For Hanna's "Senses" Challenge. Sense dealt with: "Taste" 300 words.
Freedom
Glancing around furtively, I strip off to my swimming costume, smoothing the tight black fabric down over my slender body. If they saw me now….well, they will, in an hour or so, but it will be too late. I will have had my fun by then. I will have dressed, dried and returned to my normal self. This wild mermaid will be gone, vanished without a trace. Narcissa Chastity Black, daughter of Cygnus and Druella Black, will be back.
The crisp sky of an early spring morning gleams overhead as icy tendrils of air bite my skin, chilling me, freezing me, exhilarating me.
For the first time in ages, I actually feel alive.
I raise my arms above my head; clearing my mind of all other thoughts….until a damp nose nudges my thigh.
Looking down with a smile, I rub the dog's shaggy dark head, feeling the rough fibres of his fur quiver under my touch. Banishing the cruel thought "Why can't you always be like this?", I ask "Are you coming with me then, Padfoot?" But I don't wait for an answer. He can't give me one. And that's what I like best about right now.
Taking up my former stance, I run eagerly towards the lake, plunging into the waist high depths.
In doing so, I lose all my breath instantly. I expected it to be cold, but not this cold.
There is a splash behind me and I turn to see the dog paddling towards me, woofing happily.
With a laugh, I watch him pass me, lunging forward to chase him. As I dive fully into the depths of the lake, I taste something. I taste what I have craved all my life. I taste what is utterly forbidden to the daughters of any Pureblood family. Freedom.
Okay, so I'm not sure if Cissy ever knew that Sirius was an Animagus, but hey, let's just pretend she does. I think they might have been pretty close as kids; at least until Sirius ran away... Hope you enjoyed!