Twilight Swim

[haro]

Ambient light glimmered off the lake, blurred by the curling mist that still clung to the dips and valleys that made up Hogwarts’ grounds. The surface of the lake itself was glassy, reflecting the delicate purple of the fragile twilight sky. One or two stars could be seen, winking down on the castle but most had yet to appear. Neither moon nor sun could been seen, only ever darkening violet.

One solitary figure stood on the far edge of the lake, contemplating the image of the castle on the lake before slipping off her cloak and wading into the freezing water. Ripples spread out, warping the surface of the water and everything it reflected.

Technically, Mercedes was not supposed to be out of the castle. However, as she slid beneath the water, the chill reaching even her bones, she was glad she had made the decision to take a late night swim. Her dorm mates were all in a tizzy over one thing or another, and all she really wanted to do was think, to be in silence. Not even she knew why cold water helped focus her thoughts, but focus it did. It made her feel alive, wired, and ready to take on the world. For health reasons, she knew she couldn’t stay in too long.

Mercedes stayed near the shore, not wanting to risk finding anything else in the lake besides the Giant Squid. Beside her cloak on the shore lay a towel and some dry clothing. While she had opted to change into a bathing suit for her twilight swim, the last thing Mercedes wanted was to walk into Hogwarts wearing a bathing suit. While she might be able to explain why she was out after curfew while in normal clothing, wearing a sodden bathing suit would only incriminate her.

Laying on her back, Mercedes floated beneath the stars, the cold started to numb her feet and hands some. She probably only had a few minutes left before she was going to have to get out, But for now, swimming in the silence, everything was right in the world.

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