(Lake) Like Crystals

[Dyanneabelle Alméida]

It was early in the morning, and even if frost hadnt been covering the grounds that morning, you would have still seen dew drops on the leaves and grass. It was December now, meaning Christmas would soon be with them, and usually, Dyanneabelle went home for Christmas but this year the family had been told to stay at school. Her bag was flung over her shoulder, a scarf clinging tightly to her neck and her robes fastened. It was definatly a chilly morning and knew without a shadow of a doubt, Alexis wouldnt be out this morning. She loved rainy weather, but she hated the cold. "It makes my cheeks all blotchy!" she could hear her protest.

Last year for Christmas, Belle's parents had taken them all Ski-ing. They had even taken Maxi with them, being Marks best friend and like a brother to the two girls it would have felt wrong not to include him. The first time Belle tried to ski, she ended up falling over and rolling down the slope, she had a vision of her turning into an oversized snowball like in the cartoons. Alexis, once she had gotten the hang of it, was graceful. Whereas Mark and Maxi, all they wanted to do was see who could go fastest, and jump the highest.

Belle walked down to the lake, she had heard a lot about it off Alexis and had wanted to see it. Though when she got there it was nothing like what Alexis had described. The top of the water was covered in ice and the way the sun was reflecting off the surface it looked like there were thousands, if not millions of little crystals all glittering on the surface. Dyanneabelle's breath caught in her throught, "Beautiful" she whispered to herself as she sat down under a tree. She had her books with her ready to study, but the sheer beauty of the shimmering lake had completly captivated her and she couldnt keep her eyes off it.

[Nikole Talley]

Nikole had been sitting upon the cold ground at the edge of the beautiful frozen lake. She heard what sounded like footsteps crunching on the frosted grass and turned to see a familiar face. Another Ravenclaw girl, whose name was Dyanneabelle, had sat down beneath a tree not far off. Nikole hadn't spoken to the girl much, but they were in the same house, and it was rather lonely outside today so she decided to go talk to the girl.

Standing up off the cold ground, Nikole straightened her scarf and headed over toward the girl. Reaching the tree she gave the girl a friendly smile as she spoke. "Hello," she said in a bright voice as a cold chill suddenly went up her spine. After a quick moment of shivers she spoke again, "You're Dyanneabelle, right?" She gave the girl a curious look as she confirmed the girl's name. It seemed like it was the right name, but then again it was an unusual name, so Nikole could have gotten it wrong.

[phantom]

Adam shivered slightly as he walked down the gravelly path towards the lake. Reaching the lake, he saw that it was frozen solid, and the sunlight hitting it made it sparkle like thousands of crystals. "Amazing." he whispered, taking in the breath-taking beauty. Then he saw two girls sitting near the lake. Two Ravenclaws, and Adam, being the gentleman he was, went over to introduce himself. "Well hello ladies, beautiful day out isn't it?" he asked with a smile. "I'm Francesco Adam de Mocenigo. But everyone just calls me Adam. And may I inquire as to your names?"

[Dyanneabelle Alméida]

Despite the fact it was cold outside today, nothing could shake the sheer beauty that was surrounding the lake right now, nor any inch of the outside that was covered in frost and ice, soon to be snowfallen too. The grass blades were shimmering in the sunlight, the frost and dew reflecting the suns rays and everything sparkled in the winter morning. Belle smiled, she loved nothing more than natures beauty. It calmed her, almost made her forget any problems she may have been having at the time.

Belle looked up to the sound of a voice, slightly surprised people knew her name already. Though with her big brother being here for a year it was probably no surprise, either that or they knew Alexis, in which case, she felt sorry for them. "Hello" she smiled back, "Yes I am, though sometimes people call me Belle depending on which is easiest" Belle smiled once more before looking up at her, "Nikole, im guessing? Forgive me if im wrong"

Though before the girl had chance to reply, another voice spoke up in the form of a male. "Oh" Belle said, her mouth mimiking a small o shape. "Hello Adam, I'm Dyanneabelle Alméida" She tried to smile again but found herself wondering what everyone was doing outside so early in the morning.

[Nikole Talley]

Nikole looked up at the boy who had come over. She looked back at Dyanneabelle with a smile. "You would be right. I am Nikole. And since Dyanneabelle is such a pretty name, and I prefer it, if you don't mind that is what I'll calle you. Belle is just much too simple. And if I'm not mistaken, you haven't been at Hogwarts that long have you?" Nikole looked curiously at the girl. She knew that Dyanneabelle was a third year Ravenclaw, but she had never seen her before just recently.

She looked up at the boy who had introduced himself. "Hello," she said looking up at the boy and shielding her eyes from the sun. "I'm Nikole. It is lovely to meet you Adam." She could tell that this boy was at least a couple of years older than her, and she was almost certain that he was a Gryffindor, or perhaps a Hufflepuff, but deciding that it was unimportant turned back to Dyanneabelle to wait for the answer to her question.

[Dyanneabelle Alméida]

Dyanneabelle's attention turned back to Nikole as she smiled, "Well at least I can show I do pay attention sometimes" she looked back out over the frosted lake, still finding its beauty almost breathtaking. Dyanneabelle turned back to Nikole and listened to her, "Well that's okay with me, I dont mind people using my real name, its just many people find it very wearsome to say it time over again" Which was true, many people she knew didnt call her Dyanneabelle, they usually called her Dee or Belle, and in all honesty, Dyanneabelle hated being called Dee. "No I havnt been here for very long. My brother and sister have both been here a year though. My brother transferred so he could be with his best friend and our father thought it made more sense to send me and Alexis here too"

[phantom]

Adam smiled warmly. "Well it's nice to meet you ladies, what brings you out here?" He sat down on the cold banks of the lake, shivering slightly as he pulled his cloak tighter around him. It may have been close to winter, but that didn't stop Adam from wearing his signature, simple yet elegant outfit of a white shirt, tucked into black pants, which were in turn tucked into a pair of black boots. The only difference today, was the deep burgundy red velvet cloak that he had put on to ward off the chill. Smiling as he looked out at the lake, he asked the two girls, "Do you come out to the lake often?"

[Dyanneabelle Alméida]

"It is nice to meet you too, Adam" Dyanneabelle replied with a smile on her face. She took in his attire which was very elegant, he knew even though he was a Gryffindor, Alexis would approve, even if she would outrightly say so. "No, Its only my first time out to the lake, I transferred this year from Beaubaxtons, as did my sister Alexis. Well she came last year, my brother the year before from Durmstrang" she smiled warmly at Adam who seemed to be pretty cold.

[Nikole Talley]

Nikole looked out at the lake and then at Adam. "No, I'm usually not much for the outdoors," she said with a shrug. "I simply had nothing to do today." Nikole's gaze went back to the lake. It was the first day in quite a while that she didn't have a full schedule, and that bothered her.

Nikole liked to stay busy, and wasn't much for just sitting around doing nothing. She looked back at Dyanneabelle. "Beauxbatons, huh?" she said with a sigh. "I always wanted to go to Beauxbatons, but my mother thought that Hogwarts would be a better fit."

[phantom]

Adam smiled at Dyanneabelle. "I think you'll find the lake to be a very soothing place. It is for me, it's also a very special place for me." He smiled before continuing, "This is where I proposed to Lidia Cullen." He smiled softly at the memory of that perfect night.