"Let go of me!" Hermione ordered as Peter yanked her hair.

Peter was stout, stubby and not all that strong, but little Miss five-foot-nothing with less weight than before was easy to lug. He had her over his shoulder and tied up as they were in the garden and walking from the property. "Just be glad the bullet didn't kill you," Peter hissed.

Hermione growled and kicked his side, causing them to buckle. They were on the ground, skirting down the hill toward the ocean. It was a ruthless roll, and when she finally stopped, a rock hit her side. The wound was still tender and made her whimper as she attempted to find her feet.

"Why are you making this so difficult!" Peter snarled and yanked at the ropes.

Hermione made an effort to get out of the ropes. It was ridiculous that he caught her unawares.

"Sirius!" She screeched as they reached the sand on the beach. "Remus!"

"Be quiet, ya magic cunt," Peter snapped.

The banging sound echoed over the crashing waves, and Peter ducked down. Hermione glanced over to see Remus stomping down with a gun in hand. Relief swept over her as Peter ran toward the jungle for coverage. Remus stopped and fired toward the retreating traitor, his shot struck his arm, but the man disappeared into the foilage with a whimpered cry.

Sirius jerked toward the jungle. "Not now, Pads," Remus huffed.

Hermione squirmed in her ropes as the captain approached. Remus growled as he yanked her to her feet and pulled out his sword, slashing at the bindings. Hermione sagged at her freedom and huffed.

"Thank," she stopped as his hand touched her cheek.

"What happened?" He asked.

"Peter shot me the other day and was trying to finish the job," Hermione sighed.

"Love, why didn't you tell me you knew who shot you?" Sirius huffed.

Hermione glanced away from Remus and breathed. "I wanted to sit down with you and explain the story from my timeline. I knew he was your friend."

Remus groaned and yanked her off her feet. "You bloody stubborn, frustratingly gentle witch," he snarled while throwing her over his shoulder.

"Remus put me down! Are you insane!" Hermione shouted. "You're going to hurt yourself!"

The werewolf grunted as he climbed back up the hill toward the manor. Sirius was in tow behind them, and Hermione relinquished her fight and gazed back at him. The first mate seemed distracted as he kept glancing around while they trekked back up to the property.

They passed the gate, and Sirius shut it before Hermione squirmed. "Put me down," Hermione demanded.

"Take your medicine, love," Sirius sighed.

Hermione moaned and attempted to wiggle from Remus's grip as they climbed the staircase. "Merlin, Remus, please put me down?"

A door slammed open, and she was toppled to a mattress. Hermione righted herself enough to see Sirius had shut the door, leaving them alone in the dim room. She situated on the maroon bedding and tucked her knees below her. Remus was marching around the room, turning on the lanterns.

"Why, why would you endanger your life?" He spat before turning to her.

Hermione grabbed her hair and curled her form. "I wasn't trying to."

"You did, twice!"

"I was prepared for you, but I know you wouldn't hurt me," Hermione spat with a pout.

The werewolf stomped toward her and waved a finger in front of her face. "It's my job to take care of you! Mine! How dare you not report mutinous activity in my crew! How am I supposed to do this if you keep secrets?"

"I'm sorry," she stopped when he gripped her hair.

"Do you know what type of punishment I would administer for the type of insolence you displayed today?" His voice was gruff as her face craned by force to view him.

Her abdomen churned as she stared up into his electric eyes. "I'm sorry." Her eyes were wide and glittering in the low light. "I should have told you."

"You should have," he growled and neared a fraction more. "No more seclusion, witch."

Hermione's lips parted as she nodded in the slightest. "No more," she whispered.

Remus lowered closer to her face as he still wore his sneer. "You will obey me. I may not rule your body or your powers, but you are my charge. That means if I say no, I mean it. Do you understand?"

"Y- yes, Sir," Hermione breathed.

He smelt the air close to her and groaned. "Now, leave me," he grumbled and released her hair.

Hermione had fallen back to the bed and shifted as she tried to right herself. "Yes, of course," she murmured.

Her legs wobbled under her at the swift action of the captain. Hermione was breathing heavily as she crawled around his form and stood. Part of her wanted to bolt from the room, but her limbs wouldn't will it. His hand touched her shoulder. "I'm sorry for being so abrupt," he breathed.

Hermione noted his behavior and caught him just in time. Remus faltered as he released his anger and nearly fell to the floor. Her arms embraced him as she pushed her body against him, stopping him from falling. "Slowly, take it slow," she told him as he panted.

The captain shifted and allowed the witch to place him on the bed. "I was worried," Remus winced.

"I know, I'm sorry," Hermione murmured as she assisted him to the pillows. "I'll help you get into bed and go get the remedies I made you."

Remus grunted as she yanked at his boots. "Witch, why do you have to do this?"

"Because friends help each other, Remus."

"We can't be friends," he grumbled as she threw the boots to the ground.

Hermione stood up and scowled down at the relaxed werewolf. "Why not?"

Remus scrubbed his face and stretched with a grimace. "Because, Miss Granger, I would love nothing more than to keep you. Keep you safe. Gentle, intelligent, kind. The more you do, the more I want you to stay," he finished and rolled away from her. "Please send Sirius in with the remedies."

Hermione shuddered at his dismissal and went to the door. "I'm here for you when you're ready, Captain," she whispered and left the room.

The witch marched down the hallway as Sirius just stared after her. He glanced inside the bedroom to see his captain lounging on the bed. It was an odd circumstance.

Remus was looking at the different maps and orders spayed across his bed as he drank from his mug. After the remedies Hermione supplied, he was feeling substantially better. He could still smell her on his bed. That primal whispering in the back of his mind. It interrupted his plotting as he bent to the bedding and groaned.

He wanted to taste her.

Remus moaned as he sat up and swigged his cup. "Gods be wicked," he huffed.

There was a knock at his door. "Moony, you feelin' hungry?" Sirius asked.

"More than you know. Come on in, Pads," Remus ordered.

Sirius shuffled inside with a tray and scowled. "What's wrong?"

The werewolf waved him off as Sirius sat down. "It's nothing. How's Hermione?"

"She's fine," Sirius mused as he picked at the bread. "She was a bit put out at whatever you did to her."

"I told her we couldn't be friends," Remus grumbled as he picked up the cheese.

"Oh, why is that?"

Remus chewed and huffed. "Because we can't keep her, Pads. We don't need to grow attached."

Sirius shifted and offered his friend a piece of bread. "Well, we could."

"How?" Remus snorted.

"Make her fall in love with the sea, Moony. She already wants us safe. Let's just keep showing her why she belongs here with us. Ever since she showed up, it all seems to be coming together. Why would she be here if she wasn't meant to help us change the world?"

"Yes, but how?"

Sirius arched an eyebrow. "Well, for starters. Maybe you should clean your bloody face up. You look like shite. I don't know how long she'll pine before she smartens up."

Remus snorted and rolled his eyes. "She's not pining."

"Oh? Are you sure? Last I checked she was attempting to take care of you," Sirius snickered.

"Like a puppy," Remus snapped.

"Moony, you're such a tosser. She wanted to bond with you," Sirius huffed.

Remus climbed off the bed and grabbed his cloak. "I'll be right back. Don't drink all the rum."

The captain wandered down the staircase with a struggle and smelt the air to track down the witch. He came to the potency toward the basement. Remus fumbled and tucked around the edge where the entrance was.

"Not like that, girl," Severus snapped.

Hermione rose her sword and fixed her hips. She was in a tight pair of leggings and an odd maroon shirt. The captive captain was out of his cell and had a weapon, but something was strange about their circumstances. Remus didn't have a weapon on him, so he felt it was best to hang back.

Severus held up his sword and slashed at her. Hermione rebutted with a flash and twisted.

"Good, now, where?" Severus asked.

Hermione ducked as he flourished toward her neck and swiped at his legs. Severus jumped and then kicked her, catching her off guard. "Better," he told her.

The witch shook her head and huffed as she sat on the ground. "It's useless."

Severus ran a hand over his hair, and Remus saw it. He had cuffs around his wrists. The werewolf decided it was the best time to make himself known. He stepped down and grunted, causing the witch to glance over at him.

Hermione jumped and gasped. "Remus, it's not what it looks like."

"Pick up your sword, Miss Granger," Remus ordered.

She blinked and climbed off the ground as she grabbed the blade. "Captain," she tried.

"Snape, at the ready," Remus commanded as he walked into the room.

Hermione turned to Severus as he prepared.

"Begin," Remus said.

Severus jumped at her and slashed, but Hermione dodged and flicked her sword. The former Dark Mark captain pivoted to attack her.

"Gain your footing, breathe," Remus remarked.

Hermione faltered just a moment as Severus attacked from his height advantage, but she blocked the strike and slid from his challenge. The witch breathed and repositioned.

"Keep your strength, don't let your stamina wane," Remus coaxed.

This went on for the better part of ten minutes as she scuffed about the basement floor battling Snape. It only ended when Hermione lost her sword, and Severus moved to strike her. The witch pulled out her wand. "Immobilus!" She shouted, and the attacker froze.

Hermione climbed off the floor and panted. "I'm sorry," she huffed.

Remus shook his head. "That was very good. You're learning quickly. Can you fix him?" He gestured to Severus.

Hermione flicked her wand in a pattern, and the man fell forward, losing his sword. Severus swore and smacked his hand on the ground. The witch reached down and assisted him. "My apologies, Severus."

"Bloody fucking witch," Snape huffed.

"You care to explain why you're practicing with our captive?" Remus asked.

Hermione thinned her lips and breathed. "Well, I have a spell over him. He cannot deliver a deadly blow so long as I have it active. I'm sorry I didn't ask, Captain."

Remus wagged a finger at her, and she came forward. Hermione ducked her face down, and his hand went under her chin, lifting it. "Don't you ever give up again. You are the most magnetic woman I've ever met."

"Alright," she breathed.

"Come, let's go over plans for your education," Remus declared.

"Education, Remus?"

Remus nodded and released her chin. "Yes, if you're going to be an officer, I need you to understand your responsibilities."

"And where would you be housing said officer, Lupin," Severus growled.

Remus fixed his shirt and cleared his throat. "In my quarters. She can make her own space," he responded and turned around.

"Come along, Severus, back in the cell," Hermione said.

"Miss Granger, he's your charge now. Decide how you want to house him as long as it's within the property."

Severus smirked and folded his arms. "You're trusting her with a seasoned pirate?"

Hermione flicked her wand at him, and the shackles grew chains and coiled around his neck to create a collar. "Now, you can't leave either."

Remus didn't turn around as he grinned. "Are you both coming?"

"Yes, Captain," Hermione smirked and skipped behind the retreating captain.