(Coeus Black - PoV)
...
So. Boat rides. Kind of boring.
...
I mean, the view is kind of nice I guess, with the moonlight and all. But nature isn't really my thing, you know?
...
"SIGH!"
I can feel Dora's eyes on me as I slump into the boat.
It's like she doesn't trust me or something.
Totally unfair, right?
Bored, I stick a hand in the water and watch the ripples.
Wow, that's pretty cold for September.
...
I sigh, more legitimately this time.
Glancing around, I examine the only really interesting thing on the lake, the other boats.
Of course, at this angle, and in the darkness? I can't even really get that good a look at the people. So even that is rather pointless. Eventually, I do manage to at least pick Daphne out of the crowd, however.
...
You know, this would be a good time to disprove her comment about the other boats being safer...
My hand strays towards my wand...but I don't draw, sighing once more.
"Wait, really?" Dora says.
I turn to look at her.
"You actually thought better of it? All on your own?" she asks, voice filled with suspicion.
I shrug.
"I do remember the party. As much as I want to prove Daphne's last little comment wrong, if I were to start casting spells at her now and end up dumping her in the lake?" I shake my head sadly. "She would never forgive me."
Dora stares at me for a moment longer before nodding.
"Huh. I guess you can learn."
What I don't mention is how that only goes for Daphne's boat. The others would demonstrate my point almost as well and are fair game.
Now then...
Phoebe. Phoebe! This is our chance. Possibly our only chance! To revive an old family legacy!
To be pirates!
She stiffens in her seat.
I have her attention.
The only problem, Phoebe, is we have a damned marine wannabe aboard, watching our every move. We have to get rid of her first. Can I count on your support?
Excellent, First Mate Black.
...
Yes, of course you are the Navigator as well.
No, I don't think you can be Helmsman.
The boat. It steers itself.
Yes it does count.
Look, are you ready yet? We are on a time limit here.
Good. Now in 3, 2, 1...
Now, as much as I would prefer to make an ominous statement beforehand, getting Dora all suspicious first, before suddenly turning on her and being all dramatic about it? That is a terrible idea.
So instead?
Go.
We lunge without warning, Phoebe snatching Dora's wand out of her loose grip at the same time that I shove her as hard as possible, pushing her off the boat.
"Wha-"
She doesn't have time for a single word before splashing into the water.
Of course, the boats are not going particularly fast. And as a Metamorph? Dora is an insanely good swimmer.
Further measures are required.
"Keep her occupied First Mate!" I order.
Nodding seriously, Phoebe begins casting stinging hexes.
That should slow her down without actually causing her to drown.
Iris sits stiff-backed in her seat, gripping the edge of the boat tightly as she stares at us with her green eyes wide.
I pat her on the head.
"Mutiny Iris, mutiny. I am now the captain of this glorious vessel! Tell me, do you want to be a pirate?"
She looks back at Dora, floundering in the water, swearing as she is pummeled with hexes by an enthusiastic Phoebe.
"...yes?"
"Good answer. Welcome to the crew! I'll find you a hat. And we need to get you a wand...maybe Dora's?"
Phoebe turns and quickly tosses a wand to Iris before resuming her casting.
Catching it, Iris smiles, almost glowing as she connects to the wand.
I cock my head to the side.
That, is not Dora's wand?
Phoebe?
You pickpocketed it?
...
That's why you let me keep falling on the hill?!
Or not...
Ugh, whatever.
Shaking my head, I unshrink the trunk and start digging through it, ignoring the creaking of the boat.
It'll be fine, the Founders knew what they were doing.
Probably.
Let's see here...
First off, the hats. I don't have that many hats, so they are quick to find. Pulling out three pirate hats, I pass them around. Phoebe puts hers on eagerly, Iris with a bit more reluctance.
A quick flick to another compartment and I withdraw my special captain's tool, strapping it to my waist.
Iris stares at me while Phoebe rolls her eyes.
"Dora quit chasing us," she informs me. "Hagrid is slowing down to pick her up, I think?"
I wave her off.
Now then, the most important part. General compartment...hmm. Haven't been in here in a while, lots of junk...
Iris peers over my shoulder as I dig around.
Here we go!
She has to duck as I pull out a short flag pole, swinging it through the space her head just occupied.
Whoops.
Planting it firmly in the middle of the ship, I activate the sticking charm.
"Black team," I whisper.
Smirking, I watch the flag on top change color. Everything still works, even if we haven't used it in a while. Excellent.
Shrinking and putting away my trunk, I wrap a hand around the flag and position myself heroically.
And ignore Phoebe's laughter.
"Lumos"
"Black flags sail upon these waters now, cowards! Surrender, or fight!" I yell into the night.
The few people that weren't paying attention to us before certainly are now.
"Nox"
Smirking, I point my wand at the nearest boat.
(Daphne Greengrass - PoV)
I stare at the two girls Hermione and I share a boat with.
Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott.
I am somewhat familiar with them, though we have never been close.
Still, familiar enough to share a boat. And stories of our train rides.
Experiences that could not have been more different.
They are returning the stare.
"You are joking, right?" Susan asks.
I stare harder.
She shakes her head.
"I've never heard of anyone who had that much stuff happen on the train," she says. "Surely not even the Blacks coul-"
A loud splash interrupts her, followed by copious swearing.
Looking over, I quickly identify Dora...and Phoebe, casting spells at her.
"Oh look, it's happening again," I deadpan.
Doubt me, will they?
I can't really make out what's actually going on over there but those lunatics have to be up to something.
Just as long as I don't get caught in the crossfire, I guess it's fine?
It seems I was right, it really is safer on the other boats.
Naturally, that's when their ship lights up and all my hopes are dashed.
Coeus is wearing a pirate hat and carrying a Merlin-be-damned sword. And somehow the bastard even set up the flagpole from when we used to play capture the flag. Which is, of course, flying a black flag.
I rub my face with one hand. The other draws my wand. I know where this is going.
They would not shut up after reading those damned family journals.
"Black flags sail upon these waters now, cowards! Surrender, or fight!" he announces.
The light fades and seconds later spells are flying and people are yelling as they begin attacking the nearest boat.
Glancing over at Hanah and Susan I see them watching the show, literally slack-jawed.
"So, Susan. Still think I am joking?"
(Terry Boot - PoV)
Laying at the bottom of the boat, crouched up against the side to avoid spell fire is certainly not how I expected to spend the trip across the lake.
"Bloody Black insanity!" Smith complains, crouched down in the middle. "I knew we would have to deal with this madness as soon as I saw the papers this summer, I knew it!"
Looking over at Goldstein, we both roll our eyes. Wasn't that all about a grown man?
Ignoring Smith's ranting, I frown, noticing something odd. No one seems to have shot at us in a while?
Risking a peek over the edge, I check to see what is going on.
It takes a little bit to figure out what changed.
Black is not on the boat.
Err, the boy that is. The one that made the announcement.
The girls that were with him are still there, firing away at everyone, but he has disappeared.
That can't be good...
"Why hello there, Smith,"
Jerking, I roll over to see him standing right behind us.
What the hell?! Is he just standing on the water?!
Smith tries to aim at him only to catch a stinging hex to the hand, then another to the face.
He drops his wand and falls back, swearing.
"Now now, none of that," Black says, stepping into the boat.
Seriously, how is he doing that?
And is he carrying a bloody sword?!
Goldstein, Corner, and I keep very, very still, laying at the bottom of the boat.
Smith stands up and glares at him.
"No more than four to a boat, Black," he all but spits the name.
Black looks amused rather than angry.
"Oh?" Glancing around the tiny boat, he makes a show of counting everyone.
"One, two, three, four, five...huh. Well, I guess you have a point."
His smile is positively vicious.
"One of us really has to go."
Smith's eyes widen as Black kicks him in the stomach, knocking him right off the boat and into the lake.
Bloody hell!
"Any other objections?" he asks.
Yeah, like we are going to speak up after that!
"No? Good, good. Well now, see, I have a bit of a problem. A lack of loot!"
He shakes his head sadly while the three of us eye each other as much as possible without moving our heads.
"Everyone else left their trunks on the train, so there isn't really any treasure to be had. So, instead I have decided to commandeer the ships. So tell me, who would like to join me crew?"
...
He stares at us, an insane grin on his face.
We can still hear plenty of spellfire in the background and Smith splashing about as well.
"Come now lads, don't be shy! All you have to do is fly the colors and cast at everyone else! Pretty simple, right?" he asks.
"Asks" while waving his wand around and rather blatantly gesturing towards us with his sword.
"Uh, Aye-aye captain?" I try.
Will the professors get on to me for joining up? Maybe. But they are a lot less likely to stab me. I am not convinced this kid won't. Holy crap the Blacks are living up to their reputation.
Even his "friendly" smile is terrifying.
"That's the spirit! How about you two?"
Goldstein and Corner quickly nod their agreement as well.
"Excellent, excellent. Now, just remember! Open fire on anyone not flying the colors!"
He hands us a stick with a black flag attached.
"Have fun!" he adds, before stepping onto the water and levitating off?
Sitting up, I finally get a good look and see he is not standing on the water but something else.
A cart? A floating cart? What?
Shaking my head, I turn back to the others as it carries him off to his next target.
"I really hope we don't end up in the same house as him."
Everyone nods.
"At least he got rid of Smith?" Corner suggests.
Harsh...but true. Smith is kind of an ass.
...
"We should probably get to work. I would really prefer he doesn't feel the need to come back."
Once more we all nod.
Eyeing the boat next to us, we raise our wands.
(Coeus Black - PoV)
As we near the cliff face and the curtain of ivy, I know the good times are about to end.
Returning to the flagship, I survey my handiwork.
Malfoy's ship joined me, of course. All it took was a suggestion that he attack the Weasley's boat.
I commandeered two more vessels with crews.
Alas, the third that I boarded resisted to the last man.
Daphne was allowed to fly the flag but not forced to join in.
The others have all taken heavy casualties, and none still resist.
Yes, today was a good day.
Climbing aboard, I nod to Phoebe.
"First mate Black. The battle is won?"
She nods.
"Aye Captain! All vessels other than Hagrid's have joined us or surrendered. Only one lost."
...
What?
"Lost?"
She nods.
"Gunnery Chief Potter was a bit over-enthusiastic."
Iris blushes and ducks her head.
"The ship will probably make port but she will never sail again, that is for certain," Phoebe continues, pointing towards another boat.
Looking in that direction, I see two girls frantically bailing water from a boat.
One with a great hole on one side.
"I see, I see."
I pat Iris on the shoulder.
"Don't worry Gunnery Chief, it was their decision not to surrender sooner. You did your duty."
Iris nods, relieved.
I probably shouldn't mention the fact she broke a priceless Founders relic.
Hrm.
The question is, how to get McGonagall to overlook it?
...
This may be a problem.
I let none of this show on my face, of course, keeping up the image of the victorious conqueror, sailing into the harbor with my fleet and minions.
Yes, despite my concerns, the smirk is very real.
Totally worth it.