a/n: written for astronauts: Calamitous, Disaster challenge, on the HPFC. This is a multi-chaptered fanfic.
Characters: Remus, Tonks, Sirius, Molly, and Fred.
Disaster: Ship\Maritime Accident
Prompt used for this chapter: Riff=
Music A short rhythmic phrase, especially one that is repeated in improvisation
I.
Radiant, navy-blue carpet strewn the cruise ship's floor. The skies' misty darkness cast a darkened shadow against it through the silver-framed window. Wine glasses hung upside-down, put up on holders by the flat, round bottom of their crystal clear skin. Sparkling cider rests against an icy bed of melting, square, diamond-looking cubes. The ship rocks gently as the water soothes itself to sleep. It's inhabitants are resting, but without closed eyes. Their destination is coming into view; the size of a small mound of dirt by now. But, once they sail through all this deep, open water, it would become larger; clearer. They were vacationing on an old, extravagant island; away from magic, away from the worry of Voldemort; away from the stress. Their beds shook as they hit currents along the way, (the snores of the sea). The subtle hum of a large motor was the ocean's lullaby; the fish gathering together in their schools for sleep: it's blanket.
Tonks found herself drawn to the Gazing Deck: the very bottom of the ship where there were open windows all around and you could observe sea-life. She grinned as she saw the little fish swimming far from the bigger ones...For they were hungry until they closed their scaly eyes.
That's what they were doing, though, weren't they? Running away. Oddly enough, Tonks felt safer here, though. Gloriously, safe, she felt...even though she couldn't use magic. She turned away from the glass window and her cocktail dress swayed with the movement of her legs. Her silver-bottom and purple-strapped heels made a dainty, clang noise as she descended the staircase to the upper room of the ship. Remus was waiting for her at the top, and extended his hand to her.
"Come, we're dining now, sweetheart. There will be plenty of fish for you to feast your lush eyes upon when we return from eating the brothers and sisters of the ones you were just observing." He graced her with a smile, broadening the scar across his cheek. She remained silent, but gave him a tooth-showing grin, back. Her deep, red-stained lips broke into a sweet smile.
"Yes, darling," she consented, following behind him obediently after he bestowed a small peck on her cheek.
II.
The riff of loud, orchestrated music rung through the cruise ship.
Tonks swayed with the music, standing before everyone who was sitting down dining. Remus was never one for dancing in front of crowds, but with Tonks, he always let loose. He pulled her against his chest, then pushed her out, their arms holding on by a thread, extended as they reached from one wall, to the other, and then he pulled her back in when the music struck up. They giggled happily at the ending of the song, and were walking back to their seats flirtatiously when the ship rocked more violently then it had before, when just the waves were serenading it along the vast ocean. It felt as though they had hit something, and Tonks grabbed onto Remus' shirt for support, enabling herself to stand firm until the initial shock had passed. The lights flickered on and off a few times, and then, for a few moments, everything went pitch black, and the only guiding lights were out the window; the stars.
III.
There was a sea of orange lining the staircases, corridors, and decks. Everyone was crowded around as the ship's attendant's voice rung out amongst the people's anxious whispers and wailing children. At the sound of the attendant's voice, all became silent. Fred Weasley stayed close to his mother; she seemed un-afraid, though. Part of Fred knew she didn't have a vast idea what was going on. Molly never paid attention to muggle things, and the only thing, (in her mind), that there was to worry about in the sea, was the Giant Squid. Molly had encountered the one down at Hogwart's lake many times during her school years, and never found it frightening, so she wondered what could happen of this ship any worse...so what if they had to swim a little? They were close enough to the island to avoid threat, right? Water was Molly Weasley's friend: the absent-minded companion. For everyone else, it was the enemy; they knew what was happening...and they knew they're lives were at risk.
"Adults, please keep children close, any lose belongings, secured. Don't wander to the observation deck, dining hall, or front\top of the boat. Please find comfort within the confines of the lobby, and don't enter any lifts, or stairwells. We've hit some rough water, and it's going to be a close call getting out of it. Don't lean over the railings, please. The last thing we need if the captain concerned for over-board passengers and," his face fell grim, "this." he turned and entered a tightly shut door behind him. Chaos flooded the room, and Sirius Black screamed for silence.
"Everyone, take a seat! Mothers, keep your children close," he became pensive and looked out a small, circular window. "Silence yourselves...and maybe the sea will too."
Tonks rung her hair dry gently with a gold-trimmed, white towel. Remus was removing his socks when he looked up at his wife. Her facial features were gaunt, and her eyes had dark sacs under them. She was weak, frightened, and un-safe feeling.
"My darling." Remus was by her side in a moment, and gathered her close to him. Her arms were still wet with warm bath water, and her hair fell against her back in damp tangles as she let her towel fall to the ground, and accepted her husband's embrace eagerly.
"Remus?"
"Yes?"
"I'm pregnant."
He held her close for a moment, then became frigid, and pulled back.
"You're pregnant?"
Tears threatened to spill over from her hazel-colored eyes.
"Yes, Remus, yes...and our child is never going to have a chance." She became panic-stricken, and grabbed his shoulders, attempting to convince him of her next words.
"Remus, we have to use magic. We need to get out of here, now. We need to, for our child. I can't stay here without trying."
"Nymphadora," he spoke sternly, and Tonk retreated. "We are going to stay. But we are going to fit ourselves for survival."
She nodded and picked her towel up off the ground. She sat down slowly, cautiously on her bed. Her hands shook as she grabbed a small, fish-shaped pillow. Remus grabbed her life-vest, and held it out to her.
"Darling, put this on and we can attempt some rest for the night."
She stared absentmindedly at the floor.
"I won't be able to."
Remus looked at her for a moment, then gave her a soft smile.
"You can try."
IV
In the lobby, Fred sat with Sirius and Molly, accepting the small cups of tea and biscuits that the crew workers were delivering. At some people, with children and anxious mothers, they would stop to explain, (in vague detail), what the captain was doing to assuage the problem. Then, comfort would sweep over them for a few sacred minutes until they felt the boat's violent rocking again. Molly was beginning to realize there was something terribly wrong with the ship, and Fred glanced at her while reaching out his hand for her to take hold of.
"Mum, it's okay. It's all going to be alright."
She nodded and smiled, disbelievingly.
"Mum," he whispered, leaning in closer to her. "I'll keep you safe.
Just then, Fred felt something wet on his ankle, and he looked down to realize water was flooding the floor of the boat. Just as soon as he looked up, the same attendant from earlier burst through the doors, and Remus and Tonks stepped out of the suite after seeing the puddle flooding into their room, only to hear: "Everyone, move to the left, back of the boat. The right end is sinking, and we'll be submerged in water soon. Keep your life-vests secured. We'll lower the rescue boats momentarily."
