A/N: That was the best title I could come up with at the moment:( at least I'm updating much better than last time, yay! Thank you all so very much for the continuation of excellent reviews, I love it :D A couple of you mentioned Daphne's character and I know, she's an extreme character, because Severus is an opposite extreme character, I figured if it happens (don't want to give the story away) this is what it would take! Anyway I'm glad that you all seem to be enjoying it! Keep reading and reviewing!
Music: Boys of Summer- DJ Sammy
Cannonball
"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." -Victor Frankl
"The Future!" Professor Flitwick's voice squeaked for the fifth time that morning. Daphne's head dropped slightly. She was nearly asleep. The entire classroom was packed with seventh years from every house, trying their best not to nod off as the professors in the front looked on. All the desks had been removed from the classroom and someone had bewitched several wooden chairs to appear. They had arrived to the meeting quite early as planned. Sirius had to be levitated out of bed by Remus. He was now leaning back in his chair, as James doodled on his paper, and Remus listened almost as intently as Jasmine. Peter was snoring further away. The classroom was packed, but Flitwick's small voice reached everyone. Daphne let her head fall into her hand as the small professor gestured wildly up front. She glanced across the room. Severus was sitting with his curtains of black hair covering his face. He only glanced up occasionally. The crowded classroom shuffled around as Flitwick's voice died away and Professor McGonagall stood up. Some students were still relaxed. Others sat up nervously now that the speech was done. One long table had been placed up front with four separate chairs for each of the head of houses. Remus poked Peter in the back.
"Wha…"
Professor McGonagall sharply commanded silence.
"Although you are being aloud to talk silently during this, we would like you to remind you that this is a most important time, as Professor Flitwick informed you. Begin thinking about the future that lies ahead of you after this year. We will be calling you all up and discussing career options. Again, we want you to take this very serious. Mr. Potter, would you kindly pay attention?" James crumpled up his piece of parchment that was filled with Lily's name and tiny snitches. "First up is Baxter Ash."
"I thought I'd never makes it through that," Sirius grumbled as Baxter stood before the four professors. "I don't see why it had to be so early in the morning." He rubbed his red eyes with one hand.
"Would we really want to come after school?" Daphne yawned. She knew she would probably be too tired after all the homework the teachers decided to give them on the first day. For being their final year, none of the teachers were lightening up on the workload. Jasmine didn't mind in the least.
"They couldn't have us all miss class during the day. It's much more efficient this way. They get everyone in here and finish before breakfast."
Peter's mouth watered. "Breakfast."
"And if you listened to Professor Flitwick, you wouldn't have been bored. He spoke very well about what we have to look forward to and what we should work on this year."
"Sirius Black!" Professor McGonagall called him forward as Baxter took a seat.
"Saved by McGonagall." Sirius kicked his feet to the floor. He was however not saved at all, for the moment he was within earshot Professor McGonagall got a scandalized expression.
"Mr. Black, is that an earring?"
"I told him to make sure to cover it," Remus sighed from his chair that he was sitting on backwards, with his arms crossed on the top. The teachers spoke in low voices so that no one could hear.
"What did they say?" Daphne asked when Sirius finally escaped the professors' grasp.
"Not much, they just said I need to channel my energy into something productive so that I don't end up in Azkaban." Jasmine looked like she agreed completely, though she didn't say anything. "They gave me some packets on stuff." Sirius got them out of his back pocket. He read off a list of careers.
"Auror, curse breaker, I think Slughorn slipped in this one about being an obliviator for the ministry."
"I'm surprised Slughorn never invited any of you to be part of his slug club," Daphne remarked. The professor only took the best, most promising students, and in Daphne's opinion the majority from her year were sitting before her.
"He prefers people from his own house," Jasmine said in a forced polite voice. It had been second year when Slughorn invited Lily to be part of his club and not Jasmine, who has equally high grades in his potion class. She had never fully forgiven him, but refused to speak poorly about a Hogwarts professor. Though every now and then, Daphne heard her mutter something about an unfair, little, fat, bald man.
"Not like any of us wanted to be in it." Sirius slipped into his chair again. "Then we'd actually have to spend afternoons and holidays listening to him talk." He, unlike Jasmine, had no restraints when it came to talking poorly about teachers.
James raised his feathered quill. He had begun a new sketch of a stick figure girl.
"Cheers, the only good part about the slug club is Evans," he remarked.
Professor Slughorn stood up surveying the room.
"Raelyn Eustacia."
"This ought to be interesting." Sirius lost all interest in talking about Slughorn and turned his attention to the front of the room where Raelyn appeared before the table, arms crossed and head held high.
"Ahh Ms. Eustacia, do we even need to ask what you will be doing after this? I suspect, like all the other girls in my house, your mother is already preparing your marriage. Who is the lucky young man?" Mr. Slughorn surely did not mean to offend when he said this cheerily, but Daphne could make out Raelyn's eye twitching from her present seat.
"Lucky?" Sirius scoffed. "She's marrying that prat Regulus."
"What?" Several Slytherin girls on the other side of the room cried out. They each looked upset by this news.
"I had no idea your brother was so popular with the ladies, even the older ladies?" Daphne commented. The girls now hastily muttering to each other were graduating this year. Regulus wasn't even done with school.
"Who knows what they see in that fool."
Raelyn seemed to be making a massive effort not to curse Sirius' smirking face, until Professor McGonagall got her attention again.
"Horace, that doesn't seem to be the case with Ms Eustacia. Now tell me, what would you like to do?"
"I'm going to be a secret agent," Raelyn said in the most serious and steady voice. The teachers waited for her to mention that she was kidding, but she didn't.
"A secret agent?" Flitwick repeated in disbelief, as if his ears were purposefully deceiving him.
"Yes."
"For whom?"
"I'm afraid that's classified. You know what would happen if I told you?" Raelyn mentioned in a low voice.
"Is they're anything else?" Professor McGonagall calmly yet sternly questioned. She tried not to show how tired she was.
"No, I will be that and then, perhaps someday, I will be an unspeakable."
"Unspeakable, yes, working for the ministry, very good," Slughorn stated excitedly from his cushioned seat that his small legs were dangling from.
"People do not apply for jobs like that I'm afraid. You must be chosen," Professor Sprout briskly informed Raelyn.
"Is there anything else we could help you with?" Professor McGonagall did her best to remain open to ideas.
"No, that's all." Raelyn left without a single pamphlet, and made sure to accidentally bump her elbow into Sirius' head, as he leaned back on his chair.
"Lily Evans," Slughorn read off the list joyously. McGonagall gave him an impatient glance.
James waited eagerly as they spoke to Lily. When she made her way back to her seat, he asked her what they told her.
"Slughorn suggested I try to become Mistress of Magic," Lily smirked. Daphne could believe this. Lily was his favorite student, and she wasn't even in Slytherin. "But McGonagall added I should try becoming a potion maker for St. Mungos."
Several more names were called out clearly, neither belonging to any of them, until Remus' name rang out.
"What did they say?" Jasmine questioned before Remus had even taken his seat again. He seemed nervous as he answered.
"Professor."
"You'd make a great professor," Jasmine promptly declared. Remus shrugged his face almost seemed defeated. "What's wrong?"
Remus glanced around to make sure none of the students nearby could hear. When he decided it was safe, he said in an unsure voice. "You all know… what school would hire someone like me?"
"Oh, Remus, of course they'll hire…"
"Jasmine Luvinia."
Jasmine never looked so annoyed to be called on by a professor. She normally lived for those moments. As she furiously stomped away, Daphne took over.
"I don't think it will matter once they see how intelligent you are."
"And if Lils beomces Mistress of Magic, I'm sure she'll even give you your own school for being the sensible one in the group." Sirius chuckled.
"I think it's perfect, Moony." James clapped him on the back.
Remus still didn't seem so sure. "It is?"
"Of course, that way you could pass little James Jr."
"I'm not helping your kid cheat." Remus jokingly shrugged off James' hand like he couldn't believe his friend. "He'll have to earn his grade."
"What?" James peered around until he found Lily and Thelma sitting nearby. "Evans, don't you think Remus should be a professor so he can pass little James Jr.?"
Lily looked repulsed. "James Jr.?"
"Yes."
"We are not naming our kid James Jr." Lily clearly informed him.
James looked upset. "What's wrong with James Jr.? James is a great name."
"Since when are you having kids?" Daphne asked looking directly at Lily for the answer.
"Never," she replied at once. "But in this dream world Potter lives in, I want to make it clear, we would never name our kid James Jr."
"I don't see anything wrong with it, and what do you mean dream world? Come on, Evans, you know you like me."
"I like you about as much as I like being sick," Lily stated then went back to reading her papers.
"She must really like being sick," James whispered to Sirius.
One by one the students in the room came back with packets in their hands and careers to think about. Jasmine came back with more packets than anyone. She had career ideas like: a healer for St. Mungos, a professor, or personnel for the Department of International Magical Cooperation."
"What do you think I should be, Remus?" Jasmine looked at him expectantly.
"Oh… uh… I'm not sure," he said quickly, before he hid behind his own pamphlet about teaching requirements. Peter didn't say anything at all when he went up, while James spoke to the teachers about playing quidditch for an international team or becoming an auror.
"McGonagall said I had definite talent for the field, but that quidditch wasn't a long career. I think Slughorn was rooting for quidditch."
"He probably wanted free tickets to the games," Remus smirked.
"Daphne Rue."
Daphne moved forward, uncertain about what she would say.
Professor McGonagall attempted a smile. "And what is it you would like to do?"
"I hadn't given it that much thought yet," Daphne told them honestly. She knew it was their last year, but careers seemed such a long way away.
"Time to get on the move, this is your last year." Professor Sprout informed her as if she didn't already know that.
"She's a superb charms students," Professor Flitwick complimented. "You could specialize in something with that."
"I find that you are a personable person, always making friends," Professor McGonagall thought out loud. Daphne couldn't agree more. She definitely liked talking to people.
"Have you ever considered a job at the Ministry of Magic?" Professor Slughorn broke in getting all excited again. "There are plenty of job opportunities there."
Daphne who had never been fond of politics shook her head no.
"I see, well, you may want to consider public relations at the ministry," he went on. "Or muggle wizard relations?"
"For once, I agree with you Horace," Professor McGonagall waved her wand and in an instant a folder of information was being handed to Daphne. "Here are some packets you might want to read over."
Daphne walked back to her chair sorting through several pamphlets.
"How did it go?" Jasmine inquired curiously and tried to peek at the pamphlets.
Daphne shrugged her shoulders. It wasn't really anything special. Jasmine read the top parchment.
"Public relations for the ministry? That sounds like it's a promising career."
Sirius rolled his eyes. "Boring."
"I think curse breaker sounds more interesting," Daphne held up a paper that promised adventure and fun. "Gringotts curse breaker," she read aloud for the others to hear. "Traveling… sounds good."
"That's right, Daph. We'll travel the seven seas and have great adventures," Sirius encouraged.
"You just said we'd be aurors together and have many great adventures," James pointed out
"I can do it all. There's plenty of Sirius to go around."
Slughorn stood up and his large belly collided with the table.
"Severus Snape."
Sirius turned his head to eye Severus darkly.
"And they think I'm going to Azkaban, what about that git?"
Daphne sat up higher to watch Severus be interviewed. After a few nods and a pamphlet or two, he was making his way back to his seat.
"That was fast," Daphne said out loud without meaning to. She wondered what they had told him.
"Who would want to hire him?" James chuckled.
A few more names got called out after that and then finally Professor Sprout stood in her earth colored robes and announced that they could all go to breakfast, which had already begun a few minutes before.
"And don't forget to read over those papers we gave you," she remarked as people shuffled to the door. It was almost like she was foreseeing them all throw the pamphlets into the first bin they saw.
"Mr. Potter, please remain behind for a moment." Professor McGonagall collected her folders, then met with James outside the classroom, locking the door behind her. Lily was waiting too, even though Daphne hadn't heard her name called. Daphne mentioned that they would meet him in the Great Hall and hurried away, wondering what that could possibly be about.
"Mr. Potter, Lily tells me that during the first prefect/headboy and girl meeting you had a rather unusual idea about permitting the students to use the lake for recreation. I do not know that that is a wise idea, Mr. Potter. Students are not normally allowed within the lake," Professor McGonagall informed him. Lily nodded.
"We won't be swimming in far, just near the shore. Honestly professor, it's so hot these days everyone would love it." James insisted to the tartan clad professor before him.
"Yes, Mr. Potter, but unfortunately the school has rules about such things."
"Ah Minerva, Mr. Potter, Ms. Evans, what are you all doing inside on such a fine day?" Professor Dumbledore strolled up to them. He had on a bright set of purple robes and was eagerly on his way to breakfast.
McGonagall nodded in greeting. "We were discussing one of Mr. Potters ideas."
"Ah, yes, headboy this year." Dumbledore smiled fondly at James.
"Headmaster, I think the student should be allowed to use the lake." James made his case out clearly for the headmaster.
"And I was informing Mr. Potter…"
"The lake? Why no one is using it? What is the purpose of a lake if no one swims in it? I think it's a fine idea." Dumbledore's clear blue eyes crinkled as he smiled again.
James grinned.
"Thank you, sir, I thought so as well. Evans, however, did not support me."
Lily flushed. "Well I…"
"Albus, you can't be serious?" Professor McGonagall protested.
"Alas, I am very much so, gumdrop?"
"Very well." McGonagall had no choice, but to agree, though she declined the gumdrop.
"Victory!" James helped himself to a piece of pie.
"Huh?" Peter looked clueless.
"I just made my first suggestion as headboy and Dumbledore backed me up, even when my headgirl did not." He said the last part clearly so that Lily's back tensed up angrily a few sets away.
"And what was that?" Remus wondered.
"We are now allowed to use the lake."
"Really?" Daphne asked excitedly. It was about time. Though it was fall, the weather was still hot. Not to mention, she always brought her bikini, hoping it would be handy.
"We're only allowed on weekends though, but that's enough." James cheered up biting into his pie slice.
"Yeah… uh… I have to go to the library," Remus said, standing up abruptly and exiting the great hall. He left half of his breakfast untouched on his plate. Jasmine appeared seconds later, dropping into the seat Remus had just vacated. She put her head down on the table.
"He hates me," she declared in defeat.
Sirius sighed. "We all do. Now, would you go away?"
Daphne nearly burst in laughter, but had to restrain herself for Jasmine's sake. She could tell her friend was really suffering.
"We don't hate you," Daphne gave Sirius a look to stop him from disagreeing. "And neither does he."
"Who?"
"Honestly, James cant you tell? Remus."
Jasmine pouted her lip out.
"Now that you mention it, he does act funny when you're around." James screwed his eyes in concentration, Sirius shrugged, and Peter didn't hear a word of the conversation as he helped himself to another full plate of bacon.
"You barely noticed?" Daphne couldn't forget how odd he had been acting. Recently, he always disappeared when Jasmine came around.
"Do you know if he hates me?" Jasmine desperately questioned, hoping they would provide her with a ray of light.
James and Sirius exchanged thoughtful looks.
"We didn't think so."
Jasmine groaned into her arms. Not even History of Magic lectures could make her focus. She kept trying to make eye contact with Remus, who was concentrating far too much on his own notes.
That weekend provided them with the first opportunity to try out the lake. It was bright, sunny, and hot. Professor McGonagall had no choice, but to let them use the lake. Although, she cautioned them to be careful during each of her classes the day before.
Lily and Daphne were in their dormitory preparing for a day out in the sun, when Jasmine entered. She easily got past the portrait by pulling rank on the younger Gryffindors. Daphne greeted her, then had to turn back to take in her appearance. Jasmine was in a conservative one-piece bathing suit, with long shorts on, and a large floppy straw hat. A thick white blob was where her nose should have been.
"Are you ready?" She asked them eagerly, a book in her hand. Then, Jasmine noticed her friend's expression.
"Am I showing too much?" Jasmine brought her hands up to her chest, worried about being overexposed.
Lily read Daphne's mind. "Could you cover up anymore?"
Daphne searched her drawers. "Here, try this."
Jasmine held up a red suit, her eyes widening. "This?"
Lily shoved her toward the bathroom, removing the hat as she went. They waited in silence for her to reappear, minutes ticked away. Suddenly, Jasmine squealed from the bathroom in a high pitched voice.
"I can't wear this!"
"Come out and show us!"
"No, it goes much too low!"
"Jasmine, come out or were coming in!" Daphne threatened.
"Fine, fine, hold on one second." The doorknob let out a click and Jasmine poked her head out to make sure no one else had suddenly appeared in the room. Her arms were crossed over the red one-piece bathing suit that plunged into a deep v to just about over her belly bottom.
"I don't have the ta-tas for this and it hardly has a back," she complained.
"Umm hello," Lily spun around. Her bathing suit equally exposed most of her back. It was a lilac two piece, with a thin piece of cloth connecting the top to the bottom in the front.
Daphne picked up a large beach towel. "Ready ladies?"
"I don't know", Jasmine squirmed uncomfortably. "Can I at least put the shorts on? And what about my hat, what was wrong with that?"
"You can wear them if you want to," Daphne replied. She and Lily had thrown clothes over their own swimsuits, but Daphne had a feeling Jasmine was trying to worm her way out of exposing the bathing suit to anyone else.
On the way out of Gryffindor tower, Thelma joined Daphne, Lily, and Jasmine. The hallways were already empty. As they passed the suits of armor in the main hall, a dark figure billowed past them.
"Hi Severus," Daphne called out. He flinched at his name being said and glanced sideways as the other three girls stopped in their tracks. He was in his black school pants, with a short sleeve white blouse, and his tie perfectly in place. Daphne bit her lip.
"Aren't you going to the lake?" For some reason, she found herself disappointed with the thought that he wouldn't be there.
Lily seemed confused by the friendly chatter.
"Come on," she prompted.
Severus muttered something about not going.
"You know," Jasmine began in her prefect voice. "Students are expected to be outside. Prefects will be out there. I think it would be best if you went. According to McGonagall…"
"Come on," Lily grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the large open doors that were letting in rays of light. Daphne followed walking backward.
"You should come!" She suggested and hoped he would take her advice.
The best way to describe the weather was scorching hot. Stepping outside, Daphne was glad they had a lake nearby and it seemed that the whole school really had turned up. Towels were thrown all over the ground. Daphne spotted James and Sirius straight away. They were near the shore, shirtless and surrounded by awestruck giggling girls. Remus also had some girls trying their hardest to impress him, though he kept a short sleeve shirt on. Jasmine's eyebrow lifted slightly and her lips clenched together.
Lily picked a spot close to the boys and cast occasional glances at the girls flipping their hair flirtatiously. They all laid out their towels. Daphne removed the small sundress she had put on over her two piece. She was wearing a nude crochet bikini. Lily slipped off her own shorts and T-shirt to reveal a dark blue bikini. Thelma, like Jasmine, remained quite covered. She even set up an enormous beach umbrella to shade her from the sun. Lily glanced over at James who was now demonstrating his snitch catching abilities.
"Hello gorgeous."
Daphne had barely placed her large round sunglasses on when Nigel had appeared out of no where flexing his muscles.
"Care for a swim?" He asked. Daphne declined.
It did not take long for the boys to find Daphne and Lily. They surrounded their towels, chatting and trying their best to win the girls' attention. Jasmine was siting down her book propped open, but Daphne notice that the pages weren't turning. A bold brunette had just sat down close to Remus. She chatted for a while and her hand moved up to his chest. Jasmine slammed her book shut. She couldn't believe what she had just seen, and worse, Remus had smiled shyly down at the girl.
Jasmine dark eyes got a sudden hint of determination. as she stood up from the large towel, she tossed aside the long shorts, the hat, and then she let her hair down. She even wiped the sunscreen from her nose. A Gryffindor walking by let out a low whistle. Jasmine nearly caved in. Daphne saw her glance down to her shorts again, but then she caught Remus looking over. He did a take, then double take to make sure he really was seeing what he was seeing. A sudden resolve came into Jasmine's face and she lifted her chin and did her best to confidently sashe to the water, where she wet her hair. Her usual dark waves became even more prominent. Allowing some water to fall down onto her skin where it glistened in the sun, Jasmine made her way back without glancing at Remus once.
Lily hadn't noticed any of it. She was staring down at her fair skin.
"I really hope I don't burn," she said while she took some of the lotion Jasmine had brought along. She rubbed it carefully onto her arms. The boy blocking Lily's view of the lake suddenly brought his hands up to his nose. It was bleeding, but not from the heat. He hastily rushed away to reveal James tucking his wand into a pocket on the side of his black and red swimming trunks.
"Need some help with that?" James had detected Lily's presence and left the disappointed girls behind. His hair looked windswept though there wasn't even a hint of a breeze. The boys, who had been near Lily, cautiously moved away. The memory of what James had done to Aubrey was still fresh in their minds.
"I think I can manage. It's not a very difficult process." She demonstrated how easy it was by putting some on her leg. He smiled, but when he didn't go away, she gestured to the girls. "Perhaps one of them could use some help."
"Maybe," he shrugged, "but I asked you."
It could have been the sun, but Lily's cheeks turned a shade darker. Jasmine sighed beside. She couldn't help feeling irritated at Remus, who was allowing that girl so close to him. Then it occurred to Jasmine that she was far more intelligent than the girl with Remus, and if she wanted to spend time with him, she was going to have to do something about it. After a few seconds analyzing the situation, Jasmine conjured a muggle volleyball with her wand.
"I'll be back later."
Daphne peered around the boys blocking her view. Jasmine headed straight for the group of girls and slithered her way through them. Sirius spun to greet the new addition.
"Hey ther… oh my gosh… eww!" He sheltered his eyes when he saw it was Jasmine.
Jasmine furiously gritted her teeth, as she moved past him.
"Hey Remus," she said as casually as her voice would allow her. Really she wasn't feeling very confident. He could really like these girls around him for all she knew, but to her relief, Remus smiled at her friendly face. That small gesture prompted her forward. She lifted the volleyball.
"Care for a game?" She challenged, hoping she wasn't making a fool out of herself.
The girl who was practically hanging on him sneered.
"He's busy at the moment." Remus' eyes widened at what the girl was saying. Jasmine felt the heat rush to her cheeks.
"Yeah, well, ten points from... whatever house you're in… Hufflepuff... for talking back to a prefect." Jasmine moved out of the tight space for open ground. She really hoped Remus was following otherwise, she was going to feel humiliated. Luckily, one glance over her shoulder showed her that he had indeed come over.
Remus didn't want to encourage Jasmine. He was supposed to be staying away from her, but he was finding that to be very difficult. Not only had the other girl been rude, but also, he could barely take his eyes off Jasmine as he followed. He could see curves he'd never seen on Jasmine before.
Jasmine spun around smiling and hit the ball up in the air. Remus had only ever heard of this muggle game, but never played it himself. He did his best to copy what she had just done and hit it up again. When Remus missed the next one, he tried smiling past his embarrassment.
"Not used to…" He couldn't remember the name of the game at the moment.
"Volleyball," she informed him, as she easily sent the white ball gliding back to him.
"Right," Remus smiled wider, this time allowing his teeth to show.
Jasmine felt her stomach flutter and nearly missed the ball this time. She sent it flying in the wrong direction. Remus ran for it, almost crashed into her, and barely managed to hit it by diving to the floor. He lay there and let himself laugh for a second.
Jasmine hurried over worried this game might have been a bad idea.
"Are you…" Jasmine started, but Remus chuckled on the floor.
Jasmine had just let herself giggle when Remus stood up abruptly.
"I'm sorry, I have to... I can't play anymore."
Jasmine couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Why not?"
Remus wiped the sand off of him and moved away, without looking her in the eyes.
"Perhaps you should play with Peter," he offered.
Not only was the thought of Peter annoying to Jasmine, but he was also wearing small yellow speedos, which repulsed her and made her look away.
"What are we playing?" Peter questioned.
"Nothing, I'm going to go swim for a bit," Jasmine hurried away. She felt extremely disappointed, but more determined than ever. If Remus thought he could just ignore her, he had another thing coming. Jasmine was determined to make it as difficult as possible. She wouldn't be ignored. She would have one more favor to ask her friends. It was time for a little change. Jasmine waved them towards the water. She didn't want to go alone with Peter who was tagging along. Fortunately, they picked up and left the mobs of boys.
Daphne linked her arm into Sirius' as she headed toward the lake.
"What are we doing?" He asked without complaining.
"Swimming!" Daphne exclaimed.
Raelyn stepped up beside them surveying the vast lake with her hands on her hips. She had a black, two piece on and the bottom part had ruffles. Sirius almost laughed when he saw them.
"You know," he began. "Most girls who lack in certain departments try enlargement spells."
Raelyn whipped out her wand, but used it to make a black swimming cap, which she placed on her head.
"I think it's cute," Daphne remarked about the bathing suit. Raelyn tucked her stray black hairs into the cap, ignoring them.
Sirius wasn't done. "I'm surprised you're swimming, don't witches like you melt in water?"
Raelyn shook her head while she mimed laughing. Sirius looked confused by her silence.
"What great holiday is this where we don't have hear you voice?"
Raelyn moved away and moments later she stood atop a branch that was protruding over the blue green water. It looked like she would dive in, but she did a cannonball instead, then proceeded into a proper breast stroke.
James stood on the very edge of the water.
"Shall we, Evans?"
Lily raised an eyebrow and flicked her wand. James flew forward into the shallow end. He got up completely drenched. Lily snickered to herself, until James ran over and tackled her into the water. Sirius picked up Daphne and jumped in after them, followed by Jasmine. The ball she had been holding transformed into a beach ball that they began to hit around. They were all having a good time until a voice echoed from above.
"Look Jasmine!" Peter was standing on the same branch Raelyn had used. It looked dangerously close to snapping.
"Peter no!"
It was too late. Peter jumped. The force of him hitting the water caused a tidal wave of water to hit them. Daphne felt herself tumble over. She practically crushed James as she got beached. She landed on his lower abs, lying face down. Lily landed sitting up on his chest. Jasmine who had been further in didn't get completely beached. She was lying on her back at the waterline. Daphne could hear her grumbling.
"Sorry," Daphne chimed to James as she got off.
"Not like we had a choice on where to land, besides, you were a comfortable alternative." Lily spoke sharply, but she was blushing again.
James propped himself up his elbows making Lily slide down to where Daphne had been.
"I wasn't complaining. You can land on me any day." He shook his hair making the droplets land on Lily who hurried off him trying to shelter herself, while she laughed.
"BLACK!" Everyone froze. Raelyn was lying in the sand with Sirius on top of her.
"I thought you weren't talking!" Sirius pointed out without relieving her. Big drops fell from his hair onto her face.
"OFF!" She yelled moving her hands to stop anymore water from landing on her face. Sirius mimicked James, and reminded Daphne of his animagus form, by roughly shaking his head back and forth. "Ahhh!"
"Well, well, well look at that, she didn't melt," said Sirius as he finally got off of her. He offered his hand, but she didn't take it, so he took her wrist and sprung her up to two feet. Raelyn angrily marched back to the water.
"Sorry," Peter yelled as they all entered the water again. Jasmine reply. Instead, she turned to Daphne.
"Why did you talk to Severus earlier? You two sounded friendly."
Daphne snapped her head around to make sure no Marauders had heard. To be honest, she didn't know why she had stopped earlier while she was with them.
"It was nothing," Daphne responded as casually as she could.
"Could've fooled me," Jasmine said to herself.
"What?"
Jasmine's eyes grew. "What? Nothing, I didn't say anything."
Daphne ignored this. She peered around the lake area, wondering if Severus had taken her advice and come out. She didn't see him anywhere. Just when she was about to go back to lie out in the sun, she spotted him. He was on the opposite side of the lake, sitting in isolation, like he always did. Daphne made sure no one would notice her absence, then lowered herself under the water. She swam below until she had to get air then continued. As she got closer, Daphne swam over making as little noise as possible. She wanted to surprise him. Every now and then, she poked her eyes just above the water to check on her progress, then disappeared under the ripples.
"I can see you you know," Severus called right over his book without even moving his eyes.
"Why didn't you say so earlier? It could've saved me time." Daphne narrowed her eyes, but the smile tugging on his lips made her feel less annoyed.
"I thought it would be obvious with the splashing."
"I was not splashing." He was teasing. Daphne swam closer.
"Why aren't you in the water?" Daphne stood up in her bikini. It was a beige color. When Severus had noticed her across the lake earlier, he had almost thought she had been wearing nothing at all. He dismissed that thought quickly though. Daphne might not have a problem with her appearance, but he knew she would never go that far. Still, being raised with a mother as conservative as his, he felt the need to look away from all the skin she was exposing. It was all crochet with stings tying around her neck and back and the bottom held by two strings on each side, almost as small as the top. If he thought he had a good idea of her shape the day her clothes had stuck to her in the rain, it was nothing compared to this.
"You're not afraid of burning, are you?" Daphne tried guessing. He was a light color, just like Lily. Daphne knew Lily could turn lobster red in the sun.
Severus looked everywhere but her. He felt it was indecent to be seeing her in so little clothes.
"No," he mumbled.
"Then why don't you come in? Aren't you hot?" She continued.
Severus turned away. He was hot, but he didn't feel the need to go scampering inside the lake like an immature kid. Daphne reached down for his hand, and he let himself be pulled up, though he made sure to look away from her.
"Well you definitely can't go in that," Daphne raised an eyebrow at his shirt. He had laid his tie on the side along with his shoes and wand. He even had his pants rolled up, but that was it.
"I'm not…" Severus meant to say he wasn't going to take off his shirt, but Daphne had lifted up his own wand and did a quick little spell
"Accio shirt."
Severus felt his shirt come off. He turned a bright shade and brought his arms up, crossing them to cover his thin pale upper half.
"Reparo."
His shirt mended itself and Daphne folded it nicely and set it beside his tie. He wasn't really angry, just embarrassed that she was seeing him like this. He knew she must be used to seeing different types of men. After all, she was friends with a quidditch captain and the school bad boy. They were popular for a reason. Then again, nothing else about him ever seemed to bother her. She didn't mind that he was unpopular, Slytherin, or thin.
Daphne didn't notice how uncomfortable he was, which helped him loosen up a bit. She moved back into the water and beckoned for him to join. He edged forward, but did not go in. Daphne wickedly grinned as she edged closer to him. Then she let her arms fall into the water and let a huge splash hit Severus. It soaked him completely. Severus glared at her through his now wet curtains of black hair.
"If you think that your silly little games are going to…" SPLASH! Severus went from shock to anger and he stepped into the water determined to get her back. Using his wand, he conjured a wave that he sent directly over to her. Daphne let out a small scream before the water engulfed her.
Severus felt satisfied with that, until he noticed her further away. She was floating above the water and she wasn't moving. Severus felt the color drain from his face and he swam over to her as quickly as he could. She floated with her hair surrounding her like nymph. There was no way that could have drowned her that easily. Severus glanced uneasily at her. He put his arm under her in a cradling position, his hand on her thin shoulder.
"Daph…"
Daphne stood up and startled him so much, he almost tripped over his own feet. She then shot a stream of water out of her mouth right into his face. He was so relieved she hadn't been hurt, that he forgot to be mad and splashed water on her. This time with his hand.
"You won't get away with that," he threatened lightly as another batch of water sprinkled on his face.
Daphne could not suppress a giggle and then to her absolute mortification, she heard a snort escape her. But she couldn't stop herself from laughing. Instead, she continued to do so harder than ever.
Severus hadn't found any of it funny until she snorted. He did not want to laugh, but he ended up with a low chuckle.
Daphne crawled out of the water on her hands and knees then rolled over onto her back in exhaustion from the water wars. The sand was warm beneath her and she stuck out her arms at her sides, inhaling and exhaling deeply in between her fit of giggles. Severus came out of the water as well and sunk down next to her lying down panting. They allowed themselves a few moments of silence to catch their breath.
"What did they advise for you?" Daphne asked. The sun was still high in the air, and she could feel her skin drying.
Severus cast a glance at her. Her face was sun kissed and the top of her cheeks slightly burned.
"Not much," Severus easily told her. He didn't even bother trying to shrug her off. He getting used to her personal questions. "Not that it matters, I already…" Severus cut his words off.
"You already know what you're going to do?"
He looked away from her and shook his head.
"Me either," she admitted.
Severus turned back to her again. She smiled at him.
"You would make a good professor," Daphne concluded.
"Professor?" Severus snorted in disbelief.
"Why not?" Daphne didn't think it was too outrageous. He wasn't the most patient person and definitely did not tolerate ignorance, but he knew subjects well.
"A potions professor," Daphne specified like she had just gotten a great idea.
Severus ignored that last part.
"How about you?"He asked.
"I got careers like muggle relations, representative to the ministry." Daphne listed the things off using her fingers to count them down.
Severus nearly smirked again. "I could see that."
"Really?"
She seemed so happy that he had agreed. It annoyed him.
"Well you walk around chipper and running your mouth all the time."
Daphne instantly looked irritated. Great, he was always insulting her without meaning too.
"I didn't say it was a bad thing," he growled.
Daphne smiled at him. The drops of water left on her long eyelashes were so clear. He could almost count them all. Daphne blinked then shifted. Her hand brushed near Severus'. Her pinky landed right on his. Severus thought for a full moment about pulling it away then decided that if she wanted to pull away she could.
She didn't.