AN: The only bodies of water I live by are a pair of lakes that you can get cancer from if you eat the fish. So, my knowledge of boats is limited. There's a lot of table-setting in the beginning, but then it gets intense.
Hermione:
Hermione stepped into the living room where McGonagall was reading some of the comics Giulia had dropped off. She was dressed in a green short-sleeve outfit suitable for the sea.
"The witch in these manipulates probability," she said. "That could be an alternative explanation for her ability to bend time. She manipulated the probability of my contraceptive potion being effective."
"That's good to know," Hermione said.
Her face turned to disgust. "The books are clearly intended for male young adults, given the proportions of the female bodies."
"Then Ron and Harry should like them then," she said with a weak smile.
McGonagall did not respond. A cloud was hanging between them. Why couldn't Hermione say anything right around her, she wondered.
There was a knock on the door. Hermione answered it as Ron and Harry appeared.
It was Giulia. "Your boat is ready."
The group assembled. Giulia presented them with a pewter anchor.
"This will take you to Sicily where a boat will be waiting for you. Given the short notice, the boat is functional but not exceptionally luxurious."
"That is all we need," McGonagall said and handed Giulia a pouch of money.
She waved her off. "I hold myself responsible for what happened."
"Don't be ridiculous," McGonagall said. "I went with McMannus willingly. I'm to blame!"
Hermione noticed her voice turned into a squeak at the very end.
"I would prefer no tip all the same."
McGonagall pocketed the money. The four of them grabbed hold of the anchor.
Giulia saluted them. "Good luck on your journey."
The anchor started vibrating and they were off.
…
They landed on a dock.
A young pony-tailed man in a blue and white uniform greeted them.
"Welcome, welcome, to the Sea Dreamer. I am Palo, the first mate. Can I take anyone's luggage?"
Heads shook.
"Come aboard!" he said, gesturing with both hands.
Hermione did not know much about boats. It appeared to only have one floor above the main deck. Most of it was blue like the color of the first mate's uniform.
They stepped into an area with couches and a table with vials on it.
"First thing's first," he said with a clap of his hands. "Professor McGonagall, do you have the identification flag for us to access Alexandria?"
McGonagall pulled a white piece of fabric out with what looked like gold hieroglyphics on it.
"Wonderful!"
"Next safety, the boring stuff!" he handed out small wooden whistles.
"If the boat is in danger of sinking, and we are within reasonable distance of land this portkey will get you there. When the captain shoots red sparks, simply hold onto the whistle and you will all land on a nice sandy beach! We will be heading to the heart of the Mediterranean half-way through day two, so for that, you will have to go into the lifeboats."
He gestured out the window where a pair of boats were hanging.
"They are all equipped with navigation equipment to get you to land. Any questions?"
Heads shook again. Palo laughed.
"A quiet bunch! Now there are anti-seasickness potions on the table. I don't care if you've spent your entire life on the sea, or have never been sick before. You will get sick on this boat if you don't take this potion! It tastes like coconut water!"
No one objected. They all took a drink from the vials. True to his word, it tasted sweet like coconuts.
"How long does it last?" Harry asked.
"Three days, just in case things get rough. There is also more available but I doubt you'll need it."
Palo gave a quick tour of the boat. The dining room had a circular table. In the galley, there was a gruff-looking chef with a bald head who did not greet them. There were two small bedrooms composed of two twin beds with wood paneling. There was space on the bow for lounging where the captain greeted them.
The captain was a man in his late fifties with a graying brown beard that touched his neck. He was wearing a hat with a visor and blue epaulets on his knee-length white robes.
"I am Captain Kneebone. I hope you find your accommodations to be suitable. Don't mind the chef. He is rude to everyone! We will be disembarking shortly. Enjoy your time here!"
He stepped away and could be heard barking orders to the crew.
"I'm going to go down to read," McGonagall announced.
She quickly left.
Ron, Harry, and Hermione exchanged looks.
"She's not okay," Harry said.
"She's putting on a brave face as usual," Ron noted.
"I wish she would let herself be something other than our professor around us," Hermione said. "I still feel like she might ask me the differences between transfiguring an alligator and a crocodile."
"How are you, Hermione?" Ron asked. "We haven't done a whole lot of research on the witch."
"I did learn more about the different dueling styles. I am curious about what Giulia thinks McGonagall wants us to figure out on our own."
The boat started to pull away from the dock. Harry gripped the railing.
"Giulia said she is part nymph," Harry said thoughtfully. "That's Greek mythology, right? The Dursleys never gave me access to books or a library. Hermione, have you read much about mythology?"
"Not as much as I wish," she said. "I was obsessed with animals as a kid. I wanted to be a zoologist from the age of four to nine when I realized how smelly the work can be."
Ron smiled and then turned thoughtful. "There was always something going on at my house. I rarely read much of anything. I didn't have a head for books. I don't know all that much either."
The boat turned and headed for the open water.
"Do you know why exactly we have to go by boat?" Hermione asked Ron.
"According to Bill, there is restricted access for how many people can come to Alexandria," Ron said. "People coming by Floo, apparition, and portkey would cause too much of a disturbance to the sometimes-delicate magic involved. The port is also composed of ancient magic that is more stable than modern stuff."
"Interesting," Hermione said.
They stood out watching the open water in silence as they enjoyed one another's company.
…
The chef made seafood casserole for dinner. Lack of social skill aside, the food was delicious. Everyone was smiling as they ate.
"I have asked Palo for permission to assemble a note board in the salon," McGonagall said. "I'd like to take tomorrow to review our notes and what the witch has said."
"That sounds good," Hermione said.
The chef came back and took the empty plates.
"That was delicious, chef!" Hermione said.
He grunted in response and walked away.
"I have something for you three," McGonagall said and opened her purse. "I have never cared for the way you three stuff your wands in pockets, where they could easily be grabbed. These are cross-body holsters."
She presented them pieces of leather with wand-shaped pockets.
"Thank you," Hermione said. "I have been meaning to get one of these. There just hasn't been time."
"Moody yelled at me about how I carried my wand too. Thank you," Harry said.
"Thank you. Bill gave me his old one, but it fell apart quickly," Ron said.
"You're all quite welcome."
Hermione yawned. The boat rocked gently, occasionally, making her sleepy.
"I suggested we all go to bed," McGonagall said.
"You don't need to tell me twice," Ron said. "The sea air is making me sleepy."
"What Ron said," Harry murmured as he got up.
Hermione followed McGonagall to their room. McGonagall got changed in the bathroom. She sat on the bed.
"How are you doing?" she asked as she returned in her nightgown.
"I'm acclimating to this body," McGonagall said.
"And mentally?"
"Getting there," she said with a tone of finality.
"If you need anything or want to talk…"
"I know you are available. Good night, Hermione."
"Good night," Hermione wanted to add another word, but it was caught in her throat.
…
Their first full day at sea felt very much like school. McGonagall assembled notes from every iteration of the witch they had come across. Despite looking like she was only five years older than them, her teaching style remained the same. She quizzed them on what traps were used and the outcomes.
"Professor, what do you know about nymphs?" Harry asked during a break.
"Not much I'm afraid. Another example where, magic and mythology blur together."
"Giulia said she was part nymph," Ron said.
"I suspected she was not entirely human," McGonagall said. "Non-humans prefer to work in places where they are more likely to feel welcome."
She didn't add anything else. What was she hiding? What was she hoping they'd figure out on their own?
"We will discuss dueling techniques after lunch," McGonagall announced.
There was a plate of sandwiches in the dining room. Wordlessly, Harry, Ron, and Hermione took their plates to the outdoor lounge. They watched the water whiz by.
"Feels just like Hogwarts, except with water views," Ron said. "I half expected her to deduct points when I got the name of the Chinese town the witch attacked wrong."
"She does seem happier," Harry noted. "This is her element."
"I noticed that too," Hermione said.
They finished eating and went back down.
McGonagall had dueling diagrams set up. Even as the trio turned red, she went into explicit detail on how sex spells worked. She quizzed them on various spell responses and explained alternatives. Hermione loved learning, but she forgot how exhausting it could be after being out of the classroom for over a year. Barely stifled sighs were heard when it was time for dinner.
Over a dinner of steak, Ron decided to entertain them with stories about famous quidditch matches.
"Someone grabbed his broom, and that led to a horrible penalty shot," he gushed.
"The ref missed the part where the chaser's shoe was nearly pulled off by the other team," McGonagall said.
"I didn't hear that on the radio," Ron said.
"I was at the match and saw it," she said. "I tried shouting at the ref but it fell on deaf ears. Hungarian refs are among the most easily bribable."
Ron looked at McGonagall with a level of awe Hermione had never seen.
"Were you at the one in Morocco where the chaser was rammed into the hoop?"
"Rolanda was. She said there was a different hex involved."
Ron and McGonagall descended into a level of animated conversation Hermione had never witnessed before. They kept referencing matches in shorthand, so neither Harry nor Hermione could keep up.
McGonagall noticed Harry yawn.
"We'll discuss whether that American seeker was being possessed tomorrow."
"I'll hold you to it!" Ron said.
Hermione and McGonagall made their way to their room.
"As much as I enjoy school matches, there is something special about seeing action on the professional level," she said.
Hermione went to the bathroom.
"I know, among the three of you, Ron has had the fewest reasons to see me as something beyond his strict teacher. It was nice engaging with him on a different level."
If Hermione had to guess, that was McGonagall's way of making her feel less jealous of what transpired.
…
She found herself being shaken. McGonagall was standing over her.
"Hermione, get dressed now. Don't bother with the bathroom."
"What's going on?" Hermione asked as she threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and the holster. She nearly did a double-take when she noticed McGonagall was wearing slacks and a green shirt.
"I keep the portkey around my neck. It is missing. I looked everywhere for it."
Hermione looked for the one she kept on the nightstand. It wasn't there.
"Go alert the boys," McGonagall said as she shoved Hermion's bag into hers. "Remind them to bring their wands and holsters. I'm going up to see what is going on."
Hermione banged on the door. Ron answered.
"What?" he said grumpily.
"Do you have your portkeys? Ours are missing. Professor ordered you to get changed and have your wands holstered."
"Damn," Ron whispered.
Hermione looked away as they changed. They joined her in climbing upstairs. Just as they stepped into the salon, some sort of lyrical whistling could be heard. Ron and Harry looked enthralled.
The dots connected quickly. Hermione raised her wand and both boys were hanging from the ceiling.
"The music is so pretty!" Ron called out happily.
"We need to meet them. They need us," Harry called out.
McGonagall appeared. A look of approval came across her face.
"Sirens?" Hermione said.
"Yes. I've checked the boat. No one is here. I'm trying to break into the wheelhouse. I could use your help."
Rays of pink filled the sky, indicating it was early in the morning. The music was louder and more desperate-sounding. They approached the wheelhouse. Hermione looked through the window and saw nothing.
"Hermione!"
She turned and saw the entire crew, including the burly chef swimming towards the rocks. The three sirens had beautiful blond hair cascading down their bare voluminous chests. Their tails were made of iridescent green scales. She couldn't hear any words, but the music was making the crew hoot and holler.
McGonagall shot a series of spells at them. They laughed and dove off the rock, causing a massive wave.
Hermione screamed and held on to the side of the boat as it became airborne. McGonagall grabbed Hermione's wand and shoved it into her holster. There was a massive cracking sound as it hit the rocks.
"Get the boys," she said. "I'll unhook the lifeboat."
She hung on to the side of the boat as she made it back to the salon.
"Next time use a weaker sticking spell," Ron shouted as she released them and made sure they floated down.
They made their way out outside just as the boat broke apart, throwing them into the water. The waves were huge. Hermione gagged on the water as panic filled her. Then she felt something pulling her out of the water.
She landed on her back on top of bodies. It was Harry and Ron. McGonagall was looking at the bow end of the boat.
"The navigation system has been broken," she said.
There was an unearthly screeching sound as a massive wave engulfed the Sea Dreamer. McGonagall tapped the lifeboat to get it away from the wave. Harry and Ron held on to the sides of the boat.
Something was rising from the water. A dozen pale green tentacles thicker than street poles came out of the water. At least four times bigger than the Hogwarts squid, two massive eyes appeared from the slim-covered head. Harry, Hermione, and Ron screamed.
McGonagall, aimed spells at the tentacles as they lunged at the boat. Hermione began to pull out her wand but McGonagall touched her hand.
"No," she said firmly and proceeded to aim spells at the squid.
Angry, Hermione sat up and pulled her wand out. Harry and Ron did the same. A tentacle landed in the boat and Hermione tried to cut it with a spell. But it was too weak. Hermione threw her wand in the holster just as the tentacle flipped the boat over.
She was gasping for water again as she swam with no destination. She felt a hand on her wrist: McGonagall. For some reason, she had ripped off all her clothes, which made the terrifying situation incredibly awkward.
"Look at me," she said as they tread water. "The witch likes overkill and spectacle. Remember that in the future."
She put her purse around Hermione's neck and tightened it. She then did the most elaborate series of movements with her wand just above the water while chanting. McGonagall shoved the wand into the purse as she turned blue-gray and pushed Hermione away.
Hermione watched as McGonagall's body warped. Then it made sense: It was a rule, that clothing could not be used in a transfiguration three times the size of one's body.
She felt another hand on her. It was Harry.
"We need to get out of here."
They paddled away as a roaring sound filled the air. McGonagall emerged as a massive blue-gray whale with sharp teeth.
"Where the bloody hell, did she learn how to do that!?" Ron shouted.
The trio joined hands and turned. McGonagall wove through the tentacles and lunged at the head with her teeth raised. She bit it and dove into the sea.
Harry was the first to move. "We'll get dragged under!"
Using all their might, they swam away from the whirlpool that formed.
The sea leveled off a few minutes later, and the trio took the moment to catch their breaths. Once her pulse calmed slightly, horror set in.
"McGonagall!" Hermione cried and started back.
Harry grabbed her. "She knew what she was doing."
Hermione started sobbing. She lost focus on trying to float. The boys caught her.
The sea grew rocky again.
"What do we do now?" Ron shouted.
"I doubt any of us can spell," Harry said.
Hermione wasn't paying attention. Her grandmother had just sacrificed herself!
There was the rhythmic splashing of water. Ron turned.
"I thought we'd seen enough crazy stuff!"
A ship with a dozen oars and a red sail appeared. It approached them. One of the oarsmen stood up. He was only wearing a piece of white cloth across his middle and to one shoulder.
"Grab on," he said in perfect English. He aimed the oar towards them.
There was no time to debate whether this was another trap. They grabbed onto the wooden oar. The men lifted them aboard.
The three of them sputtered water and landed in a jumble on the floor of the boat. So many thoughts swirled through Hermion's head. The image of McGonagall as a whale flew to the front of her mind.
"My grandmother!" shouted as she tried to stand. A strong hand held her shoulder. The man had a grizzled beard and muscles the size of Easter hams.
"We have her," he said.
Hermione gasped and pulled away. It took her a minute to get to her feet. Then she saw a net being brought into the boat, by a pair of men from the other side.
Her feet kept slipping beneath her as she ran to it. A white body was in it. Ignoring the men, she frantically threw the rope net aside until she saw McGonagall on her side. Pushing aside her mess of dark hair, Hermione saw her eyes were closed. Hermione felt for a pulse. It was weak but consistent. Hermione threw her body across her grandmother in a hug. She cried onto her cold bare shoulder.