--Incendio--

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing. Don't sue, I'm poor. EXCEPTION: I own the Witches of Trane, the Crystal Orb, the flying carpet idea for the story (kinda), the idea that the forests of Albania are next to the Dead Sea, the Door of Serenity, Fabrisia, home of the nymphs and Amethyst Cove.

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CHAPTER 23: Underwater Journey

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Hermione's spirits lifted almost immediately. Why hadn't she thought of that!

She turned to Draco, a huge smile plastered on her ghost-like face and hugged him tightly. She knew right then that she really did love him. She'd have to prove it to him later, but right now she had to focus on getting her body back.

She turned back to Laurel, but not before she turned to her new nymph friend, Karissa, and hugged her quickly as well.

"Well?" said Laurel. "How 'bout it?"

Hermione nodded enthusiastically. Then she remembered. Ron was still sleeping! She had to go get him and tell him her good news. But, before she could, she heard a voice come from behind her. It was Ron's.

"What is this, a party? Why wasn't I invited?" Hermione, Karissa and Draco turned around quickly. Ron was standing there, hair stuck to his forehead in sweat, eyes partly closed and filled with sleep, yawning and stretching.

"I woke up and you weren't there!" he said definitely, walking up to the four beings, and sitting down between Hermione and Draco. He turned to Hermione.

"What's going on?" he said brightly.

Hermione took a deep breath. "Well, you know I need my body back, so, Laurel, that's her," she nodded towards the mermaid slightly, and Ron turned and smiled at her, eyes light up with interest, and Hermione guessed he'd never seen a mermaid either, "told me about a woman that can help! Isn't that great?"

Ron nodded. He was looking at Hermione, but his thoughts were somewhere else, Hermione could tell.

"All she needs is your liver, a pint of your blood, and your left arm, Weasley! Fantastic, eh?" said Draco sarcastically, smirking.

Ron nodded dreamily again, then turned back to Laurel. "I-I'm Ron... ald." he said. Then he stuck his hand out stiffly. "Nice to meet you."

Laurel grinned and shook it playfully. "You too. I'm Laurel. Ready to operate?" she asked, referring to Draco's joke before.

Ron shook his head sleepily. "Huh? Operate...?"

Everyone started to laugh, and Ron turned beet red. "Shut up!" he said.

The laughter died down, and Hermione spoke. "We don't have much time, Laurel. I only have a few more hours before I die- for real." Laurel nodded, understanding.

"Okay. Just let me go tell my friends." she swam off quickly, leaving Ron, Draco, Karissa and Hermione looking at each other.

Then Karissa piped up. "Well, you'll need this Hermione, for the trip back." she went into a bag that was on her side that Hermione never noticed before. She pulled out some Gillyweed, and Hermione's eyes went wide. She'd only ever seen it once, during the Triwizard Tournament.

She smiled broadly, and hugged Karissa tightly. "Thank you." she said.

Karissa nodded, smiling, then left after saying goodbye to Draco and Ron.

Ron looked uncomfortable, so he quickly hugged Hermione, wishing her good luck.

Now all was left was Draco. Hermione and Draco looked at each other for a moment, before hugging tightly. Hermione never wanted to let go. Now she wished she hadn't chosen to become a ghost. She should have known there were other ways, and she didn't take the time to think about her choice. She was also afraid of what would happen if something did happen to her, and she didn't make it in time. What would Draco do to himself? Tears formed in her eyes, but being a ghost, couldn't leave or even show. Hermione knew they were there though.

They pulled apart, looking at each other again. Hermione made the effort to memorize every inch of Draco's face. Starting with this platinum blonde hair, ending with his perfect chin and magnificent neck. She as his eyes welling up with tears, and Hermione wished she could cry too.

She smiled weakly. "I'll be back, okay? I promise."

He nodded slightly, and brushed the tear away. Then they hugged again. Hermione took a deep breath and said what has been on her mind for a while. "I love you so much, Draco." she said quietly, just loud enough for him to hear her.

He pulled away from the hug, and kissed her passionately, making her short of breath, and when it was over, wishing for more.

"I'll apparate with your body for you." he said, standing up. Hermione thanked him. "Will you wait for me?" she asked. He shook his head. "I can't. I'm not safe outside of Fabrisia, and who knows what some old lady might say if a dashing young man suddenly showed up on her doorstep, with a girls body, demanding to stay." Laurel swam up to them, and Hermione turned towards her.

"I told her we were coming. She's expecting you," she said to Draco, "but doesn't want you to stay." Draco nodded.

"Thanks." said Hermione, for both her and Draco. Then she turned back towards him.

"I love you." he said to Hermione quietly and squeezed her hand slightly, before leaving, eventually fading into the mist behind them.

Hermione sighed deeply and turned back to Laurel.

Laurel was smirking. "Special guy?" she asked.

Hermione grinned. "Very. Ready to go?"

Laurel nodded. "All set! You have your Gillyweed?"

Hermione nodded. "Then let's go!"

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The two were quite an odd sight. A ghost and a mermaid swimming side by side, in a obvious rush. All of the fish swam out of their way quickly when they approached, and watched one set of bubbles follow them.

Hermione was amazed at what was under the water. It seemed bottomless, which fascinated Hermione. The fish were also very colorful, with shades of reds and greens and bright blues. Any other time she would have stopped and observed, maybe take notes, but she knew there was no time for that.

Laurel out swam in her speed, but only by a little. Hermione was also fascinated how she could breathe underwater without having to worry about breathing or sinking.

After a long while of swimming, Hermione noticed Laurel swimming slower, and looking more tired, but oddly enough, Hermione felt fine, filled with just as much energy as she had when she started the underwater journey.

Finally, after what seemed like at least 1 hour or more, Laurel and Hermione swam up to a large coral reef. Hermione stopped, and started, wondering how they would be able to get over or through the coral reef.

"She lives inside." said Laurel, sitting on a nearby rock to catch her breath.

Hermione blinked a few times and nodded. "Okay." She let Laurel rest for a few more moments before asking, "Ready to go? I only have 2 hours left."

Laurel nodded and swam on, leading Hermione.

Hermione was amazed to see that the ocean floor was even deeper around the coral. There were hardly any fish, and the coral gave off an eerie green-ish glow. After Hermione looked closer, she noticed that the coral was shaped like a fish with its mouth open. She was hesitant to go in, but knew she didn't have any other choice, except death.

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Yet another chapter... not my favorite chapter but it'll do. Review! I'm sad because we didn't reach 100, but I'm sure we'll make it by the weekend. I hope everyone had a good weekend!!

Kathloonakins - Thanks, I hope so! Haha.

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