1. Was this boathouse always here or was Théo that oblivious that he never realized it was here and was more concentrated on being by the Quidditch pitch?

2. Please don't answer that question.

Théo scratched his head as he stood outside the BoatHouse. He and Bel were supposed to be doing something or another. Théo forgot lie usual. It was not quidditch related since well he left that to Derf and Abey. And besides, that would Théo even help with. But the Boat House seemed like a great idea at the time.

But looking at it now..the fourth-year had his doubts

Maybe it will be cooler inside it.

"You still want to go inside?"

"Of course! Y'know, since I didn't come here in my first year, I never got to do the boat thing." Bel didn't wait either, she went on past Théo and inside to look around.

It wasn't the most exciting place, she could tell that already, but she could already see there was some potential when it came to the boats themselves. Could be kind of fun to take one out on the lake, right? Sure, surfing was more her thing, but she was as much at home on the water as in it. She started poking around, curious when she came across the fishing stuff. Was there actually anything decent to eat, fish wise, in the lake? Or was it more of a catch and release kind of deal?

Hopefully it was worth it, because it was a pretty long trek back up to the castle.

So far the most fun part was coming on down here since well at least it was different than say going to the Quidditch pitch. Ok next time Théo just won't even ask and will just go in. He followed her in. Well, it was not a dump like Théo believed it would be. But it was still old. Where did the Groundskeeper find the time to come down here and clean with everything he had to do.

"This place has seen better day"

Théo went over to the life vests and put two on him because you know why not

"Think this is a good look?"

All he need was a bucket on his head to complete the look

"It has, but I suppose its got a lot of history, and it seems sturdy enough." At least not like it was going to fall down around their ears, and that was something. NOT that Bel was much of a history buff or a history fiend for that matter. She preferred to live in the now. She ran her fingers over a fishing rod and looked up when Théo's voice raised in question.

A good look? Bel laughed. What a goof. Yep. That was what he was and she was going to tell him.

"At least ya won't drown, ya goof." Come to think of it, she wasn't even sure how he was when it came to water. "Can you swim, by the way?" Obviously she could. She wouldn't be much of a surfer if she couldn't swim.

Ah yes!

This is the perfect place to meet with Amara! Aaron had come to that thought exactly upon arriving at the small shack that held all the boats inside. But what he truly was curious about was if they could take the boats out onto the lake or not? Because if so, that's what they would be doing. To add more privacy because that's what they needed for this talk about what happened on the train. In his bag, the boy had brought some tissues, just in the case that there would be tears on Amara's end. He had also brought his notebook to make notes of their exploration, because they had also planned on doing that, and his wand. Because a witch or wizard should never go anywhere, without their wand.

Waiting outside for the other girl, the first year leaned his 4'10, somewhat toned frame up against the one wall of the wooden building.

Amara was all merry. This was one place she wanted to check out first at Hogwarts. She'd arrived at Hogwarts on these boat with all the other students and Amara just wanted to take it out for a spin herself. And with Aaron. Her first exploration! Their first.

She walked towards the boathouse, wondering what Aaron was going to say. He was so serious at the feast! She spotted him leaning against the wall as she neared.

"Aaaaaaron!"

She called to the Slytherin boy and ran towards him, excited about being at there, coming to a halt near him. Ow. Ow. Swift movements. She let out a puff. "What have you got there?" she asked, eyeing his bag. Did he get them munchies for the ride? DID HE ? ? ?

Did it seem sturdy enough, It seemed like if both them jumped enough the whole place would fall in on itself and neither of them was fat. Come he looked great with two life vests on. It would prevent him from dying in the water unless he was lucky and the squid was there.

"Can't be too careful. I can't so I might need both of these. or maybe just one"

Flying he was one hundred percent ok doing but he couldn't swim. Like he would go to the beach and stuff fine but well he just would not go in the water.

Imagine that.

"Never got around to learning"

Also he was always busy flying. Which was a excuse but a good one.

He was goofing around and saying stuff and Bel was only half listening as she inquisitively took stock of everything in the boathouse. Everything had its own little place and some of it looked older than her. But she did give him all of her attention at THAT revelation.

"Wait, what?" She blinked at him. "You can't swim?" Cue gaping. "We have GOT to fix that. I'm going to teach you to swim." She decided, hands going to her hips. "Lets see... tomorrow morning at the lake. Swimming lessons!"

He removed the life vests and put them back where they belonged and looked around at whatever else in this place. What else could be used for fun in here? Besides actually going out on the water.

Oh wait was that really that surprising?

Théo shook his head confirming he couldn't. Morning swimming lessons did not sound really that fun but well she didnt have to so Théo gave it some thought.

"It won't be embarrassing, will it. Like having to wear floaties or anything like that"

His true worry.

"Why would floaties be embarrassing?" Bel asked curiously, unable to stop with a question of her own before even answering his in the first place. "But nah you won't, because those won't help ya learn how to swim unaided, and that's kinda the point! So lets see...... I usually run with Liam first thing," Like crazy early first thing, but Bel was a morning person, undoubtedly so. "So lets meet after breakfast? Get into ya togs right after and don't forget to bring a towel." How did ANYONE go about life not knowing how to swim?

A thought occurred to her as she continued to examine and explore all the nooks and crannies of the boathouse.

"You aren't afraid of the water or anything, are ya?" That would be a tragical affliction, Bel was pretty sure.

Did he really have to answer that? Didn't they just look embarrassing and even the act of having to wear them kind of was. "They just are, and look at the. Oh" well not here since there obviously were none in the boathouse but you understand. Oh good he didn't.

Well one worry is gone.

"Mhm...after breakfast sounds good. Rather eat before doing all this"

Wait...how early does she wake up to be able to for a run with Liam. Like Théo had a hard enough time getting down for breakfast. He walked over to the actual boats and look in them to see if they were any different or older looking than the ones he took first year.

Nope. Sad.

"No, just something i never got around to. That would be an awful fear with a lake here and all"

And would have made the boat ride here when he was 11 horrible

If she was honest, Bel wasn't sure how people got embarrassed about little things like floaties. Or generally got worried about looking silly or anything like that. Wasn't it a bit fun sometimes to be a dag?

"Okay. After breakfast it is." It was decided. Théo would learn how to swim. It'd be a blast. He would see how much he'd been missing out on.

"I've lived by the ocean my whole life." Well, one ocean or another. "I love the ocean." Did he know she surfed? "I surf." Well, now he did.

Bel joined him by the boats with interest. She hadn't ever been in them of course. She didn't come here as a first year.

While it was still warm enough and not raining, Rylee made her way out onto the grounds to so some serious exploring. The eleven year old literally bounced all the way down to the boathouse doing some twirls and cartwheels along the way. It was safe to safe she was having a good old time, even all on her own. Several little dance steps were happening in between all of the other movements her hands and feet were doing. Anyone watching her would either think she had very much lost her little mind, hand some ants in her pants or upon closer inspection possibly dancing to some unheard music. Most likely the latter of those. Dancing was her thing.

How she even ended up standing inside the boathouse was completely unknown to her but that was a-okay. Another place ticked off of her list. Wandering closer to the boats that were all lined up, the small girl smiled. Taking note of the life vests and everything needed to go out on one of the boats she wondered if she needed to tell someone if she wanted to use one of the those. Probably. Who though? There wasn't a book or anything to sign was there? Stasya had told her about the book she had to sign her name in to visit the creatures... did she have to do the same thing to go out in one of the boats?

The weather was still nice out and Farah took complete advantage of it. She had been outside by the lake making flower crowns using weeds that were scattered around. Useless things could make beautiful things. Now that she had about 3 in her hand, she was looking for some people to give them to. she probably should have been studying or something else... productive, but this was fun.

With one on her head, she started looking around and saw a fiery red head enter the boathouse. Was that her Steph?? Obviously it HAD to be. Redhead and all.Heading into the boathouse, Farah called out in a sing song voice for her. "Steph??" Only she didn't see her but someone else.

That someone else was looking at the life vests. Farah wasn't shy so she walked right up to her and placed the flower crown on her head. "Going out in the boats?" She asked while adjusting the flower crown on her head.

Ever since Abra was younger, like... much younger, like... mega young, like PRACTICALLY not even BORN (except maybe not that young), he'd liked exploring and going on kidventures. Before Hogwarts, he had been determined that one day he would go on an adventure nobody had never been on before, and discover something new and amazing. First year at school had sort of knocked his confidence a lot, and for a while he'd been a little bit far too terrified to go on any sort of exploration expedition or adventure by himself, even in Egypt. For a long time he liked everything to be safe and predictable, sticking only to places he knew or that were well-populated, especially around Hogwarts.

Maybe he still felt a little bit like that in a lot of ways, but a part of him had recently start yearning for something new and exciting (but not life-threatening, you know?) and that yearning had become gradually more pronounced and he had become gradually more antsy. Because of the whole permanent state of anxiety thing, he'd not once attempted to explore the school and grounds since his first year, even though there was plenty more to see. THAT was what had brought him down to the boathouse early on in the term, all bundled up even though they weren't even that far out of the summer holidays.

The fact that the boathouse was out on the grounds was a big plus, because Abra still wasn't ready to go poking around the castle for REASONS, and the only downside was that going outside meant being... outside.

Down at the doorway into the boathouse, Abra poked his head inside the weird building-but-not-but-actually-technically-yes-it-was-a-building-actually, only to spot two very familiar figures.

"Are you guys going boating?" That was the sentence that served as a greeting as Abra peered at them, letting his eyes adjust to the gloom after the relative brightness of outside. "Is it boating? Or sailing? Except actually I don't think it can be sailing if there's no sails."

The Abra around his friends was a very different, and much more relaxed and sociable person than the Abra around people he didn't know so well. He might have worried that he was intruding on a date or something, if he didn't know about Théo's situation. Although... maybe he was intruding on a FRIEND date, or a SECRET date........

....... Well, if that was the case, he'd make himself scarce if they seemed like they didn't want him to be there. He'd spent enough time with Théo over their lives that he liked to think he'd be able to pick up on a signal like that.

Now things were making more sense. She surfed which was made easier by living by the ocean plus you can really hate or have fear of water if you surfed because that would make it impossible. Almost as impossible as having to wake up for these lessons.

He will just cant forget his boarding shorts and his towel. Pretty sure he brought them.

"Must suck that you cant surf here. These boats look exactly the same"

Magic was still weird after 3 years here. Uh what? Oh Abra (Abey) was here. What was he doing down here. Nevermind. Guess they were eventually going to go boating or sailing...boating. After exploring this house. And nothing to be embarrassed about since this was no secret date and well this was a weird place to have a date.

"After we got bored of looking around. You think these boats can handle us"

They weren't first years anymore and now it was three people.

Also they really should make some time to come up with a signal or code word like banana pancakes for stuff like that secret stuff or dates with girls or whoever.

Rylee heard someone calling for someone named 'Steph' but that wasn't her. She was Rylee. Little sister of Rian-Kate. A tiny dancer. A brand new lion cup. Not Steph. So she didn't look. Her attention still on finding some sort of sign-in book or something like that.

Before the firstie could even realize what was happening something was on her head. Instinctively raising her hand she felt for it, her fingers brushing against the smooth petals of flowers and twigs? Lifting it from her ginger head she brought it down to look at and smiled widely finally directly her attention onto the older girl that must have placed the crown of flowers on her head. "This is really pretty!" Not like the ones her sister sometimes made and sold with her perfumes but still really pretty. "Did you make this one on your own?" Could she keep it and wear it all the time?

Rylee's shifted her gaze back to the boats and then onto the other girl. "Are we allowed? Would you want to come with me?" It would be much more fun with a new friend. Especially one that liked flower crowns.

It wasn't unusual for Farah to place things on random peoples heads... as weird as that sounds. She was quite proud of her flower crowns. More like weed crowns but hey, it worked. "Thank you! I made them out of some of the things around the lake. You know... recycling." That sounded good. "Im not sure if it'll last a long time but feel free to wear it as long as you like!" It was up to the girl if she still wanted that on her head while it was rotten.

"Im Farah by the way." Because that was important. "Umm... I can't swim. I like water but only hip deep. So... boats... yeah... no." She wasn't terrified of water or anything like she knew some people were. She loved the water. She just didn't know how to swim and would rather stay alive. Kthankz.

"We should fish though! I mean.... if you aren't doing anything. Am I interrupting? I thought you were a friend of mine. Steph. She's my best friend. She's pretty like you." Farah said as she headed over, putting the left over flower crowns on the side and grabbing one of the nets. "I've never gone fishing before."

"Oh yeah it does suck that I can't surf.... but Derfael had an idea to ask the squid to make waves for us and see if they would be surfable! I'm not sure if it will work but I'm willing to try!" And even maybe try some other magical means to have a surf beach for her and Liam to practice on? Others would wanna give it a burl too, probably. Surfing was fun.

She looked at the boats when Théo said the boats hadn't changed and then Abra arrived. "Oh, hi Abra!" She greeted the older boy with genuine good cheer and welcome. Boating or sailing, either way she was pretty keen to get out there. Why not? "Definitely not sailing without a sail...... we should rig up a sail, like a dinghy! Bet we could. Do we gotta go ask permission first, you reckon?" That last, a question for both boys.

Recycling. That was a good way of putting it! Rylee smiled widely and nodded. "I'll wear it for as long as I can." Until it began to get all crumpled and fell apart. Than she would make her own... or have Rian owl her a few of the ones she sold. Preferably a purple one.

"Hi, Miss Farah! I'm Rylee." Rylee blinked up at the older girl for a moment in surprise. "Oh... well that's okay. My mummy says lots of people can't swim." That didn't mean they couldn't have fun anyhow!

Was she doing anything, no not really. She had thought about going boating but going alone was no real fun. "Okay! I go fishing with Reese sometimes, he's my brother! We've made our own poles and things." Out of sticks and string but it counted. And now she was staring at the older girl, a slow but wide smile forming on her freckled face. "Really? You think I'm pretty?!" she giggled gleefully. Usually people just called her adorable or cute... never pretty. "I think you're really pretty too!" Mhmm. Everyone was pretty in their own way.

Rylee beamed grabbed her new friends and sort of tugging her along to all the fishing equipment. "We need to choose which ones we want to use!"

Abra was peering a little EXTRA hard at Théo to try and ascertain whether he was getting 'GO AWAY' vibes from him, and all his staring and squinting might have looked a little odd perhaps, except that Abra wasn't that worried about it because neither Bel nor Théo had ever been the type to make him feel self-conscious about things. They were both the rare kind of people where it was easy to be completely natural around them, because he never felt like any judgement was coming his way. With Théo it had a lot to do with the fact that they'd been friends for so long, and with Bel it was because that was just the sort of person she was.

Anyway. Yes. No. No such look was coming his way, and in fact they both seemed perfectly fine in including him in the conversation. Abra proceeded into the boathouse, and joined him at the boats, grinning at his friends. "Hi." Hi friends. "I think the boats will hold you. The groundskeeper takes a boat when he's escorting first years, right? And a million years ago the gamekeeper was I think a half-giant, and he must have used the boats then. So, you'll be fine." Also, magic.

Also also, he had definitely just said 'you' and not 'us', because, as the interloper, he didn't want to go ahead and just INVITE HIMSELF ALONG. "Also, maybe there's a version of Ventus or something that could keep blowing loads of air. Then if you had a sail you could aim it at that, or on the water behind the boat to blast it forwards. You could do it to make waves too, actually--" Had he heard them say something about wanting to make waves before? "--But... you'd have to check Bartholomew Henry didn't mind anyone casting it on the water. He doesn't even like people dropping stones into the edge of the lake sometimes." Sometimes the Squid could be a little testy but then other times he could be lovely. Generally speaking, Abra didn't really know what to make of him.

ANYWAY. He didn't even know if such a spell existed, so this was all just him thinking aloud.

"I think we're maybe sort of supposed to ask permission before using any of the boats. Technically." Actually, not technically. Actually, more like actually, but that was so much effort. Who even KNEW where the groundskeeper was right now? Abra also often subscribed to the idea that it was better (and easier) to ask forgiveness than permission, but... then again, Baldvinsson was mega fun, and Abra liked to believe he was the type of professor that allowed the students to do almost anything in the name of a good time. Why risk upsetting him when the answer was likely to be 'yes' anyway? Abra looked over at Théo. "Do you think he'd be somewhere nearby?" The gamekeeper, that is.

Actually that idea could work if Bartholomew was ok with making waves tho Derf would probably know more and its his idea after all. Plus Théo never really interacts with the Squid. Not out of fear just dont know. He wasnt by the Lake that much other than for sprint drills and such. Thats one way to surf at Hogwarts or get a similar experience. Derf really did have some good ideas sometimes.

OH RIGHT.

They did have to ask permission. But like Abra (Abey) said if it could hold a half giant it could hold three students. It was a long walk back to his Hut and really they could ask for forgiveness later. They would have to vote on it or well just see if they wanted to sail row in general.

"Sailing sounds a a lot more fun than rowing or if we can magically get around the Lake that would be awesome. Just yeah Bartholomew might not like Ventus. Its a long walk back to the Hut just to ask permission"

Théo didnt really care either way but one was not a waste of time.

"I vote we just go out on the Lake and worry about the Groundskeeper later. Unless he is hiding and watching us right now"

Théo took a quick look around suspiciously

Spells could work. They wouldn't come from Bel though. She was right smack bang in the average category for her age when it came to spellwork, even a slight head start the previous year having already done half of her second year back home hadn't helped much with that. Abra's logic about the boats was really good too: and on closer inspection Bel was pretty sure they'd hold just fine. The three of them, because yes she was absolutely including Abra, wouldn't have any trouble really.

"I haven't met Bartholomew Henry yet, but I reckon his name is bonza!"

But now it was question of permission. The boys clearly were inclined to just go ahead and assume they had it, but Bel quite needed to use the loo and didn't much like the idea of being out on a boat with her bladder growing increasingly more urgent with its needs, so she figured she'd just do the asking.

"Well I need to use the dunny, so I'll go run back to the castle," Bel declared shamelessly. Yes, up the cliff, she could run that no sweat, "And on my way back I'll just rock up and ask if we can take her out, then we don't need to worry about him maybe throwing a wobbly if we don't ask."

Sounded good? She looked between the two of them expectantly.

The longer Abra stood still, the more he realised he really needed to figure out how to perfect his warming charms once and for all. He couldn't at all rely on just warm clothes, actually, as it turned out. It was also probably a good idea to stop being so proud and perhaps ask for someone older and wiser and skilled at charms to do the enchantments he needed so desperately, if he kept messing them up himself.

Distracted as he was by the cold, Abra had let his mind wander perhaps a little too long. He tuned back into the conversation just in time to catch the tail end of TAYO's comment: ... unless he is hiding and watching us right now.

It sent shivers up Abra's spine, visceral shivers quite unrelated to the cold and that were intense enough that he actually gave a little start of surprise and looked back behind him to see if there was anything actually there. No. Nothing. And, now he thought about it, Théo had only really been talking about the groundskeeper anyway.

While he collected himself, and before he could think enough to consider what Théo was proposing (and also take notice of the fact that it sounded more and more like HE was included in these plans too), Bel started talking, and... Abra was...

... lost. Very lost. It probably showed on his face too. Luckily, it was not the first time this had happened, so he knew perfectly well why he was suddenly having more trouble understanding her - unlike the early days of their friendship when for some time he had been afraid that he was starting to hear people talk gibberish when they actually weren't.

Abra nodded, because he did sort of get what the general gist of what Bel was proposing."Good plan." Possibly. Maybe? He didn't really pick up on the details at all, and - again - it probably showed.

"... You were just speaking Australian again, weren't you?"