Shipping Bingo: B3 - Arranged Marriage
Trope Bingo: A3 - Animal Transformation
Spring Bingo: D1 - Adaptation
Team: Earth Tones
Chimera: Jerry (Love/Hate)
Scavenger Hunt: Sp Settings (Boat)
Stacked With: FPC, BAON, ToS, Star, Fence, Shower, T3 SN, Ship, Chim, SpB, TrB
Individual Challenges: Long Haul (Y); Bucket Listing (Y); Two Cakes (Y); Eating Cake (Y); Green Ribbon (Y); Neurodivergent (Y); Rian-Russo Inversion x2; Ethnic & Present (Y); Ship Sails (Y); Hold the Mayo (Y); Buzzy Era (Y); Gryffindor MC; Durmstrang MC; Hufflepuff MC; Beauxbaton MC; Magical MC (Y); Feathers & Such Old Shoes (Y); Culturally Inclined (Y);
Representations:
Primary & Secondary Bonus Challenge(s): Unwanted Advice; Spinning Plates; Tomorrow's Shade; Fire Song; Second Verse (Found Family; Nontraditional; Sneeze Weasel; Ladylike; Not a Lamp; White Dress; Persistence Still); Chorus (Peddling Pots; Machismo; Pocky Pockets; Pear-Shaped)
Tertiary & Generic Bonus Challenge(s): T3 (Toad); SN (Rail; Intercept)
Warning(s):
~o0o~
"What have you been working on?" Viktor asked a few days after realizing he was happily married.
"Well, I think I found a potion that will make it so you don't have to rely on gillyweed or bubble charms to live underwater," said Hermione. "I can't make you what I am. It's impossible."
"Fiddly faddly fum," he sang. "I don't care if I have two legs, eight, or none. Our love is stronger than that."
"How do you feel about sharks?" she asked, tossing a flower into the cauldron. It poofed and shone a bright pink. "I can infuse it into a necklace, so you will be in the form as long as you wear it. This way, we can move into my palace, be more accessible to my subjects."
"Subjects…" That's right, she was a princess. "So… does marriage make you Queen?"
"No, the King and Queen live in the Atlantic," she said. "I still maintain Princess status."
"Will we… I mean… how will this change things?" he asked.
"Not very much," she said. "This will still be lair sweet lair, but in the Palace we'll be more central. Go wherever we want quickly without worrying about the bubble popping or the gillyweed wearing off. You'll be able to withstand more pressure, so we can go deeper. It will… open things up for us. And if you absolutely hate it, we can come right back here."
"We can still be ourselves?"
"Of course, why wouldn't we?" she asked.
"No reason." He took a deep breath. "So… shark?"
Hermione picked up the shark tooth attached on a chain and dipped it into the potion. She chanted and her eyes glowed. Viktor averted his gaze, and when he looked back, the potion had completely disappeared from the cauldron and the shark tooth was fading from pink to white.
"Now, to test it," she said. "It should have the opposite effect on me."
"Hermione, I will try it on," he said.
"No, if it goes wrong, I don't want you to get hurt," she said. "It's my magic, I have to be the one to test it."
"It will be fine," he said and lunged for the necklace. "I will test it."
Hermione held both his hands back with her tentacles, keeping the necklace out of reach. She smacked a third against his cheek and it made a funny popping sound.
"I'm testing it," she said and slipped it over her head.
For a moment, nothing happened. Hermione frowned and let go of him.
"I thought I had it," she sighed.
"Maybe it only works on a human," he said.
"Maybe." She went over to her pool and as soon as she touched the water, she gasped in pain.
"Hermione?!"
By the time he reached her, she was writhing in agony beneath the surface. He could hear her scream even as the water bubbled like a boiling pot. He plunged his hands in, finding it wasn't even warm, and pulled Hermione out. She gasped for breath and whimpered.
"Ow, ow…" she groaned and pressed her face into his thigh. "Maybe I should've gone on a quest for the magic trident instead."
"Next time, let me test it," he said. "Okay?"
She mumbled something he couldn't hear and lifted her head. "It worked."
"What do you mean?"
She pulled herself out of the water to show two brown legs. They looked human with toes, nails, hair, and everything.
"Human legs are stupid," she muttered, bending and flexing one of them. "They only move two ways and you can't hold anything with them. What are they good for?"
"Going into town?"
"Oh, yeah."
"We know it works," he said. "I don't want you to be uncomfortable, I'll take it now."
"No, we have to make sure it's long lasting," she said. "If I turn back on land, I can survive until we get to the sea, but if you turn back and we're a league below you could die. No, we have to test it further. Help me stand."
He helped her to her feet and she shivered.
"It's cold. How do you stand it?"
"Come over by the fire," he said.
He was reminded of the time he saw a fawn walking. She was wobbly and dragged them from side to side. The entire time she muttered about how dumb they were.
"Well, we manage just fine with them," he said, setting her by the fire. "You will be warmer with proper clothes. Let me see if something here fits."
"Hopefully you'll have an easier time adapting," she said. "Maybe I should have gone with the dolphin tooth, it would be less painful for you, your bone structures are similar."
"Why not the dolphin?"
"You've met them, they're jerks and would lord the choice over all the others."
"Would it make me Prince of the sharks?" he asked.
"Most likely," she said and held up her hands. "Opposable thumbs tend to put you in a leadership position."
He chuckled and brought out a nightgown. Hermione raised her hands and looked relieved that her magic still worked. The gown was dried and mended to be just like new. Viktor averted his gaze as she removed her fishnet shawl and her vest. Yes, she was his wife, but it didn't feel right to ogle her when she was so uncomfortable with her current state.
"There is technically more to human clothes," he said. "Combinations, bloomers, stockings, corsets. Those would not be suitable for town."
"Then we will go into town and fit me proper," she said. "Keep them here so when we want to visit land, we have them ready."
"If that is what you wish."
She nodded. "This will take some getting used to. Three days and if it doesn't disappear by sunset, I will turn it over to you and we can return to the sea."
"Why three?"
"Transformation spells have limitations," she said. "Usually they only last three days and then the transformed returns to normal. However, this is in a necklace, not ingested, so it should last for as long as you wear it."
"I see. Let us hope then." He held her close.
"Have you been cold like this all this time?" she asked, curling up against his side.
"At first," he admitted. "But I got used to it. Are you hungry?"
"No… just tired."
"Here." He stood and picked her up, carrying her to bed. The blankets had been hanging in front of the fire most of the day, so they were nice and warm to lay under. "Better?"
She hummed and rested her cheek on his arm when he spooned her. "Much."
~o0o~
Hermione had a much better handle on her legs the next day and she was more comfortable dressing in one of the skirts, blouses, and jackets they had on hand. The real chore was convincing her she needed to wear boots.
"Why do you not just adapt?" she asked. "It seems silly to be the only species that has to wear shoes to avoid injury or illness."
"Horses wear shoes."
She scowled. "How? They have hooves!"
Viktor shrugged. "It protects them from the stone streets."
She scoffed disbelievingly and shook her head. "Your human rules are so silly, I don't understand them."
"I don't understand them, either."
"Then why do it?"
"It is the status quo."
"It's stupid."
"See why I wanted to stay with you so badly? Well, that and how pretty you are."
Her cheeks darkened and she pulled the boots on. "Okay. Let's go see this foolishness."
"Wait." He went over to the clothes and brought over a hat. "Try this on."
"Oh, a prize is inside," she said, pulling out a skull and tossing it back onto the heap.
Viktor decided not to think about that and placed the hat on her head.
"Beautiful," he said and kissed her. It had taken longer to convince her that kissing was intimate than it did to convince her giraffes existed.
They took the backway to get to the surface this time. Hermione didn't want to submerge fully in water again until she had all of her legs. Viktor kept his arm around her waist in case her knees gave out. The day was warm and sunny. Come to think of it, he couldn't remember any horrible storms since he'd been with Hermione. Rainy days, yes, there had to be. But nothing violent that might cause their home to flood. The village wasn't very far and the people stared at them as they walked through the streets.
Hermione had grown much more interested now as it was a market day. A festival too. There were things to see and do and it captivated her. She especially found the juggling entertaining.
"Oh, music!" she gasped. "I know music."
"You know, legs are good for something else," he said.
"And what's that?"
"Dancing."
He brought her over to the plaza where several couples danced gaily to the music. It was a simple dance and they stayed near the edge so they wouldn't collide with anyone. She laughed as he picked her up and spun her around. Spinning was her favorite.
"Your Highness?"
Viktor looked over his shoulder, feeling a pit of dread open up at seeing a member of his family's court.
"It is you!" he gasped. "I thought I saw you here days ago!"
"What does he mean by 'Your Highness?'" Hermione asked. "Did you send word to your family?"
"We have to leave," he said and grabbed her hand.
"Please, Your Highness! We thought you were dead! Where have you been? It's been over a year!"
"Viktor… Viktor!" Hermione hiked up the skirt. "I can't run!"
He scooped her up and ran as fast as he could back to their cavern, making sure to lose the man who recognized him along the way. He collapsed to the ground and gulped down air.
"What's going on?" Hermione asked. "Who was that man?"
"I'm a prince," he said. "Not just to my marriage to you. I mean… on the surface."
"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked.
"Because I never wanted to be a prince," he said. "I am the fifth son. My entire life was planned for me and that included marrying me to someone I didn't love."
"Who?"
"I don't know. She would have been selected for me. None of the noble ladies liked me. They often said I resembled the vulture on my family crest. I would have been expected to join the most advantageous marriage possible, probably a union with another country to expand our borders and trades." He shook his head. "I didn't want that."
"So I was just an escape," she said.
"No, well, maybe it started out that way," he said. "But I like what we have here. I might not have been prepared to lead on the surface, but here I am. I love you, I love the friends we made." He took her hands. "Please, believe me when I say I am happiest down here with you."
"But… your family."
"Do not care for me like you do. They're probably waiting to drag me back so they can use me for their personal gain." He pressed his forehead into her shoulder. "I refuse to go back. You are my home, you are my family."
"Okay," she said, stroking his hair. "Then we will have to move. You're certain we weren't followed?"
"Positive."
"Okay, then tomorrow, I will pack the place up and we will find someplace new." She tipped his face to hers. "I promise, you do not have to return to the surface if you don't want to."
"I love you," he murmured.
"And I you."
He embraced her, dreading the moment he would have to let go.
~o0o~
Viktor watched in amusement as his wife stood in the center of the cavern singing a nonsense song. Everything, their treasures, books, and potions marched and shrank to fit in the bag where the fire once sat. She was much happier with eight legs, two of them conducting as she pointed at the items to pack next.
The cauldron went in last and Hermione closed the case with a snap. She cast a bubble of protection around it and tossed it into her pool.
"Shall we try it out here or do you want to wait until we're farther away?" she asked, holding up the necklace.
"We know the bubble charm works," he said. "Let's do that and then try the necklace when we are away."
Hermione nodded and stashed it away. "Do you have everything? Your shell?"
He held it up and put it safely into his satchel. He was sad to say goodbye to this beautiful place, but it was worth it to ensure he was safe with her.
"Now the spell." She rested her hands on his cheeks and placed her lips over his.
Something zipped through the air and Hermione gasped, her grasp loosening. An arrow protruded from her back.
"No!" Viktor held her close and looked to see who had done it.
Marching into the cavern were guards and his brother, Nikolai, of all people.
"Stop!" Viktor cried. "What are you doing?"
"So this is where you have been, little brother," he said. "Mother was so distraught when we all thought you were dead. And yet, here you are alive and in the clutches of a sea witch. How clever of you to lead us here to rescue you."
"I don't need to be rescued!" Viktor spat. "Don't hurt her. She rescued me from the shipwreck!"
"A likely story. She probably caused it," he said. "Come along, Viktor. The sooner you are away from her, the faster her love spell will wear off."
"There is no spell!" He looked down to see Hermione had gone chalky white and seemed much smaller than before. Her breathing was labored. He had no way of knowing if the arrow pierced something important, but a steady stream of blue blood was running from the wound.
"We'll have to use force, then." Nikolai waved a hand. "Take him by any means necessary. Kill the witch if you must."
The soldiers descended upon them, ignoring Viktor's pleas to stop. Hermione waved her hand and pushed them back into each other. There were too many. Despite his best efforts, Viktor was torn from her grasp, kicking and screaming. Hermione reached for him, the magic on her fingertips sparking and dying.
"Viktor…" she wheezed.
"Destroy the cave," said Nikolai. "They say if you destroy a witch's magic source she can't reform."
"That's a lie!"
"Well… we can't leave that to chance, can we?" He turned a cold eye to Hermione and she glared hatefully back. "This thing can't hurt you anymore."
Viktor fought and struggled. If he could just manage to get back, he could grab her, swim out through the tunnels. He had a store of gillyweed, he was sure of it. He'd risk it.
As soon as they were on the surface, Nikolai waved a hand.
"Take it out."
A crate was dropped into the mouth of the well and the soldiers moved away, taking Viktor with them. One threw in a light and there was a muted 'boom' like thunder. The foundations shook and crumbled before their very eyes. Viktor looked away, feeling sick.
"How could you?"
"You'll thank me one day. Come along, brother. You are in dire need of a bath."
Viktor's return was met with celebration. He had no idea he was so well-liked and suspected that only changed when they thought he was dead. Mother had even hugged him. Briefly, though, she quickly backed away holding a perfume soaked handkerchief to her nose and requested he be bathed and properly dressed. They weren't far from his home at all. At least, not the summer home on the sea. A few short weeks and he would be in the winter castle in the mountains.
The sea mirrored how he felt. It was dark and angry clouds rolled. Viktor noticed a manservant, Kliments, picking up the satchel.
"No!" He took it back. "Please…"
"Of course Your Highness," he said. "I will go and draw your bath then."
Viktor needed a safe place for his shell. He looked around his bedroom and spotted the bookcase with his personal collection. He ran over and stuffed the satchel beneath it. He clutched his chest and squeezed his eyes shut. Nikolai had no idea what he had done. The troubles he would cause by killing the protector of the sea. They may not happen right away, but eventually the creatures of the deep would rear their ugly heads. Already, he could tell things would be much more difficult for fishermen. No doubt the merfolk would quit helping once they learned what happened to their Princess.
"Your Highness, the bath is ready."
"Thank you, Kliments," he said. "Leave me, I can take care of myself."
"I'm sorry, sir, until we are sure the Witch's power is no longer holding you, I am not to leave you alone."
"There was no spell," he muttered. Not that they would believe him.
Months passed. The storms worsened. He was moved to the winter palace, this time paraded through the mountain paths rather than across the sea to prove he was alive and ready to be whoever he was needed to be. He was quickly broken of fighting back about Hermione's fate. Nikolai had locked him in the dungeon the last time he brought it up. How could he not? Fishing boats were going missing and villages had to be moved back from hungry waves that threatened to sweep them away.
However, that experience in the dungeons was not one he had wanted to repeat. Nikolai's advisor, Karkaroff, promised something much worse the next time he spoke.
So he let them believe he was the perfect little prince. Or as perfect as he could be. He was polite, but charm had never been one of his virtues. He continued the princely activities expected of him. When they finally returned to the summer home, he never let himself be caught sighing and staring out at the sea, which had calmed down some when spring rolled around. He wondered if Harini or Ron or Luna was assuming responsibility. He wondered if Hermione had turned to seafoam and a new witch was born from it. Would that Witch remember him?
"Viktor," said Nikolai. "Since you have consistently dug your heels in on the matter, even before your capture by the Witch, I have found a suitable bride for you. Without this union, the territory would go to one of our enemies and we must seize every opportunity to expand our borders. She is handsome and you will have a chance as King. Of course, you will still answer to me."
"Yes, Brother."
Nikolai's eyes gleamed and he looked smug. Viktor wished to punch him.
"May I make one request, Brother?"
"You may."
"I request the union take place on the sea," he said. "It will be a fitting farewell to… to my time captured."
Nikolai considered him. "Very well, I will humor you. You marry next month."
"When do I meet my bride-to-be?"
"Your wedding day of course. If she met you, she might change her mind."
Viktor felt his eye twitch, but he maintained his composure. Instead, he bowed and left. Only once he reached his quarters did he allow it to break. He pressed a hand to his mouth and curled up in his bed, feigning illness when he was called to dinner.
The next month was spent planning. The largest ship in the armada was on its way and should be big enough for the ceremony. They would release fireworks and then return to shore for the reception. Viktor prayed to whoever was listening that his wedding day would be sunny. If the weather were foul, then Nikolai would make sure the wedding proceeded at the palace and he would lose his chance at escape.
"Are you ready, Your Highness?" Kliments asked the morning he was to be wed.
Viktor nodded. "Ready as I'll ever be."
Tucked in his jacket was the shell Hermione had given him. For hopefully the last time, he was flaunted in the streets, which were crowded with people cheering and wishing him well. He looked at none of them. What had he ever done to earn their admiration?
On the ship, he was shown to a room with a window much too small for him to crawl out of. He opened it anyway, breathing in the salty sea air. He heard his bride board. Shouting and threatening servants with the dungeon if anything went wrong. He hoped it was mostly because she didn't want this as much as he didn't and not an actual personality trait, but was sure that it was the latter. Speaking from past experience with the nobility.
Viktor was helped into his wedding attire.
"I feel sick," he said.
"Wait here, Your Highness," said Kliments. "I will fetch you something from the galley."
He heard an outer lock click. No escape through there. Viktor grabbed his shell, opened the window, and blew hard into it. The sharp note rang and no doubt the entire ship would know. He just hoped they wouldn't link it to him. He paused and listened, hearing only excited chatter. He brought the shell to his lips and played the first verse of the song Hermione had taught him. Not the fiddle faddle, this was something different and more ancient.
The grey clouds seemed to dissipate and there was a sigh as the sun shone brilliantly down on them. Viktor heard the lock click and put the shell back in his coat, leaning nonchalantly against the wall.
"What was that?" Nikolai demanded.
"That music? Not a clue," said Viktor. "I was just admiring it."
He knew Nikolai wasn't fooled, but since his little brother was more amiable than ever, he dropped the issue.
"You are expected at the altar. I have guards escorting you."
It was as if he didn't trust him! Viktor shrugged and let himself be herded to the deck. The bishop looked green and a boy stood near with a pot. Viktor took his place at the altar and the two soldiers stood nearby, ready to grab him if he made a break for it. The quartet readied their instruments at a signal and played a hymn. The crowd stood for the bride as she walked down the aisle. Viktor did not turn around. He would see her soon enough.
He looked at her as she stood beside him. She wrinkled her nose and he wished to make a face back.
"Marriage," said the bishop. "Marriage is what brings us together today."
Partway through the ceremony, the ship lurched as if something heavy knocked into it. The crowd muttered and the bishop excused himself a brief moment, quickly returning at the demand of the King. The wind picked up, carrying words away and clouds rolled in despite it being perfectly sunny a minute ago.
A seagull squawked and landed on the altar.
"Oh, dear!" the bishop gasped. "Shoo! Shoo!"
It hacked up a fish, making the bride recoil in horror. The fish wiggled and morphed, changing and growing until a beautiful woman stood before them all.
"Fleur!" Viktor breathed.
"Witch!" Nikolai hissed. "Seize her."
Fleur raised her hand, stopping them in their tracks. She began to sing and the soldiers swayed. The nereid beckoned and moved away. Viktor, unaffected, moved towards the side of the boat.
"Oh, no you don't!" He was dragged back by the collar by Nikolai. "What game are you playing?!"
"WHAT IS THAT?!" a woman screamed and half the crowd ran to the side of the boat to see the ocean churning.
The sky darkened further and the waves broke as a giant rose above them. She could easily pick the ship up like a bath toy if the fancy struck her.
"It's the goddess of the sea!" a sailor cried, kowtowing and the other sailors followed suit.
"Who?!" the bride squeaked.
Viktor turned to her with what he was sure was a maniacal grin. "That's my wife!"
Hermione lowered her face down so she could see the crowd. Fleur blew a kiss and jumped over the side into the sea. The soldiers recovered and cowered, raising their weapons in fear.
"You tried to kill me," her whisper was almost deafening.
"I… I thought you were a witch," said Nikolai, clearing his throat and steeling his resolve. "This is merely a trick! An illusion by a no-good sea witch!"
"Sit down." She tapped him with the tip of her finger and he fell to the ground. "Who are you to order me when I control the weather and the sea? To an extent, of course, I cannot stop all tempests. But my temper causes more. Return my husband to me and I shall cause you no further problems."
"I won't allow it!"
Viktor scowled. "I'm sure the bishop has something to say about my already being married."
"Is it… b-b-binding?" the Bishop quavered. "Did you consummate it?"
Hermione looked at Viktor and he nodded.
"Yes," she said. "But do you really think I would stand before you and allow you to marry him off to this silly twit?"
"I am a Princess!" the bride shouted, stomping her foot.
"Mmhm." Hermione tipped her head. "I understand you on the surface purchase your mates. There's not enough treasure in the world I value more than Viktor, but if it's what you want, then I can provide it."
"Give him nothing!" Viktor called. "I only want your love!"
"Silence!" Nikolai growled.
"You forgot something, my love," said Hermione.
The seagull swooped back and dropped a necklace.
Viktor caught it in the air and watched the bird turn to Cedric, wave once, and disappear in the waves.
"No! I stopped you once and I will do it again!" Nikolai yelled. "Attack!"
Hermione's expression darkened and she blocked the assault. Viktor slipped the necklace over his head and climbed onto the railing.
"You take one more move and you are banished, Viktor!"
Viktor looked back. "Okay!"
He dove gracefully into the waves, his spine curving him beneath the ship. He felt the transformation almost immediately. He groaned and writhed, feeling like he swallowed maggots. He seemed to grow, his body lengthened and his legs fused before the bones disappeared. He got more solid and something sprouted out of his spine and elbows. The pain subsided and he looked back to see a shark tail, his trousers in pieces, though his decorative sword remained around his waist. He tore off the coat and relished in the freedom.
Grinning, he moved around and shot out of the water so Nikolai could see him.
"Goodbye, brother!" he called above the screams.
Hermione glowed gold and the storm subsided. Viktor greeted Cedric and Fleur.
"Thank you for the rescue, my friends," he said.
"Just remember," said Cedric. "Godparents. Oh, and you can also thank us by making our families members of the court."
"What would you even do with that position?"
"Same as always," said Fleur. "Just with bragging rights."
Hermione shot through the water back to her usual size and tackled Viktor.
"We'll leave you to it," said Cedric, swimming away with his cousin.
Viktor couldn't respond, too absorbed with kissing Hermione.
"I thought I lost you," he murmured.
"You almost did," she said. "I barely escaped. Fleur and Cedric took me to Harini and she healed me. Once I got my strength back, I hoped you would call to me."
"I couldn't," he said. "Nikolai prevented me from coming anywhere near the sea. And then he tried to make me marry someone else. So I requested it take place on the water so I could call for help. I thought… even if you weren't here, someone would come."
She nuzzled him and pulled him closer.
"I tried to move on land to find you," she said. "Tried breaking into the palace, but I was thwarted before I could even leave a message that I was there. I didn't want to risk going so far away from the sea. I didn't know what would happen if I wasn't near it."
"We're together again," he said. "It's all I dreamed for."
"Folderol," she said, but gazed at him as if her own wishes were answered. "Ready to go home?"
"Of course."
Hermione pressed her forehead to his and swam away. Viktor gave chase, finally able to keep up with her. He didn't know what the future held, but he hoped it contained a happily ever after.