A/N: Written for the Two Prompt Drabble Challenge.
Lily Luna Potter frowned as she looked around her. The beach was empty except for her cousin, Rose Weasley. Today, their family had decided to come here for some reason that the girl couldn't fathom. Not that she was complaining or anything, but it wasn't like them to suddenly decide to go somewhere without any other planning or celebration. But she decided to ignore that, and had wandered off to go look at the ocean. And then, when she turned back again, the beach behind her was almost completely deserted.
Lily's forehead was creased in thought as she walked over to Rose. The older girl didn't seem to be bothered by anything, or even worried, so Lily deduced that she must've seen where they went.
"Rosie, where did everyone else go?" She asked curiously.
The girl simply shrugged as an answer. "I don't know. They all suddenly left."
However, Rose had a smug smile on her face. It was the same smile that she always had on when she knew something that you didn't. But Lily trusted Rose so she just went along with it.
"Oh. Okay, then. What do you want to do until they come back?"
"I don't mind anything. You can choose." Rose replied.
So for the next couple of hours, the two girls made sandcastles and played tag and splashed in the ocean. Finally, they collapsed, exhausted, on the towel laid on the ground. As Lily reached for her water bottle, she noticed Rose staring at something intently, and then nodding, from the corner of her eye. Standing up abruptly, she reached down and helped Lily up.
"Where are we going? Lily wondered as Rose led her near the water.
"Let's play another game. It's called 'Follow the Starfish.'" She grinned, pointing at the ground, where a starfish sat innocently.
Lily squealed in excitement.
"Maybe if we follow them, it'll lead us to their home and we'll see the big mother of all starfish!" She said happily, her imagination working on overdrive. "The mother will be bright pink, with polka dots and she be wearing a frilly apron and cooking for her little starfish kids!"
Rose listened, amused, as Lily took the lead cheerfully commented each starfish they passed by. At last, they came to one half-hidden in the bushes. Lily lowered her voice and whispered, "Shh… the mother must be through these bushes."
Rose grinned and together, they jumped through the greenery.
"Happy birthday Lily!" Came a chorus of voices.
Lily looked around with wide eyes at the people in the clearing and the towering cake in the middle of long table.
"This is even better than seeing the mother of all starfish."