SWIMMINGGEDDON.

[wwistful]

WHO: Murdoc Donoghue and YOU
TONE: Fun, WHIMSICAL, horrifying
RATING: PG-13 and onward
WHEN: September 7th
WHERE:  The Lake.
WHAT:  After this Murdoc realised the children (and staff) of Hogwarts were in dire need of swimming lessons.
STATUS: Ongoing

[GATHER AROUND CHILDREN it's a warm summer day and the lake is perfect for diving into your sudden but inevitable deaths. You should all be dressed in your swimming trunks (which you clearly have don't even lie) because Murdoc sure is. He's determined to conduct this in the best manner he can, though he wasn't quite expecting the turn out to be so large. People who can swim are welcome to become his assistants because he could probably use the help.]

Comments

[nobodyscrumpet]

[Groans a little.]

Oh, I'd forgotten about that being in there...

[She buries her face into her knees and hugs her legs tighter.]

I shouldn't have signed up for this.

[di_intraining]

[He actually feels bad for Victoria now; she really is out of her element, isn't she?]

Hey, it's alright. You don't have to go too near it as long as you stay near the edges. And you could learn to swim there too; it's not too deep.

[nobodyscrumpet]

[She doesn't lift her head, so her words come out vaguely mumbled into her legs.]

Well of course I could learn by the edge. And I really have to learn but...

I should have just done this at a muggle pool. Then no one here would have to see me drown.

[di_intraining]

No one is going to do any drowning today. The professors will make sure of it.

Here, how about we just get you comfortable with getting into the water first. We won't go anywhere too deep; just to get you used to the feel of it.

[nobodyscrumpet]

[She looks up at him letting an eye peak over a knee]

How deep?

[di_intraining]

Up to your knees and nothing more unless you say so.

[He actually smiles at her encouragingly, and tries some teasing of his own.]

Come on Victoria, you're not going to let water scare you, are you?

[nobodyscrumpet]

[She gives him a stubborn pout then nods slowly.]

If you break that promise, I'm going to be beyond cross with you.

[di_intraining]

[Success! He grins and gets up, offering a hand to her.]

If I do, you get to call me Gregory for the rest of our school years in Hogwarts. And I'll buy you something nice from Hogsmeade every time there's an outing.

[He is making very serious promises here Victoria; you know how much he hates that name.]

Up we go then.

[nobodyscrumpet]

[Victoria takes off her glasses and puts them down, then she takes his hand gently and stands up.]

Buy me something nice? Well now I almost hope I do drown.

[Gives him a slight smile.]

[di_intraining]

[He returns her smile with one of his own.]

Then I better pay sharp attention and make sure you don't. Come on now.

[And he's going to lead her to the water, his hand still holding hers. He takes the first steps into the cool lake water and turns back to her.]

Right. Take a few steps in.

[nobodyscrumpet]

[She keeps a hold of his hand and then eyes the water suspiciously. Then huffs at him when he suggests she gets in.]

I know how to get into water, Gregory. I've walked along a beach before.

[She huffs again then takes a step in, shivering at the cold.]

Why are we in the north sea? This is too cold.

[That being said she doesn't get out of the water, nor does she let go of his hand.]

[di_intraining]

It'll get warmer when your body gets used to it.

[He's going to lead her in a little deeper now. It's now halfway up to her knees, but his hand doesn't get any less firm with her.]

[nobodyscrumpet]

Nothing's going to come and touch me in here is it?

[She's started to pout, her hand getting a little tighter as she follows him out deeper.]

I don't want something touching me.

[She looks at Greg's hand.]

That's slimy.

[di_intraining]

You might get a few of the small fishes nibbling your toes, but they're harmless.

[He says this in the utmost serious voice; it's up to you to believe him or not Victoria.]

[nobodyscrumpet]

[She looks at him then down at the water.]

How small, is small? Small fish are sort of sweet.

[di_intraining]

I'd say around the size of your thumb. They're right tiny.

[And right on cue, there's a few small ones that swim up around their legs. The crystal clear water makes it easy to see them but they aren't doing anything to them. Yet.]

[nobodyscrumpet]

[Looking down she sees them, looking a little surprised.]

Oh wow, they are sweet.

[She smiles up at him.]

[di_intraining]

[He returns her smile, glad that she isn't freaking out like he thought she might have.]

See? The water isn't so bad.

Ready to go deeper?

[nobodyscrumpet]

[If they were bigger she'd freak out]

Wading is the easy part, I guess.

[She looks past Greg to where the water is deeper]

Maybe... A little deeper.

[di_intraining]

[He nods and starts to lead her in deeper, step by step. He's obviously exercising a lot more patience and caution than normal.]

Tell me when to stop, alright?

[nobodyscrumpet]

[She looks up at Greg with a flat look on her face]

Now why would I tell you to stop. What a stupid idea that would be.

[She keeps moving out with him slowly.]

I... No deeper than my waist... I don't think I... I'll try but, no promises, Understand?

[Not that she's starting to feel nervous about the waters height.]

[di_intraining]

[He catches the anxiety in her voice and slows down, letting her lead instead.]

You're doing great Victoria. Don't worry, I've still got you.

[nobodyscrumpet]

[She keeps shuffling deeper, giving his hands a squeeze to make sure he's still there. She starts to chew her lip with concern.]

[di_intraining]

[He gives her a gentle squeeze back, still careful to hold her and alert in case anything happens and she accidentally falls or panics.]

[nobodyscrumpet]

You know, this isn't that bad at all. Just cold, and wet. I'm almost enjoying it.