A/N: PLEASE READ ME!
Since it seems people aren't interested, I don't know if I'm gonna keep posting chapters. I know I took a long time off and I lost readers, but if the story isn't popular than I'm just gonna stop and work on my other stories or go on with my life not worring about the story. Anyways my goal was to finish this before I went back to school which is end of August but I don't know if I will anymore. So yeah, if I do decide to keep going than there should be way more Draco/Hermione time, especially in the next chapter, which should be done but I keep going back and rewriting it, so yea. Anyways if this story isn't popular I'm just gonna let it go. After this chapter, the story should really pick up and I know I keep saying it but I have the next 5-6 chapters summaries written and actually have the beginning of each started. So this isn't my way to get a huge review number, I just wanna know if I should keep writing for people or just stop and work on something else. Like I see hits, but if its just people reading and not enjoying it I'm just gonna stop, so please email me or just leave me a note if you're interested, cause honestly if there aen't enough people who care I'm stopping.
Disclaimer: Just cause I can't remember if I did it before, but Harry Potter is not mine.
KNOCK KNOCK
"Enter."
"How was the meeting with your father today?" asked Dorian.
Draco just looked back. "That bad I see," smirked Dorian. He knew how much Draco hated meeting with his father.
"I detest that man," replied Draco.
"I know you do."
"I mean he follows the Dark Lord, who isn't even a pure pirate. The man was a British sailor for most of his life and then turned to piracy and was eagerly accepted only because he was from the Slytherin bloodline. That man is crazy with his ideas and my father is an idiot for following him. And the business with this bloody ring is going to ruin us. Our profits have practically disappeared since we were sent to find this ring! Speaking of which did you get any information from our 'ever so nice' hostage?" asked Draco.
"Actually I did." Draco perked up at hearing this, not expecting Dorian to get the information. "I know I'm not as skilled at getting information as Zambini, but I have common courtesy and tact which seems to go a long way with Miss Granger. Try it with her, you might get your answers," explained Dorian.
"Me, be nice a hostage! What an idea," Draco said sarcastically.
"Seriously. Miss Granger could be a great asset to this 'conflict'. Besides she's incredibly bright and I'm sure could help us break free from the Dark Lord's control."
"So what do I do, barge in and tell her my life and goals and ask her to help?"
"Well, first I would knock and then politely talk to her." Draco once again just looked at Dorian as if he was growing a second head. "Just a thought," finished Dorian.
"So please spill all the details of your meeting with Miss Granger," said Draco decided to slightly change the topic.
"First off, she is extremely curious of the Dark Lord and your dealings with him and why you want the ring so much…"
"Well she can stay curious," interrupted Draco.
"Actually I explained it to her."
"WHAT!" bellowed Malfoy.
"I decided to lay out a few of our cards in return for her showing us hers. It worked quite well and if you will let me continue without further interruption I'm sure I will answer your questions." Malfoy just looked angrily at Dorian not liking what was going on.
Realizing that his captain wasn't going to verbally respond or further interrupt him, Dorian continued with his explanation. "She knows where the ring is and says the last time she saw it was today, however, she will not tell me where it is. The chest and ring, or so she thinks, became a part of her family through a gift that her mother received. Now here is why I left my conversation with her early, the gifts came from Malachi Marcovio."
Draco just stared dumbfounded. "That's impossible. He was a pirate and would've never associated with her kind."
"Well apparently, he did. He was a close family friend of her mother's father. Apparently he invested into the farming of Hermione's grandfather."
"Hmm, well the man was sly and extremely secretive with his dealings. Now the question I want to know is how he came upon the items," stated Draco.
The next day Hermione woke to Morgan shaking her. "Hermione wake up, the sunrise is beautiful you must see it," said Morgan.
Hermione slowly woke up and looked and saw Morgan pulling out the clothes Hermione would wear for the day. The two girls were similar in build so Hermione had started to wear some of Morgan's clothes and had discovered that knickers and a loose white shirt were quite enjoyable to wear.
"Morgan how did you get here?" asked Hermione.
"I just walked in," answered Morgan giving Hermione a curious look.
"No, I mean I could've sworn you were kidnapped and there was a dragon too," said Hermione. After a moment of Morgan staring at her, Hermione realized it was just a dream. "Oh, sorry, just you know a dream and yea, but it seemed so life like."
Morgan just smiled. "It better've been a dream. I don't feel like being kidnapped right now. Besides if I were kidnapped who would take care of you," giggled Morgan.
Hermione just smiled, storing the dream to ponder over later. As she was getting ready she realized something. "Morgan, why are you up and so cheery?" she asked.
Morgan just blushed. Hermione then made Morgan sit down and explain everything to her, although Hermione was unsure what everything was.
"Well, um last night Caleb came to my quarters to talk to me. He had to wait till it was middle of shift so no one would look for him. Anyways, he came to tell me that Blaise had ordered him to spend more time with me. Anyways, we sat and talked about you, well not you per say, but your situation and Caleb says that maybe you can work with the captain cause whether you realize it, you both kind of have stuff in common."
Hermione just raised her eyebrow at this. "And then we went on deck and Caleb started his shift but I sat looking at the water and when I saw the sky getting lighter I decided to get you to come watch the sunrise with me," stammered Morgan hoping Hermione would buy it. She felt bad leaving parts out but she didn't want Hermione to know of the plan her and Caleb were about to put into action.
"Good morning Captain," said Blaise and Dorian together when they saw Draco come on the bridge.
The three then got all their paperwork needed since today they had a meeting with the Dark Lord. However as they were working Draco looked down onto the main deck and saw Hermione and Morgan watching the sunrise. Before he could stop himself Draco thought, 'Wow she is gorgeous in the morning light.' Quickly, Draco mentally slapped himself and just assumed the thoughts came from not sharing a bed with Pansy for the last week since she had gone and got an attitude Draco didn't care to deal with.
"Earth to Draco," yelled Dorian. Draco turned to both his friends and gave them a look.
"What were you looking at?" asked Blaise. "You better not have been checking out my sister," he added as a joke.
"Oh please, that job is reserved for Sabian," answered Dorian. Both of the other men looked at him, but Dorian shrugged his shoulders. "It's true."
"So Draye, what has got you so preoccupied?" questioned Blaise.
"Nothing," Draco answered quickly.
"Does it happen to be the hostage that is residing across the hall from you?" inquired Dorian.
"Does it matter?" retorted Draco.
"Of course," both boys answered grinning.
"Well it doesn't. Get the orders sent to the men and make sure the carriage is waiting for us later this afternoon to take us to the meeting. Dorian, I will take your suggestion and met with the hostage after our dinner with the Dark Lord…" both boys looked at him with a mischievous glint when he talked about meeting Hermione. "And neither of you two shall interfere or do anything to disrupt my meeting with her. Also make sure Caleb stays on watch while we are gone. I don't want any problems," finished Draco.
Both the men nodded and went on with their tasks.
Later on in the morning Hermione found herself enjoying Dorian's company as they ate their breakfast.
"Dorian can I ask you a question?" asked Hermione.
"Ah back to the question game," stated Dorian.
"If you wish it. But I would hope you'd answer my question none the less."
"Of course, but I do wish to respect the rules established last night."
"Naturally." Hermione then paused before continuing before thinking of the best way to phrase her question. "What is the Dragon's lair?"
Dorian then coughed on the tea he was drinking not expecting Hermione to ask that question.
"Dorian, are you okay?" asked a concerned Hermione.
"Yes, well I believe I will live. You just caught me off guard." Once Dorian stopped coughing and settled back down he explained to Hermione about the Dragon's Lair. "It is a rumored island that is a magical place. Not much is known about it because no one has actually sailed there. Anyways, there is said to be a volcano that erupts whenever something upsets the island spirits or whatever resides there. The eruption is called the Dragon's Fire Breath. I don't know too much. Honestly if you want to know more you would have to talk to Malfoy about it."
"Now my turn. Where did you hear of the Dragon's Lair?" asked Dorian.
"It was one of my favorite bedtime stories. My mother would tell it to me all the time," answered Hermione.
"And I would assume Marcovio told her the stories?" wondered Dorian.
"Yea. He wrote them to her in letters when she was a child. She kept the letters and would read them to me before bedtime. Although I have no use for the letters now, I have all the stories memorized," answered Hermione with a smile on her face as she thought of the stories her mother would tell her before bed. However, then her smile disappeared as she remembered waiting for her mother to tell her a bedtime story and then the realization that her mother would never tell her one again.
"So how did you come to be a sailor?" asked Hermione. Dorian just looked at her figuring she already knew and quite curious for the change of topic. When Hermione saw his look she quickly changed her question. "What I mean is how come you keep sailing, like what keeps you here? Do you ever want a different life?"
Dorian just chuckled. "I though we were just asking one question, but I will answer all yours, even if it is against the established rules." Hermione just answered him by lightly slapping his arm and smiling.
"I do believe you asked one question right after the other when talking about Marcovio."
"Hey hey hey, that was me thinking out loud and you just happened to respond," quipped Dorian. "But anyways, I started sailing when I was young, probably around Dario's age. Anyways, I learned early on that I was meant to be a pirate. To me, there is nothing better than waking up and walking on deck and seeing ocean for miles and the salty air that greets your nostrils is just as good as smelling freshly baked cookies. I mean this is my home, my heart is here. As for ever wanting a different life, I don't think I do. I fell in love with the ocean a long time ago and no woman has ever taken my fancy quite like she has. If I lived the rest of my life on this boat I would die a happy man," finished Dorian with a smile on his face.
Hermione smiled back. "That was lovely, how you described everything. Kind of makes me want to fall in love with the ocean as well."
"Yea, well she is a dangerous mate," answered Dorian back. "So I believe it is my question now."
At Hermione's nod to go ahead, Dorian asked his question hoping Hermione would answer truthfully as well as not get angry with him.
"Hermione, I know we had a rule not have to answer the question if you didn't want to, but can I have your word that you will answer this question? I promise it has nothing to do with the ring or treasure or your family."
Hermione thought long and hard and decided she would, but only if Dorian did the same for her question, which he agreed to.
"Hermione, you can go first seeing as how you are the lady."
"What is going to happen to me?" she asked. Dorian was able to make out the slight tremble in her voice and felt kind of bad for her and her situation.
"I wish I could tell you everything that would happen to you so you can be prepared, however I know nothing of the plans for you. To be honest, I don't believe Malfoy has thought to much about his plans for you. I know at this moment he is quite preoccupied with our constant meetings with the Dark Lord. When I know, I will let you know."
Hermione gave a small smile, realizing that was the best she would get, but knowing deep down that Dorian would keep his word. "I do believe it is your question now."
"Hermione, what are your feelings as of now to Captain Malfoy?"
Ok so not so much of a cliffhanger and I know a short chapter, well err shorter than the rest. But I figured this was a good stopping point. The next chapter should be longer. But I'm serious guys (and girls) if I keep getting the feeling that no one is interested I will stop. Maybe I'll pick it back up in a year or so, but I'm not to sure and don't want to promise something I'm not sure will happen. I hate to stop on a sadder note, but its either I keep writing a pointless story which seems to be boring or people just don't like it (which I find a waste of my time) or I move on to something else. And I promise I will keep writing if people are interested. I have a couple more weeks left of break before I would have to stop to move into my apartment and start school, but with my schedule I should still be able to write. And I honestly don't mean to be redundent cause I hate that but I really want to get my point across.
