Finished The Guest solo

When he awoke, the sky was clear. For a moment, Maverick Castle imagined that a loose window let in a fresh, pure breeze; it would be much like those upper-class, relaxing scenes portrayed in Muggle films. But neither he nor his parents possessed the habit of sleeping with their windows opened, for thieves may come and enter and steal in real life...

The preteen rolled on to his other side, a smile on his handsome face knowing that the summer break was still a long way to stay.

But soon thereafter his eyes landed on the blue jeans folded neatly on his chair, and the smile faltered. This was not a morning to be playing around, he suddenly remembered. About two weeks ago, Mum had opened a letter on the breakfast table and was all smiles. "It's from my old friend, Claudia. We were roommates and very close friends at Beauxbatons. She was one of the smartest kids in class, and pursued a career in healing after graduation. I bet she's one fine healer or master healer now. And she's asking to stay with us for a week!"

Dad had stared at her with a slight surprise in his eyes. "Sweetheart, why would she be staying with us? I'm sure she won't have problems staying in a superb hotel."

"Don't be silly, Darrin. She wants to have a friendly holiday and feel that family atmosphere, not to be in a place where she would be treated like a countess like she's used to, I'm sure. You'll like her, and Mav too, she can tell you so many interesting customs and stories from her hometown in Portugal. Besides," the look she had given him was a charming one, "you wouldn't say no to my old friend's request, would you?"

"No, Jeannie, of course I won't."

And today was the day Ms Freitas was supposed to come. Mum had reminded him the evening before, telling him to dress in something nice and presentable for breakfast, for the guest was to come around that time and eat with them. Maverick had protested and complained that Ms Freitas could have chosen a more convenient time to make an arrival, but Mum would hear nothing of that.

And so there he was: seated uncomfortably on the sofa in the drawing room, hungry with a yearn for breakfast, and rather tense.

Until the green light, some noises, and appeared Ms Freitas from the Floo Network. "Jeannie!" "Claudia!"

Dad stood up from the sofa, a little aside of the two ladies, watching sympathetically as this fiery little creature hugged his wife. Maverick had no idea what to do, but seeing his father, the boy decided to stand as well.

"Darrin, Mav - Claudia, my dear friend from Beauxbatons."

A pretty lady, Maverick thought, not gorgeous but decidedly attractive with her caramel-coloured wavy hair and hazel eyes. He offered to take off her light coat as Mum had instructed last evening, and Dad tactfully asked if she would like to join them for breakfast.

"It's an honour, Darrin." This jostled up Maverick even so slightly. Mum must have told her their names, but he had never heard someone addressed Dad's first name on their first conversation, or Mum's in the case of Dad's friend.

"May I take you through to the dining room, Ms Freitas?"

"I'd be delighted, Darrin. But just call me Claudia, I don't like formalities between friends and their families. Jeannie, are your husband and son always this helpful? I thought you had house elves to take off my coat and show me the dining room."

It may just be an example of culture shock, but currently the eleven-year-old really did not know what to expect from this guest. Following his parents and the guest to the dining room, he wondered - and was quite sure - if he would have one roller-coaster week ahead of him.