afternoon swim [open]

[Viola Derrick]

"One hundred and fifty-two, one hundred and fifty-three, one hundred and fifty-four," Viola quietly counted to herself as she descended the marble staircase. One hundred and fifty-five steps she'd taken since she left Gryffindor tower a few minutes before. Normally it would have taken about a hundred more to reach the entrance hall, but she was in a hurry today and was practically sprinting.

Today was the first Hogsmeade visit of the school year. Viola had considered going. She liked visiting all the shops and spending time with her friends outside of school, but with everyone away from the castle, she could do some things that she wouldn't normally. Like go swimming to cool off on what was probably the hottest day that year.

Her eyes scanned the grounds surrounding her as she walked to the lake. She knew that the first- and second-years of Gryffindor were locked away in the tower, studying for upcoming Transfiguration and Defense tests. She hoped that the children in other houses were equally worried about their grades and were staying inside. If so, she would only have to worry about the odd older student taking a walk. Or maybe the grounds keeper heading to the forest.

Vi smiled down at the water at her feet. It looked so cool and inviting, she wasted no time in stripping off her shoes and baggy jeans and one-size-too-big sweat shirt to reveal her one-piece green swimsuit. It was rather plain in comparison to the things other girls her age were wearing. Backless suits and tiny bikinis that hardly covered anything at all. She shuddered at the thought. Perhaps it was because she hadn't let anyone see her in anything more revealing than a knee-length skirt since she was nine, but she was a bit cautious when it came to people seeing her body.

Slowly, she slipped into the water and let herself be carried away to the center of the lake. The water was just as cool as she'd hoped, but the afternoon sun still beat down on her face and arms. She took a deep breath and dived underneath the surface. Viola felt weightless and carefree under the water. She had no worries or concerns. There was no one there that could hurt her. And then she caught sight of the scar on her left leg and the worrying came flooding back. She surfaced and let out a long sigh. If it wasn't for that little scar, she could do so much. She would be someone very different from who she was today.

[Alexandria S Cadwallader]

Alexandria smiled to herself as she was sitting on the dock, with her feet dangling in the water. She had been given the chance to go into Hogsmeade with her friends, and as much as she liked the noise, she couldn't sing while there, because everybody, except her friends, would think she was locococo. In fact, her friends would too, but not that much.

The fifteen year old opened her mouth and started singing. She was a little annoyed for not bringing her guitar, but then reminded herself that she hadn't wanted it to get stolen while she was in the water, and she hadn't wanted to get it wet.
"Ever ever after
Storybook endings, fairy tales coming true
Deep down inside we want to believe they still do
And a secret is taught, it's our favorite part of the story
Let's just admit we all want to make it too
Ever ever after
If we just don't get it our own way
Ever ever after
It may only be a wish away
Starting your fashion, wear your heart on your sleeve
Sometimes you reach what's real just by making believe
Unafraid, unashamed
There is joy to be claimed in this world
You even might wind up being glad to be you
Ever ever after
Though the world will tell you it's not smart
Ever ever after
The world can be yours if you let your heart
Believe in ever after
No wonder your heart feels it's flying
Your head feels it's spinning
Each happy ending's a brand new beginning
Let yourself be enchanted, you just might break through
To ever ever after
Forever could even start today
Ever ever after
Maybe it's just one wish away
Your ever ever after
Ever, ever, ever after
I've been dreaming of a true love's kiss
Oh, for ever ever after"
After this song, she slipped out of her school uniform, and into her black and white polka-dotted tankini. She stood up and then dived into the water, and proceeded to do two somersaults in a row and then floated in the water, basking in the sunlight. She hadn't noticed someone coming.