A/N: Hey guys, sorry updates have taken so long. I had a brain bust so I ended up writing a totally new story. It's a one-shot called Whiskey Lullaby. It is rated R, but I am seriously thinking of bumping the rating down, I don't think it is rated R material, but I'm not sure. So it's your choice to read it, but please do, and if so, please review. Anyways, if you are also reading my other story Childhood Pasts, it is also updated, so feel free to check that out.
Also, I just wanted to thank everyone for their reviews, they honestly do keep the chapters coming.
Not A Monkey- I'm glad you like the story, and don't worry, more fluffiness is coming. It will just take some time. If you really want some Draco/Hermione fluffiness, read my other story Childhood Pasts. In this story I don't want them to warm up to each other right away, Draco is a pirate and all, so it will take some time, but I do promise it will happen. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Pyrrhic Pixie- I see your point about the pirate AU thing being a bit unrealistic, but that's the great thing about fanfiction, you can have the characters in any situation. Plus, I wanted to write something different from Draco and Hermione are Head Boy and Head Girl, or Hermione is Voldemort's daughter or a pureblood (Although I might write one like that, I got ideas). Anyways, I wanted something different, so I thought maybe some of the readers do too. But I didn't think about what you said before I wrote, but now it makes sense. As for my grammar and spelling, it's really that good? I don't really use spell check or grammar check and I don't have a Beta, so I didn't think it was the best. Like I thought it was satisfactory, but your compliment really boosted my spelling/grammar self- esteem. Thank you. Also thanks for reading my story and sharing your opinion.
Princess Angelz- You know you are the only one to review every time I update? Thanks, that is sssssooooooo cool. Anyways, about the Draco/Hermione interaction. I plan for there to be interaction in this chapter and probably the next, well in every chapter, but it will take a while for it to get fluffy. I don't dig that whole we are best friends- turning lovers after knowing the "real" person after a week. Like with Childhood Pasts it is different because they are little kiddies, but this one will be a little different. Anyways, thanks for the reviews, I love them.
Carmen- Glad you like the story. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Spaced Out Space Cadet- Glad you like the story. That was actually goal in writing, was to aim for something that really hasn't been done. Although the other story lines (i.e. Hermione is a pureblood, Draco saves Hermione, Draco turns White Hat, both are Heads and become friends, etc) are great, I wanted to write something new and fresh. Thanks for your comment and for reading.
Anyways, now that I am done with the reviews, here is the next chapter. Enjoy!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER 4
"Draco, what are you doing?" asked Blaise. He had just gotten up to tend to his duties, but seeing Draco staring out at the sea watching the sun come up, caused him to shirt plans and tend to Draco.
Draco just looked at Blaise before turning his head back to the water. Blaise realized that Draco didn't want to talk about it, which left him to believe only one thing was on Draco's mind.
"We'll catch him, you know," stated Blaise not caring that Draco didn't want to talk about it.
"I don't doubt that," answered Draco, not looking away from the water. He realized that Blaise wasn't going to let the topic drop, so he decided to indulge him. Blaise was the only one that knew about it, and so he felt it was okay to share a little bit with him.
"So why's it bugging you?"
"Just thinking about how long this will take."
"Is there something wrong with waiting? You know, they say waiting makes revenge all the more sweeter," answered Blaise. He was grinning even though he knew Draco couldn't see it since he was still staring out into the open ocean.
"I never was a patient one."
After hearing Blaise's snort of agreement, he decided to continue.
"Anyways, I have waited three years. That's enough for me."
"Understandable."
There was a silence among the two boys, before Blaise spoke again.
"Do you wanna talk about it? I know some stuff, and even though you deny it, I know there is more to the story than you let on. Now mind you, it won't be bonding, but maybe if you let someone in, it would help you."
This caused Draco to turn with anger towards Blaise.
"I don't need help. I don't need to inform everyone of the whole story. I can take care of this myself, and trust me I will. When I find him, I will kill him, slowly and painfully. I will watch him as he begs for mercy, and you know what I am going to do?"
At Blaise's blank look, Draco decided to continue.
"I'm going to laugh in his face. It will be priceless. And, I will enjoy every minute of it."
Draco then turned back and watched the sun finish rising. When he had had enough, he turned, nodded towards Blaise letting him know that he needed to get back to work, and then walked off. He had work to do, but first he had to take care of the problem called Miss Hermione Granger. She had been on board for three days now, and so far he had done nothing to deal with her ransom.
"All well, better start on it now," he said out loud to know one in general as he walked to his quarters.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Do you have a report? So anything new?" asked Harry.
"No. And, um, no," answered Dean.
"All well, keep a watch out and let me know if you see anything."
"Yes, captain," answered Dean. He then went back to his watch at the crow's nest.
"Harry, Harry, I have great news!" shouted Ginny.
Harry then turned to see a running Ginny. His face instantly brightened.
"Well what is it?" he asked.
"With how the winds are going, as well as the currents, Seamus says we can make it to Grimwald Place in a week. It cuts the trip down by three days!"
"That's great news. That's three more than what we planned. Is Seamus at the Bridge?"
"Yeah. Do you want me to go get him?"
"No, I will go see him. Can you keep watch over the crew to make sure they are doing everything right?"
"Of course."
Ginny turned to watch the crew on deck to make sure nothing happened, while Harry walked off to talk to Seamus about the voyage.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"You summoned," drawled Morgan. It was to early for her to be up. She didn't like to be up till midday and Draco had sent Pansy to get her up, which wasn't a wake up call she ever thought she would enjoy, no matter what time of day it came. And to top it off, the sun couldn't have been up for a couple of hours or more, not even close to being midday.
"So nice to see you are up and about," said Draco sarcastically. He, along with everyone on the ship, knew Morgan hated getting up early.
Morgan just rolled her eyes and sat down. She didn't say anything because she wasn't sure the type of mood Draco was in. He was so good at hiding it that at first you had to tread carefully till you figured out if he was cranky or not. She started sizing him up to see if she could figure anything out about his mood. After all, with her being up this early and Draco being Draco, attitudes might clash. It happened majority of the time so she wanted to be ready.
She saw that Draco had on his favorite black pants and favorite black work boots that to his knees. 'So far he looks like he is in a good mood,' she surmised. She also noted that he had on a plain white shirt with the top untied showing off some of his pale chest. He had his hair loose and his feet on the desk, reclining in the chair. 'Comfortable and relaxed, must be in a good mood. Proceed without caution,' was her final thoughts before Draco pulled her back to reality.
"If you are done staring holes into my body, I would like to discuss the importance of me calling you here," stated Draco. Although Draco was the captain, and he knew he had full authority, he didn't want to deal with a cranky Morgan. She could rival him if her temper got bad enough, and right now he needed her not cranky.
"Well, then spit it out. What did you need?"
"Information."
"That's my brother's job. He's the best information getter in the Atlantic, as well as the Pacific. You know that."
"Not in this situation."
This got Morgan's attention. As a response she merely perked her eyebrow up, telling him to continue.
"Miss. Hermione. Granger. Tell me about her. Everything you know, and leave nothing out," he said, making sure to get his point acroos, he really didn't want to play games with Morgan this morning.
Morgan just stared. She knew what Draco wanted to know, but decided to mess with him. After all, he got her up way to early.
"Where would you like me to start?" she asked.
Draco just looked at her. He knew she knew what he wanted to know. He also knew she was playing this game to somewhat get back at him and that it would futile and would be pointless to fight her. So, he decided to indulge her. He had a respect for her. After all she was the only one on his crew besides Blaise that didn't let him push around. 'Must be a Zambini thing,' he thought.
"Let's do basic information first, and then move onto specific stuff that could be useful in planning her ransom."
Morgan stared at him again before deciding to just give the information. It was too early for her to start fighting with him.
"Her favorite color is purple," said Morgan.
"That's all you know? Her favorite color is purple?! How is that supposed to help me?" ranted Draco.
"Hold on, you didn't let me finish. You said start general, and I am."
"Well, please continue."
Morgan thought about pushing him some more, but figured she was close to her limit, so she just decided to give him all the information she knew, which, she realized wasn't much. She was normally better at getting information than this.
"Well, from what I know, she is seventeen years old, soon to be eighteen. She was traveling to America with her family jewels, which you now have in your custody. She is also friends with Potter and the rest of the Gryffindors. She can read and write. Oh and this is her second trip on a ship. "
"Anything else?"
"Um, she is an only child. Doesn't like Pansy, hates being called hostage, captive or anything else like that. Her name is Lady Hermione or Miss Granger, since she is not married."
"What else do you know of her family?"
"Not much actually. I brought it up once, but she said she didn't want to talk about it. So, I let it pass."
"And her social status?"
"Well, from what I got, I believe her father is a Lord. But her mother would have had to have passed away for her to receive the title of Lady. But that is only from her title as Lady Hermione Granger, and what I know of the social status in England."
"I'll get Blaise to check into that. Anything else?"
"Um... her favorite animal is a cat. She doesn't care for corsets. Oh and she has a temper, so watch yourself when you talk to her."
"That's it? That's all you know?"
"All I can think of."
"And you're not intentionally thinking of something that could be beneficial?"
"No, actually I'm not."
"I'm disappointed in you. You're normally way better at finding out information than that. You're getting rusty. Maybe I'll talk to Blaise about this."
"Leave him out of it. I got you information. It's not my fault she doesn't talk about her family. I've tried to bring it up, but she always pushes the topic away and if I push it, she will catch on. She's quick and extremely bright."
"Ah see, that is some information I could use."
"Huh?"
"Well, she doesn't want to talk about her family, right?"
"Do I need to repeat myself?" Morgan was getting frustrated that Draco was seeing something she wasn't. Especially, from her information.
"It shows that Miss Granger has some family problems or history she doesn't want to share. Perhaps a scandal or something else. I do believe this means we need to investigate."
"If I keep bugging her about her family, she's gonna catch on."
"Not a worry. I will deal with that. You just keep playing the doting maid. If you find anything else of importance, report back to me immediately."
Morgan just stared at him. She normally didn't have a problem being his eyes and ears with the captives, but she was truly enjoying Hermione's friend and didn't want to betray her. She would have to talk to someone about this, problem was who?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Wake up Princess," yelled Draco as he opened the door and strolled into Hermione's quarters.
Hermione turned to Draco with daggers in her eyes.
"How dare you just march in here! I may not have been in a presentable state, and that would be uncalled for, especially for a lady of my status."
"Get off your high horse and float on back down to reality. I know you were in a presentable state since I had seen you walking on deck about five minutes ago. Which I might add is banned. You are to stay in your quarters unless you have permission by me or Blaise to be about."
Hermione just glared. How dare this man restrict her to this room. However, while she was glaring daggers at him, she took in his appearance.
'How come he always looks so good, it just isn't right? Bad Hermione, we are not thinking of the little rodent like that. He is a filthy little cockroach, do not think about how gorgeous he looks in that shirt, I said stop it. You know what Brain, jsut shut up!' she thought to herself.
"Speaking of your social status," he said bringing Hermione out of her mental battle with herself. "Tell me Princess, how much money to you think I can ring out of your family?"
At Hermione's glare of daggers turning into a glare of death, he realized he was hitting some sensitive nerves. He checked the room and seeing that the windows were closed as well as the door, and no weapons were near by, he decided to push her and she if she would crack.
"What's the matter? Did I hit a sore spot?" he teased.
He saw her clenching her fists and smiled with glee. It was very rare he met someone this stubborn and who knew that the Lady Hermione would be so fun to piss off.
"Does your family not care for you? Or perhaps you don't want to identify them for fear of a scandal? Or maybe, gee I don't know, there are so many possibilities. They are endless, where to start?" he then made a pose as if to think about what to say, all to piss her off more.
Hermione was beyond anger. First this man confined her to this room and now he was suggesting things about her family, which he had no right in suggesting. Her family was a respectable one whether he wanted to believe it or not.
When she saw the slow leer grace Draco's face, she decided she had had enough. She stood up and walked over to Draco, as his smile got bigger, her anger fumed. She decided to wipe that smirk off his face.
SMACK
The sound of Hermione slapping Draco echoed off the walls, infuriating Draco even more.
"What the hell was that for?!" yelled Draco enraged. He was now rubbing his cheek where she had slapped him. 'How dare she hit me!' he fumed.
"You deserved it! How dare you suggest things like that about my family. My family is far more respectable than yours is and ever will be!"
Draco just glared at her. 'How dare she suggest something like that!'
"How dare you! My family will always be of higher status than yours!"
"Your family is nothing but filthy, low-life, pirates!" she yelled back.
"They may have been pirates, but they weren't filthy. And we have more power and wealth than you could ever imagine. We have been part of the Slytherin for ages, and if you couldn't tell, the Slytherin only houses the highest class of pirates. We are the best and always have been!"
"So what? Your family is still trash. Especially by societies standards! And that just shows how low you and your family are!"
Draco just glared. He knew it was true, but he would die before he admitted something like that to her.
The two then went into a staring match, both glaring daggers at the other, hoping to wound the other in some way.
A knock at the door, caused the two to look away from each other and towards the door.
"Come in," Hermione said. She already knew it was Morgan, since Dario would still be sleeping. She, along with Dario, were the only two on the ship that actually came and saw her and knocked. Blaise, Dorian, and Draco all just walked in. 'Stupid, rude, males,' she thought.
"Hermione, I just came to ask you if..." she then stopped talking seeing that Draco was with Hermione. She realized this was probably a bad time, especially by the way Draco had his shoulders set. He was pissed off.
"If she could what?" asked Draco.
"Nothing that concerns you, sir," answered Morgan. Making sure to make the sir loud and clear. Draco had stressed she show respect in front of others.
"Everything that she does concerns me."
"Doesn't matter. This was more of a girl thing, as in anything that isn't female cannot be involed. And I figured you would not want to be involved."
Morgan was hoping she could get Draco to leave by trying to make him think she was trying to get some alone time to talk. Draco however was being daft and wasn't getting the hint.
"It doesn't matter, it is still my concern," stated Draco stubbornly.
"Too bad. Besides, I was also sent by the crew. You are needed on deck."
Morgan hoped that would get Draco to leave. She could explain why she did this later, especially since he will be angry she lied to him about he being needed on deck. All well, she would deal with it later.
"Very well." He then turned to Hermione before continuing. "I must go, but perhaps we can continue this conversation another time?"
"Joy," answered Hermione even though it was apparent she didn't mean it.
Morgan simply smiled. She had heard the argument and knew neither of them would want to continue it, if possible.
Draco then walked out of the door without a second look back. He would be talking to Morgan later.
After Draco was gone, Hermione turned to Morgan and gave her a hug and a proper greeting, after all it was only proper.
"So, what did you want to ask?" Hermione asked.
"Nothing actually. I just came to save you from Draco."
Hermione smiled. She could see herself and Morgan turning out to be great friends.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
END OF CHAPTER
Okay, I know I have been lacking on Gryffindor action. But I promise it is coming soon, I just need them to reach Grimwald Place.
Also if anyone could help me out on the social status that England had in the 1800's, that would be great. Like, I know some stuff, but if anyone had any information to lend me, that would be great.
Anyways, I left some cliffhangers, but I didn't mean too, and they are small ones. Anyways, I have started writing the next chapter, so it should be up soon. I just hit a brain block so I had to stop writing, but once I think of something, I will move on.
So, um, review, they make the chapters come faster. Any comments are appreciated, but if you are gonna flame, can you do it nicely? I know an oxy moron, but still, please try. Be nice about it-like constructive criticism.
And check out my other stories if you can.
Review!!!
