Something that kinda pieced itself together after I heard a few sea shanties on youtube. Enjoy!


My Jolly Sailor Bold


The crate came down onto the table with a crash; the labourer heaved a sigh in relief as she no longer had to carry the hefty load. It was their final one too; all their things were in the small cottage like home and finally Hermione could relax.

They'd done it.

"Hey, 'Mione. Where did you put my kit? I can't find it!" The call of another young woman came from just outside the doorway and when Hermione turned to reply, she saw the blue eyes find their target without assistance. "It's alright, found it."

"Exactly where I told you to put it. Honestly Ginny; I don't hide any of your tools."

"Intentionally!" The redhead pointed in accusation, minus the serious tone. Her eyes gleamed teasingly but she refused to give into the older woman. "You've all but torn our workshop asunder many times before! Who knows where half my sketches have landed after that." She gave a half-hearted chuckle but Hermione returned to the ongoing process of unpacking their things.

The recent move had taken many months of planning and the duo had travelled far from home to make a new start. One they hoped came with simplicity. That was all they longed for.

A small house on the edge of a port town was perfect for the introverted ladies; their work required quiet, patience and a skilled hand. Such things they found difficult when sailing the seas.

Portsmith was a quaint coastal town. It was small but the port was busy with daily fishing vessels, merchant trade ships and the occasional naval crew to pass by. It wasn't uncommon to see the unsightly black flagged vessels either; the local waters were known for their troves of sunken treasures.

Hermione became a cartographer very young.

Her unmatched skill for detail, precision and mathematical measurements truly made the young woman's work rather famous in the voyaging world. Maps that spanned miles of once uncharted seas were common in ship cabins and upon tavern walls; some used for viewing pleasure more than their intended navigational purpose. But Hermione didn't care. So long as she got the coin.

Ginny's expertise was in the finer details and the artistic flair that accompanied the logical brunette's style. A small sea monster or an unparalleled storm brewing on the edge brought intrigue and jolly to the restless sailors. Shanties that travelled the seas grew in numbers likely thanks to the small visual pictures and drawings. If nothing else, they were to ease the tension of a long voyage.

The redhead, under few allowing circumstances, took her enjoyment in recreating the beauty of the land around her. Talent in such artistic fashion was rare in their time and Hermione constantly praised the younger woman's hobby when another delicate piece came to fruition. Many of them were framed in their new home.

The short walk it took for the duo to enter the market place was peaceful. What little distance was filled with laughter and teases, mostly at Ginny's expense, whenever they had to venture into the town for supplies and food.

Hermione tended to check in at the port every few days; any information that came on ships or news from afar intrigued the brunette but truly she cared only for newly discovered lands. She then dropped off her latest pieces at the trade post, then left for home. She never liked to loiter in the township.


It was a hot day when Hermione found herself seated in what little shade the trading post allowed. It had been at least three months since they had settled into the township, and its people had welcomed them warmly enough. For once the port was relatively empty; a huge concession of trade ships had passed through the day before and the town restock of supplies was grand but it was followed by little else. As they had completed their tasks the previous evening, Ginny had insisted they take the day off to relax.

Hermione agreed. But after they delivered their workload first.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, 'Mione." She glanced up to find her friend had returned, a sheen of sweat adorned her brow. Ginny had run from across the port area, sure any time saved was time well deserved.

"It's alright. We still have the afternoon to ourselves."

"We're always by ourselves." Ginny pointed out with a glum tone of voice and raised brow. Hermione only giggled before she stood up. It was true but neither female wanted it any other way.

"True."

"We can always change that for ya lovelies." Both Hermione and Ginny paused in their trek to turn and find a small gang of port side sailors at their backs. Dirty, smelly, sun soaked sailors disembarked from their ships for a night on land; their grime smudge faces grinned wide while eyes roamed over the two female forms. It wasn't the first time their self isolation had brought about unwanted attention.

"No thank you gentlemen. We don't need such company from the likes of you." Hermione replied firmly, arm linked with her friend and determined to carry on.

"Oi, that ain't the way to treat us." The tallest guy stepped forward with a scowl, arm out ready to grab ahold of the brunette's shoulder when a loud crash sounded from the right. They all turned to find a blacksmith hammer fallen to the ground and its owner mid action to pick it up.

While they hadn't made many 'friends' in town, Hermione had acquaintances; fellow artisans who appreciated her work and didn't turn a blind eye.

Hagrid, or as Ginny called him, 'Patch' for his single covered eye, was the lone blacksmith and a literal giant of a man. His face was half covered by a grizzly black beard and he never smiled. The quiet guardian-like metal worker didn't like newcomers in his home and hated people who caused unnecessary noise. It had taken literal weeks for the man to warm to the two girls.

At the sight of his looming form, the sailors quickly became scarce. Hermione sent an appreciated nod Hagrid's way but he'd already returned to his workshop.

"Why do we always get the nasty ones?" Ginny sighed heavily. "Aren't there any nice sailors out there? Or anyone?"

"You're asking too much of any lost soul; who would dare to venture this far south, Ginny?" Hermione's words seemed to fall on deaf ears.

"Female at least! I mean really!"

As the two young women wandered home, they didn't see the appearance of a weathered ship upon the horizon. A crew of which weren't welcomed but landed themselves nonetheless.

They were a hardened bunch; scars, gleaming weapons, many scuff marks and disfigured tattoos.

Pirates.

Any seasoned boatsman could identify the well known outlaws but no one in the port town spoke up, or spoke out. So long as they caused no trouble in their township, the crew would be left to their devices.

There was no discernible captain amongst the landed party; the leader, perhaps stayed in his cabin aboard the vessel but the largest male was a dark skinned man called Dean.

He seemed to act in his stead.

The dock workers didn't give up any information; instead they chose to keep themselves quiet and direct the men to the tavern or trading post. Upon entry, a framed piece upon the wall caught Dean's attention and immediately, the trader was hounded for its origin.

It was merely a decorated map of the isles that surrounded their coastline. With artistic detail and superstition of watery beasts, a subtle mark hidden amongst the waves gave way to a delusion of lost treasures. It was a mere legend; a fairytale to appease the optimistic.

The Quartermaster knew better. He all but ripped the piece from the frame and tossed a few gold pieces to the grounded man. In anger and lack of any useful information regarding the maker, the pirate had thrown the tradesman aside in force; enough to cause injury. Not that he cared.

They had their first lead in months and what little they could discern from the signature, they'd take.


Sheets of cloth sat between them and the heated sands, a woven basket of edibles at hand and the open sky above; Hermione couldn't think of a more perfect scene for their day off. Ginny was happy to wander about in the shallows, rock pools and discover any curious sea shell. She liked to collect and study all manner of random objects in case she could include them in her work. Hermione knew better though; the redhead was just so energetic and couldn't sit still for long.

"Do you wish for a swim yet Ginny?" The brunette called out. "I know you've been dying to test the water lately." It was a senseless tease but Hermione had no ill contempt. They both loved the sea and any chance they got for a relaxing stroke in the water was welcomed.

"Just one more pool!" Ginny replied with a wave, her other hand seemingly filled with small items. The cartographer was certain, not all those pieces would make it into her house; otherwise the rotten ocean smell would stale the air for weeks.

"Very well, I'll just ready myself then." And with that, Hermione stood to stretch her tense muscles. She'd have to lose a layer or so to properly enjoy the experience but not before a final glance around their area as a safety measure.

It was a small cove beach area; the township and their home just over the inlet of land, far enough for the privacy they sought but close enough to reach help if the need arose. Though she doubted there was anything in the waves that would harm them.

Sandals discarded, along with the unnecessaries, Hermione calmly strolled into the water one footstep at a time. The waves lapped first at her ankles, then the bottom of her trousers; by the time she was waist deep, the brunette dove in head first to submerge herself completely.

"No fair! Wait!" Ginny's form raced into the waves with a hellish splash and when she surfaced again, Hermione found her best friend ready to crash down upon her.

"Ginny!"

They laughed together, splashed and battled the subtle waves that endlessly came at them. The two young women talked openly, about both joyous and worrisome events of late. No topic was dismissed. The weather, the trades of port and of course their business ventures. When Hermione expressed worry of lack of interest in their work, Ginny was there to hype her back up. It was well known their little tourist heist, 'treasure maps' were perhaps the most popular thing on the seas since the transportation of sugar.

It was a relief to know if they ever managed to run out of islands to study, there were always ways to get their pieces sold. Hermione half drowned Ginny for her lack of morality as punishment.

In their enjoyment, both Hermione and Ginny weren't aware they had been spied upon.


Lavender groaned as her shoulder impacted against the building's foundation post; she'd been through hard times but to feel the force of intimidation always won over pride. She'd gone in search of travellers since dawn; they were easy marks. Men willing to lend an ear to any form of information, rumoured or otherwise. Her speciality was unearthing secrets and any pretty coin was worth it.

The accosted lord, one island over, had his affair revealed because he refused to pay her silence; she proved to him how fickle his position really was. Another naval sailor thought he'd gotten away with stealing a crate of cargo. All it took was a single evening worth of drinks and he spilled his guts to her easily enough.

Lavender was a rat among the feet of men.

But she was self-aware. A street urchin with limited skills could only live if the environment allowed and any small creature could walk into any laid trap…

"Spill it girly, we don't have till dusk." The gruff man's yellow teeth were horrid and his breath smelt even worse. Lavender had to turn away to not gag at it but focused on the Quartermaster she'd seen earlier that day.

"I heard you've been looking for someone. Been through half the archipelago too…" She'd barely been able to get the words out when a hand slammed her against the wood again. This time it held her there.

"And why 'ave ya been snooping around our heels girl?" The dark skinned man wasn't one for play or jokes; Dean was tired of their half-assed search already and wouldn't be swindled by some ugly wench who thought herself better than him.

"I haven't." Lavender could hardly breathe but gasped out a few words. "Word gets round when you're searching for the obvious." The male observed her for a moment before he dropped the hold. She fell and gasped in relief. "The map you've been shoving in people's faces; it's not the only thing sold through here; portraits, landmarks and other useless shit has been turning up after them makers arrived."

"Who?" Dean leaned in real close to Lavender's face, his eyes blazing with eager fire. He had to know if she was speaking the truth.

"Two of them; map maker wenches. Arrived on some merchant ship one day and never left. Own the house at the end of town; when they're not trading, they can be found outside town playing around in the ocean like children."

Dean was suspicious. It was too easy. The information they'd gathered in over a month was less than what the dirty woman just said to him; what cartographer would hide away in this small town unless they had something to hide. But a woman? He'd never heard such a thing.

"And what do ye want for this 'information'?" Gravelly voice and hardened face wasn't to be trifled with and Lavender knew it too.

"I don't like 'em here. Take 'em for all I care. Information's free this time." Lavender tried to sound grounded and firm in her resolve but the Quartermaster could see right through it. He smiled.

"We thank ye for ye help little lady. Now gone with ya." He all but shoved her aside, already deep in thought as to what their answers would bring the captain. If Dean had shown up with no information and no maker, his throat would be slit before dawn. But to hear that it was not one but two women who had made the maps...it was absurd.

And yet plausible.

In his time of piracy, the sailor had heard tales of a manic woman who sank ships faster than the navy could build them. His captain always said never to underestimate a woman scorned from land, even worse were the vixens of the seas. The crew didn't believe, but he knew there was worse things out there than any land wench.

"McLaggon." A young male answered the call of his name; light brown hair, dark eyes and a boyish face. He was a gunner, Dean figured he'd be useful one day after a few years experience on the rough seas. "Take the Creeveys, get me these map makers."

"Aye sir."


Hermione groaned as she opened her eyes to blinding sunlight and a salty breeze. A massive headache pounded against her skull and she felt something sticky pressed against her temple. Whoever had hit her, left an impressive cut that bled out. It was a wonder she'd awoken at all.

The weathered rope burned her skin as she tried to move; the weighted body at her back was both a relief and worry as Ginny apparently hadn't returned to consciousness yet.

All she remembered was a peaceful evening, then turned in for the night...

"Ginny? You alright?"

"Ah! They live!"

Hermione looked up to find a lack-luster crew all but surrounded her position. They were no law abiding sailors either; the musky stench, tattered attire and the hoisted colours weren't of any seafaring voyage.

Pirates. They'd been kidnapped by a group of half-witted pirates.

Well that dropped the brunette's mood drastically.

"I'd wager half dead captives, not worth their grain in salt to you, Captain." She said his title like a foul odour waffed her way; he looked the part. Oversized coat, two cutlass swords at the waist, a strapped pistol and a feathered hat. What men believed in wouldn't sway an intelligent woman like Hermione. The bigger the parrot, the smaller the feather…

"Aye lass, that would be true. Only, there is a small problem with yee situation." The man was by far cleaner than the majority of his men. His beard could use a trim and the lot of them could do with a few servings of something green and fresh; Hermione eyed their latest cargo still on deck which would indicate their sudden appearance wasn't completely unexpected.

It left her to wonder just how much was planned.

"And what would that be?" She screwed her eyes tightly, the sunlight wasn't helping the pain. "We simple folk kick dirt towards your nice boat here?" Hermione couldn't hold her tongue well; a factor Ginny likely learned from her in their years together. Few faces didn't appreciate the slander. Not the captain though.

"Ha! Ah ya lasses are funny. No, no, nothing like tha'." He stepped closer and Hermione's nose caught his waft; stale rum, dried meat and something singed. Gunpowder perhaps. "We just wanted ye company for a bit. Find out some things."

"If you want hostages, next time use your stench. Your crew has enough of it to knock out a whole town without clubs." Ginny's gravely voice spoke up as her head rose slowly. Brown eyes caught a trail of blood that lined her jaw; Hermione sympathized with her friend. "Save some of us the headaches."

"You caused a little trouble for the Creevey brothers. Can't blame em for it." Two similar looking young men shifted near the railing; each had a black eye. The redhead smirked at her handywork. The captain closed the gap and got right into Hermione's face; a shiny dagger in hand. "And, word is, ya be just the ladies I'm looking for."

"What would a pirate want with us?"

"How did you know where the ships went down?"

"What?" Hermione had to shake off a wave of nausea; her head injury was worse than expected. Ginny caught the swoon and got agitated.

"We don't know anything! Who cares about some ships or whatever?! We make and sell maps, that's all!" She growled at the man, her glare unfazed when he stuck the dagger inches from her right ear.

Six older brothers and a childhood around knives didn't phase the woman; neither did his loaded pistol. Ginny eventually looked away after the fifth nudge or so.

The captain looked between his two captives; one looked ready to murder him, the other almost passed out again. Perhaps his boys had been a little hard. He couldn't miss another week on the open seas; the merchants were trying their luck before the seasonal storms came in. They only had so long to sell off their load before then and two girls weren't going to hinder that.

"Words tell me, ye lasses are the ones making these 'treasure' maps and I don' like it." He cocked his pistol and pointed it directly at Hermione's chest. He was done playing games. "I've seen ye work; the details are impressive but I can't risk anyone knowing about those wrecks. Especially before I get to go back and loot 'em." Hermione cringed against the pressure and her headache. She knew they didn't have long but any extra seconds would be worth it.

She smiled.

"You're right." Dark eyes gazed up as a lazy smirk sent the captain into a suspicious stance. "Small vessels, transport traders mostly; unnoticed, you could've taken out a shipyard worth but you got sloppy. Greedy. And now the entire east coast is crawling with navy ships on the hunt for pirates…" Hermione taunted him, observant of his posture before she scanned the crew. They were all keenly listening to her every word. "But we didn't find them. I just do as I'm told, if you want to meet the real threats; I'd suggest you hold on tight."

Soon as she said the words, the whole vessel shifted under a massive impacted weight. All men who started on their feet, flew across the deck; Hermione huffed when the barrel left her skin and made quick work of the ropes securing the two to the pole.

Captain should've taken his dagger back.

Ginny wasn't nearly as messed up as the brunette, so she took the weapon in hand as the two made their way up to the quarter deck. They had very little time before a secondary shift in the tides. Hermione glanced over the railing and saw the waters darken ominously. Time was up.

"Ya can't get off me ship girlies." The captain was back up, cutlass in hand and a few other able men at the ready. The women were outnumbered, out weaponed and clearly in trouble. Hermione edged closer to the redhead and reached for the wheel, they knew another hit was to come next.

"Trust us Captain, we're not trying to leave. Not yet."

The ship's anchor chain splintered the wood as the entire vessel violently shifted to an opposite position; the ocean below churned and became unnaturally rough. A shrill like scream echoed through the bay as a cold blast washed over the crew like tiny shards of icicles. The air became static and energized as an alienated sound thrummed the air.

Hermione had to hold Ginny down before the two were thrown against the staircase, the rough attacks were relentless and unbiased but the duo got back to their feet quickly.

"North side?!" She yelled at her apprentice, the redhead quick to check the starboard side; both hull and the rigging. Whatever she looked for, wasn't there. Hermione cursed as she turned, ready to check the port when the Captain's blade met her throat.

"Sea witches!"

"That's rude; we didn't resort to insults, Captain." Hermione's tone was calm but she eyed the blade with fear and trepidation. The man backed her up towards her friend; the young woman ready with a tiny blade in hand. "We didn't make this happen to your ship...you didn't listen."

"You rotten, curse bringing pair of witches! What have you done to my ship! Haunt my crew?! What about the sunken wrecks?! Did you trail us there? Tell me you wenches!" The man's eyes were bloodshot as terror shook his once hardened bravado and his hands showed it. "Before I fling you into the depths!" Another shudder rocked the ship before a high pitched scream caught everyone's attention.

All eyes caught the man vanish over the side followed by a splash. A flicker of a large tail in its wake.

Something was under the ship.

Dean's expression reflected the outrage and confusion as he tried to order the crew to arm themselves; whatever it was, they had to get it before their ship gave out beneath their feet.

"Swords at the ready!" He yelled towards the clueless brothers. Suddenly another cry called out as a large tentacle-like watery appendage rose from the ocean and wrapped around McLaggon's leg. He was pulled below before he could utter another sound. After the disappearance, the Quartermaster was losing his leadership fast. "Stay strong men!"

Lashings of encrusted rope curled around the railings and entrapped any unlucky soul nearby. Crude makeshift metal hooks splintered the wood they pierced and sank into; any that hacked or fought against the foreign weaponry didn't last long. Loud hissing noises came from the waters below as what awaited the captives couldn't be more daunting.

Hermione saw their window of distraction and bolted. She swiveled in place and ran towards the far side; a hand managed to grasp Ginny's sleeve en route as she vaulted off the ship's deck. When they broke the surface for a breath, dark eyes saw the Captain's confused expression above them.

"You should've paid attention to the tales of old, Captain! We were never the ones who knew about your piracy! But the sea queens would love to show you what they can do!" Hermione's voice carried up to the deck easily as did the laughter that followed. Ginny joined her as two large shadows began to circle the pair, spine-like fins broke the surface and the watchful man above couldn't believe his eyes. Without fear and without trepidation, the ladies welcomed the entrapment that came with their captives.

"Watch out for the sail!"

A heavy crunch broke the atmosphere as no sooner had she warned them, the main mast cracked and shuddered under the strain; tendrils of thick layered rope encroached upon the wooden vessel like a parasite. Chunks of wood were seemingly cut from various placements that held it together.

If the crew weren't pulled to their watery graves, they were ensnared and left hanging ten feet above the deck. The Captain watched in despair as his men, ship and livelihood were slowly crushed before him. In a blind fury he screamed a final curse to the gods above before,with sword raised, he charged.

The floating duo shared a look before they vanished into the shadowy depths by the arms of the ocean's most notorious criminals.


Another hard squeeze to wrench the last bit of water from her hair, Hermione sighed and tossed the wet locks over her shoulder. She'd dived into the ocean plenty of times in life and the soaked heavy clothes were nothing; but she hated it when her hair took literal hours to dry out.

And the knots weren't worth it half the time.

"Could you stop that for two seconds? It's a little annoying." She muttered to the companion at her side; a beauty of a mythical creature who couldn't keep her clawed hands to herself. The makeshift rescue and sinking of the once renowned pirate ship went perfectly; though without a plan, Hermione was rather proud of herself for managing to call for help without notice.

Bound to a Siren came with a few perks.

It was rather unfortunate that not many seafaring souls believed in the creatures that lurked beneath them. Hermione had the pleasure of meeting the magical song bearing beings years ago when her own ship was sunk on a moonlit night. She cursed the men's eternal souls when she was taken in by the very creature that protected her ever since.

"Fleur, please. It's just a few cuts and bruises." She tried to move away but the Siren had a firm hold of her; eyes focused on the scrape that marred her delicate neck. Hermione hadn't realised the captain's blade managed to nick the skin at first but then the creature latched onto the wound.

Despite ferocious shark-like teeth, Sirens healed wounds with their tongues. A fact that didn't always appeal to the brunette.

"You're just doing that to be petty aren't you?" She teased lightly, the gentle licks and caresses gave away how concerned the female really was.

"Hardly. I am greatly displeased that a man harmed you, my love." With long strands of glowing golden locks, dark mystic eyes and glistening scales dotted about her flawless skin that transitioned into a long crested blue tinged tail. The hypnotizing manner it brushed the water's surface could captivate any unsuspected human but Hermione enjoyed how the creature performed her magic. It was an enchantment of movement, sounds and touch.

And when a Siren opened her mouth to sing...

"I think you did more harm to them and their ship. Another one for the trove?" She hinted over her shoulder.

The massive cavern they sat within was framed in wet stalagmites, water worn rock formations and layers of natural earth erosion. What little areas that were above water were draped in treasures of all sorts; massive chests bursting with gold coins, knotted piles of jewellery and expensive accessories any fancy noble would adorn and a few various cloth like decor. Artifacts not seen in centuries were shoved between mountains of weapons, cannon balls and barrels of Hermione could only guess what.

Sirens were the hoarders of the sea and they loved to collect everything. She'd seen Fleur battle a shark to steal a few precious teeth only because of how white they were. Bones were the unnatural side to the watery demons as a few skeletons of sailors old, could be noted amongst the golden piles of treasure.

The clan, a name given to any collective Siren group, were scattered about the aquatic space, a small handful sat atop a rock pile to perform a dreamlike melody or two. Most were in the water to enjoy an afternoon swim while a few perused through their latest spoils of war. Any ruined trade items were likely to wash up on a beach somewhere by dawn; what didn't last in a Siren's eyes wasn't worth keeping.

Hermione's eyes found the worn jolly roger flag hoisted high upon the rocky wall. It was a nostalgic memory of her past; the venture it took to get where she was and at times an eternal curse upon her soul.

"..I'll wander, weep and moan...all for my jolly sailor bold...until she sails home…"

"Hermione?" A soft hand cradled her face as she turned back. The Siren was clearly concerned about her change in emotion and Fleur's large blue orbs reflected as much. Damn creatures and their keen senses.

"I'm alright; promise. They were useless pirates that messed with the wrong girls. Someone should've told them we had allies under the waves." She chuckled lightly as the blonde snuggled into her body.

"But where is the fun in that? Besides, they touched something they shouldn't have in the first place…" She hissed in return. The spinal fins on her tail flared in anger as it thrashed against the water's surface.

"We were only caught because of you!" Hermione tried to hold a glare but when the blonde looked at her with a confused head tilt, she sagged in effort. "They were the pirates that were responsible for the latest bout of sunken trade ships, the ones you showed me the last time we ventured. I already made three map sets!"

"Oh it was them? I hadn't noticed." Hermione just sighed as Fleur seemed unconcerned with the aforementioned human males. Attention focused on playing with Hermione's hair and shirt collar.

"Come all you pretty fair maids...wherever you may be...who love a soul so deep...beneath the raging seas…"

"Your perspective on things is amazing as always." Her heavy sarcasm didn't faze the entitled female who became rather focused on Hermione's hands. A disgruntled cry echoed through the chamber from the far side, where the brunette saw her friend perched atop a rock pool.

In the water was a young siren, thrashing about and in an incorrigible rage. Her voice both shrouded and amplified by the water; she swam about in haphazard circles with the seated redhead in the middle. Ginny for her part seemed unimpressed and patient enough to wait out the performance; she smirked when the young creature smacked into the rock's side occasionally.

Hermione was waved off in her worry as the redhead seemed to enjoy the show. They both couldn't be lucky enough to have fully grown Siren partners.

"She's taking it very well…"

"Gabrielle still has a few centuries to mature. A pup like her is lucky to find someone so young, it is unfortunate she can't enjoy the pleasures it brings…" Fleur whispered as she played with a few loose strands that began to curl back into shape.

"Admit it, Gabrielle only copied her older sister that day when two sailors happened to drown…" She raised a brow but a retort was silenced in a lengthy kiss. It was slow and brought a warmth to Hermione's body she relaxed into with ease; the touch of an alluring tongue invited her further. For a creature of the sea, Fleur's lips were sweet, not salty.

It was an odd afterthought.

"You were such a cute little pirate, your soul called to me and I couldn't let the sharks have you." What Fleur had against the predators was beyond the brunette by that point, it was hilarious.

"I thought I'd already died when I heard your voice...it was beautiful. An angel's song from heaven."

"Yes, a Siren's call is meant to call in the unwary sailor but to capture such a dashing young woman...one so delicious and addictive…"

"No! No.." Hermione warned as she quickly retreated from the blonde's sharp teeth. "No biting. I've bled enough for one day!"

"Just a nibble?" Fleur teased as her tongue ran across gleaming fangs. She wrestled against the woman's defiance in a playful manner. Soon as the brunette hit the water...it would be game over.

Hermione knew it too.

"Enough playing around 'Mione! We gotta get home soon! Don't you have a piece or something to finish?!" Ginny had watched her mentor's plight from afar; it was almost as enjoyable as the tiny siren's meltdown but as Gabby was sated and snuggled against her leg, the redhead took the opportunity.

"Go storm a brothel or something, Ginevra!"

"...it was one time...don't have to bring it up again…" She grumbled under her breath and tried to hide the prominent blush that covered her face. While Gabby was curious about the sudden change, she dismissed it as the head caress returned. She didn't want the woman to go again.

The two always left them for land. It wasn't fair. Why couldn't they stay?

"...from me her absence mourn, I firmly pray...she's never more to roam...with heart pierced by cupid...I'll collect all glittering gold...to a heartbeat calling...and bring my sailor home…"


The sand crunched under soaked boots as the two women marched up the beach, a water droplet trail in their wake and the sunset illuminated their backs. Hermione forced herself to pause; to think and take a calm breath.

She was pissed.

"We've got a snitch in town."

"That's a given." Ginny said with snark. "Piece it together; no signed names, use of a tradesman and we've moved several times in the last decade. So I think we've a traitor in port." Hermione noted the shiny dagger in the younger woman's hand. She smirked. "What? He practically gave it to us. Why not use it?"

"Red Blade Bandit comes out to play already? Why Ginny, I didn't know you missed it so much." An image of the young cut-throat flashed before her eyes; of shaggy cut red mane of hair, wild eyes and the killing precision of a falcon screeching from above. That girl had grace and speed like no other; she'd fear nothing, admired none and took all.

Hermione got a snort in reply before the weapon was sheathed.

"Yeah yeah, I can't wait until Bombarda Brunette makes a glorious return. Oooh those shockwaves gave me chills every time!" Ginny's expression was gleeful as Hermione had to groan. Her old self did have a knack for gunpowder and flints...but that was a long time ago. She'd certainly outgrown the flashy apparel of oversized coats and colourful accents.

Their last known sighting was with a Spanish war ship in 1662...little wreckage was left to search through...

"I'd rather not blow up the town and move again; I like this place and we promised the girls we'd be back by sunset tomorrow. A quick kill will suffice." Her tone was calm but final.

Ginny's eyes still gleamed.

"So where do we start?"

As they lay in wait under the southern port entrance, moonlight illuminated the deserted area. It was quiet with the soft crashing of waves and little else. Hermione was twirling a thin blade in hand while Ginny shaved off a stick she'd found. They were patient, but damn they were bored.

"You want to mark the ship for another trove hunt?" Hermione considered it for a moment but shrugged.

"We've already marked half a dozen; Fleur said the last storm took down three naval ships just off the point of crescent bay. I doubt we need to make more."

"But our collective treasure hunters love it. You wouldn't want to disappoint them, would you Brunette?" Ginny sneered almost evilly.

"I'll tell Gabby she can share some of 'your' loot then; they can find that instead." Hermione ignored the accosted look. "Don't try to make more work for my girl Red. I'm still older than you."

"Yeah yeah...by a decade...maybe…" she grumbled, arms folded before a flick of movement caught her eye. "That's her."

Both ladies stealthily made their way closer to the tavern's shadowed side.

"We've found you, squeaky rat…"


Another oneshot! Let me know what you guys thinks! Like/Follow/Review!

Midmoon Kitsune out!