Gwynne woke with a start; her dream about Sirius had ended too soon for her taste. She blushed at the thought of her dream, she had dreamt about things she had no right to dream about.
Slipping out of the great bed, she sauntered to the window; the night was almost at an end, as the morning mists swelled over the outer grounds.
Something caught her eye, a figure sitting by the edge of the vast lake. Squinting her eyes, she could make out the features of the figure, his black, slightly sleep ruffled mane glistened in the fading moonlight.
What had possessed Sirius to leave the castle at night? She wondered, Did he not remember the dangerous spirits that remained trapped here?
Gwynne rushed to the armoire and swung open the door, pulling out a plain grey sleeveless overdress.
She threw it on over her nightgown, taking a moment to adjust the tight dress. She then knelt to search for a pair of shoes, none could be found so she simply ran from her room and out onto the grounds.
Sirius never could resist the hours of darkness; it was much more beautiful than the day; the pale moon surrounded by the dark night sky had always enchanted him. Perhaps that was why he found Gwynne so alluring. Her pale and dark features made her seem mystifying and delicate.
He had been unable to sleep, Gwynne never left his mind, he knew he had to get out of his room; I've never been at ease in confined spaces.
The mer people songs drew him to the waterside; their voices were smooth and relaxing.
The sound of footsteps on the overgrown path grew nearer, Sirius couldn't pull his gaze; the misty waters looked too beautiful in the moonlight.
"You know it's dangerous out here at night..." Gwynne's voice cut in from behind him.
"I couldn't sleep" he lied; the truth was he couldn't keep dreaming about her, at least not in the ways he was.
She sat down beside him and curled her knees up to rest her chin on them. "Mer people always have the most beautiful voices" she murmured closing her eyes to listen to their song.
"Now, I would beg to differ" he joked nudging her with his shoulder gently.
She scoffed raising an eyebrow, "Me? You've never even heard me sing."
"Oh, but your speech is impeccable" he chuckled.
She laughed along with him, his laugh was so vigorous and when it died away he stood.
She looked up to him from her seat on the ground; the moonlight added an unearthly glow around him.
He offered his hand to her and pulled her up to her feet. Gwynne brushed of her dress and Sirius bowed to her sarcastically.
"May I have this dance?" he asked.
Gwynne replied by holding her dress out for a curtsy.
"You may" she said with a false politeness.
Sirius gripped her waist almost hesitantly; but then pulling her to him. Taking her hand in his, she placed her hand on his shoulder.
The eerie melodies rang from the depths as Sirius guided them through the dance.
Sirius could not think of anything that could possibly be wrong in the world. He never knew he could be so composed when this close to a beautiful woman
Her laugh was like music to his ears as he held her hand above her head and twirled her around in front of him.
Sirius drew her to him and rapidly spun her outward. Gwynne's laughter filled the night air as her feet splashed in the lake's water.
As Gwynne spun away Sirius's gaze locked with hers and her breath caught in her throat. Her knees went weak and she lost her footing; nearly falling back into the waters.
Sirius caught her, his arms wrapping themselves around her waist and her arms flung themselves around his neck.
His breathing quickened, I hope she can't feel how fast my heart is pounding.
His face edged closer, her lips were too enticing. Her eyes widened as Sirius's gaze penetrated hers, all while his lips neared hers.
But he saw something in her eyes, or perhaps it was a reflection of his own, and his knees gave out as well. His weight fell on Gwynne thrusting her into the water, and pulling him in with her.
The loss of balance had them splashing about in the dark waters. Gwynne sat up; her hair and dress were drenched and covered in the lake's plant life.
Her dripping hair hung in front of her face and she parted it, looking about crossly. Sirius was nowhere to be seen.
"Sirius?" she called out fearfully.
"Sirius, Sirius…" Sirius this isn't funny, Sirius where are you?"
After no response Gwynne let herself panic and ran into the deeper waters calling his name.
"Sirius this isn't funny, Sirius where are you?"
She spun around to the sound of laughter. There Sirius lounged, hands resting behind his head, against a large willow tree on the shore.
He was completely soaked but paid no mind, as he kept laughing at her. Gwynne fumed and gathered her skirts. She stalked angrily out of the water, right up to Sirius.
She dropped her sopping skirts at her feet and he still laughed. She kicked his leg and stomped up the hill towards the castle rambling muttered curses.
It never became aware to him that he would have upset her so greatly. It was just in his nature to be mischievous.
Grasping his still wounded side, he stood and sprinted after her. Catching up to her; he saw she was trembling and her hands cradled herself for warmth.
He reached out a cold wet hand to touch her shoulder. She spun around, her lips now tinged a bluish hue and her dripping hair hung in her face.
She looked at him dejectedly as a tear fell down her pale cheek.
"Gwynne…I'm so sorry…" he pleaded for her gaze. He had no idea she could care so much, about him.
Her body gave a quake, "I, you, I thought you had…" She stared into the distance. Her silence scared him and he wrapped his arm around her.
"Let us go inside, your freezing…"he said pulling her toward the castle. She only nodded and Sirius noticed once he had touched her, her trembling ceased.
They walked in silence back to Sirius's room; he could not let her out of his sight, he felt completely wretched about worrying her.
He grabbed his wand off of the mantle and lit a fire in the large hearth. He noticed Gwynne shiver again and brought a large blanket to wrap around her.
"Thank you" she whispered staring into the fire. He sat down in front of the big fire; leaning against a small chair that sat in front of the fireplace.
He tugged her down to him and pulled her into his arms. She rested her head on his shoulder, still staring into the fire. Sirius buried his face in her hair, her scent still fascinating him. He then rested his chin on the top of her head and they fell into content slumber and the sun ascended for another day.