The Cursed Pearl of the Caribbean

by M. A. Williams

An ancient book in the library transports Hermione to the past where those around her believe she is the youngest daughter of a Governor in small harbour town and that she has amnesia... A tale of danger, piracy and eventually love. A/N: 31/03/19 - Sequel for this story is currently being drafted.

14. Chaos is a Butterfly, Order is a Fallacy

Chapter 14 - Chaos is a Butterfly; Order is a Fallacy

Disclaimer: I do not own anything relating to PotC nor HP as they remain the properties of their respective owners. I do own the plot though and any additional characters I add. Also, the familiar dialogue is from the PotC films which belong to Disney and the director Gore Verbinski.

A/N: Here's this chapter edited and tidied up.

oOoOo

Hermione watched Will getting dragged through a corridor, passing by a painter who was painting a detail of a world map on a mural. She made to get her wand out from the sleeve of her dress, but a tiny shake of Will's head stopped her. Feeling helpless, Hermione left the hallway, walking out onto the parapet. Looking out at the ocean, she wished she followed Jack. Life on the sea would have been better than this.

She hated this feeling, knowing there was nothing she could do to stop the world around her from falling apart. All because they broke Jack out of jail… again. Her mind strayed back to Will, wondering what Beckett could want with him.

oOoOo

The guard brought Will into Beckett's office, the chains of his manacles clanking. Stopping, the guard saluted Beckett. 'Lord Beckett, the prisoner as ordered, sir,' he announced.

Beckett turned around, glancing down at the manacles holding Will prisoner. 'Those won't be necessary,' he said to the guard. The guard nodded, moving over to Will, and removing the manacles. Will rubbed his painful wrists, the manacles were tight. Beckett nodded to the guard again and, giving him a salute, he left the room. Walking over to the liquor cabinet, he took out a bottle of whisky, pouring two glasses, and handed one to Will. He looked at it suspiciously, and Beckett chuckled. 'I haven't poisoned it. You saw me pour it.'

Will swirled the brown liquid in the glass. 'Can never be too sure,' he answered, taking a sip. 'So, I imagine this is not a meeting for a chat, so what do you want?'

Beckett took a sip of his whisky. 'The East India Trading Company has need of your services. We wish for you to act as our agent in a business transaction with our mutual friend: Captain Sparrow.'

Smirking, Will said, 'More acquaintance than friend. How do you know him?'

'We've had dealings in the past, and we've each left our mark… on the other,' he answered, leaving Will to ponder this information.

Will frowned, looking down at his glass of whisky. 'What mark did he leave on you?'

Beckett was silent for a moment, staring out the window. He looked back at Will. 'By your efforts, Jack Sparrow was set free,' he said, ignoring Will's question. 'I would like you to go to him, and recover a certain property in his possession,' he told him, leaving no room for argument.

'Recover? At the point of a sword?' he asked, finding this to be a suicide mission in the making.

Beckett leaned forward. 'Bargain!' he said slowly as if he was speaking to a child. He watched Beckett walk over to a wooden box on a table in the corner, opening the lid. He pulled something out, turning back to Will and waving them in the air. 'Letters of the Marque. You will offer what amounts to a full pardon. Jack will be free, a privateer in the employ of England,' he told him, thinking this was a fantastic offer.

Will laughed bitterly. 'Somehow I doubt Jack will consider employment the same as being free. I do not even think he would be able to hold down a job. It just doesn't have the same excitement that pillaging and plundering has.'

Beckett nodded, his expression thoughtful. 'Freedom. Jack Sparrow is a dying breed. The world is shrinking, the blank pages of the map filled in. Jack must find his place in the new world or perish. Not unlike you, Mister Turner. You and your fiancée face the hangman's noose,' he advised, looking at him.

Will's expression darkened at his words. 'So, you get both Jack and the Black Pearl.'

Beckett frowned in confusion, 'The Black Pearl?'

'The property you want that he possesses.'

Beckett laughed at this. 'A ship? Hardly! We have plenty of ships. The Black Pearl is of no interest to us,' he paused, calming his laughter, before continuing. 'No, Mr Turner, the item in question is considerably smaller and far more valuable. Something Sparrow keeps on his person at all times. A compass,' he revealed. Will's eyes widened in recognition and confusion about why they would want a useless compass. Beckett smiled at his expression. 'Ah, you know it. Bring back that Compass, or there's no deal,' he told him.

Will looked down at the glass in his hand. Could he betray Jack like that? Lifting the glass to his lips, he knocked the rest of the whisky back, nodding to Beckett who smirked.

oOoOo

Jack tilted his head from where he was sitting in a chair, leaning down over a map on the table, a set of callipers in his left hand. His "P" brand mark was showing on his right arm from this point of view. An hourglass in the background was filtering sand into the bottom as Jack tapped his compass. He picked up his compass, not liking what it was showing. He closed the lid, shook it, and sneaked a peek inside. He snapped it shut, still not liking what it showed.

He had been sitting like this now for hours, trying to chart a course with a divider and triangle protractor. After several attempts, he scratched them all out.

He sighed, picking up his bottle of rum from the table which felt too light for his liking. He looked into the bottle, turning it upside-down, and only a few drops spilt out. 'Why is the rum always gone?' He asked to no one. Rising to his feet, he staggered against the table, a smile flitting onto his face. 'Oh! That's why!' he said in amusement, answering his question.

Staggering over to the world globe, he plucked his hat off the top of it, before making his way out onto the deck. There were miles of empty ocean all around them, neither a ship nor shore in sight. Jack staggered towards a hatch on the deck, almost tripping over Leech.

Leech stirred. 'Heading, Captain?' he asked, half-asleep.

Jack looked at him, staggering a little and trying to focus his eyes. 'Steady as she goes...' he slurred.

He reached the hatch, opening it wide and carefully made his way down the ladder into the crew's cabin. He picked up a lantern, lighting it before walking into the cabin further. Hammocks were strung up in the room, and the sailors were all sleeping. Some of them were snoring, Cotton among them with his foot jammed into Marty's face.

Chickens were clucking loudly, and Jack pulled out his pistol. The chickens suddenly went silent. 'That's what I thought,' he muttered, continuing past the hammocks. Jack stopped next to Cotton's hammock, before looking around at his crew in general. 'As you were, gents,' he muttered, before moving on and downstairs into the hold. An animal bleated as Jack unlocked the door, walking in.

He looked around, grimacing at the eerie filter feeder creatures festooning a beam of wood. Looking around further, swinging the lantern around, he finally spotted a rack of bottles stored sideways in a wine rack. 'Ah!' he said happily, walking over. He tried to pull one from the rack, which proved difficult because it had barnacles covering it. It felt wrong, so he uncorked it, and turned it upside-down, watching sadly as sand poured out.

'Time's run out, Jack,' came a voice from behind him, making Jack drop the bottle in fright. The bottle smashed to the floor, the glass shards flying out in all directions.

Jack turned to see who had spoken, 'It's rude to startle a man holding ru-' he trailed off upon noticing the lone figure hiding in the shadows. He was pale, with bleached out skin; starfish and barnacles seemed to be part of his face and neck. Walking over, he recognised who it was. 'Bootstrap? Bill Turner?' he asked as if trying to convince himself it was the same man.

Bootstrap looked up from where he was sitting on a barrel; crabs were scuttling across his face. 'Jack Sparrow. You look good,' he answered.

Bootstrap stepped out of the shadows then, and Jack wished he could say the same for him. He tried a few times, but he couldn't get the words past his lips. Instead, he looked around in confusion. 'Is this a dream?' he asked him.

'No, lad,' Bootstrap answered, looking at him in amusement.

Jack nodded, 'I thought not. If it were, there'd be rum.'

Bootstrap smiled crookedly, showing his rotting teeth. He reached into his seaweed covered jacket, pulling out a bottle of rum, handing it to Jack. Excitedly, Jack pried the bottle from Bootstrap's hand with a crackling sound. It had encrusted with barnacles. He took a deep sniff of the bottle; it was rum. He wiped the mouth of the bottle before taking a drink.

'You got the Pearl back, I see,' Bootstrap stated, startling Jack a little.

Jack was so caught up in staring at Bootstrap it took him a moment to register what he said, 'Bouillabaisse...' he mumbled, trailing off before catching himself. He gave himself a mental shake. 'I had some help retrieving the Pearl,' he told him. He tapped the lip of the bottle with his fingers, blowing across the top of the bottle. 'Your Son,' he advised him, taking a drink from the bottle of rum.

Bootstrap was a little shocked at this revelation. 'William?' he asked in disbelief as Jack nodded. 'He ended up a pirate, after all.'

Jack chuckled. 'Given a liberal definition of the word "pirate". He's got an unhealthy streak of honest to him,' he answered.

'That's something, then. Though no credit to me,' he said, smiling a little.

There was silence for a moment as Jack drank his rum, and Bootstrap stared off into the distance, probably reminiscing. Changing the subject, Jack asked, 'So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your carbuncle?'

He watched a myriad of expressions flit across Bootstrap's face. 'Davy Jones. He sent me as an emissary,' he said.

Jack closed his eyes for a moment, nodding. He was expecting this day to come, but he hoped he was wrong. 'Ah, so it's you, then? He shanghaied you into service, eh?'

'I chose it,' Bootstrap answered. A small hermit crab scuttled by Bootstrap, on top of the barrel where he was sitting. Bootstrap grabbed the hermit crab, popping it into his mouth, crunching on it. Jack watched in revulsion, looking as though he was about to throw up.

Jack looked at the bottle of rum, before handing it back to Bootstrap. He shook his head in the negative. 'I'm sorry for the part I played in mutiny'ng you, Jack,' he said sincerely. In truth, he never wanted anything to do with it. Jack knew this and waved it off. Bootstrap continued, 'Everything went wrong after that. I ended up cursed, doomed to the depths of the ocean, the weight of the water crushing down on me. Unable to move... unable to die. All I could do was think. And mostly I thought, even the tiniest hope of escaping this fate... I would take it. Trade anything for it,' he revealed sadly.

'That is the kind of thinking bound to catch his attention,' Jack answered.

'It did. Davy Jones came. Made the offer. I could spend one hundred years before the mast, with the hope that after, I would go on to a peaceful rest,' Bootstrap said.

'It's funny what a man will do to forestall his final judgement,' Jack said, nodding thoughtfully as his plight came to the forefront of his mind.

Bootstrap nodded, catching on to Jack's thoughts. 'You made a deal with him, too, Jack. He raised the Pearl from the depths for you, and thirteen years you've been her Captain.'

Jack smiled, gulping. 'Technic-' he cut himself short.

Bootstrap raised his eyebrows. 'You won't be able to talk your way out of this,' he said. Another crab crawled out of Bootstrap, and he crushed it and ate it. 'The terms what applied to me apply to you, as well. One soul, bound to crew a lifetime upon his ship.'

'Yes, but the Flying Dutchman already has a Captain, so there's no need for me,' he said.

Bootstrap sighed, nodding his head. He expected this answer from Jack. 'Then it's the locker for you. Jones' leviathan will find you and drag the Pearl back to the depths, and you along with it.'

Jack sighed. 'Any idea when Jones might release said terrible beastie?'

'I told you, Jack: your time is up,' Bootstrap answered, looking down and nodding at Jack's hand. Jack's eyes widened, as he looked down at the palm of his left hand in terror where a black spot was boiling into view. 'It's not a matter of how long 'til it comes after you. It's a matter of how long 'til you're found,' Bootstrap added.

Jack stared at the spot, opening his mouth to speak. Panic-stricken, he looked up, realising Bootstrap had disappeared. 'That's not good,' Jack said, terror filling his voice as he turned tail. He sprinted out of the hold, through the crew's cabin, and up onto the deck of the Black Pearl. Jack continued running across the wooden deck which had a shallow covering of water. He grabbed some cloth, wrapping his hand around it to cover the black spot. 'On deck all hands! Lift the skin up, make fast the bundt gasket! On deck! Scurry! Scurry-on! Keep your loaf! Have care of the lee hatch! Marty, I want movement! I want action!' he shouted, startling the crew who were watching him in confusion.

'Lift the skin up!' Gibbs ordered the crew, and they started making ready to move.

'All on deck! Haul those sheets! Haul 'em! Run, mates! And keep running! Run, as if the devil himself and itself is upon us!' Jack ordered, looking out to sea, his eyes alight in fear.

Gibbs turned to him. 'Do we have a heading?'

Jack nodded quickly. 'Ah! Ooh! Run! Land,' he said, rising from where he ducked behind the base of the mast.

Gibbs frowned at him. 'Which port?' he asked, wondering what had got Jack in a frenzy.

Jack shook his head. 'Didn't say port. I said land. Any land. Preferably the one Cassandra is on… she'll protect me,' he told him, nodding.

'Protect you?' Gibbs asked, his frown deepening. 'May I remind you if you return to Port Royal you're bound to get hanged, drawn, and quartered… not necessarily in that order?'

Jack looked at the mast, contemplating his words. 'True, just land then… any land. Away from water,' he answered. Jack lowered his head, wishing now more than ever that Cassandra had taken him up on his offer. Then she'd be on the ship… protecting him.

Jack, the monkey, chose that moment to drop onto Jack's shoulder and scream. Startled, Jack snarled back, trying to swat him away from him. The monkey performed a spinning leg kick aimed for his hat. His hat flew off, tumbling overboard. The monkey leapt into the rigging, laughing.

'Jack's hat! Bring 'er about!' Gibbs shouted, sounding almost panicked thinking Jack would murder them if he lost his hat.

Jack stopped him. 'No, no! Leave it! Run!' he told him, the panic in his demeanour was starting to worry Gibbs.

Gibbs turned back to the crew, not believing his ears. The monkey and the crew couldn't believe it either. 'Back to your stations! The lot o' ya!' Gibbs ordered as the crew went back to their posts in bewilderment. They would think Jack had gone mad if they didn't know he was already mad. Jack moved away from the mast, ducking into the shadow of some steps, standing stiffly between two lighted windows. Gibbs followed him, stopping as he reached the stairs. 'Jack?' he said, looking at the stricken Captain in confusion.

'Shhh!'

'For the love of mother and child, Jack, what's coming after us?' Gibbs asked him.

Jack had never felt this terrified in his life. What was coming after them was the worst thing he could imagine. Jack paused, looking out at sea through the gap in the stairs before looking back at Gibbs. 'Nothing,' he answered, but Gibbs was not convinced.

Jack gave Gibbs a little "shoo, back to work" gesture. Gibbs stared at Jack who was staring back out at the water. On the water, Jack's hat floated, turning slowly. The water gradually started brightening up as the daylight came.

oOoOo

Will, Hermione, and the Governor descended the stone steps into the prison. The guard at the bottom of the steps held out his arm to stop them, holding a long gun with a bayonet on the end, 'Here now. He can't be here. Mister Swann-' he cut off, falling on the ground, and Hermione put her wand back in her sleeve.

Governor Swann and Will knelt down to check him, 'He's asleep!' Governor Swann pronounced in confusion.

'Maybe he was just exhausted?' Hermione answered innocently, but she noticed Will tilt his head and she winked at him. He couldn't help but smile when he realised she was the one who put him to sleep.

'In any case, he's alive. Let's get to Elizabeth,' Will said, leading the other two towards the cells at the back of the room.

'Will! Cassandra! Father!' Elizabeth cried as she saw them.

'Elizabeth!' Will said, falling to the ground at her cell, reaching through the bars to take her hands.

'Are you well, Elizabeth?' Governor Swann asked her, looking at her with a critical eye.

'As well as can be expected, but I'll be fine,' Elizabeth answered, before looking over to where Hermione was keeping watch. 'Cassandra?' she called, causing the younger girl to look at her.

Hermione was conflicted. Earlier in the day, after his release, Will forced her to sit with Governor Swann and explain who she was. Governor Swann was fuming, and then he was just worried about Cassandra. It ended up being a tearful talk which resulted in Governor Swann hugging and accepting her. He said he wouldn't report her.

Governor Swann opened his mouth. 'Elizabeth, this girl is not your Sister,' he advised her.

Hermione felt herself shrinking as Elizabeth's confused eyes turned on her. 'Who are you?' she asked in a gentler tone than Hermione was expecting.

Hermione raised her head, tears welling in her eyes. 'I'm sorry,' she said quietly, trying to calm her rapidly beating heart before continuing. 'My name is Hermione Granger…' she trailed off, and tried to continue, but a bang from outside made her stop. 'Look, I'll explain everything later, I promise. Right now we need to hurry,' she advised as another bang echoed from outside.

Elizabeth continued looking at her suspiciously, before nodding. 'I understand,' she answered.

Hermione nodded, running towards the doors. Closing them, she pulled out her wand, muttering the locking charm, and she heard a click. Satisfied, she turned and went back into the room. 'We're safe for now,' she told them.

Will nodded to her before turning back to Elizabeth. 'I have been given a job to do. Beckett has ensured our freedom if I can get Jack's compass,' he told her.

Elizabeth frowned. 'Jack's compass? What could Beckett possibly want with that?' she asked, wondering what Beckett was up to.

'I asked the same question,' Hermione said, joining in as she sat on the bench. They all looked at her. 'What could Beckett want with a compass that doesn't work? It doesn't even point North!' she stood up, clicking her fingers. 'I bet there's a secret to it, like a compartment which opens up and has a map or something in it,' she nodded, happy with her deduction. Though she had no idea why the compass was special. 'Why else would he want it?' she asked, the question hypothetical.

Will shook his head. 'Does it matter?' he asked her harshly, and Hermione felt herself deflating at this. She was starting to believe nothing would ever be the same with them. Ever since she told him the truth, he had been harsher and almost uncaring towards her. She wished even more that she had gone with Jack, and had half a mind to leave to search for him. At least he cared about her… in some weird way anyway. She tuned back into her surroundings then as Will started speaking to Elizabeth again. 'I'm to find Jack and convince him to return to Port Royal. In exchange, the charges against us will be dropped,' he told her.

'Well, that's it, then. We must find our own avenue to secure your freedom,' Swann put in.

'Is that lack of faith in Jack, or in me?' Will asked him.

Swann sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. 'That you would put your life at risk to save Sparrow's does not mean he would do the same for anyone else,' he answered, and looked around the cell block then. 'Where is that silly dog with the keys?'

'I have faith in you. Both of you. It's Cutler Beckett who can't be trusted,' Elizabeth said, shaking her head.

Hermione looked at the ground sadly. 'If I hadn't set Jack free...' she trailed off, closing her eyes to stop the tears from welling up.

'Don't say that, Hermione. You were right in what you did,' Elizabeth answered instantly.

'I never expected you would bear the consequences of my actions, though,' Hermione answered quietly. She glanced at Elizabeth then, noticing Will was glaring at her.

Elizabeth squeezed Will's hand, frowning at him. He yelped, looking at his hand. 'What was that for?' he asked her.

'Hermione is not wholly responsible for this, so don't you dare look at her like this is all her fault. I will gladly share the consequences because if she hadn't freed him, I would have or you would have, William Turner,' she growled.

Will looked away from her, knowing she was right. 'I know, I'm just upset with the situation,' he answered, taking her hand and kissing it.

Elizabeth nodded. 'I know. We all are,' she said gently. She looked at everyone in turn, before turning her gaze back to Will. 'How are you going to find him?' she asked.

'Tortuga. I'll start there, and I won't stop searching until I find him. Then I intend to return here, to marry you,' he promised, reaching through the bars, and cupping her cheek.

Elizabeth leaned into his touch. 'Properly?' she asked, looking into his eyes.

Will smiled. 'Eagerly, if you'll still have me,' he said, looking down at the ground.

Elizabeth tilted his chin up, so he was looking at her. 'If it weren't for these bars I'd have you already,' she said, her eyes welling up with tears.

A loud clang knocked the two out of their moment. They turned to see Governor Swann had accidentally knocked a candle-holder off the wall. He picked it up, looking around for somewhere to put it, and finding nowhere suitable, he tossed it aside onto the floor.

Elizabeth smiled, turning back to Will. 'I'll wait for you,' she promised, a single tear falling from her eyes.

Will nodded, smiling at her. He kissed her fingers holding the bars and wiped the tear away. 'Not much choice, is there? Keep a weather eye on the horizon,' he told her, and she nodded. He stood up, walking to the stairs followed by Hermione and Governor Swann, and the three of them disappeared up them. Elizabeth sighed, leaning her head against the cold metal bars of her prison cell hoping and praying it wouldn't be too long a wait.

Outside the prison, Hermione grabbed Will's arm, causing him to stop and look at her. 'I'm going with you,' she stated.

Will shook his head. 'No.'

'Yes, I am,' she said forcefully, before continuing, 'I have my own reasons for wanting to find Jack,' she told him, walking again.

Will stopped her by stepping in front of her. 'What reasons?' he asked her, frowning.

'I don't believe it's any of your business,' she seethed, pushing past him.

'What is wrong with you all of a sudden?' he asked her, following her as Governor Swann looked between them in confusion.

Hermione stopped, looking at the ground. 'I'm not Cassandra, so don't bother trying to stop me. Whether we go to Tortuga together, or separately, I am going to find Jack,' she said before walking away again, leaving the two men stunned in her wake.

oOoOo

It was raining in Tortuga, and Will and Hermione ran to take cover in a nearby tavern. Will looked around, searching the bar for any signs of Jack. He turned to Hermione. 'Wait here,' he advised, and she nodded.

Will walked towards a weathered sailor, sitting drinking a pint of rum. 'Excuse me?' He said politely as he reached him. The sailor looked up at him, nodding for him to continue. 'I don't suppose you know of a man named Jack Sparrow?' he asked him, watching as the sailor's expression turned from one of curiosity to annoyance.

By this point, Hermione had wandered over to the table as a drunken patron was trying to cop a feel. Will noticed this, and was about to nod her over, but she made that decision herself. She came to stand beside him as the sailor spoke, 'Captain Jack Sparrow? Owes me four doubloons. Heard he was dead,' he answered, taking a swig of his rum.

Will thanked him, and the two made their way to the bar. Hermione managed to get the attention of the tavern master who walked over to them. 'Yes? What is it?' he asked them.

'Have you heard of a man named Jack Sparrow?' Hermione asked, knowing probably everyone in Tortuga knew him.

The tavern master chuckled. 'Aye, I know Captain Jack Sparrow. Can't say he's much welcome 'ere though,' he lowered his voice. He leaned in, and they could smell rum on his breath as he spoke which made Hermione want to gag. 'He ain't liked much by the patrons, so he never bothers to show 'is face round 'ere,' he advised them.

Hermione sighed. 'Any idea where he could be?' she asked him.

The tavern master shook his head. 'Last I 'eard, he ran off with a Creole woman to Madagascar. Half his age and twice his height!' he said before shuffling off to serve another patron.

Hermione and Will were about to give up when a fisherman at the bar turned to them. One of his eyes was bright blue; the other was white. Hermione understood he was half-blind, but it creeped her out. He smiled crookedly, showing his wonky and rotten teeth. 'Lookin' for ol' Jack are we?' he asked, and at their nod, he continued, "I 'magine he'll be in Singapore. Tha's wha' I 'eard. He'll be drunk wi' a smile on 'is face. Sure as the tide, Jack Sparrow will turn up in Singapore,' he told them.

'HA!' came a voice from behind the fisherman, and the two companions looked to see who laughed.

They both couldn't help the feeling of amusement upon remembering what happened the last time they met the red-headed Scarlett and the blonde Giselle. They were just surprised to see them both standing in the same vicinity as each other. Will took a deep breath before asking, 'Have either of you lovely ladies seen Jack Sparrow?'

'Jack Sparrow!' Giselle said, laughing.

Scarlett joined in laughing before advising, 'I haven't seen 'im in a month.'

Giselle smiled, walking up to him. 'When you do find him, will you give him a message?' she asked sweetly.

Will's expression scrunched up in worry. 'Yes?' he agreed timidly. Giselle slapped Will across the face, hard, causing him to fall into one of the tables which was empty of patrons. Hermione burst out laughing but stopped at Will's glare.

They left the tavern, noticing a black man sitting on the dock, mending his nets. He looked as though he may be a fisherman or a shrimper. On the dock behind him was a bunch of bananas, and a goat getting loaded aboard a ship. They glanced at each other, shrugging, before walking over to the man. 'Excuse me?' Hermione said as they approached.

The man looked up, smiling at them. 'How can I help? Come to buy some shrimp?' he asked them.

'No thank you, we just want to ask you something?' she advised him.

'Ask away?' the shrimper said, his smile widening slightly.

'Have you seen or heard of a man called Jack Sparrow?' Will asked him curiously.

The shrimper laughed, causing them to look at each other in hope in case this man had seen him. 'Cannot say about Jack Sparrow, but dere's an island, just south of de straits, where I trade spice for… mmm… delicious long pork. Cannot say about Jack, but you find a ship dere. A ship wit' black sails,' he told them, speaking as if it was a huge secret.

Jack and Hermione looked at each other, a glimmer of hope in their eyes. 'Black sails…' they both said at the same time.

'I'll take you both dere on my boat, aye,' he offered.

Hermione turned back to the man who was still smiling at them. 'Thank you, sir,' she said, smiling at him, and Will nodded at him. The two made their way onto the boat with the shrimper. 'It's our best bet,' Hermione said. Will nodded in agreement, before helping the other members of the crew make ready the boat to set sail.

oOoOo

The shrimper handed Will his spyglass, letting him look through it towards the approaching island. He could see the Black Pearl careened onto the beach. Will lowered the spyglass, passing it back to him. 'Yes, that's Jack's ship,' Will advised him.

'Good den, my Brother will take you ashore,' the shrimper told him, as his brother came to stand beside him.

They lowered the row-boat into the water. The Brother went on first, followed by Hermione, and then Will. The shrimper's Brother began rowing them towards the shore, stopping just short of the beach so he wouldn't get stuck in the sand.

Will, not realising this, turned the shrimper's Brother. 'What's wrong? The beach is right there,' he said, but the man shook his head.

The man said something in French, and both Will and Hermione looked at him in confusion. 'What?' they both asked in unison.

'Bon voyage, monsieur, mademoiselle,' the shrimper's Brother said, gesturing for them to get out of his boat.

They both looked at each other, knowing they didn't have a choice, and jumped into the water, swimming ashore. They waded ashore, Will removing his sword and waving it around to get the water off it. 'Watch where you're waving that!' Hermione said in annoyance, ducking to avoid it hitting her.

'Sorry,' he muttered, replacing his sword at his waist. They made their way towards the Black Pearl, walking alongside it. It was tied with ropes attached to stakes in the sand. They came upon the remains of a campfire. 'Jack! Jack Sparrow! Mr Gibbs! Marty! Cotton! Anybody?' Will shouted out, but there was no answer. The ship was silent, deserted. They studied it, but there didn't seem to be anything wrong with it.

The two companions wandered into the palm jungle bordering the beach, not noticing Cotton's parrot fluttering up to land atop a palm stump. 'Awk!' it squawked, gaining their attention.

'Ah! A familiar face!' Will announced in relief.

'That means they have to be here!' Hermione surmised, feeling more hopeful as the day went on.

'Rawk! Don't eat me!' Cotton's parrot squawked, causing them to look at it in confusion.

'We're not going to eat you,' Hermione told it gently.

'Don't eat me! No! Don't eat me! Akkk!' Cotton's parrot squawked as if in panic.

As Hermione was trying to calm the parrot down, Will looked around the jungle, trying to find a path. 'I'm not even hungry,' he muttered.

'DON'T EAT ME!' the parrot screeched.

Will sighed in exasperation. 'Look, you're nothing but feathers and bones. You probably taste like a pigeon," he said to it. The parrot seemed to understand what he said. It went silent, looking down as if his words hurt him.

'Will...' Hermione whispered, looking at the parrot.

Will looked at him, scratching the back of his head. 'Sorry. That was uncalled for,' he said, stepping closer to the bird and petting his head. 'Listen, if anyone should ask, tell them, Will Turner, against his better judgement, went into the jungle in search of Jack Sparrow. Understand? I'm talking to a parrot.'

'Aye, aye, sir!' Cotton's parrot answered.

He looked around some more, noticing something glinting in the sun. Moving closer, he realised it was Gibbs' husk canteen hanging on a plant, trailing on a long string. 'Gibbs,' Will whispered, beginning to worry and wonder what happened to the crew.

Hermione came to stand at his side, both looking at the canteen with a foreboding feeling. They ended up following the string attached to the flask which led over towards a large tree. They both failed to notice human eyes lurking at them belonging to a man, camouflaged against a nearby tree. The man shouted, jumping out from the tree at Will, startling them both. Will got caught by a snare, yanking him back, and was dangling upside-down from a rope.

'Will!' Hermione shouted, taking out her wand, trying to stun the man. He was too quick, and grabbed her, holding her in place.

'Hermione!' he shouted back, taking out his sword.

More camouflaged men charged out of the bushes, surrounding them from all directions. They carried spears, ruthless and savage with filed teeth, their bodies painted and pierced. They were wearing remnants of their previous victims: hats, vests, necklaces, and belts.

Will swung his sword which was awkward from this angle, but it kept them at bay. They were talking in a strange language as Will shouted threats towards them. Eventually, one of the camouflaged men, who had a bone through his nose, pulled out his blowgun, shooting a dart into Will's neck.

Hermione felt her heart drop as Will's body went limp, dropping his sword to the ground. 'No! Will! Let go of me! Will! Please, wake up!' The man then turned towards Hermione, blowing a dart at her. Her vision blurred quickly, and then she saw no more.

oOoOo

The men who captured Will and Hermione were moving along a bridge past lush green mountains. Hermione came to first, opening her eyes to find she had a banging headache, and her vision was still blurry. Struggling to look around, she realised the men who captured them were carrying them. She spotted Will getting taken in front; he was still unconscious. He was hanging from a bamboo pole, and his head was hanging back.

Her eyes found the ground, gasping when she saw human skulls lining the path. She felt her heart go into her throat upon realising these people must be cannibals. Looking at where they tied her hands, she knew she wouldn't be able to reach her wand… if her wand was even still on her person. She may have lost it for all she knew. The angle she was hanging from did not give her much room to check if it was on her person.

Deciding there was nothing she could do for the moment, she turned her gaze towards where the cannibals were carrying them. She had to shut her eyes when they carried them over a rope bridge to stop her vertigo kicking in and making her dizzy.

Keeping her eyes closed for a moment, she heard one of the cannibals speak, 'Hurry-hurry tan daga!' and she realised some of the words they used were English. She chanced opening her eyes to find they were back on solid ground, and she glanced around for the source of the voice. Seeing him, she would have laughed if she was not in a life-threatening situation. He was wearing an English white wig while using a Western-style fan. If she was watching this on a Muggle Television, she would have found it funny.

The cannibals brought them into the village shortly after this with huts made of sticks, everything else made of bones. The cannibals carried them towards a throne of bones. By this point, Will had woken up feeling angry at the situation they now found themselves in.

Looking up at the throne, Hermione was expecting to see a tribe chief… but sitting on the throne was the elusive Jack Sparrow. Hermione gasped. 'Jack…' she whispered, knowing he wouldn't hear her from the drums playing in the background.

The music came to a stop, and Jack's eyes popped open, revealing his eyelids were painted to look like his eyes were open. Will shook his head, not believing what he was witnessing, 'Jack? Jack Sparrow! I can honestly say I am glad to see you!' Will stated, seeming to be genuinely happy.

Jack tilted his head, not saying anything in comment to his statement. He gave Will a blank look like he'd never seen him before. He arose from his throne, walking over to Will. He pushed one finger into Will's shoulder as if testing how much meat Will had on him.

'Jack? Don't you recognise us?' Hermione pleaded as Jack came over to her.

He paused in front of her, looking into her eyes, before turning to the tribe. 'Ally ding dong, wilbo washy,' he said, speaking gibberish.

Hermione felt the restraints on her wrists getting cut away, and they released her from the bamboo stick. Confused, she looked at Jack. 'What's going on?' She asked him. He just stared at her, grabbing her arm and dragging her over to the throne, making her sit in it.

'Jack! What the hell are you doing!?' Will shouted, getting infuriated that Jack was being completely ignorant.

Jack walked back over to Will again, prodding his shoulder again. 'Wa-say kohn,' he said to the tribe.

'Een dah-lah. Eeseepi,' one answered back.

'Eeseepi,' the crowd of cannibals chanted together.

Will looked around at them, starting to panic. 'Tell them to let me down, Jack,' he said, his voice almost at pleading point, but not quite.

Jack looked at him for a moment, before turning to the tribe. 'Kay-lay lam. Lam piki-piki. Lam eensy weensy. Lam say-say… eunuchy. Snip-snip,' he told them. Will didn't need a translator to know he had, once again, insulted his manhood, and to a bunch of cannibals no less.

'Ahhh... eunuchy!' they all laughed at Will's expense.

Jack walked away, looking disinterested in what was going on, his compass hanging from his waist. Will noticed it and started squirming. 'Jack! The Compass! That's all I need, Elizabeth is in danger. We were arrested for trying to help you. She faces the gallows!' he pleaded with him, causing Jack to halt in his step and pause.

Turning back to the crowd, he casually walked back towards them. 'Say-say lam shoop-shoop sha smalay-lama shoo-koo. Savvy? Ball licky-licky. Ball licky-licky!' Jack announced, serving only to confuse Will and Hermione more.

Hermione wasn't sure what was going on, and she was in too much shock to say anything except sit there. 'Jack?' She called, but he didn't turn to look at her. She did notice the perceptible movement of his hand clenching, hoping this was his way of telling her it was all a farce.

The cannibals were chanting repetitiously now, and Hermione watched Jack walk back over to Will. 'Save me!' he muttered, walking past him and over to Hermione.

Will watched him in utter bewilderment. He felt himself getting picked up and carried away towards the rope bridge, still attached to the bamboo stick. 'Jack, what did you tell them? No! What about Elizabeth? Jack…!' he shouted, disappearing out of sight.

'Jack! What the hell are you doing!?' Hermione shouted, rounding on him now she found her voice.

Jack sighed. 'I'm gonna need your help if we're ever getting out of this with our hides intact, love,' Jack told her, his eyes pleading for her to just go along with it.

Hermione nodded. 'Fine, but once we're out of here, you have some explaining to do,' she told him, leaving no argument.

'Of course, love,' he answered with a bright smile, showing teeth. 'And, it's good to see you,' he added, his smile widening. Hermione looked into his eyes, seeing something there, but she couldn't tell what it was.

oOoOo

Elizabeth was sitting alone in her prison cell, trying to ignore the male prisoners in the cell next to her. They were whistling and beckoning her to go over to them. 'We don't bite… Come on…' they were saying. Elizabeth wished it would end.

As if in answer to her prayers, Governor Swann appeared at her cell door. 'Father!?' she cried, wanting to hug him, but the bars were in the way.

Governor Swann pulled out keys from his coat pocket, using one of them to open the cell door. 'Come on. We do not have much time. I need to get you out of here,' he said, grabbing her hand, and leading her upstairs and out of the prison building.

Elizabeth frowned at him. 'Why don't you tell me what's happening?' she asked him.

'Our name still holds some sway with the King. I've arranged passage for you back to England. The Captain is an old friend-' She cut him off.

'No. Will has gone-' She started, but he cut her off.

'Not now. William should never have left. It was irresponsible,' he answered, leading her down a narrow path between two buildings.

'He's a better man than you give him credit for,' Elizabeth told him, reaching a horse and carriage which was waiting.

The Governor opened the door to the carriage, holding it open as Elizabeth climbed in, and he got in after her. He shook his head sadly as he sat down. 'Please, this is no time for innocence,' he said, drawing a pistol. 'Beckett has offered only one pardon. One. And it has been promised to Sparrow. Even if Will succeeds... Do not ask me to endure the sight of losing my Daughter walking to the gallows. Do not!' He said, pushing the pistol towards her, tears in his eyes.

Elizabeth looked down at the pistol, tears welling in her own eyes. 'Yet, you ask me to leave without you?' she asked him in disbelief.

'I must stay. There are still men loyal to me here, and Beckett is wary of my ties to the Crown. Perhaps... I can ensure Will a fair trial if he returns,' Swann answered.

'This is no time for innocence. A fair trial for William ends in a hanging,' she said, her eyes wide, the tears starting to fall.

'Then there is nothing for you here,' Swann answered, shutting the door, and signalling for the driver to get them moving.

The carriage took off, making its way down the path, bumping as it went over stones and the uneven gravelly road. It was not long before they reached a dock where Captain Hawkins was standing silently, facing out to the sea.

The Captain's body soon fell, revealing Mercer who was standing behind the body, a long knife in his hand. 'Evening, Governor. Shame, huh? He was carryin' this. It's a letter to the King. It's from you,' he announced. Horses and soldiers arrived at the dock, cutting off the Governor from any chance of fleeing. The Governor closed his eyes in panic as Mercer opened the carriage door, but it was empty. Governor Swann let out a breath of relief knowing Elizabeth had escaped. Mercer turned on him. 'Where is she?' he demanded, grabbing the Governor by the lapels, and pushing him up against the side of the carriage with enough force to knock the wind out of him.

'Who?' Swann asked, feigning innocence.

Mercer growled. 'Elizabeth.'

Swann smiled. 'She was always a willful child,' he answered. Manacles clanged shut on his wrists, and he took one last look inside the empty carriage as they led him away.

oOoOo

Beckett's quarters were bathed in darkness, the only light coming from a lantern he was holding as he walked back in from the balcony. Walking to a table, he opened a wooden box, revealing the Letters of Marque which had been in there were missing. Beckett stood up straight, knowing now and sensing the presence of someone else in the room. No doubt you've discovered that loyalty is no longer the currency of the realm, as your Father believes,' he said, knowing only one person those letters would interest.

Slipping into the dark room from an interior door, Elizabeth made her way towards him, her hands held behind her back. 'Then what is?' she asked him.

'I'm afraid that currency is the currency of the realm,' he answered, turning to look at her.

Elizabeth smiled sardonically. 'I expect, then, we can come to some understanding. I'm here to negotiate,' she told him, leaving no room for argument.

Beckett turned towards her. 'I'm listening,' he said, not looking interested. Elizabeth revealed what was behind her back, pointing the pistol at Beckett's head. 'I'm listening intently,' he said, his voice cracking.

'You haven't raised the alarm,' Elizabeth stated.

Beckett smirked. 'This does not seem to be a situation I cannot handle,' he answered.

'These Letters of Marque, they are signed by the King?' Elizabeth asked him, holding up the letters.

He nodded. 'Yes, and they're not valid until they bear my signature and my seal,' he answered her.

'Or else I would not still be here,' she said, pausing for a moment, before looking at him.

Beckett nodded. 'And what do you think you have to offer me, young lady?' he asked her.

'Information. You sent Will to get you the Compass owned by Jack Sparrow. It will do you no good.'

Beckett was starting to become amused. 'Do explain,' he asked her.

She sighed, lowering the pistol. 'I have been to Isla de Muerta. I have seen the treasure myself. There is something you need to know,' she started, but Beckett held up a hand to stop her in her tracks.

Smiling at her, he spoke, 'Ah, I see. You think the Compass leads only to the Isla de Muerta. And so you hope to save me from an evil fate, but you mustn't worry. I care not for cursed Aztec gold. My desires are not so provincial,' he said, moving over to a huge map on the wall. It showed incomplete parts of South America, Africa, Australia, only sketched in. 'There's more than one chest of value in these waters. So perhaps you may wish to enhance your offer,' he told her, thinking he had won the negotiation.

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows, cocking her pistol and pointed at Beckett's head. In her free hand, she waved the letters as if making a point. Beckett, knowing she would be willing to kill him because of this, signed the documents to be on the safe side, and handed them back to her. 'Consider into your calculations that you robbed me of my wedding night,' she told him as if this explained why she was doing this.

Beckett nodded. 'So I did. A marriage interrupted, or fate intervenes. You make great efforts to ensure Jack Sparrow's freedom,' he said, sounding as though he may be assuming too much.

Elizabeth shook her head. 'These aren't going to Jack,' she revealed to him.

Beckett raised his eyebrows. 'Oh really. To ensure Mister Turner's freedom, then? I'll still want that Compass. Consider that in your calculations,' he told her, and Elizabeth found herself wondering what she was going to do now.