A/N: Written for Hogwarts assignment 3 Cryptology: task 3 - Write a pirate!AU

Warning for animal cruelty and mentions of death.

Word count: 817

Luna considered herself an empathetic person. That was a big part of why she did what she did, but there was one group of people she'd never be able to feel sympathy for. And, unfortunately for Mulciber, he was one of them.

She scowled down at him where he was tied helplessly to the bow of his ship. He glared back, desperately trying to hold onto the remaining dregs of his dignity.

"You can't do this," he snarled. "The Royal Navy will hunt you down."

Rolf stepped up beside her, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek before he joined her in scowling at Mulciber.

"What's new about that? The Royal Navy has been chasing us since we redirected our first shipment of pangolins."

"Stole the shipment you mean."

Luna couldn't help but laugh. "Can it be considered stealing when we returned them to their home? If anything, you're the ones doing the stealing, ripping innocent animals from their homes and taking them to foreign places where they'll be mistreated. Having the approval of the government doesn't make it morally right."

Mulciber laughed. "It does matter, lass. It's why I'll live out my old age in riches instead of being executed."

Luna ignored the comment. She was well aware of the risks she'd signed up for, but it did little to dissuade her from her mission. Perhaps she would be executed one day, but at least she would die with the comfort of knowing she'd saved thousands of animals from worse fates.

She turned to Rolf. "Are all the peafowl on board?"

Her husband nodded. "Neville just took the last cage. They'll be settled below deck now, as comfortable as they can be until we reach India."

They both knew the conditions were far from adequate. They'd done their best to outfit their ship with everything they'd need regardless of the situations they found themselves in, but there was only so much comfort they could provide on a ship, especially with so many animals. They had to make do.

Mulciber strained against his bindings. "Are you going to leave us like this? For someone who loves beasts the way you do, you're awfully cruel to your fellow man."

Rolf waved a dismissive hand. "We've tied your knots loose enough that you'll break free if you try hard enough. We'll be long gone by the time that happens."

Mulciber fought harder against the restraints, but Luna and Rolf both ignored him. Together, they navigated over the side of Mulciber's ship and onto their own that floated parallel beside it.

As soon as they were onboard, their crew above deck began the work of pulling away from Mulciber's ship. Luna watched as it grew smaller across the water. Rolf stood at her side, only speaking when they could no longer make out the figure of Mulciber on the ship's deck.

"We saved the peafowl, but something still bothers you."

Luna sighed and ran a hand over her forehead, which was damp with sweat in the high afternoon sun.

"We saved the birds, but there will be more in the future. Even if Mulciber and his crew don't survive, there will always be others."

Rolf's hand found her back. "That's why we resolved not to resort to murder except in the most extreme cases."

Luna nodded absentmindedly. She hadn't changed her mind about that. They were more than willing to use violence against those who were already violent. They had even killed humans before. On the sea, such things were unavoidable, but the one boundary they'd decided against was killing when it wasn't needed. They both knew it made little difference in the steady stream of animals crossing the sea.

"I know." She thought of the peafowl below deck. "We both know Lucius Malfoy and his horrid breeding programme is behind this."

Everyone knew of the nobleman's obsession with breeding more white peacocks after he'd been presented with one such specimen by a merchant who'd just returned from India. London's elite circles often gossiped about his attempts, which had so far ended in failure. None of them cared about the countless birds he abused and killed when they failed to produce what he wanted.

"Yes," Rolf said with a sigh. "I knew as soon as we saw the birds."

Lucius Malfoy and others like him were the reason killing Mulciber would mean nothing. He lived safely in London, out of Luna and Rolf's reach. If they killed Mulciber, Malfoy would find someone else to fetch birds for him. If anything, their job would be harder as they struggled to keep up with which ships were carrying the animals. At least Mulciber was a familiar foe.

"Let's go check on our rescues." Rolf took her hand, gently tugging her away from the railing.

Luna nodded. She needed a good reminder of why she kept doing this when nothing ever really changed.