It was a warm summer evening in August at Shell Cottage. The Weasleys and company were gathered round several picnic tables out on the lawn overlooking the beach as the waves crashed on the sand in a steady rhythm.

"...and then the boats take us across the lake, don't they Harry!" an animated Teddy Lupin asked, as he bounced up and down beside his godfather at the table.

"That's right, and you've got to be careful not to fall in..." Harry smiled.

"Or else the giant squid'll get 'cha!" joked Ron Weasley from across the table.

"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed, but the news didn't seem to bother the seven year old Teddy. Victoire Weasley on the other hand seemed quite disturbed by it.

"Daddy, there isn't really a squid in the lake is there?" she whispered to her father, who was half way to putting a piece of bloody stake into his mouth. Bill Weasley chewed, swallowed and grinned down at his daughter. "I'm afraid there is, Toire, but no worries, it's friendly enough."

Victoire turned her wide blue eyes back across the table to Teddy where he continued to bounce up and down in his seat, his bright blue hair bouncing with him. Teddy always seemed to be talking about Hogwarts, thought Victoire. He never spoke of anything else.

"Alright Teddy, settle down." laughed Ginny coming up behind him and placing a hand on his shoulder, while bending down to kiss Harry on the cheek. She was massive, Victoire observed, her pregnant belly sticking out under her blue tank top. She remembered when just a few years ago when her own mother had looked like that.

As if on cue, a tiny toddler waddled into the yard, the baby girl's blonde hair flapping after her, her feet sliding across the grass as she laughed.

"Dominique!" called a voice from inside the cottage. "Ou est tu mademoiselle?"

"She's out here!" Bill called, snatching up his youngest daughter and tickling her as she giggled. Fleur Weasley stepped out onto the lawn, her silvery-blonde hair that so much resembled Victoire's floating behind her. The veela descendant settled herself down beside her husband, smiling and striking up a conversation with Audrey; Percy's wife.

Victoire took at moment to glance around the yard. Most people were settled at the long tables, but in the distance she could see her uncles Percy and George playing with their toddlers. Percy looked like he had his hands full with just little Molly, but George looked at ease with the twins Fred and Roxanne, and everyone knew how much trouble they were then Molly. Her eyes shifted back to Teddy, who was miming the sorting hat with his hands much to the amusement of everyone around him. He still had four years left, and yet he had been ready for Hogwarts long ago.

That evening as the families disappeared back home, Bill tucked Victoire into bed just as the sun had set. Victoire's eyes wandered round her room, from the high ceilings to the calming blue wallpaper, to the wall length window that looked out over the ocean. She sighed and snuggled into her pillow, turning to face her mother.

"Daddy, is Hogwarts really all that Teddy says it is?" she asked him a strong note of wonder in her voice. Bill chuckled to himself before answering. "All that and more." he whispered, kissing her forehead and handing her the bright blue stuffed bear she slept with every night. "Good night Victoire." Bill whispered through the darkness.

"Goodnight daddy." she whispered back. She waited until she could hear him down the hall before the six year old turned to the bear in her arms and whispered; "Good night Teddy."