Much to Dioleh's surprise, the classes were much different than she was used to. By far the easiest class for her was Astronomy. Back when she was a little girl in her tribe learning to control her powers, they were taught to use the stars to navigate when they went for far swims. While the sirens had different names for the stars, Arran had taught her the human names for them when they lived on land.
The rest of the classes, however, were completely new to her. By the time they had gotten to Friday, Dioleh was beginning to fully settle in and get used to her surroundings. She found herself staying quiet in classes and just getting her work done. Imani and Dioleh stuck together and learned and adapted to their new lives together.
By the end of Friday night, Dioleh was exhausted and was about to head to bed before a sound started up. It was a language she hadn't heard in a long, long time. "Tala, ucnada praza en suciladamoba." Dioleh froze. She had not heard Mermish since she was a child. It had said 'Hello, meet us in the lake.'
Glancing around to make sure it was safe, Dioleh snuck back into the room with the pillar of water. Diving into it, she went out into the lake, looking for anyone who looked like her. She moved backwards in shock. Two older sirens were suspended in the water seemingly waiting for her.
The first was a woman with cyan hair and eyes and dark skin. The second was a man with tan skin and purple hair. They were at least fifteen if not older. "Is this everyone?" the girl said. Dioleh turned, spotting three others.
"Imani?" she cried. "You're-" Sure enough, Imani was behind her with her pale pink hair and pink scales from the waist down and around her chest.
"Dioleh," she said, swimming up to Dioleh and wrapping her arms around her.
"We don't have time for this," the older boy said. His scales were purple, like his hair. "You all need to know how to be safe and protect yourselves here. It doesn't matter why you're here or why you had to leave your tribe, but the point is, you all need to look out for each other or you will be found out."
"I'm Ebony," the girl said. Her tail was also the colour of her hair. "Ebony Chanler."
"And I'm Julio," the boy introduced. "Who are you four?"
"Imani Kanumba, West African Tribe," Imani explained.
"Andre Rodreguez," the only other guy said. He was a golden bronze with white hair and brown eyes and a pale grey tail. "Colombian Tribe."
"Aki Hirabayashi," the other girl introduced. She was clearly of Asian descent with midnight-blue hair and brown eyes and a tail matching her hair. "Japan Tribe."
"And you?" Imani asked, looking at Dioleh.
"Dioleh Marlow," she said. Her throat constricting, she explained, "I'm from what remains of the East American Tribe." Instantly Aki and Andre's expressions contorted in sympathy.
"What happened to that tribe?" Ebony asked. Imani also looked confused. Since they were both from African Pods, it was unlikely news had travelled.
Julio, who seemed to be from a Central or South American pod, said, "Wasn't that the pod that was massacred by the MACUSA?"
"Yeah," Andre said, still looking at Dioleh. "We met them when they were passing through. There were only ten left."
Sensing Dioleh's discomfort, Ebony said, "Then clearly you are all familiar with the idea that they will kill you if they find out. Sirens have been coming here in secret since Hogwarts was founded. The first ones made this group. We're called the Legion."
"They created secret passageways in each common room for easy access for any siren," Julio explained. "In case you don't know, if you don't regularly change forms, your power will slowly drain away from you. Eventually all your magic and power will be gone. You wouldn't even be able to turn back into a siren."
"I've already found one," Dioleh said. "That's how I got here."
"What houses are you all in?" Ebony asked.
"Slytherin," Dioleh, Imani, and Aki said.
"Ravenclaw," Andre added, looking almost shy.
"Did you find the passageway?" Ebony asked, looking at him.
"No," he said.
"I can show you," she suggested. "I'm in Ravenclaw too."
"Dioleh, can you show the other two the entrance?" Julio asked. "I would, but I'm a Hufflepuff." She nodded. "Good. Only use those entrances. It's not safe otherwise and only at night or early early in the morning."
"And never, I repeat NEVER use your powers unless you are here in the lake and nothing too big or noticeable," Ebony insisted firmly. "Otherwise, all of us could be in danger. This isn't just your safety you're toying with. If word gets to the Ministry that even one siren is here, they will send people here to look for the rest of us and I hate to say it, but I'm pretty sure it would work."
"Do you all understand?" Julio asked severely.
"Yes," Dioleh said. Each one agreed and soon they parted ways. Imani and Aki followed behind Dioleh as she led them down and into the pillar of water. The three dove out and onto the ground in their human forms and looked at each other. Dioleh smiled first and soon the other two were as well. "I thought I'd be alone when I came here," Dioleh said finally. "Turns out none of us are alone."
"Never," Aki said, also smiling. Standing, she reached out a hand to Imani and helped her up. She also in turn helped up Dioleh.
"Let's stick together, yeah?" Imani suggested.
"Always," Dioleh replied. "Let's all meet up tomorrow. With Andre too, though."
"All right then," Aki said, grinning. Each one of the girls couldn't help but smile as they left the room, Dioleh checking first to make sure it was clear, and headed to the dormitory. Pansy, Millicent, and Daphne were getting ready for bed by the time they went in, still talking and laughing.
Aki was in the bed on the other side of Dioleh so the three were able to talk quietly without bothering the other three Slytherin girls much. With the warmth of laughter in their chests, the three sirens curled up in bed to sleep.