The summer after I turned eleven my parents redid our cottage on the grounds that my sister Dominique and I simply couldn't share anymore. Dominique wasn't annoying or overbearing in any way except that A. she was my sister (younger by two years) and B. She prefered a messy room to my clean one. All in all, however, it is always nicer to have a room to yourself. My brother Louis (younger by three years) was a boy, and therefore had no grounds to sharing room unless it was with my father, who was intent on the master bedroom. My mother insisted that, as a lady, I would have to have my own room before I went to Hogwarts and, left with no other options, my father redid the upstairs, having it fit four rooms instead of three. I chose one of the smaller rooms with a view of the sea, and started painting it lavender that day.
I remember the first time I truly heard that he would be spending that summer with us. I was lying on my back, painting the dark ceiling with bright silver stars, when my mother came and hovered in the doorway.
"Ma chérie?"
I turned to look at her, at her silvery hair and smiled, "Yes Maman?"
"Do you remember Andromeda?"
I nodded, as I had visited her house a couple years before. With a start I remembered a bright haired boy who had peered at me from behind a doorstep.
"Her grandson is coming to stay here, okay?"
"For how long?"
"Two short weeks."
"Maman, why?"
"His grandmother is going to Germany, and thought he'd be happier here."
"In our house?"
"No, she asked all the Weasleys, and we said we could do it."
"Fine."
I continued to paint, though my mind was on this boy. Teddy Lupin. I had seen him several times before, but not very deeply. The only reason I knew his name was because I asked my father. His parents had died in the battle of Hogwarts, the day I was born a year later. My namesake.
He arrived only a short while later. I could see him from my window, making his way up the path. The lilacs were in bloom, their purples waving in the breeze from the ocean. His hair was dark, and sticking up in the back, like his godfather. He looked up as I was staring and I turned away and restacked my books.
Only a moment later, Maman was calling me and I walked lightly down the steps until I saw him in the kitchen. I paused a moment and smiled slightly toward him. Maman nodded approvingly.
"Your father will be home in a moment. He's just finishing, alright? Set the table?"
I nodded and hurried to do her bidding. I had always loved my mother's looks and been glad I got them. Dominique looked more like my father, with red hair, but we both had the slim body and bright eyes. Louis had brown eyes, but my mother's hair, cut short at the back of his neck.
Teddy Lupin was different. His eyes were bright blue, lighter than my mother's, with a dash of freckles across his nose. He kept running a hand through his hair as he perched on the stool like a great bird. His mouth was curving slightly, and his eyebrows were steep, making it look as though he were pondering something deliciously complicated. I was drawn to his quiet personality immediately.
My father arrived only a moment later, sweeping in and kissing Maman on the cheek, then running upstairs to get Dominique and Louis. I helped Maman put the food on the great table, and Teddy sat down, looking uncomfortable.
"So." I said, as Maman rushed to get the salad. "Do you like the ocean?"
He licked his lips slightly, "yeah." His voice was light, and it seemed to smile too. "It's wonderful!"
I nodded in agreement. I had always felt lucky to be living in Shell Cottage. But before we can say anything else, Papa was downstairs again, dangling Louis from his back, one hand on Dominique.
We all settled down and began to eat. Maman's cold soup was wonderful, and I finished off a bit of salad too. Teddy ate a trace of soup, and picked at a salad.
"May I show Teddy around and skip cleanup tonight?" I asked, knowing his problem.
Maman and Papa exchanged a look, then nodded. I grabbed his hand and pulled him outside. We walked past the flower bushes and almost to the main road. Then, turning right, I sat down in the bushes. He followed and settled down too, looking wary. Then, I reach behind me and search with my fingertips until I find one.
"Strawberry?"
He shot me a lopsided grin and nodded.
