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Chapter Three:
The Black Lake
The first year students were all scrambling to keep up with a very large, hairy man down to a fleet of enchanted boats ("Ooh!" Bitty gasped). Two new boys, called Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew, were accompanying them. Remus fit in better than Peter, but as Peter laughed at all Sirius and James's jokes, they didn't much mind him.
"No more'n four to a boat," called the large man.
"That means o-one of us is out," Peter stuttered, gazing shiftily at Elizabeth, the only girl.
"That'll be you," Sirius declared, shoving Peter aside and taking a seat in front. "Elizabeth, sit next to me." He patted the seat next to him. "That way I can think you up a good nickname. Elizabeth's too long, and Liz doesn't fit you."
"B-but..."
"That's alright, Peter, you can stay," Elizabeth offered. "Lily and Severus are just ahead of us, and they've got one seat left." Lily and an anonymous friend were at the head, and Severus sat behind them, alone on his bench. "Poor Severus looks so lonely..." she murmured.
"Who cares about Snivellus?" Sirius retorted. "As Peter was the one who wanted to throw you out in the first place, it's only fair--"
Elizabeth laughed, "Sirius, I don't mind. You and James should get to know our new friends better. That way, I can go and get to know Lily."
Sirius didn't look happy about it, but he allowed James to take the seat next to him. Meanwhile, Elizabeth approached Lily and Severus. With a small greeting, she took the seat next to Severus.
She had just enough time to learn that Lily's friend was called Ashley LaRoux before the boats began to move of their own accord. Fascinating, Elizabeth thought.
"What a beautiful lake..." Elizabeth commented dreamily to no-one in particular. "I think I might have a swim in it a little later in the year."
Severus, who had been against the idea of allowing a friend of Sirius and James ride in their boat, was shocked out of his prejudice at her statement. "Why would you want to do that? There's a giant squid in there!"
"Is there, really?" Elizabeth asked excitedly, leaning far over the edge of the boat, hoping to catch a glimpse of a large tentacle, or something of the sort.
The boat tipped to the side, causing Severus to slide into her. Lily and her friend emitted shrieks that turned into mad giggles, and Severus hissed, "Don't! We'll all fall in!"
Elizabeth smiled devilishly as she scooped some water into her hand.
"No!" Severus warned.
Disregarding his protests, she splashed him in the face and giggled as he sputtered and glared at her. Behind them, laughter erupted from Sirius and Jame's boat. Sirius's bark-like laugh rang the loudest.
Elizabeth turned to face the boat of boys behind them as Severus's white cheeks turned to red. "I suppose you'll want some, too, Sirius?" she called, and she splashed as hard as she could in his direction.
Only slightly wet, Sirius grinned and splashed back. He soon rallied the fellows of his boat to join the cause, and a full-fledged water war ensued.
Glee lighting the features of her face, Elizabeth cried, "Severus, help me!"
Not long after, Elizabeth, Severus, Sirius, James, Remus, and Peter were all good and wet. Then as a particularly large splash from the combined efforts of Sirius's entire boat soaked them wholly, Elizabeth shouted laughingly, "You're gonna pay for that one! Aguamenti!" She aimed her want at them.
For a second, nothing happened, and the momentarily tensed faces of their adversaries relaxed. Then--
WHOOSH! A huge stream of water shot from the tip of her wand, and it soaked their entire boat.
Four "Argh!"'s barely reached Elizabeth's ears, she was laughing so hard. She was laughing so hard, in fact, that she had to cling to Severus for support as she gasped for breath.
Seconds later, the boats halted, and the gigantic man said, as Sirius readied himself to splash again, "Tha's enough, now!"
They all grimaced.
Elizabeth looked over to Severus. She could tell that he would hate her for sure if they got into trouble on their first day.