A/N: It's hard to believe but one year ago today I published the first chapter of this story. It's crazy that we are now 17 chapters in with no sign of slowing down. Thank you to everyone who has favorited, followed, left a review, or interacted with me in anyway in support of this story — I appreciate you. Special thanks to HeartOfAspen for her insight and thorough work on this story to make it the best it can be. Without her, I'd be a little lost. x
Chapter 17 — A Reign Begins
December 1995
Hermione was a complete and utter mess. First, because she was convinced that their plans for Christmas Break to go to Greece were ruined, and second because the Weasleys and Harry had left in a flash the night before. Professor McGonagall had just informed her of what was going on. Well, as much as she could. So really, Hermione had gotten no answers at all.
After a quick breakfast in which she ate hardly anything, she grabbed her trunk and made her way to Hogsmeade Station to board the Hogwarts Express which would transport her back to London. She had begged Professor McGonagall to let her Floo to Grimmauld Place, but she refused. Apparently, they had a rough time getting the Weasleys and Harry out with Professor Umbridge catching on, which Hermione supposed would explain the glares she had been receiving from the horrible woman all morning.
Several hours later, the train came to a stop in King's Cross Station. Wasting no time, she hurried out onto the platform where she was greeted by Professor Snape.
"Miss Granger," he murmured. The hood was pulled up on his cloak to hide his face, but she would recognize his voice anywhere. "I am here to escort you."
She nodded and grabbed onto his arm, preparing for side-along apparition. Without warning, it felt like she was being sucked into a tube. But moments later, they reappeared side-by-side on the top side of Grimmauld Place. She frowned as she looked up.
"Why can we see Grimmauld Place already?"
"Since we both already know the secret, I can apparate us directly onto the property. I didn't want to be seen, and I didn't want to scare everyone inside, so this was my best bet."
"But what if someone had been on the step? We could have been splinched or moulded together!"
"That was a chance I was willing to take."
Hermione nodded and opened the door. As soon as they entered, the horrible portrait of Sirius' mother started wailing and screeching though they had made no noise at all.
"I almost hate her as much as…" He paused.
Hermione giggled. "...as Umbridge? Me too. But that woman is far worse, at least this one is just a portrait."
"Too true."
Hermione walked into the kitchen of Grimmauld Place to find several Weasleys. Searching the room, she didn't see Harry.
She looked at Ginny, who mouthed, "Upstairs."
Hermione nodded and started to rush from the room. "Oh, er, thank you, Professor, for escorting me."
He nodded, and she left the room. Starting to rush up the stairs, an arm grabbed her. She whipped out her wand and turned to see who it was.
"Easy," Professor Snape said. "I didn't mean to scare you. I just thought I would tell you that I will be here on Boxing Day to escort both you and Mister Potter to Greece. I have come up with an excuse for why I will be taking you away."
Hermione nodded and stowed her wand away. "Sorry," she said sheepishly, realizing she had pulled her wand on her professor. "And thank you."
She turned and continued up the stairs. Knocking softly on the room that Harry had shared with Ron last summer for a short time, she heard a muffled voice. As it was unclear, she knocked again and opened the door.
"Harry?"
His head popped out of the pillows, his hair a mess and his glasses nowhere to be seen. "Hermione!"
Hermione rushed over and jumped onto the bed, wrapping her arms around him. "Oh Harry, I was so worried about you. Professor McGonagall couldn't or wouldn't tell me anything."
She pulled away and pressed several kisses against his lips. Sitting back, she pushed his hair out of his eyes and allowed him to sit up. Grabbing his glasses off the end table, he sat back against the headboard.
"Have you left this room since you got here?"
Harry shook his head.
"What happened?"
She listened carefully as Harry recounted what had happened the night before — the dream and the aftermath.
"...and now here I am. I don't want to look any of them in the eye after what happened, so I just haven't left this room. I've heard Ron go in and out, but he hasn't said a word."
Hermione bit her lip. "I haven't talked to him, but Harry, do you really think they blame you? You saw what happened and were able to get Mister Weasley help quickly."
"But at what cost, Hermione? I was the snake. I am the one who did that to him in the first place!"
"Don't you say that because you know it isn't true!" Hermione said, raising her voice. "You never left your bed that night, how could it be you that attacked him?"
Harry let his head fall back against the headboard and groaned. Hermione got up off the bed and went over to the window. She opened the curtains to let in the light and pried open the windows to let in some fresh air.
"How about you go and take a shower, and I will make the bed and clean up a bit in here. Then when you are dressed, we can go down and join the Weasleys for dinner. They were already down there helping out when I got here."
Harry just nodded and slowly pulled back the duvet and climbed out. Grabbing his shower things, he shuffled into the connected bathroom. He had been cooped up in the room for too long, moping about things that he couldn't control. Hermione refused to let him continue.
As soon as the door closed, Hermione picked up several pieces of clothes from the floor — many of which were Ronald's, and put them in the hamper. They immediately disappeared, and Hermione smiled at that bit of household magic that she someday wanted to learn from Molly. Next up was the bed — it was a dishevelled mess. Throwing the duvet on a nearby chair, she adjusted the fitted sheet before remaking the bed with the flat sheet and finally, replacing the duvet on top. As she was fluffing the pillows, Harry walked back into the room, his hair as wild as ever, wet from the shower.
She walked over and placed her hands on his chest. "You look so much better already," she told him. "How do you feel?"
He shrugged. "Better, I suppose." He stomach grumbled. "Hungry."
Hermione smiled. "Perfect, let's go down to dinner." She turned to walk toward the door, but when she turned back, he hadn't moved. "Harry?"
He looked up at her, his green eyes shining. "Oh Harry," she said, walking over, placing her head on his chest and wrapping her arms around his middle. "What is the matter?"
"No-nothing," he choked out, wrapping his arms around her. "I just don't want to face the Weasleys. They probably hate me."
Hermione shook her head. "I bet they don't. But there is only one way to find out. You can't stay hidden in this room forever." Lifting her head, she grabbed his hand and pulled him downstairs.
Dinner passed smoothly, just as Hermione expected. The Weasleys had hugged Harry as soon as they saw him, especially Missus Weasley as she thanked him profusely for saving Arthur. Now, days later and with Christmas over, as they were sitting down for breakfast, Professor Snape arrived as promised.
"Severus!" Molly exclaimed, wrapping her robe further around her body. "We weren't expecting you. We missed you yesterday."
He inclined his head. "My apologies, Molly. But it's urgent business. I need to borrow Mister Potter and Miss Granger for the day. They will be returned as soon as possible."
"What? Why?" Harry asked, playing his part well.
"Professor Dumbledore's orders. I am not at liberty to discuss everything with you until we are alone. Now, if you would, please go get dressed and meet me by the front door."
"Yes, Professor," Hermione said, pushing back her chair and grabbing Harry to come with her.
She hurried up the stairs. "Be quick. I don't want there to be any time for the others to come up here and ask us questions." They both sprinted into their rooms and changed quickly, none of the Weasleys coming out of the kitchen in that time.
They met back out on the landing and rushed down the stairs to meet Professor Snape in the entrance hall of Grimmauld Place.
"Ready, Professor," Hermione said, Harry nodding in agreement.
"Very well, let's go." He flipped the hood of his cloak back onto his head and together, they stepped out on the first step of Grimmauld Place.
"Are we apparating somewhere, sir?" Harry asked, shivering a bit from the cold. They had decided to dress a little lighter because they would have looked out of place in Greece. But here in London, they were freezing.
"We are going to take our chances leaving here and walking several blocks," he told them. "We need to step out into the open all at once. Ready?"
They stepped together on the next step. Snape walked on ahead of them, as they crouched down, putting the tops of their heads against the wind in an attempt to shield their faces. After several blocks, they stopped.
"In here," Snape said quietly to them, pointing to a dark alleyway. "Quickly."
He turned toward the two of them and rolled his eyes as they shivered. "Should have dressed warmer."
"Thanks for the tip, mum," Harry said, sarcastically."
Snape rolled his eyes again and ignored Harry's comment. "Dobby," he said. Moments later, Dobby appeared with a pop.
"Mister Harry Potter, sir!" Dobby squeaked, hugging Harry's leg. "And Mister Harry Potter's friend!"
"Dobby," Snape said, snapping his fingers. "Do you remember me talking to you about escorting Mister Potter and Miss Granger to Greece?" The elf nodded, his floppy ears moving with him. "Did you tell anyone?" The elf shook his head.
"I keep Mister Snape's secrets! And Harry Potter's and Harry's Potter's friends'!"
"How loyal. Very well then, please escort them to Greece. You can leave them there, but as soon as they call you, go to them and return them here."
The elf smiled a big, goofy grin and nodded his head once more. Dobby reached up and wrapped his thin fingers around Harry's and Hermione's wrists. With a pop, they reappeared in Mykonos only moments later.
"Thanks, Dobby," Harry said, as the elf let go. Hermione repeated the sentiment.
"Anything for Harry Potter!" Dobby said. "Just call Dobby when you need him to come back. Dobby must get back to Hogwarts to prepare for lunch!" They nodded, and the elf disappeared.
"He is very enthusiastic," Hermione said, commenting on the elf.
"He is one-of-a-kind for sure."
Hermione looked around and saw that it was far less crowded than it had been in the summer, which was perfectly normal, though it might make them look a little more out of place than usual.
"Let's go find R.J. and Geoff. They might be able to get us out to the spot in the ocean right above the colony again."
They took off on a brisk walk, wanting to get there as quickly as possible. Soon the familiar docks and the raggedy, run-down boat came into view. They approached much less cautiously than they had the first time, calling out the two men's names that had helped them over the summer.
"Geoff? R.J?"
They waited several minutes and debated whether or not they should just climb the rope to board the ship when both men walked out onto the deck.
"Harry? Hermione?" Geoff asked. "Is that you?"
Hermione smiled. "It is! Can we come up and chat?"
"Of course you can!" He waved his arm, gesturing them onto the boat.
"Thanks," Hermione said, as she reached the top of the ladder and stepped onto the deck. She turned, and Harry was on the last step before he stood full height next to her.
"What can we do for ya?"
"Well, we need to go back out to the colony," Hermione explained. "It's urgent."
"Not a problem," R.J., said. "We can have the boat ready in about fifteen minutes. How does that sound?"
"Sounds great," Hermione told them, walking to the edge. "We'll just hang out of your way."
Fifteen minutes later, they started their journey back to the mermaid colony deep underneath the sea, the wind blowing in Hermione's hair, the smell of the sea filling her nostrils.
"I love this," Hermione said, looking at Harry. "I missed it."
Harry looked at her sadly. "Do you think you'll want to stay down there eventually? When this is all over?"
Hermione bit her lip as she thought. "I don't know," she whispered, looking down at her clasped hands. "It all depends on how it goes." She looked over at him. "But I don't think I could ever leave you. Either I stay with you, or you're coming to live under the sea with me."
Harry grinned. "Did you just make a Little Mermaid reference?"
"I did. And I don't regret it."
"So," Geoff said, walking over to them, interrupting the conversation. "What has been going on with you two?"
"Just the usual," Hermione said, shrugging her shoulders. "What about for you?"
He shrugged as well. "Just the norm — fighting off some suspected Death Eaters that are trying to get down there to destroy the colony. Nothing unusual."
"Nothing unusual?" Harry asked. "It's happened before?"
Geoff nodded. "In the first Wizarding War, it felt like it was never-ending. We had a full team on duty always because they were trying to sneak up on us. It died down since You-Know-Who disappeared the first time, but now that he is back, I am not surprised."
"You believe Harry then? That he's back?"
Geoff nodded. "We both do. You seem like a trustworthy lad. And why in the world would anyone lie about that monster coming back? The British Ministry has always been a bit corrupted, in my opinion."
Hermione nodded.
"We're here," R.J. called as the boat came to a stop.
"Well, you guys remember the plan?"
"We do," Harry said, standing and holding a hand out to Hermione to help her up. After lowering them into the water and casting a bubblehead charm on Harry, Hermione closed her eyes and transformed into her mermaid form. It was like coming home as she flapped her tail in the water, having missed the unexpectedly freeing feeling of not having to hide a part of her identity.
"I'll never get used to that," Geoff said, shaking his head. "Didn't even know it was possible."
Hermione smiled. "Thanks again. We shouldn't be too long. But I am not entirely sure."
Geoff waved them off. "We'll be here waiting, but it might be best if you can do your business as quickly as possible, especially since we don't want you to be seen. There are eyes everywhere, it's possible that you'll be spotted by those wishing to hurt you."
With a nod in thanks, Hermione dived below the surface, Harry close on her tail. The journey to the colony didn't take as long as it did the first time as they knew exactly where it was. Soon, they were happening upon a familiar entrance guarded by two mermen.
"Follow us," they said, quickly turning and swimming in the opposite direction. Hermione glanced at Harry, concern building inside her. Even when they had been considered intruders the last time, the mermen hadn't escorted them this quickly across the colony.
As they swam through, Hermione looked around. It looked different...in a bad way. There were several large buildings knocked over, and no merpeople swimming the streets as they had last time. It was all too eerie and dark. Something had happened, and if Hermione had to guess, it was the Death Eater attacks R.J and Geoff were talking about.
Thankfully, the throne room looked the same from the outside, with no visible damage. The two guards stopped on the outside, motioning for Harry and Hermione to enter. Hermione was a little afraid of what she was going to find.
Entering the room, Hermione gasped, and tears surely would have fallen if they hadn't been in the water. Damara was sitting on her throne, but she was bent over as if her back could no longer hold the top half of her body upright.
"Damara!" Hermione cried, rushing forward. The old woman lifted her head and gave Hermione a brief smile.
"You came," she said, her voice fragile and soft.
"Of course, I came. Harry, too," Hermione said, looking up at him. Damara lifted her head again and gave him a brief smile.
"I am glad. Now, we must hurry. I know I don't have much time left. We need to perform the ceremony."
"What do you need us to do?" Hermione asked.
"Nothing," the woman rasped. "It will happen here in this room with witnesses. After the ceremony is complete, you officially will hold the title Daughter of the Sea and be able to make decisions for the colony and the rest of the merpeople across the world." She paused, taking a deep breath.
A merman dressed like he was ready for battle stepped forward. "As the minutes go by, Damara quickly weakens. I am her right hand, and I know everything. I do ask that we go through this ceremony before you ask any more questions. I can get you up to speed when the ceremony is complete. Understood?"
Hermione nodded her head.
The two mermaids on either side of Damara helped her out of her throne. They kept hold of her arms as they swam through the water.
Hermione turned to the merman. She couldn't help but ask one question. "What is your name?"
"Marsious. Now, if you would please stand in front of Merchieftainess Damara. Harry, you can swim off to the side with the rest as you will be a witness."
Harry joined the other merpeople that had silently filed in on the side of the small room. They looked just as broken as the colony outside and Hermione vowed to give them hope once more. She then positioned herself in front of Damara.
Marsious stood next to them as if they were in a wedding ceremony and he was the officiator.
"Ready?" Hermione nodded. Damara looked up, looking weaker than ever. "Please place your hands in Damara's." Hermione did as she was told.
"Merchieftainess Damara, do you willingly pass on your title of Daughter of the Sea to Hermione Jean Granger?"
"Yes," Damara whispered, her hands shaking.
Marsious turned to Hermione. "Do you, Hermione, willingly accept the duties and responsibilities of becoming Daughter of the Sea?"
"I do."
"Do you promise to keep this colony and the colonies across the world in your best interests at all times?"
"Yes, I promise."
"And do you accept the powers from our beloved Atargatis which will be transferred to you upon your response from Damara?"
She paused and took a deep breath — she was ready.
"I do."
And just as he had said, she was hit with a jolt of what felt like electricity. It hit her like a ton of bricks, and she fell back into the throne that was now hers. The last thing she saw before her eyes fell shut was Harry rushing over to her and Marsious holding him back.
Hermione opened her eyes, and once again she was in the same dreamscape she had been when they were in Bulgaria. But this time, she didn't start on the beach and instead was sitting on Damara's throne, no—her throne, just as she had been before she lost consciousness.
"Hermione," a voice said, before coming into view.
"Atargatis!" Hermione said, moving to get out of the throne.
She held up a hand. "No, you stay. You deserve to sit there and with you being away, you won't get to do it often."
Hermione stayed put on the throne. She looked down as if she was looking at it for the first time. She ran her fingers over the smooth edges, where her arms would lay. It was adorned with jewels of all sorts that glittered from the light coming from the surface.
"It's beautiful," Hermione whispered, leaning back and closing her eyes.
"And all yours." Hermione opened her eyes. "Are you ready?"
Hermione nodded. "I am."
"Then close your eyes and return back. There is much to discuss—much to do before you return to England."
"But when will I see you again?"
"Remember the beads? And whenever you are near water, I am not far away. Now go."
Hermione closed her eyes once more, and when she opened them, she was back. Harry was still struggling to get near her, Marsious still holding him back.
"She has to be left alone while the process of transferring power is complete," he said, quickly, the exertion of holding Harry back not appearing to take any toll on him. Harry eventually stopped struggling. He looked over Marsious's shoulder, right into her now open eyes.
"She's awake!" he yelled. "Can I see her now?"
Without waiting for a response, Harry pushed his way through and rushed through the water to her. He put his hands against her cheeks and looked her up and down as if he was looking for injuries.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
She grabbed his hands and brought them away from her face. "Yes, I am okay. No, I am not hurt. It just felt like a shock, and I passed out."
"I know. That muscle head wouldn't let me near you."
"That's okay," Hermione said, glancing at Marsious who shrugged unapologetically. "I saw Atargatis again."
Harry's eyebrows rose. "You did?" Hermione nodded. "Did she tell you anything else?"
"Not anything of significance. We can discuss it when we don't have an audience." She pointed her head toward the bystanders, who were also witnesses.
Marsious came near. "Come. We need to discuss plans for the colony."
Hermione looked around wildly. "Where is Damara?"
He bowed his head. "Damara has retired to her quarters. It won't be much longer until she passes on."
"I want to see her."
"Very well. But we must be quick." He guided them out of the throne room and several hundred meters where a mer-house was. It was simple — not at all what Hermione was expecting for a leader of the world's merpeople.
They swam in and found Damara lying on her bed, her eyes closed. Hermione went to her side.
"Damara?" she asked, pushing the wisps of white hair back from her forehead. The old mermaid's eyes fluttered open.
"My dear, what are you doing?" she croaked out.
Hermione bit her lip in took a moment before responding. She wanted to steady her voice and try not to show any emotion. "I wanted to see you before…" Trailing off, she couldn't hold it together.
"Don't cry m'dear. We all grow old and die. And at this time we should be celebrating the accomplishments we've had in life, the time we spent with loved ones, and the time we spent doing the things that matter most. Don't cry for me."
Hermione nodded but still lowered her head against the woman's chest and wept, though the tears were unseen as they were lost in the water. The frail woman found enough energy to bring her hand up and run her fingers through Hermione's hair, a gesture of comfort.
After several minutes, Hermione pulled herself together and lifted her head. "I promise I will do everything in my power to keep the colonies of the world safe from outside forces who want to destroy us."
Damara smiled and closed her eyes. She patted Hermione's hand. "Thank you, dear. I know I chose wisely when I chose you to become Daughter of the Sea — I believe in you." She paused and took a ragged breath. "But now, it's time for me to go."
Hermione nodded and grabbed her hand with both of hers. The three of them, Hermione, Marsious, and Harry stayed silent as Damara took her last breaths. As soon as she passed, they said their goodbyes and left.
"That was rough," Hermione said, leaning into Harry, as they swam to the Military Base where Marsious would catch them up on everything.
As they entered, they went to the head of the table, and there were several diagrams laid out on what looked like to be kelp.
"Normally, this would just be for the Daughter of the Sea, but Damara was insistent that you were included, Harry," Marsious commented. "Please, both of you take a seat."
Harry had a quizzical look on his face that made Hermione laugh out loud. 'Just sit,' she mouthed. He sat in a chair, and while Hermione mimicked the movement, she only was hovering above the seat, as was Marsious.
Hermione started. "Now, I see that you have all of this laid out and ready to explain to us. Am I correct in assuming that you are comfortable running the colony and more while I am away?"
Marsious nodded. "Damara asked me the same. I see no reason to bring on someone who is less experienced when I have been at Damara's right hand for ages."
"Then you will have it. Now, as for the method of communication. Is there a way for us to communicate with each other? I know I used a Patronus charm to let you know I was coming, but that cannot be returned. What do you suggest?"
"Now that you are Daughter of the Sea, you have far more powers than you had before, and they will only grow stronger. You should be able to summon me in your mind and speak to me through a form of telepathy. Also, since there is a colony of merpeople in the Black Lake of Scotland, you can dive down into the depths of it and speak to me through there."
"How can she do that?" Harry asked frowning.
"There is an arching rock in the middle of the colony." Harry nodded, probably as he had seen it while he had been in the Black Lake. "It can act as a portal from there to here. All of the colonies have them."
Hermione's mouth dropped open. "That is amazing." She looked over at Harry who seemed to be experiencing the same amazement and shock that she was. It was something they had only seen in movies and tv shows growing up. "Why doesn't the magical world on land have these?"
Marsious shrugged. "Too difficult to regulate. Of course, we have each one guarded day and night."
"Do you have any additional questions, Harry?" Hermione asked. He shook his head. "I don't have any other questions, Marsious. We can continue on with what you have planned."
Marsious nodded and gestured to the plans in the middle of the table. Hours passed as they discussed military strategies, plans to rebuild what had been lost in the supposed Death Eater attacks, and how to protect the other colonies along with this one.
"Marsious, I think we have covered everything possible we can today," Hermione said, rising from the chair. "If it's an emergency and you need me before we return to Hogwarts in a few weeks, go above the surface and talk to R.J. and Geoff. They can send an owl. I trust them implicitly."
Marsious nodded. "I will keep the colony safe in your absence, Merchieftainess Hermione."
Hermione blushed at the new title, hearing it for the first time. "I give you permission to call me Hermione when we are in personal settings such as this. Though it might be appropriate to call me Merchieftainess in front of the colony."
"Heard." He gestured to the door where the two mermen who escorted them to the throne room earlier that day. "Lachlan and Cyraeni will help escort you back out of the colony."
Harry and Hermione swam quietly after Lachlan and Cyraeni. As they reached the entrance, the two mermen bowed. "Until we see you again, Merchaiftainess Hermione and Mister Potter."
Hermione smiled and waved goodbye and once again as she left, she let her hand brush the stone on the outside where the faded stone carving of Atargatis lay. Turning, she took one last look at the colony. It wasn't as lively as before, but it was there and alive. She would do everything in her power to keep it that way.