Just Keep Swimming PV Howard White Finished

@Howard White

Was that a connection? Bloom hadn't experienced something like that in a long while with another person. At home, it was so chaotic and even at school it was hard to find those people to just take the time to connect with. But with Howard, it was instant. She couldn't help but to stare into his red eyes. It was true that he was not human, Bloom didn't really understand what he was, but she was still appreciative of him and his humanity of having a connection with her.

Her trailed-off mind came back with the sound of Howard clearing his throat. He tried her instructions and it seemed to not come as easily as the first set of instructions she gave him. She squinted her eyes at the water splashing towards her, and couldn't help but to smile. "Probably a few more tries," she teased, insinuating that he would need more practice than just a couple more tries.

"I'm a halfblood," she answered, taking a break from the swimming. She began to go towards the shallow part of the lake and sit in the water calmly. Rocks were under her, but if she shifted right, it was comfortable to sit and float on top of. She could feel the warmth of the sun warm up her skin that was out of the water. She wondered if he would follow her or stay where he was slightly deeper in the water.

"My father always shared magic with me. But we weren't allowed to always use it because we live with Muggles in London," she said, not giving too much information about her family. Bloom was not confident with her family background. They were not wealthy like half of her peers. They worked hard to make ends meet in an area of London that wasn't considered 'safe' to the average person. "My mums parents don't know what we are, and we often have to hide any mention of magic," she added, sharing with him a portion of how they lived within her family dynamic.

"What about you?" she asked, him, looking back at him. He probably grew up completely different if he wasn't human. Either he was born this way or he was changed sometime in his life. Bloom did not know much about Howard and was curious in knowing more about him.

@Bloom Silverton

The coughing and sputtering would eventually subside and another smile would slide across his lips as Bloom teased him. Once upon a time he most likely would have lashed out in anger. A defense mechanism to protect the fragile spirit within, but this felt different. Just two friends, even if newfound ones, having a playful tease with one another. Perhaps it was the maturity that came with age or just the shift within him that was taking place. Perhaps both, but Howard wouldn't overthink it in this moment and just let it be what is was, fun. His long index finger would flick at the water's edge to send a splash of droplets her way as he played along. "Nah, I'm a natural. Just didn't want to show you up." He joined in the teasing with a playful wink before he followed her along to the shallower waters.

After a few moments of shifting around he would find a comfortable spot to sit on the lake's floor. Hopefully his sunblock would hold up for a while longer as a soothing calmness crept its way over him. The company was good, the atmosphere was warm both in a physical way and a figurative one. What better way to spend the afternoon. Howard's brows would raise as she spoke of being a halfblood. Her experience could have been completely different than his, but at least she would know some things about the Muggle world. He didn't know much about London or what life was like there, however there would at least be some similarities between their lives. Or at least the one he used to live. "Don't meet too many of us that come up with Muggles. I miss that world sometimes. Do you when you're here?"

His question would give away a detail many might not know about Howard. He would nod along as she discussed having to hide her magic amongst some of her family. His situation was different, but hiding ones self was something he could relate to. "Does it bother you? Having to hide?" The inevitable would happen as Bloom continued. It was only natural for her to turn the question around on him. It was usually now that the conversation would come to an abrupt and often angry end, for this topic was the very root of his pain. Howard's tone would shift slightly. He explained in a matter of fact way, but there would be an edge of distant sorrow that tinted his words. "I'm Muggleborn." Impossible most would say as they looked at his blood red eyes and deathly white skin, but it had not always been that way. "Or...was? I..." Howard's eyes would shift back to her. One last glance to secure the trust before the drifted back to wards the horizon. "I was turned a couple years back." He paused. It was assumed that she knew what he was or at least the fact that he was no longer fully human, but there was still risk in admitting it aloud.

@Howard White

Water from Howard was trickling her way, and Bloom moved every so slightly to the side as if she was about to dodge it. She couldn't help but to give a small laugh at his tease back. For someone who was trying out swimming for the first time, they had done a great job in listening to instructions. Though, in turn, Bloom was proud of herself for sharing a decent amount of directions to him for Howard to follow.

Their playful conversation shifted, however. It became a bit more serious than she had expected. Was it something she said? Should she go along with it or go back to playfulness? Perhaps it was best to connect with Howard on different levels and not just a two-dimensional friendship. Bloom took a deep breath and began to think about home. Her eyes were looking straight ahead past the surface of the lake and into the small thicket of forest that lay far beyond the water's eye.

"It's hard to explain, but I really miss the 'working hard for what you want' aspect in the Muggle World. Everything is so easy here, you know? Granted, it takes time to learn a spell, but once you know a spell, things come easier. Like, I can sit here and summon a fish if I really wanted to versus making a spear and trying my luck," she said. Bloom knew what hard work was like. Her mother, a muggle, was a house maid who cleaned many people's homes. She did not have magic to help her. She would vacuum, mop, organize, and more all on her own. But some magical families have magical objects that do the work for them. It lacked reward in the Wizarding World.

"I do miss going to the movies though," she randomly said, remembering how her family would take them once in a blue moon to the movies when it was a matinee sale. "I remember watching Frozen for the first time... In forever," she said, joking at the last part to add some ease.

Hiding. That was their theme growing up. They were never allowed to share with her grandmama of anything that they had done. It was like already living another life. "Growing up, so many magical accidents would happen and we had to keep it a secret. That was the hardest part because it's not like we knew when these outbursts would happen and sometimes it was with grandmama or even at school. Honestly, it always made me frightful." Bloom was as honest as she could be to Howard about it. What was great, was that hearing he was a Muggleborn made her feel relieved. It meant that he understood, but perhaps his version of hiding was much more extreme. At least Bloom had a father who could explain to her what was happening; Bloom's guess was that it wasn't so for him.

There was, however hesitancy coming from Howard. At least that's what Bloom was guessing from the way he introduced his being turned a couple years back. Bloom had heard of it, but never made notice about it. It was only last year in June that these two got to know each other (by accident). Prior to that, they heard of each other, but never interacted.

"I know being magical was more of a surprise to you and something you did not know of or choose to be, but it must be hard to have that life to figure out again," she said, trying to be empathetic to the situation. From what she heard, he was a damphir. He was turned a couple of years ago, but Bloom didn't know much of the details. Just about how there was an attack of a student. "I'm sorry," she added, not knowing how much help that would be.

@Bloom Silverton

Howard nodded along as Bloom spoke of "work hard for what you want" aspect of Muggle living. He too knew what that was like having watched his parents run the bakery and even helping out on weekends and holidays. It wasn't that the Wizarding world was lazy. Plenty of them spent their lives working and striving for a good life, but there was this lack of something physical that just made it different. Sure, the Muggles had machines to do many things for them. However, the require a human aspect to continue to function where a magical person could just swish the wand and place the charm. When it wore off all that was needed was another. "I know what you mean. My parents have a bakery and you know, they have to use their hands to make the goods. Don't have wands to do it all for them. It's definitely...a different feeling of accomplishment."

"Oh man!" Howard slapped at the water like he would slap his knee. "Do I miss the movies!" He laughed at the humorous reference she made, but the yearning was true. Muggles definitely had the upper hand when it came to entertainment. "What I wouldn't give for a good action flick, hell, I'd even take a silly rom-com. Too bad there isn't anywhere around here we could get a projector to work." Thoughts of a movie night flashed through his mind. The old classics or maybe a Marvel movie he had liked as a kid! Wonder what ever happened to that Tony Stark? Howard shook away the thought as he shifted his focus back to Bloom.

It would be impossible for the pair to never flirt with darker subjects. Some things just couldn't be avoided. There was so much about being a part of this world that required hiding yourself. Howard would most likely never go as deep as some wizards had in the past, but part of him understood the need to be rid of the secrecy that shrouded them all. It was stifling at times. To be hidden in most parts of the world. Even those they could be themselves were small and often isolated. A quick glance at his own features and Howard could relate on having to be hidden away, even from ones own family. His still didn't know about his turn. How do you explain something like that? "I feel ya. My parents are both Muggles. Had no idea I'd ever end up here, but now that I am and I'm Dhampir, I can only imagine having to hide all of that for so long." He nodded along as she recognized him for what he was. The simple apology meant more than she might know. At one point he would have been defensive about it, what was there to be sorry about? But now he would appreciate the recognition of his struggle. "It's alright, I'm managing." A partial truth, but Howard didn't want to fully delve into that right now. Fortunately, his belly would save him.

With an audible grumble he would chuckle at the noise. "Worked up an appetite. What do you say, up for a bite?" Howard would offer. If she accepted they would spend the remainder of the day getting to know each other better as they enjoyed what the camp had to offer.

@Howard White

Bloom began to know more and more about his family life. His family were muggle bakers who probably made the most delicious pastries. She wondered what pastry they were known for, but thought that it was a conversation for a different time. It made her feel better, though. To know that his parents are working-class parents just like hers. Her father works in the Ministry by distributing letters onto owls in their Owlry (Mailman of sorts) and her mother works as a house maid in various homes around the neighborhood. All working hard to be financially stable.

When she mentioned the movies, he had shown so much excitement. It seemed that he had also loved going to the movies like her, and Bloom couldn't help but to grin widely at the thought. "Well how about this: during winter break, let's promise to go see a movie at the theaters in London? I have no idea what sort of movies will be out, but I think it will be fun!" she said, thinking of what a fun day it would be to just be a muggle with someone who knows of her magical side.

GRUMBLE!

Was that her stomach? Bloom clenched her stomach, but she realized that it wasn't hers, it was Howard's instead! When he realized, he had asked her to eat with him. Bloom looked at her body and hands for a moment and realized that they were shriveling up. Perhaps they were in the water for a little too long. "Sure! I hear Professor Iwasaki makes the best tacos," she said, coming out of the water and spending the remainder of the day with Howard, getting to know him better and soon enough, enjoying what the camp had to offer together.

THREAD FINISH