In 2004, a massive tsunami struck Indonesia. Pomona experienced it as a bystander.
One moment, the sea had been calm; the next, towering waves rose up and swallowed the buildings, people, and cars along the shore. Every television station ran the story repeatedly. Even those most indifferent to such events had heard something about it.
The scale of it had been much like the manhunt announced after Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban. The North Sea was unlike the turquoise waters and blue skies of tropical holiday resorts. Its waters were deep blue, not only bitterly cold but churned by violent waves. Even in the relatively warm summer, without a westerly wind, it was still not easy to cross.
In winter, thick fog also hung over the North Sea. Blown inland by the wind, it shrouded cities like London and Amsterdam.
It was precisely because it was summer, and there was no fog, that observation from high altitude was easier.
Fortunately, Dementors had no vision, while the seemingly lifeless sea was actually full of life.
They had once been alive too. Some Muggle sailors, driven by necessity, sailed the open sea when even the navy would not venture out.
Sometimes there was thick fog, sometimes a violent storm. When their vision was obscured and they could not see the waters ahead, they would sound a device aboard the ship called a foghorn. Its call carried far across the empty sea, as if saying, "I'm here," warning others to steer clear and avoid colliding with ships that had also put to sea in such weather.
They would keep sounding it until they left that region or reached a port where they could dock, guided by lighthouses.
At such times, even an experienced old captain could not tell where they were by looking