'Tell Me Pretty Lies,' by moongirlel

Chapter 63: Lured To The Depths (pt.2)

[My Jolly Sailor Bold - Ashley Serena]

༺ 𓆙 ༻
Mon. 2nd January 1995 - 9:13pm...

Upon stepping into the courtyard, I hear the voices of Cornelius Fudge, Rita Skeeter, and the small group who previously stood in Dumbledore's office. Minus Snape.

"Ah, Miss. Potter." Rita grins, "So wonderful of you to join us. I'm here to oversee your role in this next event, along with your classmates. I hope I'm not going to be much of a bother to you?" She chuckles, waving her quill back and forth, brushing it against my cheek.

"Not at all," I say, gritting my teeth harshly in a forced smile.

"Is that all of us?" Dumbledore piped up, leading us to the stairs, and down to the boathouse.

The further we walked down the slippery stones, my heart began to leap in my chest — Threatening to jump out and escape.

In the distance, long past the water's shore, angelic harmonies weaved between the soft sounds of the crashing waves.

I slowly began to put two-and-two together.

We were the treasure.

Fuck.

With Rita and the Minister behind me, I couldn't turn and run away. Each step I took, my legs began to shake. Soon they won't be able to hold my body weight if my anxiety grew anymore.

"Nervous?" Rita whispered into my ear, "Don't worry, it's only temporary your role... hopefully."

Is her sarcasm a poor attempt to try and make me feel better?

We got instructed to line up on the pier's edge, Dumbledore paced in front of us. "I want you the four of you to remain calm. Your task is well understood to them, and they will cause you no harm, unless you provoke them to think otherwise."

"'Them,' Professor?" Cho asked.

"Why yes, I forgot to tell you. Merpeople." Dumbledore said, waving in the direction of the dark water. Taking a shell out of his pocket, he blew into it.

My mouth went dry. My hands became clammy as I turned to what he was pointing at. Who he was pointing at.

Air bubbles, and ripples within the water traveled from the vast surface of the lake. Soon, a few heads broke the surface, their skin covered in scales.

For a split second, they looked horrific, and demonic; until the moonlight hit their skin and they became flawless in all their beauty. A temptation for anyone desperate enough for love. One blink and you could of missed the short transformation.

Their leader swam forward, resting her arms on the wooden deck. "Such a gorgeous night for the moon light, Professor." She hissed, a hint of flirtation in her tone.

"Why yes." Dumbledore tilts his head up, the full moon bright in the sky. He seemed completely unaffected by her voice. "Lyliana, I would like you to meet the four younger ladies I've given the task to."

She blinks slowly, taking a moment to look us over. "They will do nicely."

"Yes. And our deal still stands." He adds.

Rita scribbled down some notes, and the creature snapped her head towards the sound. With one swift swish of her tail, she knocked her book and quill into the water.

"Thank you, Rita." Dumbledore raised his hand, to prevent her from arguing. "You won't be needing to take notes. Your visible witness is enough, I'm sure?"