A/N: I don't own Harry Potter
This is for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Assignment #8 Swimming Lessons - Task #1:Write about facing your fears, - prompt - (setting) The Black Lake
Warning: near drowning
Word Count: 600
Severus stood before the Black Lake watching the water splash against the sandy shore. Slowly, he slid his feet from his shoes. He put one bare foot in the water. It was cold and for a moment, he debated heading back inside. He could always do this a different day. It wasn't as if he really needed to learn to swim.
He looked back to the castle, trying to ignore the building anxiety in his chest. He wasn't afraid of water. He could stand here for a moment, letting it wash over his feet. No, he was afraid of being in the water. He was afraid of the water going over his head.
He shuddered remembering one prank Potter had pulled. He'd set up a bucket of water above a door. When Severus had entered, it had fallen on his head. Just thinking about the event caused his chest to tighten. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. No, he needed to face this. He could not bear another panic attack in front of Potter and his stupid friends.
Slowly, Severus opened his eyes. The lake shimmered in front of him. He took off his robe, tossing it on shore. He took another step into the water. He had been wearing his swim trunks and a t-shirt beneath the robe. The water lapped at his knees now. Severus could feel the panic building, but shoved it down. He needed to do this, needed to face this fear. He knew how it had started.
It had started with his father. The one day they'd gone to the local river. Severus couldn't remember why they'd gone there. Maybe they had been meeting someone, it didn't matter now. He had only been about eight years old. He'd been running up and down the bank, laughing. He remembered laughing next to the water. He remembered his foot slipping on a rock. He'd gone under.
There had been no up, no down, nothing. He couldn't scream underwater, his lungs were full of water. He remembered them burning. He didn't remember being rescued, but he was sure it hadn't been his father pulling him from the water. He remembered the aftermath. He remembered the yelling, the screaming, his father saying that if Severus was a wizard he should have saved himself. He remembered his father calling him 'useless', a 'burden'.
Severus shook these thoughts from his head. It didn't help to think about that now as he took another step into the water. It wasn't as cold now. The water was up to his waist now. He could turn back, he'd gotten further than he'd ever been. No, he had to finish this. He had to beat this, putting it off wouldn't accomplish anything. Looking around, he didn't see anyone on shore.
He took a deep breath and stuck his head underwater. He kept his eyes closed as the water submerged him. For a moment, he was sure his heart would burst out of his chest. He pulled his head from the water, took a deep breath and looked around. He'd done it. He'd done it! He nearly yelled in joy, but managed to keep his emotions to himself.
Slowly, he smiled. He walked to shore, dried his clothes, put his robe back on and headed to the castle. He had never felt such a sense of accomplishment, never dreamed he'd never be afraid of the lake. Now, the only thing on his mind was paying back Potter for the water bucket. He just needed to find out what Potter was afraid of... maybe spiders?