The image above is a picture of Loch Ness that I am using to resemble the Black Lake. I was debating between an image of the Loch or an image of Lake Titisee that is located in Germany and I actually visited while living in Germany. In the end I decided on the Loch one because it is big enough to resemble the Black Lake both in size and maybe even depth and two because, like Hogwarts, it's located in Scotland.

Following the Gryffindor Prefects out of the Hall, Hermione was starting to get a little worried. It's been an entire day since she was in water, and even though she didn't feel weak or sick, she didn't want to risk it by pushing her luck. So when she spotted Professor Dumbledore, she let out a sigh of relief and quickly made her way towards him.

"Good evening Miss Granger, I hope your journey wasn't too much for you."

"Good evening Professor Dumbledore. Yes my journey was comfortable, thank you for asking."

"I'm glad to hear that. Now I do believe have someone waiting for us. Come, this way."

Both Dumbledore and Hermione started walking in comfortable silence, and she took the time to take in her surroundings, looking at the corridors they passed as well as some portraits, and couldn't hide her shock and amazement when they moved and talked! Soon they saw another figure near a large archway that led to the grounds. Hermione got a little nervous when she recognized the figure as Professor McGonagall.

"Good evening Minerva, thank you for coming."

"Good evening Albus, and since it concerns one of my new Gryffindors I saw no need to deny your reason to deny your request to meet. Though I am quite curious as to why we are meeting here and not in one of our offices."

"I assure you all will be revealed soon. Now for introductions, Miss Granger this is Minerva McGonagall; Deputy Headmistress and Professor of Transfiguration as well as the Gryffindor Head of House."

Hermione figured as much since she saw one of her titles in her letter and when she mentioned 'one of her Gryffindors' but she wasn't going to say that out loud and be disrespectful. "Good evening Professor McGonagall."

"And to you as well Miss Granger."

Dumbledore smiled and then turned towards the sky. "It is such a lovely and beautiful night, come let's take a walk towards the lake." With that he started walking, Hermione and McGonagall following a step behind the Headmaster.

"Miss Granger, do you have an inkling as to why Professor Dumbledore wanted us to talk? He mentioned at dinner that there was something you needed to tell me about."

Fidgeting and looking at her feet as she walked, she took a deep breath and nodded towards her Head of House. "Yes Professor, I also know why we are having this conversation outside rather than in the castle," Hermione took notice of the lake that was getting closer and closer, giving her a boost of confidence and courage. "You see...I'm not really a muggleborn as you were led to believe. I'm actually a mermaid Professor."

Hermione was thankful they were near the lake because McGonagall stopped walking and stood there, looking at Hermione in surprise. "A mermaid? But you don't...wait, are you from a fresh or salt body of water?"

"Salt water Professor."

Said Professor kept staring at Hermione, which started to make her feel embarrassed before she then turned to Dumbledore with a look that could only be described as bewilderment. "Is this true Albus? Is she really-"

"She is indeed a mermaid with both the magic of mermaids and that of a human witch," Dumbledore interrupted McGonagall and then turned to them, eyes twinkling. "We came out here so no one could overhear or interrupt us so that no one but you Minerva know about this. Some students, should they find out about this, would try to harm her."

"I...I see yes, I can understand that logic. Since you're a mermaid, am I correct to assume that you need to be in water so your health doesn't deteriorate Miss Granger?"

"That is correct Professor. We, that is Professor Dumbledore and I agreed to tell only my Head of House for the time being. If in the future I trust my my friends enough, then perhaps I will tell them as well." Hermione said and then turned to the calm water surface of the Black Lake, a serene look upon her face. She wanted to dive into those new waters but didn't. Instead she turned to her Headmaster and Head of House. "Are there any creatures down there that I should be vigilant of? I saw a giant tentacle when our boats were making their voyage here."

"Ah, that would have been the giant squid. Fear not for he is quite friendly, "Dumbledore added when he saw the look of fear on Hermione's face, to which she relaxed some. "As for any other creatures, there are water demons known as Grindilows down there, as well as merpeople."

Dumbledore smiled a little more when he saw the look of excitement on her face.

"Merpeople? Fresh water merpeople?" She could barely contain the glee and happiness from her voice. 'My cousins! I've never talked with our freshwater cousins!' She was so lost in thought that she didn't hear what the Headmaster had said, but did hear his chuckle, which brought her back. "I'm sorry, what did you say Professor?" She asked, trying and failing to hide her blush.

"Not to worry my dear, I merely said to enjoy your stay and to be careful of those water demons. As for the merepeople...I believe you will know what best way to approach them...and that even though they are freshwater dwellers, this lake is not all freshwater. Now do remember you have class in the morning, so try not to stay more than necessary."

"I won't sir."

"Very well. Now before you dive into the waters you are very eager to explore," Dumbledore took out his wand and with a wave of it, turned a leaf into a piece of parchment and a small glow could be seen from it before he handed it over to her.

Looking at it, she saw in neat handwriting, a note for her with his signature. She looked up at him, a bit of confusion in her eyes. "This is in case you run into any other professor, Prefect or Mr. Filch while on your way towards the lake or on your way back." Dumbledore explained to her and she looked at the note again and read the neat handwriting.

Hermione Jean Granger is excused for wondering the halls due to her visiting myself in my office.
Headmaster Albus Dumbledore

"There will be no need to get a new one after you show this to the person you come across." He explained to her, to which she nodded and put the note on her pocket. "When you are done, head back to the castle were Minerva will be waiting for you at the entrance to lead you towards the Gryffindor Common Room. Now enjoy your swim."

Not needing to be told twice, Hermione turned and ran towards a fallen tree by the lake, perfect for some cover in the event that students or staff were nearby. She quickly took off her uniform and folded it to lay by the tree, keeping her wand on her leg holster and a two piece swimsuit. Immediate after making sure everything would stay were she put it, she ran towards the water and dove under the water a few feet.

The cool water on her skin was refreshing for her, her legs turning into her familiar blue and green tail. Smiling she swam up to the surface and waved at both professors before diving again.

Said professors turned and started walking back towards the castle when McGonagall gasped. "Albus! We forgot to tell her about the Slytherin Common Room!"

"Do not fret Minerva if she comes upon it, I believe she will be very cautious in avoiding being discovered." Dumbledore reassured her and kept walking towards the castle.

                                ...

Hermione swam to a certain depth and more to the middle of the lake at full speed, a smile adorning her face. It felt so good to be able to swim again after a full day of traveling by train. Once she was satisfied with the distance she swam, she stopped and turned, floating in place as she looked up at the surface, the moonlight shinning through the water and also hitting her body.

The lake was nothing like back home in the ocean, but she still felt amazing. The water had enough salt in it to make it comfortable for her and not feel off about it and it was clean, cleaner than back home and the location she lived in was kept clean by both muggles and her pod alike. Closing her eyes, she enjoyed just floating there for a few minutes, enjoying the calm of the waters and the rays of the moon on her before she turned and started to explore.

Finding a kelp forest, she went in and started to look around, keeping both her eyes and ears in attention in case something decided to harm her. Luckily she didn't encounter anything but small schools of fish, which she was thankful for, being the first time in the lake and all.

She kept swimming in between the kelp before a flash of light out of the corner of her eye. It was soft and easy to miss. Slowly she started to swim towards it, seeing that the kelp forest opened up and she saw where the light came from. At first glance, the scenery before her confused her before she started to take in the surroundings.

A long, stone room under the lake, with green lighting and elaborate carvings, torches on the walls and a fireplace beside some couches and side tables. There were a few tables around, but it was the colors and symbol she saw that made her realize she had stumbled upon the Slytherin Common Room. Swimming closer towards the glass like window and, after making sure no one could see her, she put her hand on the glass and smiled at what she was seeing. She noticed that even though the room look dark and cold, it had a certain charm and appeal to her.

Voices soon could be heard as she watched as the new Slytherin first years walked into their Common Room. Hermione made sure that she was positioned well enough that she could swim away from the window.

She watched as all the students stood in the middle of the room and two older students stood over them by the entrance. Seeing the elder students, the first years quickly stopped talking and watched them. Hermione could actually understand through the glass, so she stayed as the elder girl took a breath and began to speak.

"Welcome first years, to the House of Slytherin. My name is Gemma Farley and one of your Prefects. You were sorted to this house meaning that you uphold what it stand for. Cunning, ambition and resourcefulness and I expect you all to uphold and live to said values. Being in Slytherin automatically puts you all at odds with the other houses as well as most of the staff members.

"That being said, Slytherin's care and look out for each other. We are a family and a unit outside this common room and within it. If you have any altercations or problems among yourselves, keep them within this room. Be sure to travel in groups of three or more, never go by yourself for it could make you an easy target for the other houses." Looking around, Gemma seemed satisfied that no one questioned her words before continuing. "Now I leave you with our Head of House," Gemma walked back and joined her Prefect counterpart as a man walked into the common room.

Hermione watched and came to the conclusion that the Professor could only be described as a thin man with sallow skin, a large, hooked nose, and yellow, uneven teeth. He has shoulder-length, greasy black hair which frames his face, and cold, black eyes. He wears black, flowing robes which give him the appearance of "an overgrown bat". For some reason, she both felt apprehension and remorse coming from him.

He stared at all the new students and she noticed his gaze stop at a certain student, and she swore his eyes gleamed with happiness before it vanished and his eyes turned cold and void. Looking in the same direction, Hermione noticed he was looking at Draco before addressing them.

"My name is Severus Snape, Potions Professor and your Head of House. As Ms. Farley explained to you, we are a family and look out for each other. That being said, should you want to take revenge on a student for something they did to insult or injure you, this is the rule:

"Don't get caught."

Professor Snape looked at all of them severely, (No pun intended) and nodded, satisfied with whatever it was he saw. He also couldn't shake the feeling that there was someone watching that didn't belong to Slytherin. "My office hours will be posted on the notice board for anyone that needs help with their work. Should I be unavailable, ask your Prefects and they will help you. Breakfast is served at 7:00-7:30 am, were I will give you your class schedule and classes begin at 8:00 am. Your curfew is at 9:00 pm, and I expect all of you to be in the Common Room by that time, or have an alibi as to why you weren't."

Without a second to spare, Professor Snape turned around to leave but stopped to look out at the window Hermione was watching from after finally pinpointing the eavesdropper.

Hermione hid quickly but couldn't shake the feeling that he had managed to see her, or part of her appearance. Not wanting to take any chances, she quickly swam away from the window and into the kelp forest for cover, not knowing that another set of eyes had been on her from the moment she found the Common Room.

                              ...

After that little adventure, Hermione made it to shore were she dried up her tail and once her legs were available, got dressed before running towards the castle entrance. Her mind was dreading the possibility that Professor Snape had actually seen her, which made her panic some.

Arriving at the entrance, she saw her Head of House waiting for her with her hands clasped in front of her. This caused Hermione to be a little confused. Didn't she go to the Common Room and give a talk or speech to the new Gryffindor's?

"Did you find any trouble while in the lake Ms. Granger?"

"No Professor, it was peaceful and beautiful down there!"

Prof. McGonagall smiled and started to head into the castle, with Hermione beside her and taking in everything she saw. When they reached the staircase, McGonagall stopped, "Do be careful with the stairs Ms. Granger they liked to change at the most inconvenient of times."

Hermione could only stare in awe as she watched and heard the stairs moving one after the other. "This could be annoying when trying to get to class," she said and heard her professor let out an amused chuckle.

"Indeed it can me Ms. Granger."

The remainder of their walk was in a comfortable silence as both student and teacher reached a portrait with a lady that was a bit on the large side.

"This is the portrait of The Fat Lady. She is the guardian and entrance to the Gryffindor common room. The password is Caput Draconis." While Hermione thought it was ironic that the password was Caput Draconis, which translated to 'Dragon's Head' the portrait opened and they both walked inside.

They were greeted by red and gold colors, squashy arm chairs, a lit fireplace and a few portraits here and there. The windows had a beautiful view of both the Forbidden Forest and The Black Lake. It was warm and cozy and made Hermione feel at home almost instantly.

"It's amazing," were Hermione's words as she turned to look at a smiling Prof. McGonagall who stood in the middle of the room and nodded in agreement.

"Now the stairs to the left are the girls dormitory while the right is the boys dormitory. You'll find your belongings already there. Breakfast will be from 7:00-7:30 in which you will also receive your class schedule and classes start at 8:00. Curfew is at 9:00 in the evening so I hope you will be careful about your nightly swim." McGonagall watched as Hermione nodded and then started to head towards the exit. "Now I wish you a good night Ms. Granger," and with that she left, the portrait closing the entrance behind her.

Hermione turned and headed upstairs to the girls dormitory, walking in as quietly as she could to not wake her dorm mates. She quickly found her bed and changed into her sleeping clothes before climbing in bed, already exited about the following day and classes.

'Things will be interesting' were her last thoughts before sleep overtook her.

Here you have it! It took longer than expected because I got stuck and other reasons. Hope you enjoy and I hope to post the next chapter soon.