(Lake) Just outside the doors...

[Alexis Heart]

The new term had started and already Alexis was feeling the pressure to do well. She had spent so many a night in her room studying from her text books. It was grating on her nerves and after several more hours of studying on a Saturday no mind you she finally decided that enough was enough. Throwing her books on the bed, and petting Snowy on the top of his white head while he looked at her Alexis opened the door to her room and headed outside. Clad in jeans, a t-shirt and some trainers she made her way out if the castle for once.

She wasn't sure where she was going so she just let her feet take over. She had been looking down the whole time, and when she finally looked up it was to find herself right on the edge of the lake. A smile crept across her lips as she thought it was the perfect spot. Usually the only time she was out there was when she was running around it for exercise. Taking a seat on the nice crunchy grass, Alexis removed her trainers and socks letting her bare feet soak in the water for some time.

It was a nice day out and she was hoping she wouldn't have to spend all of it completely alone.

[phantom]

Adam looked out his dormitory window and sighed. It was a beautiful day out, and here he was sitting in the stuffy castle. Wait...what was he doing sitting here? Rolling his eyes at his own stupidity,he quickly grabbed a light cloak, for there had been a bit of chill in the air ealier and ran down the stairs and into the common room, swinging the cloak around his shoulder's he fastened it with a pin of the de Mocenigo family crest, which was a snowleopard sitting in a tree that was bare of leaves and had snowflakes falling down around it. The leopard looked every bit as beatiful and regal as it would have been expected. Running out the main doors, Adam simply walked. Not even paying attention to where he was going. Soon, he found himself, where else? At the lake. Adam smiled, he'd always loved the lake. It was so calm and peaceful. A place where you could forget all your troubles. Noticing a girl sitting on the grass, Adam walked over and sat down net to her. "Hi there. I'm Adam. Adam de Mocenigo."

[Alexis Heart]

She had been sitting with her eyes closed, letting the sun work it's magic on her. It was like a warm embrace enveloping her making her feel warm from the inside out. She was so happy for the first time in days. Sometimes she forgot how to have fun, letting her studies take over. Head bent back she barely heard the footsteps approaching.

When she heard a male voice ring out she turned her head quickly feeling a bit of pain. She reached out touching the spot rubbing it furiously trying to ease the pain. As she opened her blue eyes wide she saw a boy there a Gryffindor if she wasn't mistaken. Smiling despite the pain, she answered 'Um hello Adam, it's nice to meet you I'm Alexis Cane. Would you like to join me?' It beat being out there alone and he seemed nice enough for the most part.

The pain gone now she moved her hand and placed it on her leg. Her feet still dangling in the water as she enjoyed the way it went all in between her toes and was nice and cool.

[phantom]

Adam smiled. "Nice to meet you Alexis. What brings you out here? Just needed to get away for awhile?" He sighed and looked up at the sky. Closing his eyes against the glare of the sun, he let the sun's rays warm his tanned skin. Smiling softly, he let his mind wander and spoke softly to himself. He was reciting a poem that was written by a famous Muggle poet by the name of Giocamo Leopardi. An Italian just like himself. Leopardi had lived well over a hundred years ago, and yet his legacy remained.

Sempre caro mi fu quest'ermo colle,
E questa siepe, che da tanta parte
Dell'ultimo orizzonte il guardo esclude.
Ma sedendo e mirando, interminati
Spazi di là da quella, e sovrumani
Silenzi, e profondissima quiete
Io nel pensier mi fingo; ove per poco
Il cor non si spaura. E come il vento
Odo stormir tra queste piante, io quello
Infinito silenzio a questa voce
Vo comparando: e mi sovvien l'eterno,
E le morte stagioni, e la presente
E viva, e il suon di lei. Cosi tra questa
Immensita s'annega il pensier mio:
E il naufragar m'è dolce in questo mare.

Adam smiled as he finished the poem. He loved being able to speak in his native tongue. Italian was really a beautfil language. He jus wished there were more people that spoke it. Of course Lidia did, seeing as she herself was Italian. But still, he wished he had friends with whom he could speak it. He turned and smiled at Alexis. "I hope I didn't annoy you with my babbling!"

[Alexis Heart]

Alexis grinned as he asked what brought her out there. She knew but wondered if she wanted him to know. The whole book worm thing wasn't that attractive to most boys. They thought a girl with her head buried in a book was kind of a dork. At least that's what Alexis thought they thought. Soon she lost herself in her own thoughts the question still on her mind but no answer to it as of yet.

Her thoughts hadn't lasted long though because Adam had once again begun speaking but it wasn't in English, no it was something that sounded like it could be Italian to her. She didn't understand a word of it but it sounded so beautiful just the same. She had always wished to speak another language but she wasn't that lucky.

When he was done Alexis actually clapped. 'Wow that was beautiful and not babbling at all. I wish that I could recite a poem in another language. So you're from Italy huh? Is it as beautiful there as I always imagined?'

[phantom]

Adam laughed softly. "Yes, I am from Italy. Rome in fact. And it is absolutely gorgeous. Where are you from?"

[Alexis Heart]

'Ah well I'm an English girl born and raised I'm afraid. Never actually been anywhere else either. So tell me if you were someplace as amazing as Italy why not go to school there? Are there no wizarding schools? I would love to go to school abroad my parents would never allow it though. They enjoy keeping me close by this is even a bit too far from them,' she giggled even though it was the truth. Moving forward a little more she had half her calves in the water now too. The effect cause her whole body to be cooled down. Looking again back at Adam she waited to see what he would say.

[phantom]

Adam smiled. "Well, I thought about going to school there, in fact, I wanted to, but my parents, who actually aren't my real parents at all; made me come here." He smiled brightly. "And now, I'm glad they made me come here."

[Alexis Heart]

'Really, well your happy you came here? What is it about the school that has gotten to you?' Alexis moved her legs back and forth causing small circles to appear in the water. She wondered what it would be like to have her parents tell her that it was she might think of going to Beauxbaton Academy she had always wanted to. Then she thought about it some more and realized that Hogwarts was still a great school and that she did love it here. She could see that Adam liked it and from an outsider's perspective that was saying something, though she was quite curious to see why he liked it.

[phantom]

Adam laughed softly. "Well, it's not necessarily what it's more like who." he answered, his thoughts drifting towards Lidia.

[Alexis Heart]

His comment about not what but who caught her attention. She was a stickler for romance and if it was a girl that brought him here Alexis had to know. It would make for something good, like one of the romance novels she so desperately loved. Looking at him she wondered if he would be forthcoming with her if she tried to delve into his personal life some more. Figuring the only way she would ever know was by asking so she did, 'So there's a who involved, well who is this who and why is it you feel so strongly, enough to come all the way here?'

[phantom]

Adam smiled and nodded. "Yeah, her name's Lidia. I met her here at the Tournament Ball last time, we came down to the lake. And the rest as they say is history."

[Sarie Thimble]

Sarie walked to the lake. She saw a girl who was in her potions class. Her name was Alex. Also a fellow Gryffindor she had seen be had never spoken to. They looked like they where have a nice talk. Not wanting to disturb them so she when around them but waved to Alex to say hello.

She enjoyed her walk. She loved the lake she never left it last year. She loved the way the water hit the shore. Also how it reflects the light from the sun. How there is at least a little breeze.

[Alexis Heart]

That was so sweet hearing that he came to school here because of a girl he'd met. Romance was Alexis' thing and when she heard things like that it sent her mind reeling, wondering what it would be like if someone did that for her. So far the whole boy thing had eluded, no one seemed interested in her and it didn't particularly bother her but it did make her a bit long a bit. Like right now she wished that someone was as interested in her as Adam seemed to be in this Lidia.

Smiling like a sappy little girl she turned her head when she saw someone wave and it happened to be Sarie a girl a year younger than her in Gryffindor. Waving back at her she looked to Adam. 'You know Sarie?'