Disclaimer: See the first chapter, or the prologue. But I own nothing.

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Treasure Of Gryffindor
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Chapter 5 - The Azkaban
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Hermione sprung out of the hammock and into her shoes. The Azkaban ? she asked in alarm, grabbing her dagger and following Ginny abovedecks. Ginny didn't bother to respond; they had just set foot on the deck when another loud boom sounded. Hermione realised that they weren't being shot at (not yet, anyway), but warning shots were being fired in other directions. She turned to Ginny. What -

They're just trying to get our attention, Ginny said, her jaw set. Wake us up, get us scared. Bellatrix never misses an opportunity to torment Sirius, even when she has the option of killing him in his sleep instead.

Bellatrix's plan had obviously worked; the rest of the crew was wide-awake and on deck by now, clutching weapons. Sirius strode out of his cabin, looking angrier than anyone Hermione had ever seen. The look on his face was beyond anger; it was not even precisely rage or loathing. He fired his pistol into the air and screamed, Bella! Where are you, you filthy bitch?!

A woman emerged from behind her crew, smirking wildly. She bore a strong resemblance to Sirius and Andromeda with her long black hair and heavily lidded, dark blue eyes; she was tall and thin also, with a thin mouth and sharp nose. Her coat was the exact colour of blood, and she wore a matching feather in her hat. A long and vicious-looking sword was strapped at her hip.

Dear Siri, she cooed, looking up at her cousin. Though she was smiling, her eyes registered a level of acrimony to match the look on Sirius' face. Hermione wondered briefly what had happened within the Black family to drive its members apart this brutally, but a movement in the corner of her eye made her look around. It was Remus, slipping stealthily out of the cabin. Hermione wasn't sure, but she could have sworn she saw the glitter of a weapon in his left hand. No one else noticed him; they were all too busy watching Sirius and Bellatrix.

What, my dear cousin, might you be doing here? Sirius growled through clenched teeth. Surely you'd have the courtesy to wait and attack after my crew had gotten a decent rest?

Bellatrix cackled. You think I would take it so easy on you? she inquired, tapping one long fingernail against her chin. My darling, you do have a lot to learn about combat, don't you?

Shut your mouth. What do you want? Besides the opportunity to make your usual scathing comments? Perhaps you've come for a friendly cup of tea? Sirius asked sarcastically.

Tea would be lovely, but now's really not the time for formalities. Now, I know you've been meeting with Albus Dumbledore, though that batty old man won't tell me aye or nay! He won't tell anything to me or my crew, but I know he's giving you information about Gryffindor's treasure! I'm not going to give it up easily, Sirius! I want to know exactly what Dumbledore told you!

I wouldn't share any details with you under torture, Sirius responded coolly. And as I'm the only one who knows, there's no use torturing my crew.

Maybe not. But you will tell me! I am tired of trifling with you! I have had enough of this... all these years, all this labour! I want the treasure so I can go back home and live a full life - which, unfortunately for you, can only be made better by knowing you are dead! Bellatrix drew her sword, the blade shining in the moonlight with a deadly blue glow. Her crew roared in approval, and Hermione swallowed hard. She was suddenly sure that a lot of people - maybe even herself - would lose their lives tonight.

Bellatrix leapt onto the deck of the Marauder with a bloodcurdling scream, the rest of her crew following. As Bellatrix and Sirius launched themselves into a duel, Hermione and her mates found themselves set upon by Bellatrix's crew, who were all very large, sinister-looking people. There were only three women on Bella's crew - a woman with long, wavy blonde hair and the same dark blue eyes as Bellatrix, Sirius, and Andromeda; a girl around Hermione's age with her dark brown hair cut in a short bob; and a very small, plump, toad-like woman with short curly hair.

But there was no time to look closely at the crew. A slender man with long blonde hair advanced on Hermione, smiling wickedly. His sword and his long, triangular earrings flashed in the moonlight as he approached her. Hermione stood her ground, though she was quivering, and slashed out with her dagger once he came within range. He leapt back with a curse, jabbing out with his sword. His aim was poor, and he only grazed Hermione's shoulder; however, the sight of her own blood beginning to trickle down her arm and the tear in her sleeve angered her. She stabbed at him, missing her mark slightly and only succeeding in grazing his cheek. He howled as blood ran down his face, dropping his sword and clutching at his cheek.

My face! he cried, glaring at Hermione. My face, you've ruined it -

He dove for his sword, but Hermione was quicker. She grabbed it and gasped; it was much heavier than she had expected. Grasping it firmly in both hands, she waved it warningly at him. Anyone else would have laughed to see a girl Hermione's size trying to scare a much older, larger person with a sword that was so obviously too heavy for her to handle properly, but the blonde man was beside himself with fury.

You bitch! he cried. I'll teach you, I swear -

Go away! Hermione cried in fright, swinging the sword. It connected with his outstretched hand, and the man screamed in pain as blood gushed from his fingers. Hermione took the opportunity to dash, lugging the heavy sword along with her.

Charlie caught her by the arm; he grabbed the sword from her and handed her a shorter one, which was easier to carry. This'll be better for you, I'll take yours. Watch out for yourself! He pushed her along before turning to face one of Bella's crew, who was advancing on him with a broken-off lance.

Hermione rushed out of the way, narrowly avoiding an airborne piece of iron, which whizzed by her left temple. She struck out blindly with her short sword, her eyes half-closed as she prayed that she would just wound her enemies, rather than kill them.

A shriek caught her attention. Fleur was being dragged out of Sirius' cabin, a pirate holding her by her long, golden hair. Fleur was struggling to get away from him, but shrieked in pain as he jerked her roughly by the hair. Hermione stepped forward. Let her go!

The pirate smirked at her, and Hermione blinked, taken aback. He looked almost exactly like Sirius, only a little younger and much nastier. His hair was shaggy and shoulder-length, his eyes narrowed with cold humour. He was very tall and wore a silver hoop in his left ear. In an instant, he whipped his pistol out of his belt and pointed it at Hermione. Sorry, luv. I can't seem to find my brother's little brunette lover, so I'll have to take his princess instead.

A shoulder hurtled out of nowhere, ramming Sirius' brother and knocking both the pistol and Fleur from his grip. It was Bill, and he looked furious at the attempted kidnap of the woman he loved. He and Sirius' brother started fighting with their daggers. Fleur covered her eyes in fright; Hermione grabbed her by the wrist and began pulling her to safety.

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Remus drew his sword out of the belly of the pirate he had just slain, then shot a frightened look up at the poop deck. Sirius and Bellatrix were locked in battle, their swords flashing so fast they were blurred. Sirius didn't show any sign of tiring, but neither did Bella. Remus swallowed hard and said a quick prayer that his lover would be all right, before someone grabbed him by the arm and pulled him round. He found himself face-to-face with a dark, stubbly brute whose eyes were half-hidden behind a wild mane of tangled hair.

Look at im. Ain't e adorable? the man cooed, drawing Remus against him. Remus winced as the man's foul-smelling breath blew into his face. You're too sweet, luv.... where's that bloke been iding you?

Under his dressing-gown, Remus responded, before driving his sword into the man's side. There was an earsplitting yell, and the pirate released Remus, clawing at the blade in his ribs. Remus kicked him in the chest, sending the pirate reeling backwards. He gave his sword a quick, practised flick to send the blood flying from the blade, then dodged as Moody and one of Bella's men backed in front of him.

He heard a triumphant scream. Bellatrix had managed to get in a hit at last, and Sirius' right arm was bleeding. He was fighting back valiantly with his left hand, but it wasn't long until Bella's blade met him again, tearing a gash in his thigh.

Remus saw red. He slipped through the fighting crews like a shadow, climbing up onto the poop deck in time to see Sirius on one knee, his teeth bared as he fought to keep his cousin from driving her sword through his heart. Remus screamed and lunged forward, unmindful of anything except the fact that his lover was being hurt. Sirius meant more to him than anyone or anything else on the planet, and he would not let him die.

Bellatrix wheeled around at the sound; her mouth fell open. Sirius cried, Remmie! No - before his lover brought his sword down in an arc, making Bella leap back, the front of her elegant coat slashed. She stumbled and fell, unbalanced in her surprise; before she could rise, the tip of Remus' blade was at her neck. He was trembling visibly, but with fury rather than fear. Sirius' eyes widened at the change his lover had seemed to undergo; this was not the Remus he knew. This was... this was a Remus he'd never seen before, had never thought could possibly exist.

Don't you dare! Remus shouted. Don't you dare hurt my Siri... I swear, I will kill you for hurting him!

Remmie -! Sirius gasped in pain as fire ripped through the wounds on his arm and leg; he collapsed to the deck. Remus' head whipped around; as soon as he saw Sirius laying there, he abandoned Bellatrix and ran to his mate's side.

Bellatrix leapt up and was gone in a flash; all of a sudden, her crew began retreating as well. Sirius' brother dropped his dagger and fled, leaving a bemused Bill behind. Other duels came to an abrupt halt as the opposing crew disappeared without a word. It happened so quickly no one could really understand what was going on; in the thin, grey light of approaching dawn all they could see was the dark shape of a ship slipping away.

Remus never noticed. He had been employed tearing his shirt into bandages for Sirius' wounds; now he was sitting with the captain's head in his lap, gently brushing sweaty strands of hair away from Sirius' face.

Sirius groaned softly. The bleeding had stopped, but the pain was enormous - and so was the feeling of numb amazement that had filled him when Remus first set foot on the deck. Remmie -

Shh, love. The bloodthirsty, revenge-seeking Remus was gone. The sweet, loving, gentle mate he knew so well and loved so deeply was there once more. Do not strain yourself.

But Remmie - I - you - what are you doing? Sirius asked faintly.

I - I wanted to fight, Remus whispered. I wanted to show you that I could handle it. But then I saw Bellatrix hurting you, and... I... I think I went temporarily mad. The only thing running through my mind was that I could not let anyone kill you. I wanted to kill her for hurting you.

Remmie... love.... Sirius was feeling faint, either from shock or exhaustion. His vision was beginning to double, his eyelids unbearably heavy.

Remus kissed his forehead as everything faded into darkness. It will be all right...

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Hermione wiped her forehead on the back of her arm. The sun had barely risen and already she was sweating hard. The fight with the Azkaban had ended up in quite a mess, and after all their work, the crew was only halfway finished cleaning it up. Viktor, the prince, had emerged on deck; the lock on the brig had been broken during the fight, but no one could be bothered locking him back up at the moment. He wasn't hurting anything, just sitting on the rail with his chin in his hands; and after all, it wasn't as if he had anyplace to escape to.

Hermione was more concerned for the captain; Remus and Molly had carried him away belowdecks on a makeshift stretcher. Sirius had been unconscious, his arm and leg bandaged with scraps of Remus' shirt. Remus looked oddly different in that quick glance Hermione had gotten of him... there was something hardened and somehow very strange in his eyes.

Will the captain be okay? she asked Ginny quietly.

He'll be all right, her friend responded cheerfully. After all, he has Mum and Remus looking after him. There's no one in the world who can take better care of someone than they can.

Hermione turned back to her work, glancing up only when she heard footsteps. It was Ron, his freckly face alight with a bright grin.

Oi, Hermione. He knelt to help her lift the waterlogged barrel she was trying to pick up. You all right?

For a moment, Hermione reflected on how sweet it was of Ron to ask after her like that, and wondered if he really cared about the answer. Then she remembered how he had abandoned her in the pub and left her to get drunk, and her resolve hardened.

she replied, a touch of frostiness in her voice.

Ron looked taken aback at her attitude. 'Mione, are you sure you're -

Of course I am, she snapped. I think I would know my own state of well-being, thanks very much! It's not like I actually mind people who leave their friends in bars and flirt with older women!

Hermione, what in the world are you talking abo-

Don't act like you don't know! Hermione burst out furiously. When we were at that pub in Barbados - I thought you were going to stick around and keep me company, but I was obviously mistaken - how could you leave me alone with all those shady characters, knowing I was drunk? Anything could have happened, and probably would have if it weren't for Charlie! I know it isn't exactly London, but it was terribly rude of you to abandon me! I swear, Ron, I'll never forgive you for doing that to me!

She pushed the barrel into his arms and stalked away, fuming, leaving Ron to stare after her, even more confused than ever.

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Sirius awoke much later in the day to find Remus sitting by his side, gently dabbing at his face with a damp cloth.

Did I wake you? Remus asked, noticing that Sirius was awake. He put the cloth aside and leaned over, kissing his lover softly on the lips. It was a warm, delicate kiss, very much appreciated, and Sirius leaned up to kiss back, arousal cutting cleanly through the dull pain in his arm and thigh. But Remus only shook his head and pushed Sirius back onto the pillows.

You really are insatiable, are you not? You cannot strain yourself, love, until your wounds are on the way to recovery. So until then, we will have to refrain from making love.

The captain let out a disappointed moan, closing his eyes briefly. When he opened them, Remus had crawled onto the bed and was cuddling up close to him. He kissed Sirius on the nose, the sunlight from the windows turning his tawny hair to gold. I love you.

I love you, too.... Sirius reached up with his left hand and ran it through Remus' soft hair. You... you fought Bella off to protect me.

Remus sighed, settling down beside his lover and putting his arms around him. I'm sorry... he whispered. I knew you'd be angry, but I... couldn't let her do that to you....

Don't be sorry. Sirius murmured, taking Remus' hand in his and lacing their fingers together. I'm the one who should be sorry....I never knew... never knew you could be so strong. It was... I mean, I was amazed when I saw you with that sword... but I knew.. somehow... that you would be all right...

Remus' eyes were sparkling with tears.

Just promise me... if anyone tries to take you away from me, you'll murder them where they stand.

Love, I can't -

All right... just promise me you'll tie them up and keep them hostage until I can murder them. Now shh. His lover's eyes closed. My head hurts... I want to go back to sleep. Promise me, my love...

I promise. It came out timid, shy, but it didn't matter. Remus wouldn't allow himself to be taken away from Sirius. He felt overwhelmed, understanding that Sirius had finally given him permission to participate in battles and raids, and his head spun. He rested his head on Sirius' shoulder, squeezing his mate's hand gently. After a few minutes, he began singing a French lullaby, until Sirius' breathing slowed and his hand relaxed in Remus'. Then the brunette closed his eyes and followed his lover into the realm of sleep.

To Be Continued.

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(A/N: Wow! What an exciting fight! And Siri getting injured so that Remus could prove to him that he could take care of himself! This story has it all! Well... it has sexy pirates, at least... oh, well. I'm going to ask all you faithful readers out there a big favour - would anyone draw the HP pirates for me? Yes, I know, I can do it myself, but I'd like to see any pirates anyone else might want to draw. Well, consider it, please? Now it is almost 11 PM and I can't keep my head up much longer, so I'd better get to bed. Goodnight, and see you next chapter!)