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

[di_intraining]

He should never meet my sisters, they'll all terrorise London together.

Thanks. What's the name of the beach you went to, if you don't mind me asking? I might try there.

[nobodyscrumpet]

Oh he'll just pull their hair and steal their things. He should be in a zoo.

Solent Breezes, in Southampton. I live in Otterborne, so it's only half an hour by car.

[di_intraining]

Trust me, my sisters will give him a run for his money. They're downright sneaky and I swear they can get away with almost anything.

Solent Breezes. Got it. I'll let you know if I ever get there.

[nobodyscrumpet]

Well, Peter doesn't get away with everything... But he gives it a good try.

You should tell me

[She nods]

[di_intraining]

We'd better hope they never meet then. I wouldn't want them teaching him all their little tricks.

I will.

I'll get you something nice too. As a thank you present for telling me about the place.

[nobodyscrumpet]

That would be disastrous.

[She looks up at him, trying to not look TOO excited about this.]

You would?

[di_intraining]

Yeah. I'll get something for both you and Arthur. Promise.

[nobodyscrumpet]

Oh you really are the sweetest thing.

[di_intraining]

["Sweetest thing"? Not even his mother or his step-mother called him that, and certainly not his father. It brings a slight blush to his cheeks even.]

T-Thanks.

[nobodyscrumpet]

[She smiles]

I'm only stating the truth, there's no need to thank me, Gregory.

[di_intraining]

It's Greg.

[That's all he can mumble out, warmth creeping down the back of his neck.]

I think Donoghue's about done with whoever he's teaching. You're up next.

You ready?

[nobodyscrumpet]

I like Gregory.

[She looks around in the water, at the professor. And takes a steadying breath.]

I'm. Not so sure if I am.

[di_intraining]

Well I'd prefer you to use Greg, if you don't mind. I don't think I'm much of a "Gregory" person.

You can do it Victoria. I know you can.

[And for extra effect, he squeezes her hand gently, before a slight smirk forms on his lips.]

You're too stubborn to not make it work either way. Somehow, you'll figure it out.

[nobodyscrumpet]

Of course you're a Gregory. It's dignified and strong.

[She gives him a huffy pout]

I am not stubborn. I'm determined.

[di_intraining]

You might be looking at the wrong bloke if you're looking for "dignified". I'm not that strong either.

I know I know, I was just kidding with you. Come on, let's head back to the shore.

[nobodyscrumpet]

No. I'm looking at the right 'bloke'.

[She nods and looks back towards the shore.]

I think that is a very good idea.

[di_intraining]

...well, thanks for that. The compliment, I mean. S'first I've heard of me being anything like that.

[He leads the way back to shore, still maintaining his care over her until they get back to the edge of the lake..]

[nobodyscrumpet]

Well you clearly don't hang around the right people.

[As they get to the edge, she carefully walks out of the water, shivering now that her wet legs are now exposed to the air. She looks around a little.]

Towel?

[She says as if it will help her remember where she left it]

[di_intraining]

Err, I think it's back there. I'll go get it.

[If only to hide his slightly reddening face and give him time to cool down. By the time he returns he's back to normal and he hands her tower over to her, his own draped over his shoulders.]

[nobodyscrumpet]

Thank you

[Taking the towel graciously and starts to dry her legs and waist.]

[di_intraining]

[He takes the silent moment between them to do the same, unsure of what else there is to say.]