It's been about a week since her disastrous date with Oliver. It's a shame too since she had figured out that he was the same man she had bumped into at the Quidditch match last October and the same Oliver she had been exchanging letters with judging by the last letter he sent her complaining about the date.
She was on the phone with her gran during her lunch break.
"So, how was the date with Millie's grandson?"
She sighed. "A disaster."
"Millie told me he was a nice lad and a good match for you."
"He didn't enjoy the date either. He just told me about the date in the letter."
Ethel asked confused. "When did you start writing to him?"
"We've been exchanging letters since November and he's the same handsome man I practically crashed into at the Quidditch match that Justin took me and Bethany to. It's a shame about his personality."
"Maybe he was having a bad day. Mille says he's usually cheerful and friendly albeit emotionally obtuse though."
"That certainly came across. I'd be willing to give him another chance if he's willing to do the same. I wasn't too nice to him either but that was just frustration."
"I can understand the frustration, dear. You're used to men being emotionally smart. I mean your dad is rather emotionally intelligent as is Aaron. Justin has trouble sometimes."
"I can't expect every guy I date to be like my dad, gran. Scott was nothing like dad."
"You can't. I never really liked him but you got Bethany out of that relationship."
She smiled. "I don't regret my marriage to Scott. I love Bethany with all my heart."
They talked for a few minutes and hung up. She finished her lunch and went back to work.
Around five, she left with her dad.
"Mummy!" Bethany shouted, launching herself towards her mum.
Christina smiled and ruffled her daughter's hair as she started to ramble on about her day. She gave her daughter a bath and began putting her to bed.
"Mum?"
"Yes, Effie?"
"Do I have a daddy?"
Christina sighed. "Of course you do."
"What was he like?"
"His name was Scott, him and I were teenage sweethearts."
Before she could continue the story Bethany had fallen asleep. She kissed her forehead and walked out of the room.
—
A few days later, she was watching Bethany play on the local playground.
"Hello."
Christina looked up to see a beautiful platinum blond woman who looked around her age maybe give or take a year. She was maybe four months pregnant, though the baggy jumper she was wearing hid the bump quite well. She wondered where she could find one of those sweaters. It looked comfy.
"I'm Fleur." she greeted.
"I'm Christina."
Fleur said. "It's nice to meet you."
"You too."
Just then Bethany ran up with a little girl with matching hair to Fleur.
"Mommy, this is my new friend Victoire," Bethany introduced excitedly.
Christina smiled. "It's nice to meet you."
"You too."
Just then a lanky man with red hair joined them with them with a little boy who looked around Bethany's age. Fleur walked over to and greeted him with a brief kiss.
"This is my husband, Bill."
"It's nice to meet you, I'm Christina and this is my daughter Bethany."
"Nice to meet you too."
Bethany exclaimed. "That little boy's hair changes, mommy!"
The little blonde girl questioned harshly. "What's the problem?"
Bethany said. "Nothing, it's cool."
The little girl relaxed.
"This is my daughter's best friend Teddy"
"Why does his hair change?" Bethany asked curiously.
There was silence between the adults.
"You look familiar, do you have a little sister named Ginny?" Christina looked curiously at Bill.
Bill grinned. "I do."
"You're related to Ginny?" Bethany asked excitedly.
Christina giggled. "My daughter is obsessed with Quidditch, sorry."
"It's the best sport in the world, mummy," she said.
Bill smiled fondly. "She would definitely get along with my family."
"Can we meet them?"
"Bethany Rose, we just can't invite ourselves."
Bill noticed. "You sound like a Hufflepuff."
"I would be a Hufflepuff like my youngest brother but sadly he's the only one who has magic."
"Oh, you're a muggle?"
Christina nodded suddenly self conscious. "I am. Is that okay?"
"Of course. My younger brother's girlfriend is a muggle too. You two would have something to talk about. And besides, my dad would love to talk to you too; he's fascinated with muggles."
"Mummy, I want to meet them," Bethany whined.
Bill bent down towards Bethany. "How about you and your mummy come over in a few days."
Bethany grinned. "Can we, can we mum?"
Christina accepted the invite and they walked away.