Chapter 34: Beneath the Black Lake
Because it was certain that the final Cursed Vault was in the Black Lake, Claire decided it would be good for everyone in the Circle of Khanna to review the Bubble-Head Charm. This spell created a sphere of oxygen around a person so they could breathe underwater. Yet to avoid suspicion, the group went to the Charms Classroom at different times. So during Free Period the day after the new student statue was found, Claire reviewed the Bubble-Head Charm with Ben, Barnaby, Ismelda, Penny, and Badeea.
"All right, now let's try the charm," Claire said once everyone finished practicing the incantation and wand movements.
Casting the Bubble-Head Charm on herself, she saw a barely visible sphere appear around her mouth that was full of air which she readily breathed in comfort. Ben and Barnaby cast the same spell, and the same sphere was on their mouths a few seconds later.
"My bubble's a little tight," Barnaby remarked, his words muffled by the air sphere.
"Then it's fine," Ben assured. "Yours looks perfect, Claire."
"I guess it's because the wand movement for the Bubble-Head Charm is similar to the Water-Making Spell Aguamenti, which we learned in Charms earlier today," Claire figured. "That was the same spell Snape used to put out Filch's coat when I set it on fire to get Peeves to give me the Portkey portrait to the Buried Vault."
Hearing that, Ben frowned.
###
Once classes were done for the day, Claire made her way to the Lakeshore underneath the Invisibility Cloak while Ben and Barnaby were accompanying her. Their plan was to have Claire enter the Black Lake using the Bubble-Head Charm to look for clues on the exact location of the final Cursed Vault, while Barnaby and Ben would serve as lookout from the surface.
"Now keep in mind what Hagrid said about the Grindylows acting more aggressively than usual, and the Merpeople being peeved as a result," Barnaby warned.
Seeing Ben being quiet, Claire said, "You're not upset that I mentioned the Buried Vault earlier, are you?"
"Well, I briefly was, but I'm over it now," Ben insisted. "So don't worry about me."
Taking Ben's word for it, Claire went behind a large rock to remove her school robe. Underneath, she was wearing a bathing suit that Andre bought for her in Hogsmeade. It was a black one-piece with blue stripes along the chest and hidden pockets with zippers. Then Claire cast the Bubble-Head Charm and dove into the Black Lake. Taking slow easy breaths, she swam further down until she reached the bottom. Apart from white sand, there were strands of kelp and stone structures covered in algae that looked ancient with various carvings on them including one resembling the Kraken.
"Looks like the perfect place to hide a Cursed Vault," Claire remarked to herself. "Now if only there was a clue…."
Glancing around, she quickly noticed a stone trident sticking out from the sand.
"It's exactly like the one from the Buried Vault," Claire observed.
Claire's thoughts were interrupted by screeching sounds echoing through the water. Looking to her left, she saw a creature swimming rapidly towards her. It resembled a human woman from the waist down, with kelp-like hair covering its breasts and gills along its waist. Then below, it sported a yellow-green fish tail.
"A Merwoman," Claire realized, then she noticed the creature was carrying a trident in its hand.
Baring her sharp teeth, the Merwoman made the same screeching sound Claire heard before and held her trident in a defensive position.
"Look, I don't want to hurt you," Claire said, taking out her wand that she tucked in one of the hidden pockets of her bathing suit. "I'm looking for something here."
Seemingly not understanding her, the Merwoman swam forward and thrust her trident at Claire. This forced Claire to cast Aguamenti, which made the water swirl around her as more water was added creating a torrent which sent the Merwoman flying backward. So Claire took this as her queue to leave as she surfaced up to the Boathouse, where she had agreed to meet up with Ben and Barnaby. Fortunately, they were both present as she explained what happened.
"It's a shame that Merwoman cut your investigation short," Ben remarked. "But that trident you found that looked like the one from the Buried Vault…could it be a marker of some sort?"
"Maybe, but there wasn't anything else down there that seemed distinctive," Claire said after putting her school robe back on which Barnaby handed to her.
"The Merpeople must be intelligent to some extent," Barnaby assumed. "If only there was a way to show them you don't mean any harm…."
"Guess we'll have to visit Hagrid and Professor Kettleburn," Claire figured. "They knew about the problems with the Merpeople, so they must know a lot about them."
###
"Now, remind us of why you wanted to meet us here," Kettleburn asked, while he and Hagrid were standing near Hagrid's garden across from Claire and Liz.
"Well, I'm doing a report on Merpeople," Liz claimed, winking over at Claire as she spoke. "And I thought you two could help me."
"What a fascinating creature to study, Miss Tuttle!" Kettleburn remarked.
"And why is Claire here?" Hagrid asked.
"I'm helping Liz write the report," Claire lied. "So what can you tell us about Merpeople?"
Smoothing his mustache with his claw hand, Kettleburn said, "Well, they are an ancient species, though their customs are fairly unknown. All we do know is that the Grindylows have been bothering the Merpeople in the Black Lake recently."
"That's awful to hear," Liz said, sounding genuinely concerned.
"Perhaps you'll find more information in books," Kettleburn suggested. "And if I recall, I encouraged the same thing when you asked me about Grindylows…."
Hagrid gave Claire a suspicious glance. "Does this have something to do with the Circle o'—
Claire placed a finger over her mouth to indicate Hagrid to not say anything. Seeing this, Hagrid looked nervously at Kettleburn, who stared at him with his one eye.
"I would ask what you're referring to, but I have a feeling you wouldn't like me to do that so I'll respect your privacy," Kettleburn responded, then he smiled to Claire and Liz. "Anyway, good luck on your research."
To be continued…
