Seaworthy (T)
They were on the fifth day of dead wind, huddled together in the cool of the dawn. Their magic reserves dwindling from providing propulsion to their boat, they chose to drift towards their destination and hope the rations would last. Together, they watched through the rigging as the light on the horizon progressed from scarlet to orange to a white too bright to see.
Draco peered over the gunwale into the glassy water to scry their future. In answer, the mirrored surface shattered as the air stirred, at first with the temperature of a fevered lover before cooling into something momentarily refreshing. Their sail filled with wind and the telltales fluttered merrily, belying what that awaited them. Seeds of clouds grew in the blue until wispy cotton condensed like coal into the dark of an impending storm. The water grew textured and toothy and soon the white-tipped swells lapped at the bow.
Draco, hand heavy on the tiller, kept watch from helm to horizon, as Harry prepared the rigging with deft fingers. “Here it comes,” Draco yelled over the whistling gusts. Harry could see the windline traveling despite the heavy waves. Even with the sail reefed, the storm’s wind hit them with such force they tumbled leeward. The rain came with the wall of wind, drenching them and blinding them to all but what they could touch. The air crackled with light and sound. Another gust and the craft heeled dangerously. Draco clung to the windward stays, leaning out over the churning water, but Harry lost his footing and slipped down into the sea with a scream that Draco saw more than heard over the storm before disappearing in the waves.
In desperation, Draco, with the dregs of his magic, cast into the ocean a line, fishing for precious quarry. He sensed Harry’s magic like an echo and, seeking it, wrapped himself around it, constricting, protecting — a lifeline. It was just enough to haul Harry out of the depths. Together, exhausted, they held each other, wound around the mast until the storm broke — until heavenly rays filtered down through the clouds, setting the ocean alight. Looking up, Harry saw the sunlit wings of a flock of gulls. Land ho!