Snakes and Sanguine

Summer: Ocean Waves and Raindrops

The setting summer sun beat against my back, the salty sea stinging my scrapes from surfing. Seagulls flocked above through the hazy yet sweet air. The tides pulled in and out, kissing the sand then letting go once more. The breeze swayed the trees in the distance to and fro.

I rode the azure waves as Kauri and Atticus had taught me to, cheating and using a bit of magic to keep myself afloat. The ocean was crystal and I could see the fish swimming below me. Above me, the moon was revealing itself, a waning moon teasing the full.

I slid off my board, letting the water take me down. I swam to shore and detached the board from my ankle. Sand stuck to the soles of my feet as I walked back to the house.

The front door to the house opened and Atticus stood there with a smile worth a thousand suns. He looked down at my sand-covered feet and cast an Aguamenti upon them, washing away the particles.

He gestured inside the house, now allowing me to enter.

"How was the tide?" he asked as I walked inside, placing the surfboard against the wall.

"Clean," I replied. "Nothing too intense."

"Hear that Kauri," Atticus called to the kitchen. "Nothing too intense. You can quit your fretting now."

He turned to me as I giggled. "Go wash up before dinner."

I headed up the stairs, water dripping from my hair and down my back, leaving a trail behind me.

I walked into my bedroom and picked up the pile of letters that lay on my bed. One from Al, one from Scorpius, two from James, once from Lucien, and one from Annabeth. The water on my hair dripped onto the letters, blurring some of the ink on the papers.

Delancey,

Things have been pretty quiet here. Nothing too crazy happening. Did you hear about what's going to happen this next term? In case you haven't, it is the year of the Triwizard Tournament. Have you heard the stories of what has happened during these things? People have died. Supposedly they've made it safer these past few times but I don't know. I still don't feel so great about this whole thing. Knock some sense into me ok?

-A. Potter

Hiya Del!

I miss you loads. I don't think you understand. Father's got a new girlfriend or something. She lives in the manor with us now and she's bloody hideous. She smells of the strongest perfume you will ever encounter. I swear to Merlin I can taste it when she walks past me. Venus visited last week which was fun. It was nice to have a break from only talking to my father, his girlfriend, my grandparents, and the Notts. Can't wait to see you next week at the Potters!

-Scorpius

Hi Delancey,

You can't tell anybody this, especially not Al, ok? I'm sure you've probably heard about the Triwizard Tournament happening this year. So, sixth and seventh years are allowed to enter and as you know, I am a sixth year now. Anyway, I'll just get straight to it. I'm going to enter. My father did it so I feel as though it's only right, you know? Alby's a little nervous about the whole thing, he thinks it's dangerous. I mean I can't blame him, but no one has died since '95. Besides, what are the odds that I'm chosen anyway? It'd be really great if I was though. Imagine headlines in the Prophet, "James Potter Triwizard Champion (and his girlfriend Delancey Cedar)" Wouldn't that just be the most exciting thing ever?! Anyway, I'll see you next week.

-J. Potter

Hi again,