Fifteen

It was an memory she cherished. It was only a little thing but you never realize how little a memory can be. It was especially memorable since her final year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was disrupted. She knew it was the same for everyone currently in their little carriage.

The once horseless carriages were no longer horseless. She knew everyone in their little caravan could see them - the war had force them all to open their eyes - she laughed at the irony of the metaphor.

She had not stepped into the hallow halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry since that fateful day. It had become a symbol of the war to her and it was a part of her life she wanted to forget. Her life at Hogwarts was rarely spoken about between her and her family but like all good things, that peaceful ignorance had come to an end the day her son receive his letter. Two years later and a second letter to her second son - she knew a third would appear come summer.

The closes she had come to Hogwarts since the war was to drop her children off for their year at Platform 9 and 3/4. Her kids were often insistent in hearing stories about her Hogwarts days - she had succeed in avoiding the subject by shifting it to her husband; of which was currently off across the hall greeting all of her old school mates. He was after all, whom they all came to see.

"It must be tough seeing him struggle." A voice, of which she was familiar with sincerely asked.

"No, I think he secretly enjoys it. He hasn't had much time to relieve the glory days ever since the kids came into our lives." She smiled as she watched her husband sheepishly shake hands with overly excited past dorm mates.

"Oh pish-posh Daphne. We both know he hates the attention." Harmione Weasley waved off.

"And we both know he never gets out much anymore. Let him enjoy it. And let me certainly enjoy the sight." She winked at her friend.

"Well, at least your husband is acting like a grown up. Mine on the other hand." Hermione hesitated as both women's eyes turn to the man who stood beside Daphne's husband.

A naturally tall man, Ron Weasley had a balding head of ginger hair and an unnaturally large stomach, which he often excused it as a result of nightly pub crawls with his workmates or catching up with past friends - but both women knew it was a result of inactivity and an overly active sweet tooth. Ron after all, worked at the joke shop and their daily shipment of new candy flavours needed testing before it was deemed worthy to be sold at the world famous Weasley Wizard Wheezes.

"At least he's enjoying himself." Daphne tried to laugh it off and she could see Hermione was not impressed with all the attention on Ron.

"I mean, your husband loves what he does. Mine, comes home and complains everyday. Some nights I wish I hadn't convince him to quit his job and take over father's bank." Daphne sighed.

"Don't beat yourself up Daphne. Sooner or later he had to quit. After all, you were pregnant with a second child and being an Auror was much to dangerous for a father to be. You were right in thinking about your own future as well as the kids." Hermione tried to reassure he friend.

The two women could on watch on as their husbands were being crowded around - Hermione's husband was jumping around with joy trying to introduce Daphne's reluctant husband to all of their past classmates. Daphne could only wonder if their year had so many students, but she should haven known many of their year mates had married others outside of their year or Hogwart's entirely - herself, had met her husband during their days at university in France and it was only coincidence that they were both from the same year at the same boarding school.

She would often fondly remember their days at university - it was just after the war and all of them had so much to live for. Life went on however, not that she didn't love her current life, but parenthood brought challenges and rewards which she didn't have to think about when she was young.

"Do you think we should step in and save them?" Daphne asked Hermione.

"I don't know. I don't want anyone here know that he's my husband, think of the embarrassment." Hermione replied, this time it was she who winked at Daphne.

The Slytherin girl laughed and the two women step towards the crowd. As they came closer, she could see her husband had spotted her and the sheer relief of his face almost made Daphne want top stop and grin evilly at him - it would be the Slytherin thing to do. Yet living with a lion for over fifteen years and given birth to his spawns, she knew she could not.

O O O

A strong breeze suddenly blew through the Great Hall, strange as breezes usually do not blow indoors. Daphne struggled with her long hair and was strongly irritated by this rouge wind - it took time for perfection and she would not have it be undone with an unruly wind. The magically lit candles of the Great Hall blew out, another strange incident as magically lit candles do not unmusically exhaust themselves. And again, stranger yet, the normally amber sky of a crisp fall afternoon was completely covered by stormily clouds - strange as the forecast from the tele called for perfect weather in this part of Scotland.

The Great Hall became dark, but not so as Daphne could not see anything, but dark enough that if she were not to be careful, she could severely ruin her day.

"Ladies and Gentleman!" A booming voice, that of a child as it was not deep enough to be a grown man nor high enough to be a woman but oddly familiar to Daphne.

She should of known better.

Floating balls of fire replaced the unlit magically lit candles and began spinning unnaturally around and around, ceiling of the Great Hall it's background. Many were too busy being awed by such a sight, ironic she found, as they were all magical - except those who decided to marry Muggles and were here for the first time, but this was simple magic, nothing to be awed at.

She looked closer at the flames as they highlighted the faint outlines of two small figures hanging from the magically hidden rafters of the Great Hall. Again, this was child's play to her, as she was familiar with magic and more importantly, she had to deal with this on a daily bases at home.

She could act like a responsible adult and stop this, but it looked as though this display of magic was not causing any harm and was entertaining to most - even the old hags of professors seem to be enjoying it.

Yet she knew better, as this was not going to be simply a display of magic.

The floating balls of fire continue to circle round and round, "And for our last trick, Aguame…"

She should of know. She gave a quick glare at her husband. He had caught it and sighed.

"Protego!" Her husband had quickly raised his wand at the outlines of the small figures as a jet of water raced towards the crowd.

To the outside observer, the two laughing boys did not notice at first or did not seem to care - but a golden glow surrounded them as they floated from the hanging chandelier. They looks quite calm and seemed to have experienced this before. Although many of the gathered seem concerned about the two boys as they floated aimlessly amongst the Great Hall's starry sky - those who knew better were calm but braced for what was to come.

"James Sirius Potter!" Daphne screamed - she was fuming but those who knew her also knew she was keeping composed. Having been brought up as a good pureblood girl, Daphne was thought to hid her feelings very well in public. Her family and friends on the other hand, knew what the former Slytherin was quite capable of - however they did not seem to worry.

"Yes Mom?!" One of the boys, whom had a mess of dark chestnut hair, much like Daphne's own answered.

Daphne looked at her husband, expecting him to be the disciplinary but instead caught him with a slight momentary smirk. She should have known better than to expect her husband to do anything - it had always fell to her to punish their children and it was also why they saw her husband has the good father and her as the evil mother.

She knew why her husband acted this way. It was because he grew up without a family and was often punished by his relatives for the littlest things, which fashioned him into becoming a very caring father to their children and cherished every moment with them. Not that he did not discipline them from time to time when the children became to unruly - he had made James and Albus, their first and second son, maintain the manor's rose garden for an entire summer because they found it funny to fly indoors and use their sister's dolls as a Quaffle. Even though she found the punishment to be much to harsh and even begged her husband to shorten it.

It was not to say they did not love her - she was their mother after all. They just loved their father a little bit more.

"You as well William Dursley." She turned to the other boy - blonde hair like his mothers but a larger physic like his fathers, "Be glad your mother isn't here. What would she say?"

"That he better apologize to the Head Master if he wishes to ever come home again." A silky voice from behind the group answered. All eyes turned to the blonde who had entered.

"Tracy!" Daphne replied happily, "You decided the show after all."

"Wouldn't miss this for the life of me. Almost convinced Dudley but he's still a twat to all things magic." Tracy replied as she step forwards towards her son.

Tracy Davis was Daphne's best friend since first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Tracy Davis was also Daphne's sister-in-law having married into the family. Her husband found it quiet hilarious when Daphne had introduced her blond friend to his cousin. Dudley Dursley of course, was easily head over heels over the blond and spent every waking moment trying to impress the girl - eventually he had succeed. Her husband was dumbfounded when they announced they were a couple - "Love always conquers all, even someone's fear to all things magic." He had said that very moment.

The blond girl stood in front of her son, arms crossed and tapping her heels, "Well?"

The boy looked at his mother sheepishly. Daphne was quiet surprised William Dursley was the son of Tracy Davis and Dudley Dursley as he did not embody characteristics of his parents. Tracy was very out going and life of the party, Dudley too liked being the centre of attention but not quiet as much as his wife - their son on the other hand did not like to stand out - it was always James who led the boy into trouble.

"I'm sorry Head Master." The boy mumbled barely loud enough for the old dwarf to hear.

"Do not worry yourself my boy. I have seen much worse in your uncle's days. You will however serve detention with Professor Longbottom, I am sure he will inform you of time and place in a, less occupied gathering." The old Head Master laughed, turning to the other trouble maker as well, "You as well Mister Potter."

Daphne's son smirked as he nodded at the Head Master. She sighed - both knowing this was not punishment at all. Neville Longbottom was much like her husband, rubbish at punishing children.

"Now I hope everyone has enjoy this little display. Why I remember fondly at the Weasley's old tricks." The short Head Master laughed. The boy's were escorted away by Neville as the former students once again gathered around each other.

She sighed and turned to her husband, "We'll talk about this at home."

"Yes dear." He smugly replied.

She would have replied to him but she was more interested in talking with her best friend - and this sort of parenting rivalry had kept the family lively as well.

Daphne turned to her best friend and sister-in-law, "So what made the old walrus let you come?"

It was a nickname Daphne had given Tracy's husband - not out of spit but when Daphne was first introduced to her husband's family, she had immediately characterized each family member as an animal; the fat elephant of an uncle, the long necked giraffe of an aunt, and the pudgy walrus of a cousin. They did not get along at first, partly due to the family's hate for all things magic but partly because Dudley Dursley could not keep away from any girl who was more beautiful than his own mother - which was nearly every girl. And in trying to stop his advances - as she was already deeply in love with her husband - she introduced her best friend.

Although Dudley Dursley loved his wife and children, he still withdrew from anything magical related - it was better than his own parents who had disowned him for marrying a magical girl.

"I wish you wouldn't call him that," The blond sighed, "I just got him on a diet and if he hears you say that, like the Christmas party, he'll go back into eating his sorrows away."

The family's annual Christmas party was sometimes a taboo subject - not because of this one incident, it was expected since the men of her extended family did not like each other: one who was magically afraid, a hero with a complex against anything dark and one who was set in pureblood ways. And this was just the grownup men of the family.

At least the wives got on better - Tracy was after all her best friend, Hermione was an old school mate, and Astoria was her very own sister. It was the men who always got on each other's nerves.

The reunion continued, Daphne's crowd of friends grew and grew as the night progressed. She kept an eye on her husband, but he kept the remaining time conversing with the old Head Master and even some of the new professors. It seemed their old school mates had enough of talking to the hero and felt better catching up with old friends they had lost touch with.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," The short Head Master caught everyone's attention with a few clings of a spoon to his glass. "It is now time for each and one of you to reacquaint yourself with our old castle. Someone of you may have children currently attending and someone of you have never left," The Head Master point to Neville which received a cheer from the crowd, "What better way then for you to roam the castle like the good old days?"

The crowd clapped at the idea.

"You are free to go as you please, however do keep in mind that some students are hard at work. And if you do find any students in misplaced broom closets, please alert their Head of House."

With a final laugh, Daphne could see old friends pairing up with each other and those who did not, went to find their significant others to show they their old school grounds.

Daphne turned to Tracy, expecting that she would be going along with herself to their old common room but found the the blond already going off with some of the Slytherin girls - Pansy to be precise, who as the divorcee also came alone. She sighed, she did not want to walk her old school with her husband - not because she didn't love him but he would draw too much attention to himself from the current students and she was hoping for a quiet and relaxing time.

She found her husband walking towards her.

"Come on then." She took his hands before he could say anything.

"You're a life saver. Almost got dragged into a tea party with Slughorn back there. Told him my wife was looking forward to showing me the Slytherin's common room." He tried, out of breath.

"Oh, and what made you think I wanted to show you the Slytherin's dorm?" She replied.

"Because you love me?" He countered.

"If I loved you, then I would have let you go to the tea party with your favourite professor. Think of the fun you two would have." She grinned as the married couple walk hand-in-hand down toward the dungeons. "And don't think I didn't see that little wink you gave James back there. You're suppose to be the responsible adult, stop acting like your his best friend."

"I am his best friend. And what about you with Lily?"

"What about me and Lily?"

"You always treat her better than the boys."

She sighed, her husband could be such a git sometimes, "That's different. Mother and daughter as suppose to spend time with each other. How else would I know she has a crush Scorpius or that she jealous of Victoire?"

Her husband stopped in his tracks, "What! Scorpius is her cousin. And Teddy, well, well…" He was looking for the right words for his god son, "Too old!"

Her plan had worked, he was too distracted with the prospect of his nine year old daughter already growing puppy love for boys - the argument of who was the better parent had already been won.

"It's only a childhood crush. It's not like you and I didn't have one. Remember first year? I had one on Theodore Nott, thought he was such a gentleman and if I did not become misses Nott, I would just kill myself."

"What?!"

"Oh man up. I married you didn't I? Lily will come to realize it. Now stop you're crying and hurry up, I would like to visit the dungeons before it gets dark." It was only seven that very Evening.

They arrived moments later to the entrance of the Slytherin common's. The dungeons were still dark and grimy as the couple remembered - her husband had often complained the dungeons was not an environment for learning - Daphne agreed but this was tradition.

"Password?" The portrait asked. She had not asked for the password.

"Open." Her husband hissed - it had sounded as a breathy sigh to her ears, but she knew her husband had the gift even though he had only used it once, when they first started seeing each other as a way to impress her.

"Of course My Lord!"

Her husband grinned at her - she only shook her head and rolled her eyes.

The entered to fairly empty room. This reunion of sorts had been placed on a Hogsmeade weekend so students could cause as little trouble as possible - it didn't stop her own son and nephew.

"Mom, dad!" A little voice came from the corner. The couple turned to see a flash of messy black hair racing towards them.

Daphne smiled and opened her arms to meet the body of her youngest son.

"Aunt Daphne, Uncle Harry." Another boy, came from the same spot but did not rush in like the first boy. He had platinum gold hair, just like his father, Daphne's brother-in-law.

The blond boy was average for his age but his perfect posture made him look tall - even though he was the same height as the messy black hair boy. His arms were by his side and his skin was pure white, as if the sun had never kissed it before.

"Hello Scorpius." Her husband greeted with a smile. Even though the young boy was the son of someone who her husband did not like very much, he was still very much innocent of the crimes his father had committed - and the fact the young blond was her husband's very own nephew, their son's own cousin and very best friend.

Daphne released her son as she went to hug her nephew. Young Scorpius was resistant at first, knowing that he rarely received such public affection from his father and even his own mother - however that was not the case whenever the young boy had visited.

"My Scorpius, you've grown!" She smiled as she released the blond boy, "Have you're parents come to see you yet. I spotted them in the Great Hall last." She could see her husband frown at the mention of their extended family.

"Not yet. I expect them to talking with Head Master Snape's portrait."

"Then why don't you two show us around the dungeon. I bet your uncle would love to see how luxurious our dorm is compared to the lions." She winked at the two boys.

"Mom, Dad's already seen the Slytherin Dungeons. Don't you remember, his story from second yea…." Her son stopped midway has her husband quickly covered their own son's mouth.

She looked suspicious at the pair.

"I wasn't aware you're father has ever been down here. Is there something you want to tell me?" She looked at the two with a twitch in her eyes.

"Just overly wild imagination from our son I'm afraid." Her husband replied nervously.

It was another thing she added to the long list of things she would have to discuss with her husband. She was starting to feel as if he was leaving out many details of his time at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They had been married for over fourteen years and she had thought he told her every last secret - it would be fun to punish him and make him squirm as he begged for forgiveness - their couch was not exactly the most comfortable thing and he would come wishing for forgiveness after just one night alone.

"We'll talk." She whispered to her husband, resulting in a shiver. "Lead on you two." She masked her frustration with a smile to the two boys who did not know any better.

The boys led them around the common room. It had not changed since Daphne had last seen it - although the last time she had seen it was when it was all but empty as not many Slytherin survived the final battle. That fateful morning, the sun had shawn through the vale of the lake, it was almost magical. Sleeping bodies were littered through the common room as sleepless students could finally sleep without worry. She was one of the first to awake that morning - still in daze wondering what would happen to them all next. Not in her wildest dreams would she have predicted her current life.

Her husband showed more interested then she did, after all she was well versed in Slytherin tradition. Her husband on the other hand kept pointing to objects that decorated the common room and having the two young boys explain - and when they couldn't, some of the older students had joined as well to teach her husband the finer details of dungeon living.

They finally moved onto the dorm rooms. As a teenager, Daphne was never allowed into the boy's dorm and vice-versa - even though Tracy somehow found ways of avoiding detection whenever she became interested in one of the Slytherin boys for the ten minutes they would hold her interest. It was strange to think the girls would not be able to ever come in here - unless they were Tracy - and now, here she was, a mother and given full access. She smiled at the irony.

The boy's bedrooms were exactly the same as the girls - except when her time at Hogwarts, the girls dorm was much more chaotic with the many cloths and dresses thrown about - it was not uncommon for the girls to borrow each other's clothes, especially when there was a boy they had wanted to impress.

She wondered if all boy's bedrooms were like this, her husband never went into detail of what the Gryffindor dorm rooms were like - so she wondered if they were all this neat and tidy.

Her son was prideful when he showed them his bed - of how clean it was kept and the many books he was reading. All show she knew, as she knew her son too well to know he ever took an interest in reading ahead. It was not to say he was stupid, but to say her son had taken his father's lazy mentality when it came to book reading and more of his interest in broom flying. As long as young Albus did not take after his older brother, Daphne did not care if he was a good student or not.

She sighed at the thought of her oldest son. The stunt he had pulled in the Great Hall was embarrassing. Her husband and herself would have to visit the Gryffindor Tower next. She would have a few choice words with James.

"Your mother and I will have to visit your brother. Your sister sends her regards. To you too Scorpius." Her husband said with a slight malice towards the blond - not because Scorpius was the son of his eternal rival but because he had just learn their young daughter had a crush on the boy.

"So soon?" Albus asked with drawing tears from his eyes. This was after all his first time away from home and Daphne and her husband both knew from personal experience that it was hard to be away - well her husband enjoyed it because of his upbringing.

She couldn't help but hug her son. They stayed like that for a minute or two - she also knew that once her young boy started to grow up, he would want to be independent from her.

They finally said their good byes and a promise to fire-call and send daily owls. The same was promised to their nephew but he only agreed to oblige them. The entrance to the Slytherin dungeons closed behind them and Daphne felt a sense of loss as they may be the final time she would ever visit the dungeons again - she knew visits to Hogwarts were plenty in her future, especially when James was such a trouble maker.

Her husband left her alone to her thoughts. Even though she was closes to their daughter, she was equally close to Albus as she always felt very proud of her middle child. James on the other hand. They were not as close but she was still his mother, even if he spent most of his time with his father and he would often drive Daphne to the point of frustration.

They made their way up the stairs. She hadn't thought the climb would be such a drain and by looking at her husband, she knew they were both no long youthful enough to climb hundreds of flights of stairs everyday - and she questioned how her husband had done so in their youth.

"I'm getting old." Her husband mumbled.

"You're just getting fat." She hide her own struggle for energy.

"No that can't be it." He replied smugly. It was true, he was still quite fit for someone in his mid thirties. "I get enough exercise nightly. Especially those silencing charms I'll have to cast before hand."

Her cheeks lid up red hot and she stopped in her tracks - embarrassment had taken over and she spied to see if anyone had been listening. No one was near.

It was true that her husband and herself had an active love life, even though the idea of nightly affairs had been an exaggeration - maybe only twice or three times a week but who would count.

Her husband didn't stop nor did he turn to her. She knew he was smirking wildly. He had won this battle, but she was determined to win this war of words.

They arrived soon enough to the top of the tower. This was the first time she had come near the Gryffindor Tower - she did not have any Gryffindor friends during her time at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. And she only met her husband and Hermione Granger during their days at university.

A very large portrait of a women adorning what looked like viking garb stood as the entrance to the tower. She had heard stories about the guard of Gryffindor Tower, especially during her third year as it was reported Sirius Black had broken into the dorm - which she would later learn the real story from her husband.

"Oh it's you. Have you grown?" the very large lady asked.

"It's been fifteen years I'm afraid." Her husband replied politely.

"Fifteen years?" She looked shocked, "I guess being a portrait, you see so many come and go. Well, you know the dance then, Password?"

"Quid Agis." Her husband answered.

Without a reply, the large lady swung open her open portrait, a feet that still amazed Daphne. They stepped through the entrance and Daphne was met with a vision of gold and amber. While the Slytherin dungeon was naturally dark and gloomy, except for those rare mornings when the sunlight shimmered through the lake, the Lion's den felt warm and inviting. Daphne didn't know what she had expected - maybe something like the Slytherin common's but this was anything but.

The room was largely empty - it was a Hogsmeade weekend after all and the only remaining students were those too young. She was surprised her James had stayed behind to play that prank on the Great Hall.

Speaking of her eldest child, she spotted the signature unwieldy hair her family was known for, seated in one of the large comfortable chairs facing the large fireplace. She snuck upon her son.

"James Sirius Potter!" She saw him jump at the mention of his name. "Never have I been so embarrassed. To think what the other parents will say, that we did not raise you right!"

"Nice to see you too mom." He calmly replied. She knew her son was not afraid of her. Even though she was the one to punish him at home, her son had learned long ago that her husband and herself would never go out of their way to harm their children.

She huffed.

"James," Her husband started. "We expected better of you. Especially now that Albus is here as well. We expected you to be a role model for your siblings and your extended family. Playing pranks on the school staff, especially on such an important day, is not being a role model. You should have waited, or just pranked on the Slytherin." Her husband winked, in which he received a sharp stomp on his feet.

"What you father meant to say, was that we expected better." She sighed, "I don't want to here any more complaints from any of the professors, or else you will not be receiving a Christmas present. I'll have Teddy keep an eye on you. Do you understand young man?"

"Yes mother." He flatly replied.

Like Albus, James showed them the Gryffindor's sleeping area, once again Daphne was shocked to find the dorms so well kept. James' chest was open and Daphne spied upon it. She was shocked to find her husband's invisibility cloak with their eldest son - she knew he had given his map to Albus but she did not know James also received the same treatment.

O O O

They arrived home late that evening. Their home was of moderate means, not insanely large like some pureblood family homes. It was modern looking compared to what one would think of as a house for wizards and witches - if a passerby, be it magical or not, were to see such a house, they would automatically assume it was a perfectly normal house belonging to perfectly normal muggles.

Their house didn't have a name, it was only known as home. Her husband had said he never understood the magical folk love affair with naming their house of residence.

"It's like they want their home to be found by everyone. I rather find peace at home than chaos it would bring from fanatics."

Their home was simply that, their home. If asked, Daphne would say their house was a simple house in the Lake District.

Lights, to be more precise, muggle electric lights illuminated their home as they arrived at the front door. Even after living in this home since the birth of James, Daphne still could not understand some of the muggle wonders her husband outfitted their house with. Electricity for one - she had always lived in house light by magical ever lasting candles, lit nightly by their house elf. Muggles on the other hand, as her husband had love to show off to whenever magical friends and family would visit, lit their homes with a flick of the finger.

A tap of the door by her husbands wand had set the elaborate locks of the front door to release - it had been charmed to only open to family members who were holding their very own wand; so that it could not open if their wands would be stolen. It was also charmed to recognize their children, as when they were young, they did not have wands of their own.

The couple entered their home to be met with the rushing shadow of their daughter as she came to welcome them home.

Daphne gave Lily a hug and announced herself and her husband were back.

"Gracious Daphne dear. How was it?" And older woman who resembled Daphne and Lily appeared.

"Tiring. James had decided it would be a good idea to play a prank on the Great Hall."

"Oh my." Daphne's mother replied.

"He'll be punished." She replied as she went to hang her cloak as her husband entered behind her.

"The poor boy is just seeking attention." Her mother rationalized, but it just an excuse the poor woman had to idolize her grandchildren.

"He gets plenty of attention mother," Daphne waved her off, "It's who his father is." She glared at her husband who took the opportune time to take their daughter upstairs to bed while leaving Daphne and her mother alone.

"How was Lily."

"Sweet as always. Oh I do prey you would bring them over more often. You know your sister comes by every weekend."

"And you know what happens when the two of them gets into same room," Daphne was referring of course to her husband and her brother-in-law, "Unless the two have been drinking and would not otherwise recognize each other, I doubt it will be a simple visit."

"Oh come now Daphne, you would think the two would have gotten over it - they are grown men." Her mother replied.

"Yes and you remember what happened two Christmas ago." Her mother could only sigh.

"I better be off. You're poor father must be starving himself by now. You know he refuses to eat anything that isn't prepared by me. Prey, he nearly scared the poor House Elves to death last time I left him alone. It wasn't like that when you were young you know." Her mother rambled on.

When her mother finally left for her own home, Daphne could only sigh in relief.

Her husband slowly made his way down their homes grand staircase, making sure the coast was clear. It was not that her husband did not get along well with her parents, the opposite in fact - they tend to smother him with love and for an orphan, even that amount of love was too much.

"Lily's asleep." He declared. Daphne took a look at nearest clock, a gift from her father, and found it was nearly ten that very evening.

She yawned and stretched herself. "I think I'm heading off too."

"Oh. I thought you were planning on punishing me tonight?" Her husband grinned.

"I think a night without seeing me in silk is punishment enough." She grinned as she left her wide mouth husband to his own devices.


Notes:

I've only lightly gone over this, so there will be spelling and grammar issues.

This will be the final short-story under Numbers I'll be posting for some quite some time. I've keep this fic in stock since the summer, just didn't feel comfortable posting it. I actually have 10 other fics/chapters in varying degree of completion, some from years back. Anyways, I'm sidetracking for the actual announcement:

Introducing the Numbers project. One hundred short stories by one hundred (or less) authors. Each of a different number but all interconnected in this little universe. Want to write a short fic of what happened that Christmas two years ago mentioned in this chapter? Go Right ahead! Want to write a chapter about how Tracy meets Dudley? Who's stopping you? A story about Albus landing in an alternate reality where everything is steampunk? Err...it's a stretch, but go right ahead! Just have to be related to a number and in this little universe.