Beauty from the lake

Chapter 3 – Final decision

Next day Hermione came to see Mariana. She told her that she'd seen her and others in the merpeople's village previous day. Hermione told Mariana how Professor McGonagall had called them to her office and send them to sleep. Mariana was glad they were okay. She asked about Ron and Harry and Hermione told her that Harry was busy practising spells for the next (third) task and Ron was helping him, so they couldn't come. Mariana felt slight hint of disappointment flash through her, but said nothing. Maybe they'll come later... Instead she ask Hermione about the school. The two of them talked nearly for an hour, then Hermione had to leave.

After Hermione's departure, Mariana stayed sitting above water and watched her surroundings. Then she returned to the bottom of the lake, but this time she couldn't fully enjoy swimming in the turquoise waters of the lake; there was something that kept bothering her in her mind.

The water washing her didn't seem so pleasant comparing to the wind caressing her skin and hair above water. Twilight and coolness of these deep waters weren't nearly as nice as warm bright sunny rays. Its calmness and quietness were not as comforting as light rustle of tress in Forbidden Forest or remote chattering of girls and boys sitting near lake. Various fishes and water plants couldn't match beautiful colourful flowers which grew around Hogwarts castle. And most important, Ron was not here, and neither were Hermione or Harry, all of these who she considered friends now.

'What only is the matter with me?' the mermaid wondered, swishing her green tail forcefully in the cool water. 'I've never acted like this before. Why do I have these strange feelings? Almost like I wanted to...no, that's too absurd to be merely thought, not even uttered...' But she knew she needed to give herself a honest answer. 'I am afraid it's true. I want I to be a human.'

Few days passed since the moment she'd pushed the strange thought in the corner of her mind. She wished for it to just disappear, but it wouldn't go away; just on the contrary; it kept returning. Mariana couldn't believe it; she even didn't want to....It was odd, peculiar, uncommon and shocking for a mermaid, to have such a wish – to become a human. Her poor mother would be outraged if she knew...

Mariana felt so confused, on one side of her there was a mermaid, loyal to her nation, to rules she'd been taught by her mother; and on the other side was her wish, a strong wish to be a human girl, be a student at Hogwarts, to have the possibility to walk on the firm ground, smiling, talking, laughing with other students – her friends.

She didn't know what to do now, but she were sure that she couldn't stand this anymore, so she decided to go to the merpeople's village (again) and ask Nalia for an advice. Mariana told Nalia about her problem and she fell silent for a while, contemplating current situation.

"Do you really want to abandon your present life underwater only to become a human?" she shook her head questioningly.

"Yes, Nalia, it's my final decision, in fact," Mariana answered firmly.

"Then there is only one way I can help you. I can't turn you into a human girl but I suggest you to go to Murcusa, our (merpeople's) chieftainess. She is wise and intelligent, she will be able to help you."

"Thank you, Nalia, for everything," Mariana said and a feeling of regret and guilt overcame her as she saw tears in Nalia's eyes, both of them knowing that this is probably the last time they see each other. But Mariana's desire to be a human had become stronger than anything else by now; too strong to let go. She wouldn't back down.

"I've expected your arrival," a voice said as Mariana entered Murcusa's house. She saw her sitting on one of the stone chairs. Murcusa offered her another one and Mariana sat down. She didn't feel surprised by Murcusa's words. Nalia had mentioned her ability to see future few times.

"I'm sorry to bother you," Mariana started, "but I need your help. Although, you probably know that, too."

Murcusa smiled thoughtfuly and nodded. "Yes, I know why you are here, little mermaid Mariana. But have you considered your wish properly? Are you sure you want to forsake your life as a mermaid, and enter the human world as one of them? For this is no just a game, if you decide, it's a way of no return."

Mariana shivered slightly at these words; though they were uttered in a friendly manner, they still carried certain coldness and darkness. "I've decided. I can live this life no more. I've changed. I'm drawn to the human world, no other place seems to fit for me."

"In that case, I shall help you. I can make you a potion that will turn you into a human girl permanently. But it takes some time. Come again tomorrow at the same time and it will be ready." The mercheftainess promised her. Mariana thanked her politely and swam home.

Next day Mariana went to Murcusa's house again. Murcusa gave her a bottle with the potion she'd promised her previous day. "Here is it, Mariana. But I must warn you. This potion will turn you into a human, a witch, but at the same time you will lose your water magic."

"Thank you, Murcusa. I am willing to undergo this." Murcusa then gave her also a long blue dress that wear human women, with an instruction to to put it on before she'd drink the potion. Mariana thanked her and then swam home. She looked around her house for the last time. Then the mermaid swam above water and sat on the bank. It was already evening and no one was around. Mariana put the dress on and took the bottle out...

Meanwhile in the school:

Harry and Ron were in Gryffindor common room, playing wizarding chess. Hermione was there too. She was sitting near the window in a big armchair , reading 'Advanced Transfiguration'. After a while she torn her sight off of the book and looked outside through the window. She saw the glow of setting sun, darkness coming from Forbidden Forest, Hagrid's cottage and the lake in the distance. 'Maybe we should go to see Mariana,' she thought suddenly and then announced her thoughts to the two boys.

"Why not?" agreed Harry and Ron added: "Yeah, we haven't been there for a while." They set off...

Back to Mariana:

Mariana opened the bottle with the potion, put it to her mouth and drank some of it. It tasted strange, but quite good. She drank rest of it and suddenly felt a bit weak. She dropped the empty bottle and it fell on the grass. The feeling of weakness deepened and Mariana followed the bottle, falling onto the ground. At the same time she also felt terribly tired. She tried to fight it but it was too strong. She slowly closed her eyes and darkness and sleep overcame her...

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