As they walked inside, he couldn't help but laugh a bit at Devi's description of the way the house looked. "It looks like the flat they both shared, before your mum and I got married, so that's a fair assessment, I think."
Roger nodded. "I arrived just after Christmas. We hadn't even taken the tree or the decorations down, at home- you and your sisters were still playing with all your new presents, and your mum and I never wanted to spoil your fun by ending it too soon." It really had been just a few weeks- he could still hear the girls' laughter as they opened their presents on Christmas morning- and yet, to Devi, it had been half a lifetime ago.
He led Devi to the living room, so they could sit down, but not before he took a good look at her- holding her at arm's length to do so. He didn't mean for it to seem like he was studying her or being rude, just- well, it wasn't a sight he'd get to see, any other time. "You're beautiful, Devi," he said, finally. "All my girls are, of course- you get that from your mother, thank Merlin- but you-" There was something about the way she carried herself- strong, proud. "I can tell that you've grown into an incredible young woman."