Chapter 32
A/N: I do not own anything except for the plot of this story! All characters belong to either Walt Disney or J.K Rowling respectively
*ducks incoming projectiles* Okay, okay! I'm sorry for the hold up for this chapter! Unfortunately, I got caught in an update loop for another story and then NanNoWriMo happened and then the holidays happened and now we're in 2020.
New goal is to update a fanfic every month-can't promise it'll be this one every month (since I have 19 in progress stories because my brain likes to punish me for some reason and constantly move on from project to project even when I have an in progress story to work on). But the update schedule should be better. Emphasis on should.
Please let me know your thoughts on this chapter! Thanks to all of you for your feedback and for sticking with me for so long!
Two weeks went by and Alana had to admit that she was nowhere closer to finding a way for Harry to stay human than she was when she arrived. She poured through all the books Harry's room could provide and still she was at a loss. She had to admire the tenacity of her little sister though; Ariel spent every waking moment pouring over the books, even taking books from Alana's pile as she finished looking through it. It was as if she was trying to find a solution that Alana may had missed.
"Ariel, we've read every book here," Alana groaned one evening; her hair falling into her eyes as she pushed a particularly heavy tomb away from her. In all honesty, she didn't know why the room provided what Harry had told her to be a Charms textbook in the first place. But then, maybe it was a good idea seeing as they didn't know exactly what was causing Harry's change, only that it was water based. "At some point we're going to have to admit defeat."
"Oh that would be great," Ariel rolled her eyes, brushing the hair out of her eyes as she poured over one of the numerous tombs that were on her end of the table. Alana frowned as she saw the dark rings under her sister's eyes and wondered when exactly the last time Ariel slept was. "Do you want dad coming here?"
"Something tells me that would not be a good idea," Harry muttered, pouring over his own school work. Classes had resumed since the two sisters had made their way to land, which meant Harry couldn't help as much in terms of research. Truthfully, Alana didn't want Harry to stress himself out over the research. He didn't ask to be the tournament; he should just have the chance to be a normal fourteen year old boy. So instead he would come to the room every few days to work on his homework while they did their research.
"Harry, do you need any help?" Alana asked, looking at the younger boy. She didn't notice Harry's slight eye roll; Alana had been asking that every time he came around ever since they started the research.
"No, Alana," Harry told her, trying to keep the annoyance out of his voice. He knew that she meant well but there was an odd mothering quality to Alana's question that made Harry uneasy. It was different from Hermione's offers to help; though Hermione often offered because he and Ron would take forever on their assignments. "It's just History of Magic. Binns honestly doesn't care what we write about—I got high marks on an essay that was just me writing 'this is pointless' enough times to fill up a roll of parchment."
Ariel snorted in amusement but Alana shook her head. "Harry, you should focus more on your studies. You may need to know this information at some point."
"Alana, when am I ever going to need to know information on goblin rebellions?" Harry asked, pushing his book away from him and taking off his glasses to rub at his eyes. "It's all Binns teaches. Literally, it's the same stuff for the past four years. I sleep in the class and I still know a bit since Hermione makes us redo the essays every time Binns assigns them."
Alana went to retort but a look from Ariel seemed to cut her off. It was like her little sister didn't want her to help Harry.
"You guys find anything?" Harry asked, seemingly changing the subject. Ariel shook her head and shoved one of the many books that were piled in front of her out of her way.
"Honestly it's like the information blurring together," Ariel told him, rubbing her eyes. Harry shook his head in exasperation. "I don't know what's relevant and what's useless yet interesting information anymore."
"When was the last time you slept?" Harry asked, getting up to sit next to Ariel. "That could be the reason."
"I slept last night," Ariel told him, pushing a book away that had fallen from the pile she had pushed back earlier.
"Last time you ate?"
"When you brought food from the great hall."
Harry paused, as if Ariel had stumped him. It seemed to take a minute before he asked his next question. "Okay, when was the last time you got out of this room?"
Ariel sighed and looked over at him. "I can't Harry. We only have five more weeks until you have to go under the lake and get whatever's been stole from you. I'd rather you not turn into a merman and have my father come here."
"Still, all work and no fun makes one a dull mermaid," Harry chuckled. "Come on, just one hour. Sometimes taking a break can show you something you didn't think of."
"Alana?" Ariel looked over at her older sister.
"I don't mind," Alana said, trying to make sure what she was feeling inside didn't show on her face. It was clear that Harry and Ariel had regained their special bond that they had back when Harry lived with them. So why had their relationship not progressed either? Harry was kind and pleasant but it almost seemed like there was a wall between them. Besides, would it really be so bad if their father were to find out? At least then he would know that Harry was alive, even if he would be angry with herself and Ariel. "So if you think you need a break Ariel, I'm not going to stop you."
Ariel grinned and grabbed Harry's hand to make their way down to the lake, leaving Alana alone in the room. The hallways were oddly empty as the two of them made their way to the grounds but Ariel was fine ignoring that fact for a taste of fresh air and sunlight. Thankfully it was still light outside so they didn't have to worry about curfew.
"Thanks for this Harry," Ariel said as they sat by the lake. "Two straight weeks of research is exhausting. I needed to get out of that room."
"You know you don't have to do it all by yourself," Harry told her, laying down so that he could feel the sun on his face.
"I'm not. Alana's helping me."
Harry rolled his eyes and sat up a little. "I meant me. We're a team right? This affected both of us after all, what with our memory gaps. It's not fair to have you do all the work on this."
Ariel shook her head. "Harry, you're dealing with preparing for the tournament plus your regular school work. Not to mention our shared mystery as to who removed our memories of you living with my family back when we were five. You shouldn't have to deal with this on top of all of that."
"Even if 'this', as you put it, primarily deals with me?"
"You know, when you put it like that…."
Harry gave her a small look and the two of them shared a laugh. It had been a while since it had truly been the two of them alone. Most of the time, one of Harry's friends were with them or they were in the room with Alana.
"I've missed this," Ariel sighed, leaning back and watching the other students mill around the lake. "Just the two of us. It's like our calls only less stressful."
"There was always the fear of getting caught," Harry chuckled and sighed. "Still, the rush was one of the things I liked. To get lost in our own world for a while. Not have to worry about tournaments or duties."
"Or friends caught in a never ending sleep," Ariel said with a frown, wrapping her hands around her legs. "How can I find out what's wrong with Nina if I'm also helping Alana on the research for keeping your fins a secret?"
"Well, and this is just a crazy suggestion, but you could always pick one," Harry said and threw his hands up as if to protect himself as Ariel shot him a look. "It was just a thought. Odds are your father's going to show up anyway with how horrible my luck is."
Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair. There was a bit of silence before Harry spoke up again. "Hey Ariel?"
"Hmm?"
"Has your sister always been a little over eager to help?" Harry asked and Ariel frowned at first, thinking there was a slight toward Alana somewhere in there.
"What do you mean? I though you and Alana were getting along?" Ariel asked and Harry sighed.
"Never mind," he said and looked out at the lake.
"Come on, tell me!" Ariel urged, turning to face Harry. Her interest was now piqued and she honestly considered Harry to be the brother she never had, even if he had been briefly a member of her family. "We don't keep secrets from each other."
Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair once more. "Look, I like your sister. I think it's great that she's staying here but ever since she dropped that bomb about how I used to live with you guys, she's been very…."
"Motherly?" Ariel supplied.
"That doesn't quite fit but we can go with that," Harry nodded and Ariel shrugged.
"That's Alana," she said, looking out over the lake. "Honestly, sometimes I wonder if it's because she was the second youngest so when she finally gets someone to mother instead of someone mothering her, she goes full steam ahead."
"But that's just it," Harry said, standing up and leaning against the tree they were lying under. "I don't need someone to mother me. If I wanted that, I'd go to Hermione or write to Professor Lupin. Heck, if I was really desperate, I'd try to write to Aunt Petunia. If I didn't think the letter would cause her to lose her mind laughing or get torn up on the spot."
Ariel frowned as Harry mentioned his 'family'. Even the little she knew didn't sound good and Ariel hoped that Harry wouldn't have to go back to them.
"Well, now that we know about your fins, maybe you could come back with us for the summer?" Ariel suggested, standing up so that she was face to face. She felt bad changing the subject but she felt bad talking about Alana when she wasn't there to defend herself. Her older sister had always been her rock, someone who had her back even when the other sisters seemed to get mad ideas of their own. "Instead of having to go back?"
Harry rolled his eyes. "I have to go back every summer, according to Professor Dumbledore. If Ron's mum can't get him to change his mind, I doubt anyone can."
Ariel shook her head, slightly defeated, and leaned against the tree herself.
"You know, you could try talking to Alana," she said, seemingly out of the blue.
"What?" Harry asked, slightly alarmed, and turned to look at her.
"About her mothering tendencies," Ariel elaborated. Upon seeing the shocked look still on Harry's face, Ariel tilted her head slightly. "Harry, you seriously weren't going to just sit in silence while whatever you're feeling festered inside, were you?"
"That seemed like an accurate description of my plan," Harry nodded.
"I swear, you're just like Attina," Ariel said, throwing her hands up in the air. "Both of you would rather sit in silence than tell others about what they're feeling."
Harry shook his head. "Look Ariel. I'm already considered the underdog here. I told you about Fleur's comment after my name came out of the Goblet. If I start running off and telling everyone about how I feel, it'll backfire."
"Did I say you need to tell everyone?" Ariel shot back. "Alana will understand—and do you think Fleur made that comment because she was already up against two powerful wizards and no one was taking her seriously due to her Veela heritage, and then she finds out that she's also completing against you, Mr. Defeats A Dark Lord When They're A Baby?"
Harry blinked in shock, not expecting the outburst from Ariel. "To be honest, the thought never occurred to me. When did you find out about Fleur?"
"Ginny gave me the run down when she was helping me get ready the day I was originally supposed to leave," Ariel said. "To be honest, I was hoping to get to know Fleur at some point. Her powers seem similar to what merpeople used to have, or at least our ancestors."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, sitting back down.
Ariel sighed and sat down next to him. "When merpeople were first starting off, we had the power to lure sailors to us using our voices. Arista always said that we used the power to drown sailors but then she'd get into an argument with Aquata who would say that the power was used to lure males to jump in the sea. This would cause them to turn into mermen as the early version of our people were only female."
"Which one is the correct version?" Harry asked and Ariel shrugged.
"Dad forbid the story after one too many fights turned physical," she said. "Threatened to beach Arista if she told us the story again too."
"Beach?" Harry asked.
"Confine to her room, loss of privileges, that sort of thing," Ariel elaborated, slightly confused as to the almost sick look on Harry's face. "Do humans not do that?"
"We do. We call it drowning though."
"What a weird saying," Ariel frowned and then shrugged it off. Harry still looked disturbed. "What's so wrong with using 'beached' instead of 'grounded'?"
Harry sighed and shook his head. "When we're done with our research session, remind me to tell you to look up 'beached' in a book at the library. It's way too detailed to get into it out here."
"If you say so," Ariel said. Harry chuckled and looked out over the lake. It seemed strange to think that there was a plot to potentially kill him when everything seemed calm. In fact, almost too calm.
"Is it weird to think it's been a little too calm around here?" Ariel thought, unknowingly voicing what Harry had been thinking. "It's still daylight. Heck, I believe it's the weekend so it's not like people have to worry about classes. Where has everyone gone?"
"I'm not sure, but I figure it might be a good idea to head back in," Harry said. "Alana's probably wondering where we are. I'm sure it's been over an hour by now."
"Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"You're wearing a watch. You could always check the time," Ariel told him and Harry looked down, flushing as he realized she was right. Quickly looking at his wrist, Harry realized that he didn't check the time when he left the room. There was no way to know if it had been an hour or not.
"Harry!" Ariel groaned as he relayed this information to her.
"Well I'm sorry but you pretty much dragged me out of there," Harry told her. "After that, I pretty much forgot about time until you mentioned how calm it was out here."
Ariel rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Well then, come on. We don't want Alana to worry."
"Is it safe to assume she's going to be worried regardless?"
"You know, sometimes it's like you lived with us your whole life," Ariel told him as the two of them made their way back to the castle. Unbeknownst to them, a shadowy figure stepped out from behind the tree they had been sitting under. Snape scowled as he removed yet another disillusionment charm and watched the young redhead retreat to the castle. He had once again been unsuccessful in gaining a glimpse into her mind as she had never once met his eyes in her conversation with Potter.
Snape had to admit, at least to himself, that there was a wedge of doubt growing in his inward denial of McGonagall's theory that the young girl he obliviated all those years ago and Potter's guest were one and the same.
He would still need to confirm before there could be anything concrete but there was something about her voice that seemed familiar. To be fair, it wasn't like the incident kept Snape up at night; especially seeing as it had been about half a dozen years ago.
Still, he remembered how the Slytherin common room had almost been flooded when they brought Potter to Hogwarts back when he was in his mermaid form. The only way a young girl would have been swimming with Potter when he was in his mermaid form would be if she too was a mermaid.
Taking Potter was one thing. But if the young girl Potter was with and the young woman visiting were one and the same, there would definitely be retaliation from the merpeople.
Not to mention the loss of trust. Snape could live with losing Potter's trust. To be honest, he wasn't quite sure nor did he care if he had the boy's trust in the first place. But he knew Albus would be crushed if Potter learned the truth about who obliviated him all those years ago.
Snape needed to work fast now. If he could confirm, he could plan. But right now he was flying dark and while he was loathed to admit it even to himself, he was starting to get nervous.
—-
Back in Atlantica, Andrina stared at the window where her older sister had been keeping watch over. She knew that the past few weeks had been particularly hard on her but there was a point that Andrina was worried that Attina would collapse.
She had been through so much already that it was ridiculous to ask her to remain strong for this. First their mother died and she had to step up as a mother figure for the younger girls along with a tutor for the older sisters while also excelling in her queen studies.
Then Harry disappeared and Ariel mysteriously forgot about him. If Andrina was honest with herself, the whole incident never sat right with her—despite how hard Attina worked to keep her from the information. But Andrina never brought it up as they needed to keep the younger girls occupied instead of freaking out about their father's change in behavior.
But now, with Ariel acting strange and then running off and now Alana running off to Neptune knows where, Andrina was worried that Attina might have reached her breaking point. It was too much for anyone to deal with.
"Andrina?" Aquata's voice broke through her thoughts and she looked over to see her brunette sister looking over at her.
"What's up?" Andrina asked, not trying to fake anything. While Attina might have believed that the younger sisters needed to be protected, Andrina couldn't fake it the way her older sister could. Things slipped out. She couldn't pretend to be happy when she wasn't—which made her a pretty poor princess. She was the favorite daughter of the press as they always liked to target her in interviews. That might be why her father started doing press briefings without the family present when Andrina turned sixteen.
Aquata sighed and swam over to Andrina. "Is Attina okay?"
"What do you mean?" Andrina asked, raising an eyebrow. Aquata sighed.
"Look, you don't have to keep the act up. At least, not around me."
"It's me, Aquata. You know there's never an act."
"I mean the act when you guys don't tell us stuff because you need to keep it from us due to the age difference," Aquata elaborated. "I'm not five anymore. I can tell when things are bothering you guys."
"Then why ask?"
"Because if it's something I can help with, I want to," Aquata said. "I'm the third eldest. At some point, I'll be running my own home with a lord or another royal. I need to learn this stuff."
Andrina had to admit, she was slightly impressed. At least one of her sisters was being mature about the recent events.
"I really think you should talk to Attina, Aquata," Andrina told her. "I'm not going to be the go between in this."
Aquata rolled her eyes. "You really think Ms. Stone Wall will tell me if anything's bothering her?"
"You never know until you ask," Andrina told her. "But, for what it's worth, I don't think this is something you can help with Aquata."
"Why not?"
Andrina sighed and looked over at her little sister. "Do you remember? What it was like right after Harry disappeared I mean?"
Aquata's brow furrowed but she nodded.
"It took some time but Attina went back to normal. If not slightly neurotic about where we all were," Andrina continued, not waiting for a response from Aquata. "Ariel's and now Alana's disappearance is different. I have no doubt that Attina blames herself."
"How does that make sense?" Aquata asked. "I mean, sure she's the one who told father about Ariel acting odd but Attina had nothing to do with Alana running off. In fact, none of us knows why Alana ran off. It would have been nice if she'd left a note. Or at least not left my trunk a mess when she left."
"What did you say?" Andrina asked, her head shooting up as she looked straight at her little sister.
"Well, I mean she was clearly looking for something near the bottom of my trunk because there were some things that were out of position. One or two things were closer to the top than they had been before. It took forever to get it back to the way it was."
"Do you remember what it was that Alana was looking for?" Andrina asked and Aquata shook her head.
"Let me go through my trunk," Aquata said, quickly swimming over to her bed and opening the trunk that was at the foot. Andrina had to duck as contents of the trunk were strewn about.
"Okay, what's going on?" Adella asked as she entered their room, nearly getting hit with a stuffed animal.
"I have no idea," Andrina said with a shrug. Adella didn't get a chance to respond to that as Aquata came up for air.
"The book is missing."
"What book?" Andrina asked and Adella looked confused. Aquata groaned at her sisters' lack of understanding.
"The book I kept the map mom made! For our trip to the Black Lake?"
"Wait, you kept that?" Adella asked, shocked.
"It wasn't the original," Aquata told her. "Remember, the trip when we turned eight was our first trip. But she would always make a map every year after that. I remember rubbing this one in Alana's face when I got it."
"Did she know where you kept it?" Andrina asked. Aquata shifted guiltily and her eyes looked downward.
"I may have told her after mom died," Aquata said softly. "I know we were trying to not make father sad, with Harry and Ariel and mom, so we got rid of all the things that reminded us of her. But I just couldn't get rid of the map."
Andrina gave her sister a small smile. "You think I honestly got rid of all the things that reminded me of mom? I kept the small things, the things that father wouldn't connect with our mother. Hair clips, that sort of thing. They make up a layer of the floor of my trunk."
"I have a small box off on the bookshelf," Adella said, sitting down next to her older sister. "All of us have one. The only one I'm not sure of is Ariel."
Andrina sighed and sat down on the other side of Aquata. "I know why you didn't say anything Aquata. The last thing I would want to do is remind father that we still have those maps. Especially with the Black Lake being banned. But we need to go to father now."
Aquata swallowed hard but nodded. "Do…do you think father will destroy the map?"
"I don't know," Andrina sighed. "I don't think he would but at the same time, the map allowed Alana to run away. I don't think he'd want anymore temptation."
And with that, the second eldest sister swam off toward the throne room to have what could possibly be the hardest conversation with her father in her life.