Author's Note- Guess who's back, back, back, back again-(dodges the flying chairs). Okay, I deserve that. I'm so sorry! I kinda messed up when I was writing this chapter back in what, June? I think. Anyway, what I had was absolute crap and it gave me the worst case of writer's block. Literally, I have the entire ending chapters all figured out with a good bit in the middle planned out but this chapter? I had nothing. Zip, zero, nada. Also, I may have gotten into an extremely addicting group of fanfics that may have taken my time. And may also be planning to write a new story about my new distraction. Oops. However, you guys are still my loves and I adore you all and I hope this chapter makes you guys happy. Love you all! On to the story!
Chapter 12: Call of the Siren
Harriet
Harriet couldn't move. No, this dream only allowed her to watch and listen. The building was beautiful though. Glided, Greco-Roman architecture covered the grey-blue walls. Large, cathedral windows brought in the warm sunlight. A golden flag with what looked like a black eagle covered the middle of one of the walls. Across the bird's chest was stars and stripes.
Standing in the room were three men. Two of them wore black fedoras and trench coats. The other man looked like Mr. Darcy with a sword attached to his hip. The last occupant was sitting in chair which was far too plain in comparison to the specular, light blue and silver dress that she wore. The woman's golden eyes moved rapidly as she read a large book. It wasn't until the woman started to talk that Harriet realized that she could hear the woman's thoughts.
"America is a… peculiar nation. Don't you think, Tiberius?" Dorea Black asked as she continued to read the laws of the Magical Congress of the United States of America, MACUSA for short. Her ever loyal friend (and protector) stood regally at her shoulder as he glared out at the American Aurors that were watching the Black Heiress with fascinated interest.
"Look, Tiberius, this law is absolutely baffling. I understand upholding the Stature of Secrecy but completely forbidding Muggle contact. Mr. Auror, what on Earth do you do about the Muggleborns?" Dorea asked as she pointed to the Rappaport's Law so that Sir Prince could read it over her shoulder.
"Muggleborns, Miss Black?" Came one of the Auror's confused reply.
The clothing of the Aurors also baffled Dorea. Instead of robes and more Victorian clothing, the American Wizards and Witches appeared to be dressed almost exactly like their Muggle counterparts. Dorea couldn't help but smirk at the irony.
Dorea was about to explain herself when a tall, skinny woman with short black hair stepped into the forum of the Auror department. Her plain features didn't do anything for her but the British woman could feel the strong but kind magic that poured out of her. Following her was another tall woman that shared similar features to the dark-haired woman. Prettier than her companion for sure but the way the strawberry blonde woman stared at Dorea, then Tiberius made Dorea place a discrete hand on her lap. Instantly, her wand slide out of her holster and rested safely in her hand. Only to be used for emergencies, of course. Can't be too careful in a new land. But the blonde woman sent Dorea a smile and she watched as the Aurors straightened up considerably.
"At ease." The dark-haired woman said calmly. Hiding her wand again, Dorea rose from her seat to extend a hand out.
"Head Auror Porpentina Goldstein, I presume?" Dorea stated. Goldstein smiled back at her and gave her hand a firm shake. She couldn't see it but Dorea would bet that Tiberius tensed up. Silly, overprotective man.
"I must say Miss Black; most people don't pronounce my name right the first time around. But please, call me Tina. This is my sister, Queenie." Tina said as Queenie stepped forward, her smile never faltering. Dorea was taken by surprise when Queenie ignored her hand and pulled Dorea into gentle hug.
"Welcome to America, Lady Nereida." If the shuffling behind her was any indication, Tiberius had started to go for his sword.
"Tiberius, no!" Dorea ordered at the same as Tina shouted,
"Wands down now!" The American glared at her subordinates before turning back to her sister and guest. Queenie, still smiling, unwrapped herself from Dorea and winked.
"I am sorry, Miss Black, Sir Prince." Tina apologized, "You would think that with having another Nereida as President, my Aurors and my sister would know not to provoke a Chevalier." The Aurors glanced away from their boss as Queenie spoked out softly,
"Oh, I'm sorry for causing trouble, Sir Prince, Miss Black. My Legilimency gets the better of me sometimes. Though, I'm getting nothing from you, Sir Prince." Tiberius raised an eyebrow.
"My family is well trained in the mind arts, Miss Goldstein. I'd be surprised if you couldn't break through my shield."
"Oh, I know. You Princes are legendary, even out here. Tell me, can you really cripple another's mind with just a glare?" The Aurors tensed at the comment. A rare chuckle escaped Tiberius as he and Dorea shared an amused look.
"That's only an old wives' tale, Miss Goldstein. That power hasn't been in the Prince family for 5 generation. It won't be back anytime soon." Tina cleared her throat.
"To answer your earlier question, Miss Black, the children of No-Majs, or Muggleborns as you call them, are only told of our existence after we figure out their home life. If we deem them to have a loving and understanding family, we tell the family and bind them to secrecy." Dorea's eyes narrowed.
"And if not?"
"Moving on," Dorea huffed at the subject change but dropped the issue for now. "I'm sure you've heard about Grindelwald?" The mood of the room dropped as Dorea's more stern face appeared.
"Who hasn't?" Was her sarcastic reply. "What has he done now?"
"Escaped our prison, for one thing." Tina stated coldly. "Have you heard of the trouble that he caused here in New York?" Dorea and Tiberius both nodded.
"Honestly, I'm surprised that you were able to hold him for as long as you did." The normally silent Tiberius stated.
"Three years is impressive, though. I don't Azkaban could hold him for that long." Dorea agreed before asking, "Why didn't you just kill him? From what I understand about your laws, he should have been executed the moment his trial was over."
"Believe me, many of us wanted to. But when Grindelwald infiltrated this department, he left a lot of 'gifts'." Tina's face tightened as fury entered her face.
"From our report and the little bits of information Queenie could pull out of him, Grindelwald was here for 6 months. In that time, he traveled to multiple states and tried to gain followers under the disguise of former Head Auror, Percival Graves. Because America's so large and each state is very different, we have to have state governments and state Aurors. Part of my job is to inspect and insure that each state Auror stations is doing their jobs. Grindelwald used this to his advantage." Tina explained.
"I see. So, let me guess, this is your capital and you are, what's the word, federal Aurors. Does each state have a leader, which Grindelwald could potentially use to take over America state by state?" Dorea asked, using her limited knowledge of Muggle America to influence her questions.
"Correct. Each state has a governor and each state keeps a representative here for when we try to pass federal laws or when we have a national emergency. Like we do now. The past three years, MACUSA and the state governments have been trying to stomp out the Grindelwald fractions that's been popping up. Maine lost its governor two years ago, while California, of all states, wanted to secede. We needed Grindelwald-"
"So, you could figure out what he did to corrupt your government, I imagine." Tiberius sneered out as he stepped forward and in front of Dorea. "What I want to know is how the hell does this involve us?"
"Because before he escaped, we learned that he was going after Nereidas." The occupants in the room turned to face the new voice that entered the room. The woman wore a deep, cranberry red dress. Her chocolate brown hair spilled down her back and her hazel eyes were shined with lightning. Her pale arm was linked with a tall, strong, African-American man dressed in all black. Across his back looked to be spear of some sorts. His facial features were covered by the hood that he wore.
"Madam President." Tina said as she and her Aurors saluted the woman as she passed them with a nod. President Mary Barrington, former Senator of Texas and known Lightning based fighter. One of the few living Nereidas in 1929.
"Dorea Black, thank you for coming here. I believe that you and I will have a lot to discuss."
"Yes, we will." Harriet woke from her dream at this moment, but for the rest of January and February this dream plagued her memories. And made her wonder even more about the Chevalier.
Stupid, screeching, glided egg… honestly, what was the point of Harriet risking her life for an oversized canary egg? A canary egg, that had a horrible habit of screaming like a banshee whenever she tried to open it. Viktor, that smug bastard of an almost boyfriend (and no, she was not pregnant!), chuckled when Harriet tried to get the secret of the egg out of him.
"Dear Harriet, I know that you'll figure it out… eventually." He laughed out when she sent him a death glare.
"You're no help." Harriet grumbled as she sat on her desk in the library. The Bulgarian seeker stood across from her.
"Now where would all the fun go if I told you how to get the clue?"
"Smart arse."
"Why, thank you."
"That's not a compliment."
"I know."
After finally deciding that trying to pry the answer out of Viktor was futile, Harriet decided to go to someone who, hopefully, tell her the answer.
"No, Miss Potter."
"But Professor-"
"Miss Potter, do I look like a walking Encyclopedia to you? Don't let an inanimate object and your stubbornness usurp your intelligence."
"Yes, sir." The tutor and the student stood in silence for a moment. Harriet turned to his extensive bookcase and pulled out, The Roaring 60s; The Real Reason You-Know-Who Rose to Power So Quickly. Professor Snape raised an eyebrow at the seemingly random pick.
"I want you to read that one." Professor Snape stated. "Take your time and cross reference other works about the time period. I think you'll find out more about your fellow classmates." Harriet glanced up at him.
"What do you mean?"
"Let's just say that the actions of humans are often triggered by the 'good intentions' of others." Sounds interesting, but…
"What does it had to do with the tournament?" Professor Snape rolled his eyes at her ignorance.
"A lot. As you can tell from the cover, tiny print, and rather large appendix, this book is about the politics and economics of Britain in the 1960s. How it connects back to the Triwizard Tournament is the question you must answer."
Ultimately, it was Hermione who figured out how to crack the egg. It was chilly February morning which saw Harriet and Ron shivering in their trousers. Yes, trousers because it had become too cold for her skirts. Classes had continued on as usual but had become horribly boring for Harriet. Having Professor Snape as a tutor caused her to be extremely ahead of her classmates. Thus, breaks from class were nice. Even if they were walks through snow.
"Bloody hell, can it get any colder? I'm going to have blue hair any minute now." Ron complained loudly.
"Ha, a smurf Weasely. That's good, Ron!" Harriet laughed out. The boy looked at her as if she grew two heads.
"A what?"
"Oh, never mind, it's a Muggle thing." Ron still looked confused but dropped it.
"So, when are you going to ask Hermione out to Hogsmeade?" Harriet probed. It had become painfully obvious to Harriet, the entire school and their mums that Ron and Hermione were that couple. You know, the two best friends who are destined to be together and everyone could see it besides the couple in question.
"Huh?" Case in point.
"Really, Ron, you are like brother to me. I've seen the way you act around Hermione. Snatch her up before others realize that she's not just the school's number one bookworm."
"What are you-"
"Oh, would you look at that, speak of the devil." Harriet stated as Hermione sprinted towards her fellow Gryffindors.
"Harry, you have to open the egg under water." Hermione spoke after she caught her breathe. If the way Ron was staring at their flushed friend was anything to go by, he was beginning to see Hermione as, well, as girl.
"Underwater?" Harriet asked before realization came to her. Screeching. Screeching could mean many things in the magical world. But this screeching that came out of her egg always had a beat. 1 2 3, 1 2 3. It wasn't speaking, it was-
"Singing, it's merspeak isn't it?" Harriet stated. Hermione nodded.
"That why we couldn't understand it. But if you listen to it underwater, you should be able to get the clue."
"Um, how can you hear underwater?" Ron asked. Hermione huffed and crossed her arms.
"Honestly Ron, don't you ever pay attention to class."
"When did we learn about Merpeople?" And there they go. Then again, if they didn't argue, Harriet would be very worried.
Later that night, after she filled her bath with water. Golden egg in her hands, she submerged her head and egg. Breaking it open, Harriet finally got her clue.
Come seek us where our voices sound,
We cannot sing above the ground,
And while you're searching ponder this;
We've taken what you'll sorely miss,
An hour long you'll have to look,
And to recover what we took,
But past an hour, the prospect's black,
Too late, it's gone, it won't come back.
One hour, one hour or else she'll lose something forever. What did she care about the most? That was the question that Harriet had trouble answering. From what she could piece together, she would have to rescue something for the Merpeople. Something, or someone…
The Dog Days are Over, The Dog Days are Done… so You Better Run
Severus
Mad-Eye Moody, Severus decided, was the big pain in the arse he had had to deal with for the past ten years. How many fucking times does the man have to search his office? And there was something off about Moody. He smelled like the toxic alcoholic he had become. Something that greatly confused Severus. While he had heard of many witches and wizards turning to the bottle to wash away their memories, Moody had been one of few Aurors who protested heavily against alcohol of all kinds. If Severus' memory was correct, and it always was, Moody didn't drink and certainly didn't carry a flask wherever he went. Something was very off.
"Severus, what do you think?" Albus' voice broke through his thoughts as his head snapped up to the eyes the expecting eyes of his colleagues. Flitwick looked ready to fall asleep while Rolanda played with a practice Snitch. Hagrid munched on stale scones as Pomona tried to avoid the crumbs that fell. Poppy's eyes narrowed as Severus massaged his temples to relieve the headache.
"Miss Potter has the worst hero-complex I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. Put anyone down there and she'll feel the need to risk her life to save them." Came his sarcastic answer. Minerva looked ready to argue in her daughter's defense but stopped when the painful truth of his words sunk in.
"Helpful as always, Severus." Fuck you, old man.
"Perhaps Mr. Weasely would be a good choice?" Albus thought out loud. "Yes, that would work." What the hell was the reason for summoning the entire staff with you already had a decision? Bastard. The other staff members seemed to be thinking the same thing.
"If that is all, I have a potion on the burner." Severus sneered out and turned towards doors, robe bellowing behind him. Yes, he did have a potion on the burner. A potion that he absolutely despised and wished that he could destroy it. The fact that he was making it, hell, that he agreed to make it, made Severus feel ill. Never again, he vowed, never again.
As he moved towards the direction of his lab, his wards surrounding it went off. He broke into a dead sprint. Unfortunately, Severus was in Albus' tower when his wards went off and his lab was in the dungeons. Fuck my life.
Finally, he made it and ripped the door open. As the door banged against wall, Severus scanned the room. Potion still intact, books still on the shelf, Miss Potter's floating head in the corner. Wait, what?
"Miss Potter? What on Earth-"
"I'm sorry, Sir," Miss Potter started as a cloth fell from her shoulders and pooled at her feet. She became visible. In her hands was the Marauders' Map. Huh, so that's where it went.
"I was on my way here for my lesson and I checked the map to see if you were here. It said that Mr. Crouch was here though and I got worried and I, I'm sorry, Sir." The child bowed her head, her right arm wrapping itself across her stomach to clutch her left arm. She looked stressed and worried.
"I didn't mean to break in but Mr. Crouch wasn't here when I got here and Professor Moody was patrolling the halls and I didn't want him to see me and-"
"Are you ok?" Her eyes meet his in surprise.
"Y-yes." She mumbled.
"Then that is all that matters." He stated as he closed the door and sat down at his desk. Placing his head in his hand, he thought over Miss Potter's words. What would Crouch doing here of all places? Was he the ingredients thief? Dammit, without proof Severus' hands were tied.
"Sir?" He looked up at Lily's daughter, the worry etched in her eyes.
"What's wrong?" Severus asked softly as the girl crumbled into the chair that was across from him. Her hands formed fists at her pant legs as she stared at her whitening knuckles.
"I know the clue. I'm going to have to rescue someone from the Black Lake, aren't I?" She was too smart for her own good.
"Someone?" He tested her. Her head shot up to send him an anger glare.
"Obviously, why risk just the Champions? Why not threaten their loved ones too? After all, it's entertainment. All for the money, the fame, the glory, right?" Her bitter words didn't shock him but he could tell that there was something else that bothered her. Miss Potter mumbled out something that Severus nearly missed.
"Pardon?" He asked. His eyes widened as he saw the shining of tears in her emerald eyes.
"And I won't be able to save them…" She whispered out as she used the sleeve of her arm to push away her glasses and clean her eyes.
"And why not?"
"I can't swim." Oh, well that is a problem. That is a very big problem. Severus looked behind him to find his calendar. Bloody hell. February 23rd, and the task was tomorrow. No time to teach her.
"What good is a Nereida who can't swim?" Miss Potter mumbled and the Potion Master looked back at her in shock.
"A what?" The girl blushed and tried to use her long hair to hide her face.
"Miss Potter, what are you hiding from me?" He demanded softly. If what he heard was true, then that changed a lot. It will have a power The Dark Lord knows not. That line of the be damned prophecy sounded through his mind.
"I'm a Nereida." Miss Potter spoke up again after a few more moments.
"And how do you know that?" But even as he said those words, the painful and obvious truth slapped him in the face. Her power, her appearance, her words, all of them remind him of a woman he had long since forgot about. A woman who powers scared him, the Death Eaters, the Order of the Phoenix and even the Dark Lord. The Victor of Dark Battles, they called her. The Avenging Blade, said others at her death. A death that only happened because Nagini had bit her and helped the almost dead Dark Lord to escape. A death that she allowed because she wanted to die.
Lady Dorea Potter, though at her death he remembers her snarling out her maiden name, had nearly ended the Dark Lord in 1979. Just like she had nearly end Grindelwald in 1933.
Severus remembered his first meeting the Black woman. Of course, he didn't know what she was until later. Even so, it was the arrival of the Hogwarts Express into King's Cross after his Hellish fifth year. Severus was leaving the train, head bowed with his trunk dragging behind him. Of course, he would get pushed off. Luckily, he was able to save his dignity by stumbling and twirling around, his wand grasped in his hand.
"Oh," James Potter laughed, "Did we upset little Snivellus? Oops." Sirius Black laughed in unison as the Marauders' barbershop quartet exit the train. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lily leave the train, not even looking in his direction.
Severus was about sneer out a sarcastic and witty comment that none of them would comprehend when a hand rested on his shoulder. The Gryffindors all tensed and Severus looked up to see a woman in an all-black gown glaring at the Marauders. She stood at 5' 9", her gray-black hair pulled back into an elegant bun to show her aging but breath taking features. Most of all, it showed the golden fury in her eyes. Severus watched as Potter and Black both gulped in unison while Lupin whimpered and Pettigrew squeaked.
"Oh, h-hi Mum. What are you- um- doing here?" Potter stuttered as Severus' eyes continued to widen. That's right, it was always the Potter patriarch who was at King's Cross. This was the first time he had ever seen Mrs. Potter. And honestly, by her attire she looked more like a widow than married woman.
"James. Your father's out of town, remember?" Mrs. Potter said coolly, as she stepped forward and in front of the young Slytherin. "Wand down, boy." She whispered softly and Severus immediately did as she asked, watching the drama unfold. The woman's sharp glare terrified the boys, Severus included.
"Now, Mum, I can expl-"
"Can you?" She snarled. "Acting like an uncultured, spoiled brat again. Apparently, you forget the manners I been trying to force down your throat since you were a child. Now, apologize, all of you."
"But Mum-"
"Please, Mrs. Potter-"
"It's just Snivellus-" Potter, Pettigrew and Black tried to argue while Lupin kept silent.
"I don't give a damn." Her whisper made them pale and stop their protest. "Now."
"But he's a dark wizard, a Slytherin spawn." Potter protested loudly before he blanched. An almost dark aura pooled around the woman's feet. Black shivered and Pettigrew started using Lupin for a shield.
"If that's your logic, then you shouldn't you also be one, my son? Stop acting foolish and do as I say."
"He hurt Lily." Potter tried again weakly. Guilt entered Severus' eyes at the reminder of his own stupidity.
"Are you her husband?" Horror filled Severus at the very thought of that. "Are you her betrothed? No, you are not. Thus, you have no obligations to defend the honor of some chit in your grade. Besides, I believe absolutely nothing you just said, James. We will discuss this more when you get home. Now, apologize."
"I'm sorry, Snape." Lupin cut in quickly, cutting off Potter from inserting his foot into his mouth some more. Slowly, the rest of the Marauders followed his lead. Severus said nothing as Mrs. Potter nodded.
"Take the Floo home. Remus, Peter, your parents know that you'll be with us tonight. Now go." Severus had never seen them run so fast in his life. Mrs. Potter sighed before turning to look at him. The calculated look she gave him made him shiver, as if her molten eyes could see through his soul. He straightened before bowing his head slightly.
"Thank you, Ma'am." She nodded back. He stood up straight and watched as she moved closer, her eyes squinting as she took in his facial features.
"Your name, boy?"
"Severus Snape, Ma'am." An almost warm look appeared across her face as a small, barely visible smile appeared. She stepped back and beamed,
"Eileen's son."
"You know my mother?" The shock was evident in his voice.
"Indeed, I'm very close to the Prince family. I've know your mother since she was born. Have you met you grandfather, Severus?" His mood dropped as he remembered the family that abandon his mother.
"No, Ma'am. My mother doesn't talk to her family." She nodded before saying,
"I'll be in Diagon Ally on July 4th at noon. Meet me at the Leaky Cauldron. It's high time Septimius met his grandson. Tell your mother that Dorea said to let you go to London." All Severus could do was nod his head, her very words demanding to be followed to the t. Mrs. Potter smiled the first true smile he had seen all day before Apparating away.
"Sir?" Miss Potter asked out. He snapped out of his memory.
"So, that's how you calmed the dragon." Severus muttered, breaking his thoughts.
"Yes, sir." She watched as he stood and headed to his room full of ingredients. Pushing aside the unimportant ingredients, he scowled as he climbed the ladder to look for the ingredient. Where the hell had he- there it is. He reentered his lab.
"Gillyweed?" Miss Potter questioned as she recognized the ingredient.
"Yes. What happens when you consume Gillyweed, Miss Potter?" He quizzed her.
"It gives you gills and fins! Does this mean-"
"It lasts for an hour so the moment the task begins, eat it, wait for the transformation and go."
"I thought that you weren't allowed to give me anything that I could use for the task."
"Who said anything about giving it to you? I need this for a potion so I'm just going to leave it on my desk and head over to my chambers to get the proper cauldron." Her smile shined brightly in the cool dungeon. He smirked back.
"How Slytherin of you, Sir."
"Thank you."
You Don't Know About my Past, and I Don't Have a Future Figured Out
Harriet
The four champions shivered in unison. Harriet feared for her skin when she removed her larger, warm, fur-lined robe. It was cold, and windy and Harriet was only wearing a plain black and white swimsuit that she had to borrow from Lavender. Who the hell brings a swimsuit to Scotland anyway? The water looked colder than ice. Just her luck.
Fleur, her veela best friend, was praying in French and crossing herself repeatedly as she stared in fear of the water. Harriet felt bad for her. The fire that naturally came from being veela and the cold water of Black Lake was a disaster waiting to happen. Harriet gave her hand a gently squeezed and Fleur squeezed back.
Cedric and Viktor, being the proud peacock men that they were, didn't bring robe that closed so that people could look at their bodies in swim trucks. And while Harriet enjoyed the sight of her I'm-Not-Really-Dating-Him-But-We-Are-Kinda-Dating boyfriend, she couldn't believe Viktor's stupidity. Don't come crying to Harriet when you died from hypothermia.
Bagman, looking like a Father Christmas reject, stood in front of them. The stands were once again full and the judges, and Mama, were sitting in their heated seats, curtesy of warming charms. Lucky Bastards.
"Welcome!" Bagman shouted with the Sonorus Charm, making the Champions wince.
"The Second Task is about to begin. The Champions must save their loved one from the Merpeople in one hour. The village is at the center of the lake. The first one to finished will win. Points will be given after each champion arrives. Now, count down with me. Champions, start when the time hits zero! Good Luck!" A large holographic 10 appeared in the sky.
"Ten!" Harriet fisted the Gillyweed and wand.
"Nine!" She removed her robe.
"Eight!" Harriet spotted Hermione in the crowd, with the Weaselys.
"Seven!" She couldn't find Ron!
"Six!" Hermione looked pale with worry.
"Five!" Harriet glared at her Mama.
"Four!" Mama sent her back an apologetic smile.
"Three!" She locked eyes with the man behind her mother.
"Two!" He nodded to her.
"One!" She nodded back to her tutor, Gillyweed in her mouth.
"Zero!" And she was off.
If you ever had trouble waking up in the morning, submerging yourself in a lake in during February in Scotland is a great wake up call. The freezing water encompassed her as her fingers and toes webbed. Or at least, they were supposed to. Instead her legs locked together and green scales started to cover her body from the waist down. After forming a scaly point, two large fins spurted out of either side of it. Of course, she would become a mermaid. Of course.
"Well, I should have seen this coming." Harriet said out loud without thinking and gasped. She clutched her throat as water entered her but she didn't drown. Awesome! She checked the anti-water charmed watch on her wrist. 59 minutes, let's go.
Turns out having a mermaid's tail made her really fast and swimming came very naturally to her with the help of Gillyweed. Her fellow champions had been ahead of her. Viktor had transfigured himself into a half shark, half man thing while Cedric and Fleur were both using the bubblehead. She swam past them, causing them to stop and stare at the trail of bubbles she left behind her in her wake.
She spotted the swarm of Grindylows coming towards her and called out,
"Which way to the village?" The swarm stopped and looked at her. At first, she was afraid they were going to attack her until they pushed in front a baby Grindylow out of the pack. The largest Grindylow, and probably the leader, blew out a bubble. The bubble popped in her face and she heard,
"Follow the child, young one."
"Thank you!" She shouted back as she followed the baby Grindylow. Its tentacles were able to match her speed and soon she arrived at the village of the Merpeople. The perimeter was marked rocks with paintings of Merpeople, carrying their spears and chasing the Giant Squid. Their homes were made out of stone and stained by algae. In the center of the village was a giant statue of a Merperson. Tied to the statue were four sleeping humans, each with their own bubble head charm. Ron was easy enough to stop. Thank God for the Weasely's fire engine red hair. She swam quickly towards him and pulled out her wand. The Merpeople, while heavily armed with spears and tridents, stood aside and let her get to her friend.
As she neared the statue, Harriet noticed Cho's Ravenclaw robes. She glared at the bitch before her eyes widen at the sight of the little seven-year-old tied next to her. Gabrielle! While Harriet wanted to do nothing more than take the French child back with her, she knew that Fleur had to save her. The last hostage was one of Viktor's classmates. Demetri, maybe? Harriet wasn't sure.
Returning to the task at hand, Harriet pointed her wand at the seaweed rope that tied Ron to the statue.
"Caesa minima." She said and the spell cut through the rope. Ron's arm floated up and Harriet wrapped her arms around his chest, his back to her. Nodding to the Merpeople in thanks and respect, she swam away at full speed to the surface.
She broke the surface and heard Ron gasp awake. He started to kick and sputtered about.
"Dammit." Harriet hissed when he kicked her tail. "Ron, stop moving."
"Harry?" He turned in her arms and looked down, eyes wide.
"How the bloody hell did you do that?" She shrugged.
"Gillyweed. Come on, you're turning blue on me. Hold on." She kicked forward and Ron yelped as they shot across the lake towards the stands.
"And with 40 minutes to spare, Harriet Potter has done it! She wins the Second Task! Three cheers for Harriet Potter. Hip hip!"
As the crowd cheered, Harriet helped to get Ron on to the dry land and looked at it longingly. 40 more minutes before she should be human again. There was a large cloud thingy that projected the image of the other champions under the water, fighting against the Grindylows. Ron was immediately encased by warming charms and blankets as the Weasely Herd, plus Hermione, rushed to him.
"Oh, my Baby!" Mrs. Weasely screamed out as she suffocated Ron into her hug. If Ron wasn't going blue before, he was now. "Don't you ever volunteer to do something like that ever again!"
"Molly, dear, Ron can't breathe." Mr. Weasely pointed out. The short woman dropped her son before immediately beginning her fussing again, Hermione joining in on the fun. Bill walked over to where her arms were leaning against where the snowy grass met the water.
"Mermaid transfiguration, nicely done." If it wasn't for the fact she was absolutely freezing, she would have blushed. Nope, she still did. God damn crush still hasn't gone away yet.
"More like a Gillyweed experiment gone wrong. I still have," She checked her watch, "35 more minutes until this wears off."
A gasp escaped the audience and immediately Harriet's eyes shot up to the screen as the Grindylows broke Fleur's bubble charm. Fleur started choking before swirling water encompassed her and she disappeared. The water shot above the lake and landed on the bank. Fleur appeared near Bill's feet, coughing up water as Aunt Poppy, the judges and Professor Snape rushed towards her.
"Gabrielle-" she coughed. "ils ont ma soeur! Elle pouvait mourir! She's too young to be in that water." (They have my sister. She could die!)
Even though Fleur and Gabrielle were quarter-veelas, their sensitivity towards water was strong. And Gabrielle, being so young, could easily lose the flame that was in her veela magic. Harriet knew what she had to do.
"Wait, Miss Potter!" But it was too late, Professor Snape. She was already gone again.
I'm Going Under, Drowning You, I'm Falling Forever
Severus
To say that Severus was surprised like the rest of staff by how Miss Potter reacted to the Gillyweed would be an understatement. The image of her tail appearing shocked everyone into complete silence as they watched her swim. Then the audience cheered loudly. The foreign judges, and Percy Weasely, were like statues as Albus looked like a child on Christmas day. He shared a proud smile with Minerva as they watched her ask the Grindylows of all things for help. The only logical reason Severus could think of that would cause the Grindylows to Miss Potter was her being a Nereida. Of course, this really shouldn't surprise him. Miss Potter never did anything simple.
Finally, she reached Mr. Weasely and freed him. An odd look of guilt was in her eyes as she stared at the blonde child that Beauxbatons somehow allowed to be a hostage. Then she swam away, the youngest Weasely protected in her arms. The crowd cheering, Severus felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned as Poppy nodded her head towards the bank. Together, with Minerva who wanted to see her adopted daughter in one piece, they headed to the bank. Somehow the Weasely clan passed them and reached the soaking wet Gryffindors.
Miss Potter was chatting with William Weasely, her fake tail bobbing against the water's surface.
"35 more minutes until this wears off." Miss Potter told him when the audience shouted in fear as the Beauxbatons champion got disqualified. The girl wasn't harmed, scared if anything. But then the French girl coughed out,
"Gabrielle- ils ont ma soeur! Elle pouvait mourir! She's too young to be in that water." Too young to be- then his memory kicked in. The French champion had Veela blood, which meant her sister had it too. Fucking A. The realization entered Miss Potter's eyes and Severus knew what she was going to do.
"Wait, Miss Potter!" But she was gone. God damn hero complex! The Beauxbatons Champion looked ready to follow but William Weasely stopped her.
"No, you can't go back down there."
"Let me go!" The Blonde girl shouted as French officials appeared. In front of the officials was Beauxbatons Headmistress and an older French couple.
"Arrêtez-toi, Fleur!" The older French Man shouted out and the girl froze. (Stop it, Fleur!)
"Papa… Maman… Je suis désolée." The girl started to sob into her hands. The woman started to comfort her as the man was shouting his accented English at Albus and the judges.
"How dare you put my daughter in such risk?! She is a child! A baby with no magical training what so ever! I gave no permission for you to put her down there! Get her back maintenant!" (Now!)
"Monsieur Delacour, please sir, she'll be back soon, when the task has ended." Bagman tried to appease the pissed off father. It failed miserably. Monsieur Delacour looked ready to kill Bagman when Miss Granger shouted out,
"Harry!" Immediately, everyone's attention was brought back to the Girl-Who-Lived. She had reach the village again with rapid speed. 30 minutes left to go.
Miss Potter's hands were above her head in a surrender position as the Merpeople pointed their spears at her. The other hostages were gone. Only the little blonde girl was left.
"Oh dear, Harriet's attracted the Chieftainness." Albus said as the head of the Merpeople swam forward. The creature said something to Miss Potter. Naturally, Miss Potter could understand it. Why not?
"That girl lost her rescuer. Her life is in danger. Please, let me bring her back to the surface before it's too late." She pleaded. How they were able to hear Miss Potter underwater, he will never know. The Merchief's face soured and it spoke again.
"No, she's a veela. She can't be in the water for this long." Miss Potter tried again. The Chieftainness stared down Miss Potter before grabbing a spear from the guard and holding it out to her. Miss Potter grabbed it tentatively as the Merpeople formed a circle with Miss Potter and the Chieftainness in the middle.
"If I defeat you, you'll let me take her back?" The Chieftainness nodded back, spear already in hand. For three seconds, no one moved. Then they lunged.
Severus can safely safe that the next 20 minutes were the most stressful of his life. Everyone, the champions, the schools, the officials, everyone stared in shocked and fear as the famed Girl-Who-Lived defensed herself against the Chieftainness. The Weaselys were shouting, the French girl was sobbing with guilt and the two male champions looked confused and terrified. The Durmstrang champion, Miss Potter's boyfriend, he supposed, was arguing vehemently with Karakaroff to let him go in after her.
At times, all they could see was water turning. Miss Potter was a green and black blur as she used her quick instincts to dodge the Chieftainness' blade. Much like when she dueled, Miss Potter never used the same attack twice. Her time learning knife fighting had given her an unexpected edge over the Chieftainness. Instead of falling back and using the spears' length like Merchief did, Miss Potter was able to use her smaller body and speed to get in close.
Their spears lashed, parried and lunged against each other. Shallow cuts appeared on both of them as the barge of metal continued. Miss Potter didn't use magic, probably because in her haste to save the French child, she had left her wand on dry land. She was relying on her wits, her instincts and the combat that he had taught her. Minerva, looking more pissed off than he had seen in a long time, was shouting loudly at Albus and Ministry, demanding them to stop this fight before someone dies. 10 minutes left.
Then the spearhead of Miss Potter's spear shattered against a large rock. She had been trying to pin the Chieftainness against a large rock when the chief moved away at the last second. The Merchief used Miss Potter's dropped guard to her advantage.
Miss Potter screamed as the blade grazed against her left side. Smirking, the Chieftainness was ready to retrieve her spear when Miss Potter locked her arm to her side, trapping the spear against her body. Then she swung.
Silence, that was all that could be heard as the Merchief fell unconscious, Miss Potter's blunted spear lying next to its head. Miss Potter was clutching her bleeding side, but glared bravely that the Merpeople.
"Now get out of my way." She snarled. They followed her word immediately. Everyone watched as Miss Potter used the bloodied spear pinned to her side to free the girl and started to swim back to land. 5 minutes.
She wasn't going to make it.
She was losing too much blood and was using too much of her energy to get the girl to the surface. 1 minute. The pull on his magic was back and he ran to lake, pushing past everyone and jumped in. 30 seconds. His magic enhanced his eyes and formed a bubble over his mouth and nose. He spotted the pair heading in his direction in a slowing zig zag swim. Aqua Eructo. He used the charm to cause a jet stream of water to send him towards the girls. He wrapped the two into his arms. 10 seconds.
"Professor?" Miss Potter whispered as her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she went limp. 5 seconds.
Ascendio! Both girls held tightly in his arms, the spell propelled Severus out of the water and directed the group to land. His body curled around them just before his back hit the ground hard. 0.
Hissing loudly at the pain, his arms fell open as the seven-year-old child started to cough up water on him, her face deathly pale. Her parents ran to her, casting heating and drying charms on all three of them. Poppy appeared immediately at Miss Potter's side. While her legs were back to normal, she had a pool of blood that stained them both. The color had left her skin and her breathing was shallow. Poppy and him knew that she need to go to the infirmary and fast.
"Infirmary." He hissed, collected her back into his arms as he stood carefully. His back stung like a bitch but he didn't care. Poppy waved her wand over Miss Potter's left side, stopping the bleeding.
"Go," Albus ordered, his face grim. "The Apparation wards are down."
Mrs. Delacour, who separated herself from her family reunion, stood by and watched. As he and Poppy Apparated away, he heard her say,
"Merci, Monsieur Chevalier."
Author's Note- So I know I hinted in my A/N in Chapter 11 that this was going to be the end of the Goblet of Fire but I felt that dividing it into this chapter was much smoother and not as rushed. And, we got action! Also, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them saved this story! It gave me the inspiration I need because, spoiler alert, I was already going to bring in Wizarding America into this story. However, I didn't want to completely toss canon out the window. Thus, if you haven't, you need to see the movie. And it was absolutely worth it! 20 stars! Also, past and present are mixing together and it's beautiful. So, what do you guys think? Please, my loves, review to your heart content. Constructive criticism is always welcomed. Side note, I'm not changing the Harry Tag to an OC tag. Sorry. On that note, please review! See you guys soon!
-V.I. Winthrop