Chapter Nine

Flying High

Draco decided he liked flying with a broom a lot better than with pixie dust. For one thing, he had a lot more control with a broom in his hands. Not to mention he would have to hold hands with Harry Potter. Or Neville.

Still, he was trying to look at the bright side. He was kinda being the hero this time. True, Potter and Neville were along as well, but he could live with that.

Neville had a bag of pixie dust which he had used to come here. He only had enough to get there but he was pretty certain he could get them more before they had to go back.

"Here we go, mates!" Neville yelled as a world suddenly exploded into view. "We'll check out the Hollow Tree first. That's where the Lost boys hang mostly," he explained for Draco's benefit.

Draco nodded, wondering yet again why they needed Ron on this expedition. Ron argued that Ginny was his sister and Draco argued that he was probably part of the reason Ginny was here to begin with.

"I don't think that'll be necessary," Potter muttered.

Draco followed his gaze. To the left there was a pirate ship. The flag was up and there was activity below. Even from their height, Draco could make out Ginny's shock of red hair. He felt his heart pound as she was surrounded by a series of piratical looking fellows. He suddenly felt like he could take on the world. If it made him a hero in her eyes, he would die for her.

Neville grabbed his arm. "Hold your horses, hero. I've got a plan."

888

Ginny was really wishing she had taken Bill up on his offer of sword fighting lessons when they were little.

When the pirates jumped out of the trees she had naturally assumed that Peter would fight them off. Maybe lead a retreat. Anything.

Instead he merely stood there, laughing as scores of pirates surrounded her. Ginny, not entirely helpless, had fought, sending every oath at Peter and the pirates alike until they subdued her.

She had been bound and gagged and shoved in the storage bin of the ship. She knew enough about knots and ropes from her brothers that she had no trouble getting out. She was greeted by the crew on the deck.

She stole a sword easily enough. None of the pirates expected her to know how to use it. Aside from a few stances, Ginny didn't. But she took the engarde position and the crew stepped back, wary of fighting a girl, let alone one who might know something.

"I would give up, Miss Weasley."

Ginny turned to see a handsome young man standing on the foredeck. He had dark hair and a killer smile. He could have been a hero but Ginny knew in her heart this was Captain Hook.

"I'm not nearly so hopeless as that," Ginny returned.

"You should be. No one's coming to rescue you. Pan is in my pocket now. No one from home cares enough to come to your aide."

He descended the stairs, holding out a hand to her. "Come with me."

A crew member suddenly brandished a scarlet dress. Another held out a box of elaborate jewelry.

"It can all be yours. All you have to do is say the word."

The dress suddenly shimmered, becoming a bright green.

"You look better in green, princess."

Ginny and Hook spun, to stare at the blonde figure in the rigging even as three more figures dropped to the deck.

Draco Malfoy smiled down at Ginny.

(A/N: FUUuuuUUck. I forgot I never finished this story. I am a horrible human being.)