Setting: A few years before the Harry Potter series begins.
Disclaimer: All characters from Harry Potters series are the property of JK Rowling and used without permission.
Reason for this Fanfic: My favorite fantasy creatures are Selkies and since the Harry Potter universe deals with the fantastical, I thought it would be fun to introduce a selkie character. All of the main characters are of my own creation.
New Characters: Gigi, Strom, and Ilise McLundy; Kyle Meir, Nathan Harrod, Tiffany London, Blair Parrish, Eric Rainer, and Simon Stoker of Slytherin; were all created by Jacquelyn Fisher and will probably be found in other HP fanfictions by me.
A Seal Out of Water
Chapter 1: A Cold Orkney Night
The wind blowing from the cold northern sea howled as they whipped around the small stone house. The glass in the windows rattled and the wood roof creaked and groaned. Inside was a small, tidy livingroom complete with a faded blue couch and an ancient rocking chair that squeaked irritably whenever someone sat in it. Covering the stone floor was a tan throw rug that had seen its day decades before and was worn thin. All in all the room looked as if no one had lived in it for ages, at least until recently. A crackling fire was burning in a small fireplace outline in red stones, the heat barely entering the chilly room.
Three adults were seated in the room, conversing in low voices so not to be overheard from any of the backrooms. One of them was possibly the oldest man alive; he was seated in the rocking chair, his outlandish purple robes folded around him. His silver beard and hair were so long that, seated, they almost touched the floor. The dancing flames reflected off half-moon shaped spectacles perched at the top of an enormous, crooked nose. His lips, though thin, were smiling cheerfully and his eyes, barely visible because of the reflecting fire, sparkled brilliant blue. He was Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and warlock debonair.
The other two adults, seated side by side on the old couch, were both equally gorgeous. The man was tall and muscular with a handsome square jaw. Thick silvery blond hair fell about his ears and seemed to shine in the firelight. He was dressed in a simple white shirt and khaki slacks; the cold of the room did not seem to effect his bare feet or his exposed arms. His eyes were a peculiar black, contrasting remarkably with his light complexion and giving him an eerie presence. His wife had nearly identical features, though her face was slender, and her silvery blond hair swayed about her slim waist. She wore a white sleeveless dress, unbothered by the chill.
"I understand your concern," Dumbledore spoke in a deep, raspy yet not unpleasant voice. "I assure you that Hogwarts is a perfectly safe place for your daughter."
"What about…" the woman's voice faded, and Dumbledore smiled knowingly. She quietly added, "Surely there are parents who will disapprove."
"Ah, but it shall be our little secret. None of the students will know and only a select few of the teachers—myself, Minerva, and Severus—will be aware of Gigi's condition," Dumbledore spoke easily. "Now, remember that we have no control over the situation if Gigi tells the other students."
"She will not," the man stated confidently. "What about the water issue?"
"I will see to it myself."
Dumbledore stood, pausing to straighten his robes and to place a pointed hat on his silver hair. The couple stood as well, and the man clasped hands with Dumbledore.
"Thank you for everything, Albus. No one in the McLundy family has ever been accepted to Hogwarts; it means the world to me and Ilisa that Gigi is able to attend."
"And I cannot wait to see Gigi at Hogwarts where she belongs," Dumbledore replied. He pulled an envelope from inside his robes and handed it to the man. Inside was the official welcome letter and supply list for Hogwarts students. He then nodded to the couple. "Ilisa, Strom."
Then suddenly he was gone, vanished into the air. There had been no sound and no smoke; one second Dumbledore stood in the room and the next he was gone. The couple did not seem surprised as they embraced gleefully. They moved into a small hall hidden on one side of the fireplace and went to the last room in the small house. Ilisa knocked gently on the closed door before entering, Strom behind her. Their eleven year old daughter was seated cross-legged on a small cot by the rattling window blowing on a small wooden flute. The high-pitched whistling sound faded as her parents entered. Gigi, like both of her parents, had silvery blond hair, pale skin, and uncanny black eyes.
"Your Father and I have wonderful news, Gigi," Ilisa said.
"Yes, Maman?"
"You will be attending Hogwarts School this year."
Gigi blinked slowly, wondering if her mother was joking, but then her parents did not have a sense of humor. When it came to the life on the sea there was no time for humor—there was either danger or calm but it was always serious business. Strom continued where Ilisa had left off.
"Everything has been arranged, we will leave for England in the morning. We must visit Diagon Alley for your school supplies," Strom said. He held up a parchment and began reading from it. "Dragon hide gloves, a wand, numerous books, a pewter cauldron, a winter cloak, and black robes."
Gigi's nose wrinkled at the last item. "Black? But Papa, we do not wear black."
"You will during your seven years at Hogwarts," Ilisa said. She came over to the cot and sat beside her daughter. "It is an honor to be going to such a fine school, such a small sacrifice seems worth it, eh?"
"Yes, Maman," Gigi agreed quietly. She gingerly touched her dress, which was identical to her mother's with the exception of billowing sleeves that covered her hands to the knuckles. She decided to change the subject lest the pit in her stomach grew larger. "Where is Diagon Alley?"
"In London," Strom said. "I have been but once before."
"Your father and I have decided to request a special wand from Ollivanders for you. Do you mind?"
Gigi shook her head, a tinge of excitement swept through her at the thought of owning a wand. Ilisa nodded happily.
"Good. Now, Gigi, get some rest. We will leave before sunrise; since you have nothing to bring from here, we will travel the quick way." Ilisa gave her daughter a kiss on the forehead before standing up.
"Night, Papa. Night, Maman," Gigi said as she parents left her room, closing the door behind them. She placed the flute on the floor beneath the cot and it rolled next to a thick, white fur that had been carefully folded. Then she crawled beneath the thin coverlet. The wind outside was howling worse than before, and she laid awake long into the night wondering what Hogwarts would be like. Near midnight she drifted off into sleep.