The sun hung high over the Black Lake, its surface shimmering with golden streaks that danced in the gentle breeze. Mattheo, Theodore, Draco, Lorenzo, and Blaise were sprawled out near the shore, a mix of impatience and easy banter filling the air as they waited for Daphne, Astoria and Pansy to arrive.

Mattheo sat cross-legged on the grass, wearing deep red swim shorts that hung low on his hips. His unruly curls were already sticking to his forehead from the heat, he toyed with small rocks in his hands, tossing them into the water every few seconds. “If they don’t show up with food soon, I’m eating Theodore,” he jokes, glancing up with a smirk.

Theodore snorted from where he lay stretched out beside him, one arm propped under his head. His dark blue swim shorts matched the lake’s deep hues, and his T-shirt clung slightly to his frame in the sun’s heat.

Blaise was sitting back on his elbows, looking effortless in his dark green swim shorts. His dark skin gleamed under the sunlight, he tilted his head, his deep voice laced with dry humor. “If they’re late because Pansy insisted on perfecting her eyeliner, I’m going in the water.”

Lorenzo, on the other hand, seemed unbothered, his brown eyes half-closed as he leaned back on the towels they’d laid out. His chestnut hair was tousled by the breeze, and his skin glowed under the sunlight. “Good things take time, and you know, Daphne’s probably arguing over which basket matches her outfit.”

Draco sat slightly apart, his pale skin catching the light as he lays another towel. His grey swim shorts, pristine, somehow avoided the grass stains that streaked Mattheo’s knees. “They’re late because they're annoying.” he said, though his sharp gray eyes kept flicking toward the path.

The air is warm, filled with the mingling scents of fresh grass and the faint cologne that clung to each of them. The promise of a swim lingered on the horizon, but for now, they stayed by the shore, half-distracted and half-hoping for the sound of footsteps signaling the girls' arrival.