AN: Okay, this chapter is kinda short, but the next part is gonna be hard for me, so don't expect it for another two weeks, not one week. Also, that means that if you have any more names for me, that would be great.

Okay... here's the next part!

please review... please?

Disclaimer: Do NoT oWn HaRrY pOtTeR, bUt HiGgS Is My MaDe Up ChArAcTeR. tHe NaMe WaS gIvEn To Me By Silverbunnie. ThAnK yOu!


Chapter 6: "Sir, your daughter's missing…"

Fri., May 15- Hermione- Pirate ship

Ol' man Higgs stood, looking over the ship's railing. It was midway through the day, and already he felt he needed a break away from the rowdy crew. They were loud enough to stir up a nasty head ache to a man like Higgs. They didn't call him 'ol'' for nothing.

He was old, true, but Higgs liked to think there was another reason for the obvious nickname. Though the man was balding and stooping over with arthritis, he wasn't all that old. Fifty-six wasn't too old, was it? Besides, he could hold his own through any storm, haul treasure like any of the scallywags aboard, and (though he had given up the fighting part of plundering), his skills with the sword were still fairly sharp.

No, he preferred to think that they called him Ol' man Higgs because he was the oldest man in the crew, therefore, he knew more about life and truth then the many of them combined. He was wise as an owl, and saw everything that went on around him, as well. You couldn't get much past Higgs.

Nevertheless, pirate banter disturbed his aging mind, and he was only too thankful to be staring across the peaceful waves alone, at that moment.

"Higgs!" The old man sighed, perhaps I spoke too soon, or maybe there really is something to be said about jinxing.

He turned around to see the girl, Hermione, walking towards him. Maybe this won't be too bad. She's a nice girl. He smiled as she approached, and received one in turn.

"How are you Hermione?" He questioned politely. (He was one of the few men aboard who still knew what 'manners' were)

"I'm fine, thanks for asking. But, well… I just wanted to ask you something. You seem like you would know." She waited patiently for him to tell her to go away, or go ahead and ask. He, carefully, chose the latter.

"Well, last night I was talking to… ah… the captain. And, well, you and the rest of the crew always tell me such great things about him. But…" She trailed off, obviously not wanting to finish, afraid of insulting someone.

Higgs thought for a moment, trying to place exactly what she meant. Soon, though, it hit him. "Ah… I see. We say such nice things about Draco, but he doesn't… lets say, 'live up to it'. Am I right?" Hermione nodded. "Well, before I answer that question- and I assure you, I have a good answer- would you care to tell me what he said?"

The girl paused, then moved to lean against the rail. It was smooth and warm. Many people had leaned there previously, which was apparent by its unnaturally polished surface. "Well, I asked him when we were going to dock next, and he answered well enough. But he added that… I think his exact words were, 'your mommy must miss you'. And not in a very polite way."

Higgs nodded his knowing nod. Unfortunately, he didn't answer her right away. He didn't answer her for a long time. He just stared off into the horizon.

"Higgs?" Prodded Hermione, "Um, you said you had an answer?"

"Oh, yes, yes. Sorry. Well, to put a long story short, all the great things we tell about Draco, is in the past. The fairly far past. He was a great man. A great captain. Good heart, though only his crew could see him that way. He had a… special way of saying things. But through all his snide remarks, and dull comments, we saw the real man beneath, and his potential was almost tangible."

"Potential?" questioned Hermione.

"Oh, not a pirate potential, or anything like that. More of a… ah… spiritual potential. He was a great man, good-heart, but he had the potential to be even better. I remember those days real well…" The old man trailed off, then got a little light in his eye. "Hey, maybe later tonight, the crew can get together to share some really amazing stories with you." Hermione nodded curtly, urging him to continue with what he was saying before. Higgs took his time in remembering where he'd left off.

"Well, about a year later, Pansy came by. Supposedly Draco's old flame. Don't ask me why, but he let her stay, and she hasn't left since. But, anyway, ever since that day, it was like something hit Draco, and he wasn't the same anymore. He distanced himself from us. And the man beneath grew farther away. He just got… colder."

"Colder," Hermione whispered to herself. Higgs had answered her question, finally, but as she guessed he would, Higgs had elaborated, and steered a little off subject. It was all very interesting, though.

"Yep, we talk about the way he used to be, because we like that man much better," winked the old man next to her.

Hermione smiled at him. "Thanks for taking the time, Higgs. Sorry if I bothered you."

"Oh, not at all, not at all." He shook his head at her, "In fact, about those old stories… The one thing that's unknown about pirates is our tendency to over exaggerate, which is excellent for story-telling. I'll talk to the crew. We could maybe have some beer and get together to share some really extraordinary tales with you. I'm sure they'll agree, but are you up to it?"

Hermione smiled politely, unsure of whether he was serious or not. "Sure. Just let me know if everyone agrees. I haven't heard a real story in a long time."

Higgs gave her a friendly slap on the back, and gestured towards the open sea before them. "Ah, then it's settled! Tonight, we will put a stop on the present, and take a run through the past!"


Fri. May 15- Ron- Granger household

Tread lightly, Harry. Slowly and calmly. Ron nervously stood behind his captain friend, hand on sword hilt. If Hermione's father didn't take this well, he'd be there to save Harry as best he could. But he'd made no promises.

Right now Harry stood before the anxious father. He was leading up to something important, that Mr. Granger would have to hear directly. Leading up to tell him that his daughter was abducted by pirates… Small wonder Harry and Ron were beginning to sweat, and edging ever closer to the far door.

"And, during the battle, no one said they'd seen her, so obviously she must have been in her cabin. And we went to her door and found Seamus still standing guard. No one had gone in or out. But…"

Ron took a long, hard gulp, perhaps his last ever, and waited for Harry to finish.

"But, what? Where is my daughter, captain?" Harry paused, trying to stall the inevitable as much as possible, but Mr. Granger was already getting impatient, and VERY suspicious.

Harry laughed nervously. "Well, see, here's the thing… ah…"

"Harry, where is my daughter?" The man before Harry stood up. Not a big man, but at this moment, he was very intimidating. He had forced the words through clenched teeth. And, just the use of Harry's real name sent nervous shivers down Ron's spine. Harry's too, most likely.

"She's, um… I don't really know, sir. We, well, see… we entered her cabin and she wasn't there. Neither was her sword. which, um, by the way… we had no idea she even brought it with her. So, Hermione is… kinda… missing…" Harry winced and backed away, as did Ron.

Mr. Granger's face turned tomato red, then back to normal. Red, then back to normal. He was trying to decide whether or not to gut the captain and his first mate now, or torture them first. Either way, he acknowledged that yelling at the top of his lungs was the right course of action currently.

"SHE'S WHAT!" He roared, angrily advancing on them as they tripped over their own feet trying to move backwards quickly enough. "WHAT DID YOU SAY! YOU LET MY LITTLE GIRL RUN OFF ON HER OWN, AND SHE WAS KIDNAPPED? BY A SHIP FULL OF PIRATES?"

Ron whispered in Harry's ear, "Okay, let's go. I don't feel like dying today…"

The source of that death was now almost upon them. He lifted a nearby chair and heaved it towards them. Both men ducked just in time. "Yeah, good idea." Dodging flying chairs, food, plates, (and even Hermione's cat, Crookshanks) as they flew through the air, Harry and Ron made it safely (more or less) back through the main door.

Neither man dared halt until they made it back to the docks (only a few blocks away). They heaved and wheezed, and doubled over, trying to take in more air. All the while, they looked back over their shoulders, affirming the angry father hadn't chased them down.

"Let's… not… do… that ever… again." Ron forced out. And, once they had retrieved the rest of their breath, Harry was able to respond.

"No, never, ever, again. But you know as well as me, we had to tell him. Besides, we probably deserved a good thrashing. We did lose his daughter to a bunch of pirates. Damn…" Harry swore under his breath a few more times before asking, "what are we gonna do?"

Ron shook his head, and headed towards The Gryffindor. "Don't look at me. The only thing I know is that we have to get Hermione back, and soon." Harry nodded his agreement. "Don't ask me how, but we'll circle the world to find her. I feel so guilty about it." Both men let a sigh escape their lips, trying to keep the nightmares of Hermione's fate out of their minds, as they made it to their ship.

"Hey, how'd it go?" came a call from the other side of the vessel, as Harry and Ron made it up the gangplank. It was Cedric Diggory. Ron was surprised to see him, since the crew had leave until tomorrow. But he was grateful, nonetheless. If they were going to 'circle the world' to find Hermione, they'd need to leave as soon as possible, and have to be ready to go in only a day or two.

Harry shook his head sadly. "He didn't take it too well, but can you blame him?"

Cedric laughed, and heaved the box he'd been carrying onto the upper deck beside him. "No, I don't suppose I can. But, hey, don't feel so guilty about it. You know as well as I do, Hermione went out looking for trouble. You did all you could. And, we'll find her. We will."

Ron nodded gratefully, and clasped hands with Cedric, as did Harry.

"And, don't forget," he continued, "Hermione is strong. She can take care of herself. I'd be more worried about those pirates than Hermione. She wouldn't go down without a fight… if she could go down at all."

Harry and Ron exchanged glances and knew that what he said was true. Hermione was tough, and always had been. She could take care of herself. But still…

Sure hope she's okay, both men thought, before retreating to separate sides of the ship, preparing it to sail again. Strong or not, that was Malfoy's ship, and she's only one girl…

Little did they know, Hermione was more than okay. She was having the time of her life…


Hey, just like to give out some thanks to my WONDERFUL reviewers! First, I give a SPECIAL thanks to Bella and Silverbunnie for giving me names!

Bella: Ohhh... I like some of those names! There should be couple in the next chapter. Thank you SO much! It's gonna help a LOT.

Silverbunnie: Yeah, Cedric is pretty hot... and hey! since this is an AU fic, he doesn't have to die. You were right, he's too nice to be a pirate. Hope you like how I tried to incorperate him, though! And, thanks for the names. I turned Higgs into an old guy, but I'll probably use the other ones in my next chapter, and they wont be old. Thanks again for reviewing! I think you've reciewed the MOST out of everyone, even my friends at school! Thank you thank you thank you!

Carla: Hmm... Blaise.. I'd have to try to make him nice, though. It could work, thanks! And, OH! Macadamian nut! My FAVE! Uh... whats a macadamian? j/k

HiddenDisaster: Oh, yeah... threatening is gonna help! I know whee you live and go to school too! I know how nd when to avoid you! RAWR! BRING IT ON! J/k, teehee.

Prettigurl7: Thank you! But, you'll find the answers in time! SOON! I cant wait to finish this story, and see how it went, but its so fun to write, I never want it to end!

mrs. skywalker: Thank you! I try my best, and I really like Pirates of the Caribean, and that whole time. (you know, like what they wear and what they do.)

weeping eyes of babylon: Thanks so much! Please keep reading!

Kat: Ha! Peter Pan! but, I might just go ahead and use Peter! (The name, I'll giuve him a different last name). Thank you!