Author's note: Hello again. Yes, I know - I promised fairly quick updates on my other two WIP's and then kind of ghosted on everyone for a month or two. I have no real explanations other than some bad shit went down, it affected me far more than I should've allowed it to and shook my faith in my own ability to write. But after some very helpful words of advice from some truly incredible people, I decided to pick up where I left off and this is the result.

This one is for Nicole, who so selflessly gives us story after story filled to the brim with romance, mystery and magic - and who really wanted some mermaids. I hope you like it, sweets. Thank you for believing in me. It means more than I'll ever be able to say.

Mama Trink, I honestly don't know where I'd be without you picking my brain and pulling out bits and pieces I didn't even realize were there. You inspire me daily and I love you so much for it. Thank you.

I am still on a working hiatus. I will update when I can, and when I want. That basically means I'll be slow updating. I refuse to put so much pressure on myself again - it nearly caused an epic breakdown.

I love you, my sweet readers. Your kind words and excited messages bring me so much joy, it's like walking on sunshine. But there is a darker side to posting a piece of yourself, heart and soul on the internet. There are people who choose to be unkind and hateful and their words do hurt and take a toll. Please don't be a human dementor, sucking the joy out of this amazing community we've created. Don't be that person.

As always, I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters, places, nor events that take place within his magical world. That right belongs solely to J. K. Rowling.

O-O-O

Hermione looked out over the rippling water of the Black Lake and sighed. It was the only place she felt calm and settled. After spending so much time with the DA, and struggling to form a corporeal Patronus, she just needed a little peace and quiet. Technically, it was after hours. Technically, Umbridge would have her hide if she was caught. Technically, she stole Harry's invisibility cloak to sneak through the castle and out to the lake.

Hermione would normally be hyperventilating, worried sick about the consequences of her actions - however, the way the moonlight glinted off the water like a million sparkling gems seemed to call to her. The deep, dark waters no longer seemed so threatening and dangerous, though somewhere in the back of her mind she knew there were dastardly creatures hidden in the deep. Despite this, she felt no fear. The gentle waves lapping at the edge of the shore whispered to her.

Dive in. Forget the world for a little while. You belong here.

Later, Hermione would acknowledge that she undressed in a near trancelike state. Slipping off the invisibility cloak and folding it carefully inside her school robes. Next came her shoes and socks, and again her internal voice muttered about hypothermia and ridiculous flights of fancy, but all the bright, curly-haired witch could focus her attention on was the welcoming push and pull of the water, beckoning her like a long lost love. Her top came next, followed quickly by her skirt. The witch knew she should feel some sense of unease, wearing next to nothing out in public but all Hermione cared about was diving into the sparkling, crisp water.

Her rational mind urged her to dress and take her leave, hadn't she nearly drowned at an early age? Hadn't her mother begged to stay away from the water ever since? And on that note, since when did Hermione Granger follow foolish urges without any consideration for the repercussions? The water's sweet, lulling melody continued to beckon her onward and those blatant warnings were easy to ignore once she stood on the shoreline watching the moon turn the surface of the water into a shimmering wonderland.

One deep breath in and a slow breath out was all it took before Hermione was diving headfirst into the icy water - and her first clue that something wasn't quite right came immediately. She didn't truly feel the cold. While she could feel her skin pebble with gooseflesh and her nipples tighten and harden from the temperature of the lake's water, it didn't bother her at all. Instead, the witch cut through the water with ease and something buried deep within her rejoiced. A sense of belonging the likes of which Hermione had never felt before washed over her, and as odd as it was, the water felt more like home than anywhere she'd ever been before.

The witch surfaced, taking in a deep breath of the crisp, cool night air with a brilliantly wide smile lighting up her face.

"Merlin," she breathed at the thrill that ran down her spine. Nearly euphoric, the witch was too busy basking in the moonlight's ethereal glow, turning her naturally tan skin a perfect porcelain hue, that she almost didn't notice the change occurring. However, when her vision suddenly sharpened and everything looked as if the sun were high in the sky, Hermione's heart jolted.

Once again a pull tugged at her, strong enough that instinct made her dive towards the darkest depths of the lake. If the witch had thought she moved quickly through the water before, it was a snail's pace in comparison to the way her lithe form sliced through the water now. Fighting the urge the continue on her chosen path, Hermione rolled and twisted and her cinnamon-hued eyes widened both in fear and understanding the moment she spotted the multi-colored, pearlescent tail where her legs should have been.

It was then that she realized she'd been breathing comfortably underwater.

"Good Godric!" Hermione exclaimed and startled when her voice sounded just as it did on land. "What in Merlin's name?" She whispered, feeling her heart crash mercilessly against her sternum. The pull, that dastardly thing that led her to the lake in the first place, made its presence known once more, much more urgently than before and try as she might, Hermione simply couldn't ignore it. Instead, she closed her eyes and focused all of her energy on whatever this new sense or gift was, and what exactly it wanted from her.

Floating weightlessly in the black depths, her wild curls dancing in a halo around her, she stayed that way for several long minutes until her eyes snapped open and, as if she'd done it a million times before, Hermione used the foreign tail to propel her forward, back toward the school. She wasn't entirely sure who she was looking for, but she did know she had to get to them. Warn them. Help them.

It was a matter of life or death.

A tickle in the back of her mind reminded her that mermaids had long been told to be foretellers of doom and misfortune. Thanks to her new form, the light of the Slytherin dorms crept steadily closer until Hermione came to a stop only a few meters away from the submerged windows. The pull was much stronger now, whoever was destined for disaster most definitely resided in the dorm. The witch and apparent mermaid rolled her eyes, feeling very much mocked by the fates.

Of course, the person she was meant to forewarn would be someone who'd rather Crucio her than ever accept her help.

Still, she inched closer and closer still until she was peeking through the thick window panes. Hermione wrinkled her nose at the dark, gothic look to the Slytherin common room. Harry and Ron had described it to her in second year, but their description had been sorely lacking. Quickly scanning the people gathered there and feeling nothing but that urgent pull, telling her that her mark wasn't Nott, Zabini, Parkinson or Greengrass - and briefly wondering if Malfoy and Parkinson had called it quits, or if they just had a fairly open relationship, seeing as her tongue was currently checking Zabini's molars for cavities.

Just as quickly as the thought came it was wiped from her mind as what Hermione could only describe as a vision played out in her mind.

She was temporarily transported to a sprawling, immaculate estate. Rolling green lawns, surrounded by what could only be an ancient forest by the looks of the trees. White peacocks strutted to and fro in the moonlight, causing a small giggle to escape Hermione's lips but it caught in her throat as piercing, wailing cries shattered the peaceful silence of the night. She tried to move forward, to offer some assistance to whoever was making those horrific sounds but she was seemingly stuck in place. The cries echoed in her mind, bouncing painfully off her skull. She clamped her hands over her ears and felt tears slip from her own eyes, and she would later swear she felt pain so intense it nearly crippled her before her eyes snapped open once more and she found herself floating outside the Slytherin dormitories again.

Feeling a painful squeezing sensation in her chest, Hermione quickly moved away from the common room and for once simply relied on instinct. With each powerful flip of her tail, the tug felt stronger until she came to a sudden stop outside another window. This one dark, but thanks to the newfound, heightened senses she possessed, she knew she would be able to see inside despite the darkness. Taking a breath, odd as it was, to steady her nerves - Hermione slowly moved to the glass and searched the near-empty sleeping quarters. One bed had its curtains closed, two sat empty and Hermione would be willing to bet the owners were currently snogging in the common room.

And then her eyes fell on the only visibly occupied bed in the room, it's curtains wide open leaving the slumbering boy exposed to her inquisitive eyes. Hermione's first instinct was to recoil, deny any of this ever happened to her dying breath and leave the sleeping Slytherin to his ominous future. Her stomach rolled with nausea and an internal battle raged within her. That is until he rolled over, facing the window.

Draco Malfoy's pointed and aristocratic features were pulled tight and his lips moved silently in his sleep. Without realizing it, Hermione drew ever closer to the glass separating them. Raising a shaky hand and placing it against the pane, she stared at the boy who had tormented her for years and felt something fall into place within her soul.

Once again she was blinded by a vision, only this time she stood at Malfoy's shoulder in what she could only assume was his bedroom at home. Had she not been so entranced by the sight of Draco Malfoy gently consoling a weeping Narcissa Malfoy, she might have scoffed at the glaring opulence of the room, much too much for any fifteen-year-old boy. But the careful and loving way he spoke words of reassurance while he cradled his obviously distraught mother captured all of her attention. Slowly, she began to circle the pair, focusing on what was said and the way they clung to one another - as if they might lose each other at any moment.

"Please stop crying, mother," Malfoy begged, though his own eyes were bloodshot and glassy with unshed tears. "No, I never wanted this, but if it assures your safety nothing could stop me from going through with it. We can only hope that when this is all over, hopefully with that monster fertilizing the soil somewhere, the Wizengamot will take my age and the circumstances of my marking into consideration."

"No!" His mother choked out through her sobs. "Everything I've done, I've done so that you would not follow in your father's footsteps. Please, my darling dragon, don't do this!"

Hermione could see the frustration building in Malfoy with each word that fell from his mother's lips. She couldn't help but wince as he pulled away from her, his voice cracking and breaking over his words.

"Mother, I have no choice. After father's failure," Malfoy rolled his eyes, causing the first of the tears he had so valiantly battled against to fall. "The Dark Lord came to me and made it very clear: I do this, or you die the most brutal and painful death he can come up with. In front of my very eyes. And then I die, as well. I have no choice, mother. Neither do you and the sooner you accept that, the better off we'll both be."

Hermione was frozen with horror, and she was surprised to find that with each crystalline drop that fell from Malfoy's eyes a piercing jolt of pain would rip through her heart.

"I am so sorry, Draco," his mother whimpered through her tears. "We tried so hard to shield you, and it was all for nought. I've failed you, my darling boy."

The last thing Hermione saw before the vision cleared and her senses returned to normal was Malfoy's face crumpling at his mother's words, as tears fell, unchecked, from his eyes.

When her amber eyes once again found his sleeping form, she wasn't surprised by the compassion and pity she felt for him. Yes, he'd been horrible to her and called her the worst possible slurs he could come up with - but he was still just a boy. No one deserved that kind of dark and dismal future. The more she stared at him, watching as he began to toss and turn - and even though the windows muffled the sound, she could still hear the whimpers escaping him - Hermione felt a bubble of something start to grow in her chest.

Perching carefully on the slight outcropping of the window, she fought against the foreign sensation but found she couldn't tear her amber eyes away from Malfoy's obviously troubled form. Hermione thought she'd conquered whatever strange mermaid magic was compelling her until Malfoy cried out in his sleep and the bubble popped. Next thing she knew, she was singing a haunting yet hopeful song to the boy who hated her with every fiber of his being.

Hermione had always had a lovely singing voice, but even she was shocked by the nearly angelic and utterly breathtaking tenor of her voice, as well as the foreign language she sang in, and completely understood though she knew she'd never heard it before. It wasn't enough to stop her, however, and she continued croon to her enemy feeling a warmth spread through her as her voice seemed to soothe Malfoy and his fitful sleep seemed to turn peaceful the longer she sang. Hermione stayed perched outside Malfoy's window, singing him his very own lullaby until she heard footsteps approaching the dormitory. With one last long look at the pale boy and an odd twinge in her heart that she refused to acknowledge, she pushed herself away from her perch and disappeared into the inky waters.

And it was at that moment that Draco Malfoy sat upright in his bed, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath and his eyes locked on the window where Hermione had been only moments before.

O-O-O

The next morning dawned much too early for Hermione. Her late-night excursion followed by hours of tossing and turning while her mind tried to make sense of everything left her exhausted and moody. After snapping at Harry, who had only wished her a good morning and snarling at Ron for asking if he could take a look her potions essay, a much more reasonable reaction, she thought - she half-heartedly apologized and excused herself, deciding to head down to breakfast early.

The boys would wait for Ginny and she felt the need for a little space, seeing as everything seemed to chafe against her already taxed nerves. Her uniform felt oddly cumbersome and heavy, making Hermione pull and tug at her tie and sleeves often. Every sound seemed amplified, scents she was certain she never would have picked up on before her ill-fated late night trip to the lake now overwhelmed her senses, though she struggled to identify what they were. And so, she found herself racing towards the Great Hall, breathing solely through her mouth - having hoped that would help only to find she could also taste whatever it was in the air.

By the time she made it to the heavy, wooden doors of the Great Hall, Hermione resembled a zombie. Her usual pep was missing and her eyes were dull and vacant, a notable difference from their usual bright and glittering state, brimming with excitement for another day of learning. She moved slowly towards the Gryffindor table and took a seat in a daze. Her eyes scanned the breakfast offerings with a deep grimace, as absolutely nothing looked appetizing. In fact, she had the strongest craving for a bagel with cream cheese and lox - her mouth watered at the thought of it. And in a move that was incredibly out of character for her, Hermione called on one of the school's house-elves and when Dobby appeared at her side with a crack, she couldn't help but wrinkle her nose at the overpowering sickly-sweet scent that wafted off him in waves.

While the petite, curly-haired witch nearly charmed the knitted socks off of Dobby's oddly shaped feet and easily secured her desired breakfast - Draco Malfoy watched from the Slytherin table with a deep furrow between his brows.

He almost couldn't believe what his eyes were seeing: Gryffindor's Golden Princess and champion of the lost, downtrodden and unworthy was calling on one of her lost causes, to bring her a special treat for breakfast? Her odd behavior coupled with the dream that had haunted him from the moment his eyes opened, in which Granger starred, had Draco on edge.

He swallowed a bite of oatmeal with berries and honey, though it tasted like ash on his tongue as his mind continued to race while he stared at the mudblood with confusion and concern. The dream had been innocent enough, just the two of them in a room he'd never seen before, staring into one another's eyes while the most enchanting music he'd ever heard played in the background. Draco had been surprised by the lack of disgust and wariness that was always simmering in her stare whenever he was present. No, in the dream her eyes were gentle and kind - comforting.

Draco swallowed against his suddenly dry throat and turned his attention away from the witch just as Dobby returned with whatever the barmy swot had ordered; he grabbed his goblet of pumpkin juice and drained it. Staring down at his breakfast, his troubled mind kept bringing the dream to the forefront of his thoughts and against his wishes, his eyes strayed back to Granger only to find her eyes already fixed on him. As silver met amber, the chatter of their schoolmates dulled to a low hum and Draco felt entranced by her inquisitive gaze. While he couldn't put a finger on it, something was different about her - of that much he was certain.

Hermione found herself just as captivated by Malfoy's glittering, silver stare. Try as she might, she couldn't tear her eyes away. In an almost comical turn of events that veered slightly toward creepy, they both tipped their heads to the side, his to the right and hers to the left, at the exact same moment. As the pair innocently sized the other up, a tingle slowly crawled up Hermione's spine before a wave of emotion crashed over her, ripping a gasp from her lungs. Confusion, worry, intrigue, distrust, as well as a small, but prevalent emotion that bathed her with warmth and caused her cheeks to burn in response, so real and visceral she could have easily mistaken them for her own had she not felt them quite literally crash into her consciousness.

The witch realized her fear and shock must have been apparent when Malfoy's eyes narrowed as a fresh, and much more insistent confusion radiated from his person. Pushing her mostly eaten bagel away and tearing her eyes away from her Slytherin tormentor, Hermione nearly fell over the bench in her hurry to get away from him, his disconcerting emotions, and everything else. It was all too much at the moment, and so she ran away. Not exactly the most courageous, nor the most Gryffindor response, but at that moment Hermione could care less.

She raced blindly up the stone staircase, only pausing when they would shift and move. Classes didn't begin for another few hours and though Hermione had no clear destination in mind other than away, she wasn't surprised when her feet carried her to the fifth floor. In fact, the moment she stepped off the staircase she knew where she was headed and fervently hoped she might find some answers locked away in the Prefect's bath. Nervously chewing her bottom lip, Hermione gave the password and entered the cavernous room, listening closely for any sounds signifying someone else's presence and breathed a sigh of relief when all was quiet before locking the door behind her.

The witch cautiously approached the enormous bathing pool, because truly, calling it a tub was laughable - only to freeze in place when the mermaid in the stained-glass window turned suddenly and grinned at her. Hermione remained entirely still, as though she were made of stone - while the lovely creature actually made of glass looked her over closely, excitement and joy dancing in her dark eyes.

I see you've finally come into your heritage, little one! How exciting for you, love.

Hermione stumbled back several steps, worriedly looking around the room for the person speaking, only to find the expansive room just as empty as it had been when she entered. A tinkling, happy laugh came next and the witch warily raised her eyes back to the beautiful depiction of a mermaid immortalized in the stained glass when she realized the voice and subsequent laughter only sounded within the confines of her mind, otherwise, that laugh would echo like every other sound did in this room.

"What is going in?" Hermione demanded, the worry and fear she had ignored and tried to bury under her impressive bravado chose that moment to break free and the witch felt like her life was veering wildly off course an into a realm full of nothing but chaos and secrets.

Oh, sweet little one, I've waited for this moment for what feels like eons. I sensed your lineage the first moment I laid eyes on you, however, I couldn't communicate because you hadn't accepted your gifts yet. You must tell me how your transformation came to be!

"I mustn't tell you anything until you begin explaining what is happening to me!" Hermione was well aware that she sounded more than a little hysterical and felt mere moments away from a nervous breakdown. "I have been going out of my mind this year between Umbridge and -" the overwhelmed witch snapped her mouth shut just before she revealed the DA. It would be tragic if she bore the consequences of her own jinx because of an emotional outburst. "The only place that seemed to bring me any peace and solace was the lake and then…"

The mermaid in the glass watched the witch with what appeared to be sympathetic eyes as Hermione's words trailed off to nothing. Several moments of her prolonged, empathetic stare had the hair on the back of Hermione's neck standing on end. Just as she began to question the sentient window flourish, the creature's melodic voice sounded in her mind once more.

Ah, you were unaware of your pedigree. And you've found your charge! Oh, darling little one, this is a moment to celebrate not mourn. I imagine your change and the revelations of last night startled you, but sweet Hermione, you must see what a treasure you will be to this world. You, little one, will be the light in the darkness, the calm to the looming storm. Do not fret, love. Rejoice.

"H-how do you know all this? What is going on? Why was I never told about all of this? Are my - Do my parents know?" Try as she might to remain in control of her emotions, Hermione's voice cracked and her bottom lip quivered from the effort to hold back her tears.

Have you not already deduced how I know these things, little one? Have you not experienced one or more of your inborn gifts? True merpeople are terribly rare, darling. And you? A maiden of Triton's court blessed with the gift of magic from your father's line? You'll be a shining gem whether on land or sea. Oh, I am so overjoyed to finally meet you.

"My father's line?" Hermione asked in a dumbstruck whisper. "Are you telling me that my father...that my father's family has magic?"

Of course, darling. Oh my, you weren't aware of that either? Poor darling girl, I'm certain your parents had their reasons - most likely your safety, first and foremost. As I said, Hermione, true merpeople, and the gifts they have are wonderous and those that know of us and believe in our power - they'd do anything to possess one of us. Try not to harbor any ill feelings towards your family, their love for you is what shaped you into the incredible creature you are today.

"You mentioned my charge? What does that mean?" Her voice shook with nerves and her breakfast churned unpleasantly in her gut - it was all too much. A coy smile curved the mermaid's lips as she tilted her head to the side.

Your destiny, of course. You can feel the bond strengthening between the two of you even now. No, don't try to deny it, young one. You felt the call and answered it. You sang him your song. You felt his turmoil. And you will be his salvation - so long as you do not desert him in the darkest of times.

"This is a nightmare," Hermione whispered to herself. "It must be. Malfoy is not my destiny, I am not his salvation - I must've eaten something bad at dinner and this is the result. A truly terrifying nightmare." One deep breath, a resounding smack to her cheek, and the resulting crimson handprint left behind reassured the witch she was not, in fact, dreaming. "You're wrong! You must be," she begged.

Draco Malfoy would never willingly have anything to do with her, of that Hermione was certain. But then again, that warmth she felt as they stared across the Great Hall at one another? No. Impossible.

You both will face many obstacles, but anything worth having is never easy little one. Trust your instincts and follow your heart, it will never lead you astray. You're scared now, but you'll find your footing soon enough, love. You have my word. And I'm not going anywhere, I've been waiting here for you. You can return anytime you like and we can chat.

Swallowing hard, Hermione nodded woodenly. Panic clawed at her chest and the tears she'd been battling threatened to fall from their precarious perch on her lashes. "Yes, of course," she forced out in a broken whisper. "Thank you. I must be off though, classes will be starting and I have a few things I must do."

Look in the restricted section, three rows from the back, fifth shelf. You'll know it when you see it, little one. I hope it answers what questions are plaguing your tender heart. I do hope you'll return soon, it's been an age since I had someone to talk with.

Blinking back tears, the witch croaked out an affirmation before turning on her heel, and once again defying her Gryffindor nature, ran away. She needed answers, she needed to know exactly what was happening and why the universe had decided to play such a cruel joke on her. And just like every other time she'd felt shaken to the core by something she'd learned in the magical world, she knew the answers and some measure of comfort would be found in the library.

O-O-O

Footnote: I hope you enjoyed it. This should be a short and sweet little ditty. Roughly five chapters in total. However, I am a slave to my muse, so we shall see. As always, I hope you'll drop me a note and tell me your thoughts - though I have to be honest, I'm kind of terrified. I don't know why, I can't really explain it, but that's that. Guess I'm just a wee bit crazy? Meh. Aren't we all? xx - otterly