Care of a Magical Creature (Mer Levi x Witch Reader)

Year 7 (Part 1)

You had spent the past four years devoting yourself to the study of Transfiguration – even doing independent research outside of class. You weren't quite sure how you managed to keep up with your ever-growing workload, especially when you were made a prefect in your fifth year and Head Girl in your seventh. Thank Merlin for the wizard or witch who invented wakefulness potions.

Naturally, Professor McGonagall noticed your dedication to her subject, and you had to reassure her that your end goal was not to transfigure yourself into an unregistered animagus. However, when you asked if the animagus potion could be used to transfigure a magical creature into a human, she caught on to your true aim. After all, while you didn't exactly go around announcing that you were best friends with a merman, you also didn't particularly try to hide it.

Unfortunately, the animagus potion could only be used by witches and wizards, though Professor McGonagall did mention the potential for a witch's animagus form to be a magical creature – such as a mermaid. However, while you thought it would be cool to join Levi in the Black Lake, you couldn't stay there indefinitely. You had ambitions to work toward in the wizarding world, and for all the effort and risk that went into the animagus potion, you were much better off just using a Bubblehead Charm if you wanted to go swimming with Levi. Besides, he had told you that he wanted to walk on land again, so the only option was to somehow give him legs.

Professor McGonagall helped you as much as she could, but even she'd never heard of a witch or wizard transfiguring a magical creature. After all, most magical creatures weren't apt to drinking potions or having spells cast on them – especially merpeople, who rarely consented to interact with witches and wizards. Thus, you didn't exactly have much to go on.

But despite the obstacles, your resourcefulness and determination finally led you to the answer. Here, at last, was the culmination of four years of hard work and all-nighters. After testing it out on several different fish and being met with unwavering success, you raced to the Black Lake, excitedly calling the mer's name.

Sure enough, his head and shoulders popped above the water at the end of the dock. "Shut up. You're always too –" he started to say before cutting off suddenly, his eyes widening as they stared at your face. "You did it," he breathed, more of a statement than a question.

Still, you nodded eagerly, holding out a bucket of legged fish to show him.

"Tch. Like that's not creepy," he uttered, eyeing the bucket with disgust before returning his attention to you. A slight hesitation entered his expression as he asked, "So...are we doing this now?"

"Only if you're comfortable," you assured him, setting the bucket aside. "I'd understand if you don't want to. After all, I've never done this to a mer before."

He shook his head. "I trust you. Let's do it."

You couldn't help smiling as he hauled himself onto the dock, your heart warmed by his faith in you. Then you took a deep breath, telling yourself to focus as you recalled each word and wand movement you needed to perform. "Okay. Hold still for me."

Levi nodded.

You took another deep breath before beginning the incantation. At the start, nothing happened. But as you continued the spell, you watched with wide eyes as Levi's tail shortened and separated, his scales disappearing until they were completely replaced by skin.

"Holy..." Levi breathed, unable to even form a sentence as he stared down at his legs. He wiggled his toes, then his feet, as if testing to see if they worked. His eyes marveled at them before traveling up, and up, and...

"Oh!" you exclaimed as you hastily averted your eyes, a crimson blush heating your face. "I mean...um..." You took off your robe, then held it out for him. "Here."