A/N: Here's the first chapter. It's three years after the Prologue

Enjoy! (and please R&R)

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, I only wish I did


Chapter 1: Three or so years later

Monday, May 11th, Harry and Ron, The Gryffindor guard ship

Out on a calm and open sea floated a guard ship. Its mast rose into the clear blue sky, as the sun reached out to touch all that could reflect it. Lonely, on the velvety blue, caught between sea and sky, the crew members went about their work in a half waking state. All but three, who were wide awake, and alert to all around them.

Inside the vessel's finest cabin was the Captain and his first mate, and by the looks on their faces anyone could guess what they were dicussing was grim.

"What do you mean 'gave it away'? What reason would they have to do that?" Said the one standing up, a young man of about twenty or so years. He had black hair running into his eyes, and a rugged scar across his forehead. His facial expression was currently one of concern and disbelief.

"Yeah, that's what I said. He just looked at me funny. Apparently since, well, he became a pirate, this's been happening. He takes our money, and he gives it straight to, well, they don't know exactly who yet, but there are suspicions." said the red-headed first mate, who lounged comfortably on the sofa with his legs kicked up on a low table.

"How did Neville get this information?" inquired the captain, eager.

"Ah, well, he seemed a bit sheepish, I guess you could say. Took a while to get it all out. Turns out Neville, uh, had a bad day, and went out to the leaky Cauldron for a drink. There was a sailor there who blurted out the whole thing. Apparently he was drunk and slightly delusional, but he gave decent facts to back it up. Neville seemed convinced the information was genuine."

"Did he give a name?"

"Nope, Neville said he forgot to ask."

The Captain turned around, then around again. He paced restlessly, unsure of what to do next. His first mate eyed him cautiously.

"I'd better go and check on the crew while you think this over."

"yeah, yeah" The other man replied, waving , but not looking up.

"Oh and one more thing, Harry."

"Huh?" Harry looked up at the tone in the redhead's voice.

"Don't tell anyone. This is… weird. And, besides, I promised Neville I wouldn't tell anyone. 'kay?"

"Okay, Ron. I promise. I, uh, I'll be out in a sec. Don't wait up."

Ron waved, then mock saluted Harry before turning out the door, and disapearing into the salty sea air. Harry stared at the door a while, lost in his own thoughts. Could it be true? The infamous pirate, Draco Malfoy, having a concience? A HEART, even?

Nah, thought Harry, shaking his head, nah. But deep inside he was still unsure.


Monday, May 11th, Hermione, The Gryffindor guard ship

Ear still pressed tightly against a tiny hole in the wooden wall, sat the third alert occupant of the guard ship. She wore a long, flowery dress that was crumpled and wrinkled from her position on the floor. Her face was scrunched up in a confused grimace, with brown curls trailing down her face.

When finally she was content that no more was to be heard from the captain's quarters, she removed her face, and rubbed the slightly redening spot.

I don't understand, she thought Ever since I was a child, I've learned that the Malfoys were the worst pirates. Greedy, cruel, merciless…the list was forever long. But whether she cared to deny it or not, what she heard was what she heard. And if what she heard was that the pirate Draco Malfoy gave away the treasure he took, then that must be what was happeneing.

Her friends Harry and Ron wouldn't waste their time on something without at least a little truth to it. Hermione's frown deepened as she smoothed out her dress carefully. And only half of that frown was about what she heard through the cabin wall. It was also about what she should have heard.

Harry and Ron were dear friends, and they let her travel with them often, on their ship, Gryffindor. But, they didn't seem to take her seriously. She was never included in serious conversations, and at the tiniest sign of trouble they told her to stay put, like some helpless little animal.

She was not a child and she had spent a LOT of time devoted to not being helpless. Behind her fathers back, she'd learned archery, some skills in dagger and sword fighting, and even in hand to hand combat.

And even thought they knew this, and had seen her skills in action a couple of times,. They refused to believe that she could take care of herself.

Hermione sat heavily on her bed, a sigh escaping through parted lips. It would be okay if they at least let her be a part of the crew. She knew plenty about sailing. Her father had, after all, sailed a prestigious merchant ship. But, once again, she was denied. They let her ride on their rounds about the sea for about a week here and there. But she was always just a passenger. Always just on the outside looking in.

They were great friends, but they just didn't get her. She needed someone who did. It was getting more and more lonely as the days, weeks, months, and even years passed.

By now Hermione was on her back staring up into the ceiling, wallowing in her own self misery, and hugging herself against the cold lonliness that spread through her. Starting at her fingertips and toes. Moving along through her limbs, her lungs, until they teetered on the edge. Threatening to spill into her heart.

The red-orange light from just outside the window winked at her one last time before vanishing as darkness claimed the region of the sky.

And as the moon swept over her features, later that night, Hermione was curled tightly into a ball, a few tears still escaping her eyes, showing that, once again, she had cried herself to sleep.


Please R&R! I need more reviews, please. Thanks for reading.

Tastetherain