Hello ! I finally decided to post something non-manga based, haha. So, here is my new AU-ish fanwork on Harry Potter. Marauders' era, indeed. The AU is about Lily being a mermaid, just that. I'll post a chapter by day, I swear ! Unbelievable, right ? I wrote it all in a go, there's only a small editing job left to do. It's a total count of around 3.700 words, if you're interested ! (And roughly 20.200 caracters, which makes it look bigger than it is.)

Disclaimer (which I won't rewrite at the beginning of each chapter) : the characters/universe are JK Rowling's, and it's perfect the way it is. The plot idea is MINE though.

Now we're okay for the rest if the ride. Enjoy !

"Step back dear, you wouldn't like being taken away by the depths' inhabitants."

James did as told. He did not feared the darkness lingering few meters beyond them; he did not wanted to make his mother sad in case such events were meant to happen. His father, who had witnessed the small scene, laughed quietly.

"Darling, you know they'd give him back soon enough."

He allowed the toddler to sit on his knees and gently ruffled his hairs. Mrs. Potter felt more reassured seeing the young James sitting on his father's lap whilst the boat kept roaming around in a large circle. Therefore, she did not mind her husband implying it would be fine if their child happened to disappear.

In fact, James was not that troublesome. He just had to learn to use things for their sole purpose. But they both knew it; he will grow as a powerful wizard. Until then, he was enjoying his childhood and eagerly waiting for his eleventh birthday and his Hogwarts letter.

"Dad, monsters have kids too, do they ?"

Fleamont looked curious as to where this random question came from. A question was a question, though. And those asked by a younger one were as meaningful and valuable as the others. Maybe even more.

"I guess they do, James. It depends on what do you call a monster", he then noticed.

Eugenia warned him with a quick glance. She did not wanted them to wander too far on this topic, whether they talked about kids or monsters. The child's gaze got lost in the horizon as he tried to determine more accurately what he meant while saying 'monsters'. The sun's reflection on the lazy waves distracted him for a while, along with the thought of these terrific beauties laying underwater.

It took him a strong five minutes to get his point. He was about to share it when an unusual detail caught his sight. Between the green seaweed, a colorful plant appeared. It was too deep for him to tell exactly. Maybe the dazzling sunset caused this spot to appear in his sight. He blinked few times and looked elsewhere to check if the spot would follow; it didn't. But when he looked again, it had disappeared.

Fleamont noticed his son's sudden concern and asked him what was it about. He replied that it must be his imagination playing tricks on him. The same colorful spot was seen again, closer to the surface. He jumped down and ran to the edge of the boat again. Now, it was close enough for him to notice it wasn't a plant, but long hairs. He could also see a pale back, which was gradually covered by scales until it turned to a dark red tail. It was both scary and fascinating. The creature seemed to move closer to him. He knew he should retreat to warn his parents, but he couldn't move. Deep inside, he hoped he would also get the chance to see the creature's face.

His mother was ready to scare it away, but Fleamont held her back, saying it didn't looked harmful. There were a lot like them for wary eyes. It would be a waste of time to chase them all. Finally, it dared to peek out of the water. It looked more human than James thought it would. No abnormal fangs, horn or third eye.

"A... a girl ?"

He tilted his head to the side, feeling puzzled by the idea. Why would she swim over there ? And what was that weird spell she used to turn into this aquatic animal ?

"No, dear", Eugenia whispered. "A mermaid."

A lonely mermaid, though. Her deadly voice wasn't heard. She didn't tried to lure him in the water by some tricks those of her kind usually played on humans. She just stayed there, following the boat from afar. This game of cat and mouse lasted few minutes. James' parents anxiousness level rose quickly from this point.

She came even closer drew by the same curiosity he showed. He noticed few scales on her arms too. Her green eyes hosted a glimmer of intelligence but no wickedness. They shined brighted than human eyes. It reminded him of the picture of tropical forests, in another continent. Her hairs started to dry, and he noticed they still had a pretty color. Somewhere between brown and orange. She was also staring at him as if she wished she could draw his face again someday.

She (it ?) seemed to be around his age, assuming they had the same way to count years. He smiled at her. Some thought suddenly clouded her gaze, and she hissed as if to warn him. Hearing that, Eugenia couldn't stand it and casted a minor spell towards the threat. The mermaid hissed a bit louder then dived toward the unexplored depths.

"It would be safer to go back now", Fleamont noticed. "We are lucky, this one seemed to be a loner."

And so, they retreated towards the beach. James kept thinking about the mermaid they encountered while the adults were already discussing lighter topics. All he did was smile, and she reacted as if he had physically harmed her. And yet for a moment, before she hissed at him, he was pretty sure she smiled too.