The Mermaid and The Wizard

The Black Lake

The image above is a picture of Loch Ness that I am using to resemble the Black Lake. I was debating between an image of the Loch or an image of Lake Titisee that is located in Germany and I actually visited while living in Germany. In the end I decided on the Loch one because it is big enough to resemble the Black Lake both in size and maybe even depth and two because, like Hogwarts, it's located in Scotland.

Following the Gryffindor Prefects out of the Hall, Hermione was starting to get a little worried. It's been an entire day since she was in water, and even though she didn't feel weak or sick, she didn't want to risk it by pushing her luck. So when she spotted Professor Dumbledore, she let out a sigh of relief and quickly made her way towards him.

"Good evening Miss Granger, I hope your journey wasn't too much for you."

"Good evening Professor Dumbledore. Yes my journey was comfortable, thank you for asking."

"I'm glad to hear that. Now I do believe have someone waiting for us. Come, this way."

Both Dumbledore and Hermione started walking in comfortable silence, and she took the time to take in her surroundings, looking at the corridors they passed as well as some portraits, and couldn't hide her shock and amazement when they moved and talked! Soon they saw another figure near a large archway that led to the grounds. Hermione got a little nervous when she recognized the figure as Professor McGonagall.

"Good evening Minerva, thank you for coming."

"Good evening Albus, and since it concerns one of my new Gryffindors I saw no need to deny your reason to deny your request to meet. Though I am quite curious as to why we are meeting here and not in one of our offices."

"I assure you all will be revealed soon. Now for introductions, Miss Granger this is Minerva McGonagall; Deputy Headmistress and Professor of Transfiguration as well as the Gryffindor Head of House."

Hermione figured as much since she saw one of her titles in her letter and when she mentioned 'one of her Gryffindors' but she wasn't going to say that out loud and be disrespectful. "Good evening Professor McGonagall."

"And to you as well Miss Granger."

Dumbledore smiled and then turned towards the sky. "It is such a lovely and beautiful night, come let's take a walk towards the lake." With that he started walking, Hermione and McGonagall following a step behind the Headmaster.

"Miss Granger, do you have an inkling as to why Professor Dumbledore wanted us to talk? He mentioned at dinner that there was something you needed to tell me about."

Fidgeting and looking at her feet as she walked, she took a deep breath and nodded towards her Head of House. "Yes Professor, I also know why we are having this conversation outside rather than in the castle," Hermione took notice of the lake that was getting closer and closer, giving her a boost of confidence and courage. "You see...I'm not really a muggleborn as you were led to believe. I'm actually a mermaid Professor."

Hermione was thankful they were near the lake because McGonagall stopped walking and stood there, looking at Hermione in surprise. "A mermaid? But you don't...wait, are you from a fresh or salt body of water?"

"Salt water Professor."

Said Professor kept staring at Hermione, which started to make her feel embarrassed before she then turned to Dumbledore with a look that could only be described as bewilderment. "Is this true Albus? Is she really-"

"She is indeed a mermaid with both the magic of mermaids and that of a human witch," Dumbledore interrupted McGonagall and then turned to them, eyes twinkling. "We came out here so no one could overhear or interrupt us so that no one but you Minerva know about this. Some students, should they find out about this, would try to harm her."