A/n: Thanks to my beta Hunter's Heir! Note: Titles are based off the quotes at the top of the chapters now!
Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love.
-Albert Einstein
So I'm pretty sure Malfoy is trying to imagine me as someone else. He hasn't used my name since we met up for our rounds, and he keeps muttering under his breath. I stomped on his foot accidently within the first five minutes, and all he did was thank me for not saying anything. This really couldn't be more awkward.
We haven't run across anyone while patrolling, which is awesome since he is in such a stubborn mood. I think our little kiss session is still hot in his mind, though I don't think he's completely hating it. The Mudblood comment has yet to slip out his lips. No one, and I mean no one, understands how pleasant this truly is for me. He's never been quite so quiet.
Since we've decided to avoid talking unless necessary, this gives me the needed time to think about what's happening. I've kissed Malfoy, Ron and been stared at by the entire school in the course of a day. It makes me sound like a sleaze, but this really isn't my fault! However, that doesn't mean that none of this didn't happen. I have been kissed by too many people and now I'm wandering around with Malfoy. I don't quite think the complications will ever end- or at least not until I figure out what's happening to me.
I really should go to the Headmaster, I should, but I just don't want to. I mean, this is strange enough and if these strange siren powers decided to kick in… I think I would have to kill myself. I mean, I love Dumbledore, but it's all just way too weird.
"Granger, run away." I'm pulled from my thoughts by that prat, who has wandered several feet ahead of me. Joining reality once more I continue walking towards him, placing my hands on my hips. Now what?
"For Circe sake Malfoy! I know you don't really want to-"
"Shh!" He turned around and shook his head at me, but it was too late. I quickly realized what he'd been indicating towards and clamped my mouth shut, cursing my luck. Three stray boys were wandering around the corner, looking no older than fourth year. Well, it's better than seventh years at least.
But they're all male… and I just spoke.
Well, shit.
"All of you," Draco said, turning back to the trio, "It's past curfew! You realize that you're going to get a detention each for this, right?"
He was trying to distract them from me, having picked up almost immediately after our kiss that my voice did strange things to the male population. And the closer someone is, the more affected they are. Why couldn't they all be females- or at least one of them? They weren't paying a bit of attention to Draco, no matter what he screamed at them. I could tell that it was getting on his last nerve.
"He's speaking to you," I say, lowering my voice. This technique doesn't diminish the effect of my voice entirely but it does lesson the effect on people. "You heard the Head Boy- each of you get a detention! Take your slips and off with you!"
At least they listened like the boy's from earlier, and they took their papers from a fuming Draco and left without a word. Once we were alone in the hall again, he turned and looked in my direction, shaking his head.
"I don't know what it is with you and all the fucking guys here, but stop that!"
"Stop what?" I ask, arching an eyebrow. "I'm not doing anything."
He groans. "We talked about this- don't talk."
"Actually, you declared it and I simply complied until right now. I'm not going to stop anything if none of this is my fault! I didn't do anything to try and make every guy in school follow me like a puppy."
"They certainly follow you, but it's not in a puppy-like way."
I bite my lip to keep from snapping at him. Damn Malfoy and his sharp tongue. And why is he so observant? After that awkward moment the other day I figured he would avoid me as much as possible.
"How do you know what they followed me around like?"
He scoffed. "Did you just decide to forget about the incident in the Great Hall earlier!? You're lucky professors were around, that's all I have to say."
"What are you talking about?"
"You're so blind," he snapped, turning and stalking away. I note that his hands are balled up, and wonder if my voice is affecting him as well. It would make sense, even if I find that creepy. I mean… it's Malfoy!
"I'm not blind!"
"Oh, Granger, you're blind. Completely and stupidly blind."
I'm offended now. Did that jerk just call me stupid? Rushing forward I cut him off as he goes around a corner, stopping directly in front of him. He stiffens once I'm there, eyes rooted above my head. I place my hands on my hips, studying him.
"I'm not stupid Malfoy. But I'm not a guy either. I don't know what's so entrancing about my voice. Or at least, not yet."
"It really doesn't help my self-control when you stand so close," he says through gritted teeth, continuing to look above me. I take a few steps back, wondering if I should draw my wand. I mean he kissed me last time- which was disturbing in many ways- but who's to say this time he wouldn't hurt me? Given our past, I wouldn't doubt it.
Then again, he seems more lust-driven then vengeful lately.
"Far enough?"
"Granger, I'm fucking serious. If you don't stop talking I will do something I regret- again."
Considering that he doesn't look threatening, I assume that means he might kiss me again. While he might kiss like a seasoned pro I think it would be way too awkward to go down that path once more. Besides, I'd rather stop wondering why he kisses so bloody amazing to begin with. Nodding my head I lean against the wall, tapping my wand as I wait for him to calm down. At length he does- though it takes many minutes- and he paused to rub his eyes. Well, at least he's calm- for now.
This siren bullshit is tricky business.
We finish our rounds in peace, though I can tell there's a lot on his mind. As soon as we finish I go to ask what's on his mind but he bolts away, leaving me alone. Obviously, he wasn't in the mood to talk. Deciding he's not worth the chase I turn and wander back towards my dorm, tired and in need of rest. Too bad that won't be happening, since I need to spend the rest of forever figuring out everything I can about siren's, how their traits work, and how to control them. Once I've got that hefty amount of information stored in my head, I'll be able to sleep. It should only take a few days…
Less than three minutes later I run into someone I could really stand to avoid- Theodore Nott. Personally I don't know that Slytherin seventh-year all too well, but he does hang around Malfoy's general circle of friends, which means he most likely hates me. I want to give him a detention, I certainly do, but I fear to open my mouth as he wanders towards me. Malfoy is gone now, and I'm all alone with a Slytherin I barely know in a dark corridor with a voice that's going to end up killing me.
Maybe having Malfoy around wasn't so bad, even if he is a prat. At least he's a prat that can properly dish out detention without being attacked by kisses! Though I'm sure Nott wouldn't be penalized if he was around, considering that they're from the same house. Come to think of it, I don't think he even gave those fourth years a point dedication from their house last time!
It's apparently a little weird that the strict Head Girl in me doesn't stop Nott for being out, and he calls out to me once we've passed one another. "Rough night Granger? Don't think I've ever seen you so quiet."
Oh goody, confrontation. Why do all Slytherin's have to be like that? I bite my lip and keep walking. If I talk he's going to act like everyone else, which means I'll have to threaten him within an inch of his life and then suffer whatever consequences follow, then I would rather just hurry on by. He's not a fourth year boy; he's a seventh year and a Slytherin at that. He's probably dangerous.
"I see!" he calls, trying to egg me on. "Ever since you got every guy in Gryffindor to do your bidding your backbone disappeared, aye? It's quite nice to see that Gryffindor's Princess is spineless now! Draco was right!"
I halt immediately, hands balled into fits. Spinning around him I eye Nott in the dimly lit corridor, my anger rising. "Malfoy told you what!?"
My voice has the effect on him that I expected, but he seems to try and shake his mind clear, just like Malfoy does. Maybe it's a Slytherin thing? "He told us you're all over him. It's disgusting. And not only that but you're totally making everyone do things for you, all the guys in the other houses are eager too. So now you don't need to be strong, because you've got everyone at your beck and call. Didn't ever pin you as that type of woman Mudblood."
Oh, I'm so going to kill him. "That… that twat! Wait until I get my hands on him!"
Not arches an eyebrow, something I barely notice as I turn to stomp off, but his voice halts me. "You're kind of hot when you're pissed Granger. Maybe that's what everyone finds so attractive in you. It's obviously not the way you look."
"Ugh!" I storm off without waiting to hear his response, not caring one bit if everything he said was a lie or not. I had to get to my room before I lost it, and that meant no more arguing. Nott might've avoided jumping me like everyone else, but for how long? Even Malfoy, who is technically the one with the most control (surprisingly) around here, jumped and kissed me in the end. Nott's known for being a dominant partner in bed, even being kind of mean. I'd rather not end up beneath him in a dark corridor.
My skin crawls the entire time until I'm safely back in my room. Nott's creepy no matter what time it is.
But now that Malfoy's gone and begun blabbing things to the entire school, I'm going to have to have another talk with him. This is exactly the sort of thing I didn't want him to do! Of course, I could always try out my newfound powers on him and see if I could twist him into not telling such idiotic lies...
It's not a lie though, is it? He's just repeating some of the events that happened between us. Merlin that's just awful. Hopefully none of this gets back to Harry and Ron- or anyone for that matter- and it can all just be ignored. Maybe if I speak in a different tone for the rest of my life I can avoid this situation.
Probably not going to work either. People would wonder about me, and I'm really not ready to offer answers to anyone when I don't know anything myself.
Sitting on my bed, I contemplate my problems. I'm going to have to deal with my upset friends tomorrow and my jealous friends alongside that. Harry and Ron would be upset because I didn't go along with their silly advances last night and Neville, Ginny, Lavender and the rest of the lot might be jealous for one reason or another.
Why me? Why couldn't someone else discover that they're a mythical creature? I have more important things to do with my time than figure out why the hell this is happening to me. I'm supposed to be a muggleborn, and now this is happening? Something definitely isn't right.
Oh, heritage. I'll definitely need to look into that. I doubt this is a trait you just "pick up" out of the blue like sewing or laughing a certain way. This is a voice altering pain that's going to make my life hard. I'll have to remember to research that as soon as possible, but right now it's not going to happen. I feel drained after today. It's been long, tiresome, and confusing.
Sinking into my sheets I will the world away. Maybe someday I'll wake up and this will all be an awful, somewhat humorous dream.
The following day I sit at the end of the table for breakfast instead of in my normal seat, trying to stay on the down-low this morning. I decided dealing with my friends and peers might be awkward this morning, and instead of pretending like I'm awake enough to handle it I sit at the end of the table, stirring my food but not really eating it.
Sleep came in a short spurt last night. I was out for roughly an hour before I woke and couldn't slip under again, so reluctantly I got up and found something to do. The most obvious thing to do seemed to be research, since I don't know about my problems. Unfortunately what I pulled up didn't help much.
According to Greek mythology sirens are beautiful creatures with lovely singing voices that were irresistible to sailors, who sometimes happened upon their deadly reefs. If that happened the siren's would sing a song, lure the sailors to their deaths and cause the boat to crash and sink. I also read things about the men being eaten but I'm not too sure about that.
But Greek mythology is beyond old. What I dug up on wizarding sirens seems a bit more… evolved.
From what I can gather, sirens in the wizarding world can pass as basic people for years. Although I have yet to discover an origin, it does seem that you can pass as a regular mortal or wizard for years before having strange events- like the ones I'm dealing with- happen. The books said these creatures grow to become surreally beautiful (something I don't actually believe) with voices like silk that can lure men to their deaths or (in my case) cause them to do your bidding. But lust is a powerful force and can sometimes take over the desire to please said woman. So basically, if I speak too long to anyone they might try something stupid, stupider than Ron's sloppy kiss or Theo's taunting.
However they are also a bit like Veela's, something I'm not too happy to dig up. Veela's have a mate, one true person to be with forever like a soul mate. And they go searching for that person. Modernized sirens seem less interested in causing havoc and death (according to the books anyway) and are more focused on finding a mate. Which I'm really not into. I don't even want a mate at this age.
Nonetheless, that's what the book says. Sirens voices are so sweet because you want to lure in the weak to pick off and find the strong in a sense. Men who have bad ambitions, simple crushes, or who aren't interested at all fall for your voice easily and can be swayed. Apparently, you want to look for the person who can't stand you and that's to be your mate.
In my case, that's Malfoy. Now I know the book's lying. The day Malfoy and I are mates is the day Voldemort resurrects again. It's simply impossible. I'd think that it was maybe Theo, but our sarcastic conversation that lasted less than two minutes doesn't seem like liable proof. Therefore, I'm eliminating him. Now I just need to eliminate Malfoy and get rid of this problem all together. Then life will be peachy.
So in essence, I have siren traits to find a mate. There has to be more to it than that though! If that were the case, it could be classified under Veela and I wouldn't need to have an enchanting voice! I'd just be amazing looking, which might also get annoying after a while.
Oh yeah, there was one last thing that I read. Sirens have a limited amount of time after coming into their voice to find a mate- one year. After that time, your voice takes on the same essence basically that the sirens from mythology had, and you're forced to step away from society lest you cause numerous fights, deaths, and tears amongst couples. Basically if I don't find my mate I might as well accept a life of solitude.
Bloody fucking hell. What am I supposed to do now?
A/n: There's a bit of an explanation on sirens! More will come in the following chapters. I start college on Monday- yikes!- so that's when it might get a bit hard to update on time, but I'll try! Please leave a comment, they do help! I love knowing what you think!