THE RAVENCLAW PRINCESS

chapter 29 - summer at hadlee's

this chapter and the next are short blurbs about the summer and then back to hogwarts!

Back home at her family's cottage, Lyra felt the most relaxed she has all year. The summer holidays gave her time to catch up with Eric and spend time with him and Iliana. She reclaimed her job working at Hadlee's and basked in the outdoor terrace on the second floor of the shop while on break.

Lupin and Black had each sent her a letter with similar parchment and Lyra had written back to both of them, sharing her summer plans and wishing them a happy summer. Yesterday she bought a small pack of variety muggle chocolates after her shift. Today, the day after the full moon, Lyra sent off the family owl, Marie, to Lupin's address with the package.

Lyra glanced up from the table in the sitting room when her parents entered the room. "Darling, we're going to visit Dora's flat. Do you want to join us?" Andromeda asked from the doorway.

Her father ventured to Lyra's side and looked over her shoulder. Lyra said, "I have a shift at Hadlee's in fifteen. I can go tomorrow."

Ted chuckled, "Don't know how Mrs. Hadlee manages without you, seems you're over there more than in your own home."

Lyra frowned poutingly, "that's not true."

Andromeda cast a stern glance at her husband. "We know darling, your father's just teasing. Unnecessarily, though I may add."

"Oh, a little teasing is alright. Besides, our Lyra is tougher than you may think Andy. She read Nancy Drew when she was just six! And Nancy Drew fought off bad guys, quite impressive I would say."

Lyra grinned and rolled her eyes, "dad, loads of kids read Nancy Drew at six."

"Yes, darling. But no other child is like you. You are incredible and we- we are so proud of you," Andromeda smiled at her daughter, choking on her words.

Lyra sighed and rose from her seat to engulf her teary eyed mum in a hug. Ted soon joined the hug and Lyra mumbled into her mother's hair. Lyra pulled away and repeated, "mum, just because Nymphadora decided it was time to move out doesn't mean you need to get all emotional on me. I'm not going anywhere. So, relax and go give Dora a huge hug for me."

Andy chuckled and Ted grinned widely at his daughter. Soon enough, the Ravenclaw was saying goodbye to her parents as they flooed to Dora's flat. Lyra grabbed her tote bag and keys. She locked the door behind her and walked to Hadlee's.

"Lyra? You up here?"

"Over here, Estefan," Lyra called from a back corner of the second floor of Hadlee's.

Estefan was one of the three staff members who worked at Hadlee's. Estefan was a year older than Lyra and would've known her better but only moved to England when she was fourteen. Lyra met Estefan through Eric and now she saw him over holiday breaks from Hogwarts when they spent time with Eric and Iliana. She hadn't seen him since last summer as he spent the winter holidays in Spain with his extended family.

Estefan was one of the few muggles who lived near her home that shared her crazy love for books and Hadlee's. Last summer he began working at Hadlee's with Lyra and this summer they worked incredibly well together. Lyra and Estefan were convinced Mrs. Hadlee thought of herself as some kind of matchmaker with their matching shift schedules and her not so subtle comments about the two of them.

Having just come back from his week long break in Spain to visit family, Estefan's usual tan skin now sported a sun-kissed glow. He had grown taller since the last time Lyra had seen him, just above six feet. His dark hair was cut just at his ears and styled in a wavy middle part. He wore Hadlee's work shirt and light wash jeans.

"Do you have the book on historical genocides for Mr. Clarke?" he asked as he approached her.

"Right here," she held up the book in her left hand. "I'll come down with you, our shift's just about done."

The two walked down the stairs and rang up the book for Mr. Clarke. They gathered their things, said good night to Mrs. Hadlee, and walked out the bookstore.

"Are you going to Eric's later?" Lyra asked as they stepped out.

"Yeah, have to pick up whiskey beforehand though. You're going right?"

Lyra nodded and smiled, "I'm going to go get ready, but I'll see you then,"

Both Estefan and Lyra waved as the two split to go their respective ways to prepare for the party.