Ginny Potter and The Boy Who Lived
Chapter 2: The Merpeople
Disclaimer: HP belongs to JK Rowling, the Mako and the characters from Harry Potter and The Blood of Darkness and all related characters belong to me.
They reappeared in a small oak-panelled office, it was empty apart from one filing cabinet and two desks, a person sat at each desk, they were waiting for them. One of them a lean, athletic girl leapt up putting down A Practical Guide to Self-Transformation by Metam Orpho on the table. "Hi guys, you made it then?!"
They nodded, Peter noticed them glancing at the other person in the office; a tall, brawny white-blond man in his thirties. "This is Perseus Triton, he's the local officer for the Merpeople Liaison Office." He nodded a greeting. "Tri, these are my friends; Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ginny and Ron Weasley, Harry's godfather Sirius Black and Professor Remus Lupin, one of his best friends from school." The group shook hands with Triton, then Peter started edging them towards the door, "Shall we head on? The boys are waiting for us at the harbour."
Harry nodded and led the way out of the room, Peter was last out, she waved goodbye to Triton and closed the door behind her. After about twenty minutes walking they arrived outside a wizard's pub called Neptune's Trident, two boys were sitting outside drinking Butterbeer. Harry and his friends gathered around them, when the publican came out to take their orders, Ginny and Peter ordered Butterbeer, Hermione ordered Gillywater, Harry and Ron chose rum, and the Marauders Ogden's.
After a couple of drinks, they wandered down to the harbour proper, Tom lead them down a dark passage to a short jetty. "Are your bags spelled against the water?"
Hermione nodded, "The standard Repelling Charm and a Drying Charm just to make sure."
Peter smiled approvingly, "Which spell are you going to use for breathing?"
"We thought the Bubblehead Charm."
"Bad choice. Bubblehead requires a lot of power and concentration to maintain for long periods of time, even powerful wizards can't manage more than about three hours. Fleur and Diggory did well to manage over an hour."
"So which one would you recommend?!" snapped Hermione.
"The Hydrimagus Charm. Most of the wizards around here use it. Part of the spell is a Word of Power, so it stays in place until you cast the counter- charm. I've been using it for the last 6 years, Tri taught it to me after my first year at Hogwarts." She pulled out her wand and pointed it at herself, "Subditus Poseidus." She gasped for a moment and then dove in. Tom gestured for Harry and his friends to follow, they cast the charm on themselves and jumped in.
When Tom joined them in the water he instantly transformed into a merman, he quickly removed his robes and stuffed them into a bag. "Lets get going." he said swimming strongly forward by flicking his glistening tail. "We have about an hours swimming ahead of us." Harry took a deep breath and swam after him.
Although most of them keep up easily with Tom, Hermione and Ron were not strong swimmers so it was about hour and a half later when they finally arrived at the perimeter of Mako Village. A sentry immediately approached them. "Halt. Identify yourselves!" He did a double take, "Greetings your Highness, you have returned?"
"Yes. These are my friends, Petunia of House Falco and Allirog of House Monk you may know?"
"Yes. Greetings Mistress Falco, Master Monk."
"We also have Harry of Potter, the Heir of Gryffindor. Sirius of Black, the Potions Master of Hogwarts. Remus of Lupin, the DADA Professor at Hogwarts. Ronald and Virginia of Weasley and Hermione Granger."
"Welcome to Mako Village honoured guests, you may pass."
They moved into the village and towards the largest building which was marked with a black and silver shark plague. Tom pounded on the door and a wizened old merman with long white hair and beard immediately opened it. "Sturgis, is everything ready for my guests?"
"Yes sire." The courtier glanced over the company, "Sire. We were expecting a group of seven, your group numbers eight."
"Yes. Professor Lupin will be staying with us also. Can an extra bed be placed in Professor Black's room to accommodate him?"
"This will be done. If you will follow me?" he asked and swam down one of the corridors until they reached a door inset with a blue and gold lightning bolt. "These are the rooms used by air-breathers who visit us." He told them and opened the door. The corridor they swam into had holes in the ceiling instead of the usual doors. "Lord Potter, Mistress Weasley, this will be your room." He indicated the first hole, "Master Weasley and Hermione Granger may stay in here."
"But."
"Hermione, just go. I'll explain later." hissed Tom. She nodded and hoisted herself up into Ron's room.
Sturgis indicated a third porthole further down the corridor, "Professors, you may use that room. Mistress Falco, Master Monk, your usual rooms are ready for you." With that he bowed and then swam off.
Tom poked his head into Harry and Ginny's room, "When you've unpacked, come back down to the Entrance Hall and we'll go and get some dinner." He dropped back down again once Harry nodded to show he'd heard him.
An hour later, they assembled in the Banqueting Hall of the Royal House. They were in the middle of the last course when Hermione finally decided she was tired of waiting. "What's this all about Tom? First, why do I have to share a room with Ron and two, why is everyone else 'of' and I'm not?" She was clearly irritated.
Harry looked up, "And as you're on the subject, why am I 'Lord' when Ron and Roger are 'Master'?"
Tom sighed, "They're all connected, I'll answer your question first Harry. It's the root issue."
"Go on."
"The Merpeople are divided into two hierarchal levels, the Great Clans and the Lesser Clans. There are three Great Clans, they are our ruling class, the Merchiefs of each Great Clan: Piscali, Orca and Mako, sit as the Trion, our government. Our 'Minister', the Primus, is selected by majority vote in the Trion; Bracus of Piscali is the current Primus. As a result, the Merpeople rate everyone by their caste, they don't respect the Ministries because they are primarily merit-based."
"You're talking about the old wizard families." said Ron, cottoning on.
"Yes. Trion law says there are three levels of wizard: High Wizard, Old Wizard, and New Wizard. High Wizard Patriarchs are known as 'Lord'. Harry is Lord Potter because he is the most direct descendent of Lord Gryffindor; Dumbledore is a 'Lord' because he is the Heir of Ambrosius or Merlin. Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin are also High Wizard families as are Lady Bey's descendents, the Thoths; and the founders of Shaman-Magic, the Kiemila-Sedit."
"What about me?" asked Hermione.
"Muggle-born wizards or wizards with a lot of Muggle blood in their family, though not if they have High Wizard blood, are New Wizards, no tradition, so little status under law."
"I see."
"As for the sleeping issue... Well, languages reflect the culture that uses them. In Mermish, there's no difference between a spouse, partner or even a friend of the opposite sex, the same word is used: 'metus' meaning 'bonded'. Because you and Ron are partners, our law requires you be treated in the same way as you would a married couple. That means shared rooms."
Harry realised something, "You said that friends of the opposite sex are 'metus', where does that leave me with 'Mione or Bird?"
Hermione began to look irritated again, "Tom, they'd better not be thinking what Harry is suggesting. I had enough of that from Rita Skeeter in fourth year!"
Tom raised his arms as if to shield himself, "Don't worry, it raised a few eyebrows, but I sorted it out. As far as my father is concerned Harry is your 'genus' or 'blood brother'. Your shared experiences have brought you close enough that you're like brother and sister to each other."
"That sounds about right." commented Harry, "And Bird?"
Peter jumped in at this point, "The Merpeople are very serious about any sort of conflict, even sport, we are fellow warriors, sexless."
"Good."
Tom grinned, "Those were easy enough, the real brain twister was explaining Babs and Jane."
"Why?" asked Ginny.
"Any couples are 'mates' to us. My father cannot understand how a loving relationship can exist without the possibility of children."
"How did you explain it?"
He shrugged, "I didn't. He eventually put it down to wizards and Merpeople being different."
Hermione floated away from the table, "Well, I'm going to bed now. I'll see you in the morning."
"Night."
Ron swam after her, "Hey Hermione, why don't we make the most of it?" he asked eagerly. "Hermione blushed but nodded and they swam out of sight together.
"I did not need to hear that." commented Ginny, "Not a nice mental image."
"I've an idea how to get rid of it." said Harry, straight-faced. Ginny made an enquiring noise, "Come with me and find out."
Ginny giggled and followed him out.
----
The next week was spent hunting nomeram, deep-sea cousins of the grindylow, and learning about merculture from Sturgis and the cousins. Hermione got used to her situation after a day or two but then Sonja's arrival got her started again. Hermione was just coming out of her room when Tom escorted her to the spare room. Hermione followed tom into the room and while Sonja was busy unpacking she approached him.
"You're wondering why Sonja gets her own room and you don't?" Hermione nodded,
"Two reasons, one we're not partners, we're team-mates..."
Hermione snorted with derision, "Team-mates that just happened to go to the Ball together the last three years in a row."
"Okay, I'll give you that. We're certainly not exclusive, did you know she went out with Ackerly last week?"
"Stuart Ackerly?"
"Yes. Besides, she's underage."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Under the law of most cultures including the Merpeople and wizards, you have to be sixteen before you can have sex. Sonja's fifteenth birthday isn't until August. I don't need the hassle and neither of us really wants to commit at the moment anyway o we're keeping it light. Isn't that right Sonja?" She looked up from her unpacking, "Uhh? What did you ask me?" Tom repeated his last statement. She nodded in agreement.
At the moment, a horn call blared, "What the...?"
"It's the alarm, we're under attack!" Tom ran over to the weapons rack and threw Sonja a sword, she caught it one-handed. He grabbed a spear for himself and ran towards the hole in the floor and dropped through it, the two girls followed Hydrimagus Charms in place.
Fox, Lion, Mare. We're under attack. Can any of you see who it is? No-one could.
Grab your swords and join us in the courtyard. she ordered. "Arcessare sword!" Her sword materialised in her hand.
----
We're on our way. confirmed Harry, arming himself with the Gryffindor Blade and dropping into the corridor, Ron and Ginny were only a few steps behind. By the time they made it to the courtyard, the battle had begun in earnest. Spear-welding Merpeople, men and women, were fighting hand-to-hand against eight-foot tall water demons with a shark's head and armour. The Mako had the advantage of weapons and greater numbers but as the Volpes' skin tore through their flesh with every blow it wasn't going to be enough.
Fortunately, they also had magic on their side. "Iaculari." No response, then Ron shot a Stunner at the oncoming demon, but it bounced off and it kept coming. "Petrificus Totalus!" The Body-Bind worked, and he ducked under another demon's swinging arm. "Lumos Holem!" The heat and light from the Helios Hex dropped that one too.
Harry fired a Stunner at another Volpi, it bounced off just as Ron's had. Mare, combine power! "STUPEFY!" they roared. The double Stunner hit the demon hard and it fell down. They didn't have a chance to do it again, as a group of three Volpi broke them apart. Harry dodged a punch from one and then took it down with a reverse crescent swipe which cut across it's chest and through it's gills. Ginny wrapped an air bubble around another one's head and knocked it out. A point-blank Stunner from last finished off the third, but another larger pack was closing in. Harry pointed his wand at them, "Typhonus!" A hurricane-force funnel of water burst from his wand and headed towards them, knocking them into each other. Harry jerked his wand, slamming them into the sea-cliff at their backs. "Finite Incantatem!" The funnel disappeared and they sank to the ocean floor.
With the extra power of the Bestia, Sonja, Sirius and Lupin added to the Mako Villages' defenders the fight was soon over. Within minutes all the attackers were dead or fleeing, some of the sentries pursuing them until they were out of sight.
Merchief Audis swam up to the group, Peter, Roger and Sturgis close behind. "Well done Lord Potter. Thanks to you and your friends we sustained the lowest losses in three years, even though there were more of them than ever. I thank you."
"You're welcome. How bad is it?"
"Seventy-five of them attacked, we killed 52 and lost 15 of our own, we also have 135 injured. Normally our losses would be double or triple that. In the five years since they began their attacks we've lost over a quarter of our population and killed just over 2,000 of theirs." Audis told him.
"Where's Hermione?" asked Ron.
"She's with Tom and Sonja. Sonja was injured, they're getting her to a healer."
Harry was thinking, "Why do they do it?"
"Food. Volpi are insatiable eaters, they're like locusts eating everything in sight. Mako Trench is one of the richest deep-sea fishing grounds within 300 miles." explained Peter, "They want it and so do the Mako."
Audis nodded, "And we intend to keep it."
----
A week later, Harry and his friends decided that it was time to head back to the surface. They packed up their bags and swam to the harbour. It was almost night when they arrived at Neptune's Trident. Tom asked the barman, Alejandro if they could use his fire. "Certainly, Senor Aquanis. Would you like some drinks, food?"
"Drinks please." Harry replied, "Can we have the same as we had last time?"
"Four Butterbeers, a Gillywater, two glasses of redcurrant rum, and two glasses of Ogden's, Senor?"
"Please. Sonja, what will you have?"
"Butterbeer thanks Harry."
"Make that five Butterbeers."
"Si Senor. I will get them right away." he bowed and went over to his bar. Sirius reached into his cloak and pulled out a small pouch of powder. He threw some of it into the fire. "Arthur Weasley!"
The fire flared and a face appeared in the fire. It was Mr Weasley's assistant. "Hello, Professor Black. What can I do for you?"
"Are you in California yet Stoakes?" Sirius asked.
"Yes sir. The Magistrate arrived at the Ministry compound yesterday. Mr Smythe and the rest of the Quidditch Team have also arrived."
"Can you arrange transport for us from San Francisco Bay?"
"Unless it's a emergency, not until tomorrow morning. The Portkey in that area is on Prescott Street, the 1300 block. The next activation isn't until tomorrow, 0745 PST."
"We'll take it. Could you pass on our regards to Mr Weasley and Mr Smythe and tell them we will join them tomorrow?"
"Certainly sir. Goodbye." As Stoakes' head faded from the fire, Alejandro came in with the drinks. As he set them down, Sirius asked him if he had any spare rooms.
"Si Senor. I have two doubles rooms, three twins and two singles, would that do Senor?" Sirius glanced at Hermione, she nodded. "That'll do fine. Could you get them ready?"
"I will do that now Senor. Dinner is at seven." He headed up the stairs to do that, and Harry and his friends sat back and enjoyed their drinks, they relaxed for the next few hours then Alejandro made them a traditional Mexican dinner. After their food had gone down, he suggested that he show them their rooms. He led them up a narrow wooden stair to the top floor. He stopped three doors down. "Rooms 6 and 8 are doubles, 7 & 9 are a connecting twin and single, 10 is a single and 11 is another twin. They are yours Senor." He handed the keys to Sirius, dipped his head and then turned and headed for the stairs.
Sirius waited until he was gone and then gave out the keys, Tom and Roger took Room 7, with Peter in 9 and Sonja across the hall in 10. The two couples took the doubles. Sirius and Lupin retired for the night in Room 11.
They unpacked and Harry, Ron and Hermione followed the kids back down to the bar. They sat around for a while, drinking and playing chess or Exploding Snap. Other guests drifted in and out, Tom introduced the others to any he knew. A few stopped to chat, but most just wanted a drink alone. At about ten-thirty, Ginny finished loosing to Ron for about the tree- hundredth time, she lay back against Harry, he crooked his arm around her, and after a few seconds he could hear her snoring lightly. He squeezed her arm and whispered in her ear. "Wake up love." Ginny stirred and sat up slightly, Harry let her get up. "I must have dozed off. I'm going to head up. You coming?"
Harry nodded, "Night guys. I'll see you in the morning at six o'clock. We have to get some breakfast and find our way over to Prescott Street for a quarter to eight." They nodded, Ron yawned. "You'd better get some sleep too." he added as he followed his very sleepy girlfriend upstairs to their bedroom.
----
When they appeared at Portkey Central, two familiar faces were waiting for them, Iolaus Herkalos and John Proud-Eagle. "Mr Potter, Mr Weasley asked us to escort you to the Ministry Compound. Will you follow us?" Harry nodded, hoisting his bag onto his shoulder, he gestured for the others to follow him, Ginny took his hand and the others spread out in a diamond formation behind them, Ron and Hermione on either side and Sirius bringing up the rear. After about two minutes walking they arrived at the main entrance to the camp. A swarthy black-robed wizard blocked the way. "Identify yourselves."
"Chiron and Aquila of the Order of the Phoenix escorting Harry Potter and party."
"The party are?"
"Hermione Granger, Ronald and Virginia Weasley, Thomas Aquanis, Petunia Falco, Allirog Monk and Professors Sirius 'Padfoot' Black and Remus 'Moony Lupin."
The wizard consulted his thick stack of parchments. "Proceed."
When they arrived at the England Ministry Compound, they were again required to identify themselves. When they finally entered the Magistrate's tent there was a whoosh of air and something collided with Harry, wrapping its arms around him. Harry stiffened, but then relaxed as his 'attacker' spoke, "Harry Potter sir, it is good to see you, sir."
"Hi Dobby. What are you doing here?"
The tiny elf looked surprised and upset, "Dobby is Harry Potter's elf, he must be with Harry Potter unless Harry Potter says cannot be sir."
"It's okay Dobby. I just wasn't expecting you. Any other reason?"
Dobby hiccupped, "Yes sir. Dobby is hearing things Harry Potter. Bad things. There will be an attack sir. Dobby wishes to be with his master and help sir."
"Thank you Dobby." Harry assured him, "I'm sure we can find some way for you to help if there's trouble. Are any of the other elves here?"
"Yes sir. Winky and Boric are here and there are others with the other Ministry people sir."
At that moment Boric appeared, "What rooms will be required sir?"
"A double for Ginny and I." replied Harry.
"Master Ronald. Will you be requiring a private room?"
"Please. A double."
"Very good sir." said Boric, "Do you have any special requirements?" He asked the others. They shook their heads. "Just put us where ever." confirmed Sirius.
"I see. Follow me." Harry was surprised at the size of the tent, it had seven or eight bedrooms, all but three of which was occupied, although Charlie's room had two spare beds for the other professors, a kitchen, living room, library, and a large bed-sit where Mr Weasley's bodyguards slept. As Stoakes had told Sirius the night before, the others had already arrived and so it was an eighteen-strong group that gathered around the table for lunch. After lunch Harry decided he'd better go and find the team, he invited the others to come with him, Peter, Hermione and Sirius excused themselves and Bill, Fleur, Lupin and Mr Weasley said they had things to do. The twins, Angelina and Alicia confessed that they would like to see Wood again. "It'll be interesting to see what he like now he's not top dog." Fred admitted.
Harry left the tent and headed over to another one also inside the compound with the England Crest embroidered on it. The team were there eating lunch themselves, they greeted Harry and Ginny enthusiastically, Harry introduced the others and they all headed over to the pitch as a group. After an energetic practice session, the team took a break then taught Ginny, Roger, Tom and Sonja some of their moves for an hour or so and then quit for the day, heading off for showers before dinner.
The next week passed quickly, sometimes Peter joined them at practice and Wood showed her a few of his more unusual moves, which she quickly mastered. One morning, when Harry woke up something felt, different, Ginny sat up and kissed him on the cheek. "Happy Birthday Harry."
----
It was the best birthday Harry had ever had. That evening, a huge gathering met in the dinning room of the Weasleys' tent. Present were Harry and his friends, the other Weasleys, Sirius, Dumbledore, Lupin, Angelina, Alicia and Fleur, plus the other members of the England Quidditch Team.
With that many people there, Harry lost track of who gave him all his presents, although he could remember some: Ginny gave him a beautiful carvel medals box made of rowan, Ron and Hermione gave him a Reperire, a gold watch which worked like the Weasleys' clock, and Sirius and Lupin clubbed together to buy them some robes. But the most unexpected presents came from Dumbledore, he handed Harry a slim, leather-covered box, inside were two gold medallions on ribbons. He plucked out the smaller badge first, Dumbledore stood up and took the ribbons from him, "Harry James Potter, I am pleased to present you with the Order of Merlin, First Class for Outstanding Service to the Magical World."
Everyone stood up and applauded, the other medallion was a gold and red badge with the ruby red phoenix across the top and a lion engraved along a flat, inset panel. It was the badge of the Order of the Phoenix who were now an official paramilitary force answerable to the Minister himself. Harry tucked the badge into the inside pocket of his new jacket and got started with the food. After the meal, the party continued with drinks, dancing and music into the small hours of the morning. It was almost dawn before he and Ginny staggered off back to their bedroom, they were too tired even to undress, they just fell into bed and fell asleep immediately.
Chapter 2: The Merpeople
Disclaimer: HP belongs to JK Rowling, the Mako and the characters from Harry Potter and The Blood of Darkness and all related characters belong to me.
They reappeared in a small oak-panelled office, it was empty apart from one filing cabinet and two desks, a person sat at each desk, they were waiting for them. One of them a lean, athletic girl leapt up putting down A Practical Guide to Self-Transformation by Metam Orpho on the table. "Hi guys, you made it then?!"
They nodded, Peter noticed them glancing at the other person in the office; a tall, brawny white-blond man in his thirties. "This is Perseus Triton, he's the local officer for the Merpeople Liaison Office." He nodded a greeting. "Tri, these are my friends; Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ginny and Ron Weasley, Harry's godfather Sirius Black and Professor Remus Lupin, one of his best friends from school." The group shook hands with Triton, then Peter started edging them towards the door, "Shall we head on? The boys are waiting for us at the harbour."
Harry nodded and led the way out of the room, Peter was last out, she waved goodbye to Triton and closed the door behind her. After about twenty minutes walking they arrived outside a wizard's pub called Neptune's Trident, two boys were sitting outside drinking Butterbeer. Harry and his friends gathered around them, when the publican came out to take their orders, Ginny and Peter ordered Butterbeer, Hermione ordered Gillywater, Harry and Ron chose rum, and the Marauders Ogden's.
After a couple of drinks, they wandered down to the harbour proper, Tom lead them down a dark passage to a short jetty. "Are your bags spelled against the water?"
Hermione nodded, "The standard Repelling Charm and a Drying Charm just to make sure."
Peter smiled approvingly, "Which spell are you going to use for breathing?"
"We thought the Bubblehead Charm."
"Bad choice. Bubblehead requires a lot of power and concentration to maintain for long periods of time, even powerful wizards can't manage more than about three hours. Fleur and Diggory did well to manage over an hour."
"So which one would you recommend?!" snapped Hermione.
"The Hydrimagus Charm. Most of the wizards around here use it. Part of the spell is a Word of Power, so it stays in place until you cast the counter- charm. I've been using it for the last 6 years, Tri taught it to me after my first year at Hogwarts." She pulled out her wand and pointed it at herself, "Subditus Poseidus." She gasped for a moment and then dove in. Tom gestured for Harry and his friends to follow, they cast the charm on themselves and jumped in.
When Tom joined them in the water he instantly transformed into a merman, he quickly removed his robes and stuffed them into a bag. "Lets get going." he said swimming strongly forward by flicking his glistening tail. "We have about an hours swimming ahead of us." Harry took a deep breath and swam after him.
Although most of them keep up easily with Tom, Hermione and Ron were not strong swimmers so it was about hour and a half later when they finally arrived at the perimeter of Mako Village. A sentry immediately approached them. "Halt. Identify yourselves!" He did a double take, "Greetings your Highness, you have returned?"
"Yes. These are my friends, Petunia of House Falco and Allirog of House Monk you may know?"
"Yes. Greetings Mistress Falco, Master Monk."
"We also have Harry of Potter, the Heir of Gryffindor. Sirius of Black, the Potions Master of Hogwarts. Remus of Lupin, the DADA Professor at Hogwarts. Ronald and Virginia of Weasley and Hermione Granger."
"Welcome to Mako Village honoured guests, you may pass."
They moved into the village and towards the largest building which was marked with a black and silver shark plague. Tom pounded on the door and a wizened old merman with long white hair and beard immediately opened it. "Sturgis, is everything ready for my guests?"
"Yes sire." The courtier glanced over the company, "Sire. We were expecting a group of seven, your group numbers eight."
"Yes. Professor Lupin will be staying with us also. Can an extra bed be placed in Professor Black's room to accommodate him?"
"This will be done. If you will follow me?" he asked and swam down one of the corridors until they reached a door inset with a blue and gold lightning bolt. "These are the rooms used by air-breathers who visit us." He told them and opened the door. The corridor they swam into had holes in the ceiling instead of the usual doors. "Lord Potter, Mistress Weasley, this will be your room." He indicated the first hole, "Master Weasley and Hermione Granger may stay in here."
"But."
"Hermione, just go. I'll explain later." hissed Tom. She nodded and hoisted herself up into Ron's room.
Sturgis indicated a third porthole further down the corridor, "Professors, you may use that room. Mistress Falco, Master Monk, your usual rooms are ready for you." With that he bowed and then swam off.
Tom poked his head into Harry and Ginny's room, "When you've unpacked, come back down to the Entrance Hall and we'll go and get some dinner." He dropped back down again once Harry nodded to show he'd heard him.
An hour later, they assembled in the Banqueting Hall of the Royal House. They were in the middle of the last course when Hermione finally decided she was tired of waiting. "What's this all about Tom? First, why do I have to share a room with Ron and two, why is everyone else 'of' and I'm not?" She was clearly irritated.
Harry looked up, "And as you're on the subject, why am I 'Lord' when Ron and Roger are 'Master'?"
Tom sighed, "They're all connected, I'll answer your question first Harry. It's the root issue."
"Go on."
"The Merpeople are divided into two hierarchal levels, the Great Clans and the Lesser Clans. There are three Great Clans, they are our ruling class, the Merchiefs of each Great Clan: Piscali, Orca and Mako, sit as the Trion, our government. Our 'Minister', the Primus, is selected by majority vote in the Trion; Bracus of Piscali is the current Primus. As a result, the Merpeople rate everyone by their caste, they don't respect the Ministries because they are primarily merit-based."
"You're talking about the old wizard families." said Ron, cottoning on.
"Yes. Trion law says there are three levels of wizard: High Wizard, Old Wizard, and New Wizard. High Wizard Patriarchs are known as 'Lord'. Harry is Lord Potter because he is the most direct descendent of Lord Gryffindor; Dumbledore is a 'Lord' because he is the Heir of Ambrosius or Merlin. Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin are also High Wizard families as are Lady Bey's descendents, the Thoths; and the founders of Shaman-Magic, the Kiemila-Sedit."
"What about me?" asked Hermione.
"Muggle-born wizards or wizards with a lot of Muggle blood in their family, though not if they have High Wizard blood, are New Wizards, no tradition, so little status under law."
"I see."
"As for the sleeping issue... Well, languages reflect the culture that uses them. In Mermish, there's no difference between a spouse, partner or even a friend of the opposite sex, the same word is used: 'metus' meaning 'bonded'. Because you and Ron are partners, our law requires you be treated in the same way as you would a married couple. That means shared rooms."
Harry realised something, "You said that friends of the opposite sex are 'metus', where does that leave me with 'Mione or Bird?"
Hermione began to look irritated again, "Tom, they'd better not be thinking what Harry is suggesting. I had enough of that from Rita Skeeter in fourth year!"
Tom raised his arms as if to shield himself, "Don't worry, it raised a few eyebrows, but I sorted it out. As far as my father is concerned Harry is your 'genus' or 'blood brother'. Your shared experiences have brought you close enough that you're like brother and sister to each other."
"That sounds about right." commented Harry, "And Bird?"
Peter jumped in at this point, "The Merpeople are very serious about any sort of conflict, even sport, we are fellow warriors, sexless."
"Good."
Tom grinned, "Those were easy enough, the real brain twister was explaining Babs and Jane."
"Why?" asked Ginny.
"Any couples are 'mates' to us. My father cannot understand how a loving relationship can exist without the possibility of children."
"How did you explain it?"
He shrugged, "I didn't. He eventually put it down to wizards and Merpeople being different."
Hermione floated away from the table, "Well, I'm going to bed now. I'll see you in the morning."
"Night."
Ron swam after her, "Hey Hermione, why don't we make the most of it?" he asked eagerly. "Hermione blushed but nodded and they swam out of sight together.
"I did not need to hear that." commented Ginny, "Not a nice mental image."
"I've an idea how to get rid of it." said Harry, straight-faced. Ginny made an enquiring noise, "Come with me and find out."
Ginny giggled and followed him out.
----
The next week was spent hunting nomeram, deep-sea cousins of the grindylow, and learning about merculture from Sturgis and the cousins. Hermione got used to her situation after a day or two but then Sonja's arrival got her started again. Hermione was just coming out of her room when Tom escorted her to the spare room. Hermione followed tom into the room and while Sonja was busy unpacking she approached him.
"You're wondering why Sonja gets her own room and you don't?" Hermione nodded,
"Two reasons, one we're not partners, we're team-mates..."
Hermione snorted with derision, "Team-mates that just happened to go to the Ball together the last three years in a row."
"Okay, I'll give you that. We're certainly not exclusive, did you know she went out with Ackerly last week?"
"Stuart Ackerly?"
"Yes. Besides, she's underage."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Under the law of most cultures including the Merpeople and wizards, you have to be sixteen before you can have sex. Sonja's fifteenth birthday isn't until August. I don't need the hassle and neither of us really wants to commit at the moment anyway o we're keeping it light. Isn't that right Sonja?" She looked up from her unpacking, "Uhh? What did you ask me?" Tom repeated his last statement. She nodded in agreement.
At the moment, a horn call blared, "What the...?"
"It's the alarm, we're under attack!" Tom ran over to the weapons rack and threw Sonja a sword, she caught it one-handed. He grabbed a spear for himself and ran towards the hole in the floor and dropped through it, the two girls followed Hydrimagus Charms in place.
Fox, Lion, Mare. We're under attack. Can any of you see who it is? No-one could.
Grab your swords and join us in the courtyard. she ordered. "Arcessare sword!" Her sword materialised in her hand.
----
We're on our way. confirmed Harry, arming himself with the Gryffindor Blade and dropping into the corridor, Ron and Ginny were only a few steps behind. By the time they made it to the courtyard, the battle had begun in earnest. Spear-welding Merpeople, men and women, were fighting hand-to-hand against eight-foot tall water demons with a shark's head and armour. The Mako had the advantage of weapons and greater numbers but as the Volpes' skin tore through their flesh with every blow it wasn't going to be enough.
Fortunately, they also had magic on their side. "Iaculari." No response, then Ron shot a Stunner at the oncoming demon, but it bounced off and it kept coming. "Petrificus Totalus!" The Body-Bind worked, and he ducked under another demon's swinging arm. "Lumos Holem!" The heat and light from the Helios Hex dropped that one too.
Harry fired a Stunner at another Volpi, it bounced off just as Ron's had. Mare, combine power! "STUPEFY!" they roared. The double Stunner hit the demon hard and it fell down. They didn't have a chance to do it again, as a group of three Volpi broke them apart. Harry dodged a punch from one and then took it down with a reverse crescent swipe which cut across it's chest and through it's gills. Ginny wrapped an air bubble around another one's head and knocked it out. A point-blank Stunner from last finished off the third, but another larger pack was closing in. Harry pointed his wand at them, "Typhonus!" A hurricane-force funnel of water burst from his wand and headed towards them, knocking them into each other. Harry jerked his wand, slamming them into the sea-cliff at their backs. "Finite Incantatem!" The funnel disappeared and they sank to the ocean floor.
With the extra power of the Bestia, Sonja, Sirius and Lupin added to the Mako Villages' defenders the fight was soon over. Within minutes all the attackers were dead or fleeing, some of the sentries pursuing them until they were out of sight.
Merchief Audis swam up to the group, Peter, Roger and Sturgis close behind. "Well done Lord Potter. Thanks to you and your friends we sustained the lowest losses in three years, even though there were more of them than ever. I thank you."
"You're welcome. How bad is it?"
"Seventy-five of them attacked, we killed 52 and lost 15 of our own, we also have 135 injured. Normally our losses would be double or triple that. In the five years since they began their attacks we've lost over a quarter of our population and killed just over 2,000 of theirs." Audis told him.
"Where's Hermione?" asked Ron.
"She's with Tom and Sonja. Sonja was injured, they're getting her to a healer."
Harry was thinking, "Why do they do it?"
"Food. Volpi are insatiable eaters, they're like locusts eating everything in sight. Mako Trench is one of the richest deep-sea fishing grounds within 300 miles." explained Peter, "They want it and so do the Mako."
Audis nodded, "And we intend to keep it."
----
A week later, Harry and his friends decided that it was time to head back to the surface. They packed up their bags and swam to the harbour. It was almost night when they arrived at Neptune's Trident. Tom asked the barman, Alejandro if they could use his fire. "Certainly, Senor Aquanis. Would you like some drinks, food?"
"Drinks please." Harry replied, "Can we have the same as we had last time?"
"Four Butterbeers, a Gillywater, two glasses of redcurrant rum, and two glasses of Ogden's, Senor?"
"Please. Sonja, what will you have?"
"Butterbeer thanks Harry."
"Make that five Butterbeers."
"Si Senor. I will get them right away." he bowed and went over to his bar. Sirius reached into his cloak and pulled out a small pouch of powder. He threw some of it into the fire. "Arthur Weasley!"
The fire flared and a face appeared in the fire. It was Mr Weasley's assistant. "Hello, Professor Black. What can I do for you?"
"Are you in California yet Stoakes?" Sirius asked.
"Yes sir. The Magistrate arrived at the Ministry compound yesterday. Mr Smythe and the rest of the Quidditch Team have also arrived."
"Can you arrange transport for us from San Francisco Bay?"
"Unless it's a emergency, not until tomorrow morning. The Portkey in that area is on Prescott Street, the 1300 block. The next activation isn't until tomorrow, 0745 PST."
"We'll take it. Could you pass on our regards to Mr Weasley and Mr Smythe and tell them we will join them tomorrow?"
"Certainly sir. Goodbye." As Stoakes' head faded from the fire, Alejandro came in with the drinks. As he set them down, Sirius asked him if he had any spare rooms.
"Si Senor. I have two doubles rooms, three twins and two singles, would that do Senor?" Sirius glanced at Hermione, she nodded. "That'll do fine. Could you get them ready?"
"I will do that now Senor. Dinner is at seven." He headed up the stairs to do that, and Harry and his friends sat back and enjoyed their drinks, they relaxed for the next few hours then Alejandro made them a traditional Mexican dinner. After their food had gone down, he suggested that he show them their rooms. He led them up a narrow wooden stair to the top floor. He stopped three doors down. "Rooms 6 and 8 are doubles, 7 & 9 are a connecting twin and single, 10 is a single and 11 is another twin. They are yours Senor." He handed the keys to Sirius, dipped his head and then turned and headed for the stairs.
Sirius waited until he was gone and then gave out the keys, Tom and Roger took Room 7, with Peter in 9 and Sonja across the hall in 10. The two couples took the doubles. Sirius and Lupin retired for the night in Room 11.
They unpacked and Harry, Ron and Hermione followed the kids back down to the bar. They sat around for a while, drinking and playing chess or Exploding Snap. Other guests drifted in and out, Tom introduced the others to any he knew. A few stopped to chat, but most just wanted a drink alone. At about ten-thirty, Ginny finished loosing to Ron for about the tree- hundredth time, she lay back against Harry, he crooked his arm around her, and after a few seconds he could hear her snoring lightly. He squeezed her arm and whispered in her ear. "Wake up love." Ginny stirred and sat up slightly, Harry let her get up. "I must have dozed off. I'm going to head up. You coming?"
Harry nodded, "Night guys. I'll see you in the morning at six o'clock. We have to get some breakfast and find our way over to Prescott Street for a quarter to eight." They nodded, Ron yawned. "You'd better get some sleep too." he added as he followed his very sleepy girlfriend upstairs to their bedroom.
----
When they appeared at Portkey Central, two familiar faces were waiting for them, Iolaus Herkalos and John Proud-Eagle. "Mr Potter, Mr Weasley asked us to escort you to the Ministry Compound. Will you follow us?" Harry nodded, hoisting his bag onto his shoulder, he gestured for the others to follow him, Ginny took his hand and the others spread out in a diamond formation behind them, Ron and Hermione on either side and Sirius bringing up the rear. After about two minutes walking they arrived at the main entrance to the camp. A swarthy black-robed wizard blocked the way. "Identify yourselves."
"Chiron and Aquila of the Order of the Phoenix escorting Harry Potter and party."
"The party are?"
"Hermione Granger, Ronald and Virginia Weasley, Thomas Aquanis, Petunia Falco, Allirog Monk and Professors Sirius 'Padfoot' Black and Remus 'Moony Lupin."
The wizard consulted his thick stack of parchments. "Proceed."
When they arrived at the England Ministry Compound, they were again required to identify themselves. When they finally entered the Magistrate's tent there was a whoosh of air and something collided with Harry, wrapping its arms around him. Harry stiffened, but then relaxed as his 'attacker' spoke, "Harry Potter sir, it is good to see you, sir."
"Hi Dobby. What are you doing here?"
The tiny elf looked surprised and upset, "Dobby is Harry Potter's elf, he must be with Harry Potter unless Harry Potter says cannot be sir."
"It's okay Dobby. I just wasn't expecting you. Any other reason?"
Dobby hiccupped, "Yes sir. Dobby is hearing things Harry Potter. Bad things. There will be an attack sir. Dobby wishes to be with his master and help sir."
"Thank you Dobby." Harry assured him, "I'm sure we can find some way for you to help if there's trouble. Are any of the other elves here?"
"Yes sir. Winky and Boric are here and there are others with the other Ministry people sir."
At that moment Boric appeared, "What rooms will be required sir?"
"A double for Ginny and I." replied Harry.
"Master Ronald. Will you be requiring a private room?"
"Please. A double."
"Very good sir." said Boric, "Do you have any special requirements?" He asked the others. They shook their heads. "Just put us where ever." confirmed Sirius.
"I see. Follow me." Harry was surprised at the size of the tent, it had seven or eight bedrooms, all but three of which was occupied, although Charlie's room had two spare beds for the other professors, a kitchen, living room, library, and a large bed-sit where Mr Weasley's bodyguards slept. As Stoakes had told Sirius the night before, the others had already arrived and so it was an eighteen-strong group that gathered around the table for lunch. After lunch Harry decided he'd better go and find the team, he invited the others to come with him, Peter, Hermione and Sirius excused themselves and Bill, Fleur, Lupin and Mr Weasley said they had things to do. The twins, Angelina and Alicia confessed that they would like to see Wood again. "It'll be interesting to see what he like now he's not top dog." Fred admitted.
Harry left the tent and headed over to another one also inside the compound with the England Crest embroidered on it. The team were there eating lunch themselves, they greeted Harry and Ginny enthusiastically, Harry introduced the others and they all headed over to the pitch as a group. After an energetic practice session, the team took a break then taught Ginny, Roger, Tom and Sonja some of their moves for an hour or so and then quit for the day, heading off for showers before dinner.
The next week passed quickly, sometimes Peter joined them at practice and Wood showed her a few of his more unusual moves, which she quickly mastered. One morning, when Harry woke up something felt, different, Ginny sat up and kissed him on the cheek. "Happy Birthday Harry."
----
It was the best birthday Harry had ever had. That evening, a huge gathering met in the dinning room of the Weasleys' tent. Present were Harry and his friends, the other Weasleys, Sirius, Dumbledore, Lupin, Angelina, Alicia and Fleur, plus the other members of the England Quidditch Team.
With that many people there, Harry lost track of who gave him all his presents, although he could remember some: Ginny gave him a beautiful carvel medals box made of rowan, Ron and Hermione gave him a Reperire, a gold watch which worked like the Weasleys' clock, and Sirius and Lupin clubbed together to buy them some robes. But the most unexpected presents came from Dumbledore, he handed Harry a slim, leather-covered box, inside were two gold medallions on ribbons. He plucked out the smaller badge first, Dumbledore stood up and took the ribbons from him, "Harry James Potter, I am pleased to present you with the Order of Merlin, First Class for Outstanding Service to the Magical World."
Everyone stood up and applauded, the other medallion was a gold and red badge with the ruby red phoenix across the top and a lion engraved along a flat, inset panel. It was the badge of the Order of the Phoenix who were now an official paramilitary force answerable to the Minister himself. Harry tucked the badge into the inside pocket of his new jacket and got started with the food. After the meal, the party continued with drinks, dancing and music into the small hours of the morning. It was almost dawn before he and Ginny staggered off back to their bedroom, they were too tired even to undress, they just fell into bed and fell asleep immediately.