word count: 3389

For the lovely Liza. A huge thank you to my darling Em for helping me with the idea.

Sirius is more than a little afraid as his small ship (only slightly more impressive than an ordinary escape pod drifting along through the stars) approaches. The Wolfhead is one of the most infamous ships in the galaxy, and he's heard rumors that it and its crew can give those in neighboring galaxies a run for their money. He hates to admit it, but maybe he's out of his depth.

And yet he knows he has to do it. It's low, something that should be beneath the son of prominent galactic merchants, but it has to be done. How else is he supposed to get his brother back from the Death Eater? It takes a pirate to fight a pirate, and Sirius knows he can only ask for help from the very best.

As he nears the Wolfhead, he puts his headset on, adjusting the communication dial. "This is the ship Padfoot, requesting permission to dock," he says.

Are you supposed to request permission from pirate ships? He isn't entirely sure. It isn't like he spends his spare time boarding random pirate ships.

There's silence. Sirius swallows dryly, his mind racing with possibilities. Maybe they didn't hear him. Maybe they've got their guns aimed at his vessel, ready to reduce him and the Padfoot to little more than space junk.

A moment later, a port opens. He should be excited about this, but his heart races so fast that he feels like he might be sick. No choice now. Retreating would probably end badly for him. "Thank you," he says into the comm unit, easing the ship forward.

Behind him, the port closes. An instant later, he's surrounded by armed men,and each gun is aimed directly at him. In the back of his mind, Sirius thinks he should have expected this. Maybe if he'd actually planned things through, but that's really not his style. He raises his hands in the air, hoping they will understand that he is unarmed.

A woman steps forward, and the men part, making way for her. Sirius has never seen her before in his life, not really. But he immediately recognizes those tawny eyes and her wild chestnut hair, the playful curl of her lips. Captain Hope Lupin is the thing of legend. He's seen her wanted poster plastered across at least six different planets, and two exoplanets, and he knows there are more places than he can count that's out there, announcing that she's wanted dead or alive, but alive will fetch a nicer reward.

They say that when the bloodthirsty pirate Greyback attacked her son and killed her husband, Hope Lupin stole a ship and traveled the stars until she found the Wolfhead and killed Greyback. They say… Well, they say a lot of things, and Sirius knows that one of those things is that she has no problems shedding the blood of outsiders who dared to enter her vessel.

"You," she says, gesturing toward Sirius before crooking her finger and beckoning him forward. "Out. Nice and slow, you hear me? Hands up. That's a good lad."

Sirius moves carefully, each step carefully considered. One wrong move, and bye bye Sirius. It seems to take forever to finally reach the outside, though he guesses it was probably closer to a few minutes. Now all guns aren't pointed at his ship, but at him. "Lovely evening, isn't it?" he asks, grinning through his fear.

Hope doesn't smile at that. "Who let this imbecile aboard?" she asks, turning first to her left, then to her right.

No one answers… Until…

"I did."

The crowd parts, just as it had for Hope, and a young man steps forward. He can't be older than his early twenties, and he looks so out of place among the others. Everyone else has that air about them like they were made for this life. The newcomer, though, is softer, with kind eyes and a scarred face, and Sirius can so clearly see the resemblance. This is Remus Lupin, Hope's son who she killed for. Sirius is more than a little flattered he's the one who let Sirius aboard.

"Mum, put your gun down," Remus says with a heavy sigh. "Look at him. How many people just politely ask to board a pirate ship in that piece of junk?"

Sirius makes a face. "Be nice to the Padfoot. She's very sensitive."

"And how many times have people deceived us, Remus? Pettigrew, for one," Hope counters, but she lowers her weapon, and her men follow suit. "Arrest him."

A man with messy black hair and crooked glasses nods his confirmation and approaches, pulling a pair of handcuffs from his belt. "Sorry about this. You seem like a pretty okay bloke," he says before closing the cuffs first around his left wrist, then his right.

Sirius doesn't resist. Of all the ways this could have ended, this is one of the best possible outcomes.

"To the cells, ma'am?" the man asks.

Hope considers for a moment, studying Sirius in silence. "Take him to the interrogation room," she instructs. "I want to ask him some questions."

"Yes ma'am."

Sirius wishes he could do something really cool. Isn't that what always happens in action films? The hero, captured and at the end of his rope, always has one big trick up his sleeve and escapes with enviable ease. But this isn't a film, and Sirius has no tricks left. All he can do is let the mysterious space pirate guide him away.

"Captain Hope must like you," the man says.

Sirius snorts. He likes people. He also doesn't express that fact by pointing guns at them and having people take them away for interrogation. While he's not an expert, he's at least somewhat sure that's not how you make friends.

"What makes you say that?"

His companion laughs. "Because she never lets anyone just live. The only people allowed on her ship are people she's chosen," he says. "I've been here for five years, and no one has ever been spared."

"What's your name?" Sirius asks.

The man looks at him, lips twisting into a broad grin. "James Potter, second in command," he says. "Well, technically Remus is second, but I help, so, second by association."

Sirius doubts that's how it works, but James beams so brightly that he decides not to question it. "Remus let me on board," Sirius says. He still doesn't understand it, and James looks just as confused.

"He did," James says, frowning. "That's not like him. I've never known him to do anything against his mother. Well, here we are."

Much too soon for his liking, James scans a card, opening a door and pushing Sirius gently inside.

Alone, Sirius ponders. He had expected a much more hostile welcome. Sure, Hope clearly doesn't like him, but he'd expected that. The fact that he's been shown mercy… Aren't these supposed to be a group of cutthroats? Shouldn't he be dead by now? Not that he's complaining, of course. He's pretty fond of not being dead, and he hopes to keep that up as long as possible.

All he can do now is wait.

…

When the door opens again, what feels like forever later, it isn't Hope, or even James. Remus Lupin, with his kind eyes and shy smile, appears. "Are you from Earth?" Remus asks curiously.

"New Earth," Sirius answers. "Earth isn't safe anymore after the Grindelwalds invaded."

Remus makes a face. "They said the Dumble race was fighting to take Earth back for the humans," he says. "I wonder if we'll ever see it." He pulls something from his pocket, grinning. "They don't have chocolate on New Earth, do they?"

Sirius stares at the brown rectangle, baffled. He remembers reading about cocoa production on Earth, how the refugees who fled couldn't bring what was necessary to continue the production with them because it was considered a luxury. Sirius has always wondered what was so luxurious about it.

"The Honeyduke still makes trades within Earth's solar system." Remus grins and breaks off a piece of chocolate. "We've raided them a few times. Merchants lose their minds for their old Earth comforts. Open."

Sirius doesn't even think about it. He opens his mouth obediently, and Remus places the chocolate rectangle on his tongue. It's sweeter than anything Sirius has ever eaten before, and it melts on his tongue, nice and creamy. Maybe he can understand why it's considered a luxury item after all.

"You let me on board," Sirius says. "Why?"

Remus shrugs. "Why not? It's not every day someone looks for us without intent to kill us. I figured you either have a death wish, or you need help. Personally, I'm hoping for the latter."

"Well, as it happens…"

Why is it so easy to talk to Remus? He isn't like the others aboard, except for maybe James, but even James seems at home aboard the Wolfhead. He is good and kind, and Sirius likes him. It doesn't hurt that he's easy on the eyes…

Sirius shakes his head, trying to force the thoughts from his mind. He has a mission. There's no need to get distracted. Once he has Regulus back, he'll leave all of this behind and go back to his normal life. As cute as he is, Remus doesn't have a place in that plan. Remus will stay here, of course, by his mother's side.

The door opens again, and Hope enters. She stares at her son, giving him a silent look that speaks volumes. If anyone ever looked at Sirius like that, he would probably piss himself. Remus just shrugs and takes a seat.

"Captain Hope, it is an honor," Sirius says. "My name is Sirius Black."

"Son of Walburga and Orion Black," Hope says, her tone neutral. "Wealthy family. I'm sure they'll pay handsomely for your return."

Sirius laughs. "Dig a little deeper. They disowned me. Last I heard, I'm dead to them," he says, and it's so easy to take satisfaction in the way Hope deflates at that.

"Well, if you're no good to me alive…"

"Except I am. My family may have disowned me, but I have my own fortune," he says. Most of it had come from his parents before their falling out, but he's managed to make a name for himself, investing and trading, working hard to grow his money. "I can pay you ten million galactos if you help me."

That's got her attention. "Hermione!"

The walls light up, glowing a soft blue. A moment later, a girl's face appears on the screen. AI, Sirius assumes.

"How can I help you, Captain?" Hermione asks.

"Financial records for Sirius Orion Black. How much is he worth without his family's fortune?"

There's silence, broken only by a low hum as the AI searches her database. "Sirius Orion Black is worth eleven point five million galactos."

Hope dismisses Hermione and turns to Sirius, eyes narrowed ever so slightly. She studies him in silence for several seconds. Sirius wonders what she sees in him. Can she see his sincerity, the desperation?

"You are willing to give me almost your entire fortune," she says. "Why?"

"Tom Riddle and his crew took my brother, and I want him back."

"Riddle," Remus hisses.

"My son's friend Peter was one of Riddle's spies," Hope explains. "Your devotion to your family is admirable."

"My brother means everything to me."

She nods. "Transfer half the payment now," she instructs. "Once the funds have been received, we will set our course for the Hangleton Nebula where the Death Eater has set up its sanctuary. We will get your brother back, Mr. Black. I promise you that."

…

"What's New Earth like?" Remus asks as he and Sirius sit in the ship's cafeteria together.

"It's… Well, haven't you been?"

Remus shrugs. "Once or twice, but it's not like you get a proper look at anything when you're on the run… or on the job, I suppose," he answers.

Sirius can't even imagine. He's seen several parts of the galaxy, and he's had the luxury of actually enjoying his journeys. How many places has Remus seen without really getting to experience it?

"Do you want to see it?" Sirius asks.

Remus nods. "I would love to actually see it."

"Maybe one day you will."

There's a light in Remus' eyes that makes Sirius' eyes melt. "Could you take me?"

Sirius wants to say yes, of course he will take Remus away and show him all the beauty that the galaxy has to offer. Instead, he just says, "I'm not sure your mum would approve."

Remus chuckles and shakes her head. "You know, she doesn't actually want this life for me. I think I'm only still on board because she wants to keep an eye on me. Not sure where I'd go anyway. This has been my life for over a decade."

"Maybe that'll change." Sirius doesn't actually think about it; he just reaches out, taking Remus by the hand and squeezing gently.

…

It takes only a hundred hours to reach the Hangleton Nebula. Sirius peers at the monitor, studying the ship. It's much larger than the Wolfhead, and he knows the crew is supposed to be merciless in a way Hope's people aren't. Though she's earned a reputation of being ruthless, Hope is also known to be fair. Tom Riddle is anything but fair.

"You stay put," Hope tells him. "We will be back."

"And if you don't come back?" Sirius asks. He doesn't want to be a downer, but it hits him that he has asked a group of people (strangers who have become like family to him already) to die for him. It is a very real possibility that they may not make it back.

"Hermione will initiate Protocol Thirteen," Hope answers. "In the even that I know there is no chance of making it out, or should I die, I will press a button on my comm band. Any crew member who can will have ten minutes to get back on the ship. Once that time has passed, Hermione will take those on board to safety."

Sirius opens his mouth. He wants to apologize, to beg them to be careful, to tell them he's changed his mind. But these are pirates. No one is forcing their hand. They do this for the thrill of it, just as much as they do it for the treasure. He thinks it might actually be insulting to ask them to turn back now.

Hope turns to Remus. "Until we meet again," she says.

Remus nods. "Whether in this life or the next, I will find you," he replies.

"That's my boy."

…

"How are you so calm?" Sirius asks. By now, he's paced the length of the navigation room fifty-three times (not that he's counting, of course).

Remus looks tense, but he can function much better than Sirius. He sits back, legs propped up, book in hand. "This isn't the first time I've had to wait," he answers. "Mum doesn't let me in on the action."

"Sounds boring."

Remus laughs. "Sounds safe," he corrects. "I like safe."

Sirius supposes safe is better than the alternative. Still, he feels restless. There's a part of him that wishes he could have joined them, just a taste of the adventure. He's well aware that he has no idea what he would even do, but it still seems better than just sitting around.

Except he knows waiting is the best option. If everything goes smoothly, waiting means he will definitely see his brother again.

"I get it," Remus says, like he can read Sirius' mind. "I used to hate sitting around. When I was a kid, maybe nine or ten, I used to beg my mum to take me with her. Then, when I was sixteen, I actually snuck into battle once. Mum was furious when she found out, and, well… I finally understood why she wanted me away from all of that. Have you ever seen anyone die, Sirius?"

Sirius shakes his head. He's only ever seen one dead body in his lifetime, Uncle Alphard. That had been traumatic enough.

"I have. It isn't fun," Remus says. "I think I rather prefer being boring to being dead."

"Fair point," Sirius concedes.

He plops down in a seat, looking for screen to screen. No news has to mean good news. That's what his father used to say, and he hopes it holds true now.

…

He doesn't know how much time passes before he finally hears the ship doors open. "Move, move, move," he hears Hope call.

Crew members hurry inside. James is supported between Frank and Ted, and he's pressing his hand to a bleeding wound on his stomach.

"Hermione, activate Poppy," Remus instructs.

"Activating Poppy Bots."

There's a flash of light that enters into James. Sirius can only guess Poppy is their brand of nanomedics.

"Easy does it," Frank says.

More and more crew members enter, and Sirius feels his heart race a little more with each one. Where is Regulus? Why hasn't anyone said anything about Regulus yet? No "Congrats! Your brother is alive!", no "We are so sorry.". Just silence.

And then, Hope behind him, Regulus bolts through the doors, grinning. "Pirates, Sirius? You really hired pirates?"

"Well, it would have taken more than just my pretty face to get you out," Sirius says with a dramatic sigh. "I have to reserve my stunning good looks for emergencies."

"And saving your little brother didn't count as an emergency?" Regulus teases. "You wound me."

"Your brother would make one hell of a pirate," Hope says as the door closes behind her. "You should be proud."

Regulus blushes and waves a dismissive hand. "I'm just fast on my feet," he mutters.

"You were brilliant," James says, and he's walking without help now. Poppy must have done its job well. "Absolutely brilliant."

Regulus blushes even deeper, and Sirius wonders if his brother has developed a little bit of a crush.

…

"You should come with me," Sirius tells Remus.

"I… What?"

"You want to see the galaxy, right? I can show you."

Remus is silent for several moments. He looks around, like the interior of the ship is the most interesting in the world. "This is all I've ever known," he says, and Sirius feels his heart sink into his stomach. Maybe he should have known Remus wouldn't want to leave this behind. "But I've never really belonged."

There's a flutter of hope. It's ridiculous that anyone can make Sirius feel so giddy, like a blushing, giggling schoolgirl, but Remus is special.

"Can I… Can I kiss you?" Remus asks. "I get the feeling you want to."

"God yes."

Their lips meet, cautious and awkward, but so very right. When they pull apart, Remus' entire face is pink, and he grins impishly. "I suppose I should go pack."

…

"What do you mean you aren't coming?" Sirius asks.

Regulus shrugs. "Hope is right. I would make a damn good pirate. I want… Why should I go home? Mother and Father are nightmares."

"You're not wrong."

Regulus looks over Sirius' shoulder, grinning. Sirius follows his gaze to James, and he understands. His brother is staying because he feels like belongs somewhere, and because of the future he sees for himself.

"I wish I could be there when our parents learn their precious golden boy has run off to be a pirate." Sirius grins at the thought. "I bet Mother has a heart attack."

"Sirius! Behave."

"Never."

Silence hangs between them for several moments. Regulus rests a hand on Sirius' arm. "I'll miss you."

"What are you talking about? This isn't goodbye. Hope might actually murder me if I still Remus away forever."

The rest of the goodbyes are quick enough, and then Sirius leads Remus onto the Padfoot. He knows he isn't cut out for the pirate life, but he still feels a heavy sort of sadness in his chest as he sets his navigations.

Still, he won't stay upset over it. Remus is at his side, and he can do a lot with over a million galactos. All in all, he decides that seeking out one of the most infamous pirate crews in the galaxy had been one of the best decisions he's ever made.