Image Credit: Felixir

Every 1st September, new first years arrive at Hogwarts via boat, traveling from the outskirts of Hogsmeade, across the lake, and into the boathouse. This structure stands, logically enough, at the edge of the lake, and can be reached via a pathway from the courtyard, consisting of a long and winding stairway down the cliff face. A hidden passageway accessible from the inside of the boathouse leads up through the cliff itself, and emerges onto a patch of lawn which lies in the shadow of the castle.

All of the Hogwarts boats are stored here when not in use. You are free to take them out onto the lake, as long as you have permission from the groundskeeper to do so. Everything you might need for a trip out in the boats is hanging up around the walls, including oars and life jackets. Be sure to put everything back where you found it once you're done with it. Including - and especially - the boats themselves.

The winter months might seemingly appear to drag on forever at Hogwarts but that February morning as the calendar flicked over from January, the days were getting longer and the sun was making its rare appearance across a pale blue sky. The air temperature wasn’t quite the best but it was nothing a warm woolen robe (in a fetching turquoise blue of course) and a deep purple scarf couldn’t fix.

Fergersnout fancied some fresh air and had the bright idea to take one of those little rowing boats out into the centre of the lake and read her book for a while whilst the weather allowed her to. The only problem being that she both had no idea how to row a boat and her balance was less to be desired meaning getting into the boat in the first place was going to be problematic , nor if she accidentally fell into the water was she actually able to swim. She’d never felt the need to learn you see, she preferred to admire the depths from the safety of dry land.

Still, the Professor was determined to conquer her animosity towards her watery foe and succeed in her mission for peace and tranquility. Into the Boathouse she plodded, the low heels on her pointy shoes clip-clopping across the wooden floorboards until she reached the oars stored upright against the walls which she took down and sort of prodded at the water to test its depth and steady the boat before she got in.