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The Lake

Hogwarts castle sits on top of a large cliff and overlooks a large lake to the south.

The first-year students are met at the station by Hagrid (or another teacher), who carries a lantern and escorts them down a dark, steep, narrow path that ends at the lake, where they get their first glimpse of Hogwarts. A fleet of little boats takes the students across the lake. As the boats near the cliff on which Hogwarts stands, they sail through an ivy curtain that hides a wide opening in the towering cliff. The boats then sail along a dark tunnel right underneath the castle to an underground harbor with a shore full of rocks and pebbles.

A few creatures that live in the lake:

Grindylow - A grindylow, also known as a water demon, is a pale green creature that lives in lakes in Great Britain. They live on small fish, but are aggressive to wizards and Muggles. Grindylows have long fingers which they use to grip their prey, sharp horns, and green teeth. Some grindylows have been domesticated by merpeople.

Merpeople - Merpeople are intelligent beings with their own culture and social structure. They live underwater but can breathe air for short periods of time. They are very tall with grayish skin, purplish hair, and long, wild, dark green hair (the mermen have green beards). Their eyes and their broken teeth are yellow. The merwomen may wear thick ropes of pebbles around their necks, and one merman wore a choker of shark fangs and carried a spear. The upper parts of their bodies resemble humans, but they have powerful, silver fishtails instead of legs. Their voices sound like screeching above the water but are understandable beneath it. Their language is called Mermish. Their village is the center of the lake, and the leader is Merchieftainess Murcus. The edge of the village has a large rock with paintings of merpeople who are carrying spears and chasing the giant squid. The village has crude stone dwellings stained with algae; some houses have gardens of weed, and a few merpeople keep a pet grindylow tied to a stake outside their homes. In the center of the village is a village square, where a crude statue of a gigantic merperson was hewn from a boulder.

Giant squid - At least one giant squid lives in the lake. This squid seems to be on friendly terms with the students. However, the merpeople have a large rock with paintings of merpeople carrying spears and chasing the giant squid.

Hydra walked out into the brilliant moonlight, hoping that she would not get caught out of bed so late at night, especially not by a teacher. She sat down by the water's edge and layed back into the grass, which gave her a feeling of belonging. No one could understand how good this felt. She closed her eyes and absorbed the sounds of the world around her, not asleep and with no intention of sleeping.

Akio popped up behind him. "You've got quite a nice voice. Did you know that," his hand snaked its way to Liems' hair. "One day very soon we will get out of here."

"I wouldn't kill you! You're my best friend. Though...It seems like your brother doesn't like me very much. I haven't the slightest idea why. I'm quite charismatic." he giggled and cocked a head, "Hear what? Your singing? Of course I heard it."

"I won't tell anyone if you promise to sing again," he laughed. "You know I wouldn't tell Jonathan. He doesn't seem to trust me. Anyway, I came looking for you. I get lonely, and you always cheer me up. Even if you're a bit hard to understand at times."

Akio smiled warmly. "You're my oldest; not to mention best, friend. I wouldn't tell a soul. All of your secrets are safe with me." he leaned back and leaned his head back. "Where did you learn to sing like that. It really relaxes me." he paused sadly, "Things have changed, haven't they?"

" I mean...The air is just different. Don't you feel it? It's just different. I mean, we're still best friends...But..I don't know. Things are different. I don't know how to explain it." He shrugged. "I haven't offended you, have I? I haven't changed much, right?