A Morning Stroll

[Horst Sollmann]

Horst Sollmann went to the Black Lake at precisely 9:30 a.m. on the dot. It was an old tradition of his since being a student at Hogwarts to start his day by reading by the Black Lake. Now, since he has returned as a teacher he has decided to pick up his old habit. He cracked open his well-worn copy of his favorite book, the book was The Odyssey by: Homer. It told the story of a man named Odysseus, who after fighting in the Trojan War attempts to return home only to be hindered again and again by the gods, goddesses, and titans of the realm. He sets sail after the trojan war and fights his way through many difficult battles, including finding his way into and out of Hades. What Horst loved about his book is the minutest detail could be seen in the book. It captured your imagination and painted in vivid details precisely what was happening. More than any other book, The Odyssey captured his imagination and it felt very real to him.

Another reason he was there at the Black Lake this morning was to meet his new friend Sofia Slytherin, the Divination and Astronomy Professor. They had got to talking in the Professor's Carriage on the train ride to Hogwarts, and they got along splendidly. Horst still missed his family. But he was already beginning to make new friends at Hogwarts that he knew would be family to him by the end of the year.

Before Horst Sollmann had gone down to the Black Lake. He went to the owlery to check to see if Sofia had responded to the owl he sent last night. To his delight she had. He had invited her to go with him to the Hogwarts Ball since his wife must stay home and take care of their seven year old son. The message included a description of the silver dress robes he would be wearing and how she was as of yet his only friend at Hogwarts. He had been acquainted with the Headmistress before this term, but her husband had claim on her so Sofia was his only choice. And he would have asked her to accompany him either way.

Just then his ears picked up the sound of a twig snapping. Though he was beginning to feel older and older his hearing was still excellent. Marking his place in The Odyssey with a bookmark of an abstract piece of art that somewhat resembled a tambourine with a pole through the middle, he set his book down and turned towards her. "Good morning, Lady Slytherin. I trust you had a wonderful sleep last night and our well rested for our little gathering tonight. Remember to bring those pumpkin pasties. Also I am very glad to hear you will be accompanying myself to the Hogwarts Ball. I decided to refrain from sending you an owl since we were meeting rather shortly after I checked the owlery and read yours. It is a beautiful morning, isn't it?" he asked her.

And that was precisely what it was, a beautiful morning. Not even the worst cynic in the world could describe it as anything less. The sunrise this morning had painted the sky with a pink and orange pattern that resembled a ship drawing out of a harbor. Then as the morning went on, it went from faintly cool to very comfortable at seventy-five degrees. There was a slight breeze that had cleared the majority of the clouds from the sky, yet there were still a few clouds to lay down and imagine as ships, dragons, thestrals, hippogriffs, and any other animal you could think of. One of the best mornings Horst Sollmann had witnessed in a very long while.

[Sofia Slytherin]

Sofia had awoke this morning from a refreshing nights sleep. It had been a long time since she could remember. She was suppose to meet her new friend Horst down by the black lake this morning.

Sofia looked all over her bookshelf trying to decide what book to bring down with her. She had decided on a new set of favorites. It was along the line of Vampires. It was a book series entitled Vampirates by an author by the name of Justin Somper. She had read thru the series once but the final installment had come out so she decided to re-read them to reacquaint herself with the story.

Sofia began he long walk down to the Black lake where she was sure Horst would be waiting for her. He seemed to be the one who would always be on time.

When Sofia got to the lake she heard "Good morning, Lady Slytherin. how had he even of heard her. She was always so quiet.

"Good morning to you Sir Horst, and thank you for the invite to the ball. Seeing is your invitation was the only one received I saw no reason to say no. Why sit alone in the tower all night when I can be on the arm of such a gentleman."

Sofia sat down next to him with her book in her hand. She looked over and noticed that he was reading The Odyssey, it had been years since she read that book.

"Wow I have not read that book in years, it was one of my favorites. Smiled Sofia

Sofia could not help but look out at the sun over the Black Lake, it was such a serene view it was almost breathtaking. When Sofia would come out here it would always be late in the evening before curfew when she thought it was the quietest.

"So I hope I have not kept you waiting long."

[Horst Sollmann]

"My intention was to arrive early so I could read some of this splendid epic by Homer in peace before our walk. You see, this is my absolute favorite novel. The epic of Odysseus has great and vivid detail, a surprising plot, and enough battles to get your blood boiling. I have read this copy at least eight times. It is well worn and I have commented all over the pages. My favorite sections are so filled with my comments and ideas of what could have happened you can barely distinguish the margins from the official ink of the text. Did you know that Odysseus tricked a cyclops by claiming to be a person named Nobody who was invisible. The cyclops' eyesight was badly damaged and he fell for the ruse. Truly an ingenious passage and my favorite part in the entire book." he said and let the laugh out loud at the thought.

"Ah, imagination; such a wonderful gift given to us mortals. In my opinion it is the most powerful part of us. Far more important than physical strength, humor, or sheer memorized facts. The people with active imaginations are quick-witted, resourceful, and joys to be around. At leas that is what I have noticed over the years. That is why I try and begin every day by reading a passage of a book that provokes thought. Whether it provokes a moral debate in my brain, or simply causes me to imagine mythical creatures like this book here by Homer. The days that I don't read to start my brain going are always less productive, and not as enjoyable." he explained to Professor Slytherin. He then stood up, and put his book in the deep left pocket of his wizard robes.

"Ready for a walk, Lady Sofia?" he asked her. "I have a path planned out for us. Just walk right next to me and tell me what your plans are for your students this year." he stated. Horst Sollmann began walking toward the most special spot in all of Hogwarts for him. The boathouse that is on the lake. It was visible, but just barely because of the sun's reflection across the smooth surface of the Black Lake.

[Sofia Slytherin]

Sofia stood next to Horst as they began their walk. She was wondering where they were going. There were so many beautiful places along any route around the castle.

Horst wanted to knwo what she had planned for her students.

"Well in Astronomy we have started the class learning about the Zodiacs, currently their assignment is to discover what they can about the 13th Zodiac that has casued so much controversy. You know like why it should be a new sign and why it shouldn't be." Sofia smiled at the thought. She had been in many heated dicussions over that topic.

"As for divination, I think I am going to start the class out finding out what they really want to know. I want to try to discourage people thinking it is a mindless class, and not worth anything."

"So how are things going for you in the library, I see you have already had problems with one set of twins."

[Horst Sollmann]

"Yes, the Prewett Twins have been causing problems. Leshia was coming to a study session when Tabitha stepped in her way and started arguing with her. Soon the dispute started to escalate and before long they were threatening each other, practically yelling, and most dangerous of all, Leshia drew her wand. Honestly I was surprised Leshia was the first to draw a wand, I woud have assumed it would be Tabitha. I lectured both of them and sent them to their house common rooms. Also sent owls to their heads of houses and told both Leshia and Tabitha to either attend our event or come to a detention in the library. We shall see what they decide to do." he explained all this to her with a tone of deep sadness in his voice.

"It pains me so to see arguments, especially between family members, and most specifically hurts when the sacred silence of the Library is disrupted by ignorant people. Don't they understand how valuabe a library is, and that for the mind fo function at its best it requires peace and silence. Both of which were violated by those irritating twins." Horst spoke passionatey about his library and why the rules of silence and peace were there. There was a fire in his eyes that was rarely seen from them. Yes, though Horst Sollmann was slow to anger, when his wrath was stirred it completey consumed him and was like a tempest in its quickness and an earthquake in its devastating power.

"Please, change the subject before I start to get more upset Sofia." he said.

[Sofia Slytherin]

Sofia would be glad to change the subject, it was obvious that talking about the twins was upsetting him, but what to talk about. He had already asked her a million questions what else was there for him to know.

Sofia decided to share with Horst some of her memories that she had.

"Down there by the black lake I remember a time when a Ravenclaw was running from a Hufflepuff and they fell into the lake." She smiled at the memory

"Over there by the gamekeepers hut is where Tommy Jones stole a kiss, and then I broke his nose." Sofia could not help but laugh as she remembered the look on his face. "I lost 100 points for that and had detention for a month, but it was so worth it."

Sofia could not help but feel content with the moment "I didn't realize how much I missed this place until now."

"So what kind of funny memories do you have?

[Horst Sollmann]

"Really? You broke a boy's nose for snogging you. Seems a little harsh, don't you think. I mean, I knew you weren't afraid to stand up for yourself. But I had never imagined you had brokeny anybody's nose." he told her.

"As for funny stories, there is one particular story that is always useful, and quite funny as well. Why, it was the gossip of Hogwarts for a full week, until somebody was sent to the hospital wing with a broken nose. It was a Ravenclaw, I believe. That story spread like wildfire and most people forgot about it though not the Hufflepuff House or the the Quidditch teams. I can't help wondering if that Ravenclaw boy sent to the hospital with a broken nose was put there by you, Lady Sofia. Was he?" he asked her.

"Back to my funny story. While I was dressing in the Quidditch Locker Room the gir I fancied came in while I had my trousers down. I was in the process of pulling them up. She simply shrugged it off, and said she had seen a boy with his pants down before. Do you know who that student is now? I don't expect you do. Well, Humphrey, she is my wife. That embarrassing moment did not harm our friendship in the slightest, and is an excellent story. To this very day I still tell it when the occasion arises." he said with a chuckle.

[Sofia Slytherin]

Sofia had to laugh a little when he said he could not imagine her braking someones nose, or that it was a little harsh.

"I broke his nose because I had told him to leave me alone. Besides I fixed it after I broke it, I just didn't clean up the mess."

Sofia listened to the story on how he meet his wife and she thought it was really sweet. "I can't remember a time when I walked in on a boy with his pants down by accident anyways."

Walking a little bit further. "So Horst where are you leading me on this fine day?"

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