A/N: I'm back! I am so sorry that this has taken me so very long, but I am seriously stuck! This is a fairly short chapter, and the next one wil jump to the end of the first book. I feel bad because I am going to be skipping over so very much in the Harry Potter stories, but the next big part I have planned out is set during the Tri-Wiz, and I can't think around the massive block of 'Here is what will happen!' Also, this story will not go further than fourth year. I am having enough trouble writing out what happens first year, and this is all set up for the main events! Forgive me for the short length, and the choppiness that is too follow. I am fighting real life.
Harry slowly awoke on Christmas morning to the sounds of paper rustling beyond the thick curtains around his bed. The young pirate had swiftly learned the curtains served a practical purpose in keeping out the bitter cold of a Scottish winter that not even magic could completely eradicate. He pushed himself into an upright position and snatched his glasses off the side table, pushing open the curtains as he did. Neville, Dean, and Seamus had all returned home for the holidays, along with the majority of the other students in Gryffindor. The three older Weasleys had remained, and so had Lee Jordan. Harry looked blearily around the dorm room before his eyes settled on Ron, surrounded by the shredded remains of wrapping paper. The redhead grinned brightly at him.
"Happy Christmas Harry! My mum sent you a care package," he said, pointing to the small pile of presents at the foot of Harry's bed. Next to the aforementioned package was a rather large box that Harry pulled toward him. Inside the box was a spyglass and special parchment for creating a map. Harry grinned. He had written to Narya that his new school was so complex that new students should have been given a map when they arrived. The parchment was clearly her response. Another small box held a beautiful statue of Vishnu and a letter from Remus telling of his adventures in India. Apparently, he had learned tremendous control over Moony in the few months since he had parted with the crew, and he was confident that he would be ready to return to England by the summer holidays. There was nothing from Sirius but Harry was hardly surprised. Dumbledore's explanation of exactly who Sirius was and what had caused him to be locked away for a decade had culminated in the wizard being swept out of the Ministry under full pirate guard. Harry had realized that Narya intended to take him with her to Shipwreck and decided it was a good idea. He knew from personal experience that sailing aboard the Pearl was a healing experience. Setting aside the large box from the crew, no doubt filled with small trinkets and treats, Harry opened the care package from Mrs. Weasley. Inside was an assortment of homemade candies and cookies, as well as an emerald green sweater with a large black ship sailing across the front. Harry smiled slightly in confusion.
"Ron, why did your mum send me this? It must have taken ages to make," he asked, looking over to his friend. Ron had pulled his own maroon sweater with a lion on the front. Ron shrugged.
"She makes them for all of us, and she sends one to Lee Jordan every year too. It's because you're friends with me and the twins. And it's not that hard to make them with magic," the redhead explained. Harry pulled the warm sweater over his head, feeling a strange sense of comfort at his friends words. He made a mental note to send Mrs. Weasley a thank you note. A moment later, the twins poked their heads into the room.
"Harry there's-"
"-a Slytherin girl at our door-"
"-asking to see you. Do you-"
"-know anything about this?" the pair finished in unison. In less than a second, Harry was out of his bed and flying down the stairs to the portrait hole. Standing in the hall was Tracy Davis, but she was transformed. Black trousers were tucked into sturdy boots, and a linen shirt was held close to her frame by a vest. An emerald bandana was wrapped around her dark blond hair and thick winter robes hung open over the whole affair. But it was the wide smile that truly transformed the First Year's face.
"Greetings from the Pirate Court, Lord Potter," she said. Harry grinned and bowed to the young girl.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts, milady. How are things with the Court?" he asked. Tracy's smile slipped slightly at the question.
"Tense, but better than before. Now that we know what Calypso called us for, and we have time to prepare. For the first time in centuries, the entirety of the Court is making for the seas. Those who are too old to sail are finding heirs to hand off their pieces. Harry, Lord Montague passed away two nights after the Court had gathered. He left his piece to 'a lioness with the mind of a raven, the heart of a badger, and the hidden cunning of a snake.' Captain Sparrow said you might know who he was talking about. I was entrusted with the piece until I found her," Tracy explained briefly. Frowning in thought, Harry ushered the young Pirate Lord into the Gryffindor Common Room and bade her sit on one of the sofas. The three Weasleys were watching the girl warily, but at seeing Harry's ease around her, they offered warm smiles and Christmas greetings.
"Gred, Forge, we've got a bit of a puzzle that needs figured out. We're looking for a lioness with the mind of a raven, the heart of a badger, and the hidden cunning of a snake. Can you think of any of our housemates that would fit that description?" Harry finally asked. The twins shared a puzzled look and a series of half gestures at the question. To everyone's surprise, it was Ron who solved the puzzle.
"Well, it would have to be Hermione, wouldn't it? She's top of our year, loyal to every lion and she threatened Lavender when she tried to snipe about Tracy being in here at the end of November. And she was able to trick the twins into teaching her Third Year Potions when they thought she was disproving some of their prank ideas. She's even got me doing better on my schoolwork. If that isn't cunning I don't know what is," he said, setting up his battered Wizard's Chess set on a table. Tracy smiled brilliantly and sat down across from the red haired boy.
"With deduction skills like that, you would have done well in Slytherin Ronald," she complimented him. Ron made a face but rotated the board so that Tracy would have the white pieces. Over the course of the following chess match, any animosity between the young Slytherin and the group of Gryffindor's was completely abolished. Harry did not ask for any more details about the meeting of the court, knowing that if it involved him, Narya would tell him. Halfway through the game, he realized he had not opened all of his gifts, so Harry returned to his room. Along with the expected trinkets from the crew, Harry found a soft bundle with a simple note attached.
Your father left this in my care before he died. It is high time it was returned to you. Use it well.
The note was unsigned, but the loopy handwriting did seem slightly familiar. Opening the package, Harry found a strange, shimmering cloak. He pulled it on and was surprised to find it was very warm despite being very nearly see through. He headed back down to the Common room to show his friends and Tracy let out a shriek of fright.
"Harry! What happened to your body?" she cried. The three Weasleys were on their feet, staring at their friend as he pulled the cloak from his shoulders.
"A real Invisibility Cloak! Those things cost a fortune!" Ron breathed in awe. Harry looked down at the cloak and a sly wicked smile spread across his face.
"Lads…"
Time in Shipwreck passed fairly quickly for the crew of the Pearl. Many were subdued by the sudden death of Edgar, but Narya urged them to remember the happier times with the old man, as he would have wanted. One morning in the spring, the crew was startled by a sudden roar from the Captain's cabin. A moment later Narya stormed out the door, a piece of parchment clutched in one hand.
"Black!" she bellowed. Sirius had been standing on the docks with Thomas, lightly teasing the young man about his growing relationship with Zola. At the Captain's shout, he shifted into a great black dog and bounded up the gangplank to her feet, giving a short bark once he sat before her. To her credit, Narya barely blinked at the display, though many of the crew snickered at the sight.
"Our young lad was caught out after curfew recently. He and two friends lost a hundred and fifty points for their house, and were given a detention in the Forbidden Forest. Harry tells me that he was set upon by a specter that was drinking unicorn blood. I was assured that school was safe!" she exclaimed. Sirius shifted back into his human form and took the letter from Narya.
"Why was Harry out after curfew?" he asked. A small smirk appeared on the Captain's face.
"He told me that the groundskeeper had hatched a dragon's egg, and he and Lady Granger were spiriting it away from the castle so the man wouldn't get arrested by your Ministry. His friend Neville was trying to warn them that a little prat by the name of Malfoy was trying to tattle on them and was found out as well. The dragon wasn't found, but they were caught returning to the dorms," she explained. Sirius chuckled. Hagrid's love of dangerous animals was legendary among the Hogwarts alumni, and everyone knew of the gentle giant's longing for a dragon.
"But he is safe? He wasn't harmed?" Sirius pressed. Narya shook her head.
"He was rescued by a centaur. I'll have to make a trip out there to give the fellow a gift in thanks for protecting our boy," she said. A surge of warmth stole over Sirius at Narya's choice of words. He ginned at her.
"Just like Lily, charming everyone he meets," he said. Narya returned his smile, but it quickly faded.
"Sirius, I'm worried. I know Harry, and there is something going on in that school that he is not telling me. Weather it is because he doesn't want me to worry, or he thinks it would do little good, he is hiding something from me," she said. The wizard reached up and gently gripped her shoulder.
"How long would it take us to sail to Scotland?" he asked. Narya met his eyes for a moment and nodded, leaning forward and pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.
"Mr. Turner! Gather the crew! We sail for Scotland with the tide!" she bellowed. The crew sailed into action as Sirius stood on the deck, feeling rather flabbergasted with his fingers pressed to the spot where her lips had touched his skin. No denying it now Padfoot, old boy, he thought to himself. He looked about to offer his help when he spotted Captain Teague standing on the dock staring at him. He swiftly descended the gangplank and stopped before the ancient Keeper.
"It's going to take you time to reach Harry. By the time you get there it will all be over, but the lad could use your support," Teague was watching Sirius closely.
"I never put much stock in Divination before. Since meeting the Court I have definitely been changing my opinions about a number of things," the wizard replied.
The future is never truly set in stone mate. I just get impressions, feelings. I feel that all the excitement will be over by the time you get to the castle. Just as I have a feeling that you are falling for my great grandchild," the Keeper's eyes focused unerringly upon Sirius. The Marauder drew upon his Gryffindor courage and looked the ancient captain in the eye.
"That, I believe, is between myself and the lady," he said flatly. A slow smile spread across Teague's face.
"That, my lad, is the right answer. Just don't be afraid to jump at the opportune moment," was all the man said before turning and walking away. Sirius got the feeling it was the closet to a blessing he would ever get from the old man. Turning back to the ship, Sirius set his mind on getting the crew out to sea, and returning to Harry.
A/N: I am so so sorry, but there is likely going to be a long wait for the next chapter. Real life and writer's block have sideswiped me big time, but I will give you this tidbit! Next chapter will have Captain Sparrow's arrival at Hogwarts, and snippets of the summer before Second Year. To everyone who has reviewed my story, THANK YOU! You guys are the reason this story is continuing. You remind me that people do actually want to know what happens next. Again, thank you.
