AN: It's about that time... Time for the story to draw to a close. I know many of you have been waiting some time for this. For those of you who just recently wandered along and found the story, welcome! I had a great time putting it together and I love hearing the feedback. I want to take the time to dedicate these last few chapters to ArctruasB. She has graciously accepted to Beta my next Harry Potter story, and I thought it would be a good idea to get this one totally out there so I can devote my energies to it.

Thank you again for sticking with this couple for the past 24 chapters, you're nearly there!

Chapter Twenty Five: Secrets Revealed

The following two weeks passed quickly. When Bonny had heard about Hermione nearly falling off the ship, she let her fury out on the crew. Of course, they had no idea how valuable the witch was to what Bonny and Rackham were planning; they didn't even know where the ship was headed. Draco and Hermione didn't have any more public displays of affection on board. The weight of the impending trip to shore put a damper on any romantic endeavors. Draco wasn't one to be flamboyant with the possible "relationship" anyway. They slept with their hands touching between their warm bodies, but otherwise behaved as if they were still on an assignment for the Ministry.

Without knowing what awaited them on the island, Draco and Hermione were having a hard time coming up with a more concrete plan than just winging it. Hermione assumed they would be required to walk in front of others so they didn't have the chance to sneak away. It would give them the advantage of being able to pull out their wands, but they would not be able to know what was going on behind them.

As the sun rose one morning Hermione freed herself from the hammock and went to stand on the deck. A cold chill swept over her when she saw the same thing as the man in the crow's nest.

"Land Ho!" Her gritty blonde hair flew behind her as the boat seemed to pick up speed; as though it wanted to deliver her to her fate sooner rather than later.

"You know, for someone who fought You-Know-Who, you're being pretty uptight about all this." Draco had silently snuck up behind her. She didn't flinch, but she stayed quiet for a few moments.

"It's just… I don't know what will be there." Hermione crossed her arms and took a steadying breath. "Anyway, Voldemort overestimated himself. And it was Harry that did all the work."

Draco chuckled. "Please, scar head would have been dead in ten minutes without you." She blushed and shook her head, but said nothing to contradict him. "We will be fine." How could he be so sure of himself? Just like when he went into that pub their first day here and when he had pulled her back up from the side of the ship. He was so positive and she just wasn't. Since when did Hermione doubt her own abilities?

As expected, as soon as the ship laid anchor and the men were ashore, Hermione and Draco were ordered to walk between Rackham and Bonny. Draco thought it was foolish to put the leader out of reach from his right hand, but Hermione knew the large old man could probably skewer them with a sword faster than they could draw their wands. He seemed more preoccupied with checking a crinkled bit of parchment every five minutes. Hermione was much more interested in Bonny standing behind them, and Mary standing behind her. The rest of the crew trudged along either ahead, cutting a bath through the thick limbs and vines, or behind, confused by the treatment given to the Malfoys.

The cave wasn't difficult to find. It was about half a mile in from shore and completely hidden behind a large waterfall that shimmered in the sunlight. It was impossible to miss the inky black rocks on the outside, just as the Caesar had described in his letter. There was no way into the cave without going under the cascading water. Without hesitation, the march moved on with Rackham's encouragement. Hermione held her nose and closed her eyes as she moved through, reaching out to hold on to Draco so she wouldn't fall. The water was bone chilling and she was glad to get through to the other side without stumbling.

Hermione looked up at Draco, expecting a good laugh at his soaked appearance. But his startled expression had her worried. She looked down and found her clothes clinging to her in a rather embarrassing way, but otherwise nothing was out of the ordinary. "What?" She whispered.

Before he could answer, Bonny angrily asked, "How did you do that?"

"Do what?" Hermione looked around and found everyone that was close nearby was staring at her. Draco let go of her hand and reached up to her head, pulling a soggy lock of her brown hair into view. He didn't say anything else as he watched the horror wash over Hermione as the waterfall had a moment ago.

Suddenly it dawned on her, "Thief's downfall…" She had said it too quietly for Draco to hear, and Bonny again demanded an answer. "I – I don't know," she said shakily, grabbing at her hair. "Is it dirt?" Hermione began frantically running her fingers through it, and even stepped back toward the falling water as though she were going to rinse all of the natural colour away.

"Keep moving!" Rackham's loud voice echoed off the cave walls. Though dissatisfied at not having an explanation, Bonny gave a nod of her head to Draco and Hermione, telling them to move along. The cave quickly became dark but the torches that had been brought were completely soaked through.

"Lumos!" Hermione gasped as Draco held his wand out in front of him, lit for everyone in the cave to see.

"What are you doing?" She hissed. Bonny's eyes were alight with curiosity and most of the men had stepped back in fear.

"I would have shown them sooner or later. I for one don't want to be wandering around in the dark in a cave." Hermione looked as if the Minister of Magic himself was going to swoop down and scold them.

"Anne, leave them be." Hermione turned and saw Anne had taken several steps toward Draco and herself. She looked back and forth between Rackham and his first mate, wondering if they had come across wizards in any of their travels. She couldn't be sure, but for now it seemed that he was more concerned with the treasure that lay ahead. At least now he might have more faith in Gayogo's prophecy concerning their usefulness. Bonny came no closer, but she didn't back away. She remained hot on their tail as they wound through the cavern.

Eventually there came a fork in the path and without even stopping Rackham told the people in front to continue on to the left. "Don't go too far," He warned. Caesar had not been specific about what lay at the end of the tunnel, but he had made it clear that the crew didn't want to find out.

Rackham walked along the right wall, letting his fingers lightly trail along against the rough stone. He ordered one of the men to do the same. On and on they walked, but for twenty minutes all they felt was solid wall. Up ahead there was a terrible scream and the sound of a man falling. Eventually the sound faded, but there was never a thud to signal him hitting the bottom. Rackham turned about and ordered Draco and Hermione to walk along the walls. They both pretended to be confused but followed the order.

Ten minutes later, Hermione felt a warm spot of wall. It looked the same as the rest, but she stopped in her tracks. Draco was next to her a moment later. He looked at it for a second before Rackham waddled over. He pushed against the wall, but nothing happened. "This not be it."

"I think it is," Draco challenged. He tapped the end of his wand to the stone wall. "Partus Temporus." Much like the brick wall behind the Leaky Cauldron, the stone started to melt away. Rackham cackled happily and pushed the two forward into the newly exposed pathway that was barely wide enough for the two of them to walk side by side. They heard his sword slide out and knew that it was now or never. Before he or any of the other pirates could get a jump on them, Draco grabbed Hermione's hand and tugged hard. "Run!"