Olivia sat by the side of the lake, in which she had just been swimming. Most students were not allowed to swim in there, but she and a few others had permission from Professor Dumbledore. Hogwarts had recently introduced swimming clubs and tournaments between the houses; Olivia was the star of the swimming team thanks to the endless hours she had spent at the swimming pool near her home. Many of her friends at Hogwarts loved to see her swim; she was just so powerful and fast in the water. Most people first notice her because of her swimming, and then get to know her and discover her bubbly personality. This was why she had so many friends at Hogwarts. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to get the attention of the one boy she wanted to impress the most. He was the star swimmer for Slytherin, her house's main rival in swimming as well as in Quidditch. As she thought about him, staring into the forest on the other side of the glimmering lake, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She looked round, and to her surprise and slight shock, it was him.
"H-hi" she stammered.
"Hey" said Draco. He sat down beside her, and then started staring into the lake. "So, I was watching you swim just now. You're pretty good" he said, "for a Gryffindor" he added. Olivia, who was by now blushing and trying to hide it by covering her face with her wet brown hair, peered at him. "Erm thanks. I train back home in the summer holidays...quite a lot".
"Well it shows, your stroke technique is very clean" he replied. "In fact, I've noticed for quite a while now that you're a...well...an amazing swimmer, really". She looked up at him properly for the first time, and immediately felt his brilliant blue eyes holding her own. "You've watched me swim before?" she asked him. "Yeah, and I've see you around school as well...you know...a few times". This time it was his turn to look away. Olivia could see that he was getting slightly uncomfortable with admitting this, and decided to change the subject for him. "So, how long have you been swimming for then?"
He looked back up at her, looking relieved at the change of topic, and said "Three years. I thought I was the best in the school but after seeing you swim...I think I might have to start worrying that you are almost equal to me". He smirked at her, but it wasn't his usual mean smirk that Olivia had seen him give to other people. This smirk was more teasing; the kind that close friends would give each other. It surprised Olivia, but in a good way. Therefore she smiled back at him "Almost equal? I bet I could beat you any day!" she laughed. "Oh you could, could you? I'd like to see you try!" he challenged back, giving one of his extremely rare smiles that showed his bright white teeth.
They spent the rest of the afternoon and most of the evening talking about swimming, school, and most things actually, until they realised that they had missed curfew. As they got up to go back to their dorms, Draco said "You know, it's been great getting to know you". "You too" Olivia told him. "So, I guess I'll see you around". Olivia smiled, "Yeah, I guess you will". They looked at each other awkwardly for a couple of seconds, and then he lent in and kissed her on the cheek. They smiled at each other for what seemed like forever, and then eventually walked back up to the castle holding hands. Olivia felt like the luckiest witch in the world that day.