With the exception of Mirabella Plunkett in the 1800s, the idea of merfolk and wizarding kind mingling together was unheard of, and otherwise, considered to be taboo. Born to a mermaid and wizard, Nixie Dover is believed to be the first of her kind...
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Henry and Lyall did not return for hours after leaving Nixie and Remus in the care of Amelia Bones. However, neither of the children seemed to mind their absence as they continued to get to know each other. Sitting at her father's desk, Nixie took the opportunity to point out the moving photographs that showed captured memories of her growing up or photographs that Henry took when he was younger and travelling around the world.
Every so often Amelia would return to check in on them to make sure they were alright and staying out of trouble before she was whisked away for some unknown task, but they hardly seemed to notice for the most part.
"This is Bean," Nixie told Remus, holding out a photo of Bean as a puppy. Remus took hold of it to get a closer look, watching as the puppy ran about in circles, attempting to chase not one but both tails that were attached to him.
"He has two tails!" Remus exclaimed. "How does he have two tails?"
"Because he's a Crup pup," she said knowingly, "it's required by law to get the second tail removed when they are around six to eight weeks old. That way they look like normal dogs to muggles, but my daddy says Bean can't be around muggles anyways."
"Why not?"
"Well, he said that Crups don't really get along with muggles or squibs, they only really get along with magic folk. Not sure why. I don't think Bean has a mean bone in his body but then again, I've never seen him around a muggle, so I guess I wouldn't know."
It was quiet for a moment as Nixie noticed the slight frown on Remus' expression, making her wonder if she had said something offensive. But before she could think of what she had said wrong, Remus spoke first.
"I guess I won't introduce any Crup to my mother," he said quietly, "she's a muggle."
"Oh, I didn't know," Nixie said, feeling a sense of awkwardness wash over them. "But it doesn't matter, does it? Bean will always listen to my dad; he wouldn't do anything so I think your mum would be okay."
Remus didn't seem all that convinced by her attempt to steer the direction of the conversation, leaving Nixie to try and find another photograph to change the topic. Opening the drawers of her father's desk, she started rummaging through scrolls, thinking there had to be more and she was right. Tucked at the bottom of one drawer was another photograph labelled "Meri" on the back.
Picking it up, Nixie turned it over and let out a small gasp that caused Remus to look over immediately. He glanced over her shoulder to see her holding up the photograph of a young woman, who was smiling and waving in the direction of the camera. There had been a strong wind the day the photo had been taken, judging by how her dark hair was being blown all over, leaving her to push it out of her face.
"Who is that?" Remus asked.
"It's The Woman," Nixie whispered just loud enough for him to hear, "she's real. I've seen her before in my dreams. Sometimes she comes to me and sings, but she's real."
