"It's cold, but you get used to it," Rose said, sneaking up on Alex from behind and treading water before diving beneath the surface again. It was green down there, as if the whole lake was captured in a wine bottle, throwing bizarre shadows across the vast fields of weeds. She returned to the world again, loving the way the echoes from below suddenly stopped as she broke the surface. Glancing around to check for teachers, she winked at Alex before disappearing into the water again. When she came back just a few seconds later, there was no longer a pale girl swimming with them, it was a fox.

Alex frowned slightly, that fox was either Rose...or she was still down there. He smiled as the fox began to paddle around. Yes, that was definitely Rose. Smiling he dived down under the water as far as his breath could take him. He could hear the merpeople, the squid, some creatures who'd voice he didn't recognize and the fish. Floating back to the surface his hearing changed and he could suddenly hear every conversation, every animal and every footstep. He didn't know which he preferred. The quieter, more peaceful underwater, or the exciting, vibrant world above. Alex smiled looking over to Gary. 'Wherever he is, is where I prefer,' he though, brushing the hair away from his eyes.

Gary grinned back at Alex and dived down, swimming deeper and faster than was humanly possible. He suddenly remembered that Alex didn't know and just as quickly as he had swum down, he resurfaced. "You can only really swim in the lake in the summer, it's normally frozen over in the winter," he said, flicking his wet fringe out of his eyes. 'He looks breath taking,' he thought as his eyes gazed up and down Alex's slim frame.

"So you can skate on it?" He asked turning to Gary. Alex thought he looked a little distracted. He frowned slightly. Passing it off as day dreaming Alex kicked up his legs and began to float on his back, allowing what little current the lake had to control him. There he closed his eyes and let his imagination wander. He imagined running around the forest, possibly at night, but not alone. He imagined all his new classes 'Great,' he thought. But then, biting his lip, he imagined Gary. He had already seen him half naked, the rest could easily be left to his imagination. He blushed slightly, pushing the thoughts from his mind as he remembered Rose was still with them. He dipped his legs again and pushed water over her, still, vibrant red fur. Quickly diving down to avoid retaliation.

The fox frowned in the way that only animagi can, in a way that seemed to mean: This means war! She dipped below the surface again, circling Alex's legs and playfully nipping his thigh with her sharp teeth. She hadn't done it to cause pain, just to make him jump. Then she swam to the side and pulled herself out onto the bank, shaking her fur and spraying water everywhere before transforming back. Sitting on the edge of the lake, she dangled her feet in the water and began to comb her hair with her fingers, a dreamy smile gracing her features once more. She looked like a mermaid from muggle fairy tales, stuck on a rock and waiting for a handsome sailor to come along. "I have a good feeling about today," she said vaguely, smiling her wide, Cheshire cat smile.

Gary was in fits of laughter at the two of them fighting. He had to keep reminding himself not to stare at Alex but it was difficult, he was just so good looking! He tore his gaze away and swam over to Rose, smirking, "Yeah today is going to be great!" He wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up, throwing her back into the water, gently of course.

Alex smiled as the ripples created by Rose slid past his body. He looked towards Gary, he had a beautiful laugh, it was definitely something he would have to do more often. He was about so splash Gary when he seemed to zone out again. 'Daydreaming' Alex thought and silently swam up behind the other boy and grabbed his sides. "Wakey wakey," he said grinning. Gary's skin was so smooth and soft, Alex didn't want to let go, but he felt he was being a bit obvious, so let his hands drop.

Gary jumped slightly then started laughing again and spun around, dunking Alex's head under water breifly. His mind was in overdrive thinking of all the wonderful things those hands could do. He shivered with delight and smirked, "Ha! Not so tough now, new boy," he said, jokingly. He glanced at Rose and grinned, feeling like a little child again. It was nice to be immature every now and then, to just let go and have some fun. They didn't often have a chance to be like this what with Sammael and Rose's illness. It was good.

Alex gasped and spat and mouthful of lake water at Gary, "Mean," He mumbled turning his back on Gary sulkily, but grinning to himself. He wanted to see how Gary would react. He looked over at Rose and smiled, he hoped she knew what he was doing. Crossing his arms to add effect, and kicking a little harder with his legs to stop himself from sinking, he pretended to 'hmph' and bit his lip to stifle a laugh.

Gary chuckled, "Awww look Rose, he's sulking," he whined, still chuckling. He placed a hand on Alex's shoulder and squeezed it gently, "Now, now, Alex, we know that sixteen year olds don't sulk, don't we?!" He chuckled again then ruffled Alex's hair playfully before splashing him from behind, a wicked grin on his face. Well they might as well enjoy the nice weather while it lasted and where better to spend a warm-ish day then in the lake?!

Rose laughed at the pair of them, swimming back to the side again. It would be more fun to watch this scene than to partake in it, no matter how much she wanted revenge on Gary for throwing her in. She splashed them both hard in the face, then pretended it wasn't her. "Honestly, you're both so immature," she said haughtily, holding her head high in mock pride. Alex was good fun - he'd already worked out how to push Gary's buttons and wind him up, although that wasn't so difficult really, and he was a welcome addition to their group of friends.

Alex smiled at the glint in Rose's eye, it was one of sweet revenge. He grinned wickedly at Gary, diving down and slipping his wet boxers off his legs. Re-surfacing Alex threw the boxers to the bank neatly beside Rose and swam as fast as he could to the edge, and got out. Sitting far enough away that Gary would have to get out to be able to reach him and the rest of his clothing. Grinning, Alex turned to Rose, "I'm not immature...just..." Alex bit his lip, "Okay maybe I am,"

"That," she said, "Was a good move. I'm impressed." And she sounded it too. Winking at Alex, she grabbed her wand from under her pile of clothing and flicked it at Gary's boxers and shirt. They disappeared instantly into thin air. "Benefits of being able to do silent magic - he's no idea what spell I've used, so he hasn't a clue where they've gone. Ohh, I love this game!" She clapped her hands together like an excited six-year-old, grinning widely.

Gary gasped as he felt the rest of his clothes being removed. A deep red blush crept over his pale cheeks as he quickly tried to cover himself up. "ROSE! That is so not funny!" he yelled, "Give them back now!" He glared at Rose, feeling completely and utterly embarassed. "Please?" he whined, still desperately trying to cover himself up.

[Sorry it's short, but I had to retaliate and I also have to dash!]

"Oh, come on Gary, it's not like we've never seen it before! Well, I've seen it before, not sure about you," she added to Alex, then, loud enough for Gary to hear, "It isn't all that impressive." She bit her lip, stifling a giggle as she grinned at Gary's awkward blush. "Consider yourself lucky I left you the trousers."

"Not so tough now!" Alex called from the edge of the lake grinning. He bit his lip looking down Gary's body, he was impressed. "Maybe we should give them back," he muttered quietly. He saw Gary's embarrassment, and although he did look adorably cute, Alex knew how he would feel if that had been done to him. Although, if Gary had done it, maybe it wouldn't bee so bad...and maybe in different situations. Alex shook his head. 'Oh gosh, stop thinking about it' He though, continuing to chew on his lip. A very bad habit of his.

Gary laughed sarcastically, "Oh i've heard different stories, missy!" He accio-ed his wand and conjured up some new boxers, although the blush still remained on his cheeks. "i'll get you back for that one, Rose!" he threatened, splashing her playfully with water. "Just you wait and see. I'll get you when you least expect it!" He grinned wickedly then started laughing.

"Oh, I'm shivering with anticipation," she shot back sarcastically, then waved her wand to return his shirt. That line had reminded her of her favourite film... Imagining Gary in drag like Frank'n'Furter and Alex in gold hotpants like Rocky made her giggle, and she put herself in Columbia's glittery tap dancing costume. "I honestly can't wait...!" Well, that would be a terrifically fun mental image to enact.

Gary snorted at the line, recognising it from that strange film Rose had once showed him. "Stop stealing cheap lines from films, Rose!" he said, laughing. 'We should do this more often,' he thought as he swam to the shore and got out, casting a drying spell on himself. He pulled his shirt and trousers back on then stretched out on the floor, basking in the sun like a cat.

All Alex could do was stare, it was awful. Pulling on his own trousers, and whipping his shirt from under Gary he got dressed, tried putting his tie on, failed and shoved it in his pocket. Leaning against the tree he looked down at Rose and Gary, "So, know any good games?" he asked, grinning. Knowing Gary it would be something to do with alcohol. But with Rose it was entirely unpredictable. He slid down the tree trunk and landed beside a very stretched Gary. Alex was so tempted to reach out and tickle him, but he stopped himself, realising pulling down Gary's boxers was enough to create a little suspicion.