Alpha/Beta love to HeartOfAspen!

Chapter 12 — Decisions and Visions

Waves came rushing to shore, barely brushing against Hermione. As she came to, she opened her eyes, recognizing the beach immediately but not understanding why she was there. Her last coherent thought had been saying Atargatis' name in Bulgaria with her hands on the mermaid goddess' statue, so why was she back in Mykonos?

Looking down and seeing that she hadn't turned into her mermaid form despite water rushing over her, she stood brushing sand from her legs and clothes. She gazed at the land around her, searching for something — anything that might clue her into what was happening or what she needed to do. The sky was a purple color, the sun just above the horizon in the east, indicating that it was just past dawn. With no other ideas and no guidance, she decided to walk into the water, shedding her long pants and tee shirt. She was waist deep when she felt the tingling in her legs and her mermaid form took place of her human body.

She ducked under the surface and gulped in several mouthfuls of water, enjoying the coolness as it ran down her throat. Continuing to swim, she made her way in the direction she remembered the mermaid colony to be. Perhaps, there she would find her answers.

Eventually coming to the colony, Hermione was shocked to find it empty. There were no guards at the entrance and no merpeople or merchildren making their way through the market. Swimming toward where she met Damara for the first time, she entered and was shocked to be greeted by a ghost like merperson, translucent in the water.

"Hermione, how lovely to meet you," she said, motioning her closer. Cautiously, Hermione made her way toward the figure. She looked familiar.

"Atargatis?" she questioned, looking at her curiously.

She nodded. "Come, sit. We have much to discuss."

Hermione swam toward her and perched herself on a throne that had seemingly appeared out of nowhere. It was a throne that had not existed when she had visited the colony before. Looking around, much of the rest of the room was the same, even the pictures depicted on the walls.

"Hermione, we might not have much time together, so it's best if we talk quickly and efficiently." Hermione turned to focus on Atargatis and nodded her head. "Now, why are you here?"

Hermione bit her lip. Didn't she already know? But she held her tongue and instead responded, "I wanted to speak with you, to ask you questions and figure out what I am supposed to do."

Atargatis looked at her curiously. "What do you want to know?"

Hermione took a deep breath. "I know that I was chosen for a purpose, but how I am supposed to lead? I am a student at Hogwarts and—"

"You are a Daughter of the Sea."

"Yes, but—"

Atargatis interrupted again and continued to talk. "It is your duty to lead the colony despite your other —"

Hermione spoke over Atargatis, right back, as it seemed the spirit did not understand. "Don't you understand? I cannot leave Hogwarts to rule the colony. My best friend is the one who is supposed to dispose of the Dark Lord, and with horrible things having already come to pass, I cannot in good conscience leave him behind. Plus, it wouldn't benefit the colony at all if I do not continue my education. That is important to me and if the colony doesn't see that then I will, with no regrets, deny being the Daughter of the Sea and have the mermaids fight for themselves."

If Atargatis was shocked by Hermione's outburst she didn't show it. Instead she smiled. "You are a fighter and that is exactly why you were chosen. Brains, beauty, and brawn is what not only the colony needs, but mermaids all across the world. You are to be their leader."

"But how—"

"Think. How does anyone run a government? They don't do it by themselves they—"

"—Have a second in command," Hermione said, finishing the sentence. "Of course, why didn't I see it before?" She frowned. "But what is the purpose of me then, if someone can just rule in my place?"

"You have fought through adversity time and time again. You are the one that will bring all races of merpeople together to fight the darkness. No one else can rally people together like you can. With the additional powers of Daughter of the Sea, nothing will be out of your reach."

Hermione sat in shock. Her powers would know no bounds?

"I know you are probably wondering what those powers are, but they are different for each Daughter of the Sea. You could become more gifted in one area over another because of that, but you won't know until you officially take the title and cast your magic."

Hermione nodded, still thinking things over in her head. She was unsure if she still wanted to take over for Damara, but if she didn't, what would happen to them? After spending so much time fighting for the rights of house-elves, what kind of person would that make her if she refused to help?

"You never had a choice to protect others, did you?"

Atargatis shook her head. "But there was never a time I didn't want to help people. That is why I continue on in spirit and help those I deem worthy."

"So you advised Damara to choose me?"

Atargatis nodded. "And I will be there for you should you decided to become Daughter of the Sea."

She reached beside her and pulled out a necklace that was made with beads and an ammonite spiral pendant in the middle. She placed it in Hermione's hands.

"This is for you. Whether or not you decide to become protector of the merpeople, I want you to have this. In today's modern world, some call them Atargatis Chant Beads. As much as I loathe something being named after me, these beads will help you connect with my energy, giving you strength when you need it most." Atargatis paused as Hermione fingered the beads, rolling them around. "Many chant:

Atargatis, Mermaid Goddess, Mother of the Sea.

Your waters flower through my veins, Your love surrounds me."

Hermione just nodded.

"You are very quiet, dear. What is it?"

Hermione coughed before speaking. "Well, uhm, I also read that you were primarily the Goddess of Fertility. Is that true?"

Atargatis smiled and chuckled at Hermione's embarrassment. "It is. But don't you worry. Honing in my energy when you were chosen primarily for protection, won't also bring forth being more fertile. You are safe to remain a child for awhile longer."

Hermione grinned and sighed in relief. "Don't get me wrong, I want to have children someday...just not now."

"I understand." Atargatis looked off in the distance, though there wasn't much to look at in the room they were in. "Our time grows short, it is time for you to return. Harry is waiting for you."

"But, one more question, please!" Hermione noticed Atargatis was starting to fade.

"Quickly!"

"What of Harry? Will I forever have to be Daughter of the Sea and reside in waters looking after my people?"

"That, Hermione Granger, will be up to you. When one is making a decision, there are always many different paths that can be taken. I know you will choose the one that is right for you."

With that, Atargatis faded into nothingness. Hermione shouted goodbye, but knew it had been too late. Her mind was blank now, but hopefully she could speak to Atargatis again when her mind was swimming with questions.

Now that she thought about it, she felt a bit woozy herself, and felt like she was disappearing as well, just as Atargatis had. Sitting in the chair where Damara and Atargatis had both sat, she closed her eyes, blackness greeting her.

"Hermione! Hermione!" she heard as she slowly came to. She squinted her eyes open, her vision blurry and spotty. Closing them once more, she shook her head in attempt to clear it.

"She's coming to. Look her eyes are fluttering," a voice she recognized as Viktor's said.

"Hermione?" Harry asked tentatively. Hermione opened her eyes and Harry was leaning over her, concern apparent in his eyes. "Are you alright?"

Slowly she pushed off the ground to sit up. She leaned her head on Harry's shoulder, gripping his arm tightly.

"I am okay. Just a little light-headed." Harry tightened the arm that he had wrapped around her shoulder, pulling her closer in support.

"Vhat happened?"

Hermione lifted her head and attempted to look around. She shook her head. "Not here. I think I can stand now, will you help me?"

Harry stood up and Viktor joined him on her other side. Together, they gripped her arms and pulled her up off the ground.

"Back to my house?" Viktor asked.

Hermione nodded. "I think that would be best. We don't want to be overheard if possible."

Quickly, they made their way to the exit and to the abandoned alley that they had originally apparated to. Having already been holding hands with both men, Viktor gave only a brief warning before spinning on the spot, disapparating them.

With a cup of Earl Grey in hand and some biscuits, the trio sequestered themselves in the library with orders to Aemma that they were to not be disturbed. Hermione curled up in an armchair with her tea and took several sips before she spoke.

"What happened?"

Harry and Viktor looked at one another before laughing. "Ve vere going to ask you ze same zing."

"I will tell you what happened, but I want to know what happened once I lost consciousness."

Harry nodded. "You scared the shite out of us. Luckily I caught you and Viktor shielded us from nosey onlookers who might try to summon someone to transport you to the hospital." He paused and Viktor continued the story.

"Zen you just laid zere pretty still. Ve tried to rouse you right avay, but ven you didn't come around, ve just lowered you to ze ground and made sure you didn't hit your head on anything in case you starting thrashing around. Zen you came around a few minutes later."

"A few minutes, that's how long I was out?"

They both nodded. She frowned. "It seemed much longer than that."

"Tell us everything," Viktor said.

Hermione watched as Harry frowned at Viktor's statement, but brushed it off for now and would ask Harry about it later. Taking a deep breath Hermione launched into an explanation of her time with Atargatis.

When she was finished, Harry looked deep in thought and she swore Viktor's mouth was hanging open a bit.

"Vhere are ze beads?" Viktor asked. Hermione set down her teacup and reached down into her shirt and pulled out the beads. Hermione pulled them off from around her neck and handed them over, Viktor first before he passed them on to Harry.

"How did they come back with you when you met Atargatis in a sort of spirit world?" Harry asked as he gazed down at the ammonite spiral in the middle of the necklace.

Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "Magic? It explains things that otherwise don't make sense."

Harry handed the necklace back to her and she placed it once more around her neck. "They should come in helpful if I just need to feel her presence." She paused. "Is it bad if I am still undecided? It's such a big decision that I am having a difficult time."

"Well, weighing the pros and cons is always a good place to start. After you've done that using logic, you can tap into your emotions and how it would feel to go one way and then the other," Harry told her, Viktor nodding in agreement.

Hermione smiled. "I seem to have forgotten how wise you can be."

"It's fleeting. We both know that my head is not always in the right place."

Both Hermione and Viktor laughed at that when there was a knock at the door. Having told Aemma that they didn't want to be disturbed they all frowned.

"Come in," Viktor called.

Aemma entered and immediately rushed to Viktor's side. "I am sorry master, I know you didn't want to be bothered, but this owl wouldn't stop circling the property. She is snowy white—"

"Hedwig!" Harry shouted. "It's Hedwig!" Hermione had been wondering where Harry's familiar had been, but she knew it wasn't unusual for her to disappear for weeks at a time, hunting.

"Where is she?" Hermione asked, carefully uncrossing her leg to stand up.

"She is resting, Miss Hermione," Aemma replied.

"Can you show me where she is? I want to see her."

Aemma nodded and held out her hand. Both Harry and Hermione grabbed Aemma's hand and she apparated them to another part of the home — the menagerie.

"Hedwig!" Harry shouted again, looking around for her with his head thrown back as he searched.

Hermione looked up just in time to see a flurry of white as Hedwig flew down and landed on Harry's shoulder.

"Hey girl," Harry said, his grin wide. He lifted his arm and she hopped down onto it. Bringing up his free hand to run them over her feathers, Hermione smiled at the scene. Hedwig had been his first friend.

"Master Krum has some business to take care of," Aemma said, interrupting the moment, having not left them yet. "He will meet you for dinner this evening. Dress nicely, you'll be going out in Sofia."

They both nodded. "Thank you Aemma," Hermione replied. The elf popped out, leaving them alone for the first time since that morning.

Hermione turned back to Harry who was encouraging Hedwig to get some sleep and that he would see her later. She flew up into the rafters.

"Did she have a letter?" Hermione questioned.

Harry nodded and pulled it out from his back pocket. "Aemma must not have removed it, as it wasn't a Krum owl. I stuck it in my back pocket quick right when she landed and no one was paying attention, just in case Viktor came down here."

"Let's go back to your room and read it. I swear this house has ears and eyes."

Settling onto the loveseat in Harry's room, Hermione curled her legs underneath her, close to Harry so she could read the letter over his shoulder.

"Who's writing is that?" Hermione asked. "Sirius?"

Harry nodded, flipping the letter over in his hand. "I'd recognize it anywhere." He paused and looked sideways at Hermione. "To be honest, I am a bit nervous to open it. I haven't written to him all summer and...well, he's probably not very happy. His letters might not have been reaching me since I wasn't at the Dursleys."

"Well, you best just open it. He's your godfather though, he will forgive you."

"Let's hope," Harry replied, opening the letter with his index finger. He pulled out the piece of parchment. It was surprisingly short.

Harry —

All of my letters have been returned unopened, so one can just assume that you are no longer at the Dursleys. Hedwig must have known that all my previous letters had gone amiss, never reaching you...wherever you are. She showed up at my family's ancestral home, (will explain later) several days ago and hasn't left my side.

I cannot decide if I am upset or impressed that you travelled across different countries over the past month with Hermione and gave Dumbledore the slip. (Yes, someone, aka me, checked with Hermione's parents to see if they knew where you were). I am a bit disappointed that you didn't let me know, but fifteen-year-old me wouldn't have told anyone either. The older people would have just stopped me from trying to go.

Hermione's parents, Matthew and Katherine (lovely people by the way), let me know that you are currently in Bulgaria visiting Viktor Krum. I've told you before and I will tell you again to BE CAREFUL! Even though he was pleasant during the tournament, doesn't mean something hasn't happened in between then and now. Keep your guard up.

Lots happening here, a certain organization having taken up residence. The Weasleys are here too, have been for weeks. They are making this place habitable once more as no one has lived here in at least a decade. I am inviting you and Hermione to come and stay with me for the rest of your break and secretly hoping you'll return for your birthday. I hope you will — I have so much more to tell you that I won't put in writing.

Send a letter when you get back. Probably not the best of ideas to send Hedwig across continents once more.

Padfoot

Hermione finished reading over his shoulder, Harry still staring at the page. Once he was done, he sighed.

"I wonder what else happened that he doesn't want to talk about over a letter?" Hermione asked.

Harry shrugged. "Could be anything. Though I am curious to why everyone is at his ancestral home."

Hermione was quiet. "I think we are going to have to tell Ron everything when we get back. Do you think he will be upset we have been together this entire time?"

"Well, we know he does get a bit jealous, but who doesn't? He does eventually come around." Harry paused as Hermione nodded. "Also, you never mentioned whether or not you are officially going to become Daughter of the Sea."

Hermione bit her lip and leaned into him. "I think we should go back to Britain as soon as possible."

Harry pulled her close. "We can just make the excuse that we need to be there because of what happened after the third task at the tournament. Sirius saying that there are things going on at home is enough to cut our trip short. Plus, why stay longer when we have already finished what we came here for?"

"You're right. Let's leave tomorrow, I do want to see Sofia tonight."

Harry just nodded. They sat there together until it was time for them to begin getting ready for their evening out. At least for a little bit they could push everything going on in their life to the back of their minds and enjoy their last night in Bulgaria.