New York Airport Melee

The plane descended below the clouds, and in the briefest instant, the sky turned overcast. The cabin grew dim as well. A light rain fell outside, and New York Airport blazed with lights through the curtain of rain, like an enormous candelabrum as the steel bird plunged straight toward its flames.

Lucius caught the scent of damp air and looked out through the terminal's floor-to-ceiling windows. The world beyond had become hazy.

He still wore a cloak and hood, with a half-mask over his face. This standard Death Eater attire did little to conceal Old Goyle beside him. His build was far too burly. When Old Crabbe had still been around, they could at least muddy the waters, but now it was completely pointless.

Old Crabbe's escape had caused some commotion. Voldemort had tortured members of the patrol with the Cruciatus Curse, but that was all. The attack went ahead as planned.

Lucius casually glanced at the snake-faced man standing ahead of them. He could sense that the fear this Dark Lord inspired in the Death Eaters was weakening.

The engines roared, whipping up a gale. The propellers slanted the rain, as though some beast carrying wind and storm were howling.

The runway was neither too long nor too short. After taxiing for a while, the airliner came to a stop. The lights in the cockpit and cabin went out, and the entire airport abruptly fell silent, as though only the wind and rain remained.

Harry left the cabin via the gangway, letting raindrops slide across his cheeks and leave behind an icy touch. The Aurors and Order of the Phoenix members around him remained silent as well.

The quiet airport was steeped in a terrifying, oppressive atmosphere that made it hard for them to breathe. Then, a shrill, piercing