A/N - I want to thank Jedi Amoira for the use of her character, Bion Alderley in this chapter. Also thank you very much for those who have taken the time out of your day to read and review this story. It means the world to me.

Chess Matches and Snacks

The Gryffindor common room was quiet as the few remaining students spent the last of their Sunday evening studying for their upcoming lessons. Ginny sat staring at the chess board contemplating her next move. Glancing up to the window she noticed the sky had grown completely dark, she frowned slightly, looking back down at her chess pieces. She had kept an eye out for Will and Jack at dinner but they never arrived. When she had looked up at the head table she took notice that Dumbledore and several other Professors were absent for the evening meal. She had seen neither Jack nor Will since that morning and she was growing curious as to what was going on.

"Ginny, it's your go," Harry said before he took a sip of his hot chocolate and set the mug back next to the chess board.

"Mm-hmm," Ginny said absently as she toyed with her white Rook, which looked bored waiting on her to call a move.

Hermione sat on the corner of the couch flipping through the pages of her book, 'Mysteries of Ancient Gods'. Her eyes roamed up to study Ginny and Harry for a moment before turning to glance over at Ron who sat on the opposite end of the sofa. Ron glimpsed up from his book to frown at Ginny. He turned and exchanged a glance with Hermione before returning to his reading.

Harry cleared his throat bringing Ginny's attention back to him from her chess piece.

"I was wondering," Harry began before clearing his throat again. Ginny watched Harry's eyes dart over to the couch before looking back at her. "Do you. . . Would you like to go with me and get a butterbeer on the next Hogsmeade visit?"

Ginny stared in surprise, working to swallow her heart back down from her throat, it took her several seconds before she recovered and smiled, "I'd like that."

Ron's stomach gurgled loudly. A few second year students walking past looked over at him and giggled.

"I'm hungry," Ron complained, rubbing his abdomen.

Hermione regarded him with disbelief. "Supper was just few hours ago," she said, turning a page in her book. Ginny looked back at Harry and grinned. Harry shook his head bringing a mug of hot chocolate to his lips, his eyes crinkled over the rim of the cup in a hidden smile.

"I know that, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm still hungry," said Ron.

"Honestly, Ron," Hermione huffed, snapping her book closed she got up. Ron looked up as Hermione stood over him, a hand on her hip, waiting. "Well?" Hermione said impatiently.

"Well what?" Ron asked.

Ginny gave a command under her breath for her Rook to move forward. She caught Harry look out of the corner of his eye at the chess board before turning his attention back to his friends.

Neville sat quietly at the end of a table, concentrating on his home work while Dean and Seamus played a game of exploding snap on the other end. The three looked over at Hermione and Ron and then exchanged grins before turning their attention back to the table.

"Well come on then," Hermione commanded, shifting her book so she could extend her free hand. Ron looked slightly confused at her offered hand before staring back up at her.

"Are we going to get you a snack or not?" Hermione asked, her hand still extended.

Ron face broke into a pleased grin as he grasped Hermione's hand, letting her pull him up. Heading towards the door, Ron looked over his shoulder at Harry and Ginny, his eyebrows raised with a happy smile as he allowed Hermione to lead him out of the common room.

"Did you want something?" Harry asked, nodding towards Hermione and Ron as they slipped through the portrait.

"I don't think the kitchens have what I've been wanting lately," said Ginny, fingering the edge of the small table.

"Oh? What would that be?" Harry asked, prodding his pawn to move.

"Quit yer shovin'!" the pawn shouted to Harry before moving forward.

"It's nothing really, just one of my favorite sweets. I can only seem to find them at Honeydukes," Ginny said with a shrug while staring down at the chessboard again.

"Blackberry chewy-globs?" said Harry, leaning in towards the table slightly.

Ginny looked up yet again startled. "How did you know?" she asked.

Harry grinned giving a half shrug. "I know a lot of things."

"Like?" Ginny asked, sitting forward.

"Like I know you enjoy the position of Chaser to Seeker. And you have a mean Bat-Bogey Hex," said Harry.

Ginny grinned. "Stating the obvious?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

Harry looked up, holding Ginny's gaze.

"In the side garden of the Burrow there is a trellis covered with wisteria. Your dad enchanted it to bloom all summer for your mum. I know you would go out every morning and smell it." Harry said, watching her closely. "I know you always keep a green elastic in your pocket to pull your hair back when you need it. I know you prefer wheat toast to white. I know when you're sitting in an armchair reading; you always tuck your left foot under your leg and twirl the same lock of hair while concentrating on your book."

Ginny could only sit, looking stunned while Harry continued on.

"I know you prefer apple juice to pumpkin and you always pick out the lima beans from the mixed vegetables. I know you buy the same blue quills when your old one needs replacing and that you always smell of clean soap and lilacs."

Ginny blinked in astonishment, her lips parting slightly.

"I know more than you think, Ginny," he said softly.

Ginny exhaled, feeling an overwhelming loss for words.

"Your turn," said Harry, sitting back in his seat.

"Oh," said Ginny, she looked down at the chessboard where many of her pieces were staring up at her impatiently. The white queen stood with her hands clasped together against her chest starring up at Harry in rapture.

"How romantic," the queen gushed. The king smacked his forehead before shaking his head.

"This is worse than when that red-headed one moons over the girl with the books," the white king grumbled.

Ginny and Harry watched as the white queen backhanded the king standing beside her.

Ginny ordered her now laughing bishop to go and glanced up at Harry as the chess piece moved forward.

Harry grinned, his eyes seeming to linger for a moment on her lips before looking down at the chessboard again. "This is going to take a while."

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Ron asked as he followed Hermione down the hall. "We're not past curfew. You're Headgirl and I'm a prefect, I doubt that we are going to get into any trouble," said Ron as Hermione gave his hand another tug.

"I thought you said you were hungry," asked Hermione as they approached a painting of a giant bowl of fruit.

"I, err, well I am," said Ron, shoving his free hand into his pocket.

"Well then I thought you'd be in a hurry to get to the kitchens," said Hermione, stretching up to touch the pear. Ron stepped forward; giving her hand a small squeeze before taking his other hand out of his pocket to reach up and tickle the pear.

Hermione froze, her heart tripping over itself as Ron stood close to her. She suddenly realized that she held onto Ron's hand the entire walk. She marveled at how right her hand felt in his. A knob appeared on the portrait and Ron slowly lowered his arm, looking down at her.

"That didn't mean we had to hurry," said Ron.

An excited rush sweep over Hermione as Ron bent forward and lowered his head towards her. Her breath caught in her throat as he gently pressed his lips to hers. Ron moved his free hand to rest on her upper arm and gripped it gently. Hermione felt the corridor fade away from her conscious. She seemed only to be able to concentrate on the feel of Ron's lips against her own. Ron tenderly stroked the back of her hand with his thumb as he allowed his lips to linger on hers for several seconds before pulling away. Ron tilted his head placing a peck on her cheek before standing straight again. Hermione's eyes fluttered open her cheek still warmed by his touch. She glanced up at him, her stomach doing flip-flops.

Ron looked at her for several moments before giving her a lopsided grin. "See, no need to rush."

Hermione nervously licked her lips as she stared up him completely speechless. Ron took a step back smiling down at her.

"Want to share a sundae?" he asked.

Hermione nodded her eyes wide and bright.

Turning the handle of the kitchen entrance Ron pulled Hermione with him as he stepped out of the swinging portrait's path.

"Great, I'll even let you choose the toppings," said Ron happily. He gave Hermione's hand a light squeeze and pulled it to urge her forward through the doorway before him. Hermione paused looking up at Ron as they stepped into the kitchens. Ron stared down at her expectantly.

"Ron, I, um, I'm glad you were hungry," said Hermione, smiling shyly up at him.

"Yeah, me too," said Ron, with a grin.

Ginny threw her head back laughing. "They didn't!" she said as she wiped a tear from her eye.

"They did," Harry said, nodding his head as he laughed.

A few straggling students that were sitting on a near by couch looked up and frowned at the noise the pair were making before going back to their last minute studying. The chess pieces were curled up fast asleep on the chess board as the game had been long forgotten. A lone knight snored loudly until a near by pawn jabbed him in the side causing the knight to roll over and continue to sleep quietly.

"Did I ever tell you the time that Fred and George made Percy sing like a girl every time he opened his mouth?" Ginny asked, shifting in her seat to tuck her foot beneath her leg.

Harry chuckled. "No, but I did hear about the time that they turned his hair blue and made it to grow down his back. I hear that he looked rather fetching in that shade," said Harry, laughing. Ginny went into another bout of giggles.

"Oh you should have seen it, Harry. He was fit to be tied. Mum was furious because they put an anti cutting charm and he was stuck with it that way until the spell wore off," said Ginny.

"How long did that take?" Harry asked.

"All summer!" said Ginny, covering her mouth to muffle her laughing. Harry bent forward to catch his breath.

The common room had slowly grown dark with the fading firelight while the couple sat over and abandoned game of wizard's chess, telling funny stories. Ginny covered her mouth with the back of her hand to stifle a sudden yawn. She grinned when Harry yawned in response.

"Contagious, aren't they?" said Ginny, dropping her hand back down to the arm of the chair.

"Yeah," Harry said with a smile. Ginny looked at the low burning flames in the fireplace.

"I suppose it's getting rather late," said Ginny.

"Yeah," Harry said again. Ginny glanced up from the fireplace to find Harry staring at her.

"A man of many words you're not," teased Ginny.

Harry shrugged, his expression growing serious. "It's never been my strong point."

Ginny frowned. "I was teasing, Harry," she said.

Harry gave her a crooked smile. "I know, but that doesn't change what is," said Harry, shuffling his feet over the worn carpet beneath his chair.

"Harry --"

"I really had a nice time tonight," Harry said quickly.

Ginny sat back in her chair, looking at Harry closely. "I had a nice time too," she finally said, giving him a warm smile.

"Yeah?" Harry asked.

"Yeah," answered Ginny.

With another yawn Ginny stretched her arms wide before standing up. Harry stood with her, slipping his wand into his back pocket before putting his hands deep into the front pocket of his jeans.

"If you don't mind, I think I'm going to call it a night. I want to read over some notes for tomorrow's History class," said Ginny, fingering her wand as she moved around the armchair. "The last thing I want to do is get Le'Jacko the Odd confused with Mawilda the Strange. That would probably put Binns' mist into a twist," said Ginny. Harry grinned, following her as Ginny walked towards the entrance to the girl's stairs.

"I'm sure it would make for something finally interesting in that class," he said, chuckling.

"You're probably right," said Ginny with a grin that greatly mirrored that of Fred and George. She paused at the base of the stairs, "Well... Goodnight, Harry."

"Yeah, goodnight," said Harry, sounding reluctant to see the evening end.

The portrait opening caused the couple to turn and look. Jack Sparrow entered followed closely by Will.

"Hello Lass," Jack said, eyeing the couple as he approached. Will looked between the two, frowning as he stared at Harry.

"Hello Ginny," Will said, turning his attention to the petite red-head, his face brightened and a warm smile replaced his frown. "We didn't interrupt anything did we?" Will asked.

Will glanced out of the corner of his eye at Harry, who frowned at the pirate before Will turned his attention back to Ginny. Harry's frown quickly turned to a scowl. Jack stood silently, his eyebrows slightly raised as he glanced around the room looking mildly bored.

"No, you didn't interrupt. I was actually heading to bed," said Ginny.

"Oh," said Will, his expression falling to disappointment. Harry couldn't stop himself from grinning nastily.

"Did something happen with your meeting with Professor Dumbledore? Did they find out anymore about how to get you home?" asked Ginny, glancing curiously between Jack and Will. Harry looked sharply at the two pirates, waiting for an answer.

"Well your Headmaster said ---," Will began.

"Everything's fine, Luv. Nothing for you to worry about," Jack, cut Will off.

Ginny's brows furrowed in a frown, glimpsing at Jack.

"Are you sure?" Ginny asked, turning her attention once again to Will.

Will quickly looked at Jack, who gave him a steady but meaningful stare before looking down at Ginny again.

"Everything is fine. We can speak more of it in the morning," said Will, looking disappointed.

"Alright then," Ginny said, giving Will one last searching look. "Goodnight then," she said, glancing once more at Jack who gave her a quick smile and a nod before turning back toWill.

"Goodnight, Ginny" said Will, giving her a sad smile.

"Goodnight, Lass," said Jack.

Ginny turned towards the stairs looking once more at Harry as he stood silently, hands in his pockets, watching her.

"Goodnight Harry," she said, smiling softly.

"Goodnight Ginny," Harry said, smiling in return.

Ginny made her way up the stairs as the men stood below and watched her disappear around the curve.

Will stared at the empty staircase for several seconds before turning to glower at Harry.

"Not tonight Lad," Jack said, taking a firm hold of Will's arm.

Harry stood tall, chin held high as he took his hands out of his pockets only to slip his right hand around his wand junting out of his back pocket. His left hand curled into a tight fist. Will looked hard at Jack before turning a contemptuous glance at Harry. Without a word Will abruptly turned and strode to the hidden guest room. As Jack turned to leave, Harry swiftly reached out and grabbed his arm.

Jack looked down at Harry's hand with an eyebrow raised before bringing his eyes up to meet Harry's.

"Something you need son?" asked Jack.

"You have to help me," said Harry.

Jack slowly looked the wizard up and down as Harry let go of his arm.

"Why ask me?" said Jack.

"Because you're a pirate," answered Harry. He looked around the nearly empty common room taking notice of a couple of students paying them no mind as they sat hunched over rolls of parchments with ink quills in hand.

"And you want to turn pirate yourself, is that it?" Jack teased.

Harry steered Jack near a darkened corner before speaking. Jack's expression wasn't pleased but he allowed himself to be ushered along.

"No! I want your help making Turner see sense," Harry ground out through clenched teeth. Jack looked at Harry curiously.

"You'll have to do it alone mate. I see no profit in it for me," said Jack.

Harry gave him a disbelieving stare. "Is that all you can think about? Your next treasure?" he snapped.

Jack quirked an eyebrow, "I know I've had this conversation before," he said under his breath as he glanced around the room. Jack looked back and grinned darkly as he leaned in towards Harry.

"A pirate must do right by himself first and foremost. Take what you can, give nothing back. "

Harry fumed, glaring at the pirate. "So you're not going to help me?" Harry demanded.

"I'm not going to help you," Jack said soberly. He walked over to the nearest chair and sank into it, reclining back as he looked up at Harry. "I'll tell you this much, Harry my lad, so pay attention. The only rules that really matter are these – What a man can do and what a man can't do," said Jack. Harry frowned down with his arms crossed in front of his chest. "For instance," Jack went on, sitting forward in his seat. "I can talk to Will, but I can't make him change his heart. -- Savvy?"

Jack allowed his point to sink in before clapping his hands down onto the arms of the chair and pushing himself upright once more. "Now, if you'll excuse me, lad, I believe I'll be retiring for the evening," said Jack, taking a few steps towards the hidden door.

Harry angrily watched the pirate walk away.

"I believe tomorrow will be a very eventful day," Jack said over his shoulder with a crooked grin. "A very eventful day indeed."

Ginny's final class of the day, Transfiguration, felt like it was taking longer than normal. She sat impatiently bouncing her leg as the minutes ticked by at a painfully slow rate. With a wave of her wand the small toad before her transformed into an elaborate crystal vase. Ginny frowned down at the piece, taking notice of the vivid green tint the crystal held.

"Typical," she muttered to herself, pushing the vase aside to rest her chin on her hand.

"Are you going to the dueling demonstration after dinner tonight?" Ginny heard Colin Creevey whisper to his table-mate, Sixth year Ravenclaw - Bion Alderley. Ginny turned her head slightly and saw Bion nod his head. Luna Lovegood, Ginny's tablemate, turned around to give Colin and Bion a vacant stare.

"Pirates cheat you know," said Luna in her usual dreamy manner, "No valor whatsoever. My father says that Slytherins base their morals on that of the wickedest of pirate codes," Luna nodded as she spoke, her huge eyes losing some of their dreamy quality to show a sparkle of interest. "My father plans to do an entire article on how Salazar Slytherin was actually a dreaded pirate who sailed the high seas, raiding villages and causing mass destruction with the wave of an oar."

Colin and Bion stared at Luna, their jaws slack in utter disbelief. Luna merely shrugged her shoulders before returning to stare down a copy of The Quibbler, which peeked out from under her text book. "You wait and see," she said before beginning to hum a chorus of 'Weasley is our King.'

Ginny rolled her eyes heavenward and shook her head, turning her attention back to her green tinted vase.

"So what do you think, Ginny?" Colin asked.

Ginny turned in her seat to see the three looking at her curiously.

"I think it's going to be an interesting demonstration," Ginny answered carefully.

"To say the least," Bion snorted softly.

The class bell rang, ceasing their conversation. Ginny gathered up her books and made for the door as quickly as possible. She didn't bother to wait on her friends as she made for to the Gryffindor tower to get rid of her knap sack before dinner. She had missed out on lunch being forced to stay late after Care of Magical Creatures to help tend to a litter of newly borne kneazle kittens with Hagrid. Her stomach rumbled as she marched up the staircase to her dorm.

"Ginny, there you are. We didn't see you at lunch," said Hermione as she made her way down the stairs that wound up past the seventh year room to the Headgirl's dorm for Gryffindor.

"Hi Hermione," said Ginny, turning to open the door of her dorm. "I was helping Hagrid at lunch."

"Oh," said Hermione, following Ginny into the room. Ginny dropped her bag onto her bed and grabbed her hair brush off of the nightstand. Ginny reached up and removed the simple barrette that held her hair back from her face and began to quickly brush out any tangles. Ginny turned, giving Hermione a curious glance as the other girl stood just inside the door frame.

"Everything alright?" asked Ginny with a final stroke of the hair brush. Hermione gave a small start.

"What? Oh, everything is fine," she answered, blushing slightly.

Ginny gave her a shrewd look, fastening her barrette back into place. "If you say so."

"So, who won the chess game last night?" ask Hermione as she fidgeted with the wand inside her robe pocket. Ginny dropped the brush back onto the night stand and walked up to Hermione.

"We never finished it. We got to talking and sort of forgot about the game," said Ginny, reaching up to twirl a lock of hair near her neck. Hermione watched Ginny closely as the younger girl stood before her.

"Oh?" Hermione asked, schooling her face to show nothing.

"Yeah," Ginny answered, her expression became distant as she was lost in her thoughts.

"Was it an interesting conversation?" Hermione pressed gently. Ginny's focus slowly came back to Hermione. Ginny let go of the lock of red hair and stuck her hands into her robe pockets.

"He never fails to surprise me," Ginny said seriously. Hermione reached over and gave Ginny's arm a light squeeze.

"Ready to head down to dinner?" Hermione asked.

Ginny nodded.

"Think you'll be going to the demonstration after?" asked Hermione, letting her hand fall back to her side.

"It's all everyone seemed to talk about today," said Ginny, stepping out of the room and down the stairs. Hermione shut the door behind her and followed.

"If anything else it will be interesting to see actual pirates from that era dueling in a sword match," said Hermione.

"Clearly from an educational point of view and nothing to do with two handsome men facing off or the ring of cold steel," Ginny said over her shoulder.

"Oh honestly," Hermione huffed. Ginny couldn't help but giggle.

"So, how was that snack last night?" Ginny asked as she stepped off of the stairs into the common room. Hermione's cheeks grew instantly pink as she made her way towards the portrait.

"We had better hurry. We don't want to be late," said Hermione. Ginny hid a grin as followed Hermione out into the corridor.

"Hermione?" said Ginny after they had walked several feet in silence.

"Hmm?" Hermione answered.

"Has Jack or Will spoke to you about their meetings with Professor Dumbledore?" asked Ginny.

Hermione frowned as she thought.

"No, I don't believe they have," said Hermione as the girls turned a corner.

"I think something is going on and they aren't telling us," said Ginny, sticking her hand into her robe pocket.

"I know, I've been most curious to how things have been going with trying to find how to return them home," said Hermione.

Ginny attempted to hide the sudden flash of disappointment from Hermione by turning her head to glance at a portrait of a wind swept meadow and a pair of young girls randomly picking flowers.

"I asked Professor McGonagall what she knew and was informed that I need to spend my time worrying about my Headgirl duties and not of the business of the Professors," said Hermione sourly.

The girls walked several seconds more in silence as they came to the top of a set of stairs.

"Part of me doesn't want him to go," Ginny finally admitted, stopping at the head of the stairs. Hermione turned to look up at her from a few steps down.

"I know," said Hermione gently.

"Is that wrong of me?" Ginny asked.

Hermione stared up at her silently for a few seconds.

"No, it's not wrong," she answered. "Come on, otherwise they will start to wonder where we have gotten to," said Hermione, giving Ginny a sad smile.

"Which they?" Ginny asked.

Hermione's smile turned into a cheeky grin as she turned to continue down the stairs. "All four of them."

Ginny stared down at the bushy haired girl before hurrying down the stairs to catch up, "Hermione! You naughty girl!" Ginny laughed.

"I know," Hermione giggled in return.

Both girls locked arms as they hurried on their way to the main hall.

Floating through a wall on his way to upset the desks of a near by classroom and hopefully set Filch into a raving fit, Peeves was just in time to see the two Gryffindor females laughing as they raced down the hallway.

"Oi! Watch it you!" Peeves shouted.

The girls paid him no heed as they hurried along. With a frown Peeves huffed and crossed his arms over his chest as he slowly began to rotate until he was floating upside down.

"Women," he grumbled to himself, "Crazy they all are, the lot of them. Even the miniature ones."