Chapter 12: The Kraken Beckons
After that unsettling encounter with Dumbledore, I knew I couldn't afford to waste any more time. He was too perceptive, too intrusive, and though I had blocked his attempts to penetrate my mind, I could sense that he would not stop watching me. If I was going to move forward with my plans, I had to be faster, smarter, and always ten steps ahead.
The months that followed were a blur of action and progress. I threw myself into my studies, perfecting every spell, every charm, and every piece of ancient knowledge I could get my hands on. Between my time in the Room of Requirement, my advanced studies under Professor McGonagall, and my efforts to mobilize the connections I'd made, there wasn't a moment to spare.
McGonagall was more than just a mentor to me now. She had seen my potential, and soon enough, my duties as her assistant took me outside the walls of Hogwarts for various tasks. Whether it was retrieving rare magical artifacts or helping her assess students from other schools, I quickly became her most trusted aide. She taught me transfiguration far beyond the seventh-year level, guiding me through ancient techniques that only a select few had mastered. I could feel my magic surging, stronger than ever.
Outside of academic achievements, I worked tirelessly on expanding the influence of our family. The introduction of Dragonglass to the wizarding world had to be handled with precision. I began quietly speaking to key individuals, planting the seeds for its eventual debut. Some were intrigued by its properties, especially when I demonstrated its unique abilities in spell work and defensive enchantments. Others were cautious, hesitant about something so foreign. But that didn't matter. What mattered was that they were curious, and curiosity would lead them to me when the time was right.
I had to admit, though, amidst all the seriousness, there were moments of levity. The Weasley twins, Fred and George, had become more than just acquaintances—they were, in their own way, my friends. Their ingenious pranks never failed to amuse me, and I had a growing admiration for their creative minds. One evening, after witnessing yet another one of their chaotic yet brilliant tricks, I couldn't help but suggest, "Why don't you two make a business out of this?"
Fred had looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "A business?"
George chimed in with a grin. "Who's going to invest in pranks?"
"I will," I replied simply, my lips curling into a smirk. "You both have a talent. A niche, as some might say. With the right backing, you could turn this into something profitable. Think about it—Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes."
They had been speechless for a moment, before Fred broke the silence with an exaggerated bow. "Well, Linaera Targaryen, looks like you've got yourself a deal."
We sealed the agreement that night, and since then, we had begun planning the foundation of their future business. The Weasleys, despite their easy-going attitudes, were sharp when it came to innovation. I knew that one day, their joke shop would be a roaring success.
But beyond all of this—beyond the connections, the studies, and the power plays—I remained in constant contact with my family. My letters to Muña Rhaenyra and Muña Laena were filled with every detail of my life at Hogwarts, from my academic achievements to the developments of my plans. Dany and Aera sent me adorable little notes, each one sweeter than the last. I could feel their love in every word, and I missed them terribly. But there was pride too, in knowing that I was representing our family here, forging the path that would lead to our future dominance.
With each letter, I felt closer to home, even though I was miles away.
Now, it was December, just a week before I would finally return home for the holidays. I was eager to see my family, to walk through the halls of Dragonstone again, to feel the wind on my face as I flew Adrastus above the skies. But before I could allow myself that moment of peace, there was one last goal I had to complete—goal #4.
The lost Kraken in the Black Lake had fascinated me since I first learned of its existence. It was a creature of legend, long forgotten by most of the wizarding world, but I knew it was still down there, lurking in the depths. It was time to speak to it, to see if I could make a connection. Who knows what knowledge it possessed, hidden beneath the waves for centuries?
It was an early morning, and the castle was still wrapped in the cold embrace of winter's dawn. My breath formed clouds in the air as I made my way down to the Black Lake, the chill biting at my skin, though it hardly affected me. The sun had barely begun to rise, casting the sky in soft hues of lavender and pale blue. Perfect. No one would be around to interrupt me.
Standing by the edge of the lake, I whispered a spell in Valyrian to mask my presence from any wandering eyes. Then, I took a deep breath and whispered another incantation, this one designed to call the Kraken to the surface.
"Ēngos iā gēlion, iā sagon iā Ñuha brozi."
(Rise from the deep, and be my ally.)
At first, there was nothing but silence. The water remained still, reflecting the darkening sky above. But then, slowly, ripples began to form. The surface of the lake began to churn, and the water darkened as if something immense was rising from the depths.
I stepped back slightly, feeling the weight of its presence before I even saw it. And then, from the center of the lake, a massive shadow broke the surface. Long, dark tentacles curled upwards, their movements slow and deliberate. The Kraken's body followed, a monstrous form that sent a shiver of awe down my spine. Its eyes, large and glowing faintly, locked onto me, as if assessing whether I was friend or foe.
I stood tall, my heart steady despite the overwhelming size of the creature before me.
This was the moment. This was what I had come for.
---
*Kraken's POV*
It's been centuries since I was last able to speak to another being. My life, if you could even call it that, has been a monotonous drift of survival and silence. As a youngling, curiosity had been my undoing. I had strayed far from my home, lured by the thrill of exploration, only to find myself lost in a world far different from where I belonged. The shores of Westeros seemed like a distant dream, replaced by the cold, enchanted waters of this lake at Hogwarts.
For years, I wandered alone, searching for meaning, for a way back. But eventually, the magic in the castle above drew me in. There was power here—enough to sustain me, to keep me alive. But in doing so, it also became my prison. The lake was vast, but the boundaries of my world were suffocating. No one came looking for me, no one sought the Kraken, not even in legend.
Until now.
Every year, new students arrived at the castle. They traveled in boats across my domain, oblivious to the presence of the ancient beast lurking below. Most of them were unremarkable, just children learning to harness their powers. But this year, something was different.
I felt it the moment she stepped into the boat. A presence unlike any I had felt in centuries. It stirred something deep within me, something I thought I had lost—a connection to my true home. The blood of the dragon. Westeros.
I watched her, this girl, as she entered Hogwarts. Her magic was ancient, like the tides and storms I had once known. She could feel me. I knew it. I waited, hoping she would seek me out, and today, she did.
It began with an incantation, spoken in the tongue of my masters, the language of Valyria. The moment the words reached the water, I didn't hesitate. I rose to the surface, breaking the stillness of the lake. When I emerged, there she was, standing tall and unafraid. She had the look of them—the white hair, the pale skin, and those unmistakable purple eyes. A Targaryen.
She did not speak, but I knew she wanted to. The Kraken does not communicate with sound but with the mind. I reached out, forming the bridge between us, and in that moment, we spoke.
"Who are you?" I asked, my voice echoing in her thoughts like the deep rumble of the ocean. "What brings you to call upon me?"
The girl met my gaze, her eyes unwavering. "I am Linaera Targaryen," she said with pride, "heir to the Iron Throne and daughter of Dragonstone. I have come to find you, for I know you do not belong here."
Her words stirred memories I had long buried. The Iron Throne, Dragonstone—places I had once known, places I had once served. *My liege.*
"You are of them," I said, my tone softer now. "The blood of the dragon runs in your veins."
She nodded. "I felt your presence the moment I arrived at Hogwarts. You are not like the other creatures here."
"I am not," I agreed. "I am Kraken. Lost, far from home. I was young when I came to this place. Curiosity led me astray. By the time I realized I was lost, it was too late. The magic of this castle binds me to this lake, and I have remained here for centuries, waiting."
Linaera's face softened. "Would you return, if given the chance?"
The question took me by surprise, though it should not have. I had long since resigned myself to my fate, but hearing those words, spoken by one of my masters' descendants, rekindled something within me. Hope.
"Yes," I answered after a long pause. "I would return. The waters of Westeros call to me even now, though they are faint. This lake… it has sustained me, but it is not my home."
"Then I will take you back," Linaera declared, her voice firm with determination. "Back to the shores of Westeros. To where you belong."
For the first time in centuries, I felt a weight lift from me. Could it be true? Could this girl—this descendant of dragons—truly have the power to free me? I probed her mind, seeking any hint of falsehood, but all I found was resolve.
"How will you do this?" I asked. "The magic of this place is strong. I cannot simply leave."
Linaera's eyes gleamed with the confidence of someone who knew their craft. "With ancient Valyrian magic," she said. "I've been studying it. The wards of this castle are powerful, but they can be bent, especially with the magic of our ancestors. I will prepare the ritual. In three days' time, I will return for you. By then, everything will be ready."
Three days. It seemed so short compared to the centuries I had waited, yet the anticipation made those moments stretch on endlessly in my mind.
"You are sure you can do this?" I asked.
Linaera's gaze didn't waver. "I've achieved every goal I've set for myself since I arrived here. I will not fail you now. You've waited long enough, Kraken. It's time for you to return home."
I considered her words, letting them settle. There was a fire in this girl, the same fire that had driven the Targaryens to conquer and build empires. She was no ordinary witch, no ordinary student. She was someone destined for greatness.
"Very well," I said at last. "I will wait for you, Linaera Targaryen. But know this—if you fail, I will remain here, and your connection to me will be severed. But if you succeed… I will serve you as I once served your ancestors."
Her lips curved into a small smile. "I won't fail. You have my word."
And with that, she turned and left, her form disappearing into the mist that hovered above the lake. I watched her go, my mind buzzing with the possibilities of what was to come.
Three days. Three days, and I might finally be free.