A/N: I don't own anything you recognize.

This is for the Harry Potter Fanfiction Challenges forum

Are you crazy enough to do it Challenge

15. (Book title) First Sight

Harry Potter Fanfiction Challenges
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Springs

He was only there to collect a sample of the water from the Stellar Springs hot springs. It was said to have healing properties. He disliked these types of places greatly, promising something only to leave the witch or wizard broke and still in pain. He dipped the vial into the water. It didn't look like anything special. He'd visited numerous springs, all failing to heal his broke heart.

"Oh, hello? I didn't realize there was anyone here," a female voice said from the water. He rose looking for the source. He saw her sitting on a rock, her top bare and fins half in the warm water. He couldn't pull his eyes from her, not because of her nudity, but because of her face, her warm eyes looking into his soul.

"I'm here to collect samples of the water," he explained. She looked him over before diving into the water. He hadn't expected to find a mermaid here.

"Why?" she asked poking her head out of the spring. "Is there something wrong with it?"

"Not that I'm aware of, I merely wish to study it and figure out it's properties."

"You don't believe it can heal, do you?" she asked splashing slightly.

"No, I do not."

"It does, at least to some extent. Healing comes from within," she stated splashing back onto the rock. "It makes a person more open to healing. I've seen many people come, many people healed, but some...some have hearts that are too hardned, have injuries too severe. There is magic in the water, but it only seems to work for those who truly believe."

"What are you doing here? I thought mermaids didn't live in hot water."

"I'm special. I think I might be responsible for part of the magic in the spring."

"That is a theory. A magical creature living in the spring...mermaid scales do have some healing properties..."

"What is your name, if I may be so bold?"

"Severus Snape. I heard about the spring and decided to investigate. Do you have a name?"

"Yes, I am called Hermione," she answered. "I would like to help you, Severus to figure out the magic behind the spring. I've always been curious about why it works and why it sometimes doesn't."

"I welcome your help, Hermione. Would you mind giving me one of your scales?" Hermione nodded plucking one from her tail. She'd been ready to shed it anyway.

"I hope this helps in your research."

"I believe it will. Thank you. I must return to my room for now. I will return tomorrow and let you know if I've made any progress." Hermione watched him leave before diving back into the pool. She'd never actually had a conversation with a human before. Most of the time, she kept out sight. She'd heard stories of humans who were cruel and would kill her. Severus didn't seem like that sort.

He returned the next day, and the day after. On the third day, he'd had a breakthough. Hermione and her mermagic were responsible for the magic of the spring.

"So, if I were to ever leave, the spring would die?" she asked wide eyed.

"The spring would remain, but the magic would fade, slowly over time, but eventually it would all disappear." Hermione stared at Severus in shock. She had never wanted to leave the spring, but knowing now she couldn't...never could go seek a mate...

"What's wrong?"

"I...I'm of age, for my people, to seek a mate, and if I am not able to leave the spring, I will never find a male," she explained. Severus blinked. He hadn't realized Hermione was the only mer living in the spring.

"Why aren't there more mer in the spring?"

"I've always been alone," she answered. "I always thought when the time came I would find a way to leave, to seek my mate."

"Hermione, there are no other bodies of water near enough to this spring for you to survive the journey." Severus couldn't understand how a long mermaid had ended up here, how she was making him wish he had fins of his own.

"Severus, come swim with me, before you must leave, come for a swim."

"I didn't bring any trunks."

"Then wear just your skin. Please?" Severus stripped, he was in no real hurry to return home, there was nothing there for him, not really. He put a toe in the hot water and then slid in. Hermione swam over to him splashing him. He splashed her back, never thinking he'd ever be swimming with a gorgeous mermaid.

"Severus, look," she whispered looking into the clear water. Severus looked down, his legs were melding together into a tail, much like Hermione's. He could remain here, with Hermione. He felt his heart healing, all the pain he'd been through, melting away. Soon he only felt peace, and love, for her.

"I'm a merman."

"It appears so," she replied. "You must be the answer to my hopes, Severus."

"I must be," he agreed.

"Come, I'll show you my home," she said taking him by the hand and diving deeply into the pool.