now, will you stay?

There was something about the Black Lake that always seemed to calm Immogen's soul. Even the thought of watching a sunset, eyes glued to the giant squid's tentacles dancing with the slow rising waves, calmed the girl. The Black Lake was a place of escape for her. When Immogen was younger, her mother and father weren't around very much, leaving the girl to fend for herself. Often times, Immogen would try and escape the confines of her room and the watchful eye of her nannies to be alone. Most of these escapes happened at night, where she could watch the stars come and go. One of her biggest wishes was to be like the stars. To shine brightly, to come and go as she pleased.

This evening was somewhat like the nights she spent at her parents estate. Immogen looked herself over in the mirror and tilted her head to one side. Her long brown curls caressed the small of her back. Brown eyes looked back, revealing ultimate sadness and defeat. Immogen was bright, intelligent beyond compare. However, her potions class wasn't going very well. She didn't understand why she got the marks that she did. She didn't understand why she was doing so poorly. The last thing that Immogen wanted was to be tutored. Immogen wasn't a tutee, she was usually the tutor. She shook her head. No more, she thought to herself. She wouldn't let this get to her. The girl turned on her heels and marched over toward her bed. Underneath her pillow lay a journal, filled to the brim with snippets of songs, quotes, and Immogen's inner most thoughts. She grabbed the book, a quill and ink, and took the jacket laying on her bed.

The front doors that led out to the courtyards and lawns were still open, but she knew that they wouldn't be open for long. She raced down the moving staircase, occasionally waiting for a staircase here and there. Once outdoors, the young Slytherin sighed happily. She was free, even if it was only for a little while. She ran, as if someone had been chasing her down. She didn't stop. Not even to scold the students who would wolf call out to her, or the ones who would taunt her as she passed.

Immogen came to a full stop when she reached her favorite spot, near the water. One arm held up her small frame as she leaned up against the large boulder while the other was rested upon her heaving chest. A few moments passed, then she brought herself up onto the boulder and opened up her journal. She placed the ink bottle and the quill to the right of her, making sure that the ink wouldn't tip over and spill. She smiled happily, opening the book. The quill was held firmly between her index finger and her thumb as she began creating beautiful motions with her wrist. Concentrating deeply, Immogen left her surroundings mute. There was nothing and no one else in the world.