In The Water

Muses

My arm was starting to go numb from holding Meri but I didn't care. She was happy and sleeping soundly. Hermione continued to stroke her head while humming a song to her. Draco had laid his head on Hermione leg and had a contented sort of smile on his face. I hated to admit he looked better from just the few hours of being around her again. Every now and again Hermione would pause her ministrations and look down at him. They were having a silent conversation. Harry had got up and was pacing while eating some grapes. I glanced around the room and saw the many women doing different things. Some playing music, some dancing. A few were reading, I notice one staring at us while painting.

"That's Erato, she's been desperately looking for something new to paint." Hermione gave her sister a wave and a small blush appeared on the painters face. I noticed Draco was staring at her and blushing himself. That's an interesting development.

Doris came out first and asked to see Hermione and Draco. I didn't want to let her go. I squeezed her hand as she stood up. She bent down and kissed my head.

"It will be okay, whatever happens know that I love you." She whispered kissing my lips quickly before taking Draco arm as they followed the queen. Meri began to stir and woke up.

"Da, Where's Mama?" She asked groggily while rubbing her eyes. I kissed her curls and hugged her tight.

"Her and Draco had to go talk to someone little one." She had already lost interest in me and had got up to explore. All the women hovered around her nervously looking at me for permission to approach her. Meri tugged on one of their dresses and smiled at her. After that I almost lost sight of her from all the aunts fawning over their niece. She was laughing and I relaxed slightly but kept an eye on her. Almost an hour later Hermione came running into the hall. She jumped on me wrapping her arms around my neck and legs around my waist kissing me.

"Baby,Baby. What's going on?" She kissed me one more time and jumped down.

"Father broke the mating bond. Draco isn't mated to me anymore. He's free to love who he wants. We're both free." She was jumping excitingly and when Draco joined us she hugged him.

"You're not completely rid of me, I still want to see you and Angelfish." He said as he shook my hand. "Looks like you get the girl.She is the best, take care of her." 

"Of course, thank you for taking care of them when I couldn't." I said and we shared a nod. He disappeared into the crowd of women to find Meri.

"So we can go home now?" Harry asked hugging his sister in relief. She gave a non commital shrug.

"Father wants us to come back at least once a year. And he wants you to swear an oath to protect me and Meri." She was talking to me more then Harry.

"Not a problem my love. We're really free to go home?" I ask ducking my head to look her in the eyes. She smiles and wraps her arms around my neck again.

"Yes." She kissed me then bounced away to find Meri. I watched them with a grin as she scooped up our daughter and danced to the music. A strong hand landed on my shoulder I only had to guess who it was.

"Come with me wizard." The king commanded and I followed him into a large room. He sat in the only chair forcing me to stand in the middle of the room. He studied me for a few moments probably trying to read my mind.

"Your majesty, thank you for your hospitality but I would like to take my family home now." I could hear the condescension in my voice.

"Wizards have no patience." He said resting his head on his hand in a bored manner.

"Again sorry but I've gone almost five years with my mate. Excuse my impatience. My daughter has been separated from her mother for months." I didn't cower before him and that probably was a mistake.

"I've been separated from my child for almost thirty years, I feel my needs supersede yours wizard." He growled standing up, again I didn't back down.

"Sir, She is my mate. The mother of my child. We will not be separated again." My voice remained calm, it took everything in me not to raise it. The king smiled and sat back down.

"Good." He finally said and I relaxed slightly. "I needed to know the wizard I'm trusting my daughter and granddaughter to is strong enough to stand up to a god."

I stood there shocked as he laughed at his own joke. He stood up and beckon me to follow him into a smaller room. There was a table and a few chairs. On the table was a decanter full of some sort of liquid. He offered me a glass and I sipped it slowly. Since Meri came to me I rarely drink anymore.

"When that dark wizard trespassed in our realm and betrayed our trust it changed things around here. All my other daughter were grown. My queen refuse to go to the surface which is why Ione stayed a child for a so long. We never blamed her for the wizard did, I've loved her as my own. Her sisters may say I favored her over them and they may be right. She's special, you can sense that right?" I nodded to answer his question. He gave me a smile and continued his story.

"We're trusting you with her because she loves you so much and you are nothing like the wizards we knew. I told Ione you had to take an oath. Just swear to me you'll protect my girls. Keep them safe and happy."  He said in a sad voice knowing that he was losing his daughter again.

"I swear I will never stop protecting or making them happy." His smile was sad but he nodded and we went back to the main hall where my girls were waiting.