Work Text:
Harry never expected to be this happy on the sea.
Standing at the side of the room, Harry observed the celebrating pirates with fondness. It was only a year ago that Harry set sail, running away from a life he hated, and it was definitely the best decision ever made. With these men and women who most called evil and cruel, Harry had found a second family.
The Knight Pirates were some of the fiercest pirates out there, which Harry found hard to believe most days when he saw the antics the crew got up to. It was rare that Harry got to see the dark and cruel side of the pirates but Harry was not blind to it. It was a side to them that existed and Harry loved them all despite it.
The world was not a kind place. It was filled with greed and corruption, filled with people always wanting power and money. Most of these people, Harry knew, were victims of the society they lived in, and had found one another because of it. They had found a place in a world that didn’t have a place for them.
They found a place because someone forced the world to give them a place, even if it was as pirates.
“Are you not going to join the celebrations, darling?” a silky voice spoke into his ear.
Harry didn’t even jump. He had gotten used to being startled by this bastard as said person delighted in getting a reaction from him.
“In a second,” he murmured, “I’m trying to reminisce here, you know.”
The voice laughed and moved in front of him, giving Harry the chance to see the grin on Tom’s face.
Captain Voldemort, they called him. A name Tom chose for himself, though only the people outside the crew actually did. To Harry, he was always Tom, and to his crew, Marvolo, maybe Riddle if Tom was feeling generous.
Voldemort was thought to be the cruelest and most monstrous person on the seven seas. It was a reputation earned through the torture of the navy officers trying to catch the Knight Pirates and his robbing and occasional killing of a noble. Harry had seen for himself, several times at this point.
He had been frightened, initially. Harry, despite what he might say, grew up sheltered from the bad of the world. Growing up as a noble, Harry never saw bloodshed or needless violence. The most was from training in swordsmanship and even then, his parents never let it get too far.
Harry had learned, however, while he was traveling. He saw crimes being committed daily, from robberies to rape to homicide. Harry himself had committed a couple of crimes while trying to evade his parents, which he used to be ashamed of. He wasn’t anymore.
Tom took it to a whole other level, though. He could be both cruelly thoughtful and impulsive. Tom’s preferred method was to figure out how someone ticked and use it against them to make them cooperate. Sometimes, he just used his knife to cut someone up for fun.
Despite all that, Harry could not deny that he loved Tom. To Harry, Tom was his partner in life, something close to a soulmate. They were equals in all the ways that matter. They say like calls to like and Harry could not deny his own dark tendencies, brought to light by Tom.
“Are you feeling nostalgic today? I know you rarely think that hard, so be careful dearest,” Tom teased, once again turning Harry’s attention towards him.
Harry rolled his eyes at that. Tom was a possessive bastard, always wanting Harry’s attention since Harry refused him when he was first captured by the infamous pirate captain. Harry knew, without a doubt, that if he tried to run away, Tom would find him. Maybe that was a sign of an unhealthy relationship but that was the way it was and Harry would have it no different.
“I’m pretty sure my brain works harder than yours,” Harry teased back, enjoying the eye roll Tom gave him. It was rare to get that much of a reaction from him but maybe Tom was relaxing for once because of the party.
“Of course, it is,” Tom said condescendingly, “But what could you possibly be occupied with instead of me? It is our day after all.”
Indeed, it was. Pirates could not have weddings considering they were wanted criminals, but they had ceremonies where the couple would pledge themselves to each other for eternity. During Harry’s time on the Death Eater , which was their ship, Harry had been witness to a wedding between crewmates. It was a simple but beautiful wedding and Harry was sure he never saw two people as happy as the couple was. Harry was sure he and Tom would be just as happy on their own wedding day.
Tom and Harry’s own wedding would be more extravagant than the crewmate’s wedding, considering it was their captain getting married. Tom also had a thing for the dramatics so Harry knew their wedding would be as grand as it could be while sailing. Personally, he would have preferred a simpler wedding, but he knew he would never get that between Tom and the crew.
Harry laughed internally at that thought. The people on the crew were some of the most bloodthirsty he met but the minute they weren’t planning on attacking someone or running from the navy, they were downright silly.
Bellatrix, who was clinically insane, Harry was sure, was probably the most enthusiastic about the wedding. She had done all the planning and all Harry and Tom had to do was choose between two options if there were any. It was vastly different from the person Harry had seen chop off limbs to let them die of blood loss before healing them and doing it all over again.
“Of course, I’m sorry, Tom,” Harry apologized, “I’m just… thinking about how we got here, is all.”
Tom let a soft smile show on his face, only for Harry. “Apology accepted,” he replied, “It is quite fascinating to think that an ex-noble turned pirate would marry the most notorious pirate out there.”
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Harry admitted.
“Of course, my dear,” Tom once again replied, “After all, you belong with me.”
After their conversation, Harry ended up joining the party after all. They passed him from person to person, who all wished him and Tom the best of wishes and happiness. They were all emotional about it too, crying and saying they never thought they would see the day. Harry knew they were partly joking but their care made him feel warm inside, anyway.
Currently, they were docked on an island, down the shore from the city, of course, to get supplies for the wedding, which would take place a couple of days after they set sail again. Bellatrix all but dragged Harry down to the clothing store to get him more formal clothes for the occasion.
As they winded through the crowded streets, Harry felt uneasy. It wasn’t often that Harry was nervous or scared but he brushed it aside as wedding jitters. They were getting closer to the tailor’s shop when it happened.
Two men stood in front of Bellatrix, both tall with muscles that would make anyone nervous except for a pirate. Bellatrix only smiled at the two while asking what was wrong. Harry, trying to keep his head down so no one would notice him, didn’t realize that two men came up from behind them until it was too late.
Harry felt two large arms grab him and before he could protest, they covered his mouth with a cloth and Harry saw darkness. The last thing he saw was Bellatrix looking at him in panic before she too was knocked out.
When Harry awoke, he was in a luxury room, one he recognized with ease. He groaned at his own stupidity. The island they were on was a frequent stop for people, even nobles because of its beautiful beaches. The Potter family also had a home and Harry was sure his parents made sure the island was on high alert for him. The Knight Pirates would usually stay away from such places, however; they wanted to hold the wedding as soon as possible and the only island close by was this one.
Despite him being gone for so long, Harry was still being pursued to come back home. It annoyed him greatly but there was nothing he could do about it. Tom suggested faking his death but as much as Harry hated expectations placed on him, he still loved his family and knew his death would destroy them.
A door being opened broke Harry out of his thoughts. A servant came in with some clothes, looking at the runaway heir in relief.
“Thank God you are awake, Young Master Harry. I have some spare clothes for you to change out of…those,” the servant said, eyeing his common clothes in disdain.
Harry took one look at the fancy clothes he used to wear all the time. “No,” he said forcefully, “I am fine with my own clothes, thank you. Please escort me to my parents.”
He didn’t know how long he had been unconscious, but he knew his parents would come as soon as possible. Harry might as well get the confrontation over with as soon as possible before Tom stormed the place to get him back. He knew Tom was planning something already.
“Are you sure, young master?” the servant questioned but with a glare from said young master, the servant quickly told Harry to follow him.
As they went through the halls Harry had roamed when he was just a child, Harry could only feel his resentment grow. He didn’t want to be back here. He had once considered this place another home, besides their main one. He had happy memories here for sure but when Harry thought of home now, he could only think of the blue sea and the decks of a ship, a ship with Tom on it.
The servant led him to the living room and for the first time in a year, Harry was face to face with his parents and siblings, who looked at him with relief and love. Harry felt emotional looking at them but those feelings were quickly washed away and replaced with anger.
“Harry!” his mother, Duchess Lily Potter, exclaimed, moving forward to hug the boy.
Harry allowed himself to be hugged but didn’t reciprocate it. Lily, feeling that, stepped back, and flinched at the cold look her son gave her.
“Welcome back, son,” Duke James Potter greeted before the situation became awkward.
His siblings waved at him but didn’t speak. Harry didn’t have the best relationship with his siblings because of his status as the heir. He was constantly in lessons all the time and had no time to act like a child and play with them. They loved each other for sure but that was about it.
“We’re glad to have you back, brother,” his sister said, smiling at him politely.
“I can’t say the same,” Harry replied coldly.
His family looked even more taken aback. Lily and James glanced at each before Lily once again stepped forward with a smile.
“Where have you been all this time? We were so worried,” she asked him calmly.
His answer was vague. “Around.”
“We’ll need a bit more than that, Mister. You have a lot of explaining to do. You can’t just run off like that, especially as an heir!” James scolded.
Harry couldn’t help but laugh at that statement. Of course, it was because of that. He was their son second and the heir first. His life was set in stone from the moment he was born as the eldest. He would never fully be their son. His siblings got everything when they were young while he just got lessons and lectures on one day leading their land. It was why he ran away.
“Of course,” he said bitterly, “Have you ever considered that was why I ran away?”
The pure venom in his voice made his parents flinch. Harry didn’t care. Let them fear him. He was sure if he cared anymore. He would always be grateful to them for raising him and he would always cherish the few memories where they were actually family, but no more. It was time for him to go back to his actual home.
“Let me be very clear. I only came here because I was forced to. If it were up to me, you would have never found me. I only came to see you to cut our ties. From now on, I am just Harry. I am no longer a Potter and no longer your precious heir . Thank you for your hospitality but I will be leaving now.”
With his mini-rant done, Harry went to turn around but someone reached out and grabbed his arm before he could. He tore his arm away and turned back to his family’s hurt expressions.
“Harry, we’re sorry! We didn’t mean it like that. We’re happy you’re back, son,” James tried to rectify his earlier comment but Harry wasn’t having it.
“No, I am done. Now, let me leave before you truly regret it,” Harry replied threateningly.
“Harry, we can’t let you leave until we make things right,” James tried once again.
Harry looked at the man who was his father. He looked at the man who raised him, who he once laughed with, and sighed.
“Sorry,” he said, as a door was slammed open and a servant rushed in, “but you’re too late.”
“Sire!” the man shouted, panting for breath, “P-pirates! They’re invading!”
“What? How did they get through the guards?” James questioned, turning his attention away from his son.
Harry knew it could only be one crew, and that was confirmed by the servant saying, “It was the Knight Pirates! They overwhelmed everyone immediately.”
Harry saw his father pale at those words and turned to him. Harry didn’t even bother to hide his pleased smile and saw his father close his eyes in resignation.
“Escort Mr. Harry to them as quickly as possible,” he ordered the servant before turning his attention back to Harry.
“We are no match for them. We ask for mercy from the Knight Pirates in exchange for giving them a crewmate back,” James told him.
“I will make sure our Captain gives some mercy towards you. You were once my family and I will repay you by stopping my crew from wreaking further havoc,” Harry told him formally.
James nodded in agreement and held out his hand for Harry to shake. He did so, looking at his former family for the last time.
“Stay safe,” Lily told him, giving him a shaky smile while also looking like she might cry.
“You will always have a home here,” James told him, his voice wavering near the end.
Harry nodded at both their words and with his head held high, walked away from his first family. He held mixed feelings about them though he was glad they let him go. As the servant escorted him back to the family he found for himself, Harry felt free.
And as a head of dark brown hair came into view, followed by a fiercely scowling face, Harry felt warm. He saw the moment Tom realized he was there and didn’t hesitate to rush into his arms.
“Are you okay, darling?” Tom asked, clearly taken aback.
“I am,” he said, “Now take me home.”
And Tom, never one to deny his lover, did precisely that.