"Fine, go." Umbridge spat as Severus left the room and before looking back at Daisy. "I have other methods for getting the truth out of you..."

Daisy cringed, hoping Severus wasn't out of earshot yet, but she heard his footsteps leaving quickly.

Her mind went back to her vision. Lucius Malfoy was torturing Sirius, demanding that Sirus get Daisy to the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry. Daisy didn't know what was there, but she'd been seeing that area for some time now, even before Arthur Weasley's attack. The visions were so real that she felt like she was actually there. She'd never been to there, but it was as though she slid through the Ministry until she always reached that area. Prior to starting Occlumency lessons with Snape, she never knew where her dreams were leading her until she could actually read a directory as she moved through the area.

Umbridge's movements brought Daisy back to reality as she shut and locked her door then she put a framed photo of Fudge faced down on her desk. "What he doesn't know won't hurt him..." There was a slight shake to her tone of voice, which worried Daisy.

She eyed the room, looking for an exit. Her wand was in her robes pocket, she could feel it against her side, but she knew if she reached for it then Umbridge would stun her first since her wand was already within her hand. There was no reaching the door; she'd have to try and spell it open anyways. Sweat began to form on her brow as Umbridge stuttered, "Cru-cru."

Daisy looked to her right to see a blazing fire next to her, and on the mantle was a glass bowl full of Floo powder.

"Crucio!"

But the curse missed Daisy as she leapt from her chair, tossed the powder into the flames and disappeared from the office. She landed harshly in the lobby of the Ministry of Magic. It was silent and empty since it was after usual working hours, but she knew where to go. She had made this trip before in her dreams. As she walked, she thought to herself that it probably would have been better to Floo to Snape's office or even Sirius's house. She knew there was a chance this wasn't real. She knew there was a chance this was all to lure her here.

After a few minutes, she pushed into the Department of Mysteries, and after a few minutes more, she was standing in rows of glass balls. Names were written below each one, some covered in more layers of dust than others. Quickly, she raced to where her name would be. After glancing at a few other Potters, covered in thick dust, she saw a newer looking one with her own name on it.

Slowly and hesitantly, she reached up and grabbed it.

"Now give that to me..." A voice from behind her made her spin around. She was face to face with Lucius Malfoy, and then other known Death Eaters began to come from behind him. She recognized Bellatrix Lestrange.

"I said give that to me." He sneered with more passion, his wand pointing at her, and then he was thrown backward by a powerful spell. The other Death Eaters looked confused until they saw Sirius Black near them.

"No one points a wand at my goddaughter." Sirius gave Daisy a wink. "Let's get you out of here."

Daisy was filled with relief and regret at the same time. Sirius was safe, but that also meant he was never in danger. Other Order members started appearing, and curses began being thrown across the room. Sirius grabbed her elbow and moved her out of the way, but they heard Malfoy shouting something about not letting her get away.

Then it was as though time moved incredibly fast. Sirius and Daisy were running when Bellatrix appeared before them, instantly throwing curses at Sirius that he even had a hard time blocking. "Hand over the prophecy!" She snapped.

"Don't do it, Daisy." Sirius laughed. "This isn't anything I can't handle-"

And then his voice stopped as a curse hit him right in the chest. Sirius sunk to his knees and wasn't moving.

"Sirius!" Daisy bellowed.

"Hand me the prophecy," Bellatrix ordered.

"Sirus!" Daisy screamed. Her godfather wasn't moving, and she wasn't finding a pulse.

Lupin must have heard her screams. Quickly, Bellatrix was stunned, and Lupin put his arm around her shoulder, "Run!"

The two raced down the corridor, tears silently streaming down Daisy's face as more curses flew at them. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Tonks stun the Death Eaters casting spells at the two. When they were both getting out of breath, they had reached the lobby, and it seemed as though they were alone.

"Sirius..." Daisy began, her lip trembling not knowing the fate of her godfather.

But before Lupin could speak, a man appeared before them. Daisy fell to the ground, clutching her scar. It felt like her forehead was being split open. Lupin shielded himself between Daisy and Lord Voldemort. Lupin was speechless, never before seeing the man in the flesh before.

"Avada-"

"No!" Daisy screamed, but both of their shouts were silenced as another figure appeared, stopping Voldemort from finishing his curse.

Albus Dumbledore marched forward, and dueling began between the two of them as Lupin pulled Daisy away to the corner of the room. Never before had Daisy witnessed such dueling. At one point, Voldemort had shards of glass racing towards Daisy and Lupin. She felt Lupin try to shield her as much as possible, but it was only sand when it reached them due to Dumbledore's spell.

As quickly as everything started, the dueling was soon over. Voldemort seemed to disappear. Dumbledore still had a worried expression, but Daisy and Lupin seemed to relax momentarily as they moved from the corner of the room.

But something made Daisy crash to her knees so quickly that she couldn't even stop herself from smashing into the marble floor. The pain in her knees and bottom lip from the crash wasn't even present in her mind because it was entirely taken over.

"You can't stop me, old man..." Daisy spat in a tone that didn't below to her. Before Voldemort could force her to say anything further, she used her Occlumency skills to the best of her ability, trying to push him out of her mind, but it seemed pointless. It was as though he was attached to a part of her; however, Voldemort soon left on his own accord as was standing before the crouching Daisy, blood trickling down her lip where her teeth had been forced into her bottom lip in the fall.

"You will lose, Daisy Potter-"

Voldemort stopped abruptly. At first, Daisy only saw Dumbledore and Lupin with their wands raised, but then she saw Fudge and a few other officials standing in the fireplaces of the lobby.

"He's back!" Fudge gave a shriek as Voldemort disapparated from sight with a pop.

"Sirius," Daisy whispered as she turned to take off. Remus tried to grab onto her, not knowing if it was safe back in the Department of Mysteries, but he wasn't quick enough. When she saw Sirius's body, still looking lifeless, she sprinted as fast as she could. No other Death Eaters were in the area. Tonks was slowly moving towards Daisy as she crouched next to Sirius, tears streaming onto his chest as she grasped at him. Lupin appeared next to her again. Then someone touched her back. Daisy turned to see Severus kneeling behind her. Little did she know, Dumbledore had sent his patronus to him, knowing Daisy would need him once the Death Eaters and Voldemort had vanished.

Daisy launched herself into Severus's arms, sobbing into his neck; the consequences of her actions controlling her. He squeezed her tightly, as Lupin disappeared with Sirius- straight to St Mungos. "Let's go back home," Severus stated. They stood up as Daisy wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her robes, and they moved from the department back to the lobby. Severus wished to return by Floo. He wanted to arrive directly back to his office and avoid Umbridge.

Moments later, they landed in the fireplace of the dungeons. Severus steadied Daisy as they landed, and then she went straight to the chair beside his desk, pulling her legs to her chest and resting her head on her knees. Severus took his seat behind his desk, wanting to lecture her on her thoughtless actions. Little did he know, she left the castle to avoid an unforgivable curse. However, her destination was reckless, but she was fully aware of that- as well as the potential repercussions of her actions. Her mind could only focus on her motionless godfather.

"He's been taken to St Mungos," Severus stated. "Lupin should be back with an update shortly."

Daisy looked up from her feet. "He's not dead?"

"He was hit with dark magic, but it wasn't a killing curse." Severus sighed, knowing he couldn't get her hopes up because Sirius's fate was still very uncertain. "We will find out how he is doing shortly." Daisy nodded. "Until then, I believe we have a chance to speak about the recklessness of your actions." She looked up at him, her face showing her emotional distress. Severus knew she already felt badly for her actions, and scolding her would do nothing but increase her distress.

He was surprised when she spoke, "She was about to cast the Cruciatus Curse on me. I couldn't get out through the door. I should have used the Floo to come here, but Sirius was all I could think about."

"How do you know that was the spell of her choice?" He spoke sounding breathless.

"She was put the picture of Fudge away on her desk, and then tried saying it a few times. I knew the door was locked, and I couldn't get there in time. Then I saw the Floo powder on the mantle...I only moved out of the way after it was cast." She paused, her breathing was quickened, sounding like a mild hyperventilation. "What if he's not okay?" She looked up at Severus, pleading in her eyes.

"I doubt Bellatrix would actually cast a spell with devastating consequences on someone of her family. She would view it as a waste of magical blood spilled." Severus paused. He needed to speak to Albus about this; he was surely dealing with the minister and Umbridge now if he was back to the castle already.

Moving across the room, Severus knelt before Daisy. "I need to go speak to Professor Dumbledore. I'll be back momentarily." She nodded as he stood and gave her shoulder a gently squeeze before leaving the room.

Severus didn't want to leave Daisy alone long, so he quickly moved to the headmaster's office. Severus didn't think Umbridge stood a chance at remaining at the school, but he wanted to be certain, and Daisy near Unforgiveable Curse would be impactful.

Ten minutes passed and Severus was back in his office. Daisy was in the same position and silent. Severus didn't want to lecture her further, at least not until the fate of Sirius Black was determined.

It seemed like hours when a knock came on the door. Before Severus could get up from his own chair, Daisy leapt to it and pulled it open, hoping to see Remus Lupin or even Sirius, but it was Albus Dumbledore on the other side. Daisy couldn't hide her disappointment.

Severus eyed Albus, clearly questioning his timing. It was apparent that Severus knew what this conversation was going to hold. The only aspect Severus didn't know was how much Albus was going to share with Daisy.

"Daisy, if I could have a word…"

She nodded as Severus left his own seat behind his desk for the headmaster to use. Nervously, Daisy moved to the seat on the other side of the desk. Her knees were wobbling, wondering if he was here to tell her about Sirius.

"First, I want to say that I have no news on your godfather." Some weight lifted from her. "But we need to discuss what happened tonight." His tone wasn't harsh; it was even softer and more gentle than it usually was. "Do you still have the glass orb?"

Nodding, she took the glass ball from her pocket. She didn't understand why Lucius Malfoy wanted this, and she didn't understand why he couldn't get it off the shelf.

"Before you were born, a Seer made a prophecy about Lord Voldemort. That Seer was Professor Trelawney. Now the area in the Department of Mysteries that you were in is full of these orbs. Each time a prophecy is made, an orb is created. Some never know about its creation but some do. Your prophecy may have never been known if Professor Trelawney was not overheard when she made it, but it was. It was repeated to Lord Voldemort."

Severus felt his heartrate rise. He trusted Albus to not give away his secrets, but this was far too close to comfort.

"Who told him?" Daisy asked softly.

Albus sighed. "Someone was in the Hogshead that evening when she had her interview for the Divination post." Sighing again, "I probably wouldn't have hired her if she didn't make that, but then I wanted to keep her close. I didn't think she had a seeing eye until the prophecy was made, but she didn't even seem to recall making it."

"What was the prophecy?" She asked again.

Albus beckoned his hand to Daisy and she handed him the ball. Once it was in Albus's hand, he dropped it on Severus's hard wooden desk. At first Daisy thought it slipped, but then the voice of Professor Trelawney filled the air.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches. Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies, and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not , and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives…"

Her mind was frozen by the last words. "One of us has to kill each other?"

"Yes and no." Albus stated. "A prophecy being made doesn't mean it has to be followed through. That room was full of prophecies, most never heard and never acted upon. Can you think of another person the prophecy may have been able to refer to?"

Daisy made a face, not sure what he meant.

"Neville Longbottom had parents who fought Voldemort three times—"

"And he was born in July…" Daisy finished. "So why doesn't Neville have to do this then?"

"Neville doesn't have to do anything, the same as you. You could have gone your entire life not acting upon this, but due to the choices you have made and Voldemort has made, the prophecy seems to be more into action. It is your free will that is allowing it to unfold. Can you imagine your life not working towards defeating Voldemort?"

She shook her head.

"Exactly. The knowledge of the prophecy allows us to make it happen."

"Why did he chose me instead of Neville?" She asked, unsure how someone could make that decision based on infants.

"I believe Voldemort saw you as more of a threat. You are not a pureblood such as Neville, similar to Lord Voldemort."

She was silent until, "So you're saying I do have to kill Voldemort then?"

"I'm saying you will because that is how your life has set itself up since Voldemort discovered the prophecy…" Albus replied.

"So if he never found out that prophecy…" Daisy began thinking. "I would be normal…"

"Albus quickly glanced at Severus, "You would be as normal as any other child alive in a war."

Before Albus could say anything further, the fireplace illuminated green and Remus Lupin walked in. Daisy began to physically shake and look as though she was going to be sick until Remus looked at her and said, "He's going to be just fine." A cry of joy came from Daisy as her eyes watered with relief. "I am sure no one would mind if you visited him." Lupin looked to Dumbledore, who nodded.

They both left in a blur of green flames. Severus looked at Albus from the back of his office, where he was standing. "You had to tell her the prophecy was overheard?"

Albus eyed him, "That is as much as I would ever tell her, but there is more I need to tell you." Severus sat down across from his own desk. "This is difficult for me to say, Severus. This will be difficult for you to hear… There is a seventh horcrux."

"Find it then and destroy it. Daisy doesn't need to fulfill the damn prophecy. I'll cast a killing curse at him when he is human."

Shaking his head, "The night Lily and James were killed, Voldemort had intended on making his final horcrux—his last horcrux. It didn't go as planned."

Severus was having a hard time maintaining composure. His breathing was quickened.

"He likely had an object of Godric Gryffindor's on him when he went to Godric's Hollow that night, intending on that becoming the final horcrux. There is a reason Daisy can talk to snakes, and there is a reason she can see inside Voldemort's mind. When the spell backfired, the piece of his soul, intended for the horcrux, latched onto the only living thing in the room."

"So when the time comes, she must die?" Severus asked quietly.

Albus looked just as bothered by the news. "Yes, yes, she must die, and Voldemort must do it. That is essential."

"You're only keeping her alive so that she can die at the proper moment." Severus hissed, anger overtaking him now as he leaned forward near his desk. "This isn't even about the fact that I've done everything for you for over a decade and a half for the memory of Lily. I care for the girl!" Severus snapped, standing and pacing now.

"You're raising her like a pig for slaughter." Albus remained quiet. "You told me many years ago that I disgusted you when I said Lily was the only one I cared for being safe." Now he leaned across his desk in a way he only spoke to first years. "Now you disgust me!"

He ran a hand through his hair. "I'm supposed to feel loss all over again after this war? You care more about the war than a living person!"

"Severus, if the war is over, then you may continue a life without being a spy." Albus tried to reason, knowing it was a sorry excuse.

"I will never utter a complaint about spying again if it means another day that Daisy Potter is alive."

Albus stood, eyeing Severus. "She must die or the world will never know peace." And before Severus could remark back, Albus swiftly left the office. Little did he know, that night was the first time Severus's emotions overcame him since the night he found Lily's dead body.

Daisy woke in her dormitory the next morning. There was only a few days left of the school year. Sirius would be meeting her at Platform 9 and ¾ to pick her up for the summer; after she visited last night, he seemed better than ever. He wasn't upset with her at all about going to the ministry. Sirius claimed it was something her dad would have been proud of.

George Weasley would be graduating soon; he and his brother were finally getting everything sorted to begin their joke shop in Diagon Alley. Umbridge was gone, along with all her decrees. While she regretted last night, now the entire wizarding world knew Voldemort was back, finally everyone believed her and Dumbledore. She felt lighter than she had in some time, even after the conversation last night about her essentially needing to be the one to murder Voldemort. After speaking to Sirius about it, they both agreed it was something she already knew in a way, and she had the love and support from so many to help her.

Daisy didn't have the chance to speak to Severus until after her final OWL, and the remaining week of classes returned to their normal scheduling—even if school exams were cancelled, per usual. The Daily Prophet showed Voldemort on the front page, so it was clear the second war had begun. Daisy wondered how this would affect wizarding families and muggles.

Although, Daisy didn't notice it, Severus was watching her more closely than usual at mealtimes and in the halls. He felt an ache in his soul that hadn't been felt so strongly since they days following Lily's death. Part of him wanted to stop the prophecy, stop Daisy from thinking that was what she had to do. He felt the guilt of Lily's death consume him in moments of isolation. He was responsible for Lily's death, and he couldn't even protect her daughter.

There was one remaining Potions class with Slytherin before the end of the year, and it was unlike any other. His demeanor was the same for others classes, but with Daisy before him, he felt as though he couldn't teach. He assigned a potion to the class and took a seat in the back of the room, his heart hurting when he saw Daisy laugh at something Ron said, knowing her days were numbered.

It wasn't until Neville completely botched his potion and Severus didn't say anything that Daisy knew something was different. Normally, Neville received the brunt of Severus's force due to Severus's wish that it was Neville who was chosen by Lord Voldemort instead.

Eventually, class ended, and the room emptied out of students—glad to be done with their last Potions class of the year (forever for some depending on their OWL score).Severus busied himself, stacking their last essays, his back to the disseminating students.

When the classroom was silent, he heard a voice from behind him, "Professor Snape?" He turned around to see Daisy. "A-Are you alright?" She asked tentatively.

"Why do you ask?" He replied, trying to sound like his usual dry voice.

"You banished Neville's potion without saying anything or taking away any points." She replied plainly.

This almost made Severus forget he was looking at someone with a death sentence. He gave the slightest of smiles as the corners of his mouth turned up. "I'm just distracted, Potter."

She nodded looking into his dark eye. She could barely tell where the pupil was since his eyes were so dark, but they looked softer than usual. She trusted he was just distracted, but she tried to give a comforting smile. "I'll see you around this summer?" She asked.

"Yes, Daisy." He replied, not wanting to sound emotionally exhausted as she beamed then left for lunch.