Chapter 46: Best Laid Plans

                                    

                                          
"Okay before we head out, you know the rules." Sebastian said, standing beside the floo powder flames. "We'll go into the Ministry and head out into the streets. That's the quickest way for all of us, since you guys don't know where we're going in Whitechapel. Now, obviously no magic, but no Wizarding terms, either. Oh- and move out of the fireplace quickly once you get to the Ministry."
Garreth nodded, Anne shifting anxiously beside him. 
"These people are nice, so we should be fine. I won't be able to see the entire time we're around muggles in London, so keep that in mind. If you're coming up to me, touch first so I know you're there." Ominis said, pointedly putting his wand away in his vest pocket so it was hidden from view. 
"I'll lead Ominis around, so he should be fine. Another thing is to act as casual as possible when we walk into whitechapel. It's not a nice area but it's our best bet." 
"If it's such a bad area why are we going there?" Garreth asked in confusion. 
"It's where Diane grew up." Ominis said softly. "So the people there know her, and will be sympathetic to helping us."
Garreth looked a bit stricken that Diane had grown up in such a dangerous area, his expression turning solemn when he nodded again. 
"Alright, here we go." Sebastian said, taking some of the silver-green powder in a bucket next to the fireplace. He threw it down to the floor while yelling "Ministry of Magic!" And green flames erupted all around him, enveloping him before he disappeared from sight. 
"Alright everyone next, I'll be last." Ominis said, motioning them forward. "Be clear when you say the words." 
Anne nodded and stepped in, taking a hand full of powder and nervously throwing it to the ground. "Ministry of magic!" She yelled, making a sound of surprise when the fire erupted around her. 
She found herself surrounded by black marble once the fires disappeared, and a strong hand pulled her forward just before another Wizard appeared in the fireplace behind her. She looked up to see Sebastian smiling down at her. 
"Good job, sis! Now we just wait for the others." He said, shifting her gently to the side before waiting for the next person. 
Poppy was more used to using floo powder, so she walked out of the fireplace and looked around curiously at the Ministry. 
Garreth came next, looking around and spotting Anne before moving over to her quickly. 
Sebastian chuckled as Garreth stuck so close to his sister, wondering if it was because he was being protective, or nervous. The large pack Garreth had clinked with each step he took, telling him without words just how many potions he'd brought with him. 
Then came Ominis, who strode out of the fireplace with ease since he was used to coming to the Ministry, now. 
"Ready?" He asked, reaching out toward Sebastian, the glow of his wand shining through his shirt before Sebastian grabbed his wrist, the glow fading so he would fit in with muggles. 
"As we'll ever be." Poppy sighed, looking toward the entrance. 
"Alright, try not to stare at anything too much." Sebastian smirked, leading Ominis out into the London streets. 
The busy streets were rather shocking to those who weren't used to muggle cities, carriages and people walking down the roads in every direction. It looked like utter chaos, but Sebastian and Ominis seemed able to navigate it with ease now, so they followed them as best they could. 
It was a few blocks from the Ministry to get to whitechapel, and the buildings drastically changed the closer they got to the poor districts. Gone were the gilded carved edifices of the buildings, and simple brick or wood buildings appeared instead. Some seemed on the brink of collapse, only held up by the buildings surrounding them.