Just Keep Swimming PV Howard White Finished

@Bloom Silverton

Howard paced back and forth within his cabin. A pair of red swim trunks that matched his eyes was all he wore. His bare chest shining as the lights reflected off the ridiculous amount of sun block that was lathered on his skin. The smell of coconut would surely mark his presence this day. One like himself can't be too careful when it comes to the harmful rays of the summer sun. Why would someone who burns so easily in the sun shed his clothing and risk the blistering flesh? To conquer ones fears of course.

Of all the things to be scared of at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and there were many, one that topped Howard's list was the Great Lake. Would it be the giant squid with its long potentially deadly tentacles? No. The various creatures and Merpeople that lived just beneath the surface? No. What would scare Howard about the mysterious waters was the fact that he did not know how to swim. The city life he grew up in and limited resources of his family had never led the boy into the water. Since his arrival to the school he had thought of learning, but the timing was just never right. Most of the school year was too cold to swim and he never came across someone that he felt comfortable enough with to ask for help. Well, maybe Falentra, but physical activities weren't high on their to do list. Except for snogging of course. Anyways....

With a deep breath Howard would steady himself, grab his towel and make his way out of the cabin. Every step towards the water's edge brought a fresh wave of anxiety, but he was determined to at least try. The bright colored trunks against his pale flesh most likely made him stick out like a sore thumb, but at least the pool party event had plenty of people around in case he began to drown. It was foolish of him really not to just ask for help. The pride and stubbornness of a fifteen year old and all. With awkward, high steps he would make his way into shin deep water.

"Howard!"

The boy jumped slightly as someone shouted his name. It wouldn't take but a moment for him to zero in on Bloom Silverton who was a bit further off into the water. "Hey!" His voice would be a touch shaky as he waved hello. With unsteady steps he would make his way closer to her. "How are ya?" Howard asked. It had been a little while since that evening he shared with her in the Room of Requirement and he hadn't spent time with her since. The bond they formed that evening put him a little more at ease, but it would only intensify again as his red eyes looked over her shoulder into the deeper water. "You...uh...goin' in further?" Again the nerves would be evident in his tone.

@Howard White

The sands of the lake felt good between her toes. It was refreshing to just feel something cold and wet during such a hot day. And from the looks over others a bit away, she was not alone in thinking that. She wondered if Howard would join her for a swim though. He seemed to be someone who would enjoy relaxing out in the lake.

"I'm doing alright. How's your cabin mates treating you?" she asked, wondering how he was handling the summer camp. Some were having the time of their life, some wanted to go home, and then there were some that were indifferent. Bloom was more of the latter. She enjoyed being away from home, but also was okay with not really connecting with so many people. Although she was working on interacting with others better.

"Yeah...," she said questioningly. She was wearing her bathing suit and it was a hot day. Of course she was going to go further into the lake. She then sparked a hint of excitement. "Join me! Come swimming with me," she said, inviting him to join her. She really did like his company and was in hopes to get to know him more.

@Bloom Silverton

"Uhh, yeah, they're alright. For the most part anyway." Howard wasn't a liar, but omitting information was another thing. It would have actually been nice for him to tell Bloom everything in detail, however the mixture of nerves and proximity of other student prevented him from doing so. She had seen the more extreme side of his personality that evening in the Room of Requirement. Perhaps she would have been open to listening to his problems. Maybe she would have understood the situation with Jake or at least would have been willing to keep an open mind as he admitted his faults. Perhaps another time.

Howard would ask the obvious as his eyes bounced between Bloom and the deeper waters of the swimming area. Much to his own demise it seemed to ignite some excitement in her as she urged him to join. "What!?" A touch of panic would touch his voice. "Oh! Uh, sure." His red eyes continued to dart around as he splashed some water on his torso in an effort to stall. As if sparing a few moments would make any difference. With hesitant steps Howard would follow her deeper. Pride was a foolish thing. He felt comfortable enough with her. Why not just simply explain his hesitancy. Would it shine too much light on his humble upbringing? Was it really that embarrassing not to know how to do something?

How hard could it be? Howard let his arrogance get the best of him. With each step the water would rise. First to his waist, then belly and on up to his chest. The soft sands of the lake's bottom began to feel unsteady under his feet and the current of the water began to gently push him around. Howard began to move his arms around with a little too much fervor. From a distance it would most likely look a bit comical as he splashed about. This was a mistake. He would turn to go back towards the shallow, but his feet wouldn't find traction as the water continued to rise. With his tippy toes he would bounce off the lake bottom to keep his nose above only to sink under. The panic would begin to rise as the realization dawned on him. He was too far out to walk back in! "Bloom!" Howard began to call out each time his mouth broke the water line. "Help!.....Can't.....Swim...!"

@Howard White

"Come on, a little more," Bloom would urge her friend. She noticed for some reason he was showing some hesitation meeting her deep into the water's body. Did he just not like the lake? It was true that some people found the lake to be incredibly scary. There were many creatures that lived in the lake. The biggest creature that is the talk of the century is that of a giant squid. Despite the fact that squids need to be in salt water, it perhaps was that of magic that this squid would live in a fresh body of water.

As Howard ventured forward, Bloom began to swim towards him to meet him halfway from entering the lake. It wasn't until he began to splash uncontrollably that made her wonder. Immediately, from his screams, her heart began to race. He was drowning.

"HOWARD!" she screamed, and she swam faster towards him. She grabbed him from under his armpit and pulled him as much as she could towards the shallow part of the water where they could stand, the water at their waist.

"Why didn't you tell me you couldn't swim?" she asked, hitting her hand onto her forehead. "I just lured you to your death," Bloom's heart was still racing. She took a deep breath to slow its pace. She then had an idea.

"Well, since you're already in the water, let's teach you to swim!" she said, grinning so brightly at Howard. "I'm not going to take no for an answer. It's important to know how to swim. What if you were playing Quidditch and the field was really a lake and you fell? See? You need to know," she said, giggling. But in reality, Bloom was right. Howard needed to know how to swim as it was a daily life skill to have.

"Come here," she urged, holding his arm. "I have a baby brother and when we taught him to swim, we started with floating. You have to know your body. So I'm going to help you float," she said shrugging. "You have to go on your back though," she said, her arms at the ready to catch him. "Don't worry, I got you," she added, giving him a sense of security.

@Bloom Silverton

Howard could only wish that his panic was induced by the fear of the unknown. He had of course read and heard of the many creatures that called the Great Lake home, even a whole species of Mer-people were supposed to dwell deep below. A fascinating thought really if he wasn't about to suck water into his lungs. Perhaps one day if he ever mastered the art of not drowning he could study them further. However, for now every time he bounced above water he would have to shout and then breath in a single moment. Fortunately for him, his friend Bloom would be quick to recognize he was in trouble.

Soon enough her arms would slide under his and begin to pull him towards shallower waters. Howards elongated nails would most likely dig a littler to hard into her forearms as he held on for dear life. When the bottoms of his feet made contact with the sands below he would struggle to regain his balance. Again, if he wasn't so spooked the situation would have been comical as he splashed about, falling to his knees several times before he steadied himself. "Shit! What!? I dunno!" Howard sputtered out between gasps of breath. "Thought it'd be easy." A silly thought that would be in hindsight, but he really had thought he would be able to conquer the task. "Sorry if I scratched you." The panic began to disperse know that he was out of the deep.

At first mention Howard would almost deny her offer to help teach him to swim, but there was something about her enthusiasm and beaming smile that was hard to resist. She would even earn a rare smile of his own with her corny joke. However, part of what she said was true. For so long he had watched as the others enjoyed the lake during the warmer seasons and it just seemed like an "adult" thing to know. "Yeah, alright. I'll give it a go." Howard allowed her to guide him by the arm as they got in position. The reference of baby brother might have bugged him in some other situation, but with Bloom it just didn't;t come off that way. She seemed genuine in her desire to help. "Uh, ok. I just...lay back?" Howard wouldn't really wait for a response as he awkwardly tried to lay back into her arms. At first he would just walk backwards into her with maybe a bit too much force. Then he would try again, but this time he just kind of squatted into the water. "Sorry." He muttered with every failed attempt. Eventually he would steady himself with a deep breath and allow himself to gently fall back into her arms. His body would probably be a little too tense, but for the most part he would finally do as instructed.

@Howard White

Bloom looked at the boy in front of her and couldn't help but to share a friendly laugh when he mentioned that he thought it was going to be easy to just go into a body of water and swim. It did look like an easy thing to do, but unfortunately, it was one of the most causes of death because the waters were always so unpredictable, even if you could swim.

"Let's make a deal. We share our concerns with each other, okay? Just so we're not killing each other like I almost killed you," she said, joking at the end. Perhaps it was hard for him to share his concerns and feelings with someone. But it was good practice to start trying. Friendship, in turn, starts with sharing these things anyways and Bloom found Howard to be a really good friend so far.

He followed her every directions an when she grabbed him, Bloom could feel the tenseness of his shoulders. "Relax," she muttered, and she put one arm under his shoulder blades and the other under the small of his back. From Bloom's perspective, he was now floating. "Alright, now slowly kick your feet up and down," she instructed. Bloom looked at his feet and then looked at his arms. "Now, make your arms a 'T' and begin to do slow arm circles," she continued her instructions. "Once you got the hang of it, go faster," she said, and little did he know that when he did have the float and she could see that he was able to balance between feet and arms on his back, Bloom slowly let go of holding him from underneath, ensuring that he would continue to float.

"Do you think fifth year will be fun?" she randomly asked, wondering about the year ahead. The past couple of years were not as fun and the amount of drama that she heard occurred was beyond her. Granted, she did not know much of what was truly going on in Hogwarts, and little did she know that she would, but she felt like the past couple of years at Hogwarts have been idle. Maybe with a friend like Howard it would be different.

@Bloom Silverton

"Deal." Howard said after a long exhale, finally catching his breath after the panic. His lips curled in a smile as she finished the pact in a joking manner, but the smile was also because he agreed with the unspoken truth of her words. For a long time the young man had isolated himself from his peers, determined to live a live of solitude amongst the shadows. The predator within yearned for the darkened paths that would allow his dangerous nature to thrive and to deepen its hold on the boy. However, the human within him ached for community. The burning desire for love and friendship was too strong to be ignored. Like a single candle within a cavern the shadows could try as they might, but the light could not be swallowed. As his red eyes searched her perhaps things were similar for Bloom. The memory of their confessions in the Room of Requirement flicked through his mind as the bond between them deepened.

To further seal their newly founded friendship it was now time for an act of trust as Howard fell back into her arms. With another long exhale he would try and follow her commands. It may take a few moment, but eventually he would relax as she guided him in the water. His long legs would gently paddle as his feet moved up and down within the water. Equally long arms would swirl in circles as Howard began to float on his own. Once the initial excitement and nerves of being in the water dissipated it was actually quite relaxing as his eyes began to search the skies above. Following her lead he would begin to move his limbs faster, accomplishing little circles around her. Howard was far from being an adequate swimmer, but if he kept trying he would surely get the hang of it. "Not bad, eh?" He said with grin as he stood back on his feet. "Be off to the Olympics in no time!" A wink accompanied the joke, although he had no idea if she actually knew what the Olympics were.

With her next question Howard would pause. His eyes wandered out across the lake as he search himself for an answer. Would fifth year be fun? Hell if he knew. All the years before had been such a struggle. Full of drama and hardships. Some brought on by forces out of his control, most brought on by his own making. "I dunno. I think it can be if we make it." A truth Howard was more and more coming to realize. The more he surrounded himself with positive things and people the happier he was. "I'm determined to try anyways. We could stick together. Help keep each other up." Another pact offered. "And try to avoid the darkness within the castle." Now a somber warning as he again searched her eyes. No student could not have heard about the the terrors that plagued the school each year, but he wondered what her experiences may be. He wouldn't push it with an exact question if she wished not to speak of it.

"So, what's next now that I'm an expert floater. How on earth do you do that on your belly?" Perhaps he was moving too fast, but he was eager to learn more.

@Howard White

"You did it!" she said with excitement. Howard was floating on his own, making the circles with his arms and moving his feet as she had instructed. He seemed like a very fast learner which was a relief for Bloom. Perhaps by the end of this impromptu lesson, he'll be able to enjoy bodies of water a lot more.

There was another deal on the table and this time it came from Howard. While she wanted them to voice their concerns with each other; to have complete honesty, he wanted to use their friendship to bring themselves joy and support. His next statement came out so true. Darkness filled the castle to the brim. It was how one made of it-- you can either ignore the darkness and step into the light, or get sucked in and never come out. Bloom couldn't help but to stare back into Howard's red eyes. She looked for a couple seconds, yearning for a reason why things happen at Hogwarts, let alone in life, and looked away.

She had her fair share of darkness with her first boyfriend, Ben Eckenrode. She had a choice: to join him, the masked student, or leave his side and suffer. She was young and the love was real. She chose to suffer from a broken heart. She couldn't bare being at his side as he hurt those around him. Bloom looked back at Howard, searching his eyes. What what his exact fair share of the darkness? They did have a special bonding moment prior to the summer starting, but it was letting out the feelings of the year and expressing their shared experience of loneliness. But still, Bloom wanted to know more about him. She wanted to share more with him, but for some reason, was held back from doing so.

She couldn't help but get sucked into the darkness for a hot second. She was thinking about what could happen this year. Perhaps this friendship was the light at the end of the tunnel that she needed. A friendship that took going into her fifth year to find. "There's no avoiding it. But I'm glad to have your friendship at my side," she said

Realizing she stared too long, she blinked and looked away, feeling her cheeks flush at the fact that there was a real intense moment that had just happened. Bloom broke the silence and smiled. "Deal."

Bloom brought her hands back in place under his back and brought him back to a vertical position. She couldn't help but to laugh at his enthusiasm to learn more.

"Let's do it!" she agreed.

Bloom began to think about what the best way would be to teach someone to float on the stomach. "Okay, lay on your stomach and keep your head up," she instructed, and Bloom placed her arms on the chest and stomach of his body, keeping his body supported to float. "Before kicking, move your arms out and in like you're scrying into a crystal ball," she joked, but hoped that it was decent enough for him to understand. "Once you get a good rhythm, then kick your feet," she added.

Bloom waited patiently to see how he would do with this next step to swimming. She kept her arms under him and when he felt ready, she would slowly remove one arm under his stomach and then when she felt he had a good rhythm, remove the other arm. She watched him as he was eager to learn more and follow her instructions.

@Bloom Silverton

Howard was quick to crack a joke about his success in being able to float on his own, but Bloom's genuine enthusiasm for him brought a smile to his face. His humor was often a quick way to hide intense feelings like the pride he felt now. Of course too much of it could be just as bad, however, he so often let these emotions pass him by. They felt like a tease at times. Too much good just couldn't be trusted, for where there was the up there was the inevitable down. Or so he had trained himself to think, but as his eyes connected with Bloom's and they shared a moment of praise it reminded him of what he so desperately needed. Friendship, community, people to support him. To help build him up and to help keep him in check when needed. That's when he would offer his deal to her. While she offered an open ear for their concerns and a promise of honesty he would offer a dose of what they both needed in their life. Someone to help keep them along the brighter path. Left alone he couldn't do it, but with support like her taking those steps was just so much easier.

As they stared in to each others eyes there was a glint of hope, but with it too came a glimpse of that darkness. Just like all things in life the two energies were hung in a balance. Neither could tip too far in one direction if there was any hope of functioning properly. Howard had seen that glimpse in many other eyes. His had surely been full of it for years now, but the moment would pass with out a word spoken. Left for another times perhaps. This time they were sharing just felt too good to be dragged down. Not now at least. The pact the made to share concerns and troubles would have to be used another time. For now they could just revel in the moment as a friendship was further formed. Again Howard could not keep the silly grin of his face as he too broke the eye contact. His cheeks may have lost the function to blush, but the moment was shared nonetheless. "Glad to have you as well, Bloom." The words were spoken softly.

With a clearing of his throat Howard would shift the moment back towards his stellar swimming capabilities and Bloom was more than happy to keep instructing. "Laying" on his back in the water had been hard enough, but how the hell do you do it on your belly without plunging your face into the water? His body would again go rigid as he attempted to do as she told him, but fortunately she was there to support him. This lesson did not come quite as easy as the one before. She had told him to how to use his arms, but what he needed up doing was far from it. Clawed hands would slap a the water as he did some form of doggy paddling. The result was water splashing this way and that, most of it ending going right up his nose. Howard would stand quickly in the water as he coughed and sputtered. A few moments would pass before he spoke between gasps. "Nailed....it...." Soon enough he would find his breath and the grin would return. "That might take a couple more tries, eh?"

Howard kept his breathing steady, taking some time before he attempted to swim again, but his curiosity of Bloom did continue to peak. "So, I never asked you I don't think, where you from? Did you grow up in all of this?" He gestured to their surroundings implying the magical world.