Cliff Diving Divas

Franki has asked her mother if she could come home on a Hogsmeade weekend and bring a friend. Finding that the friend was a Delacour, Narcissa was ecstatic to meet the girls in Hogsmeade and apparate them to the house that used to be a summer house for the Malfoy family, before they had lost Malfoy Manor and had been forced to retreat into the small home. The house was significantly smaller than the manor, but there were still about four rooms that were empty, even after the five family members and their servants had been pleasantly housed.

The house was on a cliff, a small wooded area separating the back of the house from the cliff edge. Narcissa had bustled off to the parlor, asking the girls to meet her once tea was gone. Immediately, Franki had dragged Gisele away to change into their bathing suits and casual clothes, because Franki had promised her some adventure.

They reached the cliff that overlooked the lake and Franki looked over at Gis. "It's called cliff diving. One of the men who used to cater my mom's parties always brought his son with him, and that son, Oswald, taught me about cliff diving. See this cliff is only like ten meters tall, maybe a little more, I dunno- anywho, it's not dangerous at all. You back up, run, and dive midair. The water is deep enough that you won't get hurt. I promise it'll be sooo much fun!"

All summer Gisele had longed to return to the stone walls of Hogwarts but now that her wishes had finally been granted she reminisced about a time with more freedom. This weekend getaway with Franki was exactly what the brunette had been craving. They had arrived at the house earlier that morning and Gisele was already falling in love with it. Mrs. Malfoy seemed to approve of her and Gisele felt welcome in their home. It was a pleasant size (she felt that her own house was much too big for comfort) and had an atmosphere of relaxation and cleanliness to it that Gisele couldn't quite put her finger on. But almost immediately Franki had suggested leaving the house for adventure and Gis had been happy to oblidge. 

Gisele had changed to her bathing suit, happy that she had thought to bring one at the last second, and covered it with a floral skirt and jean vest. On her head she put a whimsical hat to contain her windswept hair. Avoiding the idea of makeup entirely she headed back down the stairs where she met Franki. The two girls traveled down a path to the ocean-side. Giseles eyes widened with pleasure as she took in the sight. There was a cliff before her that was a relatively big drop and as Franki explained what they were going to do her face lit up with excitement. 

"Let's do it!" she responded happily. Knowing that the longer she stood on the top looking down the more frightened she would become was incentive to go quickly her first time down. Gisele unbuttoned her jacket and set it on her ground. The wind that touched her bare stomach and shoulders left goosebumps. Gisele slid off her shirt, shoes, and hat, placing them in a neat pile. The wild rustled the fabric and she moved a medium sized stone to secure it while she was gone. Wearing only her bathing suit now, Gisele turned to Franki. She stretched out her hand in offering for the blonde to take. "Together?"

Franki felt her mirth rise as Gisele seemed thrilled by the idea. Franki had never been able to get anyone to cliff dive with her besides Ozzie. Her sister had called her a freak for attempting it and her brother thought it to be dangerous, improper, and pointless. She was sure her siblings would die of being insufferably boring. That was why she was glad to actually have what felt like a good friend. Someone to do stupid things with, someone to feel accepted by.

"Yeah?!" Franki said, still surprised she had not sent Gisele running away with the idea of jumping off a cliff into a lake. To be fair, the cliff wasn't too tall and the lake was incredibly clear. "Awesome!" she said, her voice squeaking a little with excitement and joy. She quickly kicked off her flats, shimmied out of her shorts, and pulled off her top shirt, leaving her standing in her bikini.

Gisele spoke and Franki turned to look at her. The first time Ozzie had managed to get her to jump, she had held his hand. Franki grinned and grabbed Gisele's hand, stating, "Together. Alright. Ready? One... Two... THREE!"

She immediately ran for the edge and leaped, tipping her body forward to dive.

Gisele was screaming like a little girl before they even jumped. As Franki's body curved into a perfect dive, Giseles flailed in a less than attractive way. They soared down towards the lake and Gisele was able to gain control of her flapping limbs just before they hit the water with a giant splash. The water was colder than she had expected and the chill gave amazing clarity to the world around her. It heightened her senses and made her body come alive as she swam for the surface. On impact their hands had broken apart so as she surfaced Gisele looked for Franki. The blonde was close by and Gisele swam quickly to her. 

Just like Italy. Only colder. And not Cerelia. But almost. 

Treading water, Gisele grinned widely at her best friend. "Again?" she asked eagerly, a childlike gleam in her eyes. Gisele promised herself that next time she would be ready and accurately appreciate it rather than just hope she wasn't about to die. The cliff seemed smaller from this angle and she was the slightest bit embarrassed about screaming. But hey, yolo Franki would understand. If she was able to accept her biggest secrets than there really wasn't anything to be worried about. 

Franki hit the water, and, though she had done it dozens of times, the shock and excitement was still there. She released Gisele, knowing the scary part was over and the girl would be fine. Franki kicked once with her legs, propelling her downwards into the water. She flicked her eyes open and viewed the lake, in all of its murky, churning glory. She smiled, bubbles sprouting from her lips, and angled herself upwards again, kicking her way to the surface.

She broke the surface, expelling a breath, water droplets and mist clinging to the air before her. She reached her hands up to push her blonde hair out of her face. When she blinked the water from her lashes, Gisele was before her. Franki grinned, glad to know her friend had enjoyed it.

"Yeah! Let's go!" she said, turning and quickly swimming for the dock. She pulled herself up and pointed at the stone walkway that wrapped around the cliff. "Race ya!" She said. Of course, she had gotten on to the dock before her friend and knew the path like the back of her hand. She hadn't exactly made it fair.