The Heiress of Slytherin

So much for a peaceful year

"It's only Tiamat whom we will be seeing tonight. There's no need for decorum."

Ivy giggled and together they set off down the corridors to the main hall of the castle to see the selkie Chieftess.

Ivy couldn't help but sigh contentedly as she swam through the palace. It hadn't really been so long since she was there last, only a little over two months, but it was so breathtakingly beautiful that throughout the summer she couldn't help but wonder if she'd imagined it.

As she took in the intricate carvings of the stone, gaping windows and ethereal beauty of her surroundings, she was reminded that even the largest imagination could not conjure such a place.

She and Galatea swam through the doors to the main hall together and Ivy laughed as a shoal of bright yellow fish brushed her cheek. She swam on through the room until she spotted Tiamat entering through a side door, staring concentratedly at a piece of parchment.

As Ivy rushed up to her she startled at the sudden movement and looked up, grinning just in time as she was tackled in a large hug by the siren.

She laughed and hugged her back tightly before Ivy pulled away sheepishly. "Sorry, it's just very nice to see you and be back."

Tiamat smiled fondly as she folded the parchment in her hands. "There is no need to apologise, Ivy, it is wonderful to see you too. How have you been?"

"I've been well. I have told everyone that I am a siren. I haven't had many people be rude, but I expect that they are probably just afraid, which is fine by me. How have you been? Galatea mentioned some things happening in the colony?"

Tiamat laughed and shook her head, her hair once again up in the thick coiled bun as the first time Ivy had met her. "I'll expect they are, humans are often afraid of what they can't dominate. As for myself, I have also been well. There have been some adjustments made in the colony, but nothing too large. We have been discussing how to best aid you in this part of your journey."

It made complete sense that the colony, who had known about the prophecy for so long, would want to immediately work on ways to help Ivy prepare, but she couldn't help feel a little bit flustered. It felt as though just a week ago things had been somewhat simple, and now a million things were flurrying about at once.

She must have sent the slight panic on Ivy's face because Tiamat smiled calmingly and led Ivy to a seating area. It was a built into the ground circle with a sort of table carved into the middle, and all about the shallow part were comfortable pillows made of kelp and other water plants.

"Do not be stressed, we have only been discussing what things our colony knows that we can teach you to aid you in your life. For instance, we think that it would be beneficial for you to learn to fight. We are best suited to instruct you in how to handle a spear, and the centaurs have agreed to help you learn the bow. This is all, of course, only if you wish it."

Ivy processed the offers for a minute. She honestly couldn't see a reason why she wouldn't want to accept them. Being offered archery and spear lessons by the beings most talented at them was an incredible privilege, and it also sounded very cool. Her mother has instilled in her a determination to be as proficient in magic as possible, but also wary of being overly reliant on it.