Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter characters. Nor do I own pirates, London, or tropical islands.

WARNINGS: Sirius/Remus SLASH; violence; underage drinking; minor language, AU.

---
Treasure Of Gryffindor
---

Chapter 1 - Life On The High Seas

-

Come on, ye worthless curs! Put some muscle in it, unless ye all want to find yerselves at the bottom of Davey Jones' locker! Pull, ye scurvy dogs, or it's all a'our necks!

The roar of Alastor Moody, easily the oldest and toughest member of Black's crew, was barely heard over the roar of the storm. Hermione couldn't stop shivering and she hauled on the ropes connected to the sails, trying to get them down. She was drenched, absolutely soaked, and the waves that kept sloshing over the deck weren't helping any. It was the third straight day since the Marauder had entered this storm, and Hermione heartily wished at times that she had heeded her mother's advice and stayed at home, working samplers by the fire. Sewing was boring, but at least she'd be warm, dry, and in no fear of being washed overboard sitting by the hearth.

Not that she was the only miserable one, of course. The rest of the crew was just as bad off, some worse - Ginny, for example, had a minor head cold. But she was working as hard as always beside her brothers, thanks to the help of her mother's fail-proof remedies. Ever since joining the crew of the Marauder two months ago, Hermione had deeply admired Ginny - the captain had assigned the redhead the task of showing Hermione what to do, and the two girls had become great friends. Ginny also possessed an amazing personality and nearly overwhelming strength, something Hermione had never seen in another girl before. In fact, all the women aboard the Marauder were not at all like the women she knew at home. The second mate, a tall raven-haired woman named Andromeda Tonks, was the captain's beloved cousin, and had lovely manners - and yet Hermione knew her language could get even saltier than any of the men's. Ginny's mother, Molly Weasley, was a plump, motherly woman, but even she was not averse to pitching in when needed.

In the short time she had known them, the crew of the Marauder had become like a second family to Hermione. She had become great friends with Harry and Ron as well, and when the three of them had to scrub the decks together, the two lads loved to regale Hermione with all the tales of ports they'd visited and adventures they'd had.

Another wave cascaded over the deck, nearly knocking Hermione off her feet; she kept a hold on her rope and pulled herself upright. She cast a frightened glance up at the quarter-deck as a bolt of lightning lit up the ship momentarily. In that second, she caught a glimpse of Captain Black, looking like a madman with his long hair whipping around in the wind, his teeth bared as he consulted the compass clutched in his left hand. He was doing his best to keep the ship under control even as the wind and waves tossed it to and fro like a child's toy. Hermione shook her sopping bangs out of her eyes. Another bolt of lighting offered a look at the rest of the crew as they rushed around, slipping in puddles in their haste.

Ginny was at her side, shouting to be heard over the wind. Come on, it's you and me on the pump next!

Eager to get out of the rain and into the comparatively dry cabin, Hermione tied the end of her rope and hurried belowdecks. Fred and George, Ginny's elder twin brothers, had been manning the pump, but gave identical sighs of relief when the girls appeared.

About time, me arms are about to fall off, Fred said.

It's not much better up there, George reminded him, as they scurried up the ladder. Hermione and Ginny each grabbed a handle and began to pump. In fair weather, the pump needed to be used very rarely; but in storms like this, water was almost knee-deep in the very bottom decks and needed to be pumped out almost constantly. It was a tiring and monotonous job; but it was better than struggling to bring down the sails. And the noise of the storm was slightly muffled; they were able to talk a little down here.

Wonder how long this one'll last, Ginny sighed wearily. Once we were in a storm for two weeks.

Hermione shuddered. No thank you! I wonder how far we've gotten off course.

Not too far, I'll bet. Sirius is the best captain in these waters - he knows his way around like the back of his hand. He's never once lost his way, not even in the worst storms.

Hermione shook her head. Say, I've been meaning to ask you - where's Remus? He's the only one I haven't seen since this storm started. Remus was Sirius' lover, the nobleman's son whom Sirius had rescued from a detestable slave trader and equally revolting potential master in Dublin. On most days, Remus could be seen on deck, following Sirius around, or otherwise perched on a railing with a large book in his lap. He was a very kind, intelligent man, and Hermione liked him quite a lot.

Sirius makes him stay in their cabin during storms or raids. He's afraid Remus will get hurt. But I think it's kind of an insult to Remus - he used to do all kinds of things on his father's ship when he was younger. Sirius doesn't like him to do it, and I think he's also afraid someone will take Remus away from him during a raid. You know how protective he gets. More like smothering - like Mum. She joined the crew just because Dad and Bill were doing it, so she could keep an eye on them. And now that there's seven of us kids, she stays on to make sure we're okay.

Hermione thought again of her own mother, warm and dry at home in London, and the homesickness that was always nibbling away at the back of her mind gave a particularly hard bite. Still... you're all together here. I miss my parents a lot.

Ginny gave her a smile. Come on... you'll see them again, I promise. You're acting like one of the ninnies who see the note about funeral expenses and panic. Sirius puts that in for good luck - he figures if he says it, it won't happen. Trust me.

---

The storm lasted an additional two days, finally blowing itself out early in the morning of the sixth day. The captain ordered the anchor to be dropped long enough for everything to be set to rights and for everyone to have some rest. A joyful cry arose at the announcement, Sirius smiling tiredly and swiping his disheveled hair out of his eyes as he headed belowdecks. No one else went to bed right away; the warm sunshine peeking through the breaking clouds was too inviting. Ginny and Hermione stretched out in a patch of sun to dry off. Ron joined them; Harry was off overseeing the repair of a mast that had cracked in the storm.

Lots of fun, yes? he sniggered, planting himself between the girls. You can't say it hasn't been exciting.

A little too exciting, Hermione yawned.

Stop grousing. It's to be expected. Just be glad we've got Sirius. I don't know where we'd be without him. Ron closed his eyes and tilted his freckly face to the sunlight. The good thing is, we're still on course. Harry says we should be in Barbados in another two weeks, maybe three. I can't wait. We'll be able to get off this blasted boat and stretch our legs!

Not to mention we'll get some decent food, Ginny added. The cuisine aboard ship was far from the glamorous food Hermione had sampled at parties in London; but Mrs. Weasley was excellent at cooking and could make even the most unappealing-looking rations into something delicious. She also kept them well-supplied with fruits and vegetables to ward off scurvy; but what little remained of her stock before the storm had likely gotten ruined. I really wish I had an orange right now.

Me, too, Hermione and Ron agreed in unison, then turned crimson. Ginny sniggered behind her hand.

---

That's better. Sirius sighed in bliss as Remus rubbed his bare shoulders. I'm glad we're out of that one. He opened an eye. Were you all right, Remmie?

Perfectly fine. Remus' voice was soft and gentle, with a pleasing French accent. I was as snug as a - as a - how does it go?

As a bug in a rug, Sirius supplied, laying back on the welcoming mattress and pulling Remus with him.

Yes, that. He settled comfortably into his lover's arms. We are still on our way?

We're bang on course, but I had the crew drop anchor. Everyone needs a rest. Sirius closed his eyes and yawned, revealing three gold teeth. Remus kissed his forehead and stroked his hair.

Love... next time, may I -

Sirius didn't even open an eye. We've settled this. I want you to stay here - I don't want you getting hurt.

But Siri, I would not get hurt - I know what to do -

My answer's still no. the captain's voice was firm, and Remus gave up. He begged for a chance after every storm or battle, but his lover was adamant in refusing him. He began to sing a lullaby in French, soothing Sirius off to sleep, resentment and devotion battling within him. He loved Sirius more than anyone, owed him his life and his freedom, had given the man his virginity - but he hated being trapped in this cabin whenever something was going on, treated like a little girl. He looked sadly down at the sleeping man in his arms. He wanted to prove himself to Sirius, show that he was just as strong and able as anyone else on the ship. But that day would most likely never come.

---

Hermione and Ginny went belowdecks as soon as the sun set. The ship was back underway; half the crew had risen refreshed from naps and taken over with Harry and Andromeda to guide them. The girls climbed into the hammock they shared and pulled up the miraculously dry blanket. Ginny was asleep in seconds, but Hermione lay awake for awhile, listening to the creaks of the ship and the thump-thump of waves on the sides. Mrs. Weasley had surprised the crew with candied orange, lemon, and lime peels; she had evidently been saving the rinds and candying them as the fruit was eaten. Thankfully, they had been tightly sealed in a barrel, so no water had gotten in to spoil them, and there was more than enough to go around. Hermione still had a sliver left, and sucked on it avidly as she dozed.

Before the storm had sprung up, Hermione had heard tales from the rest of the crew that the captain was trying, yet again, to reach the fabled Treasure of Gryffindor. Hermione had laughed, because everyone knew the Treasure of Gryffindor was nothing more than a fanciful tale told to babes. But Sirius obviously thought it was real. Though the Marauder and her crew had been to many places, the treasure had never been found. It was an obsession to Sirius, only made stronger by the fact that his cousin, Bellatrix, was also searching for Gryffindor's treasure. Hermione didn't know the full story (Remus was probably the only one who did), but Sirius and Bellatrix were cousins (Andromeda was in fact one of Bellatrix's elder sisters). They loathed each other, and both tried constantly to outwit the other. Bellatrix and her ship, the Azkaban, were as infamous as Sirius, if that were possible. Her crew was made up of some of the cruelest, greediest pirates ever to set sail - including Narcissa, the eldest Black sister, and Sirius' younger brother Regulus. Apparently the Blacks were a large seafaring family.

What the Treasure of Gryffindor really was, no one knew. After all, no one had ever discovered it. But it must be something amazing, something simply breathtaking, for so many people to search for it their entire lives. Entire crews had perished in attempts to find the treasure, and Hermione sometimes wondered if the same fate wouldn't meet Sirius - and everyone else, including herself, aboard the Marauder. It was a chilling thought, but after all, she had known there was a possibility of dying since she saw the advert in the papers. And she had still taken the job on, hadn't she?

Her orange peel was gone. She yawned and curled up under the blanket, moving closer to Ginny for warmth. There was nothing to worry about, yet. The storm had passed and everything was quiet. Hermione closed her eyes and slept.

To Be Continued.

---

(A/N: I apologize for any discrepancies in this story, and any I will make in the future. Though I have been around boats since I was born, and though my father is an official captain, I don't really know that much about running a ship. I can tell starboard from port, and that's about it. When it comes to boats in the 1700's.... I really don't know. I have an excellent book about pirates that I use for reference (and to a lesser extent, I have Pirates of the Caribbean : Curse of the Black Pearl'), so that helps. I'm going to try my best! So any boat enthusiasts out there, don't be offended by my cluelessness! See you in chapter 2!)