a SOUP - March 2023
Black Lake Musings
- Aria

Hey, it's me, I'm the problem, it's me. I'm back ranting and raving with you about all the stuff and nonsense in my head! We're talking about lakes today, and I just want to tell you how incredibly upset I am that it's been so long since I've been to a lake. As a kid, my aunt had a house on the lake, and I have so many wonderful memories of spending summers there on a boat, jumping in the water and just being foolish with my cousins. Can we time-travel back to that? Or is it too far of a time period? Maybe I should ask Hermione Granger-Weasley and see what she says. It might be too far, and then I wouldn't be able to hang out in the same house because people would see me, and the fabrics of time would shatter. But I digress; we're here to talk about The Black Lake.

Have you ever swam in the lake? Are there actually mermaids, and sirens, and grindylow? Are they nice? Should I be worried? Because I packed my swimsuit, and I'd really like to jump in, but I don't want to be attacked or yeeted across the lake because I annoyed a grindylow a little too much. Are they nice to people? What about a squid? Have you ever met a squid? I've only ever seen them or dissected them in muggle school. I will admit it's a lot more fun than it should be. I don't know why I liked it so much, but maybe because I liked learning about things, and this let me learn about the ocean. But alive squid, are they nice? Do I need to bring snacks? Do squids even like snacks? I don't know as much as I should. Maybe more research is a good idea.

You know, as a kid, I was fascinated by mermaids, I kind of still am. But from the stories I've heard from students, these mermaids in the Black Lake aren't very friendly. Who gave them that right? Come on, don't they know about the stories that are read to kids? You're supposed to be fun and pretty and play in the water. But I can also see why they don't want to be nice. Because if you do go ahead and research, you'll find that mermaids sing and lure men into the depths of the water to... you know, stop them from living. It's not very nice at all. I think I'd like to hear a mermaid siren song, just to say that I've heard it. I know that won't be a good idea because then I'll go into the water and never come back. But just for the memories, can I, please?

Maybe today, I'll brave the lake. I've been wanting to do it for a really long time, and it just looks so comforting and refreshing. But is it too cold? Will the lake even be warm? Will I freeze when I get out? Ahh! I have so many questions and will only be able to answer them if I get up off my butt and actually go out and do it.

Okay, okay, okay, I'm doing it. I'm putting on my swimsuit, and I'm jumping into the lake! I'll report back and hopefully have some fun stories for you!

Stay warm,
Aria