"I'll be by your side; you know I'll take your hand…"
Danica could clearly remember being taken from her family. In the middle of the night Death Eaters attacked. Her father pulled her onto a broom and they flew to a meadow. After walking most of the night they were met by an elf, a beautiful princess with striking featured and fair looks. She kicked and screamed and fought, wondering why her father was crying, why he was leaving her when her mother needed help? Finally she collapsed and as she slept she saw life through Hermione's eyes.
Lily had just handed her youngest daughter to her best friend, a muggle named Wendy Granger. Hermione saw a flash of light and Danica knew that her mother was changing their memories. But she wouldn't allow it. She shielded her sister's mind from part of the spell. A small piece of Hermione would know Danica, would know she was not the daughter of this woman.
Years later that shield came in handy. When Hermione was five years old she came home from school and ran to the backyard. In the safety of the shade of an apple tree she sat and wept. "Hermione, don't cry. Please don't cry." Hermione's head shot up and looked around before looking up and seeing Danica in the tree. "Wh- who are you?"
Danica climbed down a few branches and offered a hand to her little sister. Her hand encompassed Hermione's smaller one as she helped her up the tree. "I'm you friend, and I'll always be here. Hermione, please don't cry. Those kids are snotty brats." Danica had seen how the last couple days Hermione was teased for being smart in a scrying mirror. She would get into a lot of trouble for sneaking away, but she had to help her sister.
Hermione automatically trusted her and wiped away her tears. "I'm too smart though… and they say I'm weird and make fun…" her eyes welled as Danica moved over to hug her. "One day" she whispered to her sister. "One day you will get a scholarship to an amazing school and meet new friends who will love how smart you are, and will be able to do magic like you. Until then I'll be your friend. Ok? When ever you are lonely just climb up a tree and think of me ok?"
Hermione nodded and moved to hug the other girl tight. "How do you know my name? Are you an angel?" Danica laughed. "Sort of. My name is Danica, but you call me what ever you like. Ok?" Hermione looked thoughtful. "Mommy and Daddy are taking me to Japan. Over there little kids call bigger girls 'Onee-san'. Can I call you that?" Danica nodded. "Anything you want Hermione."
Hermione's mother came out side looking for her and found her sitting under the tree laughing. It was a good surprise, she was afraid Hermione would be crying again. "Hermione, baby, are you ok?" Hermione got up nodding, "Yup!" As she went to bed that night Mrs. Granger caught her daughter waving out the window at the apple tree.
The next day Hermione was out on the playground reading a book when some one took it and shoved her. "Look the bookworm is a crybaby!" her classmates taunted her. Jim, the school bully shoved her more and pulled her hair. He was going to hit her before someone turned him away from her and hit him – hard.
Danica placed herself between her sister and her sister's tormentors. "Does anyone else have a problem?" She glared. "You all better leave her alone or you'll deal with me, got it?" She held out her hand and an orb of fire appeared. Most of the bullies started backing away and running. Danica put out the fire and turned to Hermione. She pulled up her sister and walked her to her class room hand-in-hand. It was the first time that she helped her sister, but it would not be the last.
