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

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Treasure Of Gryffindor
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Chapter 6 - Love and Jealousy At Sea
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Almost a week after the fight between the crews of the Marauder and the Azkaban, life was back to normal. The captain was up and about, his right arm in a sling, limping on his wounded leg, but doing better than anyone expected. Repairs had been made to the ship after a quick stopover at a small island, and supplies had been replenished. It was a fine, clear day, and Hermione couldn't have felt happier to be alive. Her first battle had scared her to death; she considered herself very fortunate to have escaped unscathed. Some of her shipmates hadn't been so lucky; Moody had sustained a bad cut on the arm (though he was so heavily scarred already Hermione doubted it bothered him much); Ginny was sporting a black eye; Harry had twisted his ankle and had to keep it tightly wrapped in order to use it.

The only person who appeared totally unruffled by the experience was the prince from Bulgaria. He was perched on the edge of a crate at the moment, looking out at the water. Though his clothes were no longer as fresh and splendid as they had been a week ago, and though living aboard ship was a dreadful drop in comforts for him, Viktor still had an aloof, sophisticated manner about him. Hermione secretly thought he was very handsome, and was beginning to like him quite a bit. She wondered what Sirius was going to do with him once the voyage was over.

She glanced up from her work to see what was going on around her. Sirius, Remus, Harry, and Andromeda were standing around a large crate, peering down at a map. Sirius was saying something, but Hermione couldn't hear what it was. She stood and shouldered the spear she had been mending and went to put it away. As she passed the prince, she glanced at him. Their eyes met. She offered a small smile, and was surprised when his cool facade broke long enough to allow a grin.

Vat is a beautiful voman such as yourself doing here vith these pirates?

Hermione felt herself blushing furiously. I - I signed up to join this crew.Vy vould you do something like that? Veren't you happy at home? For once, she was stumped. She had never really thought about why she had wanted to join the crew in the first place. She had always wanted adventure, but she never knew why. Perhaps it had been the thought of staying home, with nothing to do but sew or read or attend parties with her parents, only to be married to a rich boy and start having babies...

I don't know, she finally said. I just... thought it sounded like fun.

He smiled. He was even more handsome when he smiled, Hermione noticed. She felt a flutter in her stomach, and bit her lip - what was going on? This was the way she felt when she looked at Ron -

Ron was nothing but a jerk, she reminded herself firmly. She excused herself, heading belowdecks to put away her tools and to give Ginny a hand patching up a hole in the side of the hull. Now was not the time to be thinking about boys and romance! She had work to do. Everything and anything she could do to make the voyage a quick and successful one would help.

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Fleur Delacour took a deep breath of the salty ocean air, tossing back her long, golden braids and tilting her face up to the sun. It felt so good to be out of the cabin. She had been stuck inside for six days, not allowed to emerge from the cabin until the danger was past and the repairs finished. It had nearly driven her mad, but at long last she was free!

She looked over to where Bill was pulling on some ropes, helping to raise the sails. His arms rippled with strong muscle, and his flaming-red hair glinted in the sun like gold. Fleur smiled. She had thanked God again and again for protecting Bill and letting him live. She loved him very much, and she didn't know what she would have done if he had died. Killed herself, most likely.

He noticed her looking at him and smiled at her. She blushed and smiled back, then turned her attention to the horizon. The Marauder was making excellent time, though no one had any idea where they were headed. Fleur supposed the captain knew, but he hadn't said anything yet. She wondered if they were any closer to reaching Gryffindor's treasure, then snorted and scolded herself. Really, now, it was highly improper to encourage the folly of a man old enough to know better. If he was determined to keep this fruitless search up for the rest of his life, Fleur could only hope he would release his crew at some point and go on alone. Staying with Sirius until the treasure was found meant almost certain death for all of them.

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Remus Lupin was positively glowing with pride as he stood beside his lover, looking down at the charts Sirius had spread on top of a crate. Never before had he been allowed to participate in any major decision-making. It had always been up to Sirius, Harry, and Andromeda. But after Remus' defeat of Bellatrix, Sirius seemed to have more confidence in him, and was letting him become more active in what went on around the ship. It couldn't have made the Frenchman any happier, and he had to hide a smile behind his sleeve to keep anyone from thinking him impudent.

The charts before him were scribbled upon many times in crimson ink. Sirius' sprawling handwriting was squeezed into the margins, certain areas circled, crossed out, or written on. Arrows showed the different passages the Marauder had taken. It was all very confusing, but Remus listened carefully as the others talked.

It's not anywhere near the colonies, Andromeda was saying. We ruled that out long ago, remember?The colonies aren't the only things there, Sirius sad patiently. There's a lot of unexplored land beyond the colonies' borders, there is.It could take us a lifetime and a half to search all that, Harry said, dejected. And none of us can compare to the Indians when it comes to those areas. They'd pick us off, one by one, in no time.Dammit. I don't expect it to be there. Gryffindor would most likely have chosen a location closer to Atlantis, the captain grumbled.

If we knew where Atlantis once was, we'd have a better clue, Harry sighed.

If we knew where Atlantis once was, I am sure the treasure would have been found long before now, Remus said softly.

Sirius bared his teeth and jabbed his finger angrily at the chart, pointing to a large area quite devoid of scribbles and arrows. We haven't looked anywhere up North.It's too cold up there! Andromeda protested. We'd all freeze!We'll get fur coats for every man, then, her cousin said through gritted teeth. I'm not backing down!You're insane, Andromeda said angrily. Are you going to sacrifice your crew for this?

They glared daggers at each other, and Remus hastened to break up further argument. Winter's coming, Sirius. Perhaps in the summer it would be better to search in more northerly climates. Until then, we should stick to warmer seas. Look - he pointed at the chart, running his finger along the coastline of South America. This place here hasn't been searched very thoroughly. According to ancient explorers, great tribes live on that continent. Perhaps they have the treasure, but don't know what it is?

There was a long pause in which Sirius considered this; Remus could tell by the look on his face that he hadn't thought of that possibility before. Finally the captain smiled.

You're right again, as always, my love. How could we have been so stupid... never mind. South it is. He rolled up the charts and handed them to Harry. Put these away, and alert the crew! Turn this boat around! Harry saluted, and hurried away. Andromeda strode after him, shouting to the crew. Sirius pulled Remus to him and kissed him hard.

Remus had always been embarrassed by his lover's lack of discretion.

The captain laughed, brushing his long, braided hair out of his face. Come on. He pulled his compass out of his pocket and peered down at it before striding over and taking the wheel. We've got a treasure to find!

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Bellatrix Lestrange was in a furious mood.

It wasn't so much as missing the opportunity to kill her cousin than it was the simple fact that she had been defeated by Sirius' weak, effeminate lover. She had never expected Remus to be so skilled with a sword. Though she knew the depth of Remus' and Sirius' love for each other, she had never thought that anything could fire Remus up like someone attacking his lover.

Her hand strayed to her chest. Remus had only grazed her with the tip of his sword, barely leaving a scratch; but the more Bellatrix dwelt on it, the more it ached. It was more of a wound to her pride, rather than to her body. She gritted her teeth. The nerve of him! The next time, she vowed, the next time she saw that wretched cur, she'd kill him without hesitation.

And there was still the fury and disappointment over losing the trail of the treasure once more. Bellatrix had fully expected to kill her cousin and his crew, then take his ship and everything aboard for her own. Somewhere, anywhere aboard that ship must be some kind of clue that would point the way to the treasure! She cursed out loud, striking the wall with her fist. It wasn't like her to slip like this! Being wounded by Lupin... letting her enemies live.... actually fleeing from a battle.

She scowled. It was the last time it would happen. Next time she saw the Marauder, she would not retreat until every person aboard, even her own sister, was dead.

That decided, she stood up and pulled on her coat and hat. It was time to plan an attack on the nearest group of islands - the Azkaban was running low on supplies.

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Over the next few days, a startling change came over Viktor Krum.

He had been usually content to sit on deck, staring out at the sea, since his release from the brig. But lately, he had been helping the crew out, helping with their work. He didn't seem to mind getting his hands dirty; he was, in fact, a good, strong worker. No one could explain the change that had come over him. None, save the possible exception of Ron Weasley.

It seemed to him that Viktor always appeared wherever Hermione was at the moment. He came to her aid quite often, and Ron could see a frank liking in his eyes when the prince looked at her. It was maddening. Ron didn't know how Hermione felt about Viktor, but he was pretty sure the prince was smitten with her. Why else would he follow her around so sappily, he thought bitterly, or help her with even the smallest tasks?

His mind focused on these thoughts, Ron didn't notice that the rope he was braiding had become very untidy. He jumped when Ginny called his name.

Ron looked down at his rope and groaned. He began to pull it apart, raising his eyes back to where Hermione and Viktor were chattering away as they mended sails.

What d'you mean, Ginny asked. Come on, Ron, I've seen you looking at Hermione and Viktor. You're jealous, aren't you? Ron protested, a little too quickly. He flushed, and looked down at his hands to keep from seeing Ginny's smirk. No, it's not like that. I'm not jealous. Only an idiot would be jealous of all the time Hermione spends with that rich git... Ginny said triumphantly. You are jealous!So what if I am? he mumbled. Hermione's furious with me, remember?Well, it was a bit tactless of you to leave her all alone in that pub. And think of how jealous she must have been, seeing you flirting with Madame Rosmerta....How d'you know all this stuff? Ron asked, suspicious.

I'm not blind, you know. Ginny waved a hand impatiently. You know, you're being stupid. You should really think about apologising to Hermione. It might improve your odds a bit.The odds of getting Hermione to like you back, his sister grinned.

S-shut up!I'm not saying you and Hermione have to be like, say, Sirius and Remus, Ginny chuckled. But she's probably only flirting with Viktor to get you as angry as you made her. At least apologise to her, okay? So she won't keep bitching and moaning to me?I'll do my best, Ron mumbled.

And that was how he found himself pacing back and forth on the deck in the pitch-black of night, the only light coming from the lanterns hanging from the mast. He kept trying to figure out exactly how he should apologise to Hermione. It wasn't going to be easy. She was likely to bite his head off as soon as he asked her for a word. That was, if she wasn't off at the other end of the ship, giggling over something with Viktor.

Excuse me, Ron.

His head jerked up. Hermione was standing beside him, a frosty look in her eye. He suddenly felt very flustered for some reason. As she brushed by him, he took a deep breath.

he shouted after her, then turned deep red.

Hermione turned around, her brown eyes widening. Um - I beg your pardon? She looked just as flustered as Ron felt.

I'm... I'm sorry, Hermione, Ron repeated. His face felt very hot, and he was glad it was dark. I'm sorry I abandoned you in the pub... it wasn't very polite of me. I just... he shuffled his feet. I didn't know what to do, he blurted. I mean, I've never had much experience with girls... at least, not girls like you. You're... different. Most of the girls I've met have no manners, or... they're just whores. And rich, elegant girls always seem like... like goddesses, like if I look at them too long my eyes will burn out. But you're not like that. You're... nice. You're friendly, and not a whore - he was so red now that he was nearly purple - and even though you're p-pretty and everything, I can still talk to you like a regular person. He looked down at the floor. I'm sorry if I insulted you.

Hermione blinked, then smiled. Ron often struck her as being uncouth and rude, and she had never expected him to be so... sweet. She could feel her anger dissolving. She reached out and touched his hand. It's all right, Ron, she said. I'm sorry I was such - such a bitch to you. Friends?

He grinned at her, looking relieved.

She squeezed his hand. Thank you.

Whatever had gone on, though, Ron still noticed with annoyance that Viktor was not leaving Hermione alone. Over the next few days, the prince kept chatting with Hermione. Of course, she had the right to talk to whomever she pleased; but Ron couldn't help being angry. He didn't really like Viktor, hadn't from the first moment they met. He was rude to everyone else on board; and Ron loathed people who were rude to his mother or sister. Hermione didn't seem to mind Viktor's presence, and that just made Ron even more furious. He wondered if he could convince Sirius to feed Viktor to the sharks.

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We're getting closer, Sirius sighed. Can you feel it?

He was standing at the open window, his head tossed back as he inhaled the salty air. His tanned body gleamed in the bright sunlight. Remus surveyed his lover's bare body with interest, his stomach slowly turning over and making him feel nearly sick with lust. At the moment, he was more interested in Sirius' body than anything else, but he asked politely: What do you mean, my love?

Sirius grinned over his shoulder at his mate. The treasure. He crossed the cabin and slid into bed beside Remus, taking his lover in his arms. His body was positively quivering with excitement, only half of which was sexual. I can feel it in my blood, he murmured, his lips barely an inch from Remus' throat. Stronger than ever. We're getting so close.

Remus was feeling rather impatient at the moment, but politeness was an ingrained habit in him. You think so?I really do. His lover's lips moved against his skin, his husky voice sending a shiver of pleasure down Remus' spine. So close, my love.What about Bellatrix? Remus buried his hands in Sirius' long, silky mane.

We'll deal with her when she shows up. I haven't seen any hint of the Azkaban on the horizon, but she always has been good at stealth. Sirius' hands wandered down to rest on Remus' slim hips. I'm not too fussed, darling. We'll be all right. I'll get there first.

Remus sighed as he was pulled against Sirius' sleek, muscular body. He wondered if he was the one getting Sirius so excited, or if it was the thought of finding Gryffindor's treasure. He wished they could just find the damned treasure, so Sirius would lose this madness which had overcome him. When he and Sirius had first met, Remus had had the satisfaction of being able to excite Sirius in a way nothing or no one else ever could; but now this treasure was always on the captain's mind, distracting him. It was an obsession, in his thoughts even during lovemaking, and Remus hated it with all his heart. He wanted to go back to being the only person or thing that filled Sirius' mind, the only one that could drive him wild with desire and love.

It wasn't fair, he thought, drawing his lover down onto him. Was there nothing that could sway Sirius' mind from this doomed quest? Of course, Remus thought bitterly, if he had been more firm with his lover when they were younger, he could have put everything else out of Sirius' mind. If he had only laughed off Sirius' quest, Sirius would have laughed it off too, and perhaps dismissed it as foolishness. But Remus hadn't the heart to do so; he had always supported Sirius in the quest, even when the rest of the crew had started thinking it was hopeless. In a way, it was his fault, too.

To Be Continued.

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(A/N: I'm not going much of anywhere with this Hermione/Vicky/Ron triangle, am I? I apologise. I'm much more used to writing slash relationships. I suppose it's all the same. But I want to get on with the real plot here, not the romantic sub-plot. (And the first person who complains about the Sirius/Remus romantic sub-plot gets a poke in the eye!) But try to be patient. Hermione will choose who she wants to be with in the end. I promise!

Halloween! Did anyone else go out? I did. (A shame at my age, but everyone says I can pass for 17. Besides, I can't pass up free candy!) I was a Hogwarts student (no one in particular; though if I had left my hair down, I could have been Hermione). I had the Hogwarts robes, grey socks, grey jumper, and Mary Janes, but I had to improvise the rest, as my costume was entirely last-minute. I borrowed my brother's button-up dress shirt, and luckily my dad had a plain red tie I could use, though it didn't have yellow stripes. I didn't have a grey skirt, so I wore a black one. And I made a wand by wrapping electrical tape around the bottom half of a stick. All in all, it was a pretty good costume, and everyone said I was cute. I don't think anyone whose house I went to knew what I was, but I didn't get any rocks like poor Charlie Brown did, so at least they knew I was in costume. Okay, I've bored you enough. See you next chapter!)