Chapter 620 - The Second Harvest Moon Ⅴ (1/2)
Unfortunately, as Rowan carefully accepts the stone tablet, she finds that Merchieftainess Murcurs has not yet released the stone tablet from her grasp. Merchieftainess Murcurs' yellow eyes are cold and harsh. ”There can be no errors, Child of the Founders,” she warned.
”There won't be,” Rowan replied, before Merchieftainess Murcurs releases her hold on the stone tablet, and allows Rowan to stow away the stone tablet as well.
Merchieftainess Murcurs rises from her seat to her full height, which is very large and looks down at the young witch. ”Such a curse will not be easily bound, Child of the Founders, take the utmost necessary precautions.”
”I will,” Rowan replied as Nadira slowly unwinds her body from Rowan.
”I can aid, protector,” Nadira hissed excitedly.
”NO!” Both Rowan and Merchieftainess Murcurs roared as they turned their fierce gazes upon her.
Nadira's sapphire-colored snake eyes sparkle in dismay and confusion as Rowan much more gently says, ”The curse is even capable of eating you, Nadira. And the curse cannot be broken merely bound, and you are the sole guardian of Hogwarts, you must remember your duties above all including myself.”
Mollified Nadira hisses her tongue still somewhat unhappily, but Nadira hisses, ”Very well, protector, I shall not interfere tomorrow night,” before slithering away in a bit of a huff. Nadira was quickly consoled by the mervillagers, who happily worshiped her and fed her delicious tidbits such as tasty raw fish.
Seeing Nadira being coaxed by the merpeople, Rowan bows her head with gratitude towards Merchieftainess Murcurs. ”I do not believe I have thanked you yet Merchieftainess Murcurs but you have my utmost gratitude for tonight and in all that which you and your people do and continue to do for Nadira. She is loved and cared for here, but more importantly honored and not feared.”
”Land dweller's fear that which they cannot comprehend,” Merchieftainess Murcurs murmured with a tiny smile as she stared out of the entrance at the ongoing festivities. ”And serpents will always continue to be such mysterious beings.”
Turning back to face the young witch, Merchieftainess Murcurs says, ”I wish you good fortune, Child of the Founders. And that you might have the cunningness of your forefather, Salazar Slytherin in order to survive the tumultuous times that draw nearer with each passing day.”
”I will wish you the same, Merchieftainess Murcurs,” Rowan sincerely replied.
Merchieftainess Murcurs' yellow eyes blink solemnly back before Merchieftainess Murcurs returns to the festivities of her people. With great laughter and joy, the mervillagers welcome her as their merry voices wash over her.
All too soon, the guest is forgotten in the distance as Rowan watches the merpeople, before swimming away, and back to the surface of the lake. Her return to the surface goes unperturbed as she is lost in thought within the eerie, glowing lake waters except for something huge and rapidly approaching from the distance. There was nowhere to hide in the middle of the lake and neither the surface nor the bottom of the lake was near.
From long ago a forgotten memory appears in Rowan's mind and it is that of Terry and Severus sharing Chocolate Frog Cards. She can see Terry showing Severus the card of the Giant Squib, and saying, ”Mate, this is why you never want to take a dip in the lake.”
Severus scoffed, but still narrowed his eyes and read what was on the back of the Chocolate Frog Card as the Giant Squib on the front of the engraved card wiggled its giant tentacles at them. In a voice out loud, he read, ”The bane of ancient mariners and students of Hogwarts – should the latter decide to go for a dip in the lake.”