Disclaimer (for this whole story): I do not own Harry Potter or H2O: Just add water. The only thing I own is the story plot for this fanfiction. No money is being made.

Chapter 1: The Change

Magic. It surrounded him in an embrace. He sank into its welcoming arms, seeking comfort from the ever-present energy - comfort that those meant to protect him had not bothered giving - and forgot. Floating on his back, unaware that his body was being healed from not just the bruises and cuts he had recently received from his misadventure in the sea but also from the years of neglect and abuse he suffered throughout his childhood, the little wizard let go of his worries, of the little niggle of longing he always had to be loved by someone, of his fear of how he'd get back to his relatives' home (if he would not drown first), of his doubt of if he would ever survive long enough in the world to ever enjoy a day as his own person, free of others' expectations of him to be a freak, a saviour, a slave, an idiot, a tool. Instead, Harry Potter simply floated on his back, staring unfocused as his eyes trailed the droplets of water floating upwards, turning golden in the moonlight as they ascended towards the full moon that shone down into the dormant volcano crater he was in.

Magic. The one thing that had never truly let Harry down. It had been there in the form of accidental outbursts, saving Harry when he was chased by his cousin and childhood bullies, when Aunt Petunia forgot to feed him every week or so, when Harry was lying in his cupboard-under-the-stairs bruised and battered. It had been there in the form of his mother's sacrifice and love, and in the form of Hogwarts' sorting hat and the mystical creature – Fawkes, the phoenix – when he had faced Voldemort, the man whom Harry had no idea why was after his life. With or without him knowing, magic had always been there to help Harry. And floating there, with dried tear-tracked cheeks and not an inkling of where and how he had got there, Harry stared unseeingly at the moon and let the gratitude he had for magic through. At least magic never abandoned him. Even with his cousin pushing him off into the sea, knowing Harry could not swim, and Harry being dragged away by undercurrents, falling unconscious after failing to reach the surface in time, Magic had ensured he survived. Magic had brought him here and though Harry still had not a clue as to where here was, he was content to trust the Magic that brought him here. After all, if Magic had wanted to abandon him too, it already had plenty of opportunities before. Therefore Harry simply floated, drinking in the warmth he felt Magic feeding him despite being in cold water and thanked it with his heart for being there, for accepting him. The slight pressure that surrounded him, strangely similar to a hug, was all Harry needed to know Magic heard, that Magic cared. Harry hummed in contentment.

Harry Potter awoke to find himself in the second bedroom in Number 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey. As the remnants of sleep cleared from his mind, Harry gradually remembered the events of the previous two days.

The Dursleys had decided to go on a week-long vacation to a beach resort to have a family outing. (Apparently, the Polkiers had gone on a three-day vacation and Petunia had not wanted to be outdone by the woman or some equally abysmal reason was the inspiration behind the spontaneous decision.) Naturally, Harry had not been invited but with no one else to look after him for five whole days – the Dursleys lies about had Harry's school had unfortunately worked too well in making the neighbourhood stay away from him and Mrs Figg had broken her leg again – they had to bring him along. Of course, Harry had to "earn his keep still" and was treated like a house-elf like always, but Harry had not minded. It was not new and certainly not as terrible as when he was back at Privet Drive where he had more chores. At least at the resort, Harry did not have to cook and clean everything. He was simply demoted as a personal luggage carrier and was even fed so as to avoid suspicions from the other visitors at the resort. Other than that the Dursleys and he had simply ignored each other. Unfortunately, this system had only gone well till late evening of the second day.

Harry had been sitting by some rocks, waiting for nightfall so that he could discreetly return to the Dursleys when they finished whatever family-bonding activity that they had been doing. He had been so engrossed in his own thoughts that he did not notice Dudley creeping behind him until it had been too late. When he first resurfaced from the water, all he had seen was Dudley's gleeful expression and the "Gotcha freak" before the undercurrents had dragged him away and all went black a few seconds later.

Harry frowned, looking around. How did he end up back here? He did not remember being rescued, though anything could have happened while he had been unconscious. Yet, Harry found it hard to believe he was rescued by his relatives if his presence back in Privet Drive indicated as such. They would rather that he be dead. Harry was sure of it. Something niggled at the back of his mind. What had happened after he blacked out?

A sudden hoot startled Harry out of his thoughts. He turned to see Hedwig swooping through the open window to his bedroom, her white feathers a stark contrast to the dark night sky outside. Something stirred within Harry's memories. The colour strangely reminded Harry of the moonlight

Moonlight…

With a sudden jolt, memories rushed to Harry with startling clarity.

The pool, the moon, the glowing waters, the Magic, the sense of belonging he had felt – it all rushed back. A small smile lit up Harry's face at the memory.

Magic. Harry was sure it had something to do with Magic that he was back in Privet Drive. There was no other explanation. He could not have ended back here miles away from the beach resort otherwise. And if he was correct, Harry was all alone in the house since he was sure the Dursleys would not abandon their vacation to look for him. They were probably celebrating his death as of now.

Sighing Harry turned to look at the clock in his room. It was an old clock, with its glass face cracked. Broken like most of the things he owned but still working. That was enough for him.

A quarter to three in the morning.

No wonder it was still dark. He was sure he had been pushed into the water around evening the previous day and had spent the better part of the night at the moon-pool (It seemed wrong to think of the place as a mere pool. Besides Harry was certain the water only started to glow after the moon appeared and shone into the place.). Making a decision, Harry snuggled into his bed, pulling the thin blanket around him. He would ponder about how to spend his Dursley free days later in the morning when the sun was up and he was well-rested. Besides, the bed was too comfortable after sleeping on the floor at the resort (Vernon did not believe in spending money unnecessarily on Harry). He drifted off to sleep...

He should have expected it. Honestly, he was surprised that he was shocked. Twelve-year-old Harry Potter stared in silence at what used to be his legs as he sat in the tub. It was a good thing he had decided to indulge in the bathtub since the Dursleys were absent. He was not sure how it would have turned out if he had been in the shower instead. Probably would have fallen and broken his nose in less than a minute.

It had been surreal. A moment he had been basking in the warmth of the water, reminiscing at how it came close to the feel of magic at the moon-pool. Then he had been overcome by a sudden rush of power as his magic uncoiled from his core and flooded his entire being. A moment – just a moment – he had even become water. The power in him had intensified. Then he was back to human or at least partially.

He shifted his tail, feeling more than a little ridiculous. A merman. Nothing else fit. The golden-orange scaled tail that he sported waist down could mean nothing else.

Harry sighed. Really, he should not have been surprised. Things kept happening to him most of the time anyway.

A/N:

Reviews are welcome, though do be polite even if you do not like an aspect of the story.

The updates might not be consistent but I hope you enjoy reading the story.