The Mermaid DISCONTINUED

Chapter 1

Natalie laid on her bed, just laid there, studying the wand she had received only hours prior. Hogwarts.  That was on her mind.  That's where she was going the very next day and she couldn't determine if she was more excited or worried.

"Natalie!" Her father called out.

"Coming, dad!" Natalie yelled back

She quickly ran down the stairs, closing her bedroom door behind her. That had become a habit recently, closing her door. She hadn't always done it, but one day she just decided to start closing it.  It wasn't like Natalie was hiding something, some times she just needed time to herself.

Natalie skipped the bottom step and bound into the living room. Ivan was on the couch facing the windows. She snuck up behind him and got in his ear.

"HELLO!" Natalie bellow loudly.

He gave a jolt of surprise and turned around.  He laughed when he saw the eleven year old girl.

"Guess I had that one coming." He chuckled. "I have a surprise for you,"

"What?"

"Come closer and I'll tell you." Natalie leaned in slowly and Ivan cupped his hands around her left ear.  "ACID POPS!" Hee bellows louder than when she did it.

He pulls away and Natalie covers her ear.

"Ow!" She says laughing.

"Doesn't sound like it hurt too bad." Ivan laughed. "Can't believe you fell for that one. Anyways, we're going to Floo Powder to Diagon Alley, but before we go, you need to go say goodbye to your mother."

"Why?" Natalie asked confused. "The train isn't coming till tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, but," He says slowly. "That's the surprise, I got a job as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."

"Really?!" Natalie asked, her voice laced with excitement.

Ivan Keems had never really taken an interest in the Dark Arts, having always been a healer at St. Mongo's

"Yeah!" He tells her.

Natalie brakes out in a smile and gives him a hug.

"It's like your going back to Hogwarts with me!"

"I was hoping I'd get a good reaction from you." He tells her with a bright smile. "You'll still ride the train tomorrow, but you'll be staying in Diagon Alley for the night with the Potters."

"Who are they?" Natalie cocks her head to the side like a confused puppy.

"I went to school with Fleamont Potter." Ivan tells her. "He has a son your age, James. I arranged it so that you would have some friends to go to school with before you even get there." Natalie just nods her head. "Now go say goodbye to your mother."

Natalie runs out the front door to the waters edge. She takes off her shoes before stepping into the water and sitting down. Natalie smiles as she sees a blue tail in the distance, approaching fast. Soon enough, Oceania was sitting beside her daughter.

"Hello, Natalie." She says happily wringing out her hair.

"Hello, mother." Natalie says and gives her a hug. "It's good to see you."

"I hear you're leaving for your first year at Hogwarts." She tells the girl with a frown.

"I'll be fine, mum." Natalie tells her mother reassuringly.  "I'll be sure to get into the water at least once a month."

"Alright." Oceania nods.  "If anyone is rude to you, don't be afraid to drag them down to the bottom of the lake."

Natalie's eyes widen. "Mum!"

"Kidding." Oceania says with a laugh. "That's my job."

Natalie laughs with her mother before eyeing the woman "You're joking?" She asks worriedly. "Right?"

"Of course!" Oceania says, still laughing. "Maybe."

"Mum!"

"Fine, fine." she says rolling her eyes. "I'm kidding,"

"Good." Natalie nods.

"Alright," Oceania begins. "Now, I won't begin to visit you while you're away."

"I know that." Natalie tells her.

"And you know I love you."

"I love you, too." Natalie says.

"But I want you to be careful." Oceania tells her daughter. "Some people don't look to kindly on you being half mermaid."

Natalie just nods. She knew that and had even heard her father's co-workers talking about it.

"I don't want you to hide it by any means," The mermaid says. "But a mother worries."

"Don't worry, mom." Natalie reassures her. "I'll be careful."

"Promise?"

"I promise."