Chapter 70 - 70. arrival (2/2)

The weasleys were silhouetted against the starry sky on the other side of the hilltop.

”Arthur” said Dad, smiling as he strode over. The rest of them followed. They were standing near what looked like an old boot” Must be nearly time,” said Dad quickly, pulling out his watch again. ”Do you know whether we're waiting for any more, Arthur?”

”There aren't any more of us in this area, are there?”

”Not that I know of,” said Dad. ”Yes, it's a minute off. . . We'd better get ready. . . . ”

He looked around at Harry and Hermione.

”You just need to touch the Portkey, that's all, a finger will do -”

With difficulty, owing to their bulky backpacks, the nine of them crowded around the old boot held out by Mr.Weasley.

They all stood there, in a tight circle, as a chill breeze swept over the hilltop. Nobody spoke. It suddenly occurred to Ryan how odd this would look if a Muggle were to walk up here now. . . eleven people, two of them grown men, clutching this manky old boot in the semidarkness, waiting. . . . it was like homeless men fighting for a turkey sandwich. an entertaining thought.

”Three. . . ” muttered Dad, one eye still on his watch, two. . . one. . . ”

It happened immediately: Ryan felt as though a hook just behind his navel had been suddenly jerked irresistibly forward very unpleasant. His feet left the ground; he could feel Daphne and Luna on either side of him, their shoulders banging into his; they were all speeding forward in a howl of wind and swirling color; his forefinger was stuck to the boot as though it was pulling him magnetically onward and then –

His feet slammed into the ground; Daphne staggered into him and he fell over; the Portkey hit the ground near his head with a heavy thud. ”as much as I would love to be mounted by you Daphne I haven't had time to prepare my heart.” he joked as Daphne turned bright red and starting hitting his chest getting up looking quite embarrassed as everyone smirked at them.”Seven past five from Stoatshead Hill,” said a voice.