19 replies to this topic

[Adelaine Beaumont]

It was another beautiful day outside, and Adelaine decided it was high time for walk to the lake.  She sat down under her usual tree, the one she always came to last year when she had time to spare. With a million things running through her mind, it was impossible to rest. All in all, the summer had been pretty good, but she was glad to be back at Hogwarts. Before she left home for Hogsmeade, her parents had actually sat her down and talked to her about being more Slytherin-like. Well, they hadn't actually used the term "Slytherin-like", but they may as well have. "We simply believe you should tone yourself down a bit," her mother said. "There's no time to waste on friends, especially those in your house," her father said. "Do nothing but study and practice." And have the worst year of her life? No, she was determined to make this year at Hogwarts the greatest yet, and no book or spell was going to get in her way.
She hunkered down against the tree trunk and stared out at the lake. She hoped to see George, the giant squid she'd heard about. Maybe if I look long enough he'll pop up, she thought. At last, Adele picked up a rock and threw it as hard as she could at the large black lake, but nothing happened. She thought she saw a ripple, but it was probably just from the rock. No George today.

Edited by Adelaine Beaumont, 03 August 2011 - 07:21 PM.

[Catnteris Scott]

It hadn't been Cat's fault that he fell in the lake. Something had grabbed his leg and drug him under. Whatever it had been, it was not Cat's fault. He supposed he should've been more careful as he wandered around the water's edge. He wondered what beasties were under the water with him. Probably some nasty water demon or something. Not all magic was good after all. The thought only made Cat want to get out of the water more. Having realized that whatever had pulled him in had long since let go, he kicked back to the surface for a fraction of a second. Cat exhaled then inhaled, caught sight of Adelaine, and plunged back under.

Now he was thoroughly embaressed. How was he supposed to get out with a girl watching? How was he supposed to explain to an older female that he had been wandering around the lake, and something had pulled him in? She would surely laugh at him in his soaked robes.

But Cat had no more time to contemplate such tragedies as he realized his oxygen levels were extremely low. Thus, he resurfaced once more, taking in a lot of water at the same time.

He choked and he sputtered as he waved at Adelaine. "H-Hey!" he managed, before he began wading back in, his soaken robes slowing him down. "A-Adelaine! What are y-you doing here?" he asked, smiling weakly.

Edited by Catnteris Scott, 03 August 2011 - 08:54 PM.

[Adelaine Beaumont]

Adelaine was just about to shut her eyes when she heard Cat call her name. She looked over and saw him nearly drowning in the dark, murky water. She quickly jumped up and ran over to him, holding out her hand to help him out of the lake.
"What on earth are you doing, don't you know all the terrible things that are in this lake?" she practically scolded him. "Swim faster before George grabs you!"
No one ever actually went in the Black Lake. According to rumors, if you went in, you'd never come out. Aside from the giant squid, Adele knew of mermaids, mutant squids, and serpants that dwelled in the depths of the lake. To even think of setting foot in that water made her shudder. And now, here was Cat out for a swim. What was it about some first years that made them think they were invincible?

Edited by Adelaine Beaumont, 03 August 2011 - 09:28 PM.

[Catnteris Scott]

Cat made a face as Adelaine offered him her hand, and immeadiatly began scolding him. Catnteris wasn't used to scolding. Here she was, yelling at him, before he even got a chance to explain himself. He supposed it was a female thing that he would never understand.

After he had finally managed to escape from the murky waters with Adelaine's help, he rolled his eyes at her. "No, as a matter of fact, I don't. I'm a mudblood after all. That's what you call them right? The children who know nothing of magic because they weren't born with it in their family? I heard some of the older Ravenclaws talking about the term. I was able to listen in enough to begin to understand what it ment." Cat ran a hand through his dripping hair. He sighed.

"George? Is that a name you've given to the bloody beast who pulled me in? I didn't just jump in for a swim you know. I'm not that thick. I knew their had to be something dangerous in it. I mean, it's not called the Black Lake for nothing is it?" Cat raised an eyebrow.

[Adelaine Beaumont]

Cat gave a very heated retort, and Adele supposed she underestimated him. She looked at his soaked clothes; it was a good thing it wasn't too nippy out or he'd catch a cold.
"Would you like my cloak?" she asked, thinking he must be freezing, since the lake is somehow always ice cold no matter what season. "I didn't mean to yell, I was just worried that you were drowning. And you aren't the first kid to go for a swim in the lake -- not that you purposely did."
She looked past him and out to the lake again. There were ripples everywhere, and she assumed it was the squid. She was just going to turn and walk back toward the tree when his comment about mudbloods hit her.
"Mudblood is a very crude term, and no respectable wizard uses it," she shot back, though her parents used it all the time. "You'll only find it common within Slytherin house. And George is the squid, but I didn't name him. I believe Alistair did."

[Catnteris Scott]

Cat's expression softened as Adelaine apologized, and even offered her cloak to him.

"No, no. I'm fine, really, you keep your cloak." Cat then took his off. "This thing weighs a ton when wet. Oh, and I guess I was sort of drowning. I'm not an avid swimmer and inhaled water instead of oxygen."

Cat blinked as Adelaine angrily explained how Mudblood was a horrid term. "I'm sorry I offended you." he said quietly. "To be honest, I didn't know it was bad. I just thought that was what we were called. It is rather a nasty sounding word though, isn't it?"

Cat's jaw dropped as Adelaine mentioned that this so called George was a giant squid. Did she really mean a giant, tentacle covered, slimy thing? Or was there just an overgrown octopus down there? Had this been the monster that had pulled Catnteris in? His eyes flickered over to the lake. Ripples were covering it's entire surface, just like there had been a moment before Cat had been roughly drug into the lake's icy depths.

Yes sir, a squid, a giant squid had cause Cat to take an unexpected swim. Wonderful.

He tried to get his mind off of that by asking quite timidly. "Alistair? Is he another student here?"

Edited by Catnteris Scott, 03 August 2011 - 10:46 PM.

[Alistair Bauldaugh]

The Hogwarts castle held many great things. There were fantastic paintings, exciting lessons, secret passage ways, and much more. But one particular young Hufflepuff boy always found himself outside the sacred walls of the school, at least once per day. Alistair had started his routine running before he had come to Hogwarts, but it was always a more enjoyable view than what he had back home. Perhaps it was because he had seen that every day of his life until he left for school.

The third year trotted over to the greenhouses and then up toward the gate that led to Hogsmeade. He gave the groundskeeper’s cabin a wide berth as he always feared that the grumpy, goblin-like man would come out and snatch him or something. There were more probable possibilities, but Alistair stayed far away just to be safe.

Winter was certainly on the way, but in September it was still warm enough to be out without a robe on. Though Alistair was proud of his yellow and black robe and badge, they made his jog about the grounds a little more difficult than was necessary. So he was dressed in his trousers and white shirt with the house tie. His hand barely grazed the wall that divided the students from the rest of the world before turning back. The lake glimmered behind the castle; sunshine danced on the low waves. Perhaps he would stop and rest there.

Upon reaching the shoreline, where the slope to the water became rather steep, Alistair noticed a few people not far off. Well, one was not far off and the other was in the water. He intended to leave them alone and perhaps find a nice bit of shade to contemplate doing his homework under when their conversation drifted over to him.

The girl was explaining the giant squid to the soaking boy. Alistair swelled with pride. He and Cerri had made the discovery in their first year and had spent a considerable length of time documenting his activity throughout that year. Chuckling, he moved to head in the other direction again, but heard his own name. Well now, he couldn’t just walk away from such an open invitation.

Walking around one of the nearby trees so that they could see him properly, Alistair announced his arrival by saying, “Only from September through June.” What a cheeky little boy. “And actually, Cerridwyn Glynn helped me name him. You might know her, she’s in Ravenclaw too.” He was suddenly reminded again that he wasn’t wearing his robes. “How’s the water?” He asked, crossing his arms and nodding to Cat.

[Catnteris Scott]

Cat jumped as someone else joined the conversation. He turned to face an older Hufflepuff student who seemed to be in a cheery mood. He wasn't wearing his robes, but the blazing yellow house tie stood out unlike the other colors. This had to be Alistair, the boy Adelaine had mentioned. He said that he and Cerridwyn Glynn had named the giant squid and that she was in Ravenclaw too.

Cat's face grew red as Alistair asked how the water was. "A bit cold," Cat mused. "And if it's cold now, I can't imagine what it will be like in, let's say, December or January." he smiled weakly. "I'm Cat, by the way. Catnteris Scott, recent friend of said George. He pulled me in." Cat shrugged.

Edited by Catnteris Scott, 07 August 2011 - 05:49 PM.

[Adelaine Beaumont]

Adelaine smiled as the two boys introduced themselves, though Cat seemed a bit hesitant. She picked up a large rock, and threw it straight into the ever-growing ripples on the dark water.
"Alistair, you really have a way with popping in on people out of nowhere, don't you?" she laughed and recalled the last time she came to sit at the tree, a tree in which she had no idea the Hufflepuff was dangling in until he appeared right before her.
"Perhaps I should throw out my History of Magic book, he seems to like those," she said absent minded. "Cat, you really should take my cloak, it's getting a bit cold out."
Before she had time to take off her robes and force them around his shoulders, an enormous leg rose from the water and slapped down on it's surface. "Oh my..I suppose it wasn't the best idea to throw something at him."

Edited by Adelaine Beaumont, 08 August 2011 - 11:15 PM.

[Amelia Hexheart]

Amelia was exploring. This was her first time exploring the grounds, she hadn't had much time. The work load at Hogwarts was a little heavier than Amelia had anticipated, this meant thus far, Amelia had spent most of her time with her head in a book. Not that she minded too much, Amelia was fairly studious and smart, but she preferred exploring. Hogwarts was such an interesting place after all, so many hidden secrets to be uncovered. Amelia drew her cloak tighter around her and shivered. It was a blisteringly cold day, this is why Amelia was amazed to see 3 students in the distance, one she recognized as Adele, standing around the lake, one of the boys being absolutely soaking wet. Had the boy decided now would be a good time for a swim? Curious as to what was going on, Amelia set off towards the small group who were staring at the murky waters of the lake in-front of them. Amelia strode over. "Hello Adele, how are you?" Amelia smiled towards the girl who was looking startled. Amelia glanced at the lake too now, curious. "Oh my goodness! What is that thing?"Amelia gasped in surprise at the long tentacle now thrashing on the water-top, Amelia now stared incredulously at the sopping wet boy, she raised an eyebrow. "Did this thing pull you in, or did you just decide to have a swim and make friends with it?" Amelia smirked, she wasn't necessarily being rude to the boy, she was merely jesting. There was also another boy, quite a bit older than Amelia standing with the crowd too. Amelia introduced herself, utterly curious to how this whole situation came about. "I'm Amelia by the way, Amelia Hexheart, who are you?" She queried with a grin.

[Alistair Bauldaugh]

It would have been very rude, but Alistair had the sudden urge to sniff the young Ravenclaw boy. George had never been aggressive toward him or Cerri when they were near the water’s edge. Why had it targeted this young lad? “Perhaps you upset him in some way.” It was very tempting to make an unfriendly comment toward the boy’s house, but he didn’t have any real reason to. “Or maybe he’s been lonely over the summer.” The poor monster. What kind of friends did he have down in the lake, Alistair wondered.

Where had he heard about a textbook going in the lake before? Alistair recalled a conversation with someone that had done so, last year. “I always thought of him more as a vegetarian. But perhaps I’m wrong. I wonder if he’ll eat homework too.” It was very difficult to document a water creature’s diet when you weren’t actually in the water watching him eat. And, since they hadn’t ruled out students as being on the menu, Alistair wasn’t keen on jumping on in, especially around meal times. Judging by the now flailing tentacle, George didn’t have much of an appetite for rocks though. Alistair made a note to write that down in the observation log when he got back to his dorm.

Another girl showed up, a first year. He remembered her from the sorting, something about her hair. Anyway, Alistair gave her a smile and gave one of his short, customary bows. “Alistair Bauldaugh, at your service.” Perhaps that wasn’t the wisest thing to say to a Slytherin, but she was new to the whole snake game. With any luck, she wouldn’t be a fully-fledged serpent for another two or three years. “It’s nice to meet you. Enjoying Hogwarts?” He sounded like some sort of tour guide and internally scoffed at himself.

[Amelia Hexheart]

The older boy replied first, he said his name was Alistair and Amelia was certain she had heard his name mentioned before around Hogwarts. His reply was a little... eccentric but he seemed nice enough. Amelia would never dare to act so odd around strangers but then her parents had raised her to be little miss social butterfly. They had trained her how to act in all situations but she felt herself letting go a little bit at Hogwarts, maybe she could finally give up some of her airs and graces. Amelia smirked at Alistair and replied, playing along. "Hello Alistair, the pleasures all mine really, and I’ll be sure to call upon your services if I ever require them, thank you.” Amelia chuckled softly, slightly curtseying back, amused by the boy, who also seemed very fascinated with the beast in the lake. "Yes, Hogwarts is, well, amazing, I really feel like I belong here, you know? Although the amount of homework is a little bit of a nightmare, I’ve never had so much work to avoid in my life!" Amelia joked. "So how long have you been at Hogwarts Alistair, and also, what is that thing in the lake, might I ask?" Amelia glanced at the creature with a look of disliking, she did not think she was much of an animal person, but then she didn't see herself as much of a people's person either until she came to Hogwarts. Maybe Hogwarts would be the making of her. Maybe.

[Alistair Bauldaugh]

Drat it all, she had taken him up on the offer. Now the poor boy was at her command whenever she demanded. Unless he said no, which he probably wouldn’t. Regardless, Amelia was very talkative for a Slytherin, but he again thought it might be because she only recently joined the snake pit. “Glad to hear it. The homework doesn’t actually improve, ever. But you get used to it and the subjects become more interesting. I suspect you’ve only learned how to make a feather float so far.” Really, first years didn’t get to have any fun at all.

“That would be George. He is our resident lake monster. Apparently he’s attracted to Ravenclaws. That, or first years.” Alistair was starting to sound like one of those sixth years that liked to tell scary stories to new students or lies to get them in trouble. Alistair wasn’t that sort of boy though, even if he suspected he could get a Slytherin in trouble for it. Then again, who would suspect him? A Hufflepuff tricking a Slytherin? It was unheard of… It was the perfect crime! Alistair lost himself for a moment thinking of what mayhem he could cause. He would have to tell Cerri about it later.

“Oh, and this is my third year at Hogwarts.” In that moment, he felt so much older. He brushed that thought aside before he got side tracked. Adelaine and Catnteris were still standing there and Alistair felt that he had left them out of the conversation. It was so difficult talking to this many people at once. He went to his failsafe topic.

“So, are any of you trying out for quidditch this year?”

[Adelaine Beaumont]

As Amelia hammered Alistair with questions and comments and Alistair answered, looking a bit fumbled, Adele looked back out at the vast lake. George the Squid currently seemed to be making a game of slapping a tentacle on the surface of the water to see how many ripples he could make. She looked to Cat and thought he looked awfully chilled, which made her shiver. She felt a bit sorry for the first year, seeing the grief he'd gotten so far for falling into the water. Thankfully, Alistair changed the subject and brought up the upcoming quidditch season.
"I've been considering trying out," she piped up a bit nervously. Flying on a broom wasn't her strongest point, but she wasn't so bad. She could keep her balance well and everything, but she wasn't too keen on the possibility of falling hundreds of feet. She loved the thrill of the game, which was all that really mattered to her. "If I do, I hope to make Beater."
She suddenly had the strange urge to jump in the lake, but decided she'd better not, as George seemed upset at not having gotten Cat. Instead, she took out her History of Magic book and threw it in the lake. She had gotten two copies before school, saving one precisely for this moment. Watching as George disappeared along with the book, she turned back to Alistair. "What about you? Plan on trying out?"

[Catnteris Scott]

Oh yes haha, Cat mused sourly. Let's all laugh at Cat, cause he got pulled it the water. Cat began to loose focus in the coversation, and began to watch the water and George. He seemed an interesting creature. Another girl joined the small gathering of students, and Alistair claimed that George must have a fetish for Ravenclaws or First years. Great. Just perfect.

The topic turned to Quidditch, and Cat's attitude changed for the better. Adelaine said she would like to be a beater. Huh. That was the one with the bat, right?

"I think it'd be interesting to try out." Cat said quietly. "I'm not sure what I'd do though. I'd have to see what I was best at." Cat shrugged.

[Amelia Hexheart]

"Oh no, floating feathers if far too advanced for us! Heavens no, someone might get jabbed in the eye or something, too dangerous. So far we've learnt Lumos and Stupefy. All tediously easy, unfortunately that doesn't stop teachers expecting essay upon essay on the subject." Amelia replied jokingly, her voice thick with sarcasm. "Well I look forward to the ever-growing mound of homework then."

Amelia laughed her tinkling laugh as Alistair explained about George the lake monster and his apparent liking for firsties and Ravenclaw's, referring to the sopping wet first year Ravenclaw boy. "I'll be sure to avoid George then." Amelia replied, shuddering as she caught sight of the things tentacles gliding through the lake. Alistar said he was a third year but Amelia felt their was no need to respond to this so she just nodded as he told her. There was no point exhausting the school conversation, it seemed as good as over.

The conversation turned towards Quidditch, which was lucky really because the Ravenclaw boy seemed quite fed up with talking about George and the monsters apparent fetish for him. Amelia understood this, she would have died of embarrassment if it were her in the boys place. Adele said she wanted to be a beater. The one with the bat, interesting. Maybe she had some pent up aggression she would like to let out? Amelia didn't pry however. The Ravenclaw said he'd like to try out but wouldn't know what to do, Amelia assumed this was the attitude of most first years thus far. They hadn't had many flying lessons but everyone had enjoyed them immensely and wanted the glory of being on their house team. Amelia however was different. "No I wont be trying out this year, I don't think, I may go along though. I want Slytherin to win and although I am a fine flyer there are more experienced people for the job at the moment. When I feel I can outfly them then I will join. I would be a seeker." Amelia said in a tone of absolute confidence. Amelia was 100% self-assured but she wasn't stupid. Her determination as of now was for Slytherin to win the house cup and her own determination to become a seeker had to come after this. You have to stand back from a situation and think hard before making your decisions. If for a second Amelia assumed she could outfly anyone decent at the tryouts she would be up on her broom before you could say Quidditch.

[Alistair Bauldaugh]

Alistair raised his eyebrows when he heart Adelaine’s reply, completely ignoring the fact that she had just thrown a very valuable text into the water. So far as he knew, girls only played chaser or seeker. Boys seemed to be more adept at beating. “Why is it that you want to play beater?” Truthfully it was baffling to him. “I think I want to be a chaser myself.” He had spent the last several weeks contemplating the pros and cons of each position, and that was the one he was set on; even if his father had bought him his new broom in the hopes that his son would be a seeker.

“You should give it a try,” Alistair said encouragingly. “The worst that can happen is they say to try again next year.” Really, the worst thing that could happen is the poor boy flying out of control and landing in the lake again, but Alistair suspected Cat didn’t want to hear any more about his tentacle friend.

Amelia seemed rather sure of herself, which scared Alistair a bit. If she thought she was good, but that the other Slytherins were better, perhaps the Hufflepuff would have trouble this year after all. Naturally, Alistair deflected the very notion. “You should join then. Outflying the older Slytherins is easy, I saw the Hufflepuffs do it last year.” Yes, that was the answer, to be a cheeky older boy. He smirked at the Slytherin, but the twinkle in his eye gave away the fact that he wasn’t trying to cause a fight. Hopefully she could see that.

[Adelaine Beaumont]

Adele smiled a bit sheepishly at the bewildered looks from the other students. She really had no idea why she wanted to be a beater, it just interested her. Her father had actually encouraged her to go for either the beater or seeker positions. He said they "build character."
"I figure it's probably a good outlet for extra energy," she stated, though it was almost like she was questioning it herself.
She then turned to Amelia, who had said she'd be a seeker. Not that she wanted to be a seeker; she would be a seeker. Her overall confidence in herself bothered Adelaine quite a bit, and somewhat had her hoping that she would have to mind the goalposts rather than catch the snitch when she tried out for the Slytherin team.
"Well, if you're that positive you'd make seeker, why not try out?" she pushed, dying to hear the girl admit she knew she couldn't make it.
She turned back toward Cat, who wasn't looking quite so chilled anymore. The conversation about quidditch seemed to make him uneasy. She remembered their conversation at the beginning of the year feast about trying out; he had said he didn't like flying. There was really no way to get over the fear of it but practicing. It helped Adelaine, and she was sure it'd help him.
"You ought to try, or at least just go and watch the tryouts," she said convincingly. "They're always fun to see, and perhaps you could run out onto the field if you're interested."

Edited by Adelaine Beaumont, 06 September 2011 - 10:25 AM.

[Amelia Hexheart]

Adele seemed bothered by Amelia's confidence, it was obvious. Amelia shrugged internally, most people usually were, it made Amelia feel sorry for them, not only did they clearly not have the confidence in themselves they didn't like seeing it in others. What was wrong in believing in yourself and what did it matter to others? She wasn't harming anyone. "Like I said, there are better people for the job, I will try out once I know i'm the best. I also didn't mean I was positive I would make seeker I meant that would be the only position I would bother trying for."Amelia explained.

Amelia simply laughed at Alistair's remark about the Slytherin team. His actions made it clear he wasn't trying to start a fight or be really rude, it was just house banter, Amelia could take a joke, she was confident the Slytherins would triumph at the end of the school year so what did it matter?

[Professor Wulfram N. Hart]

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