Into the Past

Ravenclaw had gotten into a deep discussion with her about it, using words that largely flew over Harry's head. The gist of it he understood was that the students were not dreaming, but nor were they actually traveling in time. It was something to do with the magic of Hogwarts, and honestly, that was enough for Harry.

Neville seemed almost more overwhelmed than Harry, which he supposed made sense. Neville was used to the modern magical world, and had certain ideas about how magical things were. Seeing them differently here in the past had to be a major blow.

To Harry, on the other hand, who knew nothing about magic, he had no idea what was different in the past compared to the present. With each new revelation, Harry just assumed that he was confused or surprised because that was how magic worked. It wasn't until he saw Neville's shocked expressions that he realized that some things about the past were different than the present.

When breakfast was over, Earl Salazar Slytherin, who requested that the trio just call him Slytherin, took them on a tour of the grounds. Harry had only seen the castle the night before, as they rode on the small boats across the lake, but he could tell that the modern castle had been much bigger.

"We currently have two wings," Slytherin said, "with construction concluding on the second. Gryffindor is in charge of that, and he will tell you more about it."

Slytherin led them to the lake, which was quite large; it stretched out around the forest in the distance, and Harry could barely see the far shore. Slytherin pulled something out of his shirt; a small silver whistle on a chain. He blew a short series of notes and then settled down on a large rock. The trio followed his example, sitting on the rocky shore.

Now, I am going to teach you a spell," Slytherin said.

"But we don't have our wands!" Neville protested.

"Hah! Wands!" Slytherin said dismissively. "Only the rich, or devoted scholars, can afford wands! The students here do not use them." Hermione and Harry nodded in understanding, but Neville seemed very surprised by this news.

"But in our time, everyone uses wands! You can't create magic without a wand!" Neville protested.

"A crutch!" Slytherin waved the idea away. "No one needs a wand to do magic. Tell me, did you do magic as a small child? Unintentional magic?"

"Yes!" Hermione immediately replied.

Harry thought back to the strange things that had happened to him; things that Hagrid had said were accidental magic. "I guess." Neville just nodded, his face red.

"Did you have a wand when you did these things?" Slytherin asked. All three shook their heads. "Then you did magic without a wand," he said firmly. "Now, I am going to teach you a spell. Hold your hands over your ears, like so."

He cupped his hands over his ears and the trio mimicked him. "Push your magic through your hands, and imagine that you are creating a bubble of water around your ears."

"What spell do we say?" Hermione asked.

"You say nothing. The words are not important. Only the intent is important. I could say nonsense, but as long as the intent is there, the spell will be cast."

Hermione seemed appalled by this concept, while Neville just looked nervous. Deciding to trust Slytherin, Harry did as instructed. Cupping his hands over his ears, he tried to concentrate on pushing his magic there. When his fingers began to tingle, he thought, bubble of water. The tingling intensified for a moment, and then suddenly all sound stopped.

Harry dropped his hands in horror, but Slytherin just smiled and applauded. Harry could faintly hear the applause, but it was muffled. "Well done, Harry!" Slytherin said.

"How did you do it?" Neville shouted.

Harry repeated what he had done, while both Hermione and Neville paid close attention. They both tried the spell, and after a few attempts, each got it. Slytherin quickly did the same and then turned to the lake. Harry copied him, and was shocked to see a strange creature floating in the water.

Slytherin began to talk, and dimly Harry could hear what sounded like horrible screeching. More clearly, however, was his deep voice, which seemed to come almost from within Harry's mind.

"Calm waves to you, Apa, and much bounty to the Matsya," Slytherin said.

"Calm waves to you, Slytherin, and much bounty to Hogwarts," the creature replied.

Slytherin then turned back to the trio. "Children, this is Apa, a Merman. He is one of the warriors who helps to protect Hogwarts.

"Hello," Apa said, and Harry again understood him clearly.

"Hello," the children chorused, their voices muffled.

"You are welcome to swim with us and learn our language," Apa added.

"Are we not speaking the same language now?" Harry asked. It certainly sounded like they were, though of course Slytherin and Apa sounded much louder and clearer than Hermione and Neville.

Apa laughed. "No, child. You are speaking English, which Slytherin has taught me to understand, though I cannot speak it. Slytherin and I are speaking my language, what you call Mermish."

"The magic around your ears allows you to hear it clearly," Slytherin added. "Without the water, it sounds like a dying banshee." Apa rolled his eyes at that and flicked a little water at Slytherin with his tail.

"How are Perun and Dodola doing? Has she given birth yet?" Slytherin asked.

"The little ones have arrived," Apa said. "Perun is beside himself with pleasure. Dodola has to remind him to patrol the lake edges every sun."

Slytherin chuckled. "And the little ones?"

"They have invaded Matsya!" Apa said a little sourly. "The females all dote upon them, and upon Dodola! It is enough to make one volunteer to patrol!"

"Then perhaps you will take these children on a patrol around the lake?" Slytherin asked teasingly.

"Anything to get away from Matsya," Apa said fervently. "Ushas wants now to have little ones of our own."

Slytherin laughed heartily, and then turned back to the trio. "Perun and Dodola are two freshwater squid that I rescued from a tainted lake in Severlans. Dodola has been expecting their first batch of eggs to hatch for several months."

"Not long enough," Apa muttered.

"Apa here and the rest of his tribe, the Matsya, were in the Pala region. Their lake was small, and their tribe growing too large for it. Their tribe split, with half coming to live here at Hogwarts," Slytherin explained. "There are strict population rules, to keep them from having the same crowding problem as before, but that does not stop certain mermaids from wanting many young." The last was said in a teasing tone directed at Apa, who grumbled good naturedly again.

"Can we see where they live?" Hermione asked.

"In the lake? Of course. If you can swim," Slytherin said.

"I can!" Hermione quickly replied. Both Harry and Neville remained silent.

"Well, it appears that Apa and I will have to teach your friends before the three of you may visit," Slytherin decided. "But that will have to wait for another day. In the meantime, we have a tour to conclude."