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Dhyl walked along the lake, cold and alone. He didn't want to be alone any more, but he didn't know who to turn to. Blue eyes were downcast as the teen walked, not really focused on anything. A small huff of breath turned to steam, then wafted away in the breeze. He glanced into the clear water, examining his reflection. He didn't look at all like the boy who'd come to Hogwarts on that boat, so many years ago. What had happened? Was he just the product of growing up? Was it the fact he didn't have a significant other? Maybe that he didn't have a mommy anymore. Tears filled his eyes as memories flooded his head. He had only been five when his mother passed away, leaving their family in ruins. Would he still be this way if she was alive? Was he just "acting out," as his stepmother had claimed? Maybe he was, but... he wasn't hurting anyone by it. He didn't self-harm, nor was he abusive, so why was it a bad thing? He didn't have anyone to turn to, what with his dad being busy, step-mom not caring, and Heather being too lovey with Chase to talk to. His feelings had been really wonky lately, and it didn't help that his voice was constantly threatening to give way. Dhyl sat down, in the sand, freezing water lapping at his legs and bum. A tear rolled down his cheek,but he didn't try to stop it. It didn't matter, since no one was there to see him. Dhylan glanced up the shoreline, eyes catching what seemed to be a thin chain glistening a bit. He tilted his head, then reached over to grab it. A heavier piece of metal was attached, but rusted and muddy. He looked at the pendant, then pulled his wand out. "Scourgify," he cast, then gasped. As the piece, now identified as a locket, his locket, showed, tears began to flood the teen's eyes. Nimble fingers twitched a bit as he turned and pressed parts on the locket, then watched it fall open. The first picture was an old one, of him and Heather, shortly before he gave her the locket for a brief while. He pried the image holder up, turning it like a page in a book, showing the other picture. Tears pushed through at the sight of himself, smiling up at the camera, tucked carefully in his mom's arms. His lip quivered, then he gently closed the locket, staring at it in his open palm. "I miss you, Mommy." His voice was broken, tears now pouring as his fingers closed around the ice cold metal of his locket. He would never, ever let this go. Never again. It was the only thing he had left of his own happiness. He needed this bubble of joy now, more than ever.

Dhyl looked up at the person who had called his name. Adalaide? What was she wanting? Had they ever actually spoken? As he sat there, freezing water lapping at his legs, he hadn't actually anticipated anyone seeing him. "I-I'm fine. N-nothi-ing is wr-wrong. J-just..." He choked, voice breaking. He didn't know this girl, yet he felt the need to tell her everything. Why?

Blue eyes looked up, almost pleadingly. It looked like the teen was about to start crying again, but he somehow withheld. "You wouldn't understand. No one ever understands. You're just gonna tel me it'll be okay, but you don't know that. No one can tell how life's gonna be, so it's all a crock of lies, isn't it?" He hadn't noticed the intensity in his voice rising, making him seem angry. He wasn't... not really. He was just tired of being told that he'd be happy. Every time he tried to be happy, something came along that made him upset. No matter what or when, if he'd found happiness, life turned around to shovel dirt on it. He was losing hope, and quick. There was no happiness for a guy like him.

Dhyl did something rare as Ada spoke. He listened. He didn't speak, didn't move, just... listened. When she was done, he nodded a bit, looking like he'd been kicked. A tear trailed down his cheek, eyes staring at the sand, if only to avoid the girl's gaze. He picked up a short stick, then swirled it around in the wet sand, watching as the wave washed the design, and the stick away.

"Why can't life be like that? Why can't a wave just wash everything away? All the hurt... the pain... sadness..." His voice was halted as if by magic, then he finally turned his gaze to the girl. Why was she trying to help? No one else seemed to want to help him... Out of nowhere, as if on impulse, the usually quite distant Chaser wrapped his arms around Ada, trying to stop tears from flowing onto her. Sobs wracked his body, as he sat there, on his knees, clinging to someone he barely knew.

"Why does it have to hurt...."

Dhyl pushed away from Ada, looking into her eyes. Out of nowhere, an anger bubbled. Fire flashed in his eyes. "A lesson, eh? That's all pain is? So my mother died to teach me what? That life sucks? And my dad married a jerk why doesn't even know my name because it's a freaking lesson?! Do you even hear yourself?! I wouldn't be out here if I hurt myself. I'd man the f*ck up and get it fixed. What would you know anyway?! Not like life's ever given you a hard time." He glared, then plopped back down, this time all the way in the water. Immediate shivers surged up his spine, but he didn't move, instead glaring at the lake, as if this was all the fault of the water.

Dhyl glared as Adalaide spoke, not wanting to hear that he was at fault, and he was... wait what?! He hadn't given up! No... just... needed relief? She couldn't be serious?! He'd opened his heart, thinking, maybe she would know what to do, and she yells at him! As Ada walked away, he wanted to say something, wanted to yell, call her back and apologize.. but he didn't. He remained motionless, simply watching as she walked away. His heart dropped, making him feel lower than low. No wonder Minn looked up to Heather, Ariana, Remy... everyone but him. He had failed the people he cared about. Tears poured down, the teen pulling his knees to his chest. Thin arms wrapped around his shins, then he buried his face in his knees. Sobs, loud, choked sobs, wracked his body, but still Dhyl didn't ask for help. His breath felt miles away from him, so he laid over, on his side. It took about half a second for the water to hit his chest and face, but still, he didn't move. Ada was right. He had given up. Now, he just had to wait for the tide to wash him away.