Harry walked slowly trying to put his thought and feelings in order. He walked were the waves hit the sand because it was easier. As he walked he spotted shells that had been washed ashore, he picked them up after he had collected about twenty he stopped. A short time later a woman approached him from the other direction.
"I see I have competition for collecting shells this morning. Aren't you a little young to be out here by yourself?"
"I'm eight," he said indignantly. "I can defend myself."
"I'm sure you can." the woman fought back a smile. "My name's Beth I'll show you what I've collected if you show what you've found."
Harry sat down out of the reach of the waves and showed her the shells; he knew nothing about them and if she collected them perhaps she could tell him what he had. "Do you know seashells then?"
"Some I can tell families, like this one is a cowrie and an exceptional specimen. These two are both bivalves scalops, and this one is also a bivalve a clam of some kind. I've got some like those in my bucket. Oh my aren't you the lucky one that one is a cone. This one is a Murex but not in the best condition a lot of the points are broken. A volute, a couple strombs. two nice mitres and…"
"Cowries right?"
"Very good you learn quickly…" she paused as if asking for his name.
"Harry."
"It's nice to meet you Harry. Where are you staying?"
"Palau Pacific Resort."
"Me too. Shall we head back?"
"Okay."
"Why were you out so early?"
"So late. My godfather's probably pulling out his hair by now. If he hasn't already called the local police. "
"Why would you worry him like that?"
"I was upset when I left last night, he told me something important that affects me and I got very upset. Running the beach then watching the waves calmed me down. I was walking back when we met."
"The beach calms me when I'm upset too that's the reason I chose to come here for vacation."
"How long are you going to be here?"
"I'm here for a month. What about you?"
"We're here for five more weeks."
"What about school?"
"My godfather got hurt on his job. While he was in the hospital there wasn't much to do so I studied ahead, I don't have to go back until January. Where are you from?"
"The United States."
"That's cool. We're from the United Kingdom originally but we live in Indonesia." They had finally got to where they could see the resort. "Maybe you could have breakfast with us."
"Maybe, we'll see if your godfather lets you after you scaring him like this. Is that him?" she pointed to a dark haired man that sat on a chaise by the pool in a very dejected pose.
Harry looked up at her, "Hold these please," handing her the shells. He ran to Sirius and hugged him.
"Harry! I've been so worried." Sirius clutched Harry to him.
"I know I'm sorry it was just to much. I ran, then I cried, then I just sat and watched the waves and thought. I didn't mean to scare you."
" I know. I still have trouble with it and I'm a grown up. I didn't think enough about how you would take it. I wanted to come after you but I'm such a gimp and I didn't know where you went. So I just stayed here and prayed."
"I'm sorry. Sirius I love you but after hearing that I needed space."
"Better now?"
"Yeah. I made a new friend."
"You did?" Sirius suddenly noticed the woman standing a short distance away.
"Sirius Black This is Beth, she taught me about shells, and walked me back."
"Thanks for walking him back, Beth?.."
"O'Neill. It's my pleasure." Beth reached out to shake the attractive man's hand, he was slightly younger than her if she was any judge. When their hands touched a warm feeling swept over her.
Sirius suddenly understood what James had talked about when they were boys. When James talked about Lily, he'd said he felt as if his magic grabbed him by heart and said this is the one. Sirius grinned his mother must be rolling in her grave, after all the purebloods she had pushed at him, and his magic liked a muggle. She had curly strawberry blond hair, blue eyes the same shade as the crystal blue waters surrounding the island, and the fair complexion that came with her obviously Irish heritage.
Harry noticed the two adults seemed to be transfixed while shaking hands. He looked at one then the other and felt an absolutely maniacal grin cross his face. He wanted to yell, Yes I'll finally have a new mom!
.....
Do you want to read the next chapter then join my p@treon for free.
Paid members can get more than 60 chapters.
Link: [email protected]/GalaxyWonder