Disclaimer: Harry Potter and his world belong to J. K. Rowling

Note: sex scenes in Part 2 of this story.

Book 8/Part 2.

Chapter 11

Captain Guido was annoyed at the inconvenient request from the Marchesa. It would delay them, but he could hardly refuse the services of the needed doctor. And what was all this about a man that needed to be taken off? His fellow captain had gone very cagey when he'd asked for more details, apparently not wanting to talk on the open airways. He decided he'd best go over himself and see what it was all about.

A larger crew than normal was appointed for the small boat, as Captain Guido was unsure of the exact situation. To the regular crew were added cabin-mates Mario and Nino, who happened to be standing close, and a couple of others.

As soon as they boarded the Marchesa, they saw the casualties, sitting or lying on the deck, except for two, still unconscious in the hold. Captain Guido looked around, half smiling, and said to the First Mate, "Some brawl you must have had!"

The First Mate shook his head. "One man! Just one man against twelve!"

In the hold, the doctor checked over the two men who'd been slow to rouse. One was only just beginning to stir, but even now, two hours after the fight, big Giorgio had made not a movement. "I think he's all right," she finally said uncertainly. "But I'd best wait until he comes around," and she went off to look at the other casualties.

The boat crew were getting the story of events from the lesser injured members of the crew. "He's a bloody maniac! Just went berserk!" There was a chorus of agreement.

Renzo felt deeply guilty, and said, suddenly, loudly, "They were trying to rape him, the whole bloody lot of them! Bellamy was just defending himself!"

Glares were turned his way, but two others corroborated his version of events.

The original speaker said viciously, "You would have had a go, too. I saw you watching when Giorgio was about to do 'im!"

Renzo flushed. He'd tried to forget that, but the other was right. He would have had a go, too, and Fabroni, he suspected, as well. And would they really have let him alone afterward? Or would poor Bellamy have become a toy, to be used whenever Giorgio felt like it? And again he felt the stirrings in his groin that he was so deeply ashamed of.

Meantime, Captain Guido was taken to the bridge where Verdi waited, still reluctant to leave Bellamy alone. They'd made enquiries, trying to find a crew member to keep him company who'd been totally uninvolved. But although some had only turned a blind eye, they'd all known what was to happen. Most were frightened of Giorgio, and some had assured themselves that the imbecile wouldn't feel it as much as a normal man.

Guido looked for the berserk monster who'd taken on twelve men, and won. But there was only a very young man, not very big, sitting at the table, head bowed over his drink. He was trembling.

Verdi spoke gently, "Bellamy, this is Captain Guido."

Bellamy looked up, and it could be seen that his face was wet from tears. Guido had been reluctant to accept a potential trouble-maker, but now he said abruptly, "All right, I'll take him."

Verdi was relieved. "You won't be sorry. He's a good worker, aren't you Bellamy?" Bellamy didn't answer.

The First Mate was left on the bridge, while the two Captains went to see how the other casualties were faring. Guido noticed Mario. Mario had a blunt, broken-nosed face, a big, furry body, and was kind. He asked him to go to Bellamy and keep him company a while, and mentioned that he'd be coming back with them. Bellamy had risen when the Captains left, and Mario's first sight of him was as he stood, back to the wall, still pale and trembling. His face was tear-stained and there was a red trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. His shirt still dangled open and Mario noticed a reddened bruise.

One of the Marchesa's crew members brought in a worn backpack, and Bellamy tensed and raised clenched fists. The man had a bruised cheek. He avoided looking at Bellamy, and quickly left.

Bellamy reminded Mario of a terrified animal that needed to be tamed. Mario set about taming him. Casually, he picked up the small backpack, and sat it on the table, suggesting they both sit there a while. "Your drink is cold," he said. "I wonder if we can get another."

The First Mate was keeping away from the feeble-minded man, now proven dangerous. He'd noticed, too, that his captain hadn't happened to mention that he was simple, only talked about a young man, scarcely more than a boy, who'd been wickedly attacked. But he was all in favour of keeping the boy quiet, and sent for another hot chocolate for Bellamy, as well as for coffees for himself and Mario.

Bellamy was coaxed back to the table when his drink came, and this time managed to raise it to his lips, using two hands. Mario drank his own coffee, and meantime talked, gently and soothingly, about his ship, which would shortly be Bellamy's ship, the Costa Rivera.

Giorgio finally revived, sending a punch flying as he did, narrowly missing the doctor. When he was a little more sensible, Esta made a thorough examination before saying that he was still slightly concussed, but that there was no need for any further attention. She'd look at Bellamy when they had him back at the ship.

Guido was impatient. A lot of time had been lost, and passengers complained when the schedule was disrupted. Besides, it was past dinner time.

Mario stayed close to Bellamy, who obediently rose and came with them, slinging his backpack over his shoulder with the ease of long habit. Mario knew that he still trembled, but at least it had lessened to a gentle quiver. He put a hand on his shoulder to guide him onto the boat, but withdrew it when Bellamy flinched from him.

Rumours had been flying, and there was an audience when they boarded the ship. Most of the crew knew little, only that there was to be a new crew member who'd been in a fight. Passengers peered, too. They knew less than the crew, but the long delay in their voyage was unusual. Somewhere in the past, Bellamy was accustomed to staring crowds, and took no notice. Big Mario moved in front of him, as if to protect him from prying eyes, and somewhere in the past, that sort of action was familiar, too.

Esta, the doctor, had been inspecting him from a distance, noting the trembling, noting the signs of bruising, and even seeing the subtle interaction between Mario and the frightened boy. It was hard to believe that this thin boy could inflict a blow that had brought down the large, brutish man she'd been examining. And someone had added the information that it was a left handed blow, while another held his right arm. Esta shook her head. The capabilities of the human body amazed her sometimes. She was unsure how far the attempted rape had gone, as stories had conflicted. Some said Giorgio had done it, some said he hadn't. She'd overheard one vicious voice say that a dozen men did him, and serve him right, too. But the word from the Captain was that there was no need to investigate that aspect. The culprits would be dealt with. She had to check for injuries, though. A dozen men could inflict a lot of damage. She thought she might do that last, after he developed some trust that she was only helping him.

There was a four bed hospital on ship, rarely used, and the doctor's office next to it. Mario stayed close to Bellamy, even coming into the doctor's office at her nod.

"Let's see you then," she said to Bellamy, using a matter-of-fact tone. Bellamy's eyes found her, and a half-smile trembled on his lips. "Catherine!"

"My name is Doctor Esta Raef," said Esta, but she spoke gently.

Bellamy's hopeful look of recognition died, and his stare took on a vague, unfocused look. Esta was beginning to wonder if there was more wrong with him than shock.

"Take your clothes off, Henry," she said. "I need to check your injuries."

Bellamy looked past her. He made no move. Esta tapped her fingers against her side, wanting his cooperation, afraid to start him fighting again.

Mario said, "Henry, you want a shower, don't you?"

Bellamy slowly nodded. He wanted a shower. Men had been pawing at his naked body. He wanted a shower. Mario raised an eyebrow at Esta, who inclined her head.

Now it was a shower, Bellamy made no further objection to taking off his clothes, even though Esta stayed with him. There were traces of blood and dirt, scars, and when he bent over there was a shine that Esta guessed might be Vaseline or something similar, used in preparation for intercourse. There was a lot of bruising, including a very severe bruise on his shoulder blade that had to be a few days old. With as little fuss and as much tact as possible, Esta checked him over afterward, not asking him to submit to any more thorough examination than a gentle touch to the buttocks, and asking if his bottom was sore. He shook his head.

Mario still stayed with him, and as there were beds free in Mario's cabin, Bellamy would be put with him. When Esta was finished, Mario took Bellamy to the empty dining room, where they were given a belated dinner. Mario was hungry, but Bellamy didn't touch his own, in spite of urging. Even now, he shook slightly.

When Mario finished, he took both plates away for washing up. Bellamy watched after him, and his trembling became stronger again. He wanted Mario close. And this time, when Mario touched his shoulder to guide him, he didn't flinch away from him.

The crew in this ship mostly had eight bed cabins, but each cabin had its own small lounge/TV room adjoining, and its own toilet and bathroom on the other side. There was a large recreation room available on the Crew Deck as well. But it was in the small TV room that Bellamy was introduced to his cabin mates. Nino, smallish, with a delicate cast of features, twins, Taddeo and Silvio, in their early twenties, and with an insouciant attitude to life. Angelo was darker skinned than normal for an Italian, and had a big nose. Bruno was big, with a pronounced five o'clock shadow. There was an easy comradeship apparent, and a warmth that they seemed quite prepared to share with Bellamy. Mario, sitting next to him on the couch, was relieved when he noticed that his trembling had finally ceased.

They all knew what had been attempted with Bellamy, and when the twins whispered together, later on as they prepared for bed, they considerately took themselves to the other room before their play began. They'd been doing this together since they were thirteen, and were as innocent and carefree about it as a pair of puppies. It was partly their example that influenced the others. They all shared their warmth, as well as sex. They touched a lot, and enjoyed each other's bodies. None of them were true homosexuals, but it was certainly a consolation to have someone to enjoy when women were not available.

Mario's job the next day was to stay close to Bellamy, to take him back to Esta after breakfast, to take him to the paymaster to be officially signed on, and to take him to the supplies office, where he'd be fitted out with uniforms. This was a cruise ship. Faded jeans and an old shirt were not acceptable.

Bellamy looked vague, scarcely spoke, but did whatever he was asked. Esta was more sure now, the lad was simple-minded, if not something more complicated. At least he no longer trembled, but after she tried to speak with him a while, she went to the Captain and reported her suspicions.

Captain Verdi and the Marchesa were a long way away, pleased that there was no chance that Bellamy would be returned. And when Guido on the radio accused him of misleading him, he protested innocence. "He's a good hand, a strong and useful man!"

Guido said accusingly, "He's retarded!"

But Verdi said, "So what if he's a bit simple? He still does his work."

But Guido was Captain of a cruise ship, and the passengers were supposed to think that every single crew member was a bright, intelligent and supremely competent professional. Bellamy would have to be kept away from them. The Captain himself spoke to him, as he and Mario emerged from the pay office. "Do you understand, Bellamy? Only the Crew Deck, unless you're with someone else."

Bellamy nodded obediently. "Only the Crew Deck."

The Captain frowned at him disapprovingly. He was really very shabby. "Uniforms?" he asked Mario.

Mario nodded. "We're going there now."

"Good!"

The paymaster had emerged from his office, hearing the voice of the Captain. And he had a bit of information for the Captain, too. The new man was illiterate. The Captain swore, but as Verdi knew, there was no chance that he'd further delay his ship in order to try and return a crew member, even if it did appear as if he'd be a burden.

At the Supplies Office, Bellamy was instructed to try on a drab, coarse-woven blue/brown uniform, the uniform generally worn for manual labour on the ship. His size was checked, and four sets were allocated. And then he was told to try on the white uniform, the one that was used whenever there was contact with the passengers. He'd only get two of those, as it was assumed he'd be having little to do with the passengers.

Mario watched him as he changed, unselfconscious in front of them. He was pointed to the mirror, and even the Supplies Officer was touched by the dawning smile on the face of the boy. He looked altogether different in the smart whites, and Mario wanted to smooth the collar, as Bellamy's Julie had so often done when he'd been still the great wizard. He shook himself. This was just a boy, and untouchable. Unless, of course, maybe in a while, he wanted to be touched.

The Supplies Officer looked at his cheap runners. "Shoes," he said, "But you have to pay for those."

Bellamy said that he didn't think he had any money.

"None?" asked Mario.

"Blew it at the last port, I suppose," said the Supplies Officer.

"No, I think someone took it," said Bellamy, without any apparent resentment. It was only when he was hungry, or had the recent memory of hunger, that he remembered that money was important.

"We'll take it out of your next pay, then," said the Supplies Officer, and he handed over two pairs of shoes. And when he gave the usual lecture about care of uniforms, and standard of appearance, it was repeated twice over. It didn't take long for people to realise that Bellamy was slow.

Mario helped him iron the name labels on his new clothes, mark the shoes, and then showed him where they should be kept. There was less than an hour before lunch, and Mario decided he'd just show him around the ship, before reporting back with him for normal duties. For a while, Bellamy would be rostered with him, doing whatever he did. So now, wearing one of the drab work uniforms, Bellamy was shown the ship - the several bars, the dance floor, the swimming pools and spa rooms which were Angelo's special responsibility, the library, empty as usual, and an unoccupied passenger cabin.

"But you're only allowed on the Crew Deck, remember. Unless you're with someone else."

Bellamy nodded obediently, "Only on the Crew Deck."

They joined a few friends for lunch, and Mario introduced Bellamy, who was looked at curiously, and spoken to with great respect at first. Twelve men! It was a bit puzzling, though. He seemed retarded, especially when he looked at a man with that vague and innocent look, but no-one could have expected that a retarded man could fight with the speed and ferocity they'd heard about. A few were quietly amused. Mario and his cabin-mates had best not try any of their tricks with this man. Not everyone knew about them, but quite a few did. It was not uncommon on ships, when there were few available women. They were firmly discouraged from having any other than a strictly professional relationship with passengers, male or female.

Afterward, Mario and Bellamy joined Nino and Bruno in the hold. It was a simple matter of moving large boxes of provisions, making some more accessible, and taking others to the cook's store-room. It was a regular job. Chivas watched Bellamy and Nino for a while, as they started moving boxes, noting with relief that the new man seemed like a perfectly good worker after all. He went off to help Mario on his endless trips to the kitchen store-room. The passengers needed a lot of feeding, not to mention the crew.

Nino took off his shirt as he started to sweat, and Bellamy followed his example. Chivas was taking little notice of them, except to check on their progress now and then. He was about to call a break, when he noticed the black bruise on Bellamy's shoulder. "Let's see that!" he said to Bellamy. He ran his fingers over the swollen area, thinking that Bellamy should not be undertaking heavy manual labour with the bruising on his body that had to be painful.

Mario called suddenly, his voice strained, "Chivas, Back off!"

Chivas started, looked at Bellamy's face, and backed off. "I was just thinking you should be on light duties," explained Chivas, awkwardly. But the situation had been too close to that of the previous day, shirtless, in the hold, men around still nearly strangers, and with someone taking an unfamiliar interest in his body.

Nino's eyes darted from one to the other, and he started moving boxes again, saying casually, "Come on, Henry, there's a job to do."

But Bellamy was trembling violently, leaning against a stack of boxes. Nino continued to work, and Chivas decided to take another load to the kitchens. Mario wanted to go to his frightened boy, hug and comfort him, but sensibly decided he'd best just let him alone. After a while, Bellamy stopped trembling so badly, and started moving boxes again. The break was called late, giving him a chance to settle down.

Chivas exercised his judgement and rostered both Mario and Bellamy to duties that didn't involve heavy lifting for a few days after that, kitchen work, which Mario loathed, but Bellamy took as a matter of course. Like others before them, the crew of the Costa Rivera were finding that Bellamy was easily managed, just doing whatever he was told, and working well.

Captain Guido was relieved when told. Maybe the new man would not be a liability, after all. He never heard about the near disaster in the hold. Chivas blamed himself. He'd been stupid and insensitive. Of course the man might be a bit paranoid for a while. And he fingered his own jaw, and thought that it might have been a very narrow escape.

***chapter end***