My Heart Remembers Differently

Something Fishy Going On

How to approach a merman was not part of the information I had read.  Most of the research is all the same.  Stay away!!!  I make sure that I am no where near the watery edge of the lake as the strange, beautiful male merman edges closer.  I suppose he could be called the King.  His dark green and blue hair falls down his back like a mixture of seaweed.  The crown of coral and shells on his broad forehead is another giveaway.  His black eyes are eerie to me, but his odd shaped face isn't repulsive, but strangely attractive.

"We call for a meeting with you who are the future here."  His voice was a low hiss that sounded like he was whispering in the water.  I remember the mermaid's song that had almost deafened the whole Gryffindor common room when Harry had opened the golden egg that held it after he had stolen it from the dragon during the Tri Wizard Tournament. 

"I am not in charge here, yet, sir.  Nor will I be for a few years."  I explain.  Professor McGonagall had been talking to me as if she wanted to train me for the position sooner rather than later.  I knew that the last year with the Death Eaters running the school had affected her.  I know that she missed teaching, too.  Every time she passed her old transfiguration class she looked longingly at the room.

"You will be soon, young Granger."  He assured me.  "I will have assurance that you will not try to rid my people of our home."  He demanded and I remind myself to blink or his gaze could enchant me.

"I will review the agreement that you had with Dumbledore and we will speak when I become Headmistress."  I assure him.  He doesn't look pleased, but I could see that he would wait to discuss it.

"Beware, young Granger.  There is danger inside of the castle.  I have offered you that free advice.  Beware...and remember that I gave you something free."  He hissed lowly before sliding back into the water and disappearing.

"Okay."  I said turning back to Harry.  "This has been one of the strangest days."  I tell him.  He holds out his hand and I take it.  We walk back to the picnic blanket where Luna is lounging against one of the pillows looking up at the sky.  "How did she become part of the society?"  I asked him quietly. 

"Luna is a little odd, I know, but she is amazingly brilliant.  Not as brilliant as you, of course."  He assures me.  I roll my eyes.  "Shacklebolt said that some of the strange things she rattles on about are actually fact.  Luna sees things in a way most people don't."  He said.  I look at the blonde who was watching clouds.  "She is actually an asset and drives Malfoy crazy.  That is the best part.  They have been thrown together as partners more times than not."  Harry chuckles.

"Poor Luna."  I mutter.  Harry presses a kiss to my cheek.  "Harry, does it ever shock you how different life is, now?"  I ask.  We sit down on the blanket with Luna and he cradles me in his arms as we look out over the Black Lake watching mermaid and other creatures splash in the depths.

"I am happy things are starting to fall in place."  Harry tells me and I snuggle closer to him. 

"What do you think the mer-king meant about there being danger here at the castle?"  I asked Harry.  Luna looked away from the sky and looked at me.

"What did you promise him, Hermione?"  She asked more seriously than I thought Luna could be.

"Nothing, Luna.  He wanted me to assure him that I would not try to remove him or his people from the lake.  I reminded him that I did not have that authority and that before I agree to anything I would review the agreement Dumbledore had with him."  I tell her.  She sit up looking at the water.

"You stood up to him and didn't let him have his way.  That is a good thing.  Just be careful with who asks you for your protection here at the castle, Hermione."  Luna said.  "If he said something about there being danger, then you have to believe there is.  He has offered you a gift today, but another day he will expect you to give him one."  She warned.  I frowned.