A Simple Stroll (Invitation Only)

by **Tess McCartney** Mon Feb 20, 2012 9:31 am

The Black Lake was beautiful this time of year. She loved having time to herself to simply throw her books to the side and enjoy nature a bit more. She always liked the Black Lake, always found herself calmed by the serene atmosphere. She didn't mind the silence here at all.

Immediately after potions she had changed into a pair of shorts and a long sleeved shirt and ran out of her dorm without even telling Tabi where she was headed. (Not that Tabi minded because she was with Ivano).

Currently she had nothing to carry, except her broom. She figured if she was going to try out of Quidditch she was going to need to practice. Straddling her broom, she shot up towards the sky and began to fly over the lake. She loved feeling the cold breeze running through her hair and on her face, chilling up any part that the wind nipped.

by **Xander Clarke** Mon Feb 20, 2012 10:08 am

Xander was happy to have time to himself for once. It seemed like classes were never ending and he just wanted some peace and quiet. He grabbed some books on potions that he had brought with him to school and headed down to the Black Lake.

Finding a nice tree far enough away from the lake edge not to have to worry about what lived there, yet close enough to hear the water move, he sat down and opened a book.

After what felt like an hour he heard a strange wooshing sound. He looked up and saw someone flying by on a broom. He shook his head. Not that he didn't enjoy a broom ride now and again, but it seemed like a very frivolous thing to do when there were things to be studying.

Quite the little nerd I've turned out to be. What happened to the romantic little git? He sighed. Maybe that was never really who he was.

by **Tess McCartney** Mon Feb 20, 2012 10:17 am

Tess laughed brightly doing random swoops. There was a clear reason why she found that flying was her thing: it came naturally to her. She didn't have to open a book and read about it, she didn't have to try to be better, she just knew what to do.

Swooping down, she leaned down carefully and ran her fingers through the cold lake. The water was so cold, but perfect because it made everything seem so real. In her enjoyment she had failed to see that she was reaching shore. Her speed was excelling because of her body position and being on her new Firebolt, it was ridiculously fast. She lifted her head immediately and noticed a person there. She didn't know who it was because at the speed she was going, the person looked more like a blur.

"Watch it!" she cried out.

She closed her eyes and pulled up immediately not wanting to hit them. Feeling a bit dizzy after all that and her heartbeat beating against her ears, she decided that perhaps it was better if she stopped. A few feet away she swooped down and ran over towards the person, wondering if she hurt them.

"I'm so sorry!" she cried out before she could even notice who it was.

by **Xander Clarke** Mon Feb 20, 2012 11:13 am

Xander was taken aback by the speed of the flyer. When he saw the...girl?...hurtling towards him he dropped his book and dove sideways to get out of the way.

He heard her yell something right before she dismounted. He stood up, dusting off his cloths, and turned to yell at the stupid git that disturbed him.

"What the bloody hell...oh." He finally realized it was Tess. He suddenly lost his anger and he smiled. "Having a little romp around the lake, are we?"

by **Tess McCartney** Mon Feb 20, 2012 11:18 am

Tess stopped apologizing as soon as she saw who it was. She gripped her broom tighter and wrung her hands around it in apology.

"I'm so sorry" she said embarrassed.

Oh dear, why did she have to be so clumsy sometimes. She had the worst timing sometimes.

"No. Oh by Merlin, I'm so sorry Xander. I didn't even....it was going so fast...you didn't move out of the way fast enough" she was trailing off embarrassed. "Did you get hurt?"

She hoped he wasn't, because if he did well she'd feel all the more terrible. His smile didn't say that he was hurt, but she did feel as if she nearly injured him.

by **Xander Clarke** Mon Feb 20, 2012 11:33 am

"No harm no foul." He spread his arms to show that he wasn't harmed. He wasn't quite happy about the grass stains on his uniform now, but he could live with it. He was actually happy to see her...until he saw where his book had landed.

In the Black Lake. He ran to it and grabbed it out, holding it by the corner. It had been passed down through his family and he'd read it over ten times.

Xander knew Tess didn't mean to, but it almost physically hurt to see the book ruined. He pulled off his robe and vest, wrapping the book gingerly in the vest before putting the robe back on.

"I'm gonna go." He muttered. Turning to go back inside.

by **Tess McCartney** Mon Feb 20, 2012 11:40 am

Her eyes softened and she felt like as if he had hurt her. Oh she messed up terribly. She dropped her broom to the side and walked towards him trying not to mess up. The book was wet, oh no, he looked as if he had been hurt by her clumsiness. She loved books and seeing him act like this it showed her that the book was more than just a book to him.

"I can fix it!" she called out nervously. "I-I know a charm to fix it!"

She felt terribly; perhaps if she fixed it, she wouldn't feel so guilty and he might be better. Then he could go on his merry way.

by **Xander Clarke** Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:20 pm

Xander's eyes brightened. He hadn't learned a spell to do that yet, at least to dry books. He really hoped she could fix it.

"Sure, if you think you can..." He brought out the book and held it out to her. It wasn't so much that the book was rare. It could probably be found in the library and in Diagon Alley, but it was his.

by **Tess McCartney** Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:26 pm

Tess let out a sigh of relief and nodded excitedly. Looking into her coat, she found her wand and took it out. Picking up the wet book trying to hide her disgust, she waved her wand.

"Exaresco" she said clearly.

The book floated and the liquid slid out of the book and made a small trail towards her wand. Flicking her wand towards the lake, caused the strand of water to return to it's place. Smiled satisfactory she made sure it was as clean as possible.

"Almost done" she said.

Sticking her tongue out, she thought of the new spell she had read, she knew it was a third year charm, but she'd want to try it.

"Scourgify!"

The book was immediately clean and returned to her hand. And with a triumphant smile she picked up the book and handed it to him.

"Better?" she asked tentatively.

She hoped it was, she was just messing up around him today and she felt she needed to fix it. She didn't want to dwell as to why so she ignored it.

by **Xander Clarke** Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:57 pm

Xander sighed in relief. "Thanks," he said, taking back the book.

He really was grateful she was able to fix it. But that feeling alone was making him uncomfortable. He wasn't used to people doing things for him, and for unclear reasons or motives.

He went on the defense. "So what else to you do on your off time besides trampling people with a broom?" He added his usual smirk, but it wasn't as confident as usual.

by **Tess McCartney** Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:26 pm

Relief coursed through her and she found herself smiling brightly at his comment.

"You're welcome" she whispered.

She pulled a strand of hair away from her face and took a sigh of relief. That all ended as she heard his very last comment.

Why did he have to act like this?! They were doing so well, but when he riled her up, she felt herself ready to fight back. She didn't know if he was joking around or angry, so she reacted in the best way that she could, she took it and got defensive. She placed her hand on her hips and glared.

"I don't trample people with my broom, but if I did I'm glad I nearly trampled you." she said stomping her foot "You should have fallen on that lake and not that book of yours!" she hissed.

by **Xander Clarke** Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:58 pm

Merlin, that was a bad idea.

"Merlin, that was a bad idea. I meant it as a joke, Tess. Don't you know when I'm kidding with you?"

Then it crossed his mind...maybe she didn't. He had grown up around sarcasm his whole life, having to read underneath what people were saying to what they meant. Maybe she hadn't had the same experience.

by **Tess McCartney** Mon Feb 20, 2012 2:14 pm

Tess felt her whole face flush and she let her hair cover her reddening face. She never knew with him! She didn't know if he was fickle or if he was joking around! She decided that perhaps talking to boys was much more complicated than she once thought.

"I-I'm sorry" she gushed out.

Why is it that that's all I am saying?! she screamed inwardly.

"I never know with you!" she said embarrassed.

She covered her face and begged Merlin her cheeks would cool down. Why was she so red?!

"I'm such an idiot, you just confuse me." she murmured not thinking he heard.

by **Xander Clarke** Mon Feb 20, 2012 3:00 pm

He felt like his stomach was doing somersaults. He felt the same with her. Never really knowing how she would react. A part of him couldn't help provoking her, while his other side didn't want to do anything to anger her.

He stepped towards her and pushed her hair behind her ear. "You confuse me too. I'm not used to someone with so much...spirit. I'm sorry, I'm really bad at this." And he meant it.

Tess made him feel like there was more to him than the cocky grin and spiteful remarks. Oddly, it was her reaction to those very things that made him want to change. For her.

by **Tess McCartney** Mon Feb 20, 2012 3:07 pm

Tess forced herself not to jump as she felt his hand on her.

Breathe damn it breathe She thought mortified.

She lifted her gaze and looked at him shyly. Without meaning to an amused smile appeared on her face and she giggled slightly.

"Spirit?" she said smiling. "Well...I guess you have too much spirit too"

She looked away and took in a long breathe to cool her cheeks down.She didn't understand what was going on. Her mind was working fast trying to give a certain title as to what this is. She never really cared what her friends thought of her, but this time she cared what he thought and that bothered her more than anything.

"We need to stop saying sorry" she said with a hint of amusement. "We're a right mess"

by **Xander Clarke** Mon Feb 20, 2012 3:18 pm

Xander smiled a lazy grin, seeing that he wasn't the only one affected by this...whatever it was. The sky was getting darker, dinner would be soon.

"We should probably go inside, don't want to miss that pumpkin juice." She gave her a lazy grin. He silently thanked Merlin that they were in the same house and could sit at the same table.

He leaned in to whisper, "That was a joke."

Moving to take her hand, but doing so lightly so she could choose to decline, he started up towards the castle.

by **Tess McCartney** Mon Feb 20, 2012 3:33 pm

Seeing him grin made Tess a little more calm. She could deal with that grin and she gave him a thousand watt smile in return.

"Wouldn't want that" she murmured teasingly.

She felt her cheeks redden though, once he leaned closer, and whispered in her ear.

"That was a joke."

She bit her bottom lip in nervousness that soon turned to aloofness....or as close as you get to aloof with pink cheeks.

"Got it" she whispered back and bent down to pick up her broom.

She noticed that he was bold, taking her hand, but lightly as if he was trying it out, or if he was nervous. Either way she didn't mind, she squeezed his hand lightly.

"Lead the way"