Chapter 7

It was a wonderfully bright, sunny Saturday and everyone was outside. Albus, Erik, and Alex were out at the far side of the lake talking. Alex and Erik were trying to teach Albus how to play marbles. They used Diffindo, a spell they had learned in Defense Against the Dark Arts the day before, to draw a circle in the grass and then proceeded to play marbles. At noon they went inside for a lunch of Shepard's Pie and were joined by Marvin back at the lake.

"Never heard of marbles"

mumbled Marvin so Erik and Alex taught Marvin too. Once the two boys got the hang of it the four kids held a little tournament that didn't last long. Alex won by three games.

"It's so hot, eh? Let's swim!"

"Uh, Alex, why don't we just go sit over there in the shade?" said Erik.

"Because that's boring! Last one in is it for Marco Polo!" Everyone but Erik splashed into the cold lake.

"What's the matter Erik? Can't you swim?" asked Marvin but Erik shook his head.

"It's that and it's so cold!"

Alex laughed, "You'll get used to it! But why don't you just stand up to your knees? Hey, we can have a splash fight."

Grudgingly Erik agreed and proceeded to edge into the water. Eventually, when he was up to his waist he pretended to slip and splashed Marvin with freezing water instead.

"Oh! I'll get you back for that!"

When everyone was wet from head to waist (their legs already being in the water) and out of breath from laughing they sat down on the slippery rocks so the water was at their necks. "Ahh, it's much warmer now we're used to it," sighed Albus.

"Ready to learn to swim Erik?"

Erik shook his head again and everyone laughed.

"Well we're going to teach you some day!" Albus noticed Marvin shivering,

"Let's get dry and head back. Dinner is only in a little bit and I'm starved!"

As they stood up Erik noticed something sparkling in the water only a few steps away,

"Alex were you wearing a bracelet?"

"No. Why do you ask?"

Erik stepped forward and disappeared under water so quickly he couldn't have ducked under!

"Erik?!"

Alex, Albus and Marvin splashed forward.

"Where is he? He's not coming up!" shouted Albus.

Alex noticed a black smudge slowly sinking over the drop off in front of them.

"He fell over the edge!"

she screamed, and then she and Albus sucked in air and dove down. Through the green murk they swam, but not getting closer. Erik was sinking too fast and he was unconscious! Albus pushed off the rocky side but didn't get much closer. After another minute of swimming Alex didn't think she could hold her breath any longer, but then she saw something large and ghostly white rocketing toward the three of them. She tried to scream underwater but all that came out were bubbles. The white thing came up under them and lifted one of it's tentacles to grab the three children. In one burst of speed the giant squid shot upward and placed the children on the shore. Coughing, Alex and Albus tried to get up but firm hands pushed them back down.

"You two need to rest. We've sent for Madam Pomfrey!" said an older boy.

Quite a crowd had gathered around the shoreline.

"We saw them go under but they never came up again!" someone cried out.

"There's blood on his head!" a seventh year girl screamed.

Erik didn't seem to be moving. After what seemed like hours Madam Pomfrey arrived but it must only have been a minute.

"Let me through!" she practically screamed, "Let me see them!"

As she hurried forward, Albus said

"Not us, Ma'am. It's Erik, he was under longest!"

* * * *

Erik woke up screaming in the dark. Breathing hard he saw Madam Pomfrey come out her office at the end of the ward and rush over to him.

"Nice of you to finally wake up Mr. Blair." she said.

He shook his head but stopped abruptly at the pain.

"What happened? Why does my head hurt so- OW!"

"Be quiet Mr. Blair you'll soon wake up the entire school!"

Madam Pomfrey shushed.

"But you poked- mmph!"

Madam Pomfrey took advantage of his open mouth to shove a vile tasting liquid down his throat. Nearly choking Erik swallowed,

"Urgh! What is that? It tastes awful!"

"What did you expect Pumpkin Ju- It was Skele-gro now get some more rest."

"Can you tell me why my head hurts so much?"

"No, now sleep!"

she said with a flick of her wand, and suddenly Erik felt so tired he could sleep for a month. He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.

* * * *

The second time Erik woke up that day sun was shining through the floor to ceiling windows of the Hospital Wing. Alex and Albus were sitting in the chairs beside his bed; they looked relieved when they saw he was awake.

"What time is it?" he asked them.

Albus laughed but Alex just looked queasy.

"It's ten o'clock in the morning."

Albus was suddenly serious,

"How do feel?"

Erik thought for a second.

"Damp," he said.

Now both of his friends laughed, but Alex's face straightened first.

"I'm so sorry Erik! I'm the one who made you come in the water; I didn't know there was a drop-off there! I'm sorry! I shouldn't have made you come in!" she sobbed.

"I'm fine, really! Its ok, I think I was out for the whole thing 'cause I don't remember any of it,"

Erik shook his head cautiously, remembering the pain from last night,

"I'm pretty sure I hit my head though. It smarts real badly!"

"Oh! I'm so-"

Erik held up his hand,

"Don't say it again, I forgive you already ok?" he said giving Alex a smile.

"Thanks!" she answered.

Albus, who had been sitting quietly while his friends exchanged apologies and forgiveness's, suddenly whispered,

"Hey, Erik, if you can convince Madam Pomfrey to let you out, we've got twenty minutes until broom practice!"

All three kids turned to the matron who was coming down the ward.

"Um, Madam Pomfrey?" started Erik.

"Yes dear?" replied the matron.

"Can I go to broomstick practice? Please?"

Madam Pomfrey looked appalled.

"You need rest dear! You've had a horrible accident, splitting your head open and nearly drowning!"

"Ya, but you made me all better and flying might help me dry off!"

The matron chuckled while Albus and Alex turned away, hands muffling their laughter.

"Well, I suppose so." She said. "But I better not see you in here for a while! You're too much for such an old lady!" the matron mused.

The three friends rushed out of the ward, barely containing their giggles. When they were sure they were out of earshot, Albus and Alex doubled over laughing.

"What? Why are you laughing?" demanded Erik.

When they could breathe again Alex answered him.

"You!" she exploded.

"You looked-" tried Albus who doubled over again.

"You gave her these puppy-dog eyes and your face! It was priceless!" giggled Alex.

Erik frowned, crossing his arms.

"Well it worked didn't it!" he said.

Immediately the two straightened their faces.

"Speaking of which, we need to hurry or we're going to miss it! We have twelve minutes!"