Few talk about how difficult it is to wake up the day after losing someone you love; no one talks about the five seconds after opening your eyes, when you are oblivious and can't recall a single thing. You feel happy and carefree, until every memory tumbles back into your head, and you feel something invisible punch you in the chest. It's like you suddenly realize how cruel life truly is.

This morning, the cruelty seemed almost unbearable. Not only because of the loss of a loved one, but also because she didn't know what the future would bring. But no matter how terrible life got, there was always one thing that mended her — the water.

The sun was about to rise when she left a note for him and slithered her way down to the lake. She knew there were still many hours left before the students woke up. She stripped down to her underwear and dove into the freezing water. Curling into a ball, she let herself sink to the bottom.

After losing people close to her, even years after their deaths, she would still get caught in moments when someone's laughter, a certain smell, or an old song reminded her of them.

Now, she wondered what was going to remind her of Amalia's love. The color yellow, flowers, dolls, and other pretty things, probably. But also ugly things, like blood, the skull on her arm, and pain. Amalia had deserved a gentler death. Darya would always blame herself for taking it from her.

She swam to the surface again, letting her lungs fill with air. Thinking of Amalia, she came to wonder how the Siren Transfiguration Spell worked. While every Siren was able to heal with the power of the ocean, they couldn't transform into their Siren self — with a tail, fangs, and claws — and heal more powerfully before someone they had loved, and who had loved them back had died.

Alternatively, they could get help to transform from a family member who had lost someone they loved, which was what Darya had done her entire life. She had always asked her mother for help when she needed to swim somewhere. But now that she had lost Amalia, she had to ask herself: was it possible that she could transform alone now?

She had certainly carried a lot of love for her patient, and Amalia had shown love in return. Did the love have to be romantic for the change to work, or could the love of friendship suffice? She knew the Transfiguration Spell like the back of her hand, after watching her mother use it on her a thousand times. She needed to give it a try.

Darya swam to the grass, finding her wand under the pile of clothes. Pointing it at her own legs, she moved her hand in a triangle shape.

"Syreni Voco," she said and watched a light burst out of her wand.

The change began. Her nails turned into claws, her teeth into fangs, and her two legs into a long tail. Immediately feeling stronger in her Siren form, she dived to the bottom of the lake again, this time with immense power and speed. She swam with the fish and grindylows, passing the village of the merpeople, while water passed through the gills on her neck. The spell had really worked.

The first ray of sun broke through the clouds, casting a soft light on the lake. She shot through the surface and let the sunshine rest on her head like a halo.

That's when she noticed something out of the corner of her eye. He was standing at the edge of the lake. She imagined that he had just woken up and seen her note. Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt a rush of an emotion she couldn't quite name. She swam to him gracefully, her tail shimmering in the sun. His eyes were wide, his lips parted.

"You weren't supposed to see me like this," she spoke carefully. Seeing a Siren for the first time must be horrifying.

"Darya," Regulus said, his eyes never leaving her. "You're beautiful."

She was taken aback. "No, I'm not. You're supposed to find me scary... Sirens are beasts. Monsters. Why aren't you afraid?"

"Scary? You're divine," he replied softly.

Looking down, feeling her cheeks turn red, she raised her hands. Her fingers were webbed together, and her claws had already torn up some of her skin while swimming. She was supposed to kill with those claws and the fangs under her tongue — how could anyone ever find her beautiful in this state?

"How did you sleep?" he asked.

"Very well," she answered. "Thank you for letting me stay with you. I... I like us being friends."

"Oh, we're friends now?" he replied with a cheeky grin. Her heart skipped another beat. Were they not? "Guess that means I can look forward to more nights of finding you in my bed, and your snoring keeping me awake?"

Her jaw dropped. "I snore?!"

"Quite loudly. Yeah."

She felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. "I do not!"

"Oh, you do. It's like the roar of a Hungarian Horntail," he teased, his grin widening.

They both laughed, the tension between them easing.

"I remember reading about Sirens when I was younger, but I never expected to see one this close," he continued. "I mean, you never transformed when we were students."

"If you've read about Sirens, you can probably imagine why."

He paused for a moment. "No, I can't."

She swam a circle in the water. "You see, most books mistake Sirens for Mermaids, so almost every wizard is taught wrong. Mermaids are born with a love for the ocean. They can transform whenever they want to, and they don't like to harm. They're easy to love. A kiss from one can save your life."

"And Sirens?"

"Sirens have died violent deaths at sea. They like to fool and hurt people at sea, and they're far more difficult to love on land; everyone who loves a Siren is doomed to die a painful and early death. And so, a Siren isn't able to transform when she wants to or fully use her powers until she has suffered the loss of someone she loved and who loved her back. A Siren is not blessed like a mermaid; she is cursed. Her song is made by the tears of heartbreak."

Regulus broke the code fast: "You're able to transform now because you lost Amalia." She nodded. "Wait, so you have to live without love? You could never have a partner?"

She sighed. "I can love, and I can be loved, but it will be a curse that will make both parts suffer. It's a cruel irony: the more I love, the more I risk the lives of those I care about."

"So, if someone loves you, they're doomed?"

"Uhm... Yeah."

"Oh."

But it wasn't like she needed a partner. She had always loved her own company. Though it hurt to watch other people fall in love...

"So now you understand why Tom wants me on his side. Sirens can be quite lethal," she said, right before a hurtful thought struck her. "Oh Merlin, Regulus, you cannot tell Tom that my powers have grown! You can't! If he finds out, he's going to—"

"Darya, calm down! I won't tell him. But we need to be smart about this."

Regulus' expression had shifted. He was no longer showing pity or worry. He crouched down, meeting her at eye level with a smirk.

She swam closer. "Regulus, what are you thinking about?"

"Do you understand why Bellatrix attacked you, Darya?"

Shaking her head, she answered, "I assumed it was because she was insane."

"Partially," he admitted, "but it's more than that. Ever since the Dark Lord found out about you and the Swans... he hasn't stopped talking about you. He treats you differently because of your powers. It's like an obsession... Like he can't afford to lose you and needs you close."

Her heart pounded faster with every word. "You think she's jealous or something?"

"Yes. She has realized that you're his favorite because of your powers. But he isn't yours. That's why he's so quick to hurt the ones you love if you don't obey," Regulus continued. "He's trying to frighten you into fierce loyalty, using fear to control you."

The reality was starting to sink in. Tom had visited her countless times, both at her workplace and at home. He had given her gifts, and, like on the night of the ball, treated her like she was his right hand, if not a partner he was proudly displaying.

"Darya," Regulus said, "you should start playing his game."

"You mean... become loyal to him?"

"Not genuinely loyal, but make him think that you are, like his punishments have worked. Get close to him, closer than anyone else. Gain his trust, and use your new powers to serve him well. That's the only way to keep the people you care about safe at this moment."

She supposed it was better than living in constant fear, but she knew it would be nearly impossible. Tom had made her life a living hell... "He'll know I'm not being sincere."

"Isn't tricking people literally what Sirens do to get what they want?"

The question hung in the air. She looked away.

"I guess. But Swans don't use their powers to fool and hurt like other Sirens. It's not right."

His brows knit together. "Sometimes we have to embrace the darker parts of ourselves in order to survive. This isn't about becoming the monster you fear you are; it's about using the tools you have."

Darya whispered, "But what if I truly become the monster?"

"You won't."

Was now really the time to tap into the dark, cunning side of Siren nature? She had always followed the path of light, though she knew the power of the dark side. She had seen it just weeks ago when Valerie had sung to three sailors, leading them to the Angel of Death. Valerie would probably never be the same again.

Darya's hand shot out, seizing the collar of Regulus' shirt, her grip firm and unyielding as she yanked him towards the cold water. It was an impulsive action, not really driven by anger, but more by fear and anxiety, the turbulent emotions swirling within her like a storm.

"Why should I even listen to you, Regulus? Hmm? How come you've suddenly become so kind to me after you became Tom's follower? I can't be sure you're not just his pawn, trying to spy on me."

He tried to pull her away, to no use. She had definitely become stronger.

"I'm trying to help you, Darya."

She let him go, turning to grab her wand. "Arcero Syreni," she said, pointing it at her chest. Her tail became two legs again, and she returned to her human form. She quickly realized that she was now standing in front of him in only her underwear, but with the adrenaline pumping through her, she didn't mind it.

"You never talked to me when we were students," she said, her voice tinged with a mixture of anger and confusion. "You never spared me a glance. You were always so cold, so distant. I was certain you disliked me, or at the very least, didn't care whether I existed. And now, suddenly, you let me sleep in your bed, wear your clothes, and try to help me."

She looked at him. He was sitting on his knees. She whispered a drying spell, watching as steam rose. As her body dried, she slipped her clothes on. Or, his clothes. He remained still the entire time, his eyes following her every move but his body rooted to the spot, as if paralyzed by the moment.

"What changed, Regulus?"

Finally, he got up, marching to her. "It's because I've seen what he's doing to you, and it's killing me!" he yelled, his face twisting. "I've watched him manipulate you, torment you, and it made me realize how much I care about you! I can't stand by and watch him destroy you!"

The raw emotion in his voice made her chest tighten. He really did care. And that could be dangerous. So she decided she was going to leave him by the lake.

"Maybe you should find someone else to care about," she said, "or keep away from me, at least..."

"Darya," he called softly as she walked away. "Next Friday, a new group of Death Eaters is getting their marks. The Dark Lord will be there. Just... think about it."