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Skulls and Crossbones by kneazle
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Skulls and Crossbones

kneazle

Skulls and Crossbones

By: Kneazle

Disclaimer: All characters belong to JK Rowling. Ideas are taken from Peter Pan, Peter Pan: Return to Neverland, Hook, The Adventures of Nate and Hayes, Disney's Shipwrecked, Captain Ron, Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, the Princess Bride, Disney's the Little Mermaid and The Three Musketeers.

~*~

Chapter Two

Hermione frowned into her champagne flute, arching her back as she tried to unsuccessfully get the whalebone knots of her corset to loosen. She winced as it pinched her skin instead.

"Are you all right, Princess Hermione?" asked Remus, who she was standing with, talking about economics.

"Not really, Remus," answered the nineteen year old, as she continued to roll her shoulders. Under her breath, she began cursing and muttering about corsets and how they should be abolished.

Remus smiled bemusedly. "I don't believe that that is entirely proper to say in my company, Princess."

He took a sip of his drink, glancing around the crowded ballroom. In the center of the circular golden room, couples danced to a minuet, the candlelight of the chandelier above them making them feel like they were under an open roof.

Splashed of reds, blues and blacks swirled around the room, while others stood in small groups, talking and eating; some men were off to one side, enjoying their brandy and cigars.

"Aren't you going to go out there?" Remus asked, smoothing down the dusty green waistcoat he wore over a gold shirt and matching pants.

Hermione snorted, a very unladylike and un-Princess-like thing to do. She twirled her fan around her fingers and shifted her weight. "I don't think so, Remus. I will not give my parents the satisfaction of knowing that they got me dressed up in some ridiculous garment and that I pranced in front of wealthy bachelors."

Remus chuckled. "But you look very beautiful tonight, Princess."

Hermione sighed. "Remus, how many times have I asked you to call me Hermione?"

"Too many to remember," Remus answered, smiling as he glanced down at the younger woman. "And you'll have to continue saying that until it finally sticks in this old brain."

"You're not old," grinned Hermione, enjoying their friendly talk.

"Old enough." Remus gave Hermione one last grin before excusing himself to go talk to Severus, who stood brooding in a dark corner.

Immediately Lavender and Parvati attached themselves to Hermione's side, gossiping at the latest fashions from Paris, and who was dancing with whom. Hermione endured the idle talk, allowing the two ladies-in-waiting to escort her over to the large floor-to-ceiling glass doors.

Hermione looked through the doors towards the courtyard and further to the sea. She wasn't paying attention to her ladies, but was staring out the window, frowning.

That looks like a ship out there, she mused, leaning closer to the windowpane until her forehead touched it. She heard a dull thud, and saw sparks erupt for a brief moment from the ghost ship.

"Oh, my," she whispered, and Lavender, mistaking it for what she had said before, looked surprised and stopped her monologue.

"Well, yes… that is what I thought as well, Princess…" Lavender stopped. Hermione was backing away from the glass doors frantically. "Princess? What is it?"

Lavender's question was soon answered as the glass above them shattered and splintered loudly, tinkering as it fell over the three girls who stood below it. Hermione's head whipped away from the windows as she watched the cannonball shoot across the ballroom and embed itself in the wall opposite of the doors.

She barely noticed the glass that was raining down on her and her ladies-in-waiting, and the cuts she was receiving.

"Hermione, we must go," a voice whispered hurriedly in her ear, and Hermione turned to see Remus bending towards her. "Hurry! It's The Dragon."

"What?" gasped Hermione, allowing Remus to grab her upper arm and drag her through the crowd. Women screamed as they ran around her, and guards began rushing this way and that, their riffles cocked and ready. "What would The Dragon be doing here, in Port Silver?"

"I've got a couple ideas," muttered Remus, before he tucked Hermione close to him. She heard another thud and whiz as a cannonball sailed through the ballroom. Plaster from the ceiling fell around them. "We must hurry." Remus looked down at the petite woman. "Especially you."

"Me?" asked Hermione, startled, as they ran out of the ballroom. Hermione picked up the heavy layer of satin skirt in her hands, keeping pace with Remus as they ducked into corners and made their way to the library.

"Yes, you," he shouted back towards her, over the echo of soldiers and gunfire. Marble pieces fell from walls and pillars, and drapes were torn as the castle came under fire.

"What's so important that has to do with me, the Princess of Richmondshire?" gasped Hermione as they ducked inside the relatively undamaged library. Confused, Hermione watched Remus riffle through books, tossing them on the floor in anger, as he couldn't find the one he needed.

"The map," he said.

"The map?" Hermione echoed, taking a step towards him. "What map?"

Remus paused long enough to glance at Hermione. "The Marauder's Map, Hermione. The one we invented, the one pirates all want."

"Oooh, that map," said Hermione, rolling her eyes skyward. "Why didn't you say so?" She began picking up books on some of the tables that littered the large, cavernous room. "You do realize that this library holds over twenty thousand books?"

Remus nodded grimly as Hermione came to stand beside him. "Then we'd best hurry."

Together, they heaved large tomes off the dusty shelves, flipping the pages and shaking the books as they searched for a loose piece of the map to flutter to the floor. After ten minutes, they still had nothing.

"Now what?" asked Hermione restlessly. The sounds of screams and shouts were getting louder. She glanced nervously toward the large, barricaded doors. "That won't hold forever, Remus."

"I know, I know," he muttered, rubbing his graying temples. "I just don't remember where I put it…"

"Try! And hurry!" Hermione begged, turning toward him just as a pound on the door signaled that their time was up.

Remus' face paled. "To the window, now! Quickly!"

Together, the two of them raced across the library to the large windows, their hands fumbling with the clasp of the lock. Remus stilled. "I remember!" he whispered urgently.

"Where?"

"In your Pyrates book!"

Hermione closed her eyes. "Well, that's just dandy, isn't it? My father has the book!"

Remus shook his head. "Doesn't matter now." He pushed open the gold-rimmed window, and helped Hermione through it. Once she was on the first ground outside, he hissed, "Head towards the harbor. Severus will be down there, I believe. Stay away from anyone looking fishy. Do this, Hermione!"
"I will," Hermione nodded, and pursed her lips. "What about you?"

Another bang on the door caught both their attention. Remus glanced back at the girl. "I'll hold them off. Hurry!"

Hermione turned on her heel and ran toward the harbor and town, her breath coming out in short gasps as she dodged branches and people in her way.

She passed townsfolk fighting men with cutlasses and pistols, trying to protect their homes and families.

"Well, what do we have here?" a voice drawled close to Hermione. The Princess turned, and came face-to-face with a young man, her age, with blond hair and icy eyes. His hands grabbed onto her shoulders, his grip unbreakable.

"Let go of me, you scoundrel!" cried Hermione, bringing her foot down on the man's boot. He laughed at her antics, pulling her closer.

"Now, now," he teased, "Is that any way to treat me, the Captain of The Dragon?"

Hermione's eyes grew wide. "You're Draco Malfoy!"

Taking a step back and releasing his hold on her, Draco bowed and waved his tricorn hat to the side. "The one and only, milady."

Wrinkling her nose, Hermione tilted her head. "I demand that you leave Port Silver at once, Mr. Malfoy."

"Oooh, do you now?" asked the man, grinning predatorily. His boots crunched against the gravel and dirt as he took steps toward Hermione. "And why should I do what you say?"

Hermione gulped and stepped into the middle of the street, looking up and down the dirt road. Oh boy. You asked for an adventure, and one has found you, Hermione. Next time, be careful what you wish for.

"You should do as I say, because…" Hermione wet her lips nervously. "Because I am Princess Hermione of Richmondshire, and you sir, are plundering my home."

"Really." Draco pulled out his sword, keeping it at his side as he stalked his prey. "The Princess, you say." Without warning, he lunged, grabbing Hermione around her middle. Pulled flush against him, with his sword pointed at her throat, he hissed dangerously, "Where's the map?"

"What map?" asked Hermione, leaning away from the glinting metal. She bit her lip as the sword was pushed further towards her.

"The Marauder's Map, Princess," sneered Draco. "Don't play folly with me, wench - Remus Lupin had a piece and I want to know where it is! He's your tutor!"

"I don't know what you're talking about! Let me go!" Hermione screamed, her tiara falling onto the ground beside the two of them, unnoticed. Holding her breath, Hermione struggled against Draco, aware of the cool blade against her throat.

"My patience is waning!" warned Draco, his eyes narrowing hazardously, his grip tightening against her. "Now, for the last time… where is the map?"

"I'd also like to know that, but I don't go around accosting young women, Malfoy," called out a new voice in the darkness.

Both Hermione and Draco looked towards the voice, only to see a young man swing down from the top of a building, sword drawn. He flew towards the two of them, feet pointed right at Draco.

"Christ!" swore Draco as he pushed Hermione away from him, ducking to avoid the new hindrance.

The man sailed by them, landing easily on his feet. He turned, and Hermione was surprised to see Harry Potter, Captain of The Marauder before her.

Mouth open, Hermione stared in confusion and wonder at the young man who was circling Draco Malfoy.

"Leave, Potter! This is of no concern to you!" snapped Draco, brandishing his sword toward the other young man.

"Anything that affects my father's map concerns me, Malfoy," replied the young man coolly. His emerald eyes settled briefly on Hermione. Scoffing, he asked, "Bothering young women nowadays, Malfoy? That's a new low of you - something I would expect your father to do."

"Leave my father out of this, Potter!" warned Draco, "Now… avast!"

Harry grinned, his sword clashing against Draco's as the two involved themselves in a clash of steel. Harry's arm swung up on it's own, to avoid being hit my Draco's arcing swing. The two metals clashed and sparks flew as they hit.

Draco darted forward, his sword parallel to the ground. Harry turned to the left, watching as Draco went past him. His foot shot out, and Draco fell face first to the ground. Saluting the young Captain, Harry took a step closer and pointed his sword at Draco's neck.

"This battle is mine. Run along, Malfoy… savvy?"

His eyes flashed in the moonlight, and Draco swallowed visibly.

"This isn't over, Potter."

"I hope not," replied the young Potter, before placing his sword back in its sheath. He watched Draco run off into the darkness before he turned to Hermione, a black eyebrow raised. "Are you all right, milady?"

Hermione nodded mutely, in awe. She had seen both Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter in one night. Oooh, what would Remus do when he heard her!

"Oh, no!" Hermione said, a hand flying to her mouth. "Remus!"

"Remus?" asked Harry, taking a step toward Hermione. "Remus Lupin? You know him? Where is he?"

"Back at the castle - someone was banging on the door, oh, I do hope he's all right!" blubbered Hermione, as she picked up her skirts and began to walk past the young man. "We were looking for the map before he sent me off"-

"Map? My father's map?" Harry's hands reached out and spun Hermione towards him. "Do you know where it is?"

"Why is this situation suddenly so familiar?" asked Hermione dryly, before pointedly looking at Harry's hands. He released her, but pointed a finger at her face.

"You'll take me to the castle, and where Remus last was. You'd better pray that he's all right, lass," pronounced Harry, glaring at the shorter girl. "And if he isn't…" he let the threat hang in the air.

Hermione rolled her eyes. Instead of speaking up, she began to walk back up the pathway to the castle, acutely aware of Harry Potter behind her. She did hope that everyone was all right, back at the castle, but her mind was racing with facts about the young privateer behind her.

"Why are you in Port Silver, Mr. Potter?" she finally asked, tossing a corkscrew piece of brown hair out of her eyes.

"Restocking," Harry said simply, leaving no room for more conversation. His hand drifted towards his side, resting on the hilt of his sword. That was enough for Hermione to shut her mouth.

When they finally arrived at the castle, Hermione went straight toward the library window. The room glowed dimly, and as she peered through the glass, she saw the door was still closed and Remus was still going through the books, tossing them everywhere.

"Let me see," said Harry, pushing Hermione aside to look through the window.

"Excuse you!" said Hermione, pushing Harry back. They began to scuffle, until the window opened and a jovial voice called out, "Are you two done yet?"

Both Hermione and Harry stopped - Hermione had pieces of Harry's hair in her fists, and Harry had one of Hermione's legs in his arms, ready to trip her. Remus Lupin rested his elbows on the windowsill, a grin on his face.

Hermione tossed her hair and allowed Remus to hoist her into the library. Smoothing down her dress, she said stiffly, "Of course."

Harry shot her a glare before climbing through the first-floor window. He paused only for a second, before hugging tightly the older man. "Good to see you, Remus."

"You too, Harry. Looking like your father more and more," Remus replied. "Now… I need to find Hermione's - er, Princess Hermione's, that is - Pyrates book, as that's where I placed the map."

"Father took it, remember?" stated Hermione, flopping down in one of the chairs. "He would probably take it to his study, or give it to someone else to look after."

"Like who?" asked Harry, scowling at the girl who sat comfortably in a chair while he and Remus looked through books.

"Like me, Mr. Potter."

Hermione stood on her feet the second Severus Snape entered the library. His onyx eyes swept the room, resting briefly on Harry before turning back to Remus and Hermione.

He strode forward, and then placed the book in Hermione's waiting hands. Harry made a move to reach and pluck the book from her, but Remus's hand stopped him.

Hermione glanced curiously at Severus before opening the book. She flipped through the pages, and then turned it upside down, but nothing fell out of it. "Sir, I've read this book thousands of times, inside, outside, everywhere. There was no map."

"Look harder, Princess," instructed Severus, producing a small letter opener. "Try again."

Hermione nodded, took the letter opener and flipped to the back of the book. There, slightly raised, was a small, engraved square. Hermione pierced the top corner of the book, and slid the knifepoint under the jacket. When the cover was lifted, she clearly saw a piece of the fabled Marauder's Map.

She gingerly pulled it out, and offered it to Harry. "It's amazing, how something so small is what causes the largest battles," she said.

Harry nodded. "You have no idea."

Once he had placed it safely in a pocket, Severus turned to Hermione, now with urgency. "It's best if you hide with Remus somewhere, not in the castle. The battle is still going on."

"Not for long," injected Harry. "Malfoy and I met in the street."

Severus turned to Harry. Sneering, he asked, "Is that so? Then he'll retreat. Losing against Harry Potter must be too much stress and failure to him to stay."

Remus nodded. "The Malfoys never took to losing at something." Turning to Hermione, he said, "I'll escort you to a group of guards, who will look after you."

Hermione pursed her lips but didn't object. Severus nodded his goodbyes, and left the library, closing the heavy oak doors behind him. Remus and Harry exchanged a few more words, before he climbed back out the window, disappearing in the night.

Remus smiled at Hermione. "Come. Let's leave… our job is done."

Hermione gave him a tight-lipped smile, and fell in step behind him. You're letting your one chance of adventure slip out of your grasp! What are you waiting for, go after Potter!

Hermione, with her mind made up, followed Remus down the marble hallway, keeping close to the windows. If only one was open or broken… yes! They passed a row of windows with heavy drapery, and all windows were broken.

Remus continued walking, unaware that Hermione had stopped behind him. She then gulped, took a deep breath, and jumped out of the window. She ignored the bits of broken glass that cut her skin, and ignored the feel of warm, sticky blood slide down her arm and dry on her ruined dress sleeves.

Her feet hurt as they made impact with the uneven earth, jarring her bones and making her teeth rattle as they clamped tight against each other. Still, she took one deep breath, steadied her shaking self, and disappeared from the castle into the darkness.

~*~

Harry boarded The Marauder with a spring in his step. Although they were shooting cannonballs at Malfoy's ship, and were occasionally under fire themselves, they were doing well without their Captain.

"Did you find the bugger onshore?" asked Ron, the second Harry walked the plank onto the brig.

"Yes, I did," replied the young man. He gathered his hair in one hand, and fished around his pocket with the other. His fist closed on something, and he pulled out a piece of red cloth. He wrapped it around his head, keeping his hair out of his face, and then put his tricorn hat on. "And I found the missing piece of the map he was after."

"Really." Ron raised an eyebrow. "And where did you find it, exactly?"

"In the castle."

"And how did you get to the castle?"

"Ron, you're my best mate and my quartermaster. Don't bugger it now by asking too many questions," Harry grinned, thumping his friend's shoulder as he walked by him. "Set sail for Tunis!"

Ron rolled his eyes and cracked his fingers. One of these days, his temper would be unleashed to his best friend, and he would woe that day tremendously. "SET SAIL! HOIST THE MAIN SAILS!" he hollered to the crew, who did as they were told, while continuing to fire upon The Dragon.

Once they were safely out of range, and away from the harbor, did Ron wonder just how Harry learnt of the missing map piece.

Shaking his red head, he followed his friend into the Captain's quarters, watching as he put the Caribbean with its companion pieces.

"Where do you reckon the last two pieces are, Harry?" asked Ron, sitting on a couch. Beside him was a table full of fruits. He grabbed an apple and took a bite out of it. "Me guess is that they're hidden somewhere."

"You're probably right. It's going to take some large payments to find the missing pieces now," mused aloud Harry, tapping his chin. Slapping a hand on his thigh suddenly, he said loudly, "Well! Time to check that everything is in tip-top shape, eh? Down to the hold we go."

Ron sighed but stood, following his Captain out of the room, down the quarterdeck, and through the hatch. Harry jumped down first, landing on his feet and avoiding the stairs.

Humming tunelessly, the young man first entered the forecastle, checking on Ginny and Luna, who were involved in a chess game.

They watched for a couple minutes, with Ron shifting his weight agitatedly. Finally, he burst out from over Luna's shoulder, "Move your knight to E4 and you've gotten me sister in checkmate."

Luna did as she was told, her gray eyes shining as she pronounced, "Checkmate," to her friend. She turned to Ron. "Thank you, Weasel."

Ron's grin faded into a scowl, as Ginny burst into laughter and Harry steered him away from the chess game. They left the forecastle and crew's quarters to the back of the ship, in the hull, where they kept their stock. It was when they were in the galley that Harry first heard something out of place.

Silencing Ron, Harry frowned and whispered, "Did you hear that?"

"'Ear what?" Ron asked, straining his ears as they stood silently near a barrel of ale. Then, they heard a scuffle.

With a finger to his lips, Harry moved silently into the storage area, where the smell of gunpowder filled the air. Hanging from pegs on the wall were extra grapples, pulleys, rope, riffles, pistols and swords. Barrel upon barrel of gunpowder, rum, and potatoes were also stored, piled one on top of another.

"Ow!"

Harry frowned, trying to place the sound, when he turned towards the pulleys, and reached into the space behind them. His fist grabbed onto some gauzy material, which he yanked towards him unceremoniously.

Princess Hermione of Richmondshire fell to her knees in front of him, slapping his hand away from the bodice of her dress, which he had grabbed. "Do you have no sense of dignity?"

Harry's eyes widened, as did Ron's. Ron leaned toward Harry and whispered, "Women are frightful bad luck to bring on board, Harry. How'd she get on here?"

Harry turned to Ron, forgetting Hermione for a moment. "Your sister and Luna are women, Ron, and they haven't brought us any bad luck yet."

"Yet," Ron emphasized, before nodding back to Hermione. "Who's she?"

Hermione stood, straightening her dress as she did so. "Princess Hermione Granger of Richmondshire. And you are?"

Ron grinned, his ear tips red. "Ronald Weasley, milady, the quartermaster and first mate of The Marauder." He turned to Harry, who was gazing stonily at Hermione. "And this here is me best mate, Harry Potter, Captain of The Marauder."

"We've met," said Harry coolly. "Now, come along, Princess. We'll turn about and send you to shore, safe and sound. We'll even explain to Remus that this is all a big mistake and won't happen again."

Hermione bristled. "If you presume to place me back on Port Silver's harbor, I will only follow you on another ship, Mr. Potter."

Harry frowned. What on Earth is this wench playing? His frown deepened, before he groaned out, "Fine. Come along with me to my quarters where we'll continue this discussion."

He turned away from Ron and Hermione, a hand at his temple as he rubbed it, trying to ease the makings of a headache.

"But there's nothing left to discuss!" he heard Hermione protest behind him. He led her and Ron to the main stairs instead of the hatch this time, and when they arrived on the main deck, Harry heard Neville call out, "Who's that, Captain?" and other crewmen whistle their appreciation.

Harry glared at his men, who dutifully went back to word, before opening the door to his quarters. "After you, milady," he said, leaving his arm on the door and watching Hermione with hooded eyes.

Hermione straightened her shoulders and brushed by him, her nose in the air. She was, after all, a Princess.

When she was inside, Harry turned to Ron and whispered, "Don't let anyone disturb us. I need to have a word with the wench, all right?"

Ron nodded. "Yes, sir."

Harry nodded back, and then shut the door of his captain's quarters. He found Hermione sitting on one of the chairs by the bed. She sat demurely, her hands folded in her lap and her feet were on the floor.

"You wished to speak to me, Mr. Potter?" she asked, giving off a cool air.

Harry inwardly smiled. Although he appeared to be quite cross with the fact that she had snuck on board, he was finding this royal very interesting.

"Princess," he began, and then grimaced. That doesn't sound right. He cleared his throat. "Hermione. You snuck onboard my brig, and do not want to return back to shore. Why? You're a landlubber."

Hermione fidgeted at the insult. "You'll laugh."

"I promise I will not."

"Pirates can't make promises!" Hermione shot back, standing suddenly. "They are evil, vile men who like to drink and steal!"
"Aye, we do," agreed Harry, enjoying himself immensely as he sat by his desk and kicked his feet up onto the table. "But what if I gave you me promise on me parent's grave?"

Hermione stilled. Quietly, she replied, "Then that's fine."

Harry nodded and waited for her to begin. When she didn't, he raised his eyebrows, and said, "I'm waiting, milady."

Hermione took a deep breath and quietly said, "I wanted an adventure."

"An adventure."

"Yes," Hermione defended, her nerves strung. "Is that so hard to imagine? Being cooped up in the castle all day without anything fun to do - it's always learn this, do that, you can't do that, you must do this… it's so… so… infuriating! I want to have an adventure at least once, before I must settle down and realize that I'll never leave my rank… even for a minute."

Harry's feet slid off the desk. He tapped his chin thoughtfully, before standing and walking toward Hermione. He towered over her by at least a foot, and was secretly amazed by this Princess's bravery.

"Very well, milady. You can stay on board this brig for an adventure until we make buff in Tunis. Once there, I will secure you a ship that will take you back home. Do we have an accord?"

Hermione thought about it. She would get her adventure, on The Marauder no less, and be returned safely to her home. She smiled at Harry. "Deal."

They shook hands and ignored the heat and tingly sensation that ran from their fingers to the rest of their body as they touched. The contact was broken when they abruptly let go of each other's hands.

"Well," began Harry, scuffing his boot on his floor. "First off, you need something else to wear."

"What?" Hermione deadpanned. "What's wrong with my dress? I know it's a ball gown, but..."

"But nothing, milady," interrupted Harry. "You can't get around on a brig with something like that, now, can you?"

Hermione's mouth moved wordlessly as Harry began gathering things around his room, before making his way to the door. "Now, Princess. You didn't think this was a pleasure cruise, did you? Anyone who is onboard The Marauder earns his keep. And that means you."

Hermione's jaw dropped open. Oh yes, Hermione. Adventure indeed. You just forgot about everything else in the glory of being on a pirate ship. Bravo, my dear, bravo.

Instead, she set her jaw and followed Harry out of the captain's quarters. Okay, so she'd have to wear something else, and do chores. She could do that, fine. And so she'd be off the brig in about a month, fine with that too. Or was she?

Hermione frowned as she thought about leaving. The crew seemed friendly enough, and Harry Potter wasn't so bad himself. They seemed like the pirates right out of her fairy tale dreams, and since they did… Hermione felt a devious idea come to mind.

Leave the brig once they port in Tunis? I think not! Hermione grinned. She'd stay on board like what she did earlier when she snuck on. They didn't find her until later, and she'd be able to do it again easily. If that Mr. Potter thought he could outsmart her, she'd prove him wrong!

**-**

AN: Sorry this update took such a long time to post - I was away on vacation in St. Martin (and now I'm back suntanned and ready to start my last year in high school), and I didn't have access to a computer to see what my wonderful beta reader, Katie, had to say about my little story here (other than the fact she cannot call the Black Pearl the Black Pearl anymore… but rather the Dark Mark). I hope you all enjoy this chapter, seeing the next probably won't be out for a while with school starting again. Read, review and enjoy! Kneazle

Alexis Strange: Your favorite movie is PotC? LOL, it's apparently everyone's. I don't know anyone who has seen it and didn't like it.

Paige Woods: Thank you so much for your amazing and wonderful review. I really didn't want to kill Sirius off (as like in the books) but I'm afraid that I needed Harry to be a bit standoffish and aloof with his godfather gone to Davy Jones' locker, you know? No worries about a Ron/Lavender or R/Parvati ship here - I'm making it a bit of a secret, but I'm pretty sure you'll be able to guess who he'll end up with, if they get together! **winks**

Eleena Thea: Thanks. I'm hoping to add a "Landlubbers Guide to Ship and Pirate Terminology" sometime soon… so hopefully it'll help readers more!

AN2: [Sept. 9, 2003] Changes continued to timeframe, thanks for mistakes being pointed out by Stoneheart!