A/N: Make sure you catch the authors note at the bottom... it may or may not contain important information. Other than the apology for taking so damn long to update. I've no excuse, I just haven't been in the mood to write. There's been a wall every time I try. So make sure you check that out. :) on with the story...
Siren's Song
Chapter 22
~Saturday December the 8th.
Second day of the tournament, early morning~
Ron woke surprisingly early that morning, and seeing that he wasn't all that quiet he woke everyone else too. The majority went back to sleep. However Harry and Neville did follow him down stairs.
What they found surprised them, Hermione and Ginny were making badges, like the ones that the Slytherin's were wearing. They said in bold Red lettering, "Weasley is our King", they laid over a brilliantly bright gold color.
Ron was speechless, "what are you guys doing?" asked Ron.
"Making badges," said Ginny. Harry was holding back a scoffing noise, it was obvious what they were doing. "we plan to wear them until the tournament is over."
"Whose idea was it?" Ron choked out. Harry wasn't sure if he was asking about the badges or whose idea it was behind the Chess tournament.
"Ours," Ginny said, "Hermione's and mine. We wanted to show our support for you, even if you are an idiot."
"Even though I've been a Berk all year?" asked Ron.
"Yes," Hermione and Ginny said together. Ron laughed, before giving the girls hugs.
"What else will the Pins say?" Ron asked.
"Well when you win the Tournament over the Holiday, it'll turn into a Lion with a crown. Underneath it'll say, "Never Underestimate Weasley, He is Our King", Ginny said happily.
Harry, Neville and Ron moved to the corner so they could talk.
"Will one of you tell me what's up with Hermione?" Ron asked, "I've missed something important haven't I?"
"You'll have to ask her mate," Harry said looking over at the girls.
Hermione set down the pins she was working on and sat down next to Harry.
"You have to promise not to overreact, and not to tell a soul unless they already know," Hermione said, "That means Lavender."
"Do I have to solemnly promise or will my word be enough?" Ron asked curiously.
"I need you to promise not to tell a soul," Hermione said, "everyone else I've told promised and is held by a magical oath not to tell."
When Ron nodded his head yes, Hermione continued on, "Ron, do you promise not to tell anyone my secrets on punishment of my choosing, at least until it's OK to tell?"
"Yes," Ron said, "I Promise." Ron said. He was surprised when little wisps of magic swirled around him, "that's so cool."
Harry and Neville laughed lightly at Ron antics.
"What's wrong Hermione?" Ron asked after a few moments when she hadn't started speaking yet.
"My parents aren't my parents," she said slowly, "I'm adopted. My Father is Remus Lupin, My mother was Katherine Black, Sirius is my second Cousin; but I'll be referring to him as uncle cause he asked me to. They were as close as brother and sister."
Ron started to laugh, but then stopped when he realized that she wasn't kidding. "Your serious," Ron said.
"Yes," Hermione said, "I want you to read something, this will explain what I need to tell you next. Can you do that?"
"Of course," he said.
She handed him the book, "Turn to the page marked, I think it's page 194."
Ron opened the book to the place it was marked, and what he saw puzzled him. Why was he reading about Siren's? "Siren's?" he asked aloud.
"Yes," she sighed, "I'll explain once you've finished."
Ron did as she requested and was surprised at how much he didn't actually know about Siren's.
Myth: Sirens are magical beings, that have the ability to catch the attention of virile males, and lure them into set traps, sometimes even to their deaths. They have the wings and body of a bird; mostly eagles and birds of prey. They often times will intentionally distract men in order to take them off the beaten path, sometimes causing death or dismemberment.
FACT: Sirens are misunderstood creatures of magic, although rare, there is only one at a time in any given blood line. The trait usually skips a generation, usually inherited from grandmother to granddaughter. Sometimes the Siren gene can be passed mother to child, if the mother dies early on in mother hood. Magical Sirens are known to look more attractive to viable mates. Sirens when cornered can render a person/ and or persons not their mate by loud wailing, which sounds like screeching. Their screams can even me mistaken for that of a Banshee.
Sirens may attract more than just one viable mate, in fact they are known to attract up to 5 or 6 at one given time. Although it is rare some women may be affected by the Sirens call, which is usually heard on the eve of coming into adulthood.
Sirens start to come into their birthright at about 16 years of age, sometimes earlier. This usually includes the changing in physical appearance. Although most people can see the change in appearance, there will be those who can't in fact see the change, even if they are close friends. At this time a young Siren may find herself surrounded by one or several boys that find her attractive and vie for her affection. A young siren may experience several changes in the next few years. This varies for every young Siren.
Changes can include, hair; the hair may become straight if it were curly. Become less frizzy and shinier, the possibilities are endless; hair may also change in color. Height may also change as well; again this also depends on the Siren and the Siren that came before them in their family. Eye color, Skin tone; the majority of these will change over time and without notice.
The ability of a full grown may vary based on their family line. Some Sirens have the ability to lull a crown with her voice. Some possess the beauty to distract, some the ability to do both, although the ability to do both is very rare; most are afforded the ability to shift into an animal or two. The majority of magical sirens have been known to take the shape of rare creatures to escape captivity or even lure hunters into traps.
Although none of the ancient myths are true of Sirens living at water's edge, on cliffs and rocks in order to distract ships from their path and into harm's way; some have been known to try. There were several Sirens in the past that were labeled as dangerous creatures and banished from the Wizarding world. However when a Siren mates, her ability to lull a crowd will lessen, and over the following years will cease to distract anyone other than her mated spouse or spouses. Some Sirens have been known to mate with more than one male. Once a Siren mates she is mated until her death. Once mated a Sirens mate or mates, shall not be able to die before his siren.
In some cultures Sirens are coveted because of the inability to die before the Siren. You'll find that Sirens are a dying breed; sometimes they can be mistaken for the very beautiful. If you've a siren for a friend guard her well, she may very well be coveted by an evil maniac.
After reading the passage, it took Ron all of two seconds to figure out where she was going with this. Hermione Granger or Lupin rather was a Siren, "Your a Siren," Ron said with a sigh, "This explains a lot actually. So my brothers, Diggery and Krum are your potential mates?"
"Yes," Hermione said. She suddenly felt lighter, like a load was lifted off of her chest. "Are you angry I didn't tell you?"
"A little," Ron said, "But I was being well not very nice to you at the time so I understand why you didn't tell me. I'm more angry at myself because of that. I was Jealous of the attention you and Harry were getting, and then when Harry's name came out of the Cup I used it as a reason not to talk to either of you. I'm really sorry Hermione."
Hermione was crying tears of joy at this point, "I forgive you she said," Hermione said, "Is there anything you'd like to ask?"
"Tell me the rest of the story," Ron said, "There has to be more behind the story. You've only said who your parents were. How did you mother die?"
"My Mother was a Siren," Hermione said, "her father, was going to sell her to Voldemort. Dumbledore helped my parents hide, they were married in secret. Shortly after Dumbledore sent my father on a mission, he didn't know that my mother was pregnant. She'd stopped receiving letters, and didn't have any way of knowing if he was alive or dead. Although if she had known about dad not dying before her cause of the mating then she would have known he was still alive.
After I was born Dumbledore sent her on a endangers mission, she knew before hand that she wouldn't survive. She wrote me a letter, I'll show it to you later if you like. She left me in the care of Professor Snape who delivered me to the couple who adopted me. Dumbledore didn't know that she'd had a child, at least she didn't think that he knew."
"So your not Muggle born?" Ron asked stupidly.
"Nope," she said "am I still me? Does this change things?"
"No," Ron said, "When did you find out?"
"That night that Snape came looking for me in the Library," Hermione explained.
"I'm sorry I've been such a Berk," Ron said. And then like nothing had ever happened to desperate them, the three of them were the Golden Trio once more.
They reunited with Ginny and Neville at the Great Hall for breakfast. They chatted as they normally did, though things were a lot less strained between Ron and Hermione. He didn't glare at Fred or George when they sat down on either side of her. He watched them do what it was they seemed to do at every meal, and he began to realize that it was normal now to see them together. He glanced over at Lavender, and sent her a brilliant smile at her. He decided that he would eventually have to ask Lavender to be his date to the Yule ball.
At the end of the day, Ron came out as one of the two final contestants for the Chess Competition. The Gryffindor house celebrated with a party that evening. And then once the excitement had tapered down, Ginny Resumed her reading of Alice in Wonderland.
Over the next two weeks Harry and Ron built up the nerve to ask the girls they like to the Yule Ball. Harry asked Cho, who admitted that she was holding out for him to ask. Sure there was more than a month till the ball; but she had no way of knowing when he was going to ask.
Ron asked Lavender, though she'd assumed they would be going together, she was very glad that he decided to formally ask her.
The twins asked Angela and Katie to go with them as friends, they agreed happily. They knew that nothing would come of it, because everyone knew that the twins were a two for one deal. They knew that they couldn't handle both twins together even in small doses.
Cedric reluctantly asked Susan Bones if she would go with him to the Ball, making it clear he only wanted to go as friends. Plus he needed someone to open the dance with and who better than a fellow Hufflepuff. She like someone else and confessed she didn't like the older boy that way. Though she admitted to hoping it would make the boy who's attention she was trying to gain jealous enough to ask her out; she never told him who.
Hermione went with Viktor to the ball. She wore a Periwinkle blue dress, she shimmered when she moved, her hair was silky smooth, and curled into ringlets that seemed to be tied back into a knot. Her hair flowed down over her left shoulder towards her waist. Those who weren't glaring at her for steeling a competitor, were in awe at how beautiful she looked.
The Slytherin Trio were surprised at how nice she actually looked. At that moment they almost understood Draco's father's lust... almost.
Hermione sat between Cedric and Viktor at the Champions table. Harry kept looking at her, to make sure that he wasn't seeing things. "Harry stop staring," Cho chided him in a whisper, "Yes it's really her."
"I just can't get over it," Harry said, "I've never seen her look so girly before." Cho laughed, as they listened to Viktor tell Hermione about Drumstrang School.
Together along with the other Champions they opened the Ball with a waltz. Twirling, lifting, turning, switching partners, Hermione was having the time of her life. She found that all save Harry danced very well.
Then Dumbledore and Minerva, Hagrid and Madame Maxine, even lavender and Ron joined. Hermione had the chance to dance with all her boys. It seemed that every turn she was dancing with a different one, she even got a dance with Ron.
Everyone was having such a grand time, that they didn't notice, their old DADA teacher, along with a giant mangy black grim looking dog standing/ sitting in the corner. They both wanted to cut in and have a dance with Hermione. For Remus it would be his first dance with his daughter. For Sirius, his Niece.
…
Time between Christmas and the first task went rather slowly. Hermione divided what was left of the Yule Holidays between, Viktor, who finally managed to get her to agree to a tour of the Drumstrang ship. She had an amazing conversation with the cook, and the mermaid at the base of the mast. ** Though she seemed life like and had a mind of her own, not unlike many of the Hogwarts Portraits. She had to be brought back to topic several times. She liked to go off on tangents about the many 'Sailors' she'd encounters. All in all Hermione thought it was worth the aggravation; but only because Viktor treated her to a Butter Beer in Hogsmeade after.
They shared a few embraces when they were together. Viktor kissed her before they departed from the ship to go to Hogsmeade. He wrapped his arms around her waist, as he nuzzled her cheek with his, before claiming her lips. They kissed for a few minutes, before they reluctantly pulled apart. "There will be plenty more kisses in the future," Viktor said. Her voice failed her and all she could do was nod in agreement.
The time she spent with the twins, was mainly cuddling with the twins in the common room. Sometimes they listened to Ginny read aloud, other times they took walks. Sometimes they would take trips to the Kitchens so Hermione could talk to the Elves. She did eventually change her mind about feeling the Hogwarts Elves. Not all of them were as well off as the Hogwarts elves. She she wasn't giving up all together.
Though they behaved mostly they did steal kisses from time to time. She couldn't help but melt into them. She found that it became harder and harder to be away from them. She received the steamiest of kisses from them one Saturday afternoon when they were coming from the kitchens. Fred swooped up behind her, wrapping her arms around her waist, while George swooped in from the front. His hands stayed at her sides as his twin had a good firm hold on her. George kissed her slowly, before they dueled in a tongue war that left them both panting, only to be turned around and embraced by Fred. His kiss was much different that George's kiss. Fred nibbled her lip before beginning a slow tongue dance. Occasionally he would suck her bottom lip into his mouth. George was kissing her neck and ears while Fred was busy kissing Hermione.
When they pulled apart, they agreed that it would be best if they didn't let it go that far. Hermione was to young for what they found themselves wanting to do to her in the privacy of their room.
The time she spend with Cedric was spent mostly in the library. They tried to stay in crowded areas, though they were still cautious about being caught by a teacher. They were lest paranoid about getting caught. Perhaps they should have been more paranoid, however if they could remain in a public area, Cedric though he could avoid temptation.
However, he was a young hot blooded male, and needed to kiss her. So he kept them to short searing kisses up against book cases and in nooks in the halls. Instead of long searing kisses in oped spaces, like say the courtyard.
Hermione often wondered how four totally different boys, twins included could make her feel the same way. After kissing one of her boy's as she started to see them as. She often wondered how they could all make her feel flustered, short of breath, and weak. If she was meant to pick one, wouldn't it feel different? She felt distraught at the thought of only choosing one of them. The idea of breaking someone's heart hurt her deeply. Perhaps it was time for more research. Ginny and Neville would be glad for the distraction.
Hermione celebrated valentines day with all four of her boys. They asked the House Elves for a picnic basket, and they ate Breakfast in the Astronomy tower, and watched the sunrise. They went to Hogsmeade and did some shopping. Hermione showed them the Shrieking shack. And when the twins and Cedric tried to persuade her that it wasn't a good idea because it was haunted, she told them that it was nonsense. It was really built for Remus Lupin when he attended Hogwarts, as he was a Werewolf.
The Twins asked what else they had gotten into that year, and she told them that she and Harry went back in time with the time turner that McGonagall had issued her last year. However she made no mention of rescuing Sirius Black.
They had lunch in the Great Hall with the Beauxbatans who weren't visiting Hogsmeade. Fleur and Hermione had a conversation about French cuisine. Fred and George thought it was amazing how well Hermione spoke French. She wasn't fluent mind you but she knew enough to make conversation.
That evening before dinner, the four of them took Hermione to a deserted classroom. They charmed it to look like a Ballroom. Cedric, had gotten permission from his head of house, to borrow the Gramophone and some records. After everything was set up, a few other students showed up. And they waltzed until it was time for dinner. Everyone had a blast including Hermione. After a mass candle lit dinner in the Great hall, for those that were back to the castle for dinner. After wards, they walked to the black lake, and watched the sunset.
The sky turned a brilliant red, and then pink, before turning purple. The colors rippled on the surface of the Black Lake. They found it humorous when the Giant Squid saw fit to dance for their entertainment.
...
On the eve of the Second Task, Hermione was in the library going over her homework assignments when Harry walked in. He told her the clue from the egg. Together they went over it phrase by phrase to decipher. It was fairly easy, they were going to take something important to Harry, and keep it at the bottom of the black lake, after which he would have an hour to find it.
Harry and Hermione weren't having much luck at finding anything. In fact they weren't having much luck at all when Fred and George entered the library in search of Hermione.
"McGonagall, needs to see the two of you in her office," George said.
"Do you know why?" she asked.
"Nope we weren't told specifics," Fred said.
"Are I'm in trouble," Hermione asked, "for helping Harry?"
"I think you would have been in trouble before this if that was the case," George said.
There was nothing else said as they walked to the Headmaster's office, "we'll see you later," Fred said as they dropped Ron and Hermione at the door. The twins both gave Hermione a sweet kiss on the lips.
~ Saturday February 24th
In the morning, before breakfast, Harry went down to the Common room to see if perhaps Hermione had gotten up early. He wanted to tell her what Neville had told him about Gilly weed. When she wasn't there, he sat down in front of the fire to wait for his house mates to wake up.
After Neville and Ron came down, they were surprised to learn that neither of them knew where she was. Apparently she hadn't come back to the common room before they went to bed the night before.
When it was time to go to the lake, no one else had seen her either. It was like she had just vanished. Harry was a bit surprised, because he couldn't find Cho either. None of her house mates had seen her since she went to see Profession McGonagall the night before.
"Look around," Dumbledore said, "You'll find something precious has been taken from you. Your task is to find it and get back. You've One Hour..."
The champions looked around, and they were all surprised to see that there were a few people missing. Harry eyed the Gillyweed in his hand, "Your supposed to swallow that boy," Moody growled in hushed tones. When Harry started to choke on it, Moody patted his back.
"I'm so sorry Harry," Neville squeaked.
Suddenly the Cannon blew, as Dumbledore began the count down. Everyone gasped and Harry fell into the water instead of diving. "I've just killed Harry Potter," Neville said in a squeaky sorrowful voice. Moody just grunted behind him, and then to everyone's surprise Harry dove out of the water.
After swimming for what seemed like a while, Harry came upon what sounded like singing. The same type of singing that came from the egg after listening to it under water, in the Prefects Bathroom. Harry swam forward, after swimming through some seaweed he saw four tethered bodies, floating there in a semi-aquatic under water clearing.
Harry recognized them, Cho Chang, Susan Bones, Hermione Granger and a little girl who looked too young you be underwater. While Harry was trying to figure out how to untie Cho, Cedric Diggery swam up and blasted Susan's tie. As she floated there, Cedric pointed towards the ropes and then behind him, before whisking away his prize to the surface.
Harry blasted Cho free as Krum came up with a transfigured Shark head, Harry watched as Krum used his razor sharp teeth to free Hermione.
But where was Fleur? Looking around he didn't see her, being the noble hero that he is, he decided to free the smaller girl as well. As he started to swim away with them, he was dragged down by the Grindylow's. Harry used what strength he had and pushed the girls towards the surface.
Harry was having problems getting away so he used a spell that acted like a rocket to fly up out of the water, and onto the Champions dock.
Hermione congratulated him on passing the task, she assured him that he wouldn't be dead last as Fleur didn't finish.
Fleur thanked him for saving her sister, "You saved her, even though she wasn't yours to save," she said kissing his cheeks. She thanked Cho for helping Gabrielle to get to the dock. "Your welcome," Cho replied happily.
After wards, Cho snuggled up to Harry, but not before whispering, "Your my Hero," she said before giving him a kiss on the cheek.
A/N: There have been some complaints that the story isn't moving fast enough, so this chapter is going to gloss over some of the minor points that I wanted to cover. So those of you who feel you've been gypped any good romantical kissing scenes, don't. If I cover any kissing I'll pause and go into detail. Also, when I started this it was mainly going to be Cedric and Hermione pairing. But I've grown attached to all of her potential mates and have decided that it's now a multi pairing fic. If this bothers you in any way. I'm sorry. Though there won't be any M ratedness till later. I've an idea where I'm going. And I'll try to speed the ending along a bit, I don't want it to seem rushed, but now that all the important things have been said, and everyone is happy I can move forward with it. The next few chapters will probably cover a lot. I do promise that they will be worthy reading length. I realize I have to atone for the length of time it took me to update. Really sorry about that. A month is way to long.
I ended it here because it seemed like a good place to end it. I'll try not to take so long to update again; but I won't make promises.
** I have no idea what the front of a ship is called so we'll stick with my description for now. If you've an answer for what it's called then by all means do tell. But I'm not about to look it up just so I can be politically correct.
If you want to know what music I listen to while I'm writing PM me and I'll direct you to my You Tube channel.
P.S. I don't own Harry Potter
