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.
------
CHAPTER 24: Queen of the Snakes (Chapter rated PG-13)
------
As Hermione and Laurel swam closer to the eerie coral-house, Hermione was plagued by flashbacks from the past week. First, her house in flames, then arriving at the Burrow and sharing a room with Draco, Narcissa's tormented and mangled dead body, the zombies in the forest of Albania, and now this. She started to wonder if this was what death was like, as she swam on, Laurel at her side. She'd read stories where the characters die, and you see inside their head. Their whole life flashes in front of them, then they go out like a bed-side candle.
She shuddered, thinking that if she was going to die, this was no the way she had imagined it. Sacrificing her life for her friends. Then she thought of Harry. He probably felt like this a lot, before he died. Always going around and saving everyone. 'It must have been hard.' thought Hermione.
Suddenly, Hermione wished that her exit from Draco wasn't so plain. She wanted him to scoop her into his arms, like he had in the forest on two separate occasions, and kiss her with all the passion she knew he had. She sighed internally, before Laurel held out her arm, signaling Hermione to stop.
Hermione was amazed by what she saw. Rows and rows of cabinets on the walls of the hallway, and seaweed on the floor, that seemed to moan and wail. She shuddered again, suddenly very cold, despite being a ghost.
Even Laurel shuddered, and it was obvious to Hermione that this was not Laurel's fire bad-encounter in this place.
Hermione also noticed that the water ended, followed by smooth, dry rock.
"You go. I'll stay here and help you swim back." said Laurel quietly.
Hermione nodded, frightened and stepped out of the water, and began to float quickly down the hallway.
She happened upon a bright room, with a large basin made out of more coral, or rock in the center of the room. It was glowing, and seemed to look like a Draught of the Living Death, which made Hermione even more afraid. She started to back out of the room, but was stopped by a loud voice.
"Don't go. Don't you want to live again?" asked the voice. It sounded like a woman's voice, but was horribly wretched and reminded Hermione of nails on a chalkboard. She grimaced and gulped loudly.
"Y-yes." she stammered quietly.
"Good." said the voice again.
Again, Hermione made a painful-looking face and asked. "Who are you?"
There was silence for a moment, before the voice spoke again. "I am Nyoka, Queen of the Snakes, at your service."
Hermione stifled a gasp. Queen of the Snakes!
Then, right as Hermione almost fled the room, choosing death instead of what was to come, a shadow emerged out of a dark corner. It looked like at least 20 snakes, together, flailing wildly. Hermione stopped breathing, unable to move except stare in fear at the shadow.
But then, a body came out of the shadow. She was beautiful. Nyoka had long, charcoal black hair and intense green eyes that sparkled. Her skin was a pale ivory. She was tall and very skinny, which surprised Hermione. Why would someone so beautiful have such a horrifying shadow?
Nyoka chuckled at Hermione gaping at her. "The Shadow, right?" she asked, walking to the other side of the room, and grabbing a few ingredients off the shelves on the wall, throwing them into the basin at the center of the room with skill.
Hermione nodded.
"Can you help me?" she asked, without any hesitation.
Nyoka laughed, her laughter bounced off the walls, making Hermione's ear drums feel close to bursting. She covered her ears, face twisted in agony, before the voice stopped.
Nyoka smiled. "Sorry. Some have told me my voice sounds horrible, is it true?"
Hermione forgot all politeness, and nodded.
Nyoka chuckled, making Hermione grimace.
"But the truth is, to me, your voices all sound that way too." Hermione nodded, as if she understood, but deep inside was still filled with worry and fear.
"Ah, well, lets get started, shall we?" Nyoka asked after dispensing of more bottles into the large basin, which was now a pleasant sea-green color.
Hermione nodded, and noticed her body lying in the corner on the cold, stone floor. Hermione rushed over to it and was horrified when she saw that her skin had paled a few shades. Nyoka must have seen her face of horror, because she spoke, "Don't worry. As you get closer to the deadline, your skin pales. When we restore you, you'll be right as rain." she reassured Hermione.
Hermione nodded and stood up.
"What do I need to do?" she asked.
Nyoka didn't respond for a few minutes, still throwing the occasional ingredient into the basin. "What spell did you use again?" she asked, ignoring Hermione's former question.
"Wraity." replied Hermione.
Nyoka then proceeded to throw many more bottles of ingredients over the shoulder. The concoction turned a pale pink.
Finally, Nyoka grabbed an empty bottle off one of her shelves and scooped up some of the mixture, and handed it to Hermione. Just as Hermione was about to reach out to take it, Nyoka pulled it back.
"You have to give me something first." she said plainly. Hermione was shocked. She didn't have anything!
"I don't have anything to give you." said Hermione, overwhelmed with sadness. She was doomed to die forever, now.
"What about that?" said Nyoka quickly, motioning towards the turquoise necklace around Hermione's ghost-neck. Hermione's transparent hand flew to it protectively.
Then, without hesitation, she unclasped the lock and handed it to Nyoka, who, in turn, handed Hermione the elixir.
She swallowed it all in one gulp, and memories of her second year with the Polyjuice Potion occurred. It tasted horrible, like slug slime, werewolf's breath and fern mixed together, only worse. It tasted like death. At least, what Hermione thought was death.
She screamed involuntarily, and slipped into deep convulsions, her ghost body writhing from side to side. Nyoka only watched in mild amusement.
Silently, Hermione's ghost form slipped back into her body, and Hermione only saw black for a few moments, before she opened her eyes slowly.
She stood up shakily, and looked at Nyoka, who had a satisfied grin on her face.
"Did it work?" demanded Hermione.
Nyoka laughed. "See for yourself." she said.
Hermione leaned over the basin, and was pleased to see in a clear mirror-like surface, that she was back. She touched her chocolate curls and batted her long eyelashes, before whooping and dancing around in joy.
Nyoka laughed wildly, and surprisingly, her voice didn't bother Hermione as much before. It sounded like a voice that she heard all the time, just another part of life.
She ran to Nyoka to hug her, but Nyoka stopped her, face instantly consumed in rage.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!" she shouted, making Hermione cringe and covered her ears.
After the sound died down, Hermione asked quietly, "Why?"
Nyoka shook her head. "Never you mind."
And with that, without even letting Hermione thank her, she walked back into the shadowy corner, and the room started to fill slowly with water. Hermione became frantic, and reached into her jeans pocket, and pulled out the Gillyweed, which took effect immediately. Hermione was thankful for it, because just as she swallowed, the water reached her mouth. Hermione felt rather odd, being able to breathe underwater in her normal form, but was comforted when she saw Laurel, who quickly spoke.
"We have to go! The Gillyweed only lasts for an hour!"
Hermione nodded, and was happy to find that not only did the Gillyweed give her underwater breathing ability, but also webbed feet and hands for better swimming.
She and Laurel sped along, swimming fastly. And, surprisingly enough, this trip was much harder for Hermione then the last. Every 10 minutes she had to stop Laurel a rest for 2 minutes, before they moved on again.
Hermione was sure her bones were breaking as she rammed into rocks that she knew weren't there before. She felt like her entire body was collapsing, but she also knew she couldn't give up. And just when Hermione thought she couldn't do it anymore, she saw a faint light up ahead. She swam harder and faster then ever, desperately aiming for the light.
After what seemed like 3 hours, she reached it, and clawed for surface. The webbed feet and hands shrunk down, until all that was left was Hermione's normal feet and hands, and Hermione felt an unfamiliar need for oxygen.
She reached the surface just when she thought her lungs would explode.
She sobbed with relief, and was greeted by many purple mermaids, who helped her swim to the side of Amethyst Cove, where Karissa, Ron, and Draco were waiting, nervous looks on all their faces.
Hermione was helped onto the rock. Ron and Draco greeted her happily, as did Karissa, and wrapped her in a blanket.
Draco's eyes were filled with tears. "You're back." he said quietly enough, so only Hermione could hear.
She nodded, hardly believing it herself. The last thing she felt before she slipped into a deep slumber was Draco's lips on her own.
------
FINALLY! I'm so sorry it took so long, but as many of you know, my computer was messed up. But now it's bakc, and as new as ever! I'm so happy. Anyway, I'll try to write more tomorrow and post ir on Thursday or Friday. In the meantime, review, and enjoy!!
random llama127 - Haha. You'll see... Flavagurl - Well, Ginyn and Dumbledore are trying to kill the devil, to save their friends. Sounds like a big to-do for just 2 wizards, one very old and a teenager, but you'll see what happens soon enough. And it was exactly what I was going for with the coral and Little Mermaid thing. I ADORE that movie, and just had to work it into the story somehow. :) Thanks! I love reading your reviews.
Chloe - Aww, thanks hun. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you. Thanks! I'll bring the bat, you bring the iron fist. Haha.
XX-Dracos-Dark-Queen-XX - Haha. Yes ma'am.
Kathloonakins - I know. Thanks. Only 3 more to go!! :D
Lestatlover1784 - Definatley! Thanks hun!
Cold-eyes-for-you - You are so SWEET. Your review made my day. Thank you so much, I'm so happy you like the story! Keep reviewing, I look forward to reading your inspiring reviews. :)
londonmalfoy - Thansk for the many reviews! I'm glad you like the story, and yes, Harry did die. Haha. I love Scooby Doo and Zombie Island, it's one of my favorite movies. And Ursalas cave was exactly the effect I wanted. I'm so glad so many people related it to that movie. Its another one of my favorite.
