Disclaimer: Hermione, Ginny and the other HP characters belong to JKR, not me. Jack and Will from PotC belong to Disney.

A/N: Enjoy folks…this one is extra long for ya!

LigheningExperience: I'm converting you? How cool is that! No, but seriously Will and Jack are both great characters, in their own special ways. I'm pretty sure that you can like both, lol. I'm not quite sure where this is going either, but I'm planning on making more of a drama in the HP world. But don't

worry; there will be plenty of PotC moments yet to come.

SenatorSolo: Hmm, a joint daydream for Hermione and Ginny? I'll keep that in mind. ;D I'm glad you thought the Jack-chasing-his-hat part was funny. Phew…it was meant to be! Yes, tender moments between Hermione and Will are always good. Look for more Jack in the story in the future. I'm gonna add him because everyone loves him. I love him too, just not in the same way that I love Will.

Captain-Ammie: Thanks for reviewing! I'm sure Harry felt dumb afterwards for not realizing what was really going on with Hermione…

InwePirate-Elf: Yes, the whole witch issue was hard to resolve. I didn't want it to get that dramatic, because I like keeping the PotC parts light and fun. Yes you are right, which OB fan wouldn't want Will to kiss them like that? Hehe! ;D Thanks for that lovely review!

Jaded Emerald: Thanks, I'm trying to write fast! Haha, I'm glad you think it's funny. Cool penname, by the way.

Miss-serpentina: Wow, I had no idea that this was THAT funny. Coolness! I hope this one is long enough for you!

Tears-that-fall: Poor Hermione, getting caught in front of her entire class! We've all been in embarrassing situations, but that would be the absolute worst! But hey, she got to kiss Will. It's a fair tradeoff.

Avchocoholic: Well thanks for that awesome review! throws you some cockroach cluster

WillsOneLove: Aw, you are so sweet! Thanks for being so encouraging, that really motivates me to write more…and faster too:D

Ch. 5: A surprise encounter

Later that evening, back in the Gryffindor common room, Ginny burst through the portrait hole to find Hermione deeply immersed in her Arithmancy project.

"'Mione, I heard about what happened in study hall today – next time try and be a bit more discreet," Ginny teased her friend. "Your dream about Will must've been good one, huh? " When Hermione looked up, she didn't give a hint of a smile but instead gave a defeated sigh. Immediately, Ginny knew something was wrong. "Hermione? Are you alright?" she asked gently.

"Today in Arithmancy, Professor McGonagall called Terry Boot out of class. Professor Vector later informed us that his father had been killed by the Death Eaters after refusing to turn in a few members of the Order." Ginny gasped in horror.

"Oh I'm so sorry; I didn't know he was a good friend of yours." Hermione shook her head.

"He's not, really. I'm just so bloody tired of all these attacks!" Ginny nodded, sympathetically. "Right now it seems that evil is winning this war…I can't stop thinking about what would happen if V-Voldemort managed to take over the wizarding community." She paused, setting her homework to the side. "Have you touched on World War two in your Muggle Studies class?"

"Yes," Ginny answered uncertainly. "But what does that have to do with Voldemort?"

"Remember Adolf Hitler, Germany's dictator? He put all of the people, mainly Jews, that he deemed were unclean in concentration camps. In the end over six million people were exterminated by Hitler, and his Nazi followers. I imagine that Voldemort would do something similar to muggle-borns and their sympathizers." Ginny pulled her friend into a hug.

"I know that it seems bleak right now, but the Order is doing everything they can to stop him. Dumbledore is working overtime, leaving the school for what I suspect must be Order business. As long as we have him, I wouldn't be too worried." Hermione bit her lip, apparently not convinced. You aren't muggleborn; he won't come after you first. "Well, we are as safe as we can be for the moment." Ginny continued. "Dumbledore installed all of those special spells and safety precautions on the castle this summer. We shouldn't dwell on the Dark Lord and his plan for supremacy, for that is what he would want." Hermione nodded slowly and gave her red haired friend a tiny smile.

"I suppose you are right. How 'bout I tell you about my daydream instead?" Hermione proceeded to tell Ginny what had transpired during her second encounter with Will.

"…And then Harry shook me awake when our free period was over, right in the middle of our snog session." Ginny had a good laugh at Hermione's expense, but when the older girl gave her a death glare, she sobered instantly.

"Wow-ee," whistled Ginny. "You took a real risk telling him that you were a witch! I'm surprised he didn't chuck you overboard."

"So was I," Hermione admitted. "But once I'd calmed him down, he listened to my explanation and concluded that I wasn't such an evil person after all." She smiled wistfully remembering how Will had eagerly asked to see her perform magic. "He challenged me to apparate into the Crow's Nest, and I did it!"

"You've told him about apparition?" Ginny stared uneasily at her friend. "Just how many secrets of our world have you revealed to him, Hermione?" The sixth year folded her arms across her chest.

"I made him swear not to tell anyone," she said, defensively. "Will wouldn't do that! He would never betray me; I just know it. Besides, I'll bet you've already told Jack that you're a witch."

"That's different," Ginny objected. "Jack Sparrow is a very open minded person; you'd have to be if you were to live a pirate's life. He associates with all kinds of scoundrels and thieves. Telling him that I was a witch must've sounded quite tame to him." Hermione sighed in defeat,

"I guess you are right. Hey, did you hear that Dumbledore's scheduled a Hogsmeade visit for Friday evening?"

"No! That's excellent; I could use a break from all this studying. O.W. L. year is too bloody difficult!" Poor Ginny had the Ordinary Wizarding Level tests at the end of the term, so her workload was much more taxing than the previous year.

"Would you like to meet up somewhere? I'm sure the boys would love to…"

"Sorry, but I can't," Ginny apologized. "I promised Dean that we'd spend the next Hogsmeade trip together." She doesn't sound too thrilled about it. "Well, I'd better go to bed; Snape's giving us a practical exam in DADA tomorrow."

"You'll do fine," Hermione encouraged her. "It will just be like old times in the DA. Good night, Gin."

"'Night, 'Mione."

The week flew by and before she knew it, the visit to Hogsmeade had arrived. As it was snowing, Hermione bundled up in her matching red coat, hat, and gloves. If it was anything that she loathed, it was being cold. She spent a pleasant evening with Ron and Harry in the Three Broomsticks pub. (To Hermione's delight, Lavendar was conspicuously absent, as she was serving detention with McGonagall for falling behind in her class.)

Walking back to the castle, Hermione enjoyed talking and laughing with her best friends, who seemed to be in good spirits. It was during times like these that she was able to forget that the wizarding world was fighting a deadly war against the most powerful dark wizard in centuries. Halfway to the castle, Ginny joined them, explaining that Dean wanted to spend some time with Seamus. By the time they had reached the grounds after being thoroughly searched by Filch, the stars were already twinkling brightly in the black night sky.

"Alrigh' you four?" The students ran into Hagrid, who had just returned from the Forbidden Forest.

"'Alright Hagrid," Harry answered, grinning. "How've you been? I'm sorry we haven't been down to see you lately."

"Oh, I'm fine, just fine," grumbled the half-giant. "Actually, could one of you do me a big favor?" Not waiting for an answer, he pulled a cylinder package from his coat pocket. "Here, be sure that Dumbledore gets this at exactly ten o'clock," instructed Hagrid, thrusting the package into Hermione's hands. He lowered his voice, "It's very important now…Order business."

"We'll take care of it," Hermione promised him.

"Thanks," said Hagrid, relieved. "I've got to go feed Aragog…he hasn't been feeling too well lately."

"Oi! It's eight 'til ten!" yelled Ron. "We'd better hurry," he pointed out as they trekked up to the castle. I haven't seen Harry looking so relaxed in a long time – I'd better be the one to deliver the package. That way he can spend some time with Ron while Lavender isn't present.

"I'll do it. I'll bet that you lot have even begun your Charms project." The boys looked at each other guiltily.

"Thanks a million, Hermione," said Ron and Harry. "We owe you one," added Ron, and Hermione felt her face grow hot.

"I'll come with you," offered Ginny. Hermione nodded, figuring she wanted to discuss something that had transpired between her and Dean. The girls sprinted up the many flights of stairs, dashed down a long corridor, and finally came to the entrance to Dumbledore's office."

"What's the password?" panted Hermione, doubled over from a pain in her side.

"I don't know!" Ginny was only slightly out of breath, as she was so fit from Quidditch practice. "It's one minute until ten," she warned, beginning to panic.

"Maybe we should just open it ourselves," Hermione suggested. "If it's a message, we'll hear it and then find Dumbledore."

"Sounds good," Ginny agreed, and they simultaneously tore off the paper. The girls stared at the container, dumbfounded. It was a can of cockroach cluster, bearing the official Honeydukes stamp.

"Is this Hagrid's idea of a joke? Order business, indeed," Hermione tutted. "Dumbledore must've been having a craving for chocolate, and wanted a speedy delivery." Ginny eyed the container with interest.

"Well, we did run it all the way up here; I'm sure he wouldn't mind if I had a few." Hermione firmly gripped the can as Ginny yanked the top off and stuck her hand down inside, in search of the candies. "Cockroach clusters, honestly…"

However, Ginny never did get to finish her sentence. The girls were suddenly lifted off the ground, spinning as they disappeared from the castle and thrown to the floor in a dark room. Groaning softly, they gingerly sat up and took in their surroundings.

"Ohhh, my stomach," Hermione complained weakly, as Ginny helped her stand.

"Are you alright?" Ginny whispered, her voice full of concern.

"Yes," replied Hermione. She looked down at her glow-in-the-dark muggle watch and noted that it was exactly ten o'clock.

"Lumos!" The young witches held their wands in front of them, trying to illuminate the impenetrable darkness that blanketed them. "Hermione, how did we get here? Was that can really a…"

"I believe so," Hermione grimly replied. "The can of cockroach cluster was a portkey." Having fully explored the room, the girls deduced that it was some sort of living room, except it hadn't been lived in for sometime. Musty white sheets were draped over the old-fashioned furniture, cobwebs lined the ceiling, and everything was covered in a layer of dust. Ginny made her way to the door, her wand outstretched.

"Alohomora!" Nothing happened; the door was clearly locked. "Er, Hermione, how do we get out of here?" Ginny asked, her soft voice trembling.

"I don't know, Gin." An uneasy feeling was creeping over her, as if she was being watched.

"You don't." A high-pitched, cold feminine voice answered them from the darkness, and Hermione fought the urge to scream. "I see you found the portkey," she cackled. At once the lights came on and the girls saw who was holding them prisoner. Hermione and Ginny gasped in horror as the ghastly woman stepped out of the shadows. I liked it better when I didn't know who the voice belonged to. "The Dark Lord will be very pleased; I'm sure he can find a use for you," said the Death Eater.

"Bellatrix Lestrange, we meet again," snarled Hermione.

"You – you monster!" Ginny cried. "How could you do that to Sirius! He was your cousin; doesn't that count for something?" Bellatrix gave them a patronizing sneer.

"He was a blood traitor to the Black family, and therefore had to be eliminated. But enough about that," she snapped. "How is young mister Potter? I doubt he'll react well when he finds out that the two of you have gone missing."

"You leave Harry alone; it's not your job to kill him. Voldemort wants to do that personally," said Ginny.

"Do not speak his name!" Bellatrix screamed. "You insolent girl; you aren't worthy to speak the Dark Lord's name. A pity though…we could use a young, talented pureblood such as yourself." Ginny glared at her.

"I'd rather die than join with the dark side. I know what you're trying to do – and it won't work. Harry won't be lured into trying to rescue us; he's learned from his past mistake."

"You have feelings for him," Bellatrix realized with twisted delight, as she used occulmency on Ginny. "This is perfect," she crowed. "You have fallen in love with the 'chosen one'. Do you deny it?"

"No," said Ginny, softly. "But he does not return my feelings. So that will not help you," she said with satisfaction.

"Oh, but my dear, I believe he does," the Death Eater disagreed, with a high-pitch laugh. "I've been delving into your memories…I'm surprised old Dumbly hasn't taught you to better defend yourself!" Ginny let out a gasp.

"You're wrong!" she cried, desperately. Bellatrix's face was distorted in an expression of wild joy.

"I can see the way he stares at you, when he believes you aren't looking. Especially at Quidditch practice, oh yes," she proclaimed smugly. "You'll be the perfect tool to stop that Potter boy once we've lured him into our trap." Ginny looked at her, wide-eyed.

"Please, give me to Voldemort instead. Not Harry…" This enraged the Death Eater.

"I told you not to speak his name!" Bellatrix bellowed as she aimed her wand at the fifth year. "Crucio!" Ginny screamed in agony, her body twitching in response to the intense pain.

"Bellatrix…you're not the only one who can perform occulmency!" Hermione yelled, desperate to save her friend. Distracted, the Death Eater lowered her wand, and Ginny lay still. As she had been entirely focused on Ginny, Bellatrix had forgotten that Hermione was in the room. "I've just seen that you allowed your sister to go against your boss's wishes. That was rather thick of you, letting Snape making an unbreakable vow to protect Draco at all costs. You see, Snape's really on our side…and now we must know exactly what it is that Malfoy needs protection from."

"You stupid girl; Severus Snape is a spy for Voldemort. He is one of his most trusted confidants, and gives us regular updates on the goings on at Hogwarts." Hermione shrugged.

"Believe whatever you wish to believe." She moved over to check on Ginny, who, other than having a gash on her forehead, seemed to be doing okay." I've got to get her out of here, and fast. If only she could apparate already – wait. That's it!

"Now, Miss Granger, prepare to feel…" Bellatrix fell backwards, as Hermione had used a non-verbal 'stupefy' on her. Grabbing Ginny's limp arm, the young witch furrowed her brow in concentration, and without further delay, apparated from the room.

Later that night

Ginny Weasley's head swam…it took all of her energy just to open her eyes.

"Hermione?" Ginny asked feebly, blinking her eyes as they adjusted to the cheery light.

"Shh, we're safe now," Hermione soothed. Ginny grimaced, still feeling the aftershocks of the Cruciatus curse.

"But how did we…"

"Side-along apparition. I'd never tried it before, but thankfully I was able to take you with me. We're at the Three Broomsticks, and Madam Rosmerta sent a message up to the school to let them know that we are alright."

"Thanks, 'Mione. I thought for sure that I was a goner," Ginny confessed. "I'm lucky that you kept a cool head. I mean, wow…you outwitted Bellatrix Lestrange!"

"I had no idea if my ideas were going to work," said Hermione truthfully. By this time, Dumbledore had arrived at the pub.

"Miss Weasley, I believe that it's best that we get you to the hospital wing right away. I'm so relieved that you and Miss Granger are not seriously hurt." Hermione could see tears glistening in his blue eyes. Dumbledore conjured a stretcher from thin air, and floated Ginny up to the castle, as Hermione walked by his side. After they made sure that Ginny was settled in for the night, Dumbledore invited Hermione up to his office to discuss the night's events. When she finally finished her story, the Headmaster put his head in his hands.

"I'm afraid that Hagrid was under the Imperious Curse when he asked you and your friends to deliver that package. Next time, Miss Granger, when someone asks you to deliver something, don't touch it. In the times we are living in, one can never be too careful." Hermione agreed with him wholeheartedly, and then she realized something.

"Sir, that package was meant for you!" Dumbledore nodded.

"Do not worry, there have been several attempts on my life during the past year, and yet here I stand before you. I am on the lookout for the next one."

"I'm glad to hear it, sir. Hogwarts needs you." Dumbledore smiled slightly at her, but he seemed to be masking other emotions.

"Thank you, Hermione, I'm very touched." He scratched his forehead with his burned hand and motioned towards the door. "You'd better get some sleep. Good night."

"Good night, sir." The young witch made her way back to Gryffindor tower, and fell into bed completely exhausted after her encounter with Bellatrix. Before she drifted off, Hermione reminded herself that she needed to send for another daydream charm. "I'll see you again soon, Will," she whispered. With that pleasant thought, she fell asleep dreaming of her charming pirate.

End Ch. 5