Chapter Two

Everyone performs for a different reason. Some love the lights, the attention. Others just want to make you smile, cry, laugh, feel. They all have a reason.

Ginny had her own reasons to be a female pirate. As did Luna and Parvati. To the untrained eye, Ginny merely joined because of her duty as best friend. While it was true that Ginny would have inevitably joined for that reason, a confrontation that week, with Harry, had pushed her over.

Hermione Granger was beginning to think Ginny was on to something.

It was no secret that Ginny fancied Harry and it was no secret that Hermione fancied Ron. Lately, Ginny's ardor had cooled considerably in regards to the Boy Who Was Dense. In fact, she wasn't really interested. Naturally, Harry had suddenly decided to notice her. Of course, so had every other boy in the school.

Ginny remained perfectly oblivious.

She slumped onto the bench beside Hermione. Today she was wearing red and gold striped capris with a tattered short sleeve shirt. Her hair was down and kept back by a black bandana. She wore a pair of knee high black boots, trimmed in gold filigree and a white sash across her hips.

Hermione glanced at her then shoved a plate of food, "Have a nice night?"

Ginny grinned, "You have no idea. How 'bout you?"

Hermione shrugged, "Same as usual."

"You know, we could always use an extra hand on the Hogwarts," Ginny said as Harry, blushing, came over.

"Hey, Ginny. Uh... looking good!"

Ginny stuck a piece of bacon in her mouth and leveled a glare at him, "What do you want, bilge rat?"

Harry winced, "Okay, I deserved that."

"You deserve a lot more, but let's see how much of a fool you can make of yourself before I continue to berate you."

Harry fidgeted, "Well, it's just, I could use some help with my uh... potions home work. I uh... heard you were pretty good."

Ginny dipped a strawberry in whipped cream and ate it. Hermione wondered if Ginny knew just how seductive she could be. Probably not.

"So's Mione," Ginny said with a flick of her head.

Harry glanced at Hermione, "Oh, uh, yeah. But look-"

"Harry," Ginny began, getting up. "I'm not interested. Not any more. You broke my heart."

"But-"

"No buts. I'm late for class. Mione, thanks for the breakfast." Ginny said, gathering her things and getting up.

"Ginny!" Harry whined.

Ginny turned and faced him. She sighed, "Ron, did I ever tell you about the time Harry broke my heart?"

Harry's eyes went wide. Ron, rising like a god of war behind his best friend, looked murderous.

"No, Ginny. But don't be late for class. I'm sure Harry will tell me the details," Ron purred, descending on his hapless best friend.

Ginny winked at Hermione and sauntered off.

888

Hermione had always been envious of Ginny's ability to just waltz off and become a pirate. All right, so she wasn't really a pirate, but the fact remained that Ginny was doing what most girls only dreamed of. She was the princess of the pirates, not yet caught by any man alive, yielding only to Luna, her best friend and captain.

And the guys were flocking to her. Hell, Hermione had even seen Zabini giving the redhead the eye on occasion. And every one knew how hard he was to please.

But what Hermione admired the most, was that Ginny was taking the high road. She wasn't dating every guy in an effort to flaunt to Harry what he had lost. She was just having fun. Sure, she was getting a bit of revenge in the bargain, but that was just natural.

Ginny had of course offered Hermione a position on the Hogwarts whenever she wanted to join them. Hermione had politely refused but now, as her already non-existent relationship with Ron, the man she had spent five years chasing, deteriorated, she was beginning to think Ginny might be on to something.

It was no secret that when Hermione wanted something, she generally got it. She wanted Ron. Or had. The first time she saw the gangly boy she had to resist the urge to giggle at him. He was just so darned cute, with that scraggly rat and his spells.

So she had put on her best hat and trudged forward. Only the idiot wasn't cooperating. He was supposed to be falling for her. Instead, what was he doing? Treating her like a bloody boy.

Hermione made her way to the common room. Ginny was curled up in one of the couches with Padma beside her. Ginny was still in her outfit from the morning. Padma on the other hand was dressed in a long sleeved white off the shoulders top with a black and gray corset over top and a red knee length skirt with a black skull and crossbones belt. Her boots were brown, coming to her thighs with gold buckles. She wore her long hair in two plaits with a brown pirate hat atop her head.

Both girls glanced up as Hermione entered the common room. "Hey, Mione. How were classes?" Ginny asked, as Padma slid over for her.

"Pretty good. I-"

What ever Hermione was going to do say was stalled as Ron and Romilda waltzed into the common room. Romilda was laughing insipidly at something Ron had just said and Ron was grinning like a fool.

Romilda looked over to see Hermione and her look became decidedly cat like.

"Well, well, if it isn't the pirates and their pet dyke."

Ginny and Padma immediately sat up straighter, hands straying to their hips, where they usually had swords buckled on.

Hermione felt herself go still. Her eyes flickered to Ron. "Ron? Do you have anything to say about that?" she hissed.

Ron looked at his sister, "What? You are a pirate?"

"I meant me!" Hermione shrieked, jumping to her feet.

Ron blinked in his stupid way. Then he threw his arm around Romilda's shoulders, "Well, Mione, you do seem pretty much like that. I mean..."

Hermione had no interest in what Ron meant. She crossed the room. Grabbing Romilda's shirt, she pulled the bimbo close and slammed the crown of her head into the irritating girl's plastic nose.

888

Luna leaned on the rail as she watched the sun set in shades of violet and fuchsia. She was dressed in a pair of pink and white striped stockings over which she wore a black tattered skirt and frumpy black boots. She wore her usual cross belt for the dual pistols and another one coming down from her shoulder to her hip to balance the sword. She wore a black corset with puffy white sleeves hanging from it.

She turned around as the gangplank creaked. Ginny wasn't due back with the books she was getting and Padma had been down below since returning from the Gryffindor tower.

Luna walked over. Hermione Granger was standing half way up the plank, holding her trunk. Behind her, a grin on her freckled face, Ginny Weasley held the other half of the trunk.

"Permission to board?" Hermione asked.

Luna gave Hermione her best dazzling grin. "Permission granted. Welcome aboard, Bosun Hermione."

(A/N: Was there ever a doubt I would continue?

And! Because I'm such a total tease, here's a preview of a chapter to come.

"Pirates steal things, girly." He crowed, leaning in.

She stood rooted to the spot, wanting to move away but afraid to let it go. His lips met hers and then they were gone, so fast yet so perfect.

"Now," He began, pulling back. "I've got what I came for."

She didn't know if he meant the kiss or her heart, because sure as day, he had both.

God! I'm horrible!

To dolly- Squeee! Thank you!