Written for BootCamp OTP

Word count: 3,951

Seven-year-old Teddy Lupin tightly held onto his grandmother's hand as they walked along the sides of Diagon Alley. He had no intentions of being lost in the crowd again, after almost being stampeded by loud, rude adults. They were heading to Whizz Hard Books to buy books on children books. Grandma Andi thought that Victoire Weasley would enjoy a good book, even though Teddy had told her over and over again that Victoire was more of a doll kind of girl.

Even though they were moving very quickly, Teddy was still able to get glimpses of the shops. He was familiar with the Quidditch shop, the ice cream parlor, and in the distant, he could see Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Teddy tugged on his grandma's wrist.

"Grandma, once we're finish shopping, could we go get some ice cream?"

Andromeda turned her head to address him. "But you haven't eaten anything yet."

"It can be a snack," Teddy said with a toothy smile. "Please, grandma?"

Andromeda chuckled before nodding. "Alright."

Teddy's smile broadened and the two continued on their way. However as they passed a small shop, Teddy noticed a girl his age with a very tall man. They didn't look like they came here together because from Teddy's perspective she looked scared. Once again he tugged at his grandmother's wrist.

"Grandma, look over there," Teddy said, pointing from across cobblestone street.

Andromeda looked over to where her grandson was pointing and frowned. They slowed down significantly, so that Andi could see if she needed to intervene. When nothing seemed out of the ordinary, Andromeda turned to her grandson and gave him a reassuring smile.

"I'm sure, she's alright. We must hurry now before Whizz Hard Books close for the night."

Teddy gave her a nod, and the two hurried for the shop. The little girl stayed in Teddy's mind because she looked awfully familiar but he couldn't think of how he knew her. Perhaps it had to do with wildly, curly hair that was similar to his grandma's. Something nagged at Teddy to turn his head again, and he followed his instincts. The girl was running towards him, and Teddy's eyes widen in alarmed. He quickly embraced himself but found that he had no need to as she stopped before colliding into him.

Now that he had a closer look at her, and immediately noticed how pale her blue eyes were. He also noted that she had black, wildly, curly hair.

"Um, hi." She said offering a small smile. "I'm Delphi."

"Mine name is Teddy," he said smiling too.

He then tugged on his grandma's wrist again, and the older woman turned to look at him. Her eyes widen startled when she looked at Delphi and she blinked as if not believing her eyes.

"You look familiar." The woman muttered which caused Delphi to shake her head.

"Sorry, Miss but I've never met you before."

Delphi looked around her in awe and victory. She had done it! She had managed to make it to Diagon Alley without Rowle knowing. Hopefully, she could also make it back to her hovel of a room without Rowle recovering from her drunken stupor. She refused to think of the fate that would befall her if she didn't return while her guardian was passed out. She had finally made it and Diagon Alley wasn't a place for depressing thoughts. No, it was a place for merriment, for fun, and for magic!

As she had always imagined Diagon Alley was bustling with magic and activity. She had to stay close to the side of the tiny cobblestone path, hugging the perimeter where road met storefront, to keep from being carried along in the throng of witches and wizards. Her steps were slow and awkward at times, almost tripping from a loose stone more than once, but she didn't care or notice. Her attention was solely focused on the shops and their unique merchandise each sponsored within them. Each and every storefront she passed called to her. To her magic.

If only she had taken Rowle's coin purse and not leave it behind in fear of unduly waking the tightfisted old hag of a witch.

"Oh, 'ello there girlie. You wouldn't be lost would you?"

Delphi turned from the tiny shop that boasted magical novelties like trick wands, Pygmy Puffs - whatever those were - and of all thing edible dark mark, to find a huge, towering wizard with wild hair looking down at her. Her first instinct was to run but when she saw the giant's soft eyes and smiling face she knew he didn't mean her any harm.

"Oh no, mister. I was just looking. I'm with my grandmother. She's getting something while I look around. We're meeting at the Ice Cream Parlour in a few minutes." Delphi lied, praying that the giant believed her. She wasn't supposed to be out or to be seen. Not yet. Rowle always told her she didn't exist for the rest of the world. That she was special, different.

"Okay," the giant wizard nodded, "but I better walk you over there. Just in case."

"Thank you, mister, but I don't want to be a bother."

"Not a bother at all. I'm heading that way myself. Happy hour is about to start and -" he cleared his throat and reached for Delphini's hand. "Forget I've said that. I'm supposed to be on the wagon. Harry wouldn't be pleased to hear I'm not. In fact -"

No, no, no. This wouldn't do. Delphi thought as the giant rattled on about not wanting to displease whoever this Harry was.

Panicked she turned and saw an elderly witch escorting a boy about her age. Desperate to not get caught and be sent away to someplace even more horrid than Rowle's house she began to back away from the giant.

"Look there's my grandma now. I better go before my cousin gets all the sprinkles. Nice meeting you mister." and with that, she ran after the woman and the boy. Stopping just inches away from colliding into the pink-tinged blond boy.

"Um, hi." Delphi began offering a small smile. "I'm Delphi."

"Mine name is Teddy."

Delphi's smile broaden before disappearing completely when she saw the old witch turn and look at her. This was a mistake.

"You look familiar." she thought she heard the lady say but that made no sense to Delphi. She had only met Rowle and Teddy. . . except for her parents but they had both left her before she was even a year old. One dead and the other forever locked away.

"Sorry, Miss but I've never met you before."

What to do now?

"I'm," she paused, unsure if giving her name was the right thing to do. If she gave it then she would exist and that was a bad thing according to Rowle. But, going out in public or wanting to do magic or playing outside was all supposed to be bad too and yet they didn't seem to be evil or bad, not with everyone else doing those very same things. Still... "I'm Delphi."

"Delphi, where are your parents?" The old woman asked.

"Gone," Delphi found herself saying before she knew what she had done. She wasn't supposed to tell anyone about her parents. She quickly tried another lie. "My aunt Rowle watches over me. . . she has to take care of something over," she paused as she looked around and pointed at the tall impressive white building. "there. She said I should look around and keep busy while she was gone."

"Well, I suppose that you can come with Teddy and me," She said. "My name is Andromeda by the way."

"Thank you," Delphi smiled happily at being invited along and not ordered to go away or to her room like back home. "Thank you."

"You're welcome dear," Andromeda said.

Delphi moved to stand beside Teddy. Wondering briefly if she should take someone's hand before Teddy took her hand. Delphi looked from their joined hands to the boy beside her. A grateful expression passing her features as her smile blossomed into a grin.

"Can we…" she trailed off and shook her head. She couldn't believe she had almost asked if they could be friends. "Where are we going?" she asked instead changing her attention to the passing shops.

"We're heading to Whizz Hard Books, we looking for a book for my friend, Victoire," Teddy explained. "Her birthday's tomorrow."

"Oh," Delphie was curious as to how one thing was related to the other. Birthdays were just another day and another year closer to attending Hogwarts. "Why?"

"What do you mean 'why?'" Teddy asked. "It would be rude not to give her a present."

Delphi wanted to ask why it would be rude to not give this Victorie a present but she didn't want to sound any more foolish or like a baby repeatedly asking 'why' so she tried another tactic. "Of course. I meant why books? Why not something from that store?" she pointed to the Quidditch supply store with the newest Nimbus racing broom showcased in its front window display.

"Victoire doesn't like Quidditch, in fact, she hates flying," Teddy said with a mischievous smile.

"Flying is great! Why does she hate it? Is she," she paused and lowered her voice to just above a whisper, "Muggleborn? Rowle - my aunt, says they have a terrible time with magic since they aren't born with it, like us."

Teddy frown and shook his head. "No, I think Victoire is a pureblood. Besides, your aunt is wrong, I know a lot of Muggleborns that are great with magic. My godfather says it dangerous for somebody to have that mindset."

"If Rowle is wrong about that then what else is she wrong about?" Delphi muttered softly to herself, not knowing she had spoken aloud, she needed to know one thing that had always bothered her. "Does that mean they don't steal magic from pureblood babies and use it for themselves?"

"Did your aunt tell you that too?" Teddy asked incredulously.

"Yes. She said it was why some pureblood babies can't do magic when they grew up cause their magic was stolen."

"That's ridiculous. Your aunt sounds loony."

"Well," she began before stopping. Why should she try to defend Rowle? She wasn't really her aunt. She had no aunt. "I think you're right."

Teddy wanted to say more but the trio had reached their destination.

Delphi looked up to see a big wooden sign with "Whizz Hard Books" inscribed. She kept her hold on Teddy, nervous and a tad frightened as they entered the book shop. She had never been in a shop before. Books and shelving extended beyond the first floor and into side rooms and cubbyholes crammed full of towering bookstacks. It was exciting and scary at the same time.

"Grandma, I think that Victoire already has a copy of Tales Beedle the Bard," Teddy said. "I think that she would like a princess book."

"Well let's see if they have any good ones," Andromeda said.

Princess book? Why would someone want to read about princesses? She kept silent however and quietly followed them to a tiny section marked, "Fairy Tales of Yesteryear." She cautiously, while still holding onto Teddy, picked up a book and looked at its enchanted, animated cover. An ancient mage was fighting a fiery horse while riding a water serpent. A castle was nestled deep in the background between two hills. Out of one of its towers a long trail of ribbon or linen hung out a window as a woman in blue ancient finery slowly climb down.

Slightly tugging on Teddy's hand she showed him the book. "How about this one?"

Teddy turned his head to face Delphi and noticed the book in her hand. "I think this would do, Grandma!"

Andromeda, who was in another aisle, lifted her head up to see the two of them. "Yes, dear?"

"Delphi's found a book, that I think would do nicely."

Delphi shrugged and held up the book for Teddy's grandma to see. "I just found it. . . Don't know its title or anything. . . Looks good, though. I know I would like it for a birthday present. I -" she paused, lowering her voice as she lowered the book. "I want it to be … if I got birthday presents that is..."

Teddy looked very confused. "Haven't you gotten a present before?"

Delphi shook her head while studying the multicolored carpet beneath them. "Of course, I have," she lied. "I just haven't gotten a book like this before, that's all." she forced a smile as she raised her head again.

"You can have this one, Delphi," Teddy said kindly. "We can just get Victoire another, right Grandma?"

Andromeda smiled at her grandson. "Right."

"Oh no. It's okay. I don't have any- my aunt wouldn't like it." she corrected quickly. "And my birthday is way away. In February." Delphi gave Teddy the book. "Besides, I'm more of a flyer than a reader."

"Are you sure? Grandma doesn't mind it, and we can just explain to your aunt that it's a gift from us." Teddy said.

Delphi's eyes widened in silent alarm. Rowle would be furious if she ever found out about this. "I'm sure." and she was. She couldn't have gifts. She was different. "My aunt isn't fond of gifts. I wouldn't want to displease her."

"Your aunt is weird. Who doesn't like gifts?" Teddy asked. "Well, let's let my grandma know so that we can go for ice cream!"

Delphi didn't answer Teddy's question. Having never received or given any type of gift herself she didn't know if she liked it or if anyone else did for that matter. She thought it would be fun and she thought she would like it, a lot actually, but she truly didn't know.

Teddy's grandma bought the book and the trio began their way back to the Ice Cream Parlour. Delphi scanning the crowd as they walked just in case that giant was about. He had seemed nice and even kinda funny but tales and warnings from Rowle about giants and half-breeds made her want to be careful. That and she didn't want him to talk to her 'grandma' or 'cousin' and reveal to Teddy and Andromeda that she had lied. That she had claimed them as her family. And, she really didn't want to acknowledge that she secretly wished they were family. That Teddy was her cousin and Andromeda was her grandmother.

Maybe they could be her imaginary family?

She slowed and pulled on Teddy's hand when she saw the giant coming their way.

"Hello Hagrid," Andromeda greeted as she passed the half-giant.

"'Ello," Hagrid returned, "see you have your grandchildren with ya'. I mustn't stay an' chat, though. Got to get back to Hogwarts. I've got classes tomorrow. Learning about Hippogryphs. The kiddies should enjoy it."

Delphi's heart sank when she heard the giant refer to her as Andromeda's grandchild. She didn't want to be around when Andromeda turned violet for having been lied to like Rowle always did. She pulled free of Teddy's hand.

"Wait, what's wrong?" Teddy asked looking at his new friend with concern.

"I - I," she faltered. Didn't he hear what the giant just said? "the giant…" she trailed off not sure what to say or what not to say.

"You mean what he said about you being Grandma's grandchild? I suppose that did sound a bit odd but you shouldn't think too much of it." Teddy said.

Delphi blinked. Could it be-? Could it be that they didn't blame her? Weren't mad at her? She quickly looked at Teddy then his grandma and found only smiles.

"It was weird." she quickly agreed, taking Teddy's hand again. "I just haven't been around giants much." or anyone really.

"Well, if it makes you feel any better child, he's only a half-giant." Andromeda kindly explained.

"Oh," Delphi replied as they began to walk again. After a beat, she asked Teddy, "did that half-giant say he taught classes at Hogwarts?"

"Yeah, he teaches about magical creatures," Teddy said. "My godfather said he's a good teacher."

"Do you think he will still be teaching when we get to Hogwarts?"

"Probably. By the way, what kind of ice cream do you want?" Teddy asked.

"Peach or Strawberry. You?"

"Cookies and Creme."

A friendly silence settled around the trio as they arrived and entered the tiny ice cream shop. Delphi thanked Andromeda as she accepted her double-scoop of Peach and Strawberry ice cream in a waffle cone. She had never had an ice cream cone before and she watched how Teddy went about devouring his. Apparently one licked the ice cream and then when the top of the cone was gone you would begin eating the cone. It was surprisingly quite good.

"Teddy?" she began as she was finishing up her cone. "Who's your godfather?"

"Hm? Oh, Harry Potter, you've must of heard him." Teddy said, as Andromeda scolded at him and wiped his face off of any remaining ice cream.

"Harry Potter," she repeated. It did sound familiar. "I think my aunt may have mentioned him once. Is he famous?"

"Of course, he's famous. He defeated the Dark Lord."

Her brows furrowed. Defeated the Dark Lord? But Rowle had said that the Dark Lord was only in hiding. Biding his time before rising again and helping all magic-folk once more. That Hogwarts would be built again- she stopped. What if Rowle was wrong again? Muggleborns weren't thieves. She had been wrong about that. Hogwarts seemed to up and running now so she had been wrong about it being nothing but rubble.

"He must be a powerful wizard. Your godfather."

"Yeah, he's pretty cool."

"Delphini!"

Delphi froze and gulped. She knew that voice. She had stayed out too long. Rowle had sobered up and had followed her here.

"Aunt Rowle," she explained to Teddy before Rowle was there at their table. Her green eyes lit with anger as she grabbed Delphi by the ear.

"I've been looking all over for you. It's way past your bedtime, sweetie." Euphemia Rowle hissed before turning and smiling a fake smile at Andromeda, ignoring Teddy. He was just another annoying child. "Sorry if she's been any trouble. She hasn't said any outlandish lies, has she? She is such a creative little angel."

Andromeda also forced a smile and shook her head. "She was no trouble at all."

"I'm glad she wasn't." Euphemia's fake smile twitched slightly. "Now she didn't say anything ridiculous like who her mother is?" she paused before adding a small chuckle, one meant to be polite and disarming not a cackling hyena but the latter was how it always sounded to Delphi. "Just because she's a Lestrange she thinks her mother was Bellatrix but we know she didn't have any children."

Delphi frowned and opened her mouth to protest, Bellatrix was her mother it wasn't a lie, but Rowle tightened her hold causing Delphi to gasp but otherwise stay quiet. She couldn't see Teddy, not with how Rowle was holding her ear, but she silently sent a plea out to Teddy's grandma, Andromeda.

"Now that you have brought up my sister, Delphi does sort of remind me of her," Andromeda said. "I knew that there was something about her…"

"Bellatrix Lestrange was your sister?" Euphemia blanched but licked her lips as she tried to put on another polite, fake smile. "Then you would know better than anyone that Delphini couldn't be Bellatrix's daughter." she let go of Delphi's ear and tousled her ward's hair vigorously. "She's not even a Lestrange by marriage. . . Born on the wrong side of the sheets, the poor girl. . . but then again Rabastan was always the ladies man of the family."

Andromeda raised an eyebrow. "Really now? Thank you for. . . informing me about the Lestrange family. But as I've pointed out, that Bellatrix was my sister and I think I would know if she looked like my sister, when she was younger."

Euphemia's smile froze. "But would you really? I mean that was such a long, long time ago and don't all kids look alike? Well, in pureblood circles of course. We are all related one way or another. If we're pure."

Andromeda narrowed her eyes suspiciously but decided not to say anything else.

"I'm so glad you agree." Euphemia took hold of Delphi's arm. "So nice to meet you but we must really be off. Bedtimes and curfews." Euphemia shook Delphi's arm. "Say goodnight to the nice people Delphini and thank them for your cone."

Delphi looked between Teddy and Andromeda. Had she heard Andromeda correctly? Could Andromeda be her aunt? But she had no family. She was different. She … or did she have a family? But, if she did have a family would they want her? Her mother hadn't. Her father hadn't.

Another forceful shake snapped Delphi's mind back to the moment.

"Thank you for the cone and it was nice meeting you." she paused as she felt Rowle turning to leave. She didn't want to go, not yet, and she took Teddy's hand in hers. "I'll miss you. Can we be friends?" it was a silly thing to ask and was unrealistic, she doubted she could sneak out of the house again, but she had to know. She could live without a family, she had been for seven years, and she could live being shut away in the attic but if she knew she had a friend then it wouldn't be so lonely. She hated being alone. Hated it.

Teddy gave her a reassuring smile and squeezed her hand. "Of course, we're friends. We'll always be friends."

"Friends," Delphi returned Teddy's smile and let go of his hand and turned to follow Rowle out and back to her attic.

"Friends? Ha, pathetic." Rowle hissed softly as they stepped out onto Diagon Alley. "How can a girl who doesn't exist have friends? Huh, answer me."

Delphi glared at her guardian but her grin didn't waver as she was shaken and dragged away from the ice cream parlour and to a nearby apparition point. She had a friend and that was all that mattered. To one person at least she existed. She had read somewhere in one of Rowle's late father's books, from the few she couldn't sale for a quick coin, that an imaginary friend didn't exist as the world saw it but to one person it did, and as long as that one person believed that the imaginary friend was real then it was real. It did exist.

And, she existed too, now.

"Thanks, Teddy, for being my friend." she whispered as she was pulled aside Rowle before feeling the pull of apparition overtake her.