"You have a reputation, Captain. Did you know?"

Bellatrix spins around to locate the source of the voice, smirking when she sees Hermione wobbling across the deck towards her. "Is that right?" she asks, raising an eyebrow.

Hermione stumbles, landing heavily on her knees while laughing quietly to herself. "Oops!"

Bellatrix walks forwards, suppressing a grin, and holds out a hand to help her. "Looks like you've been having fun." She pulls her to her feet, taking a strong grip on her elbow. The sea is calm and the ship is only surrendering to a gentle sway, but Hermione may as well be walking across the deck in a storm for all the balance she is displaying.

"Narcissa has a mean bottle of firewhisky on the go," Hermione informs her, and Bellatrix feels sympathy for the woman. Narcissa has very specific tastes when it comes to the whisky she keeps stocked, and knowing what she picked up at Port Solis for her sister, Bellatrix is not at all surprised that Hermione is struggling to stay on her feet.

"She has a penchant for the stronger stuff," Bellatrix agrees, guiding Hermione away from Draco at the wheel, and towards the bow. Her nephew doesn't need the distraction, considering how hidden away the moon is tonight, a layer of thick cloud blocking out much of the light. The water is dark, and the currents around this part of the globe can be particularly difficult to navigate.

"Is it true, Captain?" Hermione asks, gripping the railing to hold herself steady.

"Is what true?"

Bellatrix allows the woman to lean in close, feeling the heat radiating off of Hermione's body as she whispers. "That you have a woman in every port."

Bellatrix laughs. "Now, where did you hear a rumour like that?"

Hermione pulls her eyebrows together. "You're not denying it?"

Bellatrix shrugs. "I wouldn't say every port."

The younger woman falls silent, turning to stare out over the dark water. Illuminated by one of the dim lamps that are dotted around the edge of the ship, Hermione's skin glows almost etherally. Even battered and blood soaked, Bellatrix had been able to see the woman's beauty, but now that her face has healed, Hermione takes her breath away.

"I don't like it."

Bellatrix shakes her head, clearing her thoughts to concentrate on Hermione again. "What don't you like?"

"You," Hermione replies, before clarifying. "Sleeping with lots of other women."

Bellatrix grins. "And you think I should stop?"

"Yes," Hermione replies firmly, nodding her head as she turns to face Bellatrix fully. Eyes glittering as they narrow on the Captain, daring her to disagree.

"And why would that be?" Bellatrix already knows the answer. She has enough experience to know what it means when someone looks at her this way. Maybe it's not fair to take advantage of the woman's inebriated state, but she's not a saint, and this is just too much fun. Too easy.

"Because I want you," Hermione states calmly.

Before Bellatrix can reply, Hermione is on her; soft pink lips pressed against her own. She reacts instinctively, hands slipping to Hermione's hips, tugging her closer with a low growl. Bellatrix pins her against the railing, kissing her hungrily; the taste of firewhisky coating her tongue. The heat that erupts between them is enough that rational thought leaves her head for a few seconds and she loses herself in the younger woman, slipping a tongue between her lips. A cool breeze picks up around them and it's enough to bring her back to her senses.

"Stop," Bellatrix says with a chuckle, stepping backwards to put some distance between them.

"Why? Don't you want me?"

Bellatrix resists the urge to roll her eyes, when she sees the pout forming. She leans forwards briefly, kissing her chastely one last time. "It's not in my nature to take advantage of drunk women in my care."

"But I want you." Hermione wraps her arms around herself, and Bellatrix hates the vulnerability she can see there. Hermione is vulnerable for all the wrong reasons, and it doesn't sit well with her.

"Hermione, you're a very attractive woman, but you've been drinking. And honestly? Even if you hadn't, this wouldn't be a good idea."

Bellatrix watches as a mask falls down over her face, and the younger woman turns her back, choosing to look out into the darkness. "I'm sorry," Hermione whispers.

"It's okay. We can talk about this more when you're sober, but for now, I'm walking you to your berth."

Hermione turns back around, eyebrows wiggling. "Captain! I thought you didn't want to take me to bed?"

Bellatrix wraps an arm around her waist, guiding the younger woman towards the stairs that lead down into the ship. She wisely ignores the woman's question. "Come on, Hermione. You're tired and you're going to feel like shit tomorrow."

On cue, Hermione yawns and puts up no further protest about being walked to the shared accommodation. Bellatrix watches from the doorway as she first checks on her daughter, and then climbs into the hammock in her own berth without stopping to change.

"Goodnight," Bellatrix whispers, leaving the room with her head and heart in conflict. There is no doubt in her mind that she has done the right thing. Hermione is not in a state to truly consent, and she wasn't lying when she said it wasn't a good idea. It's surprisingly difficult not to imagine what it might be like to be with Hermione, though, and it's these thoughts that occupy her mind long after she has slipped beneath her sheets.

-xXx-

"I'm never drinking again," Hermione announces as she walks into the common room the next morning.

"Now you really are one of the crew," Andromeda replies, giving her a sympathetic smile. "Hungover, Love?"

"The worst," Hermione grumbles, noticing Narcissa sitting at the table with a mug of coffee and glaring at the blonde. It's her firewhisky that's to blame for the way she is feeling right now, after all.

Narcissa takes it in her stride, and smiles back at her warmly. "If you ask my sister nicely, she might let you have one of her potions."

Hermione turns pleading eyes on the middle Black sister. "Andromeda… Andy… please tell me you've got something that will help? I really don't want to drop to Ron's level and start puking over the side."

Andromeda laughs. "We can't have that, can we?" She pulls her wand from her sleeve and swooshes it in Hermione's direction, a small glass vial with a cork in the top materialising in front of her. She picks it up, holding it up to the light hanging over the table, watching as the midnight-blue liquid sparkles like it is filled with tiny diamonds.

"Can anyone learn how to make these?" Hermione asks, removing the cork and sniffing it. It's fresh, almost minty, but with a hint of something she thinks might be liquorice. "Do you have to be a witch? Or can you just follow the instructions and it would work for anyone?"

"It's not as simple as it sounds," Andromeda answers. "Intent is everything and very much an expression of magic in its own right. It's not just about physical ingredients, it's about the person that makes it."

"So you have to cast spells as you make the potion?"

Andromeda shakes her head. "No. It's more like when a witch makes a portion, a part of her is transferred. Her essence as it were, becomes an integral part of the magic that is created in a potion."

Narcissa leans forwards to join in the discussion. "It's not something we deliberately do, but it is an unintentional side effect of potion making. If each member of the crew made a potion, Andromeda would be able to tell you which witch or wizard made it, because of the magical signature that they left behind. It's a magical residue, if you like. You can't see it, but you know it's there."

"Oh." Hermione deflates slightly, even as she can feel the potion beginning to work, clearing her head. "And I can't learn to be a witch?"

Narcissa's eyes grow soft. "No, Darling. Magic is something you are born with, or not, as the case may be."

"Don't let it get you down," Andromeda advises sagely. "You have plenty to offer the world, just as you are."

Hermione lets their words settle, and wonders if it will ever feel normal to be included like this. To be valued for who she is. These people don't need her to change who she is, and best of all, they don't want her to. She is enough, just as she is, and that thought still overwhelms her multiple times a day.

"Thank you," she says in a small voice.

"Don't thank us just yet," Andromeda warns with a chuckle. "Wait until you see what Bellatrix has got planned for you today. You might not be magical, but that doesn't mean she doesn't expect you to work hard."

"What has Bella got her doing now?" Narcissa asks before Hermione has the chance to.

"She wants to make use of the calm waters between here and Port Ignis." Andromeda grins wickedly. "Which means one thing."

"Ah. Cleaning and maintenance," Narcissa fills in.

"You can't just, I don't know, flick your wand?" Hermione wonders, waving a hand in front of her in imitation of what she has seen them all do.

"We try and do most things manually. We never know when we will be required to use our magic for something more serious, so it's not a good idea to drain our magical cores more than necessary," Andromeda informs her. "Simple spells are okay, but everything else is an unnecessary drain. We don't get into trouble all that often, but when we do, our magic is the thing that pulls us out of those situations. Bella is really strict about us conserving our energy."

"Sorry. I remember now." Hermione shakes her head. "It's just been a lot to take in since we came on board. So, no unnecessary magic. Got it."

"Which means maintenance above deck, is done by hand," Narcissa continues. "The hull of the ship and everything below the waterline is protected by advanced charms and runes from over a millennia ago. It draws on ancient elemental water magic, and protects the wood that is in the sea from damage or rot. For whatever reason the topside was not given the same treatment, and the magic used has been lost to us over the years, so we can't expand on it."

"So while the sea is calm, you and Ron can sand down and re-varnish some of the woodwork around the place," Bellatrix says, walking into the common room. "How are you feeling today?"

Hermione blushes. Waking up this morning, her brain had been flooded with images from the night before, and she cringes now as she remembers her bold moves against the Captain. "Better now that Andromeda gave me a potion," she replies sheepishly, avoiding the Captain's eyes. "I'm sorry about last night," she adds on quietly.

Bellatrix chuckles. "You're not the first person to get drunk and kiss someone around here," she teases. "You're not even the first member of the crew to get drunk and kiss me. No need to be embarrassed."

"In Hermione's defence, I might have told her to come and find you," Narcissa admits with a sly grin. "I didn't think you would mind, Bella." She gives her sister a pointed glare, one eyebrow raised.

"Shut up," the Captain grumbles, slinking into the seat next to Andromeda. "Where's the food? I can't start my day on an empty stomach."

"Harry was nearly done when I sat down." Andromeda spins around in her seat, turning towards the entrance of the galley. "How long, Potter?"

"Two minutes," the wizard calls back.

Bellatrix reaches up above her head, where a small wooden handle hangs down from the low ceiling, and pulls on it twice, a ringing sound echoing throughout the ship. Judging from the nearing sound of footsteps, Hermione deduces that this is how she summons the crew if they are all on board. "Let's eat together this morning. It's going to be a busy day."

-xXx-

"You do like her," Andromeda announces as she walks up to the helm to stand next to her sister.

Bellatrix pulls her eyes away from the scene in front of her with some difficulty. Hermione is wearing cut-off denim shorts and a sleeveless shirt that has been tied in the middle to reveal a very toned stomach, and it's a challenge not to look at the pleasing display.

"What?" she asks distractedly, turning to look at her sister.

"Hermione. You like her. I mean, I knew you were attracted to her, but it's more than that, isn't it?" Andromeda asks with none of her usual teasing.

"Don't be ridiculous."

Andromeda snorts, leaning back against the railings at the stern. "Ridiculous? You kissed last night, and don't tell me it was all Hermione. I know it wasn't."

"How the hell did- Fucking Cissa. I don't get a moment of privacy with you two gossip vultures around," Bellatrix complains, eyes automatically drawn to where Ron is showing Hermione how best to sand down the wood ready for a fresh paint of well-needed varnish. She wordlessly sends a stinging hex his way, cackling to herself when he turns around, gormlessly looking for the culprit.

"Cissa means well. You know we just want you to be happy."

"I am happy," Bellatrix argues halfheartedly.

"You need someone, Bella," Andromeda tells her, following her line of sight. "And I think you've already found her."

"All I need is a good shag," Bellatrix quips. "And I'll get that at Port Ignis."

"Really? You would do that to her?"

"There is nothing going on between me and Hermione," Bellatrix denies grumpily. "What, or who, I choose to do when I go on shore is up to me."

"You'll hurt her feelings, you know you will. Cissa says she really likes you."

Bellatrix shakes her head, curls bouncing in the breeze. "She's like a puppy, fixing her affections on the first person that shows her some care. Weasley would be a better match for her," she snipes bitterly, nodding at the redhead with Hermione.

"He's just a boy," Andromeda scoffs. "And she doesn't like him like that."

"Can you just drop it? Nothing is going to happen between me and Hermione."

"If you say so," Andromeda replies amicably, letting the matter go. She closes her eyes to enjoy the sunshine, ignoring her sister. Bellatrix waits for her to continue her crusade but she genuinely seems to have dropped it, leaving Bellatrix to deal with her own tumultuous thoughts.

She wasn't joking. Ron really would be a much better match for their newest recruit. The idea of her choosing someone else makes her magic flare up and the urge to Crucio Ron from where she is standing is difficult to ignore. What is it about this muggle that makes her react like this? She hadn't intended on kissing her back last night, but when their lips had connected, instinct had taken over and she's never experienced a kiss quite like it.

'Nothing can come of it,' she reminds herself, shaking her head. The sooner she works this out of her system, the better, and if that means finding someone at the next port to work out her frustrations on, then so be it.

"I'm going to my cabin," she informs her sister. "Take the helm and I'll send Ginny up to relieve you."

Andromeda smiles, reaching for the wheel. "No need. I'm more than happy here for a while. I'll send for her when I want a break."

Bellatrix nods briskly, and steps down off of the quarter deck. The temptation to go and talk to Hermione is strong, but she forces herself below deck and along the corridor into the sanctity of her cabin.

Several hours pass and Bellatrix naps on top of sheets that still smell faintly of Hermione. The distance between Port Terra and the port they are travelling to next is one of the shortest distances between cities and she breathes a sigh of relief knowing that they will hit Port Ignis before nightfall. It's not her turn, but she's confident she can bribe Ginny into staying on board so she can go and get some sweet relief on shore. With that in mind, she gathers a clean set of clothes and heads to the shower, preparing herself for what will hopefully be a decent night of distraction.

-xXx-

"You're going on shore?" Hermione asks flatly, and it's obvious from her tone that she has been informed exactly what that might mean. Bellatrix idly wonders who might have filled her in, but dismisses the thought. It's irrelevant who told her, and Hermione had known of her reputation long before she came on board.

"Yes," she replies curtly, turning to the harbourside, preparing to jump down onto the dock below.

"Why?" Hermione asks, though Bellatrix is sure that the woman doesn't mean it literally. It would seem Hermione is well aware of her intentions, but doesn't understand why she is choosing to do it. She lets out a sigh, determined to nip this in the bud.

"A woman like me has needs, Hermione, and unlike my sisters who are content to pass Anathema back and forth like a toy, I'd rather go and find someone who hasn't fucked the pair of them."

"But… I thought…"

Bellatrix notes the ready blush that rises to Hermione's cheeks and laughs cruelly. "You thought that just because we kissed once in a moment of drunken weakness, you would eventually find your way into my bed?"

Hermione nods uncertainly, her cheeks changing from pink to scarlet.

Against her better judgement, Bellatrix steps forward and cups her cheek. She swipes her thumb slowly over Hermione's bottom lip, watching with fascination as her eyes widen and her pupils dilate. She can see the quickening of the woman's pulse just under the skin, only just managing to ignore the desire to run her tongue over the thrumming beat.

"That's a very pretty mouth you've got on you, Pet, but I would ruin you," Bellatrix says softly, far more gently than she had been intending. She clears her throat. "You're not the kind of woman that can give me what I need and I would be all wrong for you, anyway."

She releases Hermione's cheek, and steps around her, ready to scramble up over the side and down to the harbour, but Hermione stops her, her voice ringing out clearly in the short distance between them.

"You have no idea what I could give you, if you gave me the chance, Captain."

Bellatrix turns around to face the newly ordained pirate, defiant brown eyes glaring back at her.

Hermione continues. "However, if you prefer, then I'll find someone else who wants what I am offering."

Completely conflicted, Bellatrix feels a surge of pride as she watches Hermione turn and head back down below deck. For a moment she wonders if Hermione will really go and seek pleasure from one of the others. The thought shouldn't bother her, she knows it shouldn't. However, in a moment of pure, honest self-reflection, she realises that it does.

With a sigh, she hops down from the ship and goes off in search of the one person in Port Ignis that will never turn her away.

Alecto welcomes her in through the door, a kiss immediately pressed to her lips, and Bellatrix ignores the flicker of guilt that threatens to make its presence felt. It takes less time than usual for Bellatrix to make her move, pulling the witch close and kissing her dominantly. She doesn't pause for a second, walking her backwards through the small room until the backs of Alecto's knees are against the bed. For a moment she thinks it's working. For a second she manages to forget about warm brown eyes sparkling impishly and a different set of warm lips moulded to her own.

She concentrates on the woman in front of her, hands reaching for the plain black shirt tucked into the waistband of her jeans, but Alecto laughs gently, pushing her away.

"Bellatrix. Bella… slow down a moment, will you?"

Brow furrowing, Bellatrix stills her hands, eyes meeting Alecto's. She forgets about the consequences of doing so, searching her face for an answer as to why she has been stopped. Too late she realises what the woman is doing, and scowls, turning her face away.

"Fucking Legilimens. You're bloody everywhere," Bellatrix spits, stomping over to the kitchen and pouring herself a generous measure of the apple liquor Alecto always keeps in her cupboard.

"You can sleep with as many people as you want, Bella. I have no hold over you, and we both know that. You care about this woman, though, and I won't be a part of it. I won't let you do this to her, or yourself."

"She means nothing to me!" Bellatrix exclaims, the lie spilling from her lips before she remembers who she is talking to.

"You know better than to lie to me, Bella," Alecto responds, an amused smile lighting her face. "And I don't think lying to yourself is working, is it?"

"She means nothing to me," Bellatrix repeats tiredly. "She can't."

"Oh shush. You desire the girl, but it's clearly more than that. You like her."

Bellatrix throws up her hands, meeting her eyes again. "Why does everyone keep telling me that?"

"Cissa was right, and so was Andy," Alecto teases, gleefully demonstrating her prowess at Legilimency once again. "Why can't you let yourself have this?"

"I'm not what she needs. You don't understand."

Alecto purses her lips, staring intently for a moment, and Bellatrix resignedly lets her have access to her surface thoughts. What's the point in trying to deny it to someone who can literally see inside her mind? Narcissa is good, incredible, actually, but Alecto's talent spills out of her effortlessly.

"She's been through a lot, but if you're worried about being a rebound, don't be. I don't believe this woman will hurt you in that way. I don't think she ever held any affection for her husband. Give her, and yourself, a chance," Alecto advises.

Bellatrix takes a long drink, swallowing the contents down angrily before she replies. "I don't want that kind of relationship. I'm not that kind of woman. I'm not built that way."

"I thought we just agreed it was pointless lying to me? You might not have wanted anything deeper than sex before, but this woman has gotten under your skin. The only barrier in the way is you, Bella."

"Can't we just fuck like normal and pretend this conversation never happened?" Bellatrix asks, huffing out a sigh.

"Believe me, I wanted nothing more," Alecto admits freely. "But you would regret it, Bella, and I will never do anything I know will cause you pain when it's over. We had a good run, but we were friends long before we were lovers, and I'd like to think I can still count on your friendship going forward."

Bellatrix nods, a small smile curving up her lips. She calmly meets the witch's gaze. "I do love you."

"But you're not in love with me, and that makes all the difference in the world."

"Yeah. I know," Bellatrix admits. "I've often wished I was, though. You and me… it would have been easy, you know?"

"It always has been so far, and that doesn't have to change." Alecto shrugs. "Now, tell me about this girl."

Bellatrix rolls her eyes. "Woman. And haven't you seen enough?"

"I want to hear it from you." Alecto takes the seat opposite her at the table, holding out a glass expectantly.

Bellatrix relaxes, pouring Alecto a drink and topping up her own glass to the brim. They might not be about to sleep together, but she's not going back to the ship tonight. "She's… I don't know where to start."

"Gorgeous, from what I could see," Alecto prompts, with a wink. "Nice body on her, too."

"Hey! Don't look at those memories," Bellatrix warns, waggling a finger at the other witch.

"It would help if you stopped shouting them at me," Alecto points out dryly.

"You know, I had no idea what she would be like. I met the kid first, and the first time I saw Hermione, she had been battered. I could see her fear and the pain that she was carrying, but I also saw strength, you know? Yes, she's gorgeous, but it's more than that. She's complicated, and resilient. She's cheeky and brave, but also so vulnerable. I don't know what it is about her that draws me to her. She's a muggle, but the connection feels… Well. It feels… magical. Like…"

"Like you are meant to be together?" Alecto guesses, smiling at her ex-lover.

"Maybe," Bellatrix concedes with a sigh. "But you have to know it can't be that easy."

"Why?"

"What if it all goes wrong?"

"Then it goes wrong," Alecto answers with a shrug. "You've lived through worse and so has she."

"But that's the point. She needs us. She needs the safety of being part of the crew. I don't want to do anything that jeopardises that. What if it all turns to shit and then she feels like she has to leave? What will happen to her? To her daughter?"

"So make sure she knows that she can stay. Make sure she knows that her place on the crew is secure, and never give her a single damned reason to believe otherwise," Alecto says firmly, tapping the rim of her glass. She picks it up and guzzles the liquor in one, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "The only person that can fuck this up, is you. Decide now that you're not going to."

"You know what I'm like," Bellatrix whines, the liquor loosening her tongue. "I always fuck things up. She's too good for me."

"Probably," Alecto teases. "But I still haven't heard one reason why you shouldn't try. Nothing is plain sailing, you know that. The important thing is to learn how to weather a storm."

"Really? You're going to throw sailing metaphors at me?" Bellatrix asks with a groan.

"If the sail fits…"

"Idiot," Bellatrix replies affectionately.

"Coward," Alecto counters, grinning widely.

"Yeah. I know."

"Let's have another, and then go to bed. You're staying?" Alecto checks.

"Yeah. I convinced Ginny to give up her shore leave for me, so I may as well make the most of it."

Alecto smirks, picking up the bottle. "Challenge accepted."

It's not how they usually spend their evenings, but Bellatrix realises that Alecto is right. They were friends long before they became lovers, and even though they've been close, she realises that she's missed this side of Alecto. Hours of effortless conversation about everything under the sun, is something that's been missing for a long time during the last few years. Lately, when she has arrived, they have fallen into bed just as effortlessly, instead of talking. It's nice to catch up and find out what's been going on in the witch's life.

By the time Bellatrix heads back to the ship, the sun has been above the horizon for a good hour or so and the temperature is already rising. It's going to be a scorching day, which is not helpful when she is hungover and tired. She and Alecto had stumbled into bed at two o'clock, passing out as soon as their heads hit the pillow. Now, she's hungry and in desperate need of one of Andromeda's potions.

"Morning, Cap!" Ginny greets her cheerfully, and Bellatrix growls, scowling when Ginny is unperturbed and grins at her.

"Andy?"

"Having breakfast," Ginny replies, a wicked sparkle in her eye. "If you're after a hangover potion, she just gave the last one to Ron."

"What?" Bellatrix demands, her scowl deepening.

"Joking, Cap!" Ginny laughs over her shoulder as she jogs down towards the bow of the ship where Luna is laying on a folded up sail.

"Fucking Weasleys," Bellatrix grumbles to herself, heading down below the deck in search of her sister.

-XXx-

An hour later Bellatrix feels like a new woman. It's amazing what a single potion, a shower and some food can do. She's feeling better than she has for a long time, and spending the night talking about her life, Hermione included, has given her a sense of peace that has been missing since the muggle came on board.

That all changes when she comes face to face with the woman in question. Hermione walks into the common room where Bellatrix is finishing up her coffee, but takes one look at the Captain and spins on her heel, walking out the way that she came. Bellatrix sighs, finishing the dregs in her mug.

"Can you blame her?" Narcissa asks, having watched the exchange.

"Nothing even happened. We got drunk and we talked," Bellatrix defends herself, refilling her mug from the carafe on the table.

"Does she know that?" Narcissa asks, raising one of her brows.

Bellatrix freezes. "Shit."

"Go and talk to her," her sister suggests seriously.

Bellatrix nods. "I will. Let's get out of port first, though."

"Where are we off to next?" Narcissa questions, tapping the tablet screen in front of her to bring up a map.

"The City of Lightning," Bellatrix replies, grinning. It's some of the most exciting sailing they ever do.

"Port Fulgar? Why?"

"Because the price they're offering is too good to turn down. We'll be in and out, don't worry."

Narcissa frowns. "I don't like this, Bella."

"None of us like being without our magic. I wouldn't take us anywhere near either of the poles if it wasn't worth our time. Trust me, this cargo is worth a small fortune."

"We're not short of funds, Bella. There's no need to take risks."

"No, we're not," Bellatrix agrees. "But seriously, it's worth it."

"Okay," Narcissa reluctantly agrees, pursing her lips. "You're the Captain."

"Yes. I am."

Bellatrix feels a twinge of discomfort in her stomach seeing the concern on her sister's face. Magic is so weak at the magnetic poles, that they can't rely on it to get themselves out of trouble, should trouble come their way. It's not likely though, and Bellatrix is happy to take a calculated risk. There is no reason why they can't get in and get out, turning around on the tide like they have done multiple times before.

She finishes up her coffee and checks the tide times, summoning the crew to the deck when she judges it to be time to leave. None of them seem happy with their next destination, but they don't openly question her the way Narcissa had.

Luna looks concerned, so Bellatrix pulls her to one side. "Do you have anything?"

The young blonde shakes her head. "Nothing specific, Bellatrix. I don't know… I just don't like it."

"None of us do," Bellatrix reminds her. "Let me know if anything changes, okay? You know I will listen to you."

"Will do," Luna promises. "I'll go and consult the Ogham Staves once we're underway."

"Good. Okay."

Bellatrix crosses the deck and steps up onto the quarter deck, positioning herself behind the wheel. "Weigh anchor, people," she calls across the ship, nodding when they all spring to action. They set a course due north, heading out into rougher waters than what they have experienced over the last twenty-four hours. Hopefully, the weather will stay calm and not exacerbate the already difficult conditions they will face.

Once they're clear of the port, they start to make good time, a steady wind at their back propelling them forwards. Deeming it time to go and have a conversation with Hermione, who has been pointedly ignoring her since she got back on the ship, she raises her wand to summon Draco to the helm. Anathema calls to her across the deck, so she drops her wand and waits for the woman to join her.

"We've got company," Anathema announces, stepping up onto the quarterdeck.

"What do you mean?"

"I noticed a signal on the comm's channel. Another ship has been 'pinging' us. They've been intermittently sending out a signal every ten minutes since we left port, and locking onto our comms."

Bellatrix feels her heart begin to race as the implications of this settles in her. "Who is it?"

"That's the thing, I don't know. I can see them on our radar, but when I use our surveillance equipment, I can't see any sight of them."

"Satellite?" Bellatrix asks pointlessly. Anathema is nothing but thorough, after all.

"Nothing. So you know what that means?"

Bellatrix nods seriously. "Whoever it is, is cloaking themselves with magic."

Shit.