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The Little Mermaid happened differently than you were told. You were told a story about a beautiful mermaid falling in love with a prince. The truth is far from that. The real story is what I’m going to tell you now.
Once upon a time, there was a pirate, captain of his ship. Draco was his name, and he sailed on The Serpent. The King of all ships. It was larger and faster than any of its time.
Unknown to Draco, he was constantly watched by many eyes under the water. The eyes of mermen and mermaids alike watched over the seas and everyone in them.
There was a king; the story got that right, but the king didn’t have daughters. He had sons. One of his sons, neither the eldest nor the youngest, was very curious about life. His name was Harry.
Something the story got wrong, again, is that these mermen were powerful. Being the sons of the King of the Ocean, they inherited some of their father’s magic that activates on their 18th birthday. In turn, they were able to go on land but only in the light of a full moon.
The majority of the sons weren’t interested in such things. But Harry was interested. Very interested. He’d go to the shore every month. The small town there had a festival then, so he was able to buy and trade trinkets and various items. That’s where he got his prized collection of ships inside bottles.
One of his ships, his most beloved, had a serpent etched into the bow. He had spent the whole night trading for it. He had always dreamt of sailing, but he knew he couldn’t, since the full moon was only one night a month. Though he always longed for it.
On the day of the next full moon, Harry was going about his duties around the lands near the castle and saw a ship overhead. It was massive. The largest one he had ever seen. He swam up to it, but not all the way to where the air meets the sea. He studied it for a moment, until he noticed it. The serpent. The same serpent that was on the ship he owned.
Hesitating, he floated there in shock. Whether it was a good idea or not, he wasn’t sure. But he swam up to the surface; the water broke with ease. And there, standing at the helm, was a man. A man with white-blonde hair and sharp blue-gray eyes. He was clad in mostly leather, but had a loose black tunic on that was unlaced at the neck.
Harry couldn’t break his gaze. The man commanded the ship with ease, speaking to crewmates, and they yelled “Aye” in return.
What caused Draco to break his concentration, I do not know, but he turned and looked at the sea.
Harry ducked underwater, hoping he wasn’t caught. In the guilt of potentially being spotted, he swam back to the castle and finished his duties.
That night, Harry hesitated about going to the shore. What if the captain is there? He thought. What if he saw me?
The majority of the ships didn’t often dock at the small town, so Harry decided to go. However, we know that nothing would’ve stopped him from his monthly festival with the people for he enjoyed it too much.
Unknown to Harry, Draco was there and noticed Harry as soon as he arrived from walking up a side road.
Draco had planned to go up to him and to talk, but more pressing matters of restocking the ship took his attention.
In turn, Harry noticed Draco. And against his better judgment, figured he might as well talk to him since he’ll never have the chance again.
“Hello,” Harry said, somewhat hoarsely. He doesn’t use his surface voice often, so it takes time for him to get used to it. Though he never gets the time, since he’s back in the water before it adjusts.
Draco turned and faced him. Shoulders squared and straight-backed. “What can I do for you, mate?” Draco’s eyes shone a bit brightly for a moment. A slight hint of recognition went through them before fading back to an almost icy gray.
“Are you the captain of that ship?” Harry asked and pointed over to The Serpent.
“That I am, Draco Malfoy,” he began and stuck out his hand, which Harry took. “Pleased to meet you-” he trailed off, waiting for Harry.
“Harry, Harry Potter,” Harry filled in quickly, cheeks dusting pink. Draco released his hand.
“Harry. Well, is that all? I’ve been meaning to come speak with you actually, but haven’t had the chance,” Draco spoke quickly, eyes flickering around at the townspeople.
“I suppose it is. What were you wanting to talk about?” Harry asked, tilting his head slightly.
“Well, I suppose there’s no good way of putting this, but what are you doing here? See, I come home every other year and stay for a while. Long enough to where I can relax a moment, short enough to not get tracked by the Navy. You’re new,” Draco leaned back on a barrell.
“Oh, um, I’m just from a neighboring town,” Harry supplied.
“Hm,” Draco said, nodding slowly. Draco knew Harry’s eyes. Draco remembered his eyes.
Growing up, Draco had always been fond of the sea. If his mother wasn’t able to find him, she knew to check the caves on the shore. She’s since passed, but now the crew knew to do that as well.
Draco never found anything substantial in the caves, but one day, when he was leaving the cave, he saw something- someone- with beautiful green eyes. He ducked back into the cave, but peeked out, watching the person. Draco watched as he appeared to be watching a ship leave port. His eyes longed for something. Draco’s foot slipped, and he hid behind the cave wall. When he peeked back out, no one was there.
So, imagine the shock when years later, you finally meet the same pair of eyes while you’re on your own ship, and then once more, but this time you’re both standing on the same ground.
When Draco looked back at Harry, he had that same look of longing he always did. He was staring at The Serpent in the distance.
“Do you want to come aboard?” Draco asked, his tone light.
Harry visibly shook himself out of his trance, eyes hopeful. “Yes, absolutely. As long as that doesn’t impose on anything you’re doing, of course.”
Draco smiled lightly, “Come on.” He led the way towards The Serpent, and Harry followed closely behind.
Being on the ship was nothing like Harry had ever experienced before. The wind whipped through his hair and the sea rocked the ship like a mother rocking a child.
It was as if they were children again. Draco showed Harry all his favorite spots, but Harry particularly liked the crow’s nest.
By the end of the tour, they stood on the deck looking out at the sea. They leaned on their arms on the railing. Draco looked longingly, and Harry looked sadly. He could feel the tingling of the magic wearing off and knew he needed to leave. The moon was setting.
“I have to go, Draco. But I want you to know how much I appreciated this,” Harry said softly, looking ahead. He had an inkling that Draco knew about him, and he wanted to tell him. Though he knew he shouldn’t.
“Will I see you again before I leave?” Draco asked, knowing the answer.
“No.” Harry sighed and pushed off the railing.
Draco turned to watch Harry leave, but called, “How can I write you?”
“Drop a bottle into the sea.”
And then he was gone. Harry, of course, just slipped into the water under the ship and swam away. But from Draco’s view, he disappeared.
Weeks turned into months, and every so often Harry would get a bottle with a letter on it. He’d stay at the surface to read them.
“Docking next August. -D”
“Miss you. I hope you’re getting these. -D”
“Docking got pushed to October. I’m sorry. -D”
“I can’t stop thinking about you. -D”
Harry’s family acted like they knew nothing, but in reality, his brothers were the main reason he was receiving the letters. If they heard anything about a bottle in the sea, they’d work to get it brought this way. They loved seeing their brother happy.
He wished there was a way to respond. But then, one day in October two years later, he saw the darkness of a ship cloud the water. He looked up to see The Serpent in all its glory.
That night, he sprinted down the road and to the town. His voice was as hoarse as ever as he called out, “Draco!” into the lantern light of the festival.
Eventually, Draco appeared through a crowd of people. Harry’s eyes caught his, and he slammed Draco into a tight hug.
“I missed you. I got all of your letters,” Harry mumbled out into Draco’s chest.
Draco pulled back to look at Harry; tears littered his face. “Harry, I need to talk to you. Will you come with me to The Serpent?”
Harry was scared. More than scared, he was terrified. But he nodded a yes anyway.
They boarded the ship, and Harry noted the spot where they stood when they last parted. Draco led him into the Captain’s quarters and shut the door.
“Harry, I couldn’t stop thinking about you the entire time I was gone. I, I want to court you, Harry. I want us to be together. I want you to sail with me. Do you feel the same?” Draco spoke lightly, his tone worried.
“Yes,” Harry started shakily. “But I can’t, Draco. And I think- I think you know why.”
Draco nodded slightly and looked at the floor. He looked back up at Harry, his back straight, face dry. “Will you wait for me? I’ll take the next two years building up enough for a good life. I’ll live on the shore for you. Whatever you need,” Draco was almost pleading.
Harry stepped forward. He almost reached out to Draco, but second-guessed himself. “I’ll wait as long as you need me to.”
Draco smiled brightly. “Can I kiss you?”
“Yes,” Harry smiled back.
Draco took a step forward and took Harry around the waist, pulling him into himself. He pressed his lips to Harry’s passionately, but gently, and Harry kissed back.
Throughout the night, they moved from place to place on the ship, talking, kissing, and sometimes even dancing. But, like always, the moon began to set, and the magic began to wear off.
The goodbye was longer than last time. Harry had to jump off the ship.
“I’ll miss you,” Harry said, standing on the edge as the last sliver of moonlight hovered above the sea.
“I’ll miss you more,” Draco whispered back.
Draco watched as Harry jumped gracefully into the sea. Harry transformed mid-dive. Draco gasped in awe at seeing Harry’s beauty.
Year one had gone by smoothly with the occasional note from Draco. Then, year two went by in silence. Then year three. At this point, Harry was terrified. He had informed his entire family, and they were all searching. At the start of year four, Harry had gotten a note.
“I’m heading home. -D”
Every day, Harry would spend his days and nights outside as often as he could. Watching for The Serpent.
And then three months later, it appeared. The massive ship sailed directly above him. But something was wrong. Cannonfire was heard. A massive crack of wood breaking, and not long after, the rush of water flowing into The Serpent. It was going to sink. Harry swam up to it, trying to get sight of Draco.
He couldn’t spot him, but he did spot the Navy, shooting at The Serpent.
“Abandon ship!” Was called, and splashes were heard all around. Harry searched through the people- all wide-eyed at seeing a merman; Harry didn’t care- but none of them were Draco.
The Navy ship got up next to The Serpent, and men rushed onboard. Harry couldn’t help. He could only help if Draco was in the water.
Before long, Draco was pulled into view, and cuffs locked his wrists together behind his back. Their eyes locked; Harry’s were scared, and Draco’s looked hopeful.
The Navy men shoved Draco to his knees, and a shot was heard. Draco screamed in agony, but was not dead. That’s when Harry realized. They shot him in a non-fatal place so that he’d go down with the ship.
The Navy men rushed off to reboard their vessel, but as the last one went, he struck a match. The Serpent engulfed in flames, ripping apart the ship and charring it black.
After what felt like forever, the ship had lowered enough for Harry to pull himself on board, his arms burning and his nails splintering as he dragged himself to Draco. Harry used some magic to splash out the fires threatening to get too close. Draco was pushing himself to Harry, leaving a trail of blood and soot behind.
As Harry got closer, he could see the brutality of what the Navy had done. Draco was beaten and severely malnourished. It looked like it would have taken years.
Harry snapped himself out of his thoughts and fought harder to reach Draco. By the time he did, he pulled Draco into his arms. The ship was low enough now that he summoned a wave to take them off the ship.
When they were in the water, Harry held Draco in his arms, carefully keeping him above the surface.
“I missed you,” Draco muttered through charred-black lungs, then grimaced in pain.
“Hush now. It’s going to be okay,” Harry said through tears. He knew Draco’s best chance at survival was his father- King Triton. “Hold your breath,” Harry instructed, and Draco weakly nodded.
Harry felt as though he had never swum faster in his life. He hoped his father had a miracle for this. He burst through the doors of the throne room.
“Father, help! Please!” he sobbed.
Triton was quick to move when he saw legs this deep in water. Draco’s eyes had begun to tip back. Triton left Draco in Harry’s arms and pressed down with one hand on Draco’s chest. A faint blue light began to gleam, and then it got brighter and brighter until it engulfed the room. Harry couldn’t see Draco, but he felt his weight change. Draco floated up and out of Harry’s arms. The light faded out, and Harry could see what his father had done.
“Draco-” Harry mumbled. Draco was floating unconscious with an icy gray-blue tail. A merman. Just as Harry was. Triton went to sit back in his chair to rest.
“Harry,” Draco muttered, but then coughed violently, not used to the feeling of water for air. Harry swam up to him and held him steady.
“Just breathe, like normal. Try not to think about it,” Harry spoke softly, taking a few breaths with him.
Draco’s coughing subsided, and he managed to balance himself with his new limb.
“So what’s going to happen? Am I stuck like this?” Draco asked, scared.
Triton swam forward and put a hand on Draco’s shoulder. “You will be like this when you want to be, and when you don’t, you won’t,” he said.
“Thank you, sir, for everything,” Draco said before turning to Harry.
Triton spoke up once more, “I’ve seen what you’ve done for both the sea and for Harry. For this, and his love for you, I give you both the option of being both human and merman.”
Harry took Draco’s hands. “I can sail with you!” Harry hugged Draco tightly.
Draco smiled widely and hugged him back. “I would love to show you the world. But,” he pulled back and looked between Triton and Harry, “The Serpent is sunk and destroyed. It took me years to get that ship away from the dirty Navy hands that had it.”
“Not everything is always as it seems,” Triton said, then swam back to his throne.
Draco’s brows knitted together in confusion. Harry took Draco's hand and pulled him through the castle to reach where the ship would have sunk, only for it not to be there. Instead, it was above them. Floating perfectly on the surface, waiting for them.
They pulled themselves up on the ladder, and their tails turned into water around them, rushing away and back into the ocean. When Draco made it to the top, a hand grabbed him and pulled him up.
His whole crew was there and unharmed. The only evidence of the event happening was that the ship is now charcoal black.
Draco walked slowly up to the helm, fearing that it was a dream, and Harry followed suit. Draco put one hand on the helm and took Harry’s hand in his other. He called out some orders to sail, which was met with a chorus of “Aye, Captain!”
Finally they were sailing, hand in hand. Harry had never felt so free, and Draco had never been more alive.
So that’s how it goes. Most stories were changed out of fear of what they’d do. The true evils are hidden while fake ones get blamed.
But, as for our two soulmates, I’m happy to report that they lived happily ever after.