A/N: So, apparently re-reading Crooked Kingdom, does not help you get over Crooked Kingdom. Who knew right? Apparently, all it does is bleed itself into your writing, which I literally didn't realise until I'd plotted everything out and written 1,000 words. Oops?
I tried to research things about submarines, but I couldn't even find how one manages to get inside one, so I just kinda gave up. Think of this submarine as something you'd find in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, by Jules Verne. Enjoy!
QL – Round 13
Team: Puddlemere United
CHASER 3: [au] Submarine/Diver
Optional prompts: [character] Lily Evans, [object] Jewel, [dialogue] "I'm only a monster when it's practical"
House: Ravenclaw
Hogwarts Auction: Day 13, Auction 4: [action] Kidnapping
WC: 2,952
~~ dragon eyes and unsuspecting heirs ~~
Everybody had heard about the Princess Sophie.
The rumours about the submarine where numerous, and each one wilder and more unbelievable than the next. Apparently, the crew of the Princess Sophie had rescued the lost diamonds of the Queen of Spain from the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, had found a pearl larger than skull of a fully grown man in the waters of Tahiti, and had once sunken three pirate ships with a single torpedo.
No one knew exactly how many of them were true, but if they were to be believed, the members of its crew were probably the filthiest rich people to peruse the ocean.
Though it was common knowledge that they weren't filthy rich at all.
Quite on the contrary. Goods lying at the bottom of the sea were up for grabs for anyone who had the guts but mostly the machinery to go get them. The worse they did was violate a few laws on territorial waters, and they never declared their riches, therefore never paid any taxes, but those were all minor inconveniences in the eyes of the law.
After all, it seemed as if the captain of the Princess Sophie had taken it upon himself to become a sort of Robin Hood of the sea, a vigilante, if you will. Apart from bringing back goodies from the depths of the sea, they also happened to sink the ships of the peskier pirates to navigate the waters.
Therefore, the only people the Princess Sophie truly bothered were those pirates, and others affiliated with them. Many wealthy families chose to sell their goods through the black markets, avoiding the high taxes for their exotic products. The pirates were happy to supply the transport, and the investors were glad to find a bit more money in the goods they stole off other ships.
But the crew had never publicly and officially announced their wish to rid the waters of the pirates. As a matter of fact, no one really knew what the intentions of the Princess Sophie were, as they rarely left their underwater home.
And, of course, the captain had never left his submarine. Ever.
All of their exploits and that added mystery of the invisible captain made the Princess Sophie almost the stuff of legends.
So, when rumours started to go around town that the submarinewas lying in the waters nearby, and that they had onboard the very famous and ridiculously large Dragon Eye, it was only natural to find James Potter and Sirius Black lounging around James' bedroom, ironing out the final details of there plans to steal the famous jewel.
Neither of them needed the money they would get from the Dragon Eye. No, it was the challenge of the whole affair. Stealing a world-renowned jewel from a submarine! What a feat that would be! The two of them had been thieving around since there most tender childhood, but this would definitely crown their thieving career.
And, in the end, they'd probably just sell it, and give the money to the poor or the local orphanage or something like that. Either way, the whole concept was very exciting, and promised at least an interesting adventure.
Though Sirius wasn't very concentrated this evening.
"What could a bunch of people who live underwater all the time possibly want with such a lovely jewel?" he mused, as he twirled a little dagger in his hands.
James shrugged. "Maybe they play dress up? Pretend to be fine ladies in the upper court of Britain?"
Sirius laughed as James did an impression of the burly, old guy James imagined the captain to be sipping daintily from a tea cup.
"Pshh. That jewel would suit me a lot better than some invisible captain," Sirius declared.
"Your mother would probably die from a heart attack."
"Please. She'd be delighted! That jewel is a green emerald."
Sirius' mother had a fixation with a colour green, and though he hadn't seen her for years, she'd probably take it as a small victory if Sirius started wearing green.
"Green is so not your colour," James told him.
"Very true." Sirius threw the small dagger he'd been playing with at a portrait of his parents hung on the door that James had put up specifically for that purpose. Sirius hit his mother right in the head.
The Blacks were one of those family who invested in pirate trade, and as soon as Sirius could, he'd made very strong objections to his family's way of life, which had gotten him kicked out of home. However, that simply meant that he lived with James, which was splendid.
A cheeky grin spread across James' face. "But do you know who I think that emerald would suit very well?"
Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Pray tell?"
"Well, it's a fellow about yea high, with a brown mop and 'delightful hazelnut eyes.'"
Sirius threw a pillow at him. "Green isn't Remus' colour either! Besides, he doesn't want jewels."
James laughed. Sirius had been trying to seduce a young bartender named Remus for a couple of weeks now, but he always refused his friend's advances. James loved to tease Sirius about him. "Well, what does he want?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Sirius replied, waggling his eyebrows, and James threw the pillow right back at him.
Apparently, all he wanted was a romantic walk in the moonlight. Who knew, right? Sorry not sorry I'm ditching you tonight ~S
James growled in frustration as he re-read the simple note Sirius had left him for the third time, before scrunching it up and throwing it at the bottom of the row boat James had specifically rented just for their whole thieving debacle.
He took out his frustration on rowing, making his way towards the submarine far quicker than expected. As he made his way from the shore, the night got quieter and darker, only illuminated here and there by a lantern on a nearby boat.
Fortunately, the wind and the tide were on his tide, and his vigorous rowing kept him from being cold. The rowing distracted him, but not enough to make him completely oblivious to the change in atmosphere. James liked it when things were noisy, but out here in the water, things were silent in a way that made him uncomfortable.
Thankfully, just a quarter of an hour later, he was nearing the top of the submarine. This was the most difficult part. There was only one possible entrance, and therefore exit, of the submarine, and made creeping in inconspicuously quite difficult. But James had dealt with worse odds, and even if he was caught, it wasn't as if the captain of the Princess Sophie could take legal action against him, because they were quite prone to avoiding the law.
He carefully rowed up as close as possible to the submarine and hopped on. His little row boat fit in perfectly well with the others near the submarine. After all, the crew of the sub also had to make their way to shore one way or another.
Cautiously making his way towards the trap door, James said a little prayer to the Gods of Thieving and James tried the handle of the latch. He gave startled cry when it came easily, not locked or anything at all. He couldn't believe his luck! But then again, maybe the crew weren't expecting anyone to just enter a submarine. It still was quite a new and worrisome invention.
James effortlessly slipped through the entrance, climbing down the ladder, and finally setting foot in the submarine.
He was now in the metal belly of this gigantic beast. It was almost dark, save for some lanterns from which emanated an eerie glow. James observed one of them more carefully, but found that no fire was burning inside them.
How strange. This whole place was completely uncanny.
But he had no time to dwell on things like that. This place gave him the shivers, and the less time he could spend in it, the better. And there was still the possibility that one of the crew members would catch him, which he would not like at all.
James had a vague idea of where to look. Sirius—when he was still on for this whole thievery, had managed to find a blueprint of an existing submarine. Of course, the Princess Sophie probably wasn't built exactly like it, but it still gave a rough idea of the places to look.
James made his way through the tight corridors, freezing every time he heard the slightest noise. But it was useless for him to panic, because he didn't see anyone. It was almost as if this submarine was abandoned and he could hardly believe his luck. Every door he tried opened easily, but he was disappointed to find that none of them held the famous jewel.
Despite his failures, James continued his search, and finally found what he was looking for. A locked door.
It seemed simple logic to him that the only door that would be locked would be the one holding the treasure, even though these people seemed to be an awfully trusting bunch, leaving the entrance to their submarine completely surveillance-free.
James pulled out his slender lock-picks and set to work. He'd learned the subtle art of lock picking while at school, with Sirius. Given the number of goodies they'd had confiscated and locked away, it was only natural that he learn this skill.
Click. The soft sound of the door opening greeted his ears, and James silently pushed open the door. The room was quite smaller than the others he'd seen before, but unlike the others, there was a safe inside.
James frowned a little. Another safe? Another lock?
But then again, it was quite good news. It definitely meant that there was something precious in there, and so he made his way into the room.
He was just crouching by the safe when he heard footsteps in the corridor. Fear seized him, and he hid in the shadows behind the safe. The person stopped by the door, and instead of turning the handle, like James expected them to, instead, he heard a lock turn, and then metal bards being dragged across the door.
Shock and fear filled in. Oh Sweet Goodness, have I been locked in? It seemed quite the obvious conclusion, given the fact that he could hear footsteps walking away, but he just couldn't believe it.
Why one earth would someone want to trap him in like that? Absolutely nothing made sense.
James rushed to the door, and tried to pick the lock from the other side. True, the jewel was important, and he definitely wanted to crack that safe open, but he didn't want to stay locked in this submarine forever!
But it was completely useless. Despite his trembling hands, the lock clicked just fine, but James suddenly remembered seeing bolts and metal bars on the other side. It had struck him as strange at first, but now he knew there was no way he would ever get out of this tiny cell, not without help from his captors!
James slumped against the door, fear washing over him. Suddenly, he wasn't quite so cocky as before.
James was jolted awake by a deep humming sound, and the sudden lurch of the submarine. Completely shook, he scrambled to his feet and took in his surroundings.
Oh, that was right.
He was on a bloody submarine. And given the sounds the said blood submarine were making, they were moving away!
James had fallen asleep last night after bemoaning and bewailing about his poor self, and also attempting to crack open the safe (which he did manage, only to mind that there was absolutely nothing in it and feeling even worse than before). He'd slept on the hard and cold metallic floor, and now there was a crick in his neck, and he was pretty sure he had a cold.
And his prison-like submarine was moving away from his beloved home.
It wasn't starting out to be a good day.
He'd tried to convince himself sixteen times last night that no one had locked him purposefully in this cell-like room, and that it was all an accident, and that they'd find him, and he'd just make up a sorry excuse, and finally they'd chuck him out. He wouldn't mind swimming home, even without a jewel. But now they were moving away!
He just wanted to get back home and yell at Sirius for leaving him alone in this.
Just as he was about to weep for himself once more, James heard the sound of bolts being pulled and he turned to face the door.
The most beautiful woman he'd ever seen in all of his life stepped in, and James stared at her in utter shock and wonder. She had gorgeous fire-red hair, and the most stunning green eyes on the earth. She carried herself with an air of utter confidence and strength, dressed in rather masculine clothes—no skirt!—which suited her perfectly. James' fears were momentarily forgotten.
"So you're the one who wears the Dragon Eye," was all his awestruck brain managed to get out, despite the other several burning questions he had.
She looked at him and frowned. "What?"
Oh, even her voice was delightful! "You're eyes, they're the exact same colour as emeralds. Like the Dragon Eye emerald."
"What on earth are you talking about?" she demanded.
"I think he's complimenting your eyes, Captain," said someone, another woman, from behind. He hadn't noticed her come in.
This observation simply made her frown more.
"You're the captain?" James asked, completely shocked. Well, that certainly explained a lot. The captain was a women, of course she wouldn't make her way on land for all to see!
"Yes, and?" she demanded.
"You're a woman!" James exclaimed, but then a seductive smile returned to his face, his confidence returning. "Quite a dazzling woman but—"
She crossed her arms and cut him off. "Alright, let's cut the chase."
"I quite agree," James told her, suddenly remembering why he was here. "Where is the Dragon Eye? That jewel was supposed to be on this ship."
"We never had the Dragon Eye, it was just a lure."
"A lure? But why would you need a lure?"
"Look, Mr Black. You have quite the reputation, and we knew the only way to kidnap you was to make yourself get on this ship. Spread a few false rumours about fabulous jewels, and it was like a mouse and cheese."
James frowned, starting to understand what on earth was happening, and how he had been duped. But one thing did stand out. "Mr Black?"
The red-headed beauty huffed again. "That is your name isn't it? Sirius Black, heir to the Black fortune, and all of its investments, particularly the ones with some tiresome pirates."
James quickly shook his head. "I'm not Sirius at all!" he exclaimed.
This seemed to startle both woman, who peered at him as if he was an exotic zoo creature. "You're not?"
"No, I'm not! My name is James Potter. And Sirius Black, the guy you were apparently to capture, unfortunately blew me off for this job just so he could go on a date!"
The two woman stared at him with wide eyes, before quickly turning their backs to him and mumbling to each other. James thought it was rather stupid of them, because he could still clearly hear their conversation.
"Marlene, how could you possibly get the wrong man?" the captain huffed.
"Well, Lily," so that was her name! "They both have black hair, cocky attitudes and a tendency to steal! How was I supposed to know they weren't the same?"
"He wears glasses!"
"Please, as if you could've done any better!"
"Marlene."
"Lily."
James was quite amused by this entire conversation. Anything close to fear left him as he realised his captors were quite incompetent, even if he was stuck in their submarine.
Then, Lily, the most gorgeous woman in the world sighed. "But then how on earth are we going to kidnap Sirius Black after all?"
"I don't know. And without him we have no leverage against his family. And the pirates that they endorse! I am sick of being attacked by them!"
Marlene shot a look back towards James. "How much do you think we can get for him?"
"Not much," Lily said, and this definitely flared James' ego quite a bit.
"Excuse me?" he cried. "I am worth a lot of money thank you very much. And it's far better that you kidnapped me instead of Sirius. His family don't give a pig's fart about him! You wouldn't get a cent out of them."
This caught Lily's attention. "We wanted the protection from pirates he would bring us. Not his money!"
Marlene sighed. "Well, we could try to ransom him, but there's no way we can do it before quite some time. I don't want to go back to that crummy town before a while."
"I guess so." Lily grimaced. "In the meantime, he can make himself useful."
James frowned. "Make myself useful? You're the one who kidnapped me! I'm not going to make myself useful."
"Accidentally kidnapped you. Besides you were going to steal from us!"
"Steal a jewel you don't even have!"
"That's not the point!"
"It's very much the point. I think it was awfully rude of you just to kidnap me like that."
"Look, you're going to sweep the floors of the submarine whether you like it or not!"
"You're absolutely monstrous!" James exclaimed, but he didn't really mean it. Actually, if being kidnapped meant being stuck in close quarters with the most beautiful woman of all time for quite a while, he could easily bear a bit of sweeping and some annoying crew mates.
She smiled sweetly at him. "I'm only a monster when it's practical."
And with those words, they shoved a broom at him, as well as assigned him to spud-peeling, but James knew for sure that the captain of the ship had been flirting with him. This was going to be a quite agreeable kidnapping, he quite thoroughly believed.
Though Sirius was definitely going to owe him one big time when he finally reached home again.