Chapter 4: Landing
Their packages lay on their beds, their wrappings now unfurled, the twine that had bound them cut and lying like small brown snakes on the worn bedspreads. Also on the bed lay another sort of snake, a glossy black one that Harry had named Cord. He lay curled on the pillow, watching as Harry and Ron packed their purchases in their bags. They prudently decided to leave the jokes they had purchased at Fred and George's shop there for the time being. Hedwig was in her cage, preening her snowy white feathers and Durry sat perched on the headboard of Harry's bed, watching the snake as intently as it was watching Harry. Harry glanced over at the two of them from time to time, his brows knitted in concern. It was of extreme importance that the two of them got along, but Harry was leery of trying to introduce them.
"What is this rodent watching me?" The snake asked.
"That is Durry, he is my pet." Harry replied, glancing at his new Defense Against the Dark Arts book before stowing it in his bag, and ignoring the small, nervous noises that Ron was making. Ron could never get used to Harry being a Parselmouth, as he had said on many occasions. "He should be your friend too." Harry continued pointedly.
"I cannot eat him, then?"
"No." Harry told him emphatically. "We will be spending much time together, and I need you two to get along."
"Yes, master." The snake replied sullenly. He uncoiled and slithered towards Durry, who stayed where he was, his golden eyes wide and his wings standing stiffly out from his back. He was a strange yellow green color at the moment, and Harry supposed it meant that the small creature was nervous. The snake stretched forward in what Harry supposed was intended to be a non-threatening manner. He glanced at Ron, who was also watching in apprehension.
"He's not going to try and eat Durry, is he?" Ron said out of the corner of his mouth. Harry smiled, hoping that Ron would take that as a no. At this point, Durry, who seemed to be as curious as his owner, was stretching down his nose towards the swaying snake, they could see his ears twitching as forked tongue met round black nose. Durry looked taken aback for a moment, then leaned forward again, nearly toppling off of his perch. The snake regarded him as they exchanged the greetings unique to each of their kinds. Finally Cord lowered his head and slithered back to the dent in Harry's pillow.
"The small creature is not unpleasant." He remarked.
"I am glad," Harry replied with a relieved sigh.
Ron gulped and said, in a rather strangled voice. "I suppose that's all settled, then?"
"Seems to be," Harry turned around to grab one of the packages that contained his new everyday robes, and opened it. He thought that they would be very comfortable for the trip. He pulled off his sneakers and threw them in his bag, then took out his new boots and yanked them on before pulling on his new robes and fastening them. They happened to be his navy blue ones. He glanced over at Ron and saw that he was also wearing robes, they looked like they were some sort of tweed. They were a bit too large but by the look on Ron's face he wasn't too displeased.
He crammed an almost matching wizard's cap on his head and turned to face the mirror, which chuckled and said, "Bless your freckles!" Ron flushed a bright red and turned to Harry who was chuckling as he fastened his gray cloak over his shoulders.
"It's strange, but I feel like a real wizard." Harry told him.
"You are a real wizard, Harry." Ron said teasingly.
"I know, but now I feel like one." He turned to the bed and stopped. "Ron," He said in a hushed voice, "Come look." Ron peered over his shoulder and saw Durry and Cord curled up together on the pillow.
"The creature is very warm." Cord commented impassively. Harry wordlessly held out his hand and Cord curled himself over his wrist. Durry stayed asleep, purring comfortably, as Harry transferred him to his box. Finally he and Ron shouldered their bags, took the cages containing their owls and the box containing Durry, then trooped down the stairs.
Once they reached the kitchen, Moody fixed them with both his normal eye and his magical one. "Have your wands?" Harry had to set a few things down before he could feel in his pocket, making sure he did have his wand. He nodded and Ron held up his own before Moody grunted. He peered out the window. "Looks like it's dark enough. The flight will take several hours." He said, "Everyone ready." It was more of a statement than a question.
They all made various statements of affirmation. Ginny pulling on her cloak as she did so. It was yellow tartan with threads of red and went quite well with her hair. Hermione had opted for a long blue coat instead of a cloak and she was hefting her duffle bag to her shoulder. She had left Crookshanks with her parents, she had told them her mother had grown rather fond of him and anyways she did not think he would take well to sea travel. Lupin, who was sporting a new chocolate brown cloak, had his broom in hand, while Tala, dressed in ochre red, handed the rest of them their own. They all helped each other fasten their packages to their brooms, and after Moody had assessed the perimeter, they took off towards the western coast and Landing.
They rose above the clouds, where the waning moon painted them in soft silver. Harry was glad he had gotten his new cloak, which kept him warm, even while drenched in mist. He reached under his broom to undo the catch on Hedwig's cage, and saw her soar out and move to fly beside him. He left the catch open for when she got tired, but for now she was content to glide among the broomsticks like a silvery shadow. He glanced over to where Ron was riding beside Hermione and got a huge grin in return, he looked to the other side and saw Ginny do the same, her smile lighting up her whole face. Hermione, on the other hand, did not like flying at all and she had a death-grip on her broom handle and a grim look on her face.
Ron looked at her in concern. "All right Hermione!?" He yelled in order to be heard over the flapping of cloaks and the rush of the wind surrounding them.
She glanced at him and nodded with a tight lipped smile. Ron nodded back, but the concern didn't leave his face.
Quite a few times during their interminable voyage, Moody would dip down below the cloud cover, which they knew he approved of immensely, to scan the area for pursuit and to check their location. He would trade off this task with Tala and Remus about once every fifteen minutes. And apparently they never saw anything to worry about, for they continued on their route uninterrupted.
Harry was just beginning to get drowsy when they slowed and began to make their descent. He could feel excitement gripping his chest as they passed through the clouds. He had never been to the ocean before, had never even seen it. Whenever the Dursleys had taken Dudley over the holidays, he had been left with Mrs. Figg, or with Yvonne. Admittedly, when this happened it was more pleasant for Harry to remain at home, for, invariably, they would come home early because Dudley was complaining of the sand being too hot or the water being too cold. Once he had been bitten by a crab and the Dursleys had somehow got it into their heads that Harry had, from Mrs. Figg's house, set the creature on Dudley.
They burst through the overcast and Harry gasped. It was immense, and a rolling, steely gray, the breakers gleaming white upon the surface as they journeyed towards the shore.
"Landing!" Moody bellowed. And Harry's gaze followed his pointing finger to a small port gleaming on the edge of the sea. They came in for a smooth landing and were greeted by a young wizard who bore a striking resemblance to the pirates that Harry had seen once or twice on television. He had his long, curly hair pulled back into a tail and no less than three gold hoops in his ear. He even had a cutlass tucked into the sash at his waist and tall black, heeled boots.
He gave them a wide grin and a short bow. "Welcome to Landing." His eyes lit on Ginny, Hermione and Tala, "Some fine wenches you fellows have there."
Ron moved possessively closer to Hermione, who was looking at the wizard with some interest. She noticed Ron's scowl and laughed, taking his arm and making him blush. Ginny grinned back unabashedly.
"Aren't you going out with Dean?" Ron asked grumpily.
"We broke up in the second week of the holidays." Ginny supplied, still eyeing the pirate. Moody stumped forward to talk quietly with him.
The pirate nodded, "Sure, that's my ship, the 'Ramien'. Dock 5" He turned to the rest of them. "My name is Joseph Clearwater and I will be your captain for this voyage. Follow me and I'll get you to the ship."
Ron groaned and Harry found himself scowling. But Ginny looked thoughtful. "Did you say Clearwater, captain?" She asked in her clear voice, falling in beside Harry as they headed off towards the large docks.
"Ay, lass." He said with a crooked grin. "But call me Joseph."
"Are you related to Penelope Clearwater?"
"Yes, she's my little sister." He replied. "Know her?"
They exchanged glances and small, stifled grins. "Yes," Ron said, "She went out with my brother for a time."
Joseph stopped and turned, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Ron. "Weasley?" He asked, then answered himself immediately. " 'Course you are, the hair tips it off." He grimaced, "Can't say I care much for Percy, but Bill was my best mate at Hogwarts."
"Percy has rather, fallen out of favor with us." Ron said with a scowl. "The git."
Joseph gave him a fortifying clap on the shoulder, then, tossing his mahogany colored ponytail over his shoulder, he continued on his way. They trooped after him, their broomsticks, laden down with belongings, were kept at a hover by their sides.
As they drew closer to the gleaming wooden docks Harry could hear the roar of the ocean and the clap of waves against the hulls of the ship. A few moments later, the torches, on what proved to be dock five, all lit at once, filling the area with their flickering light. And now Harry could see their ship for the first time. To tell the truth he had been expecting something like the skeletal ship that the Durmstrang students had used to get to Hogwarts during his fourth year. But what he saw before him made him gulp convulsively and exchange horrified looks with Ron.
The 'Ramien' was three times as tall as it was wide, rolling unsteadily even in the relatively gentler surf of the harbor. It was also a horribly familiar shade of purple, with its name in large, curling gold letters painted across the hull.
"Isn't she beautiful?" Joseph said fondly.
"How does it stay upright?" Ron gasped, clutching his broom to his chest as though for protection.
Joseph the pirate decided to ignore him. "Let's get the luggage on board." He announced professionally, "If you are taking any animals with you, other than owls, we require a quick check at the infirmary before we can depart. We have two other passengers whom we will be delivering to their destinations before I take you to Plymouth." He took a breath. "Got all that?"
They nodded. "Good then," He continued. "If those of you who do not need to check in will follow me, I will escort you to your cabins. During certain portions of our journey you will need to remained confined to them."
"Why is that?" Tala asked.
"Because we'll be underwater." He supplied.
"Oh." Tala looked a bit put off by that, but she, Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Moody followed after him, taking along the other's brooms, Hedwig glided along after them while Pig fluttered in his cage, Ron deciding that he was too hyperactive to be let out.
Harry clutched Durry's box as they walked towards the infirmary, which resembled nothing more than a bait shop than anything else. Lupin's face was set as he accompanied him. Harry glanced at him curiously.
"Regulations on werewolf travels." Lupin spat suddenly. "I need to be checked over as if I were an animal." Harry looked at his usually even-tempered professor sympathetically. "Ridiculous, simply...dehumanizing." The professor grumbled under his breath. Harry glanced behind him and saw Tala looking over her shoulder as she mounted the shaky gangplank leading to the ship. Her eyes caught the light of the torches and flashed. He knew what she was thinking and moved closer to his professor, clasping his arm in a comforting grip. Lupin put his hand on Harry's wrist and gave him a grim smile, a smile that quickly turned into a look of surprise.
"Harry, what?" He said. And he quickly pulled back the sleeve of Harry's robes, exposing the slender black snake wrapped around his wrist. "Harry, where did you get this?" Harry glanced around, and, finding no one nearby, told his former professor where the snake had come from. Lupin looked suitably shocked.
"Why did you do it, Harry?" Lupin asked.
Harry looked at the snake with a contemplative grimace. "I thought about that." He said slowly. "And I thought that I had a better chance of dealing with it than Snape."
"You did it for Snape." Lupin said just as slowly. "Because you were worried."
"I wouldn't exactly put it like that." Harry protested. "But, sort of...I guess."
"Well, it won't pass the exam for acceptable creatures to cross the international boundaries." Lupin murmured. "But I do NOT want it roaming around." He was silent for a few minutes, the lines on his face deepening in thought. "We could just..." He made a little gesture.
"No." Harry said sharply. "I gave Cord my word I would keep him safe." That wasn't precisely true, but Harry had rather come to like the snake.
"I see." He gave Harry a piercing look. "I'll have to transfigure it. Could you explain? Quietly." He took a glance around.
"Snake?" Harry said, "Cord?" the snake lifted its head and looked at him sleepily.
"What did you call me?"
"It is custom to name those close to us."
"Ah."
"Cord. Do you wish to stay with me?" The snake bobbed its sleek head in a 'yes' gesture. "Then we must change you into something else for a while. Will that be alright with you?" Cord looked at him with one beady black eye.
"If I must." He replied finally.
Harry looked at Lupin and nodded. His former professor took out his wand and tapped it gently on the snake's shining coils. "Enjerdum." He said quietly, and abruptly, Harry was wearing a bracelet that looked somewhat like banded leather, with a clasp shaped like the head of a snake.
"Cool, professor." He said appreciatively.
Lupin looked at it critically. "It is rather stylish, isn't it?" he grinned, "Sirius would have liked it." His smile turned sad, and he turned quickly, leaving Harry to trot after him and into the bait shop infirmary. They stepped inside and Harry was hustled off in one direction while Lupin went in another. Durry was quickly checked over and returned to Harry with a clean bill of health. The witch who checked him didn't even do so much as glance at the bracelet on Harry's wrist, though he was certainly aware of it. He stood in the lobby, waiting for Remus, who stormed out a few minutes later, his face like a thundercloud.
"Idiots." He muttered at Harry's look, but refused to elaborate. They strode back to dock five, where the 'Remian' was waiting. The two of them wobbled up the gangplank and found the others waiting on the deck. Lupin looked around at them, then muttered, "I'm going to go to my cabin." And he stormed off, Tala hurried after him with an unhappy look.
"He doesn't even know where his cabin is." Ron said with a raise of his eyebrow.
"Everyone's aboard!" Joseph the pirate called from somewhere aft. "It's time to shove off."
Ron looked rather ill.
Please, please, please Read and Review.
Their packages lay on their beds, their wrappings now unfurled, the twine that had bound them cut and lying like small brown snakes on the worn bedspreads. Also on the bed lay another sort of snake, a glossy black one that Harry had named Cord. He lay curled on the pillow, watching as Harry and Ron packed their purchases in their bags. They prudently decided to leave the jokes they had purchased at Fred and George's shop there for the time being. Hedwig was in her cage, preening her snowy white feathers and Durry sat perched on the headboard of Harry's bed, watching the snake as intently as it was watching Harry. Harry glanced over at the two of them from time to time, his brows knitted in concern. It was of extreme importance that the two of them got along, but Harry was leery of trying to introduce them.
"What is this rodent watching me?" The snake asked.
"That is Durry, he is my pet." Harry replied, glancing at his new Defense Against the Dark Arts book before stowing it in his bag, and ignoring the small, nervous noises that Ron was making. Ron could never get used to Harry being a Parselmouth, as he had said on many occasions. "He should be your friend too." Harry continued pointedly.
"I cannot eat him, then?"
"No." Harry told him emphatically. "We will be spending much time together, and I need you two to get along."
"Yes, master." The snake replied sullenly. He uncoiled and slithered towards Durry, who stayed where he was, his golden eyes wide and his wings standing stiffly out from his back. He was a strange yellow green color at the moment, and Harry supposed it meant that the small creature was nervous. The snake stretched forward in what Harry supposed was intended to be a non-threatening manner. He glanced at Ron, who was also watching in apprehension.
"He's not going to try and eat Durry, is he?" Ron said out of the corner of his mouth. Harry smiled, hoping that Ron would take that as a no. At this point, Durry, who seemed to be as curious as his owner, was stretching down his nose towards the swaying snake, they could see his ears twitching as forked tongue met round black nose. Durry looked taken aback for a moment, then leaned forward again, nearly toppling off of his perch. The snake regarded him as they exchanged the greetings unique to each of their kinds. Finally Cord lowered his head and slithered back to the dent in Harry's pillow.
"The small creature is not unpleasant." He remarked.
"I am glad," Harry replied with a relieved sigh.
Ron gulped and said, in a rather strangled voice. "I suppose that's all settled, then?"
"Seems to be," Harry turned around to grab one of the packages that contained his new everyday robes, and opened it. He thought that they would be very comfortable for the trip. He pulled off his sneakers and threw them in his bag, then took out his new boots and yanked them on before pulling on his new robes and fastening them. They happened to be his navy blue ones. He glanced over at Ron and saw that he was also wearing robes, they looked like they were some sort of tweed. They were a bit too large but by the look on Ron's face he wasn't too displeased.
He crammed an almost matching wizard's cap on his head and turned to face the mirror, which chuckled and said, "Bless your freckles!" Ron flushed a bright red and turned to Harry who was chuckling as he fastened his gray cloak over his shoulders.
"It's strange, but I feel like a real wizard." Harry told him.
"You are a real wizard, Harry." Ron said teasingly.
"I know, but now I feel like one." He turned to the bed and stopped. "Ron," He said in a hushed voice, "Come look." Ron peered over his shoulder and saw Durry and Cord curled up together on the pillow.
"The creature is very warm." Cord commented impassively. Harry wordlessly held out his hand and Cord curled himself over his wrist. Durry stayed asleep, purring comfortably, as Harry transferred him to his box. Finally he and Ron shouldered their bags, took the cages containing their owls and the box containing Durry, then trooped down the stairs.
Once they reached the kitchen, Moody fixed them with both his normal eye and his magical one. "Have your wands?" Harry had to set a few things down before he could feel in his pocket, making sure he did have his wand. He nodded and Ron held up his own before Moody grunted. He peered out the window. "Looks like it's dark enough. The flight will take several hours." He said, "Everyone ready." It was more of a statement than a question.
They all made various statements of affirmation. Ginny pulling on her cloak as she did so. It was yellow tartan with threads of red and went quite well with her hair. Hermione had opted for a long blue coat instead of a cloak and she was hefting her duffle bag to her shoulder. She had left Crookshanks with her parents, she had told them her mother had grown rather fond of him and anyways she did not think he would take well to sea travel. Lupin, who was sporting a new chocolate brown cloak, had his broom in hand, while Tala, dressed in ochre red, handed the rest of them their own. They all helped each other fasten their packages to their brooms, and after Moody had assessed the perimeter, they took off towards the western coast and Landing.
They rose above the clouds, where the waning moon painted them in soft silver. Harry was glad he had gotten his new cloak, which kept him warm, even while drenched in mist. He reached under his broom to undo the catch on Hedwig's cage, and saw her soar out and move to fly beside him. He left the catch open for when she got tired, but for now she was content to glide among the broomsticks like a silvery shadow. He glanced over to where Ron was riding beside Hermione and got a huge grin in return, he looked to the other side and saw Ginny do the same, her smile lighting up her whole face. Hermione, on the other hand, did not like flying at all and she had a death-grip on her broom handle and a grim look on her face.
Ron looked at her in concern. "All right Hermione!?" He yelled in order to be heard over the flapping of cloaks and the rush of the wind surrounding them.
She glanced at him and nodded with a tight lipped smile. Ron nodded back, but the concern didn't leave his face.
Quite a few times during their interminable voyage, Moody would dip down below the cloud cover, which they knew he approved of immensely, to scan the area for pursuit and to check their location. He would trade off this task with Tala and Remus about once every fifteen minutes. And apparently they never saw anything to worry about, for they continued on their route uninterrupted.
Harry was just beginning to get drowsy when they slowed and began to make their descent. He could feel excitement gripping his chest as they passed through the clouds. He had never been to the ocean before, had never even seen it. Whenever the Dursleys had taken Dudley over the holidays, he had been left with Mrs. Figg, or with Yvonne. Admittedly, when this happened it was more pleasant for Harry to remain at home, for, invariably, they would come home early because Dudley was complaining of the sand being too hot or the water being too cold. Once he had been bitten by a crab and the Dursleys had somehow got it into their heads that Harry had, from Mrs. Figg's house, set the creature on Dudley.
They burst through the overcast and Harry gasped. It was immense, and a rolling, steely gray, the breakers gleaming white upon the surface as they journeyed towards the shore.
"Landing!" Moody bellowed. And Harry's gaze followed his pointing finger to a small port gleaming on the edge of the sea. They came in for a smooth landing and were greeted by a young wizard who bore a striking resemblance to the pirates that Harry had seen once or twice on television. He had his long, curly hair pulled back into a tail and no less than three gold hoops in his ear. He even had a cutlass tucked into the sash at his waist and tall black, heeled boots.
He gave them a wide grin and a short bow. "Welcome to Landing." His eyes lit on Ginny, Hermione and Tala, "Some fine wenches you fellows have there."
Ron moved possessively closer to Hermione, who was looking at the wizard with some interest. She noticed Ron's scowl and laughed, taking his arm and making him blush. Ginny grinned back unabashedly.
"Aren't you going out with Dean?" Ron asked grumpily.
"We broke up in the second week of the holidays." Ginny supplied, still eyeing the pirate. Moody stumped forward to talk quietly with him.
The pirate nodded, "Sure, that's my ship, the 'Ramien'. Dock 5" He turned to the rest of them. "My name is Joseph Clearwater and I will be your captain for this voyage. Follow me and I'll get you to the ship."
Ron groaned and Harry found himself scowling. But Ginny looked thoughtful. "Did you say Clearwater, captain?" She asked in her clear voice, falling in beside Harry as they headed off towards the large docks.
"Ay, lass." He said with a crooked grin. "But call me Joseph."
"Are you related to Penelope Clearwater?"
"Yes, she's my little sister." He replied. "Know her?"
They exchanged glances and small, stifled grins. "Yes," Ron said, "She went out with my brother for a time."
Joseph stopped and turned, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Ron. "Weasley?" He asked, then answered himself immediately. " 'Course you are, the hair tips it off." He grimaced, "Can't say I care much for Percy, but Bill was my best mate at Hogwarts."
"Percy has rather, fallen out of favor with us." Ron said with a scowl. "The git."
Joseph gave him a fortifying clap on the shoulder, then, tossing his mahogany colored ponytail over his shoulder, he continued on his way. They trooped after him, their broomsticks, laden down with belongings, were kept at a hover by their sides.
As they drew closer to the gleaming wooden docks Harry could hear the roar of the ocean and the clap of waves against the hulls of the ship. A few moments later, the torches, on what proved to be dock five, all lit at once, filling the area with their flickering light. And now Harry could see their ship for the first time. To tell the truth he had been expecting something like the skeletal ship that the Durmstrang students had used to get to Hogwarts during his fourth year. But what he saw before him made him gulp convulsively and exchange horrified looks with Ron.
The 'Ramien' was three times as tall as it was wide, rolling unsteadily even in the relatively gentler surf of the harbor. It was also a horribly familiar shade of purple, with its name in large, curling gold letters painted across the hull.
"Isn't she beautiful?" Joseph said fondly.
"How does it stay upright?" Ron gasped, clutching his broom to his chest as though for protection.
Joseph the pirate decided to ignore him. "Let's get the luggage on board." He announced professionally, "If you are taking any animals with you, other than owls, we require a quick check at the infirmary before we can depart. We have two other passengers whom we will be delivering to their destinations before I take you to Plymouth." He took a breath. "Got all that?"
They nodded. "Good then," He continued. "If those of you who do not need to check in will follow me, I will escort you to your cabins. During certain portions of our journey you will need to remained confined to them."
"Why is that?" Tala asked.
"Because we'll be underwater." He supplied.
"Oh." Tala looked a bit put off by that, but she, Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Moody followed after him, taking along the other's brooms, Hedwig glided along after them while Pig fluttered in his cage, Ron deciding that he was too hyperactive to be let out.
Harry clutched Durry's box as they walked towards the infirmary, which resembled nothing more than a bait shop than anything else. Lupin's face was set as he accompanied him. Harry glanced at him curiously.
"Regulations on werewolf travels." Lupin spat suddenly. "I need to be checked over as if I were an animal." Harry looked at his usually even-tempered professor sympathetically. "Ridiculous, simply...dehumanizing." The professor grumbled under his breath. Harry glanced behind him and saw Tala looking over her shoulder as she mounted the shaky gangplank leading to the ship. Her eyes caught the light of the torches and flashed. He knew what she was thinking and moved closer to his professor, clasping his arm in a comforting grip. Lupin put his hand on Harry's wrist and gave him a grim smile, a smile that quickly turned into a look of surprise.
"Harry, what?" He said. And he quickly pulled back the sleeve of Harry's robes, exposing the slender black snake wrapped around his wrist. "Harry, where did you get this?" Harry glanced around, and, finding no one nearby, told his former professor where the snake had come from. Lupin looked suitably shocked.
"Why did you do it, Harry?" Lupin asked.
Harry looked at the snake with a contemplative grimace. "I thought about that." He said slowly. "And I thought that I had a better chance of dealing with it than Snape."
"You did it for Snape." Lupin said just as slowly. "Because you were worried."
"I wouldn't exactly put it like that." Harry protested. "But, sort of...I guess."
"Well, it won't pass the exam for acceptable creatures to cross the international boundaries." Lupin murmured. "But I do NOT want it roaming around." He was silent for a few minutes, the lines on his face deepening in thought. "We could just..." He made a little gesture.
"No." Harry said sharply. "I gave Cord my word I would keep him safe." That wasn't precisely true, but Harry had rather come to like the snake.
"I see." He gave Harry a piercing look. "I'll have to transfigure it. Could you explain? Quietly." He took a glance around.
"Snake?" Harry said, "Cord?" the snake lifted its head and looked at him sleepily.
"What did you call me?"
"It is custom to name those close to us."
"Ah."
"Cord. Do you wish to stay with me?" The snake bobbed its sleek head in a 'yes' gesture. "Then we must change you into something else for a while. Will that be alright with you?" Cord looked at him with one beady black eye.
"If I must." He replied finally.
Harry looked at Lupin and nodded. His former professor took out his wand and tapped it gently on the snake's shining coils. "Enjerdum." He said quietly, and abruptly, Harry was wearing a bracelet that looked somewhat like banded leather, with a clasp shaped like the head of a snake.
"Cool, professor." He said appreciatively.
Lupin looked at it critically. "It is rather stylish, isn't it?" he grinned, "Sirius would have liked it." His smile turned sad, and he turned quickly, leaving Harry to trot after him and into the bait shop infirmary. They stepped inside and Harry was hustled off in one direction while Lupin went in another. Durry was quickly checked over and returned to Harry with a clean bill of health. The witch who checked him didn't even do so much as glance at the bracelet on Harry's wrist, though he was certainly aware of it. He stood in the lobby, waiting for Remus, who stormed out a few minutes later, his face like a thundercloud.
"Idiots." He muttered at Harry's look, but refused to elaborate. They strode back to dock five, where the 'Remian' was waiting. The two of them wobbled up the gangplank and found the others waiting on the deck. Lupin looked around at them, then muttered, "I'm going to go to my cabin." And he stormed off, Tala hurried after him with an unhappy look.
"He doesn't even know where his cabin is." Ron said with a raise of his eyebrow.
"Everyone's aboard!" Joseph the pirate called from somewhere aft. "It's time to shove off."
Ron looked rather ill.
Please, please, please Read and Review.
