A/N: Oh wow. I didn't expect so many reviews in such a short time. I was working on my homework for summer school and when I went back and checked my email there were six reviews within an hour. Wow thank you all who reviewed. And as one of you pointed out that people do read this and I know that and I would feel bad for stopping, but if there weren't enough, I didn't see the point in wasting my time, but with the reviews I'll keep writing. You all kind of got me back into the spirit of finishing this story, which I hope to do now, just so I don't leave you hanging throughout the school year.
Also, for those of you who read this story as well as my other story Childhood Pasts, I'm trying to get going on that story. I actually started writing that one before this one- well I mean the updates that I have been doing recently, I just can't quite figure out what I want to do, but I now have so many ideas for both stories so hopefully I'll have a new chapter for that story too. And if you haven't read it, please go check it out.
Also, as I was proofreading this chapter I started a whole new story. I haven't posted it yet because I want to know if it would be worth posting. It's basically a story to Phantom of the Opera and what happens is that Hermione drinks a potion before going to bed and ends up dreaming the Phantom of the Opera but her schoolmates all play the roles. If you think you'd read it let me know, I actually have the first two chapters written and if I get motivated (which reviews seem to do wink wink hahaha) I'll post it. I just don't want to leave another WIP out there, since I already have two.
PLEASE READ ME: And I really thank all you enough who supported me through your reviews and emails and helped motivated me to keep writing. Everyone out there who reads this and doesn't review should thank you too. Also, I looked, because I am writing this instead of going to bed, but there were 42 people who read my last chapter and only 6 reviewed, and although I can't thank those 6 enough, why is it that the other 36 can't review and let me know? I'll take flames because I know I can always improve. I want to know your opinion to help me write the stories to my audience's liking. I don't know if that is what a writer should do (not that I am calling myself a writer), but your opinion does matter to me. I know out there people threaten not to update if they don't get a certain number and the only reason I did that last chapter was because I honestly didn't know if people cared, but now that I see it, please help me improve my story. It's not hard; I even take anonymous reviews, so there really is no excuse. Please, all I ask is that you help me help my story, because I know that it can be better.
AND ME TOO: Also, thanks to everyone else who reviewed too. I
really do appreciate it. In a review someone mention that Blaise's
last name was spelled Zabini and I went and looked and realize that
it is spelled that way over Zambini. However, when I first started
this story back in 2004 no one quite knew what gender Blaise was and
there was a toss up between his last name being Zabini or Zambini. I
haven't actually researched the characters or read stuff on the
books since 2004 cause I don't have that much spare time so I was
just continuing from where I left off not realizing the issue had
been cleared. Anyways as much as I hate having something incorrect I
am going to keep spelling it Zambini for a couple of reasons:
1. I have been spelling it like that for the past 10 chapters (cause
I wrote this chapter before I knew it)
2. I wrote the next 3 chapters with it spelled like that
3. I like Zambini better than Zabini (the first spelling reminds me
of Zamboni which I think is a way cool word- you know the machine
that redoes the ice). Plus I talk out loud when I type and I've
been saying Zambini since I started fanfiction and honestly it's
gonna be a hard habit to break
So please if you don't mind I will keep spelling it Zambini so I
don't spend extra time looking to change it everywhere cause
honestly I will have to go back and change every chapter which just
makes updates slower. And in return I will post this chapter a day
earlier than I had planned. Deal? Okay good.
Also, anything a character says are in double quotes "" and any thought a character has are in single quotes ''. Just wanted to make sure that was cleared up.
Anyways, I'm sick of nagging and really it puts a downer on the story, so whether you review or not, I'll probably still update, but it'll be for the six people who reviewed the last chapter, or the three people who reviewed the chapter before that. And as always I dedicate this chapter to the people who review and help me make this story better, because ultimately, I write it for the reader (and to get the idea to leave me alone).
And as I promised, this chapter has lots of Hermione/Draco time. So enjoy.
"Sit down young Malfoy, we have much to discuss," sneered the Dark Lord.
Draco obeyed, expertly masking his feelings of disgust from the man and his father. Dorian who sat on his left and Blaise who was on his right also followed the orders.
"Now, as my three leading future Death Eaters, have you executed your mission?" question the Dark Lord. "I wish not to be disappointed."
Realizing, it was now or never, Draco looked up and walked forward. "My Lord," he said, trying not to let his disgust show. "We have not yet found the ring. But, we are doubling our efforts in our search."
The Dark Lord looked at Lucius not the bit pleased and than back to Draco. "I expected to hear good news from you."
"I am aware of that my Lord, however, we did find the chest of your ancestor. It even has his signature engraved in the bottom," replied Draco.
"Well, that is an improvement from finding me nothing. Was the ring not with the chest?" questioned the Dark Lord.
"No my Lord. After we captured the chest we quickly set our sail for here and did not think to question whether the ring was with the chest."
"Do you call me a liar?"
'Damn straight.' "Of course not my Lord. I was merely stating that we were foolish not to double check and as a way to make up for our mistake we have set a course to intercept the Gryffindor, capture Potter, and get the information of the ring from him. Of course, with your permission first my Lord."
Dorian gave Blaise a raised eyebrow in which Blaise just raised his in return, which luckily neither the Dark Lord nor Lucius saw.
The Dark Lord than sat silently for a moment, before nodding his head towards Draco. "You may set your course and I expect you back here in a months time with that ring and the chest."
"Do you not want the chest now?" interrupted Lucius.
"No. The prophesy says that one must received them both, together, as a gift to truly be able to find the great treasure," stated the Dark Lord.
"Of course my Lord. We shall bring you your gift," answered Draco. Who than rose, followed by Blaise and Dorian, and bowed before turning and leaving the room.
Once the boys were gone, the Dark Lord turned to Lucius. "Your boy has a strong mind as well as a strong will, you better keep an eye on him for me," stated the Dark Lord.
"Of course my Lord. I shall punish him for his foolishness," replied Lucius.
"There is no need for punishment. He is growing up quite the Slytherin, almost as if the blood that runs through me runs through him."
"Thank you for that honor, my Lord."
"I do not see why you thank me, for I was not complementing you. I however, want a close eye on the boy, for if he continues in these steps he will make a great heir and an even greater ruler of the seas."
"As you wish, my Lord."
Lucius than left the room, to write his son a letter since he knew Draco would be busy setting his course and he did not want to anger the Dark Lord by interfering with Draco's work.
'What a foolish man,' thought Draco. "How does he think that by ordering something be given to him, it will be a gift. Stupid pigheaded stick up the arse of a man."
"Draco, you're thinking out loud again," answered Blaise not looking up from his game.
Draco just glared back at Blaise who was playing chess with Dorian.
"Just thought I would let you know, before you said anything you weren't ready to let be known," he added still not looking up.
Draco just let out a sigh and sat down.
"Because than you would throw a temper and threaten everyone who heard. And then after that you would walk around moody for about a week giving everyone murderous glares, and you know Draye, that just makes the workplace uncomfortable," added Dorian, who also was too into the game to look up.
Blaise and Draco both looked at Dorian. "What? It's true, and don't you dare lie Blaise."
"I'm not going to." Both boys then went back to their game.
Draco, deciding to ignore the attack on his persona and went back to his previous musings. "You do know my father will be watching our passings and actions more closely now."
"Of course. But we have gotten away with having Hermione on board and neither of them knew of it, for wouldn't they have question us?" asked Dorian.
"Who knows with those two," answered Draco the same time Blaise declared checkmate.
"A rematch?" asked Dorian.
As Blaise agreed, Draco stated that he was going for a walk up on the deck and then to visit the hostage. After all, whether he planned to give the ring to the Dark Lord or not, he still needed to find it. Besides, he knew his friends were too involved in their game to spare him any extra attention.
"So, do you think it'll work?" asked Caleb.
"Well, we need to talk to Dorian and Blaise first," replied Morgan. "I also happen to know that our dear Captain plans to met with our 'captured princess' tonight."
"Captured princess, that's a bit farfetched."
"I happen to think its romantic," quipped Morgan with a far off look in her eye. "I wish something that romantic would happen to me."
"I don't see how you see this is romantic. I mean she was kidnapped," answered an interested Caleb.
"Of course not, you're looking at it all wrong."
Caleb just looked at Morgan expecting her to explain. "Ugh, you'll never get it. Guys never seem to."
"Well if you explained it to me, maybe I would."
"Well that's takes all the romance out of it," replied Morgan as if it was the most well known thing ever. "Anyways, I'm going to go to Hermione's quarters and when Malfoy shows up, I'll come get you and then we will go talk to Blaise and Dorian."
Caleb just shook his head. Girls and their silly ideas.
"Morgan, please can we please go for a walk? I would love to look at the moon and stars," complained Hermione.
Morgan sick of listening to Hermione complain finally gave in and the girls put on their jackets and went outside to walk the deck.
"Oh it's a bit breezy out here," replied Hermione.
"Do you want to go back inside?" asked Morgan a bit too quickly for Hermione's liking.
"Why would I want to go back inside. Moreover, why do you wish for me to go back inside?"
"Oh no reason," answered Morgan. Hermione than studied Morgan and when she realized Morgan wasn't going to tell her, she just signed and kept walking.
Meanwhile, on the bridge, Malfoy was walking back and worth thinking of the best way to approach Hermione. After all, he had never needed to be nice to a prisoner, and as much as that thought sickened him, he realized he would have to in order to get the information he wanted.
As he looked out onto the water for answers, his attention was brought onto the deck by the laughing of the very girl of his thoughts. He quickly turned to see what was going on and he smiled as he heard her laugh.
'What a wonderful laugh, could make even the saddest man smile,' he thought. And then quickly realized he shouldn't be thinking such things. But as he watched her walk around on deck he couldn't help but smile as she walked and laughed with Morgan, who was telling her of some of the funnier moments on the ship.
Likewise, as Morgan was telling her story of Caleb slipping on the bridge, Hermione looked up there and saw the most gorgeous man she had ever seen. He had the blondest hair ever and as the wind blew it around his face she realized she could stare at him for hours. Hermione than blushed as she noticed he was shirtless and decided she didn't understand why society wanted men to have shirts on at all time, because if they were as beautiful looking as the man she was looking at they would surely write a law to demand shirts as illegal attire. Then as her eyes traveled back up to his face she blushed even more when she saw that smirk that drove her insane and the fiery gray eyes of the captain.
"Hermione, are you listening to me?"
"No."
"Well nice of you to be honest."
Quickly changing her thoughts from the captain, Hermione turned back to Morgan. "What did you say? I missed it."
"I know, you told me you weren't listening," stated Morgan, who was smiling. "Were you checking out our dear captain?" She question already knowing the answer.
If Hermione could've blushed anymore she would've. "I didn't realize it was him and I had never seen a man without his shirt on before. It just isn't proper."
"Oh well Malfoy is a good specimen to look at. He does have one of the best bodies on the ship, but don't tell my brother I told you that," giggled Morgan.
Hermione who was giggling along quickly stopped when she saw he was behind Morgan.
"I didn't know you liked my body so much, Zambini," said Draco who was smirking just the way that drove Hermione nuts.
Morgan quickly looked to Hermione. "Is he really behind me?" she asked whispering.
Hermione nodded her head, while Draco voiced the affirmative.
"Why didn't you tell me?" questioned a still whispering Morgan.
"I didn't have a chance," Hermione whispered back.
"I can hear you," interrupted a whispering Draco.
A blushing Morgan than turned around to face Draco. "Well Malfoy, it was nice to see you but I am off to bed," stated Morgan, who than faked a yawn and quickly left the scene of her embarrassment before Hermione could say anything. After all, she had to find Caleb.
"So you're never seen a man's torso before?" questioned Draco once they finished watching Morgan go below deck. Hermione just blushed in return. "Well, I do have to agree with Morgan. I do have a nice body to look at."
"That's a little arrogant of you to think," stated Hermione.
"Is it arrogant if it's the truth?" he fired back. Hermione just stood there silently not sure how to respond.
"So do you like what you see?" he asked, trying to push Hermione's buttons and find out her answer.
"That's none of your business," answered Hermione who was trying desperately to not stare at Draco's well defined stomach.
"Oh, but it is my body, so shouldn't I know whether it is being appreciated by the ladies?"
"You seem like your ego is big enough and wouldn't care what I thought."
"Too true, but a man does like to boost his ego. Just think when I tell Zambini and Thapner about how I stole your virginity," pushed Draco.
"You did no such thing," shrieked an outraged Hermione, who was once again blushing. 'How dare he think such scandalous things.'
"Oh but I did. Did you not just tell Morgan that you had never seen a man's naked torso, and seeing as how I was your first, I therefore stole your seeing-a-man's-naked-torso virginity," stated Draco, who was still smirking and eyeing Hermione's body.
"How incredibly disrespectful. What kind of man talks like that to a lady, and then would tell others outside the incident? It's horrid."
"Don't get all dignified on me, I was just stating the facts."
Hermione, realizing Malfoy was right, quickly stormed off not wanting to dig herself into a deeper hole.
'Now this is no fun.' "Come back, I'm not done here."
"Well I am. And if you'd please excuse me, I am continuing my walk and then retiring to my cabin," yelled Hermione as she walked away.
'Fine, well just fix this,' thought Draco. He then quickly went below deck before Hermione could see him.
"Caleb, let's go."
"Hold on let me finish."
"Now. The captain is busy talking to Hermione on deck and I don't know how much time we will have. Knowing him he will make her mad and she will storm off and he will come back to Blaise and Dorian and discuss boring ship stuff with them and then complain about Hermione afterwards."
"Fine, fine, lets go."
As the two were walking to the main common room they saw Malfoy.
"And why do you two look so happy?" he questioned.
"Oh no reason. Do you know where Hermione is?" asked Morgan.
"The hostage is still on deck being her righteous pain in my ass," answered Draco. "Now, if you'll excuse me I'll be retiring to my quarters." Draco then opened the door to his quarters and after passing through slammed it.
"Quick let's go find my brother, before he comes back out," said Morgan.
"I don't know if he will, his breath smelled pretty strongly of rum," replied Caleb.
"Hmmm, I wonder where he is hiding it. I thought we were out."
"Nevermind that, let's go find your brother and Dorian and get this over with, I still got night shift tonight."
When Hermione returned to her room she quickly went to her journal to write down her day seeing as how she couldn't find Morgan to finish their earlier conversations.
After writing everything she could think of, Hermione laid down for bed, leaving her journal on the table.
'Hmm, what's this?'
I'm waiting for the
night drifting away
On the waves of my dreams to another day
I'm
standing on a hill and beyond the clouds
The winds blowing still
and catching my doubts
I'm hunting on the night the slave to my
dream
An illustrated seen
descends in the sleep
We're playing for
the fights emotional games
I'm turning off my eyes and hiding my
shame
'Well this is interesting.'
A neverending dream
a dream of you
I believe I received
a sign of you
Tonight I want to hide my feelings too
As you
do and I want to be with you
'Oh, still interesting.'
A neverending dream
a dream of you
I believe I received
a sign of you
Tonight I want to hide my feelings too
As you
do and I want to be with you
'Not to poetic, but still gets the point across.'
I'm waiting for the
night drifting away
On the waves of my
dreams to another day
I'm standing on a hill and beyond the
clouds
The wind's blowing
still and catching my doubts
'I wonder how hard I would be slapped for reading this?'
I'm watching all the
flowers dyeing away
In heated breath of life at the dawning day
I'm waking up in
spring and kissing your face
The sweet moving
thing I feel your embrace
'Oh well this is just neat.'
A neverending dream...
'Lucky you, I wish I had such lovely dreams of me.'
A Neverending dream
a dream of you
I believe I received a sign of you
Tonight I want to
hide my feelings too
As you do and I want
to be with you
'Thank you for telling me, even though you really didn't. Oh the logic of me.'
A Neverending dream
a dream of you
I believe I received a sign of you
Tonight I want to
hide my feelings too
As you do and I want
to be with you
'Yes I got that. Next.'
A Neverending dream
a dream of you
I believe I received a sign of you
Tonight I want to
hide my feelings too
As you do and I want
to be with you
'Okay a little repetition is never bad, but this is just boring.' He then turned the page. 'Oh it's over. Well in that case, what a lovely story.' Draco than burst out giggling thinking about how he had a whole conversation with himself.
Unfortunately that woke Hermione up. "Malfoy!"
"Don't yell, it hurts the sensitivity that dwells in my brain," answered Draco who was holding his head.
"Why are you in my room?" demanded Hermione, who was too angered at him being in her room to comment on the absurdity of his previous statement.
"What are you doing on my ship?" he question back.
"You kidnapped me!" she yelled.
"Oi, I did no such thing. I blame it all on Zambini and Thapner. They do lots of rude things like that. Making me change my plans and everything. They should've taken my feelings into consideration when they kidnapped you. I mean it really messed up my schedule and plans."
"Whatever, I still blame you."
"Well I blame you too," stated Draco deciding he didn't want to be out done.
"For what?"
"My headache."
"You don't have a headache."
"But I will tomorrow." 'Actually I won't, but I can't let Miss I'm-better-than-you-because-I'm female-and-rich-and-annoying know.'
"Malfoy are you drunk?"
"Probably, I did just have a whole conversation between me and this lovely book," stated Draco who was now looking at the book.
Hermione than realized that Draco was holding her journal. "Give me that back!"
"You didn't say the magic word."
"Please," begged Hermione.
"Pfff, whoever made that the magic word was clearly lacking imagination. The magic word was 'Draco take off your pants' but since you didn't say that I have to think of a new one," responded Malfoy who had his famous smirk back on his face.
"Malfoy, that's not a word. It's a sentence. You lied."
"I'm good at that."
"I can tell. Now will you please give me back my journal."
"No." Draco than burst out laughing thinking of how childish he was being but couldn't help it. After all he succeeded in what he set out to do. Piss off his hostage. "You know you are a royal thorn in my side and it's quite annoying. See you are like a thorn because they…"
As Draco was comparing Hermione to a thorn she decided to lunge for the journal but in turn ended up pushing her and Draco to the floor.
"Hey that is clearly not the magic word," stated Draco who then got up and ran, well move like drunkenly staggered around the table.
Hermione than got up and approached him. "Malfoy did you read my journal?"
"If I answer that truthfully, will you get mad at me?"
"Answer the question and then I'll let you know."
"Yes I did. And I was even slightly inebriated, that means drunk if you didn't know. And you can't get mad."
"Malfoy I do know what inebriated means. And I never said I wouldn't."
"Yes, but have you ever said it drunk? Plus, I'm the captain and I order you to not get mad."
"NO!"
"Well than the word doesn't hold the same meaning until you have said it drunk," reasoned Draco, not realizing Hermione was arguing over his order for her not to get mad. Hermione just stopped and stared at him thinking how ridiculous the conversation, let alone the situation was. However, she was quickly pulled from her thoughts of how angry she was at him when he opened his mouth.
"Did you know Hermione, I can see through your nightgown when you stand there," stated Draco, not even realizing he called her Hermione.
"WHAT!" bellowed Hermione. Whose anger had now encompassed everything that had so far happened since being woken up by Draco.
"Hahahahaha, you see with the candle behind you I can see your shapely curves through that sheer white gown," answered Draco, accentuating the shapely curves part by moving his hands in an hour glass figure.
"Ugh, how dare you!" This time when Hermione lunged she hit her target, knocking both her and Draco to the bed and the journal, after being knocked out of Draco's hands, to the floor. As a result of hitting the bed so hard Hermione also hit her head on the wall.
"Ow."
"Hahahaha, you dumbass, you ran into a wall. Even I didn't do that and I'm intoxicated."
"You do use big words when you're drunk," stated Hermione while rubbing her head.
"I just told you I'm not drunk," said Draco. As he looked towards Hermione who had a raised eyebrow, he quickly added, "I'm intoxicated."
Hermione just stared at Draco not quite understanding what had possessed him to get pissed drunk and hoping she wouldn't be punished in the morning cause she was still royally pissed at him.
However, Draco realized how close they were to each other on the bed and the softness of her nightgown against his naked chest. He then leaned forward and brought his lips to hers. Hermione, in shock, just laid there while Draco caressed her lips with his. When he pulled away, they both looked at each other, Draco not realizing why he did it and Hermione not sure what just happened but realizing she didn't want it to stop.
"Wow that's a record," stated Draco.
"And what's that Malfoy?" 'Wow, that was amazing, I didn't know kissing was that, well, um fun,' thought Hermione.
"I just stole two of your virginities in one night," giggled Draco.
'Yup, the pigheaded arse of a captain is back,' rethought Hermione. She than answered him by shoving him off the bed and onto the ground. Draco fell with a thump but still continued to giggle and then promptly pass out. Hermione realizing Draco wasn't going to leave her floor, rolled over, sighed, and tried to go to sleep, hoping he didn't snore to loud.
Okay, well I tried to make the chapter a bit longer to make up for my long A/N and the shortness of the last chapter. Plus, I added lots of Draco/Hermione time. So please like I asked before, please just tell me what you think and I should have the next chapter out shortly.
Also, since so many people reviewed I tried to post this faster, and I'm happy with it, but I think I could've ended it better (not with a cliffhanger I tried to not do that since I did it the last two chapters). So let me know if you think this chatper was ok, especially the ending, cause it just seems weird at the end.
Also the lyrics were a song by Cascada. I do not own the song, she does, or well someone who works with her does, but I do not. And the song was Neverending Dream.
