Grounds: The Boathouse

[Wilber Winterbottom]

Image Credit: Felixir

Every 1st September, new first years arrive at Hogwarts via boat, traveling from the outskirts of Hogsmeade, across the lake, and into the boathouse. This structure stands, logically enough, at the edge of the lake, and can be reached via a pathway from the courtyard, consisting of a long and winding stairway down the cliff face. A hidden passageway accessible from the inside of the boathouse leads up through the cliff itself, and emerges onto a patch of lawn which lies in the shadow of the castle.

All of the Hogwarts boats are stored here when not in use. You are free to take them out onto the lake, as long as you have permission from the groundskeeper to do so. Everything you might need for a trip out in the boats is hanging up around the walls, including oars and life jackets. Be sure to put everything back where you found it once you're done with it. Including - and especially - the boats themselves.

[sweetpinkpixie]

Thanks to the efforts of Logan and Ezra, Anna knew that she would not drown in the shallow parts of the lack near the dock and boathouse. Still did not mean that she was ready to go diving into deeper waters and try to keep up with the grindylows and merpeople, but she was confident that she would no longer sink to the bottom and could at least orientate herself to the surface and hold her head above water where her feet could not touch the bottom.

And, truth be told, she DID really want to try and swim with the grindylows and merpeople but that would be a dream to accomplish another day.

Shoes off and feet dangling over the edge of the dock within the boathouse itself, Anna lightly traced her pointed toes over the surface of the water and enjoyed the lake's cool caress. It really was the perfect little view, the way that the front side of the boathouse opened up to the lake itself and almost created a sort of frame around the scene. She wasn't so sure about taking a boat out onto the lake today, though she wouldn't be opposed to it either, but actually had another thought in mind as was indicated by the little beaded bag situated just off to her left. Now she just needed to wait for one of her heroic Gryffindor swimming instructors to arrive and help her out - AND she had brought some peanut butter snacks!

[AlwaysSnapesGirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Thanks to the efforts of Logan and Ezra, Anna knew that she would not drown in the shallow parts of the lack near the dock and boathouse. Still did not mean that she was ready to go diving into deeper waters and try to keep up with the grindylows and merpeople, but she was confident that she would no longer sink to the bottom and could at least orientate herself to the surface and hold her head above water where her feet could not touch the bottom.

And, truth be told, she DID really want to try and swim with the grindylows and merpeople but that would be a dream to accomplish another day.

Shoes off and feet dangling over the edge of the dock within the boathouse itself, Anna lightly traced her pointed toes over the surface of the water and enjoyed the lake's cool caress. It really was the perfect little view, the way that the front side of the boathouse opened up to the lake itself and almost created a sort of frame around the scene. She wasn't so sure about taking a boat out onto the lake today, though she wouldn't be opposed to it either, but actually had another thought in mind as was indicated by the little beaded bag situated just off to her left. Now she just needed to wait for one of her heroic Gryffindor swimming instructors to arrive and help her out - AND she had brought some peanut butter snacks!

Even though that one time at the boathouse had worked out okay, Ezra was still a little bit wary about hanging around here. He really didn't want a repeat of that. Logan had done most of the saving anyway, and even though the often impulsive Ezra was confident he could help more this time, he didn't actually want to find out.

So, hopefully sticking to the dry land today. And also not falling on his face down the stairs.

Upon successfully reaching the boathouse, he immediately spotted her on the dock, her feet in the water. Well...maybe a little water was okay. So long as they didn't fall in. So he kicked off his shoes and socks, stuffed his socks into his shoes, and left them there where the dock met the shore.

"Fancy seeing you here," he said with a grin, taking a seat beside her and letting his feet down into the cool water.

[sweetpinkpixie]

Not to worry! No plans to swim today and Anna had even reminded herself not to tempt fake by walking along the edge as if it were a balance beam either - everyone knew she did not have the best balance to begin with so best not play with fire. Which was, unironically, not something she was good at doing either and had burnt the tips of her fingers putting out candles. The gentle, but sturdy, creak of the dock was the first indication that she was no longer alone and the confirmation with the comforting voice that followed tickled her cheeks into lifting her lips into the brightest of smiles. "Perhaps I should have dressed up more," she laughed while fluffing her curls a bit with her hands and pointing her toes as she stretched her legs forward. Obviously the next reasonable motion was to slip her arm through his, rest her hand over his, and scoot just a bit closer to him while still enjoying the way the light danced over the water akin to little light sprites. "Thanks for coming. I brought snacks and a kind-of activity I was hoping you could help me with," she explained while lowering her legs down and toes dipped back into the water when a parallel thought crossed her mind and simply had to be voiced before giving him further details about what she had planned. "Hey...do you think the lake has those Dr. Kiss Fish in them?"

[AlwaysSnapesGirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Not to worry! No plans to swim today and Anna had even reminded herself not to tempt fake by walking along the edge as if it were a balance beam either - everyone knew she did not have the best balance to begin with so best not play with fire. Which was, unironically, not something she was good at doing either and had burnt the tips of her fingers putting out candles. The gentle, but sturdy, creak of the dock was the first indication that she was no longer alone and the confirmation with the comforting voice that followed tickled her cheeks into lifting her lips into the brightest of smiles. "Perhaps I should have dressed up more," she laughed while fluffing her curls a bit with her hands and pointing her toes as she stretched her legs forward. Obviously the next reasonable motion was to slip her arm through his, rest her hand over his, and scoot just a bit closer to him while still enjoying the way the light danced over the water akin to little light sprites. "Thanks for coming. I brought snacks and a kind-of activity I was hoping you could help me with," she explained while lowering her legs down and toes dipped back into the water when a parallel thought crossed her mind and simply had to be voiced before giving him further details about what she had planned. "Hey...do you think the lake has those Dr. Kiss Fish in them?"

Dressed up? He wasn't certain what she meant. Should he have dressed up more too, even though they were hanging out near the lake? Or maybe he should've dressed down with shorter trousers or something, considering the ends of his trouser legs were getting wet with his feet in the water. He could have rolled them up beforehand (and his mum probably would've told him to), but he didn't mind. He'd just throw them in the laundry later and they'd be good as new. "Nah, I think you look great." But that was always the case. And everything was even better when her hand was on his.

The snacks and the activity were intriguing, but before Ezra could ask for more info...the conversation took a turn. And that turn led his thoughts into a different turn.

Ever since the spin the bottle game at the beginning of term, and especially after he and Bronwen had kissed, he'd had...a lot of thoughts. A multitude of confusing thoughts. And one of those thoughts included...what would it be like to kiss Anna?

Sitting so close together like this... he...

Uh.

He forced himself to look out at the water and managed to respond, "The...uh, the what fish?"

[sweetpinkpixie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlwaysSnapesGirl

Dressed up? He wasn't certain what she meant. Should he have dressed up more too, even though they were hanging out near the lake? Or maybe he should've dressed down with shorter trousers or something, considering the ends of his trouser legs were getting wet with his feet in the water. He could have rolled them up beforehand (and his mum probably would've told him to), but he didn't mind. He'd just throw them in the laundry later and they'd be good as new. "Nah, I think you look great." But that was always the case. And everything was even better when her hand was on his.

The snacks and the activity were intriguing, but before Ezra could ask for more info...the conversation took a turn. And that turn led his thoughts into a different turn.

Ever since the spin the bottle game at the beginning of term, and especially after he and Bronwen had kissed, he'd had...a lot of thoughts. A multitude of confusing thoughts. And one of those thoughts included...what would it be like to kiss Anna?

Sitting so close together like this... he...

Uh.

He forced himself to look out at the water and managed to respond, "The...uh, the what fish?"

Whether he understood her humor regarding the expression of 'fancy' was rather inconsequential in light of his compliment. Words that brightened her smile and added to the twinkles in her eye. "And you are exceedingly kind." And wearing that handsome smile that truly suited him. Not that he ever needed to pretend to be happy around her all the time and not allowed to feel other feelings - she could tell when his smile wasn't reaching his eyes - but it always gave her the good sort of tingles when he worse THAT smile. A smile was affection winking at you, after all! Or so she had read somewhere the other day. "AND I appreciate you tremendously."

Continuing to swing her legs lightly, toes painting the surface of the water below with chaotic ripples, Anna searched for any traces of aquatic life that may have been inspired to come greet since their gentle disturbances to the water's surface. As such, she was oblivious to any changes to his posture or any nervous darting of the eyes or blinking, perhaps a silent gulp of air while swallowing back his thoughts...though maybe there was a slight twitch and tightening of his fingers that were woven together with hers. Never would it have ever crossed her mind that anyooooone would think such thoughts about her either and thus she charged forward in her naive ignorance. "Dr. Kiss Fish," she repeated while giving the water as much of a kick as she could with her toes...which was not the best of ideas since she did slip a little bit but thankfully was easily able to catch herself by her free hand and gripping his more securely. Not to worry, no slipping in here and no more kicking! "Supposed to feel really nice but also can tickle a little," she explained while slightly repositioning herself and peeking up at him with a dreamy sort of look about her doe eyes. "And after...you feel rejuvenated and reinvigorated...and a little like someone has cast a Featherlight Charm on your feet."

[AlwaysSnapesGirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Whether he understood her humor regarding the expression of 'fancy' was rather inconsequential in light of his compliment. Words that brightened her smile and added to the twinkles in her eye. "And you are exceedingly kind." And wearing that handsome smile that truly suited him. Not that he ever needed to pretend to be happy around her all the time and not allowed to feel other feelings - she could tell when his smile wasn't reaching his eyes - but it always gave her the good sort of tingles when he worse THAT smile. A smile was affection winking at you, after all! Or so she had read somewhere the other day. "AND I appreciate you tremendously."

Continuing to swing her legs lightly, toes painting the surface of the water below with chaotic ripples, Anna searched for any traces of aquatic life that may have been inspired to come greet since their gentle disturbances to the water's surface. As such, she was oblivious to any changes to his posture or any nervous darting of the eyes or blinking, perhaps a silent gulp of air while swallowing back his thoughts...though maybe there was a slight twitch and tightening of his fingers that were woven together with hers. Never would it have ever crossed her mind that anyooooone would think such thoughts about her either and thus she charged forward in her naive ignorance. "Dr. Kiss Fish," she repeated while giving the water as much of a kick as she could with her toes...which was not the best of ideas since she did slip a little bit but thankfully was easily able to catch herself by her free hand and gripping his more securely. Not to worry, no slipping in here and no more kicking! "Supposed to feel really nice but also can tickle a little," she explained while slightly repositioning herself and peeking up at him with a dreamy sort of look about her doe eyes. "And after...you feel rejuvenated and reinvigorated...and a little like someone has cast a Featherlight Charm on your feet."

The joke had indeed gone over his head. If he'd made the connection, he probably would have chuckled at her humor. But it was fine since his comment got her to smile like that, so maybe missing the joke was worth it. Ezra smiled at her kind words in turn, though the change in topic of conversation, and the turn his thoughts had taken, took most of his focus from dwelling on it now.

His eyes were still on the water until he felt a spike of panic when Anna wobbled suddenly, and he gripped her hand tighter. Thankfully, she did not fall in this time, but Merlin... Maybe they were tempting fate sitting on the docks like this, but...he did like sitting here with her. So long as she didn't kick the water like that again, hopefully they'd be okay.

Her explanation of the fish didn't fully click in his mind until she mentioned the feet. Oh! Now he finally understood. He was pretty sure he'd seen a video before about people sticking their feet in a tank of fish. He'd never heard it called that before - actually, he didn't know what the real term for it was anyway - but at least they were on the same wavelength now. "Oh, I see. I've never seen them in the lake before. But the lake's pretty big, so I guess they could be." Would they be near the surface if they were? He had no idea.

[sweetpinkpixie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlwaysSnapesGirl

The joke had indeed gone over his head. If he'd made the connection, he probably would have chuckled at her humor. But it was fine since his comment got her to smile like that, so maybe missing the joke was worth it. Ezra smiled at her kind words in turn, though the change in topic of conversation, and the turn his thoughts had taken, took most of his focus from dwelling on it now.

His eyes were still on the water until he felt a spike of panic when Anna wobbled suddenly, and he gripped her hand tighter. Thankfully, she did not fall in this time, but Merlin... Maybe they were tempting fate sitting on the docks like this, but...he did like sitting here with her. So long as she didn't kick the water like that again, hopefully they'd be okay.

Her explanation of the fish didn't fully click in his mind until she mentioned the feet. Oh! Now he finally understood. He was pretty sure he'd seen a video before about people sticking their feet in a tank of fish. He'd never heard it called that before - actually, he didn't know what the real term for it was anyway - but at least they were on the same wavelength now. "Oh, I see. I've never seen them in the lake before. But the lake's pretty big, so I guess they could be." Would they be near the surface if they were? He had no idea.

She was OKAY! Promise. Balance restore and her hand now positioned even more snuggly within his, Anna resumed LIGHTLY swinging her feet and skipping just the tips of her toes over the surface of the water. The cool water was a pleasant juxtaposition to the warmth rippling out from her palm nestled against Ezra's.

"I haven't either," she nodded. "Though...just because you've never seen something somewhere doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't exist." A sentiment that had become an intimate of mantra for the sixteen year old recently and, almost, had her reconsidering going home for the holidays. Complicated and icky feelings that she attested to being a misunderstanding of tone and intention from ink and parchment. Such thoughts caused her to fall uncharacteristically quiet for an extended moment as her eyes shifted away from gazing up at Ezra to out over the lake. "I'm not sure what made me think of them just now...maybe I came across them in a bit of reading or maybe I..." she murmured to break the silence that had settled over the peaceful (but unintentionally awkward?) scene. "Hey...Ezra?" she said to interrupt her previous thought and swing her head back around to look at him again with a focused gazed with relaxed doe eyes and a slightly straightened posture. "...what...what is your earliest memory?"