Dominique is different from the rest of her family.
She doesn't have the Weasley red hair popular among her cousins, or the blonde hair her siblings and mother have. Instead, her hair is a rather ugly mixture of the two, a color that Victoire calls 'strawberry blonde'. Her eyes aren't a remarkable color, not the hazelnut color of Molly or the emerald green of Lily and Albus, just a dull, boring blue.
Then there's her personality. All the Weasley Potter's have a unique personality of their own. Victoire is the Queen Bee. James is the joker, Fred the prankster. Lucy had her sarcasm. Lily was bubbly.
And then there was Dominique. Dominique wasn't any of those things. Sure, Dominique could be funny. She could be bossy. But it wasn't her. If you asked anyone what Dominique was like, they would all answer with one word: Nice.
Dominique was nice. Maybe a little too nice.
It was early in the morning when Dominique began contemplating this. She would be going to Hogwarts today. Victoire had gotten out of Hogwarts two years before. She didn't live at Shell Cottage anymore. Dominique's heart ached. She hadn't always gotten along with Victoire, but she missed her now. She wouldn't be here to see Dominique go off on the train for her first year. Wouldn't hear first hand what House she got into. It was disappointing. Dominique had been there to experience all of that for Victoire. Then again, she hadn't had a choice.
She sat up straighter in her bed. No sense going back to sleep now. Dominique had always been an early riser. Victoire hated it. "If you're going to be up this early, at least be quiet!" She had yelled. Dominique said nothing. It wasn't her fault Victoire had ears of a bat.
Dominique got up and stretched and walked out of her room to the kitchen. Louis was still asleep, and so were her parents. The clock told her that it was five o'clock in the morning. She rubbed her eyes and sat down. A stack of letters sat on the counter. She flipped through them subconsciously. Several letters to her Dad, two for her Mum. None for Louis. One for Dominique, and nine for Victoire. Dominique scowled. How many times had she had to tell those people that Victoire no longer lived at Shell Cottage?
She takes her letter and rips it open.
Dear Domi,
It's so pretty here in New York! There are towering buildings and tons of people. It's a whole lot different than Shell Cottage!
Mum tells me you'll be starting Hogwarts. I hope you're excited! I'm sure you'll have lots of fun there. Try to owl me after you're sorted – I'm sure you'll be a Gryffindor! Remember to use that potion in your hair everyday like I told you. Otherwise it gets all frizzy. I know from personal experience!
Teddy and I send our love to all of you! Hopefully we'll both make it up for Christmas. Love you!
XoXo, Victoire
She stares at the letter for a second before folding it up and tucking it in her pocket. Dominique highly doubted she would be in Gryffindor. Maybe Ravenclaw, like Victoire herself? That would be cool. She would be with Rose and Molly. They could show her the ropes.
The floor creaked and Dominique's dad walked into the kitchen. "Up so early again? I can't imagine that's healthy." He grins at her and she giggles.
"Couldn't sleep any longer. Too excited." She smiles up at him. "Remember what day it is, Dad?"
"Of course! September 1st, you've reminded me a billion times." Bill runs his fingers through his hair and sighs. "It's been eight years since Victoire went off to Hogwarts. It seems like just yesterday. She was bouncing up and down and you were three and wailing that you didn't want her to go."
"And Louis was only one and didn't understand what was going on." Dominique says importantly.
Bill smiles, and Dominique sees his eyes glisten. "That's right. Come on, we'll make breakfast."
By the time it's eight; both Louis and Dominique's mum are up and have eaten.
"'oo have everything packed, right?" Fleur flutters around the cottage, making sure Dominique has everything she needs.
"Yes, Mummy." Dominique says patiently.
Fleur sighs and swoops down on her daughter, giving her a massive hug. "I will miss oo very much." A tear drops into Dominique's hair. "Eet will be a long time before I see oo again."
"I know, Mum." Dominique is shocked to see she is starting to cry too.
Finally, Fleur pulls away from her daughter. "Zee train leaves at eleven o'clock, Bill?"
"Right, dear."
The last two and a half hours pass very quickly. Soon, Dominique's parents are apparating her to Kings Cross. She runs onto Platform 9 ¾ without troubles. She says teary goodbyes to her parents and Louis.
Finally, she is facing the scarlet train. She takes a deep breath and steps on, lugging her trunk and owl behind her.