Written for:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments)
The Houses Competition, Year 4, Round 2
Monthly Challenges for All
Term 10 - Assignment 5 - Travel & Tourism Task 9: Write about a vacation
House: Hufflepuff
Position: Head Student
Category: Drabble
Prompt: [Action] Taking a cruise with Muggles as a witch/wizard.
Stacked with: The Houses Competition; Hogwarts
Individual Challenge(s): Slytherin MC (x3); In a Flash; Click Bait It; Yellow Ribbon; Yellow Ribbon Redux; Spring Rain - Traveling Abroad
Representation(s): The Malfoys; Alternative Travel; Traveling Abroad; Vacation; Planning Mishaps; Unintended Honeymoon Crashing
Bonus Challenge(s): Ladylike - Curt; Not a Lamp; White Dress
Tertiary Bonus Challenge(s): N/A
Word Count: (Per Google Docs) 949
Beta(s): Gab, Bailey
"I wish you would tell me where we were going, Lucius," a bewildered Narcissa said while packing several travel trunks. "It would make packing much easier for me."
Lucius chuckled as he finished tidying his own trunk. "Even if you did know, my dear, you'd still pack for all occasions and weather."
He could feel his wife's piercing ice-blue eyes boring into his back. "I want it to be a surprise for a reason."
It was no secret the couple needed a holiday. It'd been so long since their last one that Lucius had nearly forgotten where they went last. Ever since the war ended, the family were barred from international travel for several years. Now that it was finally lifted, Lucius wanted to make their newfound freedom worthwhile.
Draco had the same idea in mind for his and Astoria's honeymoon, which they conveniently left earlier that morning for the same reason. Lucius had found a pamphlet in one of his son's cloak pockets with information about a magical boat ride that took them to the Mediterranean sea and found the idea quite appealing. He decided to send the information to an old friend in the International Traveling and Regulation Department to secretly plan a trip to go on one as well, but to Scandinavia.
"Would you like a hand? Our Portkey will be here any minute now."
"Yes," Narcissa hissed, "you can take the luggage down to the foyer for the elves to pick up."
Taking her clipped tone as a sign to leave her be, Lucius took the packed trunks to the foyer.
"What in Merlin's name is that?" Narcissa asked while looking in horror at the monstrous ship in front of her.
Lucius stood frozen with his own shock while he took in the surroundings. Port Southampton was as far from a magical place as it could get. Muggles wandered about wearing strange hats and eye coverings as they moved about the docking area. It was an unusually warm, muggy late-spring day to begin a trip, and everyone dressed accordingly aside from them.
Thankfully no one paid their slightly off attire much mind as they weaved around them.
"I don't understand," Lucius muttered, "The information pamphlet explicitly stated it was a magical boat vacation. Why else would Draco take Astoria on one? What a blasted waste of time this was."
Narcissa looked to her husband and couldn't help but smile "Oh, come now, dear. I doubt it will be that bad. Why don't we give it a anyway? No need to have this vacation ruined simply because it's Muggle."
She looked back at the massive boat and laughed. "Who knows? Maybe the thing was built by giants."
Lucius didn't seem keen on the idea but gave into his wife's persuasion. After fumbling with their ticket vouchers, luggage, and the other Muggle tourists boarding, the couple found themselves being funneled up the ramp and onto the multi-decked ship. A cruise advisor cheerfully welcomed them before shoving several pamphlets into their hands.
"You're right, sweetheart," Lucius mumbled as they navigated down to the lower deck where their room was. "It'd be impossible for magic not to be involved in creating this monstrosity."
They found their very spacious quarters with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to the ocean, and after summoning an elf to promptly go exchange Galleons into British Muggle currency, they sat together on the love seat to look at the ship's map properly.
Lucius was speechless. There was a massive swimming pool and spa center Narcissa couldn't wait to try. The rock wall, running track, and a workout facility were the last things he'd expect to see on a boat. However, he was intrigued by the mini golf turf as well as the rather large theatre the map showed a few levels down.
They then perused the rest of the leaflets. "I think that guide was confused. These are all destinations for the Mediterranean. Where are the ones for Scandinavia?"
"That must be their way to entice you to do another one of these trips," Narcissa guessed. "I wouldn't worry about it. Let's get to the top deck, the ship is about to depart."
The couple made their way to the top deck to take in the view. As they entered the lift that would take them there, a very familiar voice hollered down the corridor. "Hold the door!"
Lucius instinctively interfered with the closing door, causing it to reopen to now be face-to-face with his son, Draco.
"Father? What are you doing here?"
"I'd ask you the same."
Astoria peeked around him, and her jaw almost went slack with shock. "H–Hello."
"This is a surprise!" Narcissa said. "Did Scandinavia call to you instead?"
Draco looked bewildered. "Scandinavia? This ship is going to Greece."
Lucius shifted so that the couple could climb into the lift. By some miracle, they were the only ones in there. He looked to Narcissa, minor panic etched in his features and no words formed. "We will make the most of it, regardless."
"There's still time to deboard, or even Apparate…" Draco strongly hinted, appearing quite uncomfortable.
"Nonsense, dear," Narcissa said, looking back to their son. "We will make sure to not interfere with you two enjoying your honeymoon. It will be like we were never here."
She gave Astoria a secretive wink—who blushed profusely—before stepping onto the top deck with Lucius to rejoin the throng of Muggles. Draco and Astoria reluctantly followed. The horn and motors firing to life concealed Draco's otherwise very audible cursing. They had, after all, specifically picked a very Muggle honeymoon to avoid this very thing happening.
At least the rainbow on the skyline was a beautiful sight.
Spring Bingo 2019: Rainbow (3D)
Insane House Challenge (R): 316. [Pairing] Narcissa/Lucius
365 Prompts: 316. Skyline
Scavenger Hunt - Writing: 61. Write a Spring themed fic.