Italics - Parseltongue

Bold - Sign Language

Chapter Four

A cool, blue-green light was the first thing Harry saw when he opened his eyes the next morning. It took him a moment to recall that he had accidentally volunteered to have his own room, but smiled at the memory of the giant window looking out under the lake. Harry stretched his arms above his head, and put his glasses on, ready to start getting ready for his first day of classes as a second-year. He jumped out of bed, hurriedly pulled his blankets up over his messy bed, and began to search for his uniform.

Finding the shirt he was searching for, Harry pulled his nightshirt over his head and tossed it on top of his trunk. Standing in his room, clad in only his underwear, Harry suddenly realized that he could walk around naked if he wanted! With a grin on his face, Harry also pulled off his undergarments and threw them into the dirty clothes bin. He stood there for a moment, just taking in the feeling of being unclothed somewhere other than the boy's showers. A sudden movement to his left caught Harry's attention, and he turned. Hedwig was moving her head in a manner that suggested that maybe Harry should look out his window. Slowly, with more than a little embarrassment, Harry turned.

Jordan, Leane, and Dela were all right there, their hands pressed against the thick glass. Harry practically jumped out of his skin in his hurry to cover up. He could see the three young mermaids laughing as he quickly threw his robes on over his nakedness.

"What are you doing?" Harry was very clearly flustered, which the mermaids seemed to enjoy.

"You mean that's what you look like under your robes?" Leane asked with a teasing grin.

"Having a tail is much more graceful than those… what do you call those sticks you were holding yourself up with?" Jordan couldn't hide the giggles that were still threatening to burst out of her chest.

Harry sighed. "Legs. They're called legs." The two older girls tried out the sign, and eventually nodded at each other in understanding. Dela was still trying not to let Harry see her laugh.

"While I love seeing you guys, and having the privacy to talk to you without being stared at, we need a system so I know when you're here. Is that okay?" Harry could feel his embarrassment coloring him red from head to toe. He raised his eyebrows at Jordan and Leane. In response, they both started signing faster than Harry could understand, although he did catch bits and pieces.

"... didn't know that…"

"... were just teasing…"

"... didn't mean - Dela, knock it off…"

"... really sorry Harry…"

Harry held his hand up after a moment, signaling for them to stop. He took a breath and signed back that it was okay, but he was going to find a mirror to put up, and they would practice so Harry could use it to know when they were at the window. Everyone agreed, and the mermaids disappeared so Harry could get dressed in peace. Hedwig settled on Harry's shoulder, and told him "the mirror isssss a good idea, hatchling." Harry got dressed in a hurry and, still blushing, ran out of the Slytherin dorm towards the Great Hall.

After being stopped by a seventh-year to fix his tie, Harry was finally able to sit and tell Blaise what had happened that morning. Blaise started off by looking jealous, then confused, and then, when Harry got to the part where he turned around, Blaise actually choked on his tea. Harry grabbed his napkin and handed it over, and waited for Blaise to catch his breath.

"Mate," Blaise was still coughing a little bit. "That's the funniest thing I've heard all month. You must have been red as a beet!" Harry couldn't tell the difference between Blaise's coughs and his laughter at that point. He just filled up a cup of water and passed it across the table.

When Blaise's laughter finally subsided, Harry told him about his plan to install a mirror in his room. Blaise agreed that it was probably the best decision to prevent another peep show, his laughter starting again. Harry rolled his eyes and threw a muffin at Blaise, unable to prevent himself from laughing any longer.

A/n - due to summer break from our schooling, our writing is going to be coming out irregularly for a while. If there is a new chapter it will be posted on Mondays, so feel free to check back then. Sorry to all our dedicated readers.