Harry Potter is owned by J.K, Rowling. The only things I own are the story and my original characters.
Chapter 15: Apparation
Harry had to stifle a yawn when Remus woke him in the wee hours of the morning. He sat up in his rocking bunk, pushing aside the bedclothes and running his hand through his rumpled hair, only succeeding in mussing it more. Moody was already sitting in one of the chairs, peering moodily into a steaming mug of tea. Ginny was still laying in her own bunk, her feet hanging over the side. It looked as though she had made some effort to get up, but had given up halfway there.
Harry looked over at Ron and found him sitting up, his eyes still closed. If Harry hadn't known better, he would have thought his friend had fallen asleep sitting up. Hermione was missing. Harry assumed that she had already gone up on deck. She had always been more of a morning person than the rest of them, after all. Tala was still a lump beneath the blankets. Harry gathered that Remus would rather not wake her until it was absolutely necessary.
He rubbed his eyes and picked up his glasses. Then, after pulling on his dressing gown, made his way to the bathroom to freshen and dress. The bathroom on the ship was not as one would expect. In some ways it reminded him of the one the prefects used. There was a large bathtub with many faucets, and a shower big enough to fit five people comfortably. He thought it curious that their room, rather small and rustic, should be attached to such an opulent bath.
He finally emerged, pulling his robes straight, and found Ginny waiting outside the door, her eyelids heavy as she walked past him, not seeming to notice him at all. He shrugged and joined Moody at the table, where some plates of eggs and sausages appeared. Harry helped himself to a mug of tea as Moody nodded good morning. While he was finishing up as large a plate as he could under the circumstances, Hermione entered, her cheeks pink from the wind and her hair in a wild tangle around her shoulders. She smelled of sea salt and fresh breezes.
"Morning, Hermione," He greeted her. She returned the greetings, going over to wake Ron, who, it seemed, really had fallen asleep sitting up. Harry took a deep breath, inhaling the slightly dusty smell of their shared cabin, as he stood and stretched. Durry looked up from Harry's abandoned bunk and chirped questioningly. Harry picked him up and petted him, causing the little creature to turn a contented blue. Cord lifted his head from the pillow and Harry picked him up as well.
The small snake had professed hunger the night before and had disappeared amidships to hunt. He returned a little fatter and much happier. Harry preferred not to think about whatever small, hapless creature that had become Cord's dinner.
He was just throwing his pajamas into his duffel bag when Ginny, looking much more awake, emerged from the palatial bathroom and, snagging a bagel from the table, headed out the door. Harry followed after her.
He was faring better this trip than he had the last. The rocking motion was still rather unsettling, but he didn't feel like he was going to pitch over the side at any moment. He made his way up the ladder, beginning to hear the voice of Captain Joseph booming above the wind. It wasn't until he was on deck that he could make out the words of the song their Captain was singing.
"Our anchor we'll weigh, And our sails we will set. Goodbye, fare-ye-well, Goodbye, fare-ye-well. The friends we are leaving, We leave with regret, Hurrah, my boys, we're homeward bound. We're homeward bound. Oh joyful sound! Goodbye, fare-ye-well, Goodbye, fare-ye-well. Come rally the capstan, And run quick around..." He didn't pause in his song even as he greeted Harry with a smile and a wave.
Harry weakly smiled back, and Cord said in a rather uncomfortable voice, "I do not like this place, it moves much."
"Yes," Harry said in a hiss, "But we will be reaching the shores soon, and hopefully we will never have to set...foot...on this ship again."
"This is good." Cord replied. "Where do we go next?"
"Back to Remus'."
"The male with the strange dual scent." Cord almost seemed to say thoughtfully. "There were many with the same smell at that other place."
"I hadn't noticed." Harry told him.
"You should taste the scents with your tongue," The snake said helpfully. "It is better."
Harry blanched as he leaned against the rail near the bow. "Er...I don't think that would work."
"Ah." The snake replied. And this seemed to end his conversational mood. He often seemed displeased that his master didn't manifest more snake-like tendencies other than parseltongue. He dipped his head back beneath Harry's sleeve.
He wasn't sure how long he had been standing there when Remus appeared at his side. He had rarely been above in the two trips that they had made, despite his being largely unaffected by the tossing of the ship. He leaned beside Harry, inhaling the scent of the sea deeply.
"Smell that?" He asked, turning to the young man and smiling mildly.
Harry took a whiff but all he could smell was the familiar odor of the salt spray. He told Remus so. His friend and former professor made a sort of wry face. "I forget." He told Harry ruefully. "My sense of smell is very acute."
"Well, what is it?" Harry asked curiously.
"I smell land." Remus told him, "It won't be long now." He made a face as though he could not decide whether he was happy or not about it. Harry looked at his face closely as his friend turned his face towards where the horizon was lightening, expecting to see the shore of Landing come into sight at any moment.
He looked younger than he remembered, Harry thought, the lines of his face, put there by worry, eased, and his amber eyes had lost that tired look that Harry was used to seeing. He looked tanned and cheerful in his mild sort of way, the sleeves of his worn robes rolled up around his forearms, his cloak whipping in the wind.
It was then that Harry noticed what really made the difference in his former professor, he was relaxed. Always before there had been a certain tension in him, but right now, with the sea breeze and Captain Joseph's rather fine singing voice ringing through the silver air (The maiden, oh, the maiden oh. The sailor loves the maiden, oh! So early in the morning, The sailor loves the maiden, oh! A maid that is young, A maid that is fair, A maid that is kind and pleasant, oh, So early in the morning, The sailor loves the maiden, oh!...), he looked natural and content. Harry smiled, shaking his head, unnoticed by Remus. He was glad that his father's friend was finally happy.
Harry wasn't sure how long the two of them stood there, watching the waves beat against the hull, it seemed interminable. But then Remus was turning and making his way back down the deck, heading back to the cabin. He made sure that Harry had packed before he wandered off to make sure everyone else was. He also asked Harry to make sure Ginny was packed as well. And as he disappeared below, Harry grimaced and wobbled up to the bow, where he was more aware than ever of the tossing of the ship.
"Ginny, oy, Ginny!" He called when he judged he was within hearing distance. She didn't seem to hear, "Hey, Tonic!"
She turned and looked about curiously, catching at her hair as the wind blew it across her face. "What is it, Harry?" She asked loudly.
"Are you packed?"
"Yeah, I did it before I came out, the professor said we'd be reaching Landing today." She said a trifle impatiently as Harry came closer. "Are you packed?"
"Yeah." He replied. After a pause, "Is there something wrong, Ginny?"
She looked at him for a long moment before answering. "I like the sea," She said a trifle sadly, "I'll be sorry to leave it." She laughed ruefully. "You know, I always wanted to live by the sea. One of my Uncles has a small cottage on the cliffs in Scotland. Some of my fondest memories are from that cottage." She smiled at him. "Someday, maybe."
Harry didn't know what to say to this little insight into the red-head's thought processes, but somehow he could see her, older, her arms full of flowers, her hair loose about her shoulders, walking along the cliffs in a long green dress. The clarity of this vision was almost startling. He turned away to hide his own expression. Ginny didn't seem to notice.
"Look Harry, I can see Landing." She called out. Harry glanced out, following her pointing finger, thinking that she looked like a carved ship's figurehead. Indeed, there was Landing, lying low and gray, swathed in mists.
He nodded, "I'm going to go let the others know." He told her. She waved at him distractedly.
He didn't see it coming, his back turned to the shore, trying to make his way back. The only warning he had was a sudden, harsh noise from Durry. He looked down to see the small creature turn pitch black. He made the noise again, and spread his wings, digging his blunt nails into Harry shoulder, and flapping his wings, pulling him off balance. "Durry! What...?" He cried, trying to grab the small creature.
Just then, someone ran into him, throwing him to the side. Just in time for at that moment the planks on which he had been standing exploded in a rush of burning wood.
"Harry!" He heard, as he rose to his hands and knees, shaking his head to try and get it back into working order. It was Ron's voice. Harry looked down, seeing Ginny next to him. Ron rushed to him, heedless of the heaving deck, "Harry are you all right."
"Fine," He coughed, "Look to Ginny." He had lied. His head was ringing and it felt as though he couldn't stand if he tried. But his concern over Ginny reigned over any of that.
Hermione, who had run out after Ron, was lifting Ginny to a sitting position. She looked as dazed as Harry felt. "Is Harry alright? He alright?" She mumbled thickly. "It was coming...right for him."
"What was?" Ron asked shrilly. "What happened?" As if in answer another blast rocked the ship.
"Batten down! Batten down!" Joseph bellowed, "Incoming!" The ship veered wildly, and they all grabbed onto whatever seemed to be nailed down. Another blast jolted them heavily.
Remus, Tala and Moody skidded up on deck, looked around for half an instant, long enough to take it all in, then Remus bolted back down and Tala and Moody ran for the young, wild-eyed group.
"Is everyone okay?" Tala shouted.
"Ginny's stunned, and I think Harry might've gotten a bit of it when she pushed him out of the way. But they'll be fine." Hermione called back, wincing as another explosion rocked the ship.
Joseph the Pirate's curses were long and inspired. "Bastards took out the rudder." He yelled, releasing the useless helm. "She'll not hold long." Utter fury painted his genial face. Moody had his wand out, but with the lack of visible targets, all he could do was raise a shield over the group whenever another blast came in.
Remus came pelting back up, holding all their things in his arms. He released Pig, and Hedwig after pausing a moment to attach a hastily scribbled note to each of their legs.
"Are we taking our brooms?" Ron asked, his eyes wide and frightened.
"And give them a moving target." Moody growled. "Think, boy!"
Ron flushed, and he looked down. "Need a hand Harry?"
"Yeah, I think...yes, I think I can..." Harry stood, holding to Ron's shoulder as his head swum. He looked to Ginny in concern, relieved to see her standing as well.
"What do we do, then?" Hermione asked Moody. He swayed. The wild pitching was not making regaining his equilibrium any easier. The old Auror was deep in conversation with Tala. She was looking doubtful as he thumped one fist into the palm of his hand to emphasize his point. After a few moments she nodded in reluctant agreement.
Remus finished handing out bags, then joined them, still holding their brooms in his arms. He didn't seem to like the idea any more than Tala did, but he agreed as well, the grooves on his face appearing again. He pulled out his wand, clumsily, as he still had all the brooms in his hands, and waved it over to brooms. They rose to a hover, still bunched as he had held them, then took off like a shot, heading inland, but at a sharp angle, taking them north.
Ron looked horrified. "My...broom..."
"Don't worry Ron, they'll be fine." Remus said quickly. "We'll find them when we get to Hogwarts."
"Hogwarts?!" Ron said, "But...how are we going to get there?!' His voice rose on every word, cracking occasionally.
"We'll Apparate," Tala told him wearily.
"Only way." Moody grunted in agreement.
Harry felt his face go white. He remembered all too clearly the description that Ron's dad had given him of splinching. And wasn't Apparating difficult enough without trying to do two at once?
Maybe they expected them to transport themselves. Harry had a brief vision of himself somewhere in Siberia, well, most of himself, as he had been splinched. He shuddered horribly, gulping down the bile rising in his throat. Durry wasn't helping, still making that awful noise that scratched Harry's eardrums.
Suddenly he was aware of someone stroking his back. He looked up in surprise. Tala was standing next to him, a reassuring smile on her face, her hand gentle on the back of his robes. She didn't say anything, but he felt himself relaxing a bit. He wasn't used to such kind gestures.
She tousled his hair playfully, then turned, "Joseph! Joseph?! We need you down here." A heavy pause, "What do you think you're doing?" It was amazing the way she made a shout sound terribly cold.
Joseph was standing on his raised deck, having reclaimed the useless helm. He had a determined, almost suffocatingly heroic look on his face. He looked at Tala as though he were surprised that she had to ask. "Why, I'm going down with my ship." He said in an offhand way.
"You are not." She yelled angrily. "Why on earth would you do such a stupid thing?"
"But that's the way it's always been done." He protested with the air of a child having its favorite toy taken away.
Tala proceeded to tell him, in expansive terms, what exactly she thought of that idea. The others would have been more impressed than they were if the ship wasn't still taking hits.
"...And you will come down from there right now!" Tala finished in ringing tones.
"But...my ship..." Joseph whined in much the same way Ron had about his broom, as he came reluctantly down to join them.
"You'll get a new one." Tala snapped.
Ron apparently finding some fellow feeling for their intrepid captain in their mutual pain, clasped his arm in fortifying way. Tala was still fuming and muttering under her breath. Harry was glad he could not hear what she was saying.
"Good," Remus said, taking over as Moody took out his foe glass and peered into it, ignoring the splintering of the deck all around him. "Joseph, you take Ron, then. You are licensed, correct?" Joseph nodded. "Good, Tala, you take Ginny, Moody will take Hermione," Said girl eyed the grizzled Auror apprehensively. "I'll have Harry. We're going to Hogsmeade."
He paused and looked them all the eye, and Moody, shaking his head, put away the foe glass. "Now you need to fix this in your minds, all of you..."
He said very slowly and deliberately. "Hogsmeade, near the east corner of the Shrieking Shack." His face contorted briefly, "Where the road curves." They all repeated it dutifully after him. "Picture it as clearly as possible in your minds, all of you. You in particular, Ginny, since Tala hasn't been there it'll be more difficult for you. I'm entrusting Tala's safety to you." Ginny stood straighter, nodding to acknowledge the responsibility.
"Everyone get ready, keep it in your minds." Moody said, taking a firm grip on Hermione. The rest followed suit. "Let's go." And with a bang, they left 'Ramien' wallowing in her death throes. And for a moment, just a moment before everything went blurry, Harry thought he saw a long slender neck rise out of the water, and that he could hear the soft keening of the giant companion of the defeated purple ship.
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Chapter 15: Apparation
Harry had to stifle a yawn when Remus woke him in the wee hours of the morning. He sat up in his rocking bunk, pushing aside the bedclothes and running his hand through his rumpled hair, only succeeding in mussing it more. Moody was already sitting in one of the chairs, peering moodily into a steaming mug of tea. Ginny was still laying in her own bunk, her feet hanging over the side. It looked as though she had made some effort to get up, but had given up halfway there.
Harry looked over at Ron and found him sitting up, his eyes still closed. If Harry hadn't known better, he would have thought his friend had fallen asleep sitting up. Hermione was missing. Harry assumed that she had already gone up on deck. She had always been more of a morning person than the rest of them, after all. Tala was still a lump beneath the blankets. Harry gathered that Remus would rather not wake her until it was absolutely necessary.
He rubbed his eyes and picked up his glasses. Then, after pulling on his dressing gown, made his way to the bathroom to freshen and dress. The bathroom on the ship was not as one would expect. In some ways it reminded him of the one the prefects used. There was a large bathtub with many faucets, and a shower big enough to fit five people comfortably. He thought it curious that their room, rather small and rustic, should be attached to such an opulent bath.
He finally emerged, pulling his robes straight, and found Ginny waiting outside the door, her eyelids heavy as she walked past him, not seeming to notice him at all. He shrugged and joined Moody at the table, where some plates of eggs and sausages appeared. Harry helped himself to a mug of tea as Moody nodded good morning. While he was finishing up as large a plate as he could under the circumstances, Hermione entered, her cheeks pink from the wind and her hair in a wild tangle around her shoulders. She smelled of sea salt and fresh breezes.
"Morning, Hermione," He greeted her. She returned the greetings, going over to wake Ron, who, it seemed, really had fallen asleep sitting up. Harry took a deep breath, inhaling the slightly dusty smell of their shared cabin, as he stood and stretched. Durry looked up from Harry's abandoned bunk and chirped questioningly. Harry picked him up and petted him, causing the little creature to turn a contented blue. Cord lifted his head from the pillow and Harry picked him up as well.
The small snake had professed hunger the night before and had disappeared amidships to hunt. He returned a little fatter and much happier. Harry preferred not to think about whatever small, hapless creature that had become Cord's dinner.
He was just throwing his pajamas into his duffel bag when Ginny, looking much more awake, emerged from the palatial bathroom and, snagging a bagel from the table, headed out the door. Harry followed after her.
He was faring better this trip than he had the last. The rocking motion was still rather unsettling, but he didn't feel like he was going to pitch over the side at any moment. He made his way up the ladder, beginning to hear the voice of Captain Joseph booming above the wind. It wasn't until he was on deck that he could make out the words of the song their Captain was singing.
"Our anchor we'll weigh, And our sails we will set. Goodbye, fare-ye-well, Goodbye, fare-ye-well. The friends we are leaving, We leave with regret, Hurrah, my boys, we're homeward bound. We're homeward bound. Oh joyful sound! Goodbye, fare-ye-well, Goodbye, fare-ye-well. Come rally the capstan, And run quick around..." He didn't pause in his song even as he greeted Harry with a smile and a wave.
Harry weakly smiled back, and Cord said in a rather uncomfortable voice, "I do not like this place, it moves much."
"Yes," Harry said in a hiss, "But we will be reaching the shores soon, and hopefully we will never have to set...foot...on this ship again."
"This is good." Cord replied. "Where do we go next?"
"Back to Remus'."
"The male with the strange dual scent." Cord almost seemed to say thoughtfully. "There were many with the same smell at that other place."
"I hadn't noticed." Harry told him.
"You should taste the scents with your tongue," The snake said helpfully. "It is better."
Harry blanched as he leaned against the rail near the bow. "Er...I don't think that would work."
"Ah." The snake replied. And this seemed to end his conversational mood. He often seemed displeased that his master didn't manifest more snake-like tendencies other than parseltongue. He dipped his head back beneath Harry's sleeve.
He wasn't sure how long he had been standing there when Remus appeared at his side. He had rarely been above in the two trips that they had made, despite his being largely unaffected by the tossing of the ship. He leaned beside Harry, inhaling the scent of the sea deeply.
"Smell that?" He asked, turning to the young man and smiling mildly.
Harry took a whiff but all he could smell was the familiar odor of the salt spray. He told Remus so. His friend and former professor made a sort of wry face. "I forget." He told Harry ruefully. "My sense of smell is very acute."
"Well, what is it?" Harry asked curiously.
"I smell land." Remus told him, "It won't be long now." He made a face as though he could not decide whether he was happy or not about it. Harry looked at his face closely as his friend turned his face towards where the horizon was lightening, expecting to see the shore of Landing come into sight at any moment.
He looked younger than he remembered, Harry thought, the lines of his face, put there by worry, eased, and his amber eyes had lost that tired look that Harry was used to seeing. He looked tanned and cheerful in his mild sort of way, the sleeves of his worn robes rolled up around his forearms, his cloak whipping in the wind.
It was then that Harry noticed what really made the difference in his former professor, he was relaxed. Always before there had been a certain tension in him, but right now, with the sea breeze and Captain Joseph's rather fine singing voice ringing through the silver air (The maiden, oh, the maiden oh. The sailor loves the maiden, oh! So early in the morning, The sailor loves the maiden, oh! A maid that is young, A maid that is fair, A maid that is kind and pleasant, oh, So early in the morning, The sailor loves the maiden, oh!...), he looked natural and content. Harry smiled, shaking his head, unnoticed by Remus. He was glad that his father's friend was finally happy.
Harry wasn't sure how long the two of them stood there, watching the waves beat against the hull, it seemed interminable. But then Remus was turning and making his way back down the deck, heading back to the cabin. He made sure that Harry had packed before he wandered off to make sure everyone else was. He also asked Harry to make sure Ginny was packed as well. And as he disappeared below, Harry grimaced and wobbled up to the bow, where he was more aware than ever of the tossing of the ship.
"Ginny, oy, Ginny!" He called when he judged he was within hearing distance. She didn't seem to hear, "Hey, Tonic!"
She turned and looked about curiously, catching at her hair as the wind blew it across her face. "What is it, Harry?" She asked loudly.
"Are you packed?"
"Yeah, I did it before I came out, the professor said we'd be reaching Landing today." She said a trifle impatiently as Harry came closer. "Are you packed?"
"Yeah." He replied. After a pause, "Is there something wrong, Ginny?"
She looked at him for a long moment before answering. "I like the sea," She said a trifle sadly, "I'll be sorry to leave it." She laughed ruefully. "You know, I always wanted to live by the sea. One of my Uncles has a small cottage on the cliffs in Scotland. Some of my fondest memories are from that cottage." She smiled at him. "Someday, maybe."
Harry didn't know what to say to this little insight into the red-head's thought processes, but somehow he could see her, older, her arms full of flowers, her hair loose about her shoulders, walking along the cliffs in a long green dress. The clarity of this vision was almost startling. He turned away to hide his own expression. Ginny didn't seem to notice.
"Look Harry, I can see Landing." She called out. Harry glanced out, following her pointing finger, thinking that she looked like a carved ship's figurehead. Indeed, there was Landing, lying low and gray, swathed in mists.
He nodded, "I'm going to go let the others know." He told her. She waved at him distractedly.
He didn't see it coming, his back turned to the shore, trying to make his way back. The only warning he had was a sudden, harsh noise from Durry. He looked down to see the small creature turn pitch black. He made the noise again, and spread his wings, digging his blunt nails into Harry shoulder, and flapping his wings, pulling him off balance. "Durry! What...?" He cried, trying to grab the small creature.
Just then, someone ran into him, throwing him to the side. Just in time for at that moment the planks on which he had been standing exploded in a rush of burning wood.
"Harry!" He heard, as he rose to his hands and knees, shaking his head to try and get it back into working order. It was Ron's voice. Harry looked down, seeing Ginny next to him. Ron rushed to him, heedless of the heaving deck, "Harry are you all right."
"Fine," He coughed, "Look to Ginny." He had lied. His head was ringing and it felt as though he couldn't stand if he tried. But his concern over Ginny reigned over any of that.
Hermione, who had run out after Ron, was lifting Ginny to a sitting position. She looked as dazed as Harry felt. "Is Harry alright? He alright?" She mumbled thickly. "It was coming...right for him."
"What was?" Ron asked shrilly. "What happened?" As if in answer another blast rocked the ship.
"Batten down! Batten down!" Joseph bellowed, "Incoming!" The ship veered wildly, and they all grabbed onto whatever seemed to be nailed down. Another blast jolted them heavily.
Remus, Tala and Moody skidded up on deck, looked around for half an instant, long enough to take it all in, then Remus bolted back down and Tala and Moody ran for the young, wild-eyed group.
"Is everyone okay?" Tala shouted.
"Ginny's stunned, and I think Harry might've gotten a bit of it when she pushed him out of the way. But they'll be fine." Hermione called back, wincing as another explosion rocked the ship.
Joseph the Pirate's curses were long and inspired. "Bastards took out the rudder." He yelled, releasing the useless helm. "She'll not hold long." Utter fury painted his genial face. Moody had his wand out, but with the lack of visible targets, all he could do was raise a shield over the group whenever another blast came in.
Remus came pelting back up, holding all their things in his arms. He released Pig, and Hedwig after pausing a moment to attach a hastily scribbled note to each of their legs.
"Are we taking our brooms?" Ron asked, his eyes wide and frightened.
"And give them a moving target." Moody growled. "Think, boy!"
Ron flushed, and he looked down. "Need a hand Harry?"
"Yeah, I think...yes, I think I can..." Harry stood, holding to Ron's shoulder as his head swum. He looked to Ginny in concern, relieved to see her standing as well.
"What do we do, then?" Hermione asked Moody. He swayed. The wild pitching was not making regaining his equilibrium any easier. The old Auror was deep in conversation with Tala. She was looking doubtful as he thumped one fist into the palm of his hand to emphasize his point. After a few moments she nodded in reluctant agreement.
Remus finished handing out bags, then joined them, still holding their brooms in his arms. He didn't seem to like the idea any more than Tala did, but he agreed as well, the grooves on his face appearing again. He pulled out his wand, clumsily, as he still had all the brooms in his hands, and waved it over to brooms. They rose to a hover, still bunched as he had held them, then took off like a shot, heading inland, but at a sharp angle, taking them north.
Ron looked horrified. "My...broom..."
"Don't worry Ron, they'll be fine." Remus said quickly. "We'll find them when we get to Hogwarts."
"Hogwarts?!" Ron said, "But...how are we going to get there?!' His voice rose on every word, cracking occasionally.
"We'll Apparate," Tala told him wearily.
"Only way." Moody grunted in agreement.
Harry felt his face go white. He remembered all too clearly the description that Ron's dad had given him of splinching. And wasn't Apparating difficult enough without trying to do two at once?
Maybe they expected them to transport themselves. Harry had a brief vision of himself somewhere in Siberia, well, most of himself, as he had been splinched. He shuddered horribly, gulping down the bile rising in his throat. Durry wasn't helping, still making that awful noise that scratched Harry's eardrums.
Suddenly he was aware of someone stroking his back. He looked up in surprise. Tala was standing next to him, a reassuring smile on her face, her hand gentle on the back of his robes. She didn't say anything, but he felt himself relaxing a bit. He wasn't used to such kind gestures.
She tousled his hair playfully, then turned, "Joseph! Joseph?! We need you down here." A heavy pause, "What do you think you're doing?" It was amazing the way she made a shout sound terribly cold.
Joseph was standing on his raised deck, having reclaimed the useless helm. He had a determined, almost suffocatingly heroic look on his face. He looked at Tala as though he were surprised that she had to ask. "Why, I'm going down with my ship." He said in an offhand way.
"You are not." She yelled angrily. "Why on earth would you do such a stupid thing?"
"But that's the way it's always been done." He protested with the air of a child having its favorite toy taken away.
Tala proceeded to tell him, in expansive terms, what exactly she thought of that idea. The others would have been more impressed than they were if the ship wasn't still taking hits.
"...And you will come down from there right now!" Tala finished in ringing tones.
"But...my ship..." Joseph whined in much the same way Ron had about his broom, as he came reluctantly down to join them.
"You'll get a new one." Tala snapped.
Ron apparently finding some fellow feeling for their intrepid captain in their mutual pain, clasped his arm in fortifying way. Tala was still fuming and muttering under her breath. Harry was glad he could not hear what she was saying.
"Good," Remus said, taking over as Moody took out his foe glass and peered into it, ignoring the splintering of the deck all around him. "Joseph, you take Ron, then. You are licensed, correct?" Joseph nodded. "Good, Tala, you take Ginny, Moody will take Hermione," Said girl eyed the grizzled Auror apprehensively. "I'll have Harry. We're going to Hogsmeade."
He paused and looked them all the eye, and Moody, shaking his head, put away the foe glass. "Now you need to fix this in your minds, all of you..."
He said very slowly and deliberately. "Hogsmeade, near the east corner of the Shrieking Shack." His face contorted briefly, "Where the road curves." They all repeated it dutifully after him. "Picture it as clearly as possible in your minds, all of you. You in particular, Ginny, since Tala hasn't been there it'll be more difficult for you. I'm entrusting Tala's safety to you." Ginny stood straighter, nodding to acknowledge the responsibility.
"Everyone get ready, keep it in your minds." Moody said, taking a firm grip on Hermione. The rest followed suit. "Let's go." And with a bang, they left 'Ramien' wallowing in her death throes. And for a moment, just a moment before everything went blurry, Harry thought he saw a long slender neck rise out of the water, and that he could hear the soft keening of the giant companion of the defeated purple ship.
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