Chapter Two: Kidnapped…Again
Hermione tried to run from the men and she almost succeeded had one not stepped on the gown. She turned and it ripped in half. She heard the men laughing till it turned to a groan and she saw her cousin standing there. She took her hand and felt her cousin wrap the material back around her and take a hair pin and fix it so it wouldn't fall off.
"So you do care about each other? Here I thought you were just friends." Captain Blaise Zabini said as he walked down from the helm.
"What would a sea pirate like you know of friends?" Markia asked as she placed Hermione behind her and stood her ground.
"Markia, please…" Hermione whispered as she begged her cousin to not irritate the captain.
"So, Markia is it? What's that stand for? Markisha?" Blaise asked as he smirked at her.
"That is none of your business." Markia said as she felt him grab her throat.
"Then I supposed I should feed you to the sharks." Blaise said as he glared at her with his dark brown eyes.
"Do what you want with me. I do not care. Just do not hurt the other girls." Markia said as she watched Blaise back up a bit and release her.
"You are truly an interesting character my dear. Do you seriously think I would harm any one of you lovely ladies?" Blaise asked as he looked at his men.
"But…You're a pirate. Aren't all pirates supposed to hurt women and children?" Ginny asked as she peeked around Markia after escaping from her hold.
Blaise Zabini had never been insulted in his life and he looked at the little princess behind the woman talking to him. He looked at the three women in front of him and realized that they were scared but also one was freezing due to his men tearing the gown.
"Captain, maybe this would be a good time to get them in better gowns. I really don't think that heavy wedding gown will stay pinned like that forever." Marcus said gaining Markia's attention.
Markia looked at Marcus and felt the entire world disappear but she knew he would never want her. No one ever wanted her. She was not that special unlike her cousin. She looked at the captain and then raised an eyebrow as he held his hand out.
"Neither one of you will be harmed on my vessel. Please make your selves at home and there are a few gowns in the cabin for your use." Blaise said as he watched Markia guide the other two to the cabin and shut the door.
"Captain, you may have lost the cabin." Draco said as he headed up to the crow's nest.
"It's alright. Let's head home." Blaise said as they sailed towards the Isle of Versade.
Hermione looked at her cousin and then watched her unpin the gown as it fell to the ground. She then stepped into the modest baby blue gown with diamonds on the hem. She felt the satin glide down her skin and then looked at her cousin. Markia was taking the veil off of her head when she noticed Hermione looking at her.
"What?" Markia asked as she moved to Ginny and helped her dress in an orange modest cut gown with snakes at the hem.
"Were you trying to get us killed?!" Hermione asked as she watched her cousin set the bridal wear on the bed and then looked at the last gown.
"No. I was trying to keep you alive and from exposing your body to those bloody idiots." Markia said as she glanced at the low cut bodice of the last gown of deep blue with flames on the hem.
"Markia, you should have just stayed quiet!" Hermione said as she helped her cousin in the gown. Ginny helped Markia with the hem as it hit the floor.
"Markia, can I ask you a question?" Ginny asked as she watched the girl look at her.
"What?" Markia asked as she looked in the mirror and then looked around to find a cloak to cover the stupid gown bodice.
"Well…how come you don't talk to begin with? I mean you saved us from ridicule but I don't understand why you don't talk otherwise." Ginny asked when she saw Hermione sit on the bed.
"I was hurt too many times before so I keep my mouth shut. Not to mention my parents died when I was a young age. I have never been loved by anyone other than Hermione. So she's my lifeline." Markia said as she felt Hermione take her hand.
"I'm sorry Markia. I'm scared." Hermione said as she felt her cousin kneel before her.
"Look at it this way…we'll have one last adventure before I'm shipped off to somewhere else." Markia said as Hermione hugged her and the girls laughed.
That afternoon, Marcus was swabbing the deck when he saw Markia standing by the port side of the ship. He had seen the other two up with the other men but wondered where Markia was. As he watched her, he noticed the gown fit her like a glove and showed her curves off. He didn't realize he was staring till he heard her voice.
"Staring is not polite. Didn't you know that?" Markia said as she turned from staring out at the sea.
"Forgive me. I was lost in thought." Marcus said as he watched her cross her arms under her ample breasts.
He was going to kill the boys if he found out who gave her the gown she had on. It was of deep blue silk with flames on the hem of the gown. He was not sure if he could stand to be in her presence right now.
"What is your name?" Markia asked as she moved closer to him.
"Marcus." Marcus said as he watched her stop by his side.
"Nice to meet you Marcus." Markia said as she felt the wind start to blow harder.
"There's a storm coming. You should get back inside the Captain's cabin." Marcus said as he started for his post.
"Marcus, will I see you afterwards?" Markia asked as she looked at him.
"I am at your mercy my lady." Marcus said as he headed to his post and watched her head inside the cabin with the other girls.
Hermione was standing on the deck when she heard the Captain's voice behind her. She turned and then bowed her head as she felt him stand next to her. He was a good looking man and she had never felt anything like she felt with him.
"Forgive me for earlier, Princess. I am sorry if I troubled you." Blaise said as he watched her continue to bow her head.
"It's alright Captain. I guess I should have known the gown would have been torn eventually." Hermione said as she felt the wind a bit but not much.
"A wedding gown is no ship gown. I must say though that was a beautiful gown." Blaise said as he saw her blush a bit.
"Thank you. Markia made it herself. She'll kill me now that I've told you that." Hermione said as she felt him take her hand.
"Princess, maybe we should start by letting each other know our names. I can't keep calling you Princess all the time." Blaise said as he saw her finally look up at him and he felt himself fall into those deep brown eyes.
"My name is Hermione." Hermione said as she felt the air sucked right out of her as she gazed into his eyes.
"A pleasure to meet you Princess Hermione. I'm Captain Blaise Zabini." Blaise said as he felt her move closer to him.
Hermione felt a pull to Blaise like she had never felt before. She wanted to be lost in his arms and never go back. She was realizing that her destiny had yet to be written. She needed this adventure.
"The pleasure is all mine Captain." Hermione said as she placed her hand in his. Blaise took her hand and then felt the wind start to pick up. He looks up over the horizon and watched the wind blow the sails hard.
"Hermione, can you please go back into the cabin till I come get you. A storm is coming and I'd rather you not get hurt." Blaise said as he kissed her hand and then let it slide out of his.
"Okay. Will I see you afterwards?" Hermione asked as she saw him smile and run his fingers down her cheek.
"Of course." Blaise said as he headed up to the helm.
Hermione saw Markia waiting at the door with Ginny and she knew that they would be safe on this ship.
Ginny had been walking along the deck when she bumped into a strong chest. She looked up into the cold blue eyes of the first mate and quickly scrambled back. She watched as he bowed his head and then turned away from her.
"Pardon me milady. I didn't mean to scare you." The Frist mate said as he kept his face turned form her.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that. I was just…" Ginny said as she saw his shake his head.
"I'm actually used to being shunned my lady. This ship is the only home I know." He said as he glanced at her through his hair.
"I'm Ginny. What's your name?" Ginny asked as she moved towards him.
"Draco. My friends call me Drake, but you my lady can call me whatever you see fit." Draco said when he felt her small hand on his.
"I think Draco will be fine and it means dragon to begin with." Ginny said when she heard shouting.
Draco looked up and then looked down at her fully to see a beautiful firefly masking the true fire vixen inside. He bowed his head quickly as she looked at him and he spoke through the hair surrounding his face.
"A storm is upon us milady. It would best if you joined your friends in the cabin. Please?" Draco asked as he headed to the port side.
"Draco?" Ginny called as she moved after him.
"Yes milady?" Draco asked as he grabbed the rigging.
"Will you please be safe during the storm? I would really like to get to know you a little better." Ginny said as she placed a hand on his arm.
"If that is your wish milady." Draco replied as he climbed the rigging.
"GINNY!" Markia yelled as she held open the door to the cabin.
Ginny ran to her and entered the cabin right before Hermione entered. Markia entered right after them and shut the door. Blaise locked the door making sure it was secure and then headed to the helm.
"Alright men! Let's battle through this storm!" Blaise said as he grabbed the wheel.
The entire night the ship rocked back and forth with the waves. Going up and down as Blaise kept the ship going. The men did everything they could to keep the rigging secure and they did. It was morning before Blaise unlocked the door to his cabin and looked in on the three young ladies. He walked in and saw two asleep, but one was awake and he noticed it was Hermione. She was sitting at the window and staring across the horizon.
"Hermione, are you alright?" Blaise asked as he quietly moved towards her and helped her stand.
"Yes. I just couldn't sleep any longer. The girls could but I just couldn't." Hermione said as she heard Markia stir and open her eyes.
"I mean no harm before you try to kill me Miss Markia." Blaise said as he watched the girl stand and look at him before grabbing a silver blade off the table.
"If I had thought you were a threat Captain, I would have slit your throat by now. Not all rumors of your name are true. You have not hurt us and I doubt you would hurt children. So men who bring these rumors are fools." Markia said as she strapped the blade to her thigh and let the gown fall to the floor.
"I appreciate the honesty. We are about to dock in a small village we are known in. Would you ladies like us to pick you up some things?" Blaise asked as he suddenly heard a small whimper and looked at the bed.
Markia moved to Ginny and brushed her hair back from her face. Ginny stopped whimpering but stayed curled up in a ball as she slept.
"No Captain. We can't think of anything we need unless Markia wants a different gown that she's not going to burst out of." Hermione said as Markia glared at her.
"I apologize for that. It was the only gown I thought would fit her." Blaise said as he bowed his head in apology.
"A cloak would be nice so I'm not exposing myself to your crew." Markia said as she sat beside Ginny.
"I will see what I can find. What would Miss Ginny like?" Blaise asked as Hermione and Markia looked at each other.
"There are several things she wants but none of which can be bought." Markia finally answered and Blaise knew exactly what she meant. Miss Ginny had been hurt too many times so she was afraid of men and never asked for anything.
"Would she object to a new gown?" Blaise said as the girls shook their heads.
"We will not object to clothes Captain. Just baubles cannot win our trust." Hermione said as she realized here on this ship she could be herself.
"Very well. I'll leave Marcus and Draco to guard you all while I go ashore with the rest of the men. Please don't escape." Blaise said as he headed towards the door.
"And go where? Back to the ship where we're not wanted and Hermione is being pawned off like a sheep? No thank you. I think we'll stay right here." Markia said as she looked at Hermione and smirked.
Hermione rolled her eyes as she watched the captain leave the room and shut the door. She then turned on her cousin and threw a pillow at her.
"What the hell did you say that for?" Hermione asked as she tried not to wake Ginny.
"It's the truth Mia. Would you rather continue to live a lie?" Markia asked as she gently moved from the bed.
"No, but he doesn't need to know that." Hermione said as she looked at her cousin.
"Oh please! It's not the worst thing I could have told him." Markia said as she got hit with a pillow again.
Blaise looked at all the clothing he had grabbed and hoped it was to the three beauties' liking on his ship. There was something about Princess Hermione that he just wanted to bring her everything in the world. He remembered her saying that baubles wouldn't win their trust, but he had seen three different necklaces the same colors as each girl's eyes. He had bought them and hoped the girls would like them but he knew it wouldn't win their trust.
"Captain Zabini, did you acquire some new guests?" The shopkeeper asked as he watched Blaise with curious eyes.
"I have Loraz. They are three beautiful ladies who deserve the best fabric for gowns and I know that the necklaces won't win their trust, but I hope they like them." Blaise said as he paid for everything.
"I'm sure they will find that you will protect them with your own life before any harm comes to them." Loraz said as he watched Blaise head out of the store.
Blaise stepped aboard his ship when he heard arguing and saw Marcus and Draco standing in front of the cabin door arguing with a few of the men. He was about to say something when the door swung open and Markia stepped out of the room and glared at the men standing there.
"Can you idiots not do anything other than argue over things that are meaningless?" Markia asked as the men bowed their heads as she stood there in front of them.
"Sorry Miss Markia. We didn't mean to disturb you and your friends. It's just rumors were heard of your name alone. We were curious." Adrian Pucey, the Cook said as he looked at Markia.
"Pray tell me what rumors are those?" Markia asked as she saw Blaise.
"Just that your parents were traitors to their king." Adrian said as he bowed his head.
"Mr. Pucey, that's not a rumor…that is the truth. Only they betrayed the king because of what the king did to my brother and I as small children. My brother and I were captives of the King and were forced to watch our parents hang for their treachery. My brother was the foolish one and tried to kill the king, but I myself just ran. Call me a coward and I'll be fine, call my family cowards or traitors and you'll find out how well I know how to use a sword. Now keep it down or I will push you four overboard." Markia said as shut the door to the cabin.
"Miss Markia we are sorry. We didn't know." Adrian said as he walked away with his head hung low.
Blaise looked at Marcus and Draco and they both went to calm Adrian as he knocked on the door. He heard Markia bade him entry and found her sitting by the table while Hermione and Ginny were playing a game on the floor. He carefully moved around them and set the garments down on the bed and then looked at Markia.
"Miss Markia, the men aren't calling you anything." Blaise said as Markia looked up at him.
"I am aware of that sir, but all they had to do was ask me and I would have told them. I'm not ashamed of what my family did, because my parents weren't going to bow down to a greed hungry jerk who used children as tools and sex toys." Markia asked as she continued to sharpen her knife.
"I apologize. Here are several new gowns for you three and I know that you said baubles wouldn't win your trust but I hope you can still accept them." Blaise said as he handed each woman the necklace matching their eyes.
"Thank you Captain. It is beautiful." Ginny said as she looked up at him and had tears in her eyes.
"Lady Ginny, I do not wish to bring tears to your eyes. I just wanted to show you that I will not harm you in anyway." Blaise said as he handed her a handkerchief to wipe her eyes.
Ginny nodded her head and wiped her eyes as she held the necklace close to her chest. Blaise was worried now and he looked at Markia for help. Markia looked up at him and smiled a soft smile for the first time being on the ship.
"You are the first male to ever show her any kindness. That's why she's crying. You have done nothing wrong. She's just happy." Markia said as she stared at the necklace in her hand and then placed it on the table as she continued to sharpen her knife.
Blaise looked at Ginny and saw her stand from the floor and head to the mirror. She tried to latch the necklace, but her hands were so nervous. She turned to Blaise and looked at him.
"Will you help me Captain? Please?" Ginny asked very softly and Blaise nodded as he moved to her.
Hermione smiled as she watched her best friend enjoy the small gift, but she looked at Markia and noticed that she kept sharpening her knives. Something was wrong. Markia never sat there and sharpened her knives for hours on end before.
"Miss Hermione, Miss Markia, may I help you both with your necklaces?" Blaise asked as he saw Hermione nod her head.
"Yes Captain, you may help me with the necklace. Markia, don't you need help?" Hermione asked as she saw her cousin lift her head from the knife and nod.
Blaise helped each of the girls latch their necklaces when he heard yelling on the deck and he excused himself from the room. Hermione took the opportunity to look at Markia and ask her some questions.
"Markia, what is wrong that you are sharpening all your knives for?" Hermione asked as Ginny joined her back on the floor for their game.
Markia looked up at her cousin and then back at her knife she was sharpening when there were gunshots. She stopped and immediately went to the door and locked it.
"Markia…" Hermione went to say something when she was pushed down and hidden behind a large chest. Ginny followed and kept her scream in as Markia threw a blanket over them and the chest. Hermione and Ginny only heard the scream from Markia as the door burst open and they kept their mouth shut as they heard commotion.
One thought flew through Hermione's mind though…Who wanted Markia that bad that they would attack a pirate ship?