Standard Disclaimer: I own nothing in regards to Harry Potter or Pirates of the Caribbean. All properties therein are those of their creators. I am only a writer working on my skills with worlds and characters that I love.
Chapter Eight - A Dark Night
Nassau
The Pirate Republic had seen many changes in the years since Harry Potter had taken control as the leader of the Head Table. After casting the island-wide Fidelius he'd begun making alterations to his new home in earnest. Expanding the available living space, upgrading everything he could with runes, creating indoor plumbing and hygiene that would make modern humans jealous, and even setting up floating city blocks just off the coast to house the increasing number of new citizens that grew every time Silent Harry liberated a slave hauler or gave England and Spain the middle finger. There was even a floating stadium big enough to house the entire population that could switch between both a Futbol field and a Quidditch pitch when the right runic sequence was entered. That one had taken four months of runic inlays and a small mountain of gold to build but it had so been worth it. It was amazing what could be accomplished with willing hands and a large amount of magical power as a resource.
Nassau was growing and advancing at an astonishing rate and the people loved their leader for it. Especially the magicals who, contrary to their past experiences of discrimination, found a new lease on life as necessary and sought after heroes in this new society. Everyone knew what they could do, and their popularity was beyond their wildest dreams.
As was normal for the island nation, there was drinking and merriment all around as the people saw the Freedom was finally back in port. That could only mean they'd once more liberated both cargo and fellow pirates. At once the kegs flowed free and music began in earnest. This was Nassau, the Pirate Republic, and if there was one thing every citizen knew, it was how to have a good time.
In the center of Guthrie's pub that good time was in full swing. It was the known meeting place of the Head Table as well as the favored haunt of the Freedom's crew, and this day was no exception which was why it was so busy when Adewale came bustling in with Hedwig perched regally on his shoulder. He was well used to the mighty intelligence of the beautiful creature by now, and he just knew the thing got a kick out of using him as a plow to push through large crowds so she didn't have to deal with them. That being said, the news she'd brought was too important for him to take umbrage with it this time.
Shoving his way manfully through the throngs of drinking scalawags with the bird of prey hooting haughtily upon his shoulder he eventually made it to the bar and began searching for his captain. It didn't take long to find him.
First he beheld Barbossa in his usual place behind the bar. Eleanor Guthrie, his fiance, was sat on his lap and they were taking turns eating slices of apples out of each other's hands. Their pairing up had surprised everyone, but they seemed happy enough. John Silver, the new 'emissary' (enforcer) of the Freedom was hobbling across the space with a mug in either hand. One went to his date for the evening, Max, and the other to himself as they clinked cups together and took their respective swigs of ale. By now the dark skinned woman had risen from the lowly position of a mere prostitute to the vaunted office of the madame of her old house, and Silver clearly counted himself lucky to have been her choice of companions based on the dopey smile his lips were forming. Finally, Adewale's eyes went to the end of the bar and there was Silent Harry doing what he did best… stirring things up.
How was he doing it? Well… he was currently snogging the stuffing out of a fellow pirate in mens clothes as his hands wandered freely to their ass while the crowd watched in mixed reactions of shock, outrage, and approval in equal measure. All the while Anne Bonny was watching from beside them both and slamming her own mug of ale on the bar repeatedly as she hooted and laughed hysterically at the sight of the reaction they were getting.
Sighing not for the first time at how unprofessional, yet endearing, his captain was, the big man pushed his way through the last of the crowd to stand before his leader. "Captain Harry, we have news." As he spoke, Hedwig ruffled her feathers and launched herself from his shoulder to her master's. Once there she nipped his ear affectionately before butting her head into his current partner's.
Mary Reed smiled affectionately at the bird as she pulled away from Harry at last to run her fingers through its feathers. "Hello, Hedwig, did you bring a letter for Harry?"
The bird bobbed its head before extending its leg to the pirate king. There was a rolled up slip of parchment hanging from it.
"I did not think this could wait, even though we have just returned." Adewale explained.
"Smart thinking." Harry agreed as he read the missive, a literal magical storm cloud forming over his head as he did, silencing the ecstatic crowd at once as if there'd been an audible crack of thunder. At once both Anne and Mary were at his side, offering their immediate support.
"What is it, Harry?" Mary asked earnestly.
"Who needs ta die, love?" Anne inquired.
In response, Harry rolled the missive up and slid it easily into his pocket so as not to dislodge his owl from his shoulder. "It seems Jack Sparrow has finally shown his face again. He's in Port Royal according to our bureau there." Since the enactment of the Fidelius the Head Table had created different Bureau Chapter's and safehouses in every major settlement in the Caribbean as well as the Americas. It was through them that any travel to or from Nassau was made, goods were traded, and information was gathered. Many of their approved captains spent time in those locations, working as ferrymen for new residents with access to the secret of their location.
"Sparrow?" Silver asked as he made his way over with Max's arm wrapped around his waist.
"Sparrow?" Anne growled, her fingers tightening over the hilts of the long daggers sheathed at her waist.
"Sparrow!" Mary exploded with outrage. "He's in Port Royal? Well I'm gonna head over there and shove my rifle so far up his ass that-" she was silenced by Harry's lips as they molded themselves perfectly to her own.
When he pulled back again he said, "We all will go, Mary." He cupped her face, "Family looks after each other don't they?"
"Y-Yes, I-I guess they do." The crossdresser smiled as she felt Anne's hand slide into her own. Mary was the newest addition to Harry's lovers and it still surprised her just how open, welcoming, and caring they were with her sometimes. She'd never planned to be with Harry this way, but so long spent in close quarters with the man had made it impossible not to realize how perfect he was, and having to listen to him, Anne, and the others going at it in his cabin for so long had driven her crazy.
In the end it had been the ship's doctor, Madi, the second of Harry's lovers, to tip the scales for her. The former slave had come to her bunk one night, explained that she hated seeing someone so lost in desire and love, and insisted she act on her feelings as she herself had. The rest was history.
She was broken from her musings by her lover hopping on top of the bar and proclaiming, "Alright, lads and lasses! Drink up and eat hearty, for in fifteen minutes we set sail again."
"Aw!" The voices complained.
"We're gonna get the Sparrow fucker!"
The voices cheered.
Port Royal
"Alright, as I was saying, let's get on with a proper parlay." Jack Sparrow smirked at the gathered forces as he held their precious Elizabeth's life in his hands. "I want my affects. Now!"
"Do it!" The governor ordered the soldiers who had the items, and as they nervously walked them to the smug pirate he whispered to Hermione, "Can your magic do anything here?"
The woman in question was fingering the wand in her dress sleeve as she considered the distance and her accuracy over it. "No. They're too close together. Whatever I him with could also hit her, and they are both too close to the dock edge for my liking. If they fall in they could be crushed between it and the Intercepter."
"That's what I thought." Weatherby grumbled before turning his attention once more to the pirate before him. His darling daughter was strapping his sword belt onto his torso and leveling that damned hat on top of his head. Leaning towards Norrington he whispered, "Commodore, I want the rifles at the ready. The moment he lets go of my daughter open fire." A quick wink to Hermione and the girl got the message. He was giving her a barrage of cover to hide her spell with. It was a strange dichotomy she had found in this time; magic was pretty well known, but it was taboo to use it out in the open.
Once the pirate's gear was straightened away he spun Elizabeth around to face the soldiers once more and leveled his pistol at her face. "Gentlemen! Milady, you will always remember today as the day that you almost caught Captain. Jack. Sparrow!" With a shout he shoved the girl forward, ducked behind the nearest wall and smashed a counterweight as he grabbed a rope that sent him soaring into the air.
"Now will you shoot him!" Weatherby screamed.
As the muskets opened fire with the noise of thunder, Hermione leveled her wand and fired a concentrated piercing hex at the rope that the vile pirate was swinging from above them. It struck true, and an instant later Sparrow fell screaming into the water below. The men ran to retrieve him of course, but they soon came back empty handed. The almost-prisoner seemed to have taken the opportunity to swim away beneath them.
"Well shit." The brunette let out a completely unladylike snort and ran to her friend to make sure she was alright after her ordeal. Then, after she was assured Elizabeth would be taken care of, she decided she needed to make sure that bastard paid for having the gall to point a weapon at her in the first place.
Elizabeth had been a bit shocked by her experience, but she soon ushered her away and thus it was that Hermione found herself wandering the streets with a 'point me' spell active and leading her from one city block to another. She'd had to promise James that she'd send a flare into the air when she found the pirate, but really it wouldn't be necessary. No doubt she was being followed by one or two of his guards 'just in case'. On the one hand it was nice to know the man cared so much for her safety, but on the other she was more than capable of taking care of herself.
The spell was a finicky thing and was rather difficult to use on moving targets as it only pointed in the direction of stationary things, so she had to reorient herself every time Sparrow stopped to change directions. Eventually it led her to a very particular building with a swinging sign out front denoting it as the 'Black'Smith's Shop. Sirius as always was absolutely horrible when it came to naming things.
She tried the front door but found the latch to be obstructed by something on the other side. More worrying however was that instead of the distinct clanging of a hammer on anvil she expected to hear was the equally distinct clinging sounds of sword on sword combat. Sparrow had clearly run into someone while attempting to remove his shackles and the sounds she was hearing made it very clear who that had been.
Quickly rounding the building she eased in silently via the backdoor and took in the scene with a single glance. Will had apparently engaged the pirate in a surprisingly acrobatic duel around the forge space and Sirius was clearly passed out drunk on a nearby stool. For all his philandering ways the wizard was a definite lightweight when he drank.
Drawing a beat on the bandanna wearing pirate with her wand she tracked his progress and waited for the perfect moment… there! The man had swung down from the rafters, effectively swapping positions with Will, and coincidentally placing himself right in her line of sight. A quick stunning spell later and he was unconscious on the ground.
Will stared at the downed criminal and turned to face her as she emerged from behind the doorway. "That was cheating, Hermione."
She pointed to the man's pistol, "He's a pirate. They're known for cheating. What if he drew on you and fired after drawing you into a false sense of security? No, this is better."
They were interrupted by a sudden banging at the door, which soon splintered under the weight of a ram before James and his men came swarming in. In moments they had the comatose Sparrow bound in irons. "Good work, Ms. Granger." Norrington complimented her with a warm smile. "You've successfully subdued a dangerous criminal."
"Just doing my civic duty." The young woman blushed before viciously kicking Sirius' stool out from under him. "Especially seeing as this lout couldn't be bothered."
"Who? What? Where?" The wizard shakily got back on his feet, looking for the source of his sudden wakefulness. When he saw the damage to his place of business along with the prisoner being carted off he asked, "Will, what the hell did you do to my shop?"
Later That Night
"I was useless." Elizabeth groused as she settled into her bed beside Hermione. It had been decided that the two of them needed a girls night after the events of the day and currently the witch's magic was summoning a pan of hot coals from the fireplace to heat the mattress beneath them. "That pirate had me at gunpoint and I couldn't do anything to stop him."
"Elizabeth, you had no way of knowing he would turn on you like that. I mean, he is a pirate so you probably should have expected some foul play, but it's in the past now." She hugged the younger woman to her side. "What I would like to talk about is this little thing." Hermione smirked as she reached down and pulled on the small leather string around her friend's neck, inching it up to reveal the rather malevolent looking coin. "What is it?"
"It's nothing!" Elizabeth was quick to shove it back down. "I… I found it a long time ago and I just thought it looked interesting. That's it."
"Liz, you never could lie to me."
"I'm not, I-" her words were cut off by a series of far off sounding booms followed by more louder explosions . At once the girls shot out of the bed and ran to the window where they beheld a sight that put all other thoughts from their minds. A black ship lay unnaturally still in the bay below, but from its sides came continuous flashes of light that coincided with the previous booms and the outpouring of stone and debris from the fort and the town below.
"Pirates are attacking?" Hermione gasped, "But why? There isn't anyone…." Her eyes grew wide, "James!"
"Hermione, go to him." Elizabeth practically began to shove her toward the door.
"What? No, Liz, I need to stay here and-"
"You're more useful out there. The gate will be closed and I'll seal the doors and hide so I should be safe enough, but your magic could save lives tonight."
The bushy haired witch seemed to waver for a moment before she wrapped the blonde in a hug. "Please take care here. I don't know what I would do if anything happened to you."
"You won't need to find out. Now go."
And Hermione did. She took off running from the room, threw a heavy coat over her shoulders and barreled out the drive after closing and locking the gate behind herself. To reach the fort she had to race through the north part of the town and what she saw was pure insanity. It made no sense for a single pirate crew to invade a fully fortified colony, but that was indeed what they were doing. She could see rowboats pulling into the docks and jeering men covered in filth riding within waving swords and firing pistol shots into the air.
So focused was she on reaching James and offering whatever aid she could that she only had time to fire a few piercing hexes that sunk some rowboats before they went out of sight. She only hoped that she'd taken a good number of pirates down with her attacks. The fort finally came into view and she raced quickly up to the gate, holding her hands over her ears to block out the continuous cannon fire that was slamming into its side, effectively cutting off their mounted defense for the bay, and leaving the town below open to invasion from the water. The gate, to her shock, was unlocked, and it only took her ten minutes to find James and the governor leaning over a table in the center of the structure and going over maps as he relayed orders to a Lieutenant who quickly ran off to see them done.
"James?" She announced herself and made to go to him, only to stumble as the floor rocked and the ceiling shook. When it finally stopped she realized she had fallen to the ground and her handsome officer was holding her close. "W-What was that?"
"The final volley. They've been pelting us for ten minutes now but that last shot completely destroyed our canons. They'll not waste their own ammunition any further. There isn't a need. I'm just glad you're safe." He ran his fingers through her hair and hugged her tightly for a moment.
"Where is everyone?" She wanted to know. "I didn't see many soldiers on my way in."
"I sent most of them into the town when the bombardment started. Less chance of us all getting hit in one place, and they are likely to have more use defending the people down there than staying holed up here. I had to stay behind to direct troop movements and see to the governor's safety. I also just sent a runner to tell you and Elizabeth to lock up the estate. Why are you here?"
"I can help." Hermione slowly pulled herself free, stood, and pulled out her wand. "I may not be a soldier or a great warrior, but I do know a fair bit of healing magic. You said most were sent away, so some are still here, and after that shelling I'm willing to bet you have injured." When he nodded she added, "I'm sure there will be more soon to come as well." She stepped forth and cupped his chin. "Let me do this, James. Let me help you, and let me heal them." When she saw the struggle in his eyes she added, "You are thinking that you want to have me barricade myself in your office. I understand that, and I love that you want to protect me, but it's like with your soldiers, I am of more use here."
"Damn it, but that is true." James groaned, rubbed his face, and started moving for the door. "Come with me. I'll take you to the infirmary but then I need to keep directing my men. This is going to be a long night.
Meanwhile
Sirius finished pulling on his leather apron, gloves, boots, and jacket and spoke his word of power. At once the runes painstakingly etched into the hardened material over the course of several weeks lit up with arcane power and he had to smile. Black Family runes were difficult to create, but infinitely useful. His clothing was now bulletproof, stab proof, and fully capable of helping him to survive a direct shot from a canon ball.
Beside him Will was donned in less impressive, but equally practical clothing in the form of a heavily padded shirt and pants under his own apron. It was what he wore when they sparred so it was safer than most material at hand. Outside the roar of the canons ceased and the screams of the people continued.
This was the moment, Sirius knew, when the real terror would start as the crazed enemy numbers surged upon the defenseless townsfolk. He seen similar tactics with the death eaters and he had no intention of sitting by to let it be as effective as back then. "You ready, boy?"
While the wizard had been donning his protections and readying his wand, Will had in turn armed himself with one of the cutlasses he'd recently finished forging and a Smithing hammer. "I am."
"This ain't a game, lad. You could die tonight."
"Those are pirates out there, Mr. Black, and they could hurt anyone if left unchecked. You, Ms. Swan, the governor… Hermione."
Sirius raised a knowing brow and winked. "Just remember why you're fighting then and stay on my tail. I'll try to protect you as best I can but my main focus will be on the enemy. It would do you well to keep both eyes open at all times."
"Aye."
And so saying, they kicked open the doors and ran out into the streets.
It didn't take long to pick out the pirates from the fleeing and screaming crowd, as they were completely covered in filth and wielding torches that they used to light up homes after their compatriots were clearly seen running out with chests loaded down with stolen goods.
"Have at thee!" Sirius manfully shouted before snapping his wand forward and letting loose with a cutting charm while Will raced past him to engage a cone hat wearing pirate with a smoking beard that had been harassing a pair of women by the nearby church. He didn't have time to worry about his apprentice smith however as somehow the bloke he'd cut nearly in half had gotten up again and was charging him with three of his fellows. Reacting at once and drawing upon the training he'd received as an auror along with years at war he apparated back several meters to gain some distance before cutting loose with a varied spell chain. Stunners, cutters, explosions, and even drilling curses, the damned pirates survived it all. If nothing else his performance had drawn several of their buddies away from the regular townsfolk and soon enough he had twenty-five or so of the bastards on his tail as they tried to wipe him out.
From their shouts of "Get the damned wizard!" "Death to Silent Harry!" and "Magic users can eat shit!" he guessed they'd had run-ins with magic before and held a personal grudge against it. Bad for him, good for Port Royal. Whatever, he'd run with it.
After fifteen minutes of hopping around and cursing the blokes left and right a sudden clearing of the cloud cover above came into effect, and with the arrival of the moonlight came a secondary sight that floored him. The pirates… were walking skeletons? No, undead was more likely. Well that certainly made things simpler now didn't it?
Reacting at once he apparated into the midst of his own personal angry mob and began casting transfigurations in rapid succession, aparating to a different spot after every one, and tanking their cuts and pistol fire on his clothing as he did. Now that he knew what to do there was no more reason to probe and prod. By the time the clouds had crossed once more into the light and bathed them all in shadow only an odd pile of glass poodle figurines remained where the big bad pirates had once stood.
"Excellent." He breathed with delight before conjuring a cricket bat and smashing all of them into little pieces. "Go ahead and heal from that when the transfiguration ends." He spat on the remains before racing back off to where he'd left Will. He found the poor guy unconscious on the ground with the girls he'd gone to save fawning all over him. "What happened?"
"He drove that madman off." The first girl sniffled while she held his head in her lap.
"Yeah," The second one agreed from where she was dabbing up some blood from a large welt on the side of his skull, "but a couple more saw what happened and nailed him with a frying pan when they ran past."
"Poor kid." Sirius commiserated before a large plume of smoke in the distance caught his eye. The Swann residence was burning! "Look, I gotta go, can I trust you two to keep looking after him?"
"Of course." They nodded.
"Good girls. I'm off then." And with that he apparated away. He wasn't sure if he'd still find Elizabeth, or anyone else really, there, but regardless, the fire needed to be contained and there were no fire crews operating in this mess that could be spared to help handle that large of a blaze at the moment.
Elsewhere
Elizabeth shivered as the rowboat carried her ever closer to the hauntingly dark ship resting in the center of the Port Royal bay. She'd planned to stay safe inside, she really had, but a group of pirates had come running up to the estate and somehow just climbed over the gates. She'd seen the iron spikes at the top impale more than a few but they'd not seemed to even notice. From there they'd charged inside and begun looting and shooting up the place.
Even then, she'd elected to hide and wait them out, until she'd seen them gather up the serving staff and readying rifles for a firing squad. At once she'd charged in and demanded the right of parlay, claiming her staff as her 'crew'. Honestly she couldn't believe the trick had worked, but now that the boat was level with the mystery ship and she was being led up the ladder on the side, she thanked god that she'd thought to bring a knife hidden in the folds of her skirt. Did the governor's daughter think she could really end this attack with negotiations? Not really, but she'd resolved to try, and if that failed, well, this gambit would at least put her within arms reach of the captain and from there she could cut the head from the snake of this mess. Although, considering the fact that she recognized this particular ship, she wasn't sure she'd be able to do it. Who knew wrestling one's fears was so difficult?
The crew gathered before her, once she cleared the edge and had solid wood beneath her feet again, was certainly varied. She beheld every nationality she could think of in the lines and differences of their features. Though two stood out above the rest. The first was at the head of them all and moving toward her.
Based on the higher quality of his clothing and the looks of pure reverence directed his way, the man was likely the captain. To her eyes he had a powerful frame, a steady stride, a slightly receding hairline of blonde hair, and an intense gaze directed right at her. At his side was an absolutely massive man with a tricorn hat, older features, a scraggly beard, and a curved scar under his left eye.
"Pintel," the first man demanded, "what is this?"
"She invoked the right of parlay, Captain Flint."
Captain Flint? Elizabeth had heard of him. The captain of the Black Pearl, a man supposedly so evil that Hell itself spat him back out, and a true terror on the high seas. The latest rumors had it that even Silent Harry was known to be hunting him.
"Did she now?" The captain shared a look with the other man before nodding to the crew. At once they all dispersed to their stations, leaving the three of them alone. "You may call me Captain Flint, and this is my first mate Moonscar. You called for parlay, so talk. Who are you?"
"My name is Elizabeth… Turner." At the last moment she feared giving her true name in case it gave these men leverage over her father, so she'd jumped to the first name that came to her mind.
"Turner?" That clearly piqued the captain's interest as well as that of his first mate. "Well, Ms. Turner, you still haven't told us what it is you want?"
"I want you to leave Port Royale and never return."
"Hm." Flint turned to look at the shore, where a good portion of the harbor was burning. "There doesn't seem to be much bartering space by my estimation."
"Alright then." Elizabeth stormed over to the rail, yanked the golden medallion from her neck, and held it leveled over the side."
"No!" The entire crew protested as one, before looking guiltily at their captain who was staring back at them all with murder clear to see in his eyes. "Very well, perhaps we might negotiate after all. Give me the medallion and we will indeed leave."
"At once?"
"At once." he agreed.
"Then we have an accord." The blonde woman pulled her medallion back in before turning and holding it out to the captain while her other hand went behind her back and into the folds of her skirt. She didn't trust this man one bit, and the moment he leaned in to take the object she shot her arm out as fast as she could and embedded the knife she'd hidden in the man's neck, twisted it deeper, and ripped it free, tearing a massive hole in his flesh. From there she was all set to jump over the side and swim to safety when the impossible happened.
Flint gripped her wrist, kicked her legs out from under her, and leveled a pistol at her head as she lay upon the ground. "A fine trick, but poorly executed." As her stunned gaze watched, the sheared and torn flesh of his throat began to twitch, crawl, and knit itself back together. "You are lucky that I am a man of my word, girl. We will still leave despite your lack of manners."
Holstering his weapon he turned to Moonscar. "Put the girl below, call the rest of the men back, and unfurl the sails. I want us underway as fast as possible."
"Do there be a problem, Captain?" the scarred man asked warily, his eyes following his leader's out to sea.
"No, at least I don't think so. Perhaps our curse has simply made me paranoid. But we have the medallion and a fell breeze is on the air. Best to avoid tempting fate and to leave now while we're ahead."
"Aye, sir." Moonscar turned to the crew and began bellowing out orders.
In the meanwhile, Flint addressed his latest captive as she was being taken down below by the same duo that had brought her aboard. "Welcome aboard the Black Pearl, Ms. Turner."
