The scent of chlorine, a familiar comfort from the Potions classroom, still faintly clung to Echo, mingling with the earthy smell of the dungeons. He was making his way through a less-frequented corridor when a warm and familiar voice called out to him.
"Echo! Hey, Echo, wait up!"
He turned to see Lily jogging to catch up, her bright red hair a cheerful splash of color in the dim stone hall. A small, anxious frown creased her brow as she approached.
"Hey, Lily," Echo replied, his black hair flickering with a questioning blue. "What's up?"
Lily fell into step beside him, her gaze a little hesitant. "I… I just wanted to ask how you're doing. You know, with everything." She gestured vaguely. "The school… how they've been treating you, ever since those rumors spread like wildfire, about you being a haughty show-off."
Echo sighed, his blue hair dulling to a resigned grey. "Still living it, I guess. It's… a work in progress." He offered a small, weary smile. "But go on."
Lily nodded, a determined glint in her eyes. "Well, since it's finally warmed up, and we only have about a month and a half before the school year ends, I was thinking we should do something fun."
Echo's grey hair flickered with a hint of curiosity. "Like what?"
Lily grinned with a genuine, infectious smile. "It's summer, Echo! You know what that means!"
Echo's eyes widened, and his grey hair blazed with a sudden, delighted yellow. "Ice cream!" he shouted, almost bouncing on the balls of his feet.
Lily chuckled, shaking her head. "No, not exactly that, but we can still get ice cream," she added quickly, seeing his face deflate.
Echo immediately brightened again, his yellow hair dancing. "Really?"
"Really!" Lily confirmed, then her smile grew wider, her eyes sparkling. "But the real excitement comes from swimming! We could have a beach day by the Black Lake. You know, all of us. Me, you, Sev, Frank, and Amos."
Echo's face lit up, his yellow hair practically vibrating with excitement. Then, a slight frown creased his brow. "But… I still can't really swim."
"Don't be silly!" Lily laughed, playfully nudging his arm. "I'll help you learn! It'll be fun. We'll make sure you're a master swimmer by the end of the day."
Echo beamed, his yellow hair blazing with pure joy. "Really? You'd do that?"
"Of course!" Lily affirmed. "So, how about it? This Saturday?"
"This Saturday sounds perfect!" Echo exclaimed, already picturing himself gliding through the water, free from the heavy weight of the past few weeks. His yellow hair softened to a contented orange, a rare, uncomplicated happiness settling over him.
The bright Saturday sun beat down on the small, sandy beach by the Black Lake, glinting off the gentle ripples of the water. Frank and Amos were diligently setting up a large, colorful beach umbrella, struggling a bit with the stubborn pole. Frank grunted as he dug his heels into the sand. "Almost got it, Amos! Just a little more leverage!"
Amos, his face already a bit flushed from the effort, strained beside him. "Easy for you to say, you've got a foot on me!"
Under a separate, slightly smaller umbrella, Severus sat in a full-body swimsuit that covered him from neck to ankle, diligently reading a thick, leather-bound book. He occasionally adjusted his spectacles, utterly unfazed by the heat or the commotion around him.
Lily, in a bright, floral swimsuit, spread out a large beach towel, her eyes scanning the path leading from the castle. A small frown touched her lips. "Severus, did you see Echo before you came down here?"
Severus turned a page, not looking up. "Indeed. He stopped by one of the professors. What for, I haven't the faintest idea."
Just then, a voice, slightly muffled by distance, called out from the path. "Hey, guys! So sorry I'm late!"
Everyone looked up to see Echo jogging towards them, his black hair bouncing with each step. Lily smiled, waving. "It's fine, Echo. We just got everything set up!" Her smile, however, faltered and vanished completely as Echo got closer.
Echo was wearing a pair of brightly colored swim trunks, but that was just the beginning. Two inflatable arm floaties were strapped to his arms, a large, yellow inner tube was around his waist, and a brightly patterned kickboard was tied to his back. A pair of oversized swimming goggles rested on his forehead, and on his feet were enormous, bright orange flippers.
Lily stared, utterly speechless for a moment. "Echo," she finally managed, her voice a mixture of bewilderment and amusement, "what in Merlin's name are you wearing?"
Frank, seeing the flippers, let out a chuckle. "Ah, that explains why you were so late! Hard to run in those, I imagine."
Echo finally reached them, puffing slightly. His black hair, now shimmering with a delighted yellow, was a stark contrast to his outlandish attire. He gestured vaguely at his array of swimming gear. "Well, I got so excited for beach day that I completely forgot to go out and buy swim trunks. So, I went to Professor McGonagall to see if she could transfigure me some." He shrugged. "She did, but then she also transfigured me a bunch of floaties from my other clothes."
Amos, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, let out a snort of laughter. "Sounds like she was afraid you'd drown."
Lily shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips. "You might have to lose all those floaties, Echo; otherwise, your swimming lessons will be completely ineffective."
Echo, his yellow hair dimming slightly with a pout, began to unbuckle the inner tube. As he did so, Amos leaned in conspiratorially. "So, Echo, do you think Skate will pop up for a visit?"
Echo, peeling off one of the arm floaties, let out a mischievous chuckle, his yellow hair dancing once more. "Skate? Please. That girl could sniff me out in the open ocean. Of course, she'll come."
Frank paused his struggle with the umbrella, looking around. "Hey, where are Sniffles and Shimmer? I thought they'd be here, causing their usual brand of chaos."
As if on cue, a small, designer-label beach towel, previously unnoticed, shimmered into full view. Shimmer was lounging on it, a tiny pair of sunglasses perched on his nose. He was sporting a perfectly tailored, Demiguise-sized pair of swim trunks and casually sipping from a miniature coconut with a tiny straw.
Frank's jaw dropped. "That… that's the coolest Demiguise I've ever seen in my life," he breathed, utterly awestruck.
Just as he said this, the large, colorful beach umbrella that Frank and Amos had been so diligently setting up suddenly shuddered and then, with a soft THUD, collapsed into a heap of fabric and poles. A tiny, furry blur darted from beneath the fallen umbrella – Sniffles, happily gnawing on the shiny metal tip of the umbrella pole.
"Sniffles, no!" Frank yelled, abandoning his admiration of Shimmer and sprinting towards the Niffler. "Not the umbrella! We just set that up!" He managed to scoop up the delighted Niffler just before it could completely dismantle their hard work.
Amos, watching the chaotic scene, suddenly snapped his fingers. "You know," he mused, looking around at the group, "I think I'm the only one here who's actually met Skate one-on-one."
Lily chuckled. "What about that singing competition with Lockhart, Echo had? She came to that."
Amos shook his head. "Nah, that doesn't count. Everyone was there. I mean, actually met her. Just me, her, and Echo. It was… memorable." A thoughtful expression crossed his face, and then his eyes lit up with an idea. He turned to Echo just as Frank, having successfully wrestled the umbrella tip from Sniffles' grasp, finally managed to fend off the mischievous Niffler.
"Echo!" Amos called, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Tell you what. Just dip one single toe in the water. See what happens."
Echo, honestly wondering if his earlier joke to Amos had any truth to it, nodded. "Alright, sure." He limped to the water's edge in his flippers, carefully dipping a single, orange-flippered toe into the cool Black Lake.
Almost instantly, with barely a ripple, Skate's head popped up from the water directly in front of his toe, her moonlight hair fanning out around her. She looked up at Echo with an amused, knowing smile.
Amos let out a booming laugh, so hard that he doubled over and promptly fell backward into the sand, kicking up a cloud of dust. Lily, Frank, and even the stoic Severus stared at the scene, utterly bewildered by the mermaid's immediate appearance.
"You owe me ten Galleons, Amos," Echo said, a smug grin spreading across his face as he looked at the still-laughing Amos. His black hair, now shimmering with a triumphant yellow, danced in the sunlight. "I told you she'd come."
Skate chuckled, a melodic sound that seemed to shimmer on the surface of the water. "Hello, Echo," she said, her voice like wind chimes. Her eyes then drifted over the rest of the group, a curious, almost playful glint in their depths.
"Guys, this is Skate," Echo announced, gesturing proudly towards the mermaid. "Skate, these are my friends: Lily, Severus, and Frank. You already know Amos."
Amos, still dusting sand off his robes, waved a hand. "She probably still remembers me from last time, eh, Skate?"
Skate smiled, a flash of pearly white teeth. "Indeed, Amos. It is a pleasure to see you all again."
Lily, recovering from her initial surprise, beamed. "It's wonderful to meet you properly, Skate! Echo talks about you endlessly."
Frank, however, was utterly captivated. His eyes, wide with admiration, were fixed on Skate. "Wow," he breathed, a blush creeping up his neck. "You're even prettier up close than I imagined."
Skate's smile widened, a faint blush of her own appearing on her cheeks. "Oh, thank you, Frank," she said, her gaze playfully meeting Echo's. "Echo talks about all of you quite a bit when he visits me. Always good things, of course." She then playfully pointed a slender, webbed finger towards Severus, who was still pretending to read his book. "Even the grumpy one over there."
Severus, caught off guard, lowered his book just enough for his dark eyes to glare playfully at Skate. "I am not grumpy," he grumbled, though a faint, almost imperceptible curve touched his lips. "I am merely… discerning."
Skate chuckled again, a sweet, melodic sound. "I enjoy the grumpy one," she said, her eyes twinkling as she looked at Severus.
"I do too," Echo agreed, a fond smirk on his face. "Even if he pretends not to be."
Skate's gaze then drifted to Echo's unusual attire, her brow furrowing slightly. "Echo, what in the Black Lake are you wearing?"
Echo looked down at his bright swim trunks, his yellow inner tube, and his enormous flippers. His black hair flickered with a hint of embarrassment, but he quickly recovered. "These are my swim trunks! Today's beach day, you know? We're going to have fun, and I'm finally going to learn how to swim properly."
Skate tilted her head, a confused expression on her face. "But why do you need to learn, Echo? You have my magic and the mermaid potion."
Severus, who had been listening intently, finally lowered his book, his dark eyes fixed on Skate. "That, Princess, would be entirely unrealistic. Brewing the mermaid potion takes a considerable amount of time, and some of the ingredients are… challenging to acquire. Furthermore, the potion's efficacy and duration are not always consistent, and Echo cannot possibly predict when he might need to swim, whether for a few minutes or several hours."
Echo nodded, his black hair settling into a thoughtful blue. "The grumpy one is right, Skate. It wouldn't be realistic. Plus, you won't always be around to save me, and keeping those potions on me at all times would be a nightmare. I have a hard enough time carrying Shimmer on my shoulders all day long."
As if on cue, Shimmer, still lounging on his designer towel, pulled down his tiny sunglasses and glared at Echo with a distinct look of indignation.
Echo leaned closer to Skate, dropping his voice to a quieter tone. "And," he added, a faint blush rising on his cheeks, "I also don't want to tear apart any more of my clothing when I transform. I've only got two outfits left after Professor McGonagall transfigured them into my swimwear, and being naked isn't exactly ideal all the time."
Skate gave him a saucy, knowing look at his last comment, and Echo's blush deepened. His blue hair flared a brighter red.
Frank, having finally gotten the umbrella somewhat upright, turned to Echo. "You know, Echo, you could always go to Hogsmeade and get yourself a magic sack. They can hold more than they should. You could carry tons of potions in there, not just the mermaid ones. And if you spend a few extra Galleons, you can even get one that automatically gives you the specific potions you're looking for."
Echo's eyes lit up, his blue hair flaring with interest. "A magic sack? That's a brilliant idea! I'll definitely look into that. But not before making a withdrawal from the First National Bank of Sniffles." He looked pointedly at Sniffles, who was still in Frank's hands, happily gnawing on the umbrella pole.
Sensing his shiny possessions were in imminent danger, Sniffles let out a panicked squeak and, with surprising agility, squirmed out of Frank's grasp, darting behind Severus. Severus merely sighed, not even looking up from his book. "You're not much safer with me, you creature."
Echo chuckled. "I'll deal with him later. Swim lessons first!"
"Alright, everyone ready?" Lily asked, clapping her hands together, a bright smile on her face. Her gaze swept over the group, then landed on Echo. "Oh! Almost forgot! I just need one more thing before we start. Echo, could you do me a favor and rub some sunscreen on my back? I can't quite reach."
Echo's black hair flickered with a mischievous yellow. This was an opportunity he couldn't pass up to needle James later. "Oh, I wish I could, Lily," he said, a fake sincerity dripping from his voice. "But I can't. I need to give Skate her peace offering kisses."
Lily's brow furrowed in confusion. "Peace offering kisses? Why do you need to do that?"
Echo thought fast, a triumphant glint in his eyes. "Well, you know mermaids, right? They're not exactly… maneaters. But the occasional nibble? That doesn't hurt. And Skate, she gets a bit… peckish if she doesn't get her morning kisses. So, you know, just to be safe. Don't want anyone losing a finger." He gave a dramatic shudder.
Lily looked from Echo to Skate, who was still smiling serenely from the water, and then back to Echo, a hesitant look on her face. "Right. Well, then, what about Frank or Amos?" she asked, turning to the two boys who were still trying to tame the umbrella.
Echo immediately shook his head. "Oh, no, they can't either."
"Why not?" Lily asked, clearly exasperated now.
Echo faltered for a moment, searching for an excuse, but Frank and Amos, catching on to his game, quickly chimed in.
"Yeah, Lily, I can't," Frank said, holding up his hands, which were now covered in sand. "I'm all sandy. Wouldn't want to get sand all over your back."
Amos nodded vigorously. "And I'm… uh… allergic to sunscreen! Yeah! Very sensitive skin. Breaks out in hives, you see." He gestured vaguely at his arm.
Sensing what was happening and knowing he was one of only two other creatures who could perform such a task, Shimmer, with a subtle shimmer, vanished from his designer towel, becoming completely invisible.
Echo then turned to Severus, who was still diligently reading his book under the smaller umbrella. "Severus isn't doing anything," Echo declared, a wide, innocent smile on his face. "He can help!"
Severus looked up from his book in shock, his dark eyes wide.
"Severus, would you mind?" Lily asked, her voice hopeful, oblivious to the internal turmoil she was causing.
Severus looked at Echo, who gave him a big, dumb smile and a double thumbs-up. Severus didn't say it, but internally, he thanked Echo for this moment. He looked at Lily's expectant face, a faint blush rising on his pale cheeks. He, Severus Snape, applying sunscreen to Lily Evans? It was a dream he'd never dared to entertain fully, a secret fantasy hidden beneath layers of carefully constructed indifference. And now, thanks to Echo's mischievous, yet surprisingly effective, meddling, it was a reality.
With a graceful, almost reverent motion, Severus placed his book face down on the sand. He uncapped the bottle of sunscreen Lily held out, a faint, almost imperceptible tremor in his hands. Lily turned her back to him, her bright swimsuit a vibrant contrast to his dark attire. He squeezed a generous dollop of the creamy white lotion onto his palm, its sweet, coconut scent filling the air. His fingers, usually adept at potion-making, felt clumsy, hesitant, as he gently began to spread the sunscreen across Lily's smooth, warm skin. He worked slowly, deliberately, his dark eyes fixed on the task, a thousand unspoken emotions swirling within him. The softness of her skin, the warmth radiating from her back – it was intoxicating, a sensation he had only ever dreamed of.
Lily, oblivious to the profound internal struggle unfolding behind her, let out a contented sigh. "Oh, that's lovely, Severus," she murmured, her voice soft and appreciative. "Just a little higher, please, right between my shoulder blades."
Severus complied, his movements becoming a little more confident, a little less hesitant. He felt a strange, unfamiliar warmth spread through his chest, a feeling that had nothing to do with the sun and everything to do with the girl in front of him. He knew, with a certainty that both thrilled and terrified him, that this moment, however fleeting, was something he would cherish forever.
Frank, Amos, and Echo watched the scene unfold, their faces a mixture of awe and amusement.
"He looks like he's in heaven," Frank whispered, his voice hushed with genuine observation.
Amos nodded, a knowing grin spreading across his face. "Echo sure wants to see them together, doesn't he?"
Echo, his black hair flickering with a smug yellow, crossed his arms. "They deserve each other. Besides, I've got money riding on this."
Amos blinked. "You seriously made a bet?"
Echo nodded, his yellow hair dancing with mischief. "Of course."
"With who?" Amos asked, looking between him and Frank.
Echo and Frank exchanged a quick, conspiratorial glance, both of their faces now alight with shared amusement.
"You two are terrible!" Amos exclaimed, pushing them both playfully as a fresh wave of laughter erupted from the trio.
Lily, her back now thoroughly coated in sunscreen, turned to face Severus, a warm smile gracing her lips. "Thank you so much, Severus," she said, her eyes shining with genuine gratitude. "That was really sweet of you."
Severus, still slightly dazed by the proximity and the intoxicating scent of coconut and Lily, could only manage a silent nod. His pale cheeks were still faintly flushed, and he felt a strange, delightful fluttering in his chest. He managed to lift one hand, offering a stiff, almost robotic thumbs-up, his dark eyes still fixed on Lily's face.
Lily chuckled softly and then turned to Echo, her smile broadening. "Alright, Echo. Are you ready to become a master swimmer?"
Echo's black hair, which had settled into a contented yellow, blazed with excitement. "Ready as I'll ever be, Lily!" he exclaimed, practically vibrating with anticipation. He shed his remaining arm floaties, his flippers still awkwardly on his feet, and bounced impatiently at the water's edge.
Lily, with a patient smile, waded into the shallow water. "Okay, first things first, we need to get rid of those flippers. They're not going to help you learn proper strokes." She helped him carefully remove the oversized orange flippers. "Now, we're going to start with floating. Just let the water hold you. Try to relax."
Echo, with a determined look on his face, followed her instructions. He took a deep breath and leaned back, letting the gentle current support him. His yellow hair flickered with concentration as he tried to trust the water. His limbs stiffened at first, then slowly relaxed under Lily's calm guidance.
"That's it, Echo! You're doing great!" Lily encouraged, her voice soft and reassuring. "Now, gently kick your legs, like this." She demonstrated a slow, rhythmic flutter kick.
Echo imitated her, his movements a bit clumsy at first, sending splashes of water into the air. But gradually, he found a rhythm, his legs moving with more confidence. The water, initially a source of trepidation, began to feel less alien, more welcoming.
"Excellent!" Lily praised, her smile beaming. "Now, try to move your arms. Just a simple paddle, like you're scooping water towards you."
Under Lily's patient tutelage, Echo slowly but surely began to grasp the basics. He kicked, he paddled, he even managed a few tentative strokes, his black hair shifting through various shades of yellow, orange, and even a triumphant green as he made progress. Each small victory was met with Lily's enthusiastic cheers and encouraging words, and even occasional, quiet nods of approval from Severus, who, despite himself, found his attention drawn away from his book to the heartwarming scene.
Skate, meanwhile, watched the lesson with a fond, almost maternal amusement. Her iridescent tail flicked gently in the water as she glided around Echo and Lily, occasionally dipping beneath the surface only to pop up unexpectedly close, her eyes sparkling with encouragement. She would sometimes mimic Lily's movements, her graceful strokes a silent demonstration of perfect form, or playfully nudge Echo's flailing legs with her nose, as if to say, You'll get there. Her presence was a comforting, vibrant energy, a reminder of the unique bond she shared with Echo.
Further down the beach, the atmosphere had devolved into pure, unadulterated chaos. Amos, having retrieved the now slightly bent umbrella pole from Sniffles, was attempting to use it as a makeshift jousting stick against Frank.
"Take that, you lanky git!" Amos roared, swinging the pole, sending a shower of water droplets flying.
Frank, laughing heartily, retaliated by scooping up handfuls of wet sand and flinging them at Amos, who shrieked dramatically. "Oh, it's on now, Diggory! You asked for it!"
Their playful splashing soon escalated into a full-blown water fight, complete with exaggerated grunts, playful shoves, and copious amounts of splashing water that occasionally reached the more sedate area where Lily and Echo were still diligently working on his strokes. Even Severus, initially engrossed in his book, found himself looking up with a long-suffering sigh, a few stray drops of water having landed on his precious parchment. He merely adjusted his spectacles, a faint, almost imperceptible twitch of a smile playing on his lips as he watched the unfolding mayhem.
Suddenly, a cacophony of boisterous laughter and loud footsteps echoed from the path leading to the beach. Four figures, clad in varying states of swimwear, emerged from the treeline. It was the Marauders.
"Hope we're not crashing the party!" James Potter bellowed, striding confidently onto the sand, a wide, audacious grin on his face. He was wearing bright red swim trunks patterned with golden snitches. "But we thought this little get-together could use a bit of spice!"
Remus Lupin, looking slightly more reserved in a simple pair of dark blue swim shorts, offered a polite, if somewhat sheepish, wave. Peter Pettigrew, his round face flushed, waddled along in oversized green trunks, already looking uncomfortable. And then there was Sirius Black. Sirius, seemingly attempting to outdo Echo's earlier outlandishness, was clad in what could only be described as a pair of extremely tight, luminous-pink speedos. They left absolutely nothing to the imagination.
Severus, who had just managed to return to his book, let out a low, disgusted growl. "Potter. Black. As if this day wasn't already an exercise in pure-blood idiocy."
Amos and Frank, who had paused their sand fight, stared, their mouths agape. "The Marauders?" Amos whispered, utterly shocked.
Lily, her hand still resting on Echo's arm, looked equally surprised. "James? Sirius?"
Echo, however, was only half pleased to see them. "Hi, Remus!" he shouted, then his eyes landed on Sirius. He screamed in genuine terror. "WHAT IS THAT THING?! THE VERY SIGHT, IT BURNS, IT BURNS!"
James, still beaming, clapped Sirius on the shoulder. "That, Echo, is just Sirius in his swim–"
"COVER THAT UP!" Echo shrieked, vaguely motioning with his hand at Sirius's entirety.
Sirius, ever the exhibitionist, puffed out his chest. "You just pointed to all of me, Echo."
"Yeah, cover that up," Echo retorted, a look of profound disgust on his face. "No one wants to see that."
"Oh, please," Sirius scoffed, striking a pose. "People would pay good money to see all this!"
Severus, with a sneer, finally spoke, not even looking up from his book. "Indeed. Pay to be put out of their misery, perhaps."
Sirius's playful grin vanished, replaced by an indignant scowl. "What was that, Snivellus?!"
"You heard me, Black! Your self-indulgence is only surpassed by your lack of taste!" Severus snapped back, finally slamming his book shut and glaring at Sirius.
As the two began to butt heads, Echo turned to James. "How did you even know what we were doing today?"
James merely winked. "I have my ways, Echo."
Echo narrowed his eyes. "Was it your map? Peter? Or your invisibility cloak?"
James blinked, a flicker of surprise crossing his face at the mention of his cloak. "My… my invisibility clo—"
"Never mind," Echo interrupted, waving a dismissive hand. "I'll figure it out later. After all, I've got eyes all around, and they are watching."
James looked down, and a small, iridescent Diricawl, previously unseen, looked up at him with intelligent eyes from the sand. It blinked once, then, with a soft pop, teleported away. James shook his head, trying to dismiss the unsettling implications of Echo's words and abilities. He turned to Lily, a charming smile returning to his face. "Say, Lily, could I rub some sunscreen on your back? Don't want you to get burnt out here."
Lily smiled sweetly, shaking her head. "Oh, that's alright, James. Severus already took care of it."
James's charming smile faltered, and he looked surprised at Severus, who had stopped his argument with Sirius to shoot a gloating, triumphant smirk back at him. Then, James's gaze shifted to Echo, who offered him a different, far wider, and utterly smug grin. Besides Echo, Skate, not entirely understanding the nuance of the situation but sensing Echo's mood, copied his wide smile, and a flash of her pearly white teeth added to the effect.
Peter, his eyes wide as he finally registered Skate's presence, took a nervous step back. "Um, is it... is it safe to go in the water? Will she... will she bite us?"
Echo's smile faded, replaced by a calculating look. His black hair flickered with a mischievous yellow. He looked from Peter to James, then to Sirius. "Are you four?" he began, pausing to correct himself. " No, sorry. Remus wouldn't do anything intentionally dumb. Are you three planning on pulling anything?"
James, Sirius, and Peter exchanged a quick, uncertain glance. They said nothing at first, their usual bravado deflating under Echo's steady gaze.
Skate, sensing their hesitation and Echo's unspoken question, slowly opened her mouth, revealing rows of serrated, needle-sharp teeth. The gentle Shimmer of her moonlight hair seemed to intensify around her, and her eyes, fixed on the three Marauders, held a distinct, unblinking challenge.
Immediately, James, Sirius, and Peter all stammered, "No! Absolutely not! We promise!"
Echo's yellow hair softened to a satisfied green. "Good," he said, nodding slowly. "Then she won't bite you, or rip you in half, or drown you, or try to crush you with a boulder." He offered them another innocent smile, while Skate, still displaying her formidable teeth, closed her mouth with a soft click.
"Wait, Echo," Sirius said, his eyes wide with a mixture of awe and genuine concern. "Is it true what Bellatrix was screaming about true? True that you fought her, and Skate tried to… tried to flatten her with a boulder?"
Echo shrugged, his green hair flickering with a casual dismissal. "Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. Though I have to say, Sirius, your family is a whole different level of crazy than what I'm used to. Too bad she got away. She would've made for a well-dressed, crazy-haired roadkill."
Sirius let out a booming laugh, throwing his head back. "Roadkill! Oh, Echo, you're brilliant!" He then, with a dramatic flourish, ran up to the water's edge, striking a pose. "So, Skate, my darling mermaid queen," he called out, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "are mermaids into polygamy? Because I'm willing to marry both of you!"
Skate, without a moment's hesitation, spat a powerful jet of water directly into Sirius's face. He sputtered and coughed, wiping the water from his eyes.
"I don't think I have to translate that, Sirius," Echo said, a warning note in his voice, his green hair darkening to a stern black. "Now behave, or Skate will be the least of your problems."
Sirius looked around, a nervous chuckle escaping him. "Why? Is the monkey around? He's not here, is he?"
Just then, with a sound, Shimmer materialized directly on Sirius's shoulder, its intelligent eyes gleaming with mischievous triumph.
Sirius shrieked, a high-pitched sound of pure terror, and launched himself backward, flailing wildly as he tried to dislodge the Demiguise. "The monkey! He's learning guerrilla tactics! He just keeps evolving!" he cried, scrambling away across the sand, while nearly everyone else erupted in laughter.
"You know, Lily," Frank said, a conspiratorial glint in his eye as he gestured towards James, "why don't you have James help you teach Echo how to swim? He's so good at everything, and he certainly has enough energy to burn off."
Echo looked at Frank, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. He saw the calculation in his friend's eyes, a subtle attempt to shift the odds of their unspoken bet. But Echo also saw an opportunity to mess with James.
"That's actually a good idea, Frank," Lily said, her eyes lighting up. "James, you want to show off so much, why don't you come over here and help me burn off some of that extra steam by helping me teach Echo how to swim?"
James looked at Echo. He saw Echo's unnaturally calm, almost innocent smile. For some reason, the faint yet distinct melody of Beethoven's "Für Elise" seemed to echo in his ears as he stared into Echo's deep violet eyes. Every instinct screamed at him to refuse, to run in the opposite direction. But the offer to get closer to Lily, to impress her, was too strong to resist.
He walked towards them, a wide, confident smile firmly in place, though a tiny, almost imperceptible shiver ran down his spine. "Of course, Lily! Happy to help!" He jumped into the water with an unnecessarily dramatic splash, sending water everywhere. "Alright, Echo, let's see what you've got!"
Echo, his black hair flickering with a mischievous yellow, watched James's boisterous entrance, a smug grin playing on his lips. "Just so you know, James," he drawled, "Lily's already taught me the basics. So don't think you're going to show me up."
James merely scoffed, running a hand through his perpetually messy hair. "Please, Echo. I invented swimming. Watch and learn." With a flourish, he dove under the water, demonstrating a series of powerful, elegant strokes that sent ripples across the lake. He emerged moments later, shaking his head dramatically, water spraying everywhere. "See? That's how you swim!"
Lily rolled her eyes, but a small smile touched her lips. "Alright, show-off. Let's see you teach Echo something he hasn't learned yet."
James, basking in Lily's attention, puffed out his chest. "Right! Echo, pay attention. We're going to work on endurance. You're going to swim from here to that buoy and back." He pointed to a small, red buoy bobbing innocently in the middle of the lake.
Echo looked at the buoy, then back at James, his yellow hair dimming slightly. "That's… pretty far, James."
"Nonsense!" James exclaimed, already beginning to swim towards it. "It's all about mental fortitude! Come on, follow me!"
Echo hesitated for a moment, then, with a determined look, pushed off into the water, his arms and legs moving in the clumsy, uncoordinated strokes he had just learned. Lily swam alongside him, offering quiet encouragement and correction.
As they swam, a familiar sense of unease began to settle over Echo. The water, which had felt welcoming moments before, now seemed vast and intimidating. His muscles ached, his lungs burned, and the buoy, despite his efforts, seemed to recede further with every stroke. His yellow hair flickered with increasing anxiety, a panicky red beginning to seep into the strands.
James, already at the buoy, turned and waved, oblivious to Echo's growing distress. "Come on, Echo! You're almost there!"
But Echo felt like he was getting nowhere. He thrashed frantically, swallowing a mouthful of water, his chest constricting with fear. He felt himself sinking, the cold embrace of the Black Lake threatening to pull him under. His red hair flared violently, a silent scream of terror.
Just as panic threatened to overwhelm him, a strong, firm hand clasped his arm. Lily. Her face, usually so composed, was etched with concern. "Echo! Breathe! You're alright, I've got you."
She gently pulled him towards her, guiding his head above the water, her voice a calming balm against his rising fear. "It's okay, Echo. Take it easy. You don't have to push yourself so hard. One step at a time."
But as Echo took another shaky breath, a sudden, powerful current, unseen and unfelt by the others, pulled him downwards. His eyes widened in a fresh wave of panic, his red hair flaring desperately before vanishing beneath the murky surface.
"Echo!" Lily shrieked, her voice sharp with alarm. She spun around, her eyes wide and frantic, scanning the churning water. "Echo! Where are you?!" Her calls grew more desperate, laced with an increasing frenzy as she searched for any sign of him. "Echo! Answer me! Please, Echo!"
At the buoy, James, who had been watching with a casual smirk, suddenly went rigid. His eyes, fixed on the spot where Echo had vanished, widened in genuine horror. He felt a cold knot twist in his stomach. Did I just… did I just drown him? The thought, stark and terrifying, sent a wave of pure dread through him. He'd only meant to push him, to make him work a little harder, to impress Lily. He hadn't meant… He hadn't meant to drown him. For a moment, a wave of genuine, unadulterated panic threatened to consume him. He started to hyperventilate, his mind racing with frantic thoughts of how he would explain this, how he would face Lily, how he would live with himself. He was about to dive under, a desperate, frantic attempt to save the boy, when a voice, right behind him, cut through his terror.
"Boo!"
James shrieked, a high-pitched, undeniably undignified sound, and flailed wildly, stumbling backward and splashing into the water with a loud WHOOSH. He spun around, his heart pounding in his chest, to see Echo, his black hair shimmering with mischievous triumph, bobbing in the water just behind him.
Echo burst out laughing, a genuine, uninhibited sound that echoed across the lake. His black hair danced with pure amusement, shifting to a triumphant yellow. "You should've seen the look on your face, James!" he gasped between laughs. "You seriously thought I drowned!"
James, still sputtering and soaking wet, glared at him, his face a mixture of lingering fear and indignation. "I did think you drowned, you idiot! That wasn't funny, Echo! Not one bit!"
Echo merely shrugged, his yellow hair still flickering playfully. "You wanted to be a show-off," he retorted, a smirk playing on his lips. "And besides, you apparently forgot about Skate."
As if on cue, Skate's head broke the surface directly beside Echo, her moonlight hair shimmering, her eyes wide with amusement as she looked at James. Her slender, webbed hand rested casually on Echo's back, clearly having been the one to propel him to his dramatic reappearance. She gave a small, knowing chuckle.
Lily, who had just reached the buoy, her face still pale with fright, glared at Echo. "Echo! That was not funny!" she scolded, her voice sharp with residual panic. "Don't you ever do that again! You scared me half to death!"
Echo's yellow hair dulled, and he looked genuinely chastened. "Sorry, Lily," he mumbled, offering a sincere, if sheepish, apology. "I didn't mean to scare you."
Lily sighed, her anger slowly dissipating as she saw Echo's genuine remorse. She ran a hand through her wet hair. "Just… don't do it again, okay? You're bad enough at swimming as it is without trying to give everyone a heart attack."
Echo nodded, his black hair settling into a contrite grey. "Deal."
James, still shaking his head, began to swim back towards the shore, a new respect and a healthy dose of fear for Echo and his mermaid girlfriend now firmly ingrained in him. Sirius, Remus, and Peter, who had been watching the entire spectacle unfold from the shore with a mixture of horror and amusement, now looked at Echo with a newfound wariness.
"So," Lily said, a gentle smile on her face as she looked at Echo, "still up for more lessons, or have I scared you off swimming forever?"
Echo's grey hair immediately brightened to a determined yellow. "Are you kidding? I'm more ready than ever! I just need to remember to stay above water… and not try to trick James into thinking I've drowned."
Lily chuckled, shaking her head. "Good. And no more drowning pranks, please." She then turned to James. "James, since you're already in the water, how about you actually help this time? No more racing to the buoy."
James, still looking slightly chastened, nodded quickly. "Right, Lily. Whatever you say." He still shot a wary glance at Echo, who was now giving him another wide, innocent smile that did absolutely nothing to reassure him.
So, the lessons continued. Lily and James, surprisingly, made a decent team, though James's teaching style was far more boisterous and prone to dramatic demonstrations, while Lily remained calm and patient. Echo, with their combined efforts, slowly began to gain more confidence. His strokes became smoother, his breathing more regulated, and the panic that had seized him earlier began to recede, replaced by a growing sense of accomplishment. Skate remained close by, a silent, encouraging presence, occasionally offering a gentle nudge or a playful splash to keep Echo's spirits up.
Meanwhile, on the shore, the others had settled into their own activities. Severus, having finally secured his book from any rogue water droplets, had returned to his reading, though he still cast an occasional, almost fond glance at Lily. Remus, having brought a worn copy of 'Hogwarts: A History,' was quietly engrossed in its pages under a separate, shaded spot. Peter, still slightly wary of Skate, contented himself with building an elaborate sandcastle, occasionally looking over his shoulder nervously. Sirius, however, couldn't sit still for long. After his initial terror of Shimmer, he had decided to take a solitary swim further down the lake, occasionally shouting playful taunts at the others or attempting to attract the attention of any passing merpeople, much to the exasperation of Skate. Frank and Amos, having temporarily abandoned their jousting, were now engaged in a lively game of 'who can throw the biggest rock the farthest' into the lake, their booming laughter echoing across the water.
After a couple of hours of swimming and playful chaos, a collective rumbling of stomachs reminded them all of lunch. They spread out a picnic blanket, and Lily produced a variety of sandwiches, fruit, and pumpkin juice from a magically enlarged hamper. Everyone ate with gusto, the vibrant energy of the beach day making even the simplest food taste delicious.
Once lunch was done and everyone was relaxing, Lily suddenly announced, "Alright, I've got one more surprise for everyone!" She then stood up and headed back towards the castle, leaving a trail of curious whispers and excited murmurs in her wake.
A few minutes later, Lily reappeared from the castle path, carefully balancing a large tray laden with individual ice cream cups. The sight alone was enough to ignite a fresh burst of energy.
"Ice cream!" Echo shrieked, his black hair blazing a frantic yellow. He immediately began to jump in excited circles, practically vibrating with anticipation.
Frank, catching Echo's infectious enthusiasm, dropped the rock he was holding and joined in, his tall frame bouncing clumsily beside Echo's smaller one. "Ice cream! Yes! I knew it! Best beach day ever!" They both continued to jump, kicking up sand as Lily carefully made her way towards them.
As Lily finally arrived, holding the tray aloft, Echo and Frank let out a synchronized cheer. "Woohoo! Ice cream!" they yelled, then, with a practiced ease that suggested this was not their first time, they slapped their hands together in a series of perfectly synchronized high-fives, the sound echoing crisply in the open air.
Amos, watching the display with a bewildered grin, shook his head. "Where in Merlin's name did that come from, you two?"
Echo, still breathless from jumping, gestured to Frank. "Oh, that? Well, Frank and I are in the same year, and we share many of the same classes, so, of course, we spend more time together. We've had to develop some… unique methods of celebrating our small victories." He winked, and Frank nodded sagely in agreement.
Everyone eagerly reached for an ice cream cup, a chorus of satisfied murmurs filling the air. Most opted for the classic vanilla, while a few adventurous souls chose chocolate. Small plastic spoons were distributed, and the quiet ritual of consumption began. Even Shimmer, who had reappeared on Remus's shoulder, was seen daintily scooping spoonfuls of chocolate ice cream from his own cup, his tiny sunglasses still perched on his nose.
Echo, however, was a different story. With a gleam in his eye, he grabbed two chocolate cups. Before anyone could react, he ripped the lid off the first and began to shovel the frozen treat into his mouth with alarming speed, foregoing the provided spoon entirely. His black hair blazed with a frantic yellow as he consumed the ice cream with a ferocity that could only be described as primal.
Lily, Severus, James, Remus, Frank, Amos, Peter, and even Sirius, paused mid-bite, staring at Echo with a mixture of amusement and bewilderment.
"He's just… inhaling it," Lily whispered, wide-eyed.
Then, a low rumble started, growing in volume. James, Frank, Amos, Peter, and Sirius, a mischievous glint in their eyes, began to chant.
"Chug! Chug! Chug!"
Echo, fueled by their encouragement, redoubled his efforts and finished the entire cup in a matter of seconds. He then crumpled the empty cup in his hand with a triumphant crunch. A round of cheers erupted from the boys, punctuated by appreciative whistles.
"Echo!" Lily exclaimed, shaking her head with a smile. "You're supposed to savor it! And you can't have two!"
Echo, still panting slightly, wiped a streak of chocolate from his chin. His yellow hair danced with satisfaction. "This is how I savor it, Lily. And the other one is for—"
He suddenly froze, his eyes widening dramatically. His yellow hair flared a shocking red as a massive brain freeze hit him. He clutched his head, swaying on his feet for a moment, his face contorted in a comical expression of agony. After a few agonizing seconds, he let out a triumphant whoop.
"Woohoo! I felt that one in my toes!" he declared, rubbing his temples. "And the other one is for Skate!"
With renewed purpose, Echo carefully carried the second cup of chocolate ice cream to the water's edge. Skate, who had been watching the entire spectacle with growing amusement, swam closer. Echo presented her with the cup, and with an excited chirp, Skate, like Echo, began to wolf down the frozen treat without a spoon, her head ducking and weaving as she devoured it in huge bites.
"Chug! Chug! Chug!" the boys chanted again, this time with Echo joining in, his yellow hair blazing with renewed energy. Lily and Severus watched on, a mixture of bewilderment and faint amusement on their faces.
Skate finished the cup in an impressive display of speed, then crushed it in her webbed hand with a powerful CRACK. Everyone cheered, but then Skate's eyes glazed over, and she let out a high-pitched, almost musical yelp, clutching her head dramatically. The brain freeze had clearly found its mark.
Severus, watching the mermaid's theatrical reaction, shook his head, a rare, almost imperceptible smirk touching his lips. "It's no wonder you two get along so well, Echo. That girl is just as much of an unapologetic pig as you are."
Echo merely shrugged, a faint smirk playing on his lips, his black hair flickering with amusement. "I'll take that as a compliment, Sev."
Suddenly, Sirius threw an arm around Echo's shoulders, pulling him into a side-hug. "Echo, my boy, I have a very important question for you, about mermaids."
Echo eyed him suspiciously, his black hair darkening to a wary blue. "If it's a dumb question, Sirius, I'm throwing you in the lake and letting Skate decide how to deal with you."
Sirius held up his hands in a gesture of peace, though a mischievous glint still danced in his eyes. "No, no, I assure you, this is a serious question. I was just wondering… are there mermen? Because it seems to be nothing but mermaids, so far."
Echo blinked, his blue hair flaring with surprise. "Actually, Sirius, that's a really good question." He paused, looking at Skate, who seemed to be listening intently. "Yes, there are mermen. They just… look like mermaids."
James, who had been listening in, scrunched up his face. "So, mermen are just really pretty dudes with pseudo-boobs?"
Echo nodded slowly. "Pretty much. However, they also have broader shoulders and larger arms, and are only slightly larger than females. But it's hard to tell at first glance. It's mostly in the face and hips."
Peter, who had been quietly contemplating this information, piped up, "So… do mermaids have childbearing hips? Do mermaids give birth?"
Echo looked at him, surprised. "Of course, they give birth! Mermaids don't lay eggs."
Remus, ever the logical one, pointed out, "But they're fish, Echo."
Echo rolled his eyes. "They're not fish, Remus, just fish-like. And certain sharks give live birth, and they're fish, so nature is drunk, and we shouldn't question it."
As the boys continued their bewildering conversation, Lily turned to Severus, a look of utter disbelief on her face. "Severus, is this what boys normally talk about?"
Severus, who had been observing the exchange with a detached, almost scientific interest, finally looked at Lily. "I wouldn't know, Lily. But it does seem normal from my perspective."
Lily sighed, shaking her head. "I just hope they're not insulting Skate."
Severus cast a glance at Skate, who was still in the water, her eyes fixed on Echo with an unreadable expression. "She doesn't look like it," he mused. "It almost looks like she's impressed. But I can't tell if it's because Echo is nerding out, or if she's glad Echo is teaching these dolts about mermaids so they don't make even more ridiculous assumptions."
Lily chuckled, a faint smile on her lips. "Regardless, I'll never understand men… or even Skate," she added, watching the mermaid gaze at Echo with a look that could only be described as lovestruck.
Echo continued to bob gently in the water, a picture of serene contentment, his black hair occasionally brushing against the surface. The afternoon sun warmed his face, and the distant sounds of his friends' playful arguments and laughter were a comforting backdrop. He was so relaxed, in fact, that he barely registered the firm, yet surprisingly gentle, grip that suddenly encircled his waist.
A low chuckle escaped him, assuming it was Skate playing a trick. "Alright, very funny, Skate. You found me." He expected to be released, but instead, he felt himself being slowly, steadily lifted from the water. Higher and higher he went, until he was dangling several feet above the Black Lake, the familiar beach now seeming a little further away.
"Hey, guys!" Echo called out, his voice laced with amusement. "Check this out!"
Frank and Amos were still completely oblivious, absorbed in their rock-throwing contest. Sirius was attempting to splash Remus, who was valiantly trying to keep his book dry. James was demonstrating a particularly elaborate and entirely unnecessary dive for Lily, who was shaking her head with a smile. Severus, of course, remained deeply engrossed in his book.
"Guys! Seriously! Look!" Echo insisted, his voice a little louder now, a hint of genuine excitement creeping in.
This time, Peter looked up, his eyes widening to saucers. He nudged James, who paused mid-dive, glancing over. Then Remus and Sirius, alerted by Peter's shock, followed their gaze. Frank and Amos stopped their game, their rocks falling forgotten to the sand. A chorus of gasps, shouts, and bewildered exclamations erupted from the beach.
"Echo! What in Merlin's name is that?!" Lily shrieked, her hand flying to her mouth, her face paling as she stared at the colossal, slimy tentacle that held Echo aloft. "Are you okay?!"
Echo, suspended serenely in the massive, green-brown tentacle of the Giant Squid, merely grinned, his black hair blazing a triumphant yellow. "I found her! I told you guys she liked to play! I think she finally worked up the courage!"
The Giant Squid, its enormous eye blinking slowly at the group, then began to sway the tentacle holding Echo gently. With a surprising speed for its size, it began to move towards the castle, lifting Echo higher still. As they approached the towering walls, Echo found himself drifting past a window on the higher floors.
He saw the familiar, stern but kind face of Professor McGonagall, who was engrossed in some paperwork at her desk in the Transfiguration classroom.
"Hi, Professor!" Echo called out cheerfully, waving his free hand.
Professor McGonagall looked up, startled, her spectacles sliding down her nose. "Hello, Echo," she replied, a faint, polite smile on her lips, before her eyes widened in dawning horror. She blinked, then slowly looked out the window. "Hello… Echo?"
Just then, Professor Flitwick, a tiny blur of movement, bustled into her office. "Minerva, my dear, I just wanted to inquire about…" He trailed off, following McGonagall's stunned gaze out the window. His own eyes, behind his tiny spectacles, widened to an almost comical degree. He let out a high-pitched gasp.
"Hi, Professor Flitwick!" Echo shouted, beaming down at them. "I'm having so much fun!"
Professor Flitwick swayed on his feet, his face turning a sickly shade of green.
Echo, swaying contentedly, then looked down at the beach, where the boys were now chanting, "Throw! Throw! Throw!"
Echo turned back to the Giant Squid. "Alright, you can throw me now!"
As the boys' chant grew louder, Echo suddenly held up a hand. "Wait! Wait, wait, wait! Hold on! I need my inner tube!"
The Giant Squid, surprisingly compliant, dipped another massive tentacle into the water. With a gentle scoop, it retrieved Echo's bright yellow inner tube. With surprising dexterity, it then maneuvered the inner tube around Echo's waist with a soft WHOOSH.
"Okay! Now you can throw me!" Echo declared, his yellow hair blazing with pure excitement.
The Giant Squid seemed to understand. It pulled back its tentacle, winding up like a colossal catapult. Then, with a mighty heave, it launched Echo across the Black Lake.
"WEEEEEEEEEEE!" Echo shrieked, a sound of pure exhilaration, as he soared through the air, a tiny, colourful projectile against the blue sky, until he splashed down, with a distant KER-PLUNK, on the far side of the lake.
Back in the Transfiguration classroom, Professor Flitwick, after a final, high-pitched squeak, promptly fainted, collapsing into a heap on Professor McGonagall's floor. On the beach, James, Sirius, Peter, Frank, and Amos erupted into a cacophony of cheers.
"THAT WAS AMAZING!" James roared, jumping up and down. "My turn! My turn!"
"Yeah! Throw me next, you big beauty!" Sirius howled, striking another dramatic pose at the water's edge.
"Me too! Me too!" Peter squeaked, bouncing excitedly.
Frank and Amos, equally thrilled, were already scrambling into the water. "Don't forget us!" they yelled in unison.
Lily almost turned white, Remus shook his head with a smile, and Severus, however, merely pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering, "Inbred idiocy, indeed."
A few minutes later, the Giant Squid, having dutifully launched all the boys across the lake with varying degrees of enthusiasm and distant splashes, resurfaced near the beach, its enormous eye blinking slowly. The boys, now dripping wet and buzzing with exhilaration, were scrambling back to shore, their laughter echoing across the water.
Lily, her hands on her hips, was already halfway to the water's edge, a look of exasperated affection on her face. Remus merely shook his head, a fond smile playing on his lips, while Severus remained under his umbrella, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk replacing his usual grimace.
Suddenly, a stern, unmistakable voice cut through the joyful cacophony.
"Potter! Black! Diggory! Longbottom! Pettigrew! And you, Mr. Echo!" Professor McGonagall, her usually neat bun slightly askew, strode onto the beach, her face a mask of furious indignation. Her eyes, usually sharp, were practically spitting fire. "What in Merlin's name do you think you are doing?"
The boys, who had been high-fiving and whooping, froze mid-action. Their triumphant grins melted into expressions of sheepish guilt. James and Sirius, in particular, looked as if they wished the sand would swallow them whole.
"Professor McGonagall!" Lily exclaimed, surprised to see her. "How did you—"
"I saw them, Miss Evans!" McGonagall interrupted, her voice booming across the lake. "I saw Mr. Echo being launched across the Black Lake by the Giant Squid, followed by a parade of other idiotic boys! And then I saw Mr. Flitwick faint in my office!" She paused, taking a deep, shuddering breath. "Do you have any idea of the paperwork involved in a student being launched across a body of water by a sentient magical creature, even a friendly one?!"
Her gaze swept over the boys and landed on Echo, who was attempting to look innocent. His black hair settled into a calm, almost angelic white. "And you, Mr. Echo! You were encouraging them!"
Echo opened his mouth to protest, but McGonagall wasn't finished. Her eyes, still blazing, then fixed on the enormous, green-brown tentacle of the Giant Squid, which was still hovering near the shore, poised to grab more boys.
"And you!" McGonagall shrieked, pointing her finger at the colossal cephalopod. "Giant Squid! This is highly irregular! You are not to play 'human catapult' with the students! Think of the liability!"
To everyone's utter astonishment, the massive tentacle, which was at least twenty times the size of Professor McGonagall, visibly recoiled. The Giant Squid's enormous eye blinked rapidly, and then, with a speed that belied its size, it slowly, almost apologetically, began to retreat. Its massive tentacle, previously extended and ready for another launch, subtly, almost imperceptibly, shifted behind Echo, as if seeking refuge, as if McGonagall was the most terrifying creature it had ever encountered.
Echo, catching the movement, glanced back at the Giant Squid, then at McGonagall's still-furious face. A small, almost imperceptible smirk touched his lips. He then turned back to McGonagall, his white hair flickering with feigned earnestness. "Professor, I assure you, the Giant Squid was merely… assisting with our aquatic physical education. And besides," he added, lowering his voice conspiratorially, "she gets lonely. She just wants to play."
McGonagall merely pinched the bridge of her nose, a long-suffering sigh escaping her. "Lonely or not, Mr. Echo, she is not to be launching students. And you," she looked at the Giant Squid, whose tentacle was still peeking nervously from behind Echo, "will refrain from all 'aquatic physical education' that involves flinging students, do you understand?"
The Giant Squid gave a slow, ponderous nod, its eye wide and seemingly contrite.
"Good," McGonagall said, though her voice still held a hint of exasperation. She then turned her gaze back to the boys, who were still standing in a dejected line. "Now, all of you! Get dressed and report to my office immediately. And I expect a full explanation, along with an apology to Mr. Flitwick." She then looked at Echo, her gaze softening slightly. "As for you, Mr. Echo, I daresay you have already caused enough trouble for one day. Perhaps you should spend the rest of the afternoon engaging in a more… sedate activity."
Echo offered her a wide, innocent smile, his white hair dancing with amusement. "Yes, Professor. Absolutely. Sedate. Very sedate."
McGonagall merely shook her head, a faint, almost imperceptible curve touching her lips as she turned and marched back towards the castle, muttering about "insufferable boys" and "overenthusiastic cephalopods."
"Well," Echo said, turning to his friends with a resigned sigh, his white hair fading to a calm, almost wistful Black, "looks like the fun ends today." He offered Lily a genuine smile. "Thanks, Lily. This was exactly what I needed." His gaze then drifted to James, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "And you, James, and the others, you definitely 'spiced things up.' Now it looks like we have to face the music." He gestured vaguely towards the castle. "And by 'music,' I mean Professor McGonagall and whatever delightful punishment she has in store for us."
He turned to Skate, who was still bobbing in the water, a playful glint in her eyes. "Looks like I have to go, Skate. Duty calls, and all that."
But Skate merely shook her head, a mischievous smile spreading across her face. Before Echo could react, her strong, webbed hands clasped his waist, and with a powerful tug, she began to pull him backward, deeper into the Black Lake.
"Echo!" Lily, James, Sirius, Remus, Frank, Amos, and Peter all shouted in unison, their voices filled with alarm.
Echo, surprised but not entirely displeased, managed to get one last word out just before he was pulled completely under the surface. "Tell Professor McGonagall," he gasped, a wide, triumphant grin on his face, "that if she has a punishment in mind, she'll have to wait! I'm currently in the process of being kidnapped by my girlfriend, and she doesn't seem too keen on letting me go!" With a final splash, he vanished beneath the shimmering surface.
A moment of stunned silence fell over the beach. Then, Peter, his eyes wide and thoughtful, suddenly piped up. "Hey, do you think if Skate and Professor McGonagall ever met, they'd get along?"
"Why would you ask that, Peter?" Remus inquired, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Yeah, why?" James and Sirius chorused, looking bewildered.
Peter shrugged. "Well, they both have such strong personalities, don't they?"
Severus, who had finally put his book away, scoffed. "More likely they'd just butt heads, Pettigrew. Two forces of nature, completely at odds."
James chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I'd pay to see that! The professor and a mermaid, battling it out with words… or screams, in the mermaid's case."
Lily sighed, shaking her head. "Regardless," she said, looking towards the castle where McGonagall had vanished, "the professor is certainly not going to like hearing about this."