A/N: I know you probably think this has nothing to do with Harry Potter. Well . . . It sorta doesn't. But it also sorta does, and you don't have to read these two parts of Daireanne. But they're not too long, and in fact, "Queen Daireanne" is rather short. It's best if you read them, though. You don't need them to understand the prologue, or chapters 1 & 2, but if you don't read this and you go on to Chapter 3: Beautiful, you're gonna be thinking, *What?!* So I suggest you at least scan this. I'm sorry, and I hope it's not too dull for you.

~*~ Love, Snow White ~*~

Princess Daireann

Long ago, when my grandmother, Aine, was a very small child, my people were vast and numerous. We lived all throughout Ireland and England. As our race grew in numbers, however, and began to spread through Europe, and even across our ocean to the Americas, we began to be seen as a threat.

People began to grow immune to our magic until only the children could fall under our powers. There were only two of our kind who none could withstand: her royal majesty, Queen Aine, and her royal highness, my mother, Princess Leanan. They were, in fact, not royals at all until this time when all found just how strong these sirens' magic was.

So Queen Aine negotiated with the rulers of the world, found the three hundred most powerful of our race and their families, and all set out for the island of Atlantis, where we still live today.

Among the magical mortals there was only peace. That is how they lived and survived together for years--in peace. Atlantis was well hidden by the magic of our people, as well as the magic of those who were not of our race, the witches and wizards of the time. So all was well.

In the early mornings the people would rise to sing a song of joy and praise. Then they worked through the morning farming, fishing, gathering food, washing, and cooking. At midday they had a small meal, but quickly went back to work until sunset. That was a time of eating, singing, and storytelling.

The children took lessons over their history and the cultures of the world every sixth morning (Saturday), and everyone rested all the next day. They worked in the morning with the adults on the other days of the week, and also in the early afternoons, but spent the end of their days in play.

It was as this until my grandmother, Aine, took ill and resolved that she had been in this tiresome world far too long. Mother was seventeen years old at the time (my own age).

Our people were quickly losing numbers and no one could do anything about it. The females were stronger than the males and had stronger magic; they were left nearly alone with only a few older men and male children. The young and middle-aged men the epidemic hadn't killed died in battle with pirates or went to sea--and never returned.

This caused such distress that Mother became worried that our people would completely die out. She felt a failure and knew she must do something to help. But she could do nothing but watch as her loved ones faded away.

As the days, weeks, and months passed slowly on, she took to standing at the highest point of the mountain, singing sadly into the wind.

Where hast thou gone, dear friend?

My heart is filled with weary woe;

Why ever did you have to go?

Thou art my pain and happiness,

The reason I am cursed yet blessed.

Where hast thou gone, dear friend?

Your life did not deserve to end.

Mother believed she really was alone, and that no one could hear her song, but there was an evening that she was taken by surprise. As she stood with her eyes closed, a gentle breeze blowing her long black hair away from her smooth, tanned skin, she felt another's presence.

The man was handsome. He was not one of her people, but she could sense that he had magic. He was only a young man, of twenty-three years at most, and Queen Leanan knew at once that he had come for her.

He told her that he had been searching for her. He knew her song and said he'd seen her in his dreams. They talked for hours after sunset of her world, his world, and how the two might somehow join. This young man was the one who changed our lives. He married Leanan and fathered me, Princess Daireann.

Ships came to search for the island, my father, and our people. All became enchanted by our songs, and, usually, the sight of some of our females, but none could make it past the harsh, rocky shores, and, though we tried our best to help them, few survived.

Once, I asked my Da why sometimes strangely dressed adults would fly, of all things, broomsticks to our island, seeking him out. They always went away with sad faces, also, and they carried a resemblance to him.

He would say only this:

"Love, my name is David Potter."