Author's Note: This story takes place during the time in America's history when slave labor was used on plantations. Both the Malfoys and the Weasleys have a plantation of their own. Groups of pirates are also common along the coast. Thank you to The Innocent Anonymous Blusher for the plot and help with the title.
Disclaimer: The characters are JK Rowling's.
Ginny shifted uncomfortably on the cushions. No matter how she sat, they seemed to be as hard as rocks, and the road wasn't much help. The wooden wheels of the carriage sank into the ground almost every five minutes. At this rate, it'd take forever to get to the Malfoy's – Ginny wasn't quite keen on making the trip anyway. It was, apparently, a surprise journey to see Percy, who'd been settling the elder Mr. Malfoy's affairs before he'd passed. Ginny honestly didn't see the point; Percy had managed to turn himself into her least-liked brother.
Sighing, Ginny looked pointedly at her companion. She wanted to talk about something – anything – but Miss Granger was too busy looking out the window, gazing at the sea like it held some sort of whimsical secret in its depths. "Hermione?" Ginny said tentatively.
No reaction.
Ginny snapped her fingers in Miss Granger's face. Startled, Hermione turned to look at her.
"Did you want something, Ginevra?" Hermione said curtly, looking a bit miffed that her revelry had been interrupted.
Ginny sat back in her seat. "Don't call me that," she said. "We're friends, 'Mione. You can call me Ginny." She folded her arms. "You know I can't stand it when people call me that."
Hermione sighed and copied Ginny, letting the curtain fall back on the window. "I know," she replied. "It's just… I don't understand."
"Don't understand what?"
Hermione gave Ginny a look. "I could swear that William sent us out here for another reason than just to see Percy." She nearly spat his name. "They're stubborn as mules, your brothers. Won't stop for anything to get what they want." She grumbled for a little bit, then patted her dress, trying to get rid of nonexistent dust. She pulled out her wand and fiddled with it, managing to turn the inside of the carriage yellow.
Grimacing, Ginny leaned over and rested her hand on Hermione's knee. "He's married now, 'Mione. Has a child, even – a little girl, named after our mother. Percy won't be courting you anymore," she said, hoping to sooth Miss Granger's nerves a bit. Hermione fidgeted and brushed off Ginny's hand.
Ginny could have bet that she'd heard Hermione mutter, "Wrong brother." Puzzled, Ginny lifted the curtain covering her window. A view of the sea greeted her. With a gasp, she stuck her head out the window and sucked in a lungful of briny air.
Oh, how she longed to see him. But he was far away, most likely leaning carelessly against the railing of his ship or lying in the sun on some distant shore, not thinking about her.
Harry Potter, the sailor who'd set off on a voyage with her heart and her promise of marriage whenever he should return. He'd probably forgotten all about her, but she couldn't let herself forget about him.
Despairing, she closed the curtain against the sea. There was still hope. He'd only been gone for a month – such journeys could take years.
Suddenly, the carriage stopped. Ginny didn't have time to brace herself; she fell forward, spluttering, into Hermione's lap, who laughed and pushed her away. Without warning, the carriage door opened and a footman poked his head in. "Ladies, we've arrived. Please step out when you're ready."
Still suppressing giggles, Ginny went first, followed by Hermione. When her foot touched the cobbled path, she looked up. A grand house stood before her, complete with white marble pillars and stone steps. The structure was so rich and utterly huge that it was almost a monstrosity – for one thing, it looked extremely cold.
And there, on the front steps, stood the infamous Draco Malfoy, who just happened to be staring unabashedly at her.