Author Notes: Hey Potterheads, I just came up with something and I want to know what you think! It's a different approach to AU, but it does have it's fickle fun that I always love to add.
-This is a Pirate AU with a spin on it. Hope it sounds fun!-
Summary: There is much to be said about the dealings with pirates. Never confess your sins without a smile, hold your sword with courage and your blunderbuss straight. Don't say too much and perform too little, oh, and try not to perform magic where others can see it or they'll call you a demon.
Those were only a few of the rules Hermione was going to have to pick up on as she finds herself not only in some odd bookish plot, but playing a bigger part in it. Will she be able to figure out what role she must play before the end? Or will she follow the easiest rule to being on their ship: If you can't beat them, join them!
The soil was giving under their horses' hooves as the moon was high above. It was waxing, and one of the hooded figures waved his gloved limb in the air. It halted the journey as the four steeds clustered together. The air was thick with the moisture to come from the marine layer as one of the men pulled off his mask, letting it settle on his chin.
"We have about another hour," he reported with a huff.
His chin was clad with facial hair, but a stranger wouldn't ignore the dark crevice on his cheek. The man knew of swords and claws, that was to be sure.
The red hood tore from one of his companion's heads and revealed long curly locks bound back by some scrap clothing. "Moony, we've been at it for an hour. What's the map say?"
Green eyes glinted in the moonlight as he yanked a folded parchment from his coat. They were gliding across the contents with scrutiny as he gathered the changing information. "Well, if we skirt the cove, we might just be able to shave off some time," Moony responded.
The stubby rider pulled off his mask and exhaled loudly. "Anything to get back in the water. We won't stay lucky, and I'd prefer to avoid the gallows."
"You prefer it, Wormtail? How about me? I have a babe on the way," the final man groaned and pulled his hood from his shaggy hair.
"Calm down, Prongs, no one is going to the gallows. We didn't even steal that much from the Malfoy's shipment. Just enough to pay for the repairs on the ship," Moony responded with a nod. "Let's head down to Heartwretch Cove and into Galapos," he ordered as he kicked his horse into motion.
The others followed as the night grew and the glimmering dark waters were seen within view. It was going to be a storm rolling in, and they would be stuck inland if they didn't travel North. The painting of a perfect wind; it would cast them directly toward their destination if they could get out in time.
Well, that was the concept until a flash from the right, on the sand of cove drew Moony's attention. He nearly jerked the horse to a stop, causing the animal to bray in annoyance at his direction. A fire would have been typical, even welcoming, but the flames that were ignited were of blues and reds.
Moony waved his hand in the direction before yanking out his gun and riding toward the crest. It held a small path down toward the shore, which would give them enough time to analyze the situation before joining the fray. He was expecting a raiding party- which the bylaws of Galapos opposed such in this radius.
The man launched himself from the horse and began to slink down the path, trying to see what was making the fire as it glowed. Hollering and strong words were being shouted, but only the vague sense of Latin could be pulled from it.
"Petite lass," someone snarled in the darkness.
"Call me what you like, but I refuse to come with you," A feminine voice rang into the clearing.
Moony could see the whole of them now, prowling in a circle like wild cats posing to strike. A larger man he'd seen before- another pirate. What was his name? Clemen? No, not that. Vergil? No, that wasn't it either.
"The boss would like a look at you," he growled at the girl, holding his gun out toward her. "A little witch in these parts is bound to be worth a shiny couple of coins, maybe even a junk for new crew."
The woman seemed fierce and remarkably calm considering a gun was pointed at close range straight toward her head. She had on a nightgown and seemed to be dripping, did she come from the sea? Her hair was matted with seaweed, and her feet were bare in the sand. "I will have you know, Rosier, I don't plan on going anywhere near you. Voldemort neither," she snapped and held up a whittled stick.
"Siren? Goddess of the sea, what are you?" Rosier questioned as he prepared his shot by subtly clicking back the hammer.
"You were right the first time, now, leave me be," the woman ordered as she raised her stick further to the sky.
Rosier pulled the trigger, but the woman swiped the air and screamed. "Protego!" the bullet just bounced away from her, creating a blue light. "Stupify!"
The pirate wasn't fast enough this time as red light sped toward him and knocked him clear to the ground. Moony jerked himself to a standing position, which alerted the woman to his presence. Her eyes were hard as she examined him, but softened with recognition.
"Remus," she sighed.
"Miss?" He questioned as he holstered his gun and walked toward her.
"Remus, I'm so glad I found you," she huffed and now seemed visibly worn. "What are we doing here?"
He wasn't positive how the woman knew him, but he wasn't about to upset her either. The man just was within arm's length when she launched herself at him and silently sobbed. "It's been too long since I've seen your face," she sighed.
The man was rigid as she held him, but his gloved fingers raced across her hair. "Miss, is there somewhere I could take you?"
"Home," she whimpered.
The woman's legs gave out, and Moony realized she had fainted when she was sound in his grip. Setting the girl down on the sand, he examined her and the wooden tool tightly held within her grasp.
"Moony, is she alright?" Prong's voice was heard behind him.
"No, I don't think she is. We need to bring her back to Galapos with us. Whoever she is, Riddle wants her." Moony announced as he tucked some of her hair from her face. Who was she?
Her eyes fluttered open to the distinct sound of seagulls as she yawned. The light was seen through the boards of the shelter, causing her to jolt up. Now, where was she? It was this baffling blurred event that seemed to play havoc with what she knew was real.
"Oh, good, he said you'd be up fore too long," a shrill voice shook the woman from her inward analysis.
There was an older woman that stepped inside the room and had a glass jug with her. "Where am I?"
"Oh, girl, you be in Galapos for now. Captain Moony saw to ya," the stranger declared and handed her the jug.
The young woman swigged from the bottle and nearly choked. "Ugh, what is this?"
The crone laughed, holding onto her stomach through her ragged clothes. "Grog, girl. Drink in good measure. The sight of foolery is only going to turn your stomach. If your pretty necklace says anythin' about ya, you're in for a surprise."
The woman shuddered and touched the golden trinket. "My name is Hermione," she murmured while handing the bottle back.
"I be Gleta. My husband sails with Captain Moony."
Hermione blinked, and her expression knotted further. "Remus man's a ship?"
Gleta let out another cackle. "Oh, girl. He's the best pirate captain out there. A real sea wolf that man be."
She was glad she was sitting. Hermione felt the color drain from her face and started to see lights. The sour textures of the grog mixing with her potent stomach acids suddenly were surfacing, causing a bout of nausea. "Pirate? Remus Lupin is a pirate? " Hermione choked.
Gleta untucked a rag from her apron and blotted the girl's forehead. "Lass, hold your belly. It's plenty to hear."
"What about Sirius? Is he here too?" Hermione questioned.
Gleta grunted a sound of agreement before swigging the bottle herself. "First Mate on the Marauder's Revenge. I believe their friends hold officer positions. If I were a young lass still, I'd put my booty in that man's cabin," she snickered and grinned with yellow teeth showing.
Hermione swallowed roughly and slapped her own face. "Wake up! This is some manic dream!" She cried in hysterics.
Gleta swiped at her with the rag. "Don't act a fool. Ya, be lucky they want to help you. Even kept your pretty twig safe for ya."
Her wand… Hermione flung herself from the cot and marched from the room. The witch didn't even mind that she was in a nightdress as she sprinted down the hallway and down into what seemed to be a tavern. There weren't many men or women in the main hall. Most were snoozing in their chairs or drinking together, pressed firmly over worn maps and stacks of papers.
This was insane. The thumping in Hermione's chest only grew as she took in all the new textures pouring in from the front door. An out of tune guitar playing somewhere in the dusty streets and shouting of vendors declaring their goods. Even the strong smell of cigar smoke wafted into the space.
Hermione knew her choices were limited. Either continue down this fever-induced dream plot or sit and rock until she was awake. Neither was appealing, but at least she had control over the former. The witch strolled out the doorway and into the bright lights and colors of a pirate town.
Galapos. How does one explain what she saw? Over by one of the palm trees, a man had another bent over in a heated coupling. The center had stalls with women and men offering up clothing, weapons, and food. Cats tussled in the dirt street over a dead mouse or scraps of food. It just was a different world.
"What's a pretty little girl like you wandering around in such a thin dress," A man slurred next to her, causing Hermione to jerk.
She scrutinized the man with a giant sword hanging from his belt. He wasn't someone she knew, nor did she find it appealing to know. "Captain Moony, where is he?" She asked with a commanding tone.
The pirate hiccuped and sipped his canteen. "He be on the Revenge. You the lass he brought in?"
Hermione waved him off and glanced toward the water. There was a boat anchored in the bay, and a flag with a wolf head hung from the mast. How was she going to get aboard to talk to him?
"Oh! Poppet! You're awake," A familiar voice called out into the clearing.
Hermione glanced in the direction it came from and saw with brilliant clarity a person from her past. Sirius Black was younger than he was when he fell through the veil, but his smile had not changed. A woman was hanging off his arm as he strolled up toward her. The man paused only to whisper something to the woman, and she left in a huff before Sirius joined Hermione.
"Sirius, thank Merlin. What is going on here?" She asked with a pout.
Sirius scratched his chin, and his smirk grew lopsided. "I haven't heard my real name in ages. How do we know each other?"
Hermione wanted to scream curses at him. She felt it bubbling with anxiety in her chest. "What do you mean?" She hissed.
"Love, if I shagged you and forgot, I apologize. You're too pretty to leave behind," he teased with a bright smile.
Hermione huffed and waved him off. "We don't have time for your flagrant behavior. Where's Remus?"
"Flagrant? You're quite the educated woman, aren't ya?" He asked with an even wider smirk if that were possible.
"You have no idea. Where is he, Sirius?" Hermione growled through her teeth.
Sirius took out his sword, and Hermione shuddered as he pointed it at her. He then turned the direction of the tip toward the schooner in the cove. "He's on his ship, girl. We can't have you climbing aboard looking like a virgin whore. Let's get you something pretty and meet with Captain Moony. I'm certain he can't wait to hear your story," Sirius finished with a chuckle, placing his sword back in its sheath.
Hermione ignored the heat building in her cheeks and nodded once. "Yes, I need to have words with your Captain ." She sneered at the last word and exhaled.
"Well, Marlene has a dress I'm sure she doesn't mind loaning. Come on, little lass," Sirius responded and touched her shoulder.
Hermione shrugged his hand off and groaned. "My name is Hermione."
Sirius shook his head. "Not anymore. That name just won't work. It's too long and too verbose," he said and waved her along before walking off.
"Now who has the large vocabulary," Hermione grumbled as she followed the marauder.
Sirius barked out a stream of laughter and nodded as he strolled in front of her. "Don't worry; we aren't as bad as Blackbeard's crew. We might even grow on you, girl."
She remained quiet as they approached a small shack- her breath still was shallow in this humid heat. "Just help me get on the fucking boat, Sirius."
"Ah, now that's my language. Okay, Hermione, but only because you sound so pretty when you say fuck."
Thus started the journey to the Marauder's Revenge.