Calming the Waves

[Airen Auditoren]

Airen calmly walked around the Black Lake. He hadn't been outside much since the ambush, so he felt he owed it to himself to go out and enjoy life. Summer was coming, and thus, the sun was out. The sky had clouds that varied in shapes and sizes. There was a lovely breeze that blew in his face.

He walked until he got to the tree that bared witness to memories beyond his time. He climbed it to the lowest branch. He stood on it and leaned against the trunk of the tree. Breathing deeply, he looked out over the Black Lake. He thought through all the events of the night of the ball. From the drama with Humphrey, to he and Charlotte agreeing to wait until they were older to date. From the first cries of the Inferi, to scrubbing the rune on Charlotte's painting.

Airen knew that life would only get harder, but he always knew to count his blessings as well. He was thankful that the future was never certain. He hoped he could maybe, one day, find a way to prolong Charlotte's life without turning to dark means. He truly wanted her to live to a ripe old age, (with him if she deemed him worthy) and he wanted her father to know that she'd be safe.

Sighing, Airen leaned his head on the tree and was content to let the wind blow among the branches.

[Parker Emery]

After the overwhelming events that had taken place, Parker knew he needed some fresh air and time to think. Outside and alone. He'd never had any life threatening events take place before he had come to Hogwarts and counting the whole incident at the ball he'd already had two so far. His robes billowed behind him as he made his way from the castle to the Black Lake. He knew he shouldn't have gone there, especially alone after what happened the last time. But he didn't plan to wade around in the water this time.

As he walked to the lake he could only imagine what the coming years would bring. The trauma he'd endured, changed something in him, he felt it, and he had a feeling things could only get worse. He knew there must be a war, for whatever reasons which weren't given to him. It was terrifying. He didn't want to ever be a part of something so terrible, especially at this age, which affected him so terribly.

Parker sat in a patch of grass near the edge of the lake, under some trees, looking out and thinking, his hair, having grown a bit longer since the start of the year, blowing in the wind. Even though before the ball he'd been coming out of his shell a bit, he felt himself receding back, as in mental preparation for when he went home. Boredom and bullies was all he had to look forward to over the summer. He at one time wished he could just stay here for the summer, but after the attack, he didn't feel safe here anymore. No where was safe.