Viper's Pool Party

Edwin loved the feel of the water surrounding him, enveloping him in a clear cocoon. As soon as they resurfaced he threw his arms around Viper's neck and laughed. "Again again!"

Eglantine watched from the pool-side, a small smile on her face.

Viper smiled and obliged, the child's laughter a rare music to her ears.

Edwin pointed out at the students playing in the water around them when they resurfaced. "Whi better? Swithwin or Gwindor?" he asked, wondering about something he had heard his mother say.

Viper smirked. "Slytherin, love. You get more things in Slytherin! Anything you want!"

"Awytin?" Edwin exclaimed. "Like cawdy?"

Viper nodded. "Anything!" noticing Eglantine's waiting form, she asked the toddler. "Would you like to try swimming back to Mother now?"

"No." Edwin shook his head. "I want to stay wi you." He had already come to the conclusion that Viper was more fun than his mama.

Viper's features softened at Edwin's genuine statement. All the children Viper had ever encountered were willing to pay an arm and a leg to get away from Viper and yet here was a child prefering her over his mother and wanting to stay with her. In deep water, no less!

"Very well." Viper said softly as she tenderly brushed a wet lock out of Edwin's face.

"Why your haw bwack? Mama's is wite." Edwin wrinkled his nose. "Bwack is pwettier."

Viper smiled. "Perhaps your mother's hair is white because you cause her a bit too much trouble." she said laughing softly.

"Twouble? Not me!" He giggled. Splashing his hands into the water to get Viper wet.

Viper smiled, splashing some water back. "Yes, no trouble indeed..."she said dryly

Edwin flopped back onto his back and spit water out of his mouth like a fountain. "I'm a wale." he giggled.

"Now, to be a whale, you first have to learn how to swim." Viper repositioned Edwin so he was on his stomach. She pointed to two Slytherins racing in the water. "See what they're doing? Try mimicking them."

Edwin watched the students for a moment and then nodded. "Okay." Extending his arms, he moved them back and forth, moving himself along, and then he started to move his legs. "I'm swaming!" he shouted, looking back at both Viper and his mama.

Viper smiled. "Perfect. Now try swimming to your mother." she said, lowering her hands a bit so he could swim on his hand but not be in any danger.

"Okay!" Edwin flailed his arms and legs again, headed toward his Mama.
Eglantine watched as her son more or less began to swim towards her. "See me, I swaming!" he shouted at her, obviously proud of his new ability. She smiled.

"I see that. Did you thank Professor Viper for teaching you?" he shook his head and beamed up at said Viper.

Viper smiled. "Hope you don't mind. I figured it may be the only time for him to learn."

"Oh Of course I do not mind." Eglantine exclaimed. "Thank you."

Viper's smile widened. "You're welcome. He did rather well for his first time. I'm quite impressed." she said as she helped Edwin step out of the pool into his mother's arms.

"I got to twke my nap!" Edwin exclaimed, slightly upset that his mama was drying him off with a large fluffy towel.
"Yes, you do." Eglantine replied, scooping him up into her arms, wet towel and all. "I cannot thank you enough." she stated looking down at Viper.

"Bwe!" Edwin yelled, waving at the students and Viper. And then he and his mama left the party to return to their rooms. It had been one of the best days of his life, Edwin decided.

Viper smiled as she waved them good bye. She turned her head and notcied a group of seventh years playing chicken and wondered if it would be completely inappropriate and out of the question for her to join them...

Darien dragged himself and his dignity together and left, heading back to the common room.
Ana sighed and followed. She wouldn't want to break curfew...in a room full of teachers, where she was bound to get caught.