We were, in a way, perfect for each other. Both belonging to two worlds and only ever having one destiny. We never had a choice to begin with. But unlike him, I broke away from my destiny and chose love. It was foolish on my part. But how was I supposed to know that he would lead to heartache and pain and torment such that I have never known?
It had started with the mermaid in the Prefect's bathroom. The water in the Black Lake was much too cold for me, I prefered the warm waters of the southern oceans. But England was my father's home and my mother only wanted his happiness. She'd given up everything to be with him, a wizard.
The mermaid beckoned for me to look at her from her rock as I sat soaking in the warm foamy water. She smiled, splashing her tail, and opened her mouth, though no sound came out. I knew what she wanted, she did this since the first day I took a bath here. I sighed, it was my last year at Hogwarts. I looked around me, I was alone and the door was locked. No one could come in. What could it hurt?
The warm water soaked into my skin as I closed my eyes, imagining the waters and caves where my mother's clan resided, off the coast of Greece. Slowly, the tub slid on my back as I allowed myself to slip into the water. I breathed in the air through the water, opening my eyes and looking at my bare legs that shimmered in the water, aching to transform.
I opened my mouth, allowing the melody to flow through my body and out between my lips. The song resonated in my soul, the song of my family, the song of the sirens. I let the words rise up my chest as I rose through the water, my words echoing against the walls into the cold air of the castle.
This song was my soul, though it was the song of the sirens, each siren had their own. This was mine. The mermaid swam in her portrait as if she herself were singing the song. It must be lonely, being a mermaid and being stuck in one place. Even if she was just a painting in the glass. My voice rose in intensity before slowly ebbing into a slow, light hum. The mermaid smiled at me, and I know exactly how she feels. Years of silence, now broken by one song.
The mermaid's eyes widen before she points her finger above my head. I turn quickly and there, towards the door, was the Head Boy. His mouth was slack, eyes glazed over, but staring at me. His feet lead him towards me as if he had no choice in the matter.
"That was… beautiful..." his breath catches.
"You're not supposed to be here!" I rose quickly, snatching the towel. I cursed under my breath as I climbed out of the tub. "Get out!"
He blinked. Once. Twice. And then seemed to come to his senses as he shook his head. "I apologize. I should have knocked. I just thought it was someone pulling a prank by locking the door. It's so late at night, I didn't realize anyone would be here."
"Well someone is here!" I snapped, pulling the towel tight around myself.
Instead of leaving, he continued to stand there staring at me. "Kelda…" he said my name in a whisper, in a way that he had never done before.
But before he could say anything else, I rushed towards him with both arms and pushed him out of the door. "OUT, TOM!"