A/N: Okay! I got the Prologue out, and it only took a couple of hours. I'm feeling quite proud of myself! Okay, just a quick note, this prologue is about three years before the actual story begins.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter... doesn't that just suck?


3 years prior to chapter 1, Draco Malfoy, Port city

Draco stared vacantly over the heads of the many passerbys. He'd been leaning comfortably against the shaded wall of the local pub. Few of the busy villagers spared him even a glimpse. Not that Draco cared. All of his concentration was centered on the thoughts chasing themselves around in circles in his mind. They rushed back and forth, teasing his ever-growing frustration.

At this point, Draco became restless. He was tired of standing in the same spot, without anything to show for it. So, he pushed off the wall and followed the flow of people, letting them, or fate, or whatever was out there, take him wherever they pleased. The hot sun stung his face, and suddenly he wished for a ship beneath his feet, and the feeling of saltwater splashing across his face.

Draco was a sailor at heart, but perhaps not a true pirate.

It just so happened that Draco had turned eighteen, which was a special 'coming of age' for young men. And during that time, they would receive something special from their families that showed how important they were and how much trust could be placed on them.

Most eighteen-year-olds were given an old family heirloom, or (usually) the handling of a prized family business. But Draco received something a bit different.

Draco got his very own pirate ship.It was currently docked some way off, and somewhat out of sight, waiting patiently for him to find it a worthy crew. Which was the reason for his being here.

But, the task seemed a bit more than he could handle. Which was proven only by the thoughts at the depths of his mind. A pirate ship meant controlling a crew, a crew let him attack the merchant and guard ships, and attacking ships meant killing, and stealing gold.

Anyone that knew Draco would describe him as cruel, greedy and cold-hearted. But as only he would know, that was just an act for his fathers benefit. Yes, the great pirate Lucious Malfoy only thought he knew the ups and downs of his son.

Draco's reason for being a pirate were far from usual. He liked gold, sure, but the way he saw it, there was plenty in his family, thanks to his father. He liked the thrill and danger of sword fights, but he was never too keen on killing. Actually, he'd never killed before, and deep in his heart he knew he never wanted to.

With a sigh, Draco lifted his head, and realized he was in the slums of the city. Where homeless and usually brainless people called home. The road beneath his feet was no longer cobblestone, just a bunch of dirt and small stones.

Scowling to himself at his own foolishness, wandering out so far and wasting so much time, Draco turned and set a determined stride back the way he'd come.

And, a few minutes later, he scowled even more feircely, this time for getting lost. The alleyways and sidestreets twisted and turned and reversed and ended. It was a horrible, empty , and swelteringly hot maze.

Draco turned on the spot he was standing where three new streets reached out, and contemplated his choices. But soon he turned back, hearing voices. Perhaps he could ask the strangers how to get back to the docks.

The, the voices stopped, and he heard, faintly, the sounds of a scuffle, then an angry roar of pain. Intrigued, Draco followed the noises, which evntually led him to another alleyway. But, unlike the others, this one was full.

From what he could see from his position (which was only about ten yards away) were a group of men. They looked older, drunk, and leecherous. Leecherous, because their prey was apparently a brown haired girl of about his own age. She was red in the face from fury, and was holding a long dagger aloft and ready.

Normally he would have either left, or gone in to help by now, but this particular scene drew him to stay and watch a while longer. His reasons were simple.

One: The girl was furious and by the way she stood and held her dagger, she seemed skilled, and certainly knew how to use it properly. Which might not have been terribly unusual, except that by her clothes, it was apparent she was noble, or at least wealthy. He'd never heard of a noble lady who could handle a dagger before, or any kind of weapon, really.

And two, which really, probably had nothing to do with the events unfolding around him, was the face of the girl being attacked. She was, well, if Draco was to be completely honest with himself, she was absolutely beautiful.


3 years prior to chapter 1, Hermione, Port city

Well, thought Hermione I've really done it now. Those creeps have cornered me. But I swear, to all that can hear me, I'll tear them all down before they get a hand on me!

She eyed them cautiously and with more than just a little fury.

They circled her slowly, and she saw that there were about seven of them, all armed. Drunk, but still a threat. She savored the moment, while they still held back. If, and when they all charged her, she would be in DEEP trouble. Two at the same time, she could handle easily. Three wouldn't be a problem. Four or five would be a bit difficult. But seven? No matter what she'd like to think, seven would be too much.

Her only real plan would be to get past the ones blocking the alleyway, and running as if all hell were breaking loose. She'd hate to run away from a fight, and not have a chance to teach the creeps a lesson, but she was sure she couldn't handle them all, and just knocking a few out wouldn't be worth it if they had their way with her.

And there was certainly no way in hell she would let them do that.

Suddenly they began advancing on her, sharing little grins with each other. And, to her complete dismay, they moved back around her, forming a wall of bodies to block the alley's exit. Well, there went her chance of getting away. At the least, Hermione, thought, at the VERY least, I'll make it as difficult as I can. And who knows, maybe I'll get lucky, and find an opening to get outta here.

As they moved, the man in front (the least drunk, and probably the leader) spoke to her mockingly. He made an exaggerated bow before saying, "Well, miss, it seems you've gotten a little too far out o' the safety of ya home. Your servants aren't here to wait on you hand and foot. And daddy seems to be gone too. It's just you and us now. Oh, and I promise, if you just give up now, We'll make it as painless as possible. And who knows? Ya might even like it."

Hermione growled with rage. She shook with fury. How dare he say that! If I wasn't out numbered, I'd show him who needs their daddy to help them.

But, aloud, she only said, "You disgusting PIG of a human being. You had better leave me alone or-"

"Oh, dear," the man cut her off, rolling his eyes. "You're desperate enough to make empty threats are you? What's next? You gonna start challenging people?" He laughed long and loud, and his cronies joined in.

'challenge?' Hermione marveled that she hadn't thought of it before. She could get a one on one that way. Make a deal, and be done with these freaks! Straitening up, she tried not to look to happy about it.

"A challenge? I think I will. I can bet that I could beat your best fighter in a one-on –one duel."

Then man raised his eyebrows, and walked closer, and closer. It took all she had to hold her ground. Suddenly, he burst out laughing. "Duel? Really. Oh, this oughtta be good. Very well your highness." He stepped back and bowed again. "Name your terms."

"Okay…" she started, the terms were pretty obvious. "If I win, you will let me go on my way, and NEVER attack or threaten me again. If I lose, well…" She let the end rest unsaid.

The man threw off his outer shirt and pulled out his sword. "I accept your terms, and as for who you'll be fighting, well I think we're all in favor that it be me." The men behind him chuckled softly. The leader stepped forward in a basic fighting stance.

Hermione was about to do the same, then she remembered… "Wait!" Hurriedly, and receiveing confused looks from the men, she reached to her waist, and stabbed into her dress, downward with her dagger. Holding the fabric tightly in one hand, she pushed down with the dagger to create a long slit in her skirts.

It's no use fighting if I'm knocked down for a simple thing like tripping on my skirts, she reasoned. "Okay, I'm ready."

Hermione took her own stance, putting on a fake face of intimidation. Her rival grinned, obviously sensing a false, easy victory. He relaxed a little, then lunged toward her, faking left, and stabbing right. Hermione dodged easily, but waited to attack offensively. He backed off a little.

"Hmm… you have some talent, I see. No matter, I will make quick work of you." Once again he lunged forward, trying to slice across her stomach, but she parried it. Again, easily. But this time he didn't back off. He stabbed and swung and sliced and finally started swearing.

Hermione smiled to herself, not letting his blade anywhere near her. And, on a quick decision, she herself lunged out and caught him on the left shoulder. Blood began to pour out of the wound. It was deep, and must have hurt a lot. But it didn't seem to slow the man down.

His eyes only glowed a fiery red, and his hand clutched the hilt harder. "You'll pay for that, you little slut." He charged her straight on, screaming angrily. And, with a practiced arm, she redirected his sword with her own and spun around until his back was facing her.

He stumbled forward at the change, and she recognized it as her chance. Before he had the time to recover, turn around, and defend himself, Hermione swung hard with her sword. He screamed again, and fell to his knees, as a deep red line appeared across his back. It went from top left shoulder, to lower right back.

He was finished, and she turned around triumphantly, ready to walk away, head held high. But, it seemed, the men had other plans for her.

"You nasty little vixen. I'm gonna carve you up until you're not even recognizable as a human." Said one, as they advanced toward her. Fury burned in their eyes.

Hermione backed away, really afraid this time. They looked more than ready to kill. Stupid! I can't believe I was so stupid. They would never have stayed true to the deal. Hermione grimaced at her own helplessness as the alley wall met her back, and there was nowhere else to go.

Just as she was about to give in and close her eyes, a deep voice behind the men filtered mockingly through the hot air. "Come now," it said, "Are you really not staying true to your agreement? The lady won fairly, as far as I can see."

The men advancing on her stopped and turned around to stare at the intruder. But, Hermione had her mind on other things. They had turned their backs on her! This was her chance! Dagger ready, she stabbed the back of the closest man, and, without even waiting to take it back out, pushed past them and ran as fast as she could out through the alley.

She saw the man who had spoken standing just ahead of her, but as curious as she was, she was certainly more frightened of the screams and sound of running feet behind her.

As she passed him, he put a hand gently around her upper arm, and announced, "follow me, quickly" As much as she knew this could be a trap, she was certain one enemy was better than six. Hermione followed obediently.

The man ran down one road and up another. He took a left, a right, a left, and back again. It was apparent he didn't have a clear destination. Unfotunatley, the lumps of smelly lard chasing after them didn't give up or fall behind.

Hermione thought quickly, and as they turned a corner, her mind was already made up.

"Wait, this way," she told the man with her, and she pushed at his shoulder, veering him down a different road. Hermione knew these streets fairy well, and knew all the escape routes, and, when that didn't work out, she knew all the hiding places.

They turned another corner, that led into a short sidestreet, which led into a larger, slightly crowded one. She grabbed the mystery man's hand, and steered him off to the right, and into a little, narrow dorway. It was in the shadows, and blended well. If she was lucky, the men would think they ran into the crowded street ahead, trying to get lost in the mass of people. They would pass right by.

There was one problem, though. The doorway led into an abandoned house, which was blocked off with planks of wood. There was little space between the doorway and wooden barrier to hide. Enough for one person, but definitely not for two.

Sensing this, the man whispered a small apology, and pushed her against the planks, then shoved himself against her. His chest was against hers, and before she had a chance to protest, the sound of their pursuers issued through the sidestreet. Hermione bit her tongue as they passed by, her plan working.

"Down this way," one of them called. "Thought ta loose us in the crowd, did they, well, I'll find them if it takes all night!" And soon the footsteps faded into silence.

She waited a moment longer, making sure they were gone, before pushing the man away. He stumbled backwards out into the street, and she could have sworn that for a moment, he grinned. Hermione turned and ran back down the way they had come.

Once she was sure they were far enough away, she turned on him, finger pointed accusingly, and eyes set into angry slits. "You! How dare you! You had better stay away from me, and don't ever touch me again!" She yelled.

The man looked taken aback, and she realized that she finally had a chance to take a good look at him. He was tall, probably a foot taller than her. He had untidy blond hair that fell carelessly into his eyes. He was skinny, but still slightly muscular. All in all he was sort of cute. No, scratch that, he's absolutely handsome. Thought Hermione. It took all her gathered fury to remember that no matter who he was or what he looked like, what he did was inexcusable.

Of, course, he seemed to see it differently. "How dare I? If I do remember correctly, I just saved your life." He shot back.

"You did not! If you didn't just jump in there, I would have been fine. I could have taken each and every one of those pervs! I certainly didn't need any help from you." Insisted Hermione, lying to them both. Deep inside her she knew there was no way she would have gotten past them if he hadn't showed up.

"Ha! You knew how to use that weapon, I'll give you that much credit, but you wouldn't have survived without me." He said, echoing her own thoughts. "You own me your very life, and the very least I expect from you is a simple 'thank you'"

"Well, you're not gonna get it," Hermione mumbled stubbornly. Crossing her arms against her chest

"I don't belive this!" He cried, shaking his hands in the air. "I take the time to save a maiden, and she just happens to be a stubborn little wench, without the tiniest bit of gratitude in her. How bad could my luck get? That's certainly the last time I ever help someone out again. Oh, and for your information, if I hadn't squished us up into that little cubbyhole of yours, they would have spotted us for sure. I was a little too obviouse standing half out in the street like that. But nevermind. Not like you care. Have a great life, and please stay out of mine from now on."

He turned around, running his hands through his hair, and mumbling to himself. Hermione couldn't believe it. This man had hit the target again. There was something about him that just plucked at her nerves and always seemed to know just what to say. And as much as she wanted to deny it, he was right. Every bit of what he said was right. They would have been caught for sure, if he hadn't shoved them farther into the doorway.

Hermione shoved her stubborness and pride away. "Wait!" She jogged over, to catch up with him. He ignored her and took long strides, apparently trying to get rid of her. She had to jog next to him to catch up. "What's your name?"

The man looked at her strangely for a moment, but continued walking, without answering her.

"Okay… nevermind. Look, I just wanna say," She paused to catch her breath. I just wanna…" Frustrated, since he was still ignoring her, and not bothering to slow down, she grabbed his arm and pulled him to a stop. "Just listen to me for a second! I just wanted to say… you're right. I'm sorry I got so mad at you. Uh…"Hermione forced the next bit out, having to now cast aside her dignity. "Thanks… thanks for saving my life."

She managed not to look at him through that, and when he didn't reply, she sighed and turned around. But, before she could lift her foot to take a step, she felt a hand on her shoulder. The hand turned her back around, until she was facing him once again.

Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, he had wrapped his arms around her waist and smashed his lips against hers. Her brain stopped working long enough for her to kiss him back without realizing what she was doing. He played with her lips, pressing her more tightly against him. She could feel his ever-growing grin.

And, just as unexpected as it had begun, it stopped. His warmth was taken away and he stepped back, so that now she could see the grin spreading across his face.

"You're very welcome, miss." He bowed somewhat akwardly, and ran back through the streets, leaving her standing there, hand against her swollen lips. Her mind still trying to catch up with her body.

As he disapeared around a corner, realization flew back to her. "You… you…" Her voice grew in strength and pitch. "You ROGUE! You stole my first kiss!" Hermione walked in the opposite direction than where he had left, trying to keep her thoughts concentrated on that single thought- that he had voilated her again. And that he was just as disgusting as the men who had been chasing after her. Because she knew that if she didn't, she'd realize just how much she had enjoyed it.


There it is, a little longer than most of the chapters will be. Oh, and if you're wondering how this is relevant to the story, just remember, I can't write complicated plot twists. I just wanted the two of them to have met before the actual story begins. Nothing to special.. and now, a special note to my reviewers-

brat monkee- thanks again for the review!

Daintress- I've always liked the idea of Draco as a pirate.

Ruby the Troll- Thanks for the review, and especially the advice. It'll definitely help me. Oh, and by the way, I have never had any intention of turning Hermione into a fluttery girl who faints at the sight of a pirate. There's no way. Oh, and please excuse my idiocy, but what does IMHO mean? And one last thing, about Hermione hating Draco, you're right, but they are my favorite pairing, and, just for this story, I gotta make him... well... not selfish, snobby, racist, and cowardly. Once again, thanks for the advice. I will DEFINATELY keep that in mind, about the relationships being the same, and all. Hope you keep reading!

midnight solitaire- sorry, but I dont know of any other fics like this. But I really agree with you... I love Draco&Hermione fics. they're my FAVE pairing. Too bad Draco is so mean in the books.