Thick Of It

The Forbidden Forest loomed darkly in the distance, its edges brushing against the shores of the Black Lake. Under the silver light of the full moon, the water shimmered like liquid mercury, serene and untouched. But beneath its surface, a lone figure moved with purpose and grace, cutting through the depths like an arrow through the air.

Jason's thoughts swirled as he swam, the chill of the lake sharpening his senses.

The water feels different tonight. Heavy, alive, like it's keeping secrets.

His strokes were smooth and powerful, his body adapting to the resistance as if it were second nature. Unlike others who would rely on the Bubble-Head Charm to navigate the depths, Jason needed no such assistance. Every breath was held with precision, every movement calculated to conserve energy.

The deeper he swam, the darker the water became. Shadows danced in the moonlight filtering from above, but Jason wasn't afraid. He thrived in the unknown.

Adventure isn't about safety. It's about knowing the risks and pushing forward anyway. A Ravenclaw in the water might sound ridiculous, but here I am. Eccentricity is in the house charter, after all.

As he approached a darker section of the lake, Jason felt the shift—a ripple of movement that wasn't his own. He slowed, his sharp eyes scanning the gloom, and then he heard them. A lilting melody, half-song, half-words, carried through the water like a forgotten whisper.

He swam into the territory of the merfolk.

Their language—rhythmic and sharp, like a combination of clicks and hums—reached his ears. He couldn't speak it, not yet, but he understood enough to know their tone. They weren't threatening, not exactly. More like... annoyed.

Mermaid 1: [in their language] "Another one from that school. Always poking about."

Mermaid 2: [sighing dramatically] "I suppose we should warn him off. They're worse than kelpies sometimes."

Jason suppressed a smirk, his instincts telling him to avoid direct confrontation.

They think I'm a child playing in their waters. Fair enough. I won't argue with that.

With a surge of energy, Jason sped forward, his body a blur against the dark expanse of the lake. The merfolk watched in muted surprise as he cut through the water with the precision of a creature born to it.

Mermaid 1: [impressed despite herself] "Fast for a land-dweller. But still reckless."

Mermaid 2: [exasperated] "Children. All of them."

Jason heard every word, their annoyed grumbles blending into the symphony of the lake. He broke through the surface in a single powerful leap, the cool night air kissing his face as he soared into the moonlight. The water streamed off him in silver droplets, and for a moment, he felt weightless, like he'd left the world behind entirely.

The lake is alive, the moon watching, the stars laughing. I'm just a piece of it all, a fleeting shadow against the vastness.

He hit the water again with a smooth dive, the ripples spreading outward as the lake seemed to welcome him back. The merfolk didn't give chase; their voices faded as he swam toward the shallows, the pull of adventure in his chest finally beginning to ebb.

Under the moonlight, the Black Lake isn't just a body of water. It's a story. A challenge. A question waiting to be answered. And I'll be back for more. Always.

As Jason reached the shore, the water clinging to him like a second skin, he cast one last glance back at the lake. The merfolk would probably be grumbling about him until dawn, but he didn't mind. They were part of the adventure, too.

With a faint smile tugging at his lips, Jason disappeared into the shadows, leaving only the gentle lapping of the lake as evidence he'd ever been there at all.

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