Team

Falmouth Falcons

Position

Chaser 1

Main Prompt

Pirate/Smuggler AU

Optional Prompts

(quote)'The only difference between a conqueror and a thief is an army'

(Character) Lily Evans

Word Count

1,038

Sirius used the rope to swing to the deck where his friends were laughing as they drank from large mugs. "So where to now?" He asked as he filled his own mug from the barrel and perched on the railing. "What's our next big adventure?"

James grinned and pulled a worn piece of parchment from his shirt before tossing it to the older male. "Won this in a game at our last stop." He said as Sirius caught the parchment deftly before unfurling it.

His eyes grew wide as they scanned the worn page and Remus stood up to see it as well.

"I thought you said we weren't going to be thieves." Remus said as he raised an eyebrow.

James brandished his sword with a playful flourish. "The only difference between a thief and a conqueror is an army." He had to admit that it sounded much in his head but he hadn't his companions to start laughing quite so hard. "Hey! It's not funny." He said indignantly.

"And exactly where is this army you're talking about?" Sirius asked as he smoothed back his hair.

"We might not be much of one now but we can still fight." He said as he held out his sword. "Every army has to start somewhere and one day we'll be the best."

"That's a tall order." Sirius said before sighing, he jumped down from his perch and drew his own sword, placing it over the others. "But we're definitely not going anywhere, Captain."

Remus nodded and walked over, placing his sword on top. "Of course." He agreed.

James grinned and gulped down the rest of his drink. "Now why don't we go find that treasure!" He announced before they started getting the ship ready.

Once their vessel was moving the 3 men spent their waking hours as they usually did, telling fables and tall tales.

"Did I tell you about the night I spent with a mermaid?" Sirius asked as he lounged in the sun.

Remus laughed as he nudged him over with his foot. "Do you mean the night you got so drunk you kissed a fish?" He teased as he dropped down beside him.

Sirius opened his mouth to retort but nothing came out, causing his friends to laugh again.

"Were just about there anyways." James said as he spread out the map on a table and pointed to an island in the distance. "There, the treasure should be on that island, get ready to go ashore."

They grinned and jumped up, gathering what supplies they might need before preparing to lower the anchor.

The island was not large they noticed as they got closer and it was densely packed with thick foliage. They used a boat to get to the shore before looking at the map again. "It looks like it should be in the center of the island." Remus pointed out. "But something doesn't feel right."

Sirius punched him in the arm. "You're always such a worrywart, c'mon, it shouldn't be a long walk." He said as he shouldered a shovel. "And the quicker we finish, the sooner we can celebrate."

James was already entering the woods and Remus sighed before following somewhat reluctantly. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

Though the island had looked uninhabited from the outside they passed many empty huts that had clearly been raided and the boys got quiet. "I think you might have been right about this place." James whispered and Remus shot him a look.

They walked further in silence and at the center of the small village was a clearing that was now occupied by a rival crew of pirates. They were a very different kind, mean and ruthless, always pillaging and taking what they wanted by force, never worried about the destruction left in their wake.

The three boys just watched for a minute and at first no villagers seemed to be around but as they quietly circled the clearing they saw a young girls, tied up and displayed as though she were a trophy.

This crew was only slightly larger than their own so they devised plan and within minutes were in place.

Remus and Sirius jumped out from either side and started to distract them while James saved the girl. He found out that her name was Lily and she was the only member of her family left, by then he had made up his mind and told her to run towards the boat before joining the fight himself.

All 3 held their ground and as soon as they had a moment to breathe they also ran for the boat.

When they spotted the ship in the distance all 3 were relieved but Remus could hear the quick steps of the pirates behind them, they wouldn't have time.

"Keep running." He yelled before stopping and turning around to fight while the others escaped.

The other two reached the rowboat where the girl was waiting and tried to call for him but he only turned t give a brief smile as the pirates descended upon him. "Go." Was the last thing he said before being plunged into battle once more.

The two boys hesitated but they knew that either they escaped now or all 4 would likely lose their lives. So with sorrow in their hearts they reluctantly rowed to their ship and raised the anchor, turning back just in time to see their comrade fall to his knees.

"James!"

At the sound of his name the water around them faded away and their swords turned back into sticks, the boat once again an old tree that had fallen long before any of them had been born.

"Time to go home."

He sighed and tuned to his friends. "Guess I gotta go, see you later, guys." He leapt deftly from the tree trunk and ran to his mothers voice.

And just like that, the children were called back one by one, their game of pirates on hold once more.

Though it may just be pretend right now one day most of them would venture out on ships of their own as they tried to carve a name for themselves just as their fathers had before them.