from time to time. He glanced back at the enormous plane, grinning.

"Hold on a sec," he said, positioning the phone in front of him. "Just gotta... er, do a selfie."

Harry and Hermione exchanged amused looks as Ron awkwardly held up his phone, trying to angle the shot to include himself and the massive aircraft behind him. "There!" Ron said triumphantly after a few failed attempts, showing them the picture of his smiling face with the nose of the plane just visible behind him. "For Mum and Dad—proof I survived Muggle flying."

They laughed and continued down the jet bridge, their steps light with the excitement of being in a new country. Once inside the terminal, the familiar sounds of an airport greeted them—announcements over the PA system, the soft whirring of luggage belts, and the shuffle of passengers coming and going.

As they reached the baggage claim area, it didn't take long for their suitcases to appear on the carousel. Harry grabbed the first of the three, Hermione the second, and Ron the third—each of them handling their luggage with ease.

"Alright, that's everything," Hermione said, glancing around as they made their way toward the exit of the jet bridge. "Ready for New York?"

Ron nodded, still grinning at his phone. "Ready as I'll ever be."

And with that, they stepped out of the terminal, leaving behind the airport that had brought them across the Atlantic. New York awaited, and with it, the next chapter of their adventure.

The summer heat of New York hit them the moment they stepped outside the terminal. The air was thick and warm, unlike the cool, controlled atmosphere inside the airport. Harry took a deep breath, smelling the faint scent of exhaust fumes and something vaguely sweet in the air. The noise hit them next—horns blaring, engines revving, and a constant murmur of voices echoing off the concrete walls.

"Blimey, it's loud," Ron muttered, wide-eyed as he gazed around at the bustling airport pick-up area. "Is it always like this?"

Before anyone could answer, a yellow taxi shot past, tires screeching as it narrowly missed Ron, who leapt back with a startled yelp, his suitcase nearly toppling over. "Watch it!" Ron shouted after the cab, though it was already halfway down the street.