Severus's Apprentice

by Usagi Lemons

Lucius's grandfather has a child with a muggle that no one knew about. Daisy is suddenly pulled from her lonely life and brought into the world of magic and wonder, reunited with her real family. Through Daisy Severus sees Lily wasn't at all how he thought she is, and sees a a forgiving heart. Will Daisy finally understand what a family is like and find love? SnapeMentor Snape/OC.

21. Chapter 21 Into the Woods

Severus's Apprentice : Into The Woods

I knew you, before I learned my own name. There's probably some meaning even in a world you do not exist in, but a world you do not exist in, is like the sun without the moon. A world you do not exist in, is like a world with no colors.

Draco Malfoy stared outside his bedroom window at their garden, specifically at Daisy who sat next to a pond on a bench while reading. During the year she had joined the family, she had only proven him wrong over and over again of what he thought of her. He thought she was hideous, and came out to be one the the most beautiful girls he had ever seen, he thought she had no skill, she's very good in school mainly potions, he thought she was a crybaby, and though in their many fights that they've had she had always teared up, however she also always stood her ground at one point. He thought she was a horrible person yet despite her bad experiences with him, she kept smiling and kept talking to him, as if he hadn't upset her the other day, as if he hadn't insulted her then and there. He sighed, she was a strange girl who he had felt was a threat to his perfect family, but the more he spent time with her, the more he watched her, the more he thought his family were not perfect. His mother wasn't a bad lady, not the best mother in the world but nor the worse. His father on the other hand, was far behind, he never felt love from his father, only pressure, only fame was important to that man. Even with his mother, he didn't feel his father loved her either. But now, he felt he was a bit different since Daisy came. Perhaps he was changing because of Daisy too.

He watched her put her hair behind her small ear. He wondered how things would be in the upcoming year. All he knew was he wanted to be a bit like her. She was strong willed, headstrong, confident, honest, genuine and brave. She had taken the poison without hesitation, and with no fear. He envied her. The girl spotted him from the garden and smiled a big kind smile, and waved, he waved back. He wondered how she could be so happy. His father and him had mistreated her, she was bullied in school, she said she had these horrible dreams. She had no family like he did, she had no money when she first came, she had no friends, she had no one by her side. Yet within a year she had gained all that and more, and he, who already had all that had nothing at all. He turned away from the window.

Every time his family visits, or she visits she takes them by surprise. She had baked delicious goods, that were better than the house elves, things he has never even heard of or seen before. The fact that she was muggle raised and had better manners to guests than he or his family was shocking. Especially the way she handled things at the Edwards household. If he had known it was poison, by the time he would have come up with something to say, his father would have probably already left and drunken it. She acted quick without the fear of status or other people thinking wrongly of her, and by the end of the whole ordeal, even though she was sickly, even though she was weak and poisoned, she was humble about the compliments she got from Misses Edward, and complimented her in such a way he had never heard anyone say."It is your eyes that see's beautiful things." He remembered her words. He glanced out the window again. Had Daisy been a boy, he would have hated him. She was a far better heir, to carry out the Malfoy name than he is. She had a way with words, that grabbed peoples attention, her eyes and body in sync with one another.

He stared down at her from the window as she got up and patted her white flowy skirt down clean and began walking back to Snape Manor.

Yes, he would have hated Daisy if she was a boy.

Daisy had woken up earlier than usual, to tell the house elves that they were going to get two days off every week, while she was going to do all the cleaning and cooking. She explained to them that back in the muggle world, there was a limit to how much a worker was allowed to work. Too much of anything isn't good for you, and how she wanted to apply this rule with them. After explaining to them that they should get lunches and breaks in between, and days off, they were more reluctant to her requests. Not to mention, she told them she loved to cook and missed it, how could they say no to their lady?

Today being their day off, she went ahead and did some reading in the garden for an hour before heading back inside to start breakfast. She saw Draco staring at her, though she smiled and waved enthusiastically, he merely waved back and eventually left, his face expressionless. She wanted to make more of summer break while she could, since she didn't truly enjoy last year. She rarely ever left the house back when she lived with her mom, she never truly got to enjoy nature except in books and TV, she smiled at the green path back to Snape's manor. Birds were chirping, butterflies were flying, and the wind was fresh and clean. Not to mention she had a good read.

Daisy quietly entered the manor, making sure not to wake anyone up and tip toed to the kitchen. She put the book down and grabbed the apron, and wrapped it on tightly around herself. She rolled up her sleeves, and tied her hair before getting into action. She made oatmeal that had some cinnamon, honey and coconut shredding on top. She cut up some fruits and made tea. Lastly she made one of her favorite breakfast, guacamole and sunny side up eggs on a toasted sliced bread. She cut up an avocado, got rid of the seed, scooped up the insides and mashed it into a paste, and into a bowl it went.

Professor Snape stepped down the stairs to see some food on the table, and noise in the kitchen, unfamiliar noise in the kitchen. He peeked inside to see Daisy chopping up tomatoes finely into a bowl of what looked like avocado, he had to admit she was really good with the knife. She chopped up some red and green onions and added that in, and some cilantro. She added a few drops of hot sauce, cumin, salt, garlic and lemon juice. She gave it a mix and a taste. She already had some sunny side up eggs cooking on a pan, and toasted bread ready on a plate. On a bigger white square plate she had two bread pieces and one on a smaller plate. She slapped on some guacamole then topped it off with the sunny side up eggs on all three slices, and picked up the plate.

"Chef Daisy?" She looked up to see Professor Snape.

"Master Chef Daisy" She corrected cheekily, she saw him hold back a smile, that turned into a smug.

"My apologizes, master chef Daisy" She smiled only wider.

"Morning sir, breakfast is ready" she placed his plate down in his usual spot and she sat down in hers.

"You seem in an awfully good mood, sleep well?" He sipped on his earl grey tea. She looked up at him from across the meter long and meter wide table. She looked down, a smile still on her face.

"Just looking forward to camping" the Malfoy's had decided to go camping, rather than the beach, then there was this party, and Daisy was already lost with their busy schedule. She didn't mind, not that it wasn't exhausting, everyday she'd come home barely awake when professor's doing potions, or she'd go straight to bed. One time Professor found her on the floor by the couch fast asleep. It was embarrassing but she couldn't help it. She'd become such an introvert that being around people, whether she interacted with them or not, just took so much out of her. Especially if they were strangers.

"Mhm" was his only reply.

"I've always wanted to go camping, I never thought it'd be something witches or wizards do"

"It's quite a useful skill" he commented as he picked up the newspaper, she simply nodded in agreement and picked up her bread and took a big bite out of it, kicking her leg happily. She loved food, there was so many different flavor combinations that were fireworks in her mouth, and this one was one of her favorites. She saw him lift a bread up and take a bite out of it while still reading. He took a second bite and another one soon after and she did a little happy dance in her head. It was a bit spicy, from the hot sauce, the taste of lemon and garlic was always a nice combination, along with onions. The creaminess from the avocado adds a nice texture, while the tomato keeps things moist against the dry bread. He had already finished his two slices before she even finished her one.

She gazed at the man, everything she knew about him was mainly from her observing him, he never openly told her, he never told her if he liked this or that. Not really. Either she had figured it out on her own or she had asked him. Now that she thought of it she didn't know much about Professor's upbringing, she had only found out by accident that he was a half blood like himself. Did he have any siblings she wondered. Daisy stared at the wide and tall windows of the manor, with blinding bright sunlight shining through. When she thought about it, she didn't know much about the man's past at all. She looked at him from across the table with wondering eyes. She had lived with him for almost a year, and knew almost nothing about his past. She felt a bit cold inside at that realization, she had thought she was getting closer to the man, closer to knowing him but now she felt the more she knew about him, the more mysteries there was. When she opened one door about him, there was twice the amount of doors to open next.

She looked down at the food she made. She knew one thing she didn't want to do, and that's cause any trouble for him, and his work. She wondered if she asked about his past if it would troublesome for him, did she even have the right to ask?

"Have you packed yet?" She looked at him and shook her head. She got up and started to put the dishes away and wash them, Professor Snape got up too to help bring the dishes in. Because of that she was able to finish faster and go pack. Upstairs she had written a check list the night before, everyone was allowed one bag of personal belonging. The trip was three days long, and the adults were going to bring any of the other needs like tents, sleeping bags, and cooking tools. She was labeled the chef of the three day trip, and she was a bit nervous about it. Camping seemed a lot easier in the magical world, you don't really need flashlights, water, matches, a lot of the things your wand can conjure. The only thing she had to really think about was, clothing, personal care (like deodorant, soap..etc) and possibly some safety things, like bandages, wraps, even most of those you can get by using your wand if you knew what you were doing. The last thing she added was a pocket knife.

When everything was set and ready to do, she changed into something more comfortable. Daisy tied her hair up in a high pony tail. Something she didn't do often because her hair was long and heavy, but it looked better up when wearing a hat than down. With a white shirt, faded jeans that reached mid calves and sandals, to complete her look. She had a hoodie, comfortable sneakers, comfy sweats, socks, long sleeved top and a rain jacket just in case in her backpack. She stepped out of her room ready to go. Professor on the other hand seemed to be dressed in the exact same clothing he normally did, with some differences here and there, but when she had a closer look she realized the fabric was different. It seemed more breathable, and thinner even.

"Wouldn't wearing darker colors be bad on sunny days?" She asked when she approached him by the door.

"Not unless magic is involved" He opened the door and let he out first. Looking at her attire, she wasn't showing much skin, and yet she still looked too good to look away from.

"Magic is quite handy..." She thanked him and stepped out, followed by him holding his bag down at his side. It looked more like traveling, briefcase kind of bag. They were to meet with the Malfoy's and head off from there on their journey into the woods.

They started their walk into the forest quite quickly and Daisy was a bit overly excited, but she kept it inside, she stood next to Professor Snape, Draco in front of them and Lucius with his wife taking the lead. The moment they were deep enough the sun was no longer strong on top of their heads, being shaded by the tall trees above them. Daisy had done her studying of what would be important to know in the wild before this day had come. She even brought two books with her in case she forgot anything of what was okay to eat and what wasn't if anything should happen. She had no doubt Professor knew most of that anyway but she figured she won't always have professor around to help her. She had to pick herself up alone. She couldn't relay on him all the time. They walked for hours having little short water breaks in between as they went deeper and deeper, Lucius constantly warning his son about the creatures and Draco didn't seem quite comfortable with the whole camping trip.

They set up camp soon, three tents, one for Narcissa and Daisy, one for Lucius and Draco, and one Snape brought for himself. Daisy being in charge of dinner was handed the bags of all that she requested to be brought. The Malfoy's had enjoyed her desserts in the past and were delighted to find she could cook too. They had made fire and Daisy pulled out a steep pan. She took out some things and they watched her work which was very nerve wrecking for her. She had cooked for her mother and even professor Snape occasionally, but for the Malfoy's it was a different story. Sure she had made a thing a two before for them, but it was all with the comfort of a proper kitchen that had everything she needed. Her imagination was endless. However in this sort of situation she was limitless to simple quick meals that weren't fancy or fancy looking. She wondered if she would be able to give a good impression. Not to mention watching her every move was difficult. She didn't like when people were obviously watching her every move, especially when those people mattered to her. She'd feel nervous to screw up and because she thought about it too much, she likely would screw up.

She had decided to make sweet potatoes and peanut stew. With night approaching it was getting a bit chilly so something warm, hearty, comforting and healthy sounded good. After a long day something like this would give everyone's energy back. She tried her best to ignore that she had a crowd watching her work. She pictured she was alone back home with some music in the background as she chopped away at the ingredients. She placed the pot over the heat and added some oil, she had the prepared chopped onions and put it in to saute until it was translucent and just beginning to brown. She added some garlic till the strong scent was gone. She added the cubed sweet potatoes, some water, tomatoes, peanut butter, chili powder and salt. She had cooked for so long she rarely ever measured out the spices anymore. She gave it a good stir to make sure the peanut butter had no clumps and left it there to simmer without a cover.

"Where did you learn to cook Daisy?" Narcissa asked and it took her off guard. She was in her own little world after all to help her focus. Daisy looked up from the food at the four people who waited for her answer. Professor Snape already knowing though. She smiled down at the food.

"I taught myself, back in the muggle world, I tried to impress my mom with my cooking. I thought if I was good at anything she'd think better of me" she smiled wider. "I was really native"

"You cooked for her?" Daisy nodded at Draco's answer.

"All sorts of food"

"Severus isn't treating you like a house elf is he Daisy, you can tell me" Narcissa asked, she was seated near Daisy, on her right, Severus on her left and Lucius and Draco across the fire from her.

"Narcissa" he arched his brow and Daisy laughed a bit.

"No, no" her hands went up side to side. Daisy thought on checking up on the potatoes, she poked one to see if it had gone tender, and it had, she added chickpeas and kale. Stirred and waited till the kale had wilted. She gave one last stir before declaring it done. She took out bowls and started to pour for them, apologizing for lack of presentation. They passed the bowls down so everyone got one and they tried it. She ate without looking at everyone else, she wanted to make sure it tasted how it should before seeing their faces. It did, so when she looked up she saw they were all eating fine and she smiled to herself relieved. She let herself breathe. After dinner they cleaned everything with magic and said their good nights, turning off the fire and going into their tents. Daisy entered after Narcissa in their tent, and when she did she gaped at the size comparison. The size inside the tent was four times the size of outside.

"It's just our tent like this, because we're girls" She pointed out, already changed into an elegant sleeping gown. Was this camping or a luxury resort was what Daisy wanted to know. Had she known she would have packed a nicer sleeping attire. She had some old baggy white short shorts and a navy loose tank. She felt embarrassed dressed like that in front of her when she had silky, satin long sleeping dress, that had lace even. Narcissa looked quite excited, overly excited at their arrangement, she had a skip in her walk, and when they laid in their beds. Yes,beds, the mother spoke.

"Oh I haven't had time to spend with another lady like this in forever." She commented. "I needed time away from the boys." Daisy smiled while laying on her back, staring at the top of the tent. Narcissa however was at the edge closer to Daisy, with wide smiles. "So, how's things with Severus?" She giggled when she saw Daisy's face redden, her eyes still staring up.

"I don't really know, it's a bit complicated"

"Complicated how?" Daisy looked her eyes.

"Some days I feel like we have something more going on," She closed her eyes "the next everything goes back to him being something like a mentor instead" She opened her eyes again and focused on the detail of the tent, it had stars and moons all over it.

"Does that bother you?" She shook her head.

"No, but sometimes I just want a verbal, clear answer than simply reading his actions."

"Did you know he's won awards in potions?" Daisy turned on her side to face the lady.

"No"

"He's actually writing a book on potions, his way, and he's planning on publishing it this summer. If it's a success he's going to have to go to this award ceremony. He's going to hate that" Narcissa went on and on about that man, and Daisy couldn't help but feel even further away from him. She was even a bit jealous of Narcissa to know so much, when she, who was living with him didn't. Nevertheless she still enjoyed listening and ended up drifting to sleep soon after.

The sound of horses galloping, a creature crying, the sound of rain and someone shivering. Daisy stood under a cave in the middle of the night, wet from head to toe. Darkness everyone around her.

Daisy woke up the next day with the sound of movement. She pulled herself up to see Narcissa still asleep. She rolled over to see what time it was, only to remember this wasn't her room, and there was no clock. She pulled herself up for a moment to stretch. She changed quickly and stepped out. Draco and Severus sat across each other both greeted her at the same time. Daisy smiled and decided to make food. She took some potatoes and eggs and make a twist on hash brown and eggs usual breakfast. She cooked the potatoes first in oil over the heat Professor made, and took her time with cooking the potatoes till they were brown and golden on all sides. Next she added asparagus and pancetta, garlic and sea salt. She wanted the pancetta to be crispy so she cooked for another good ten minutes. By this time, the two parents crawled out of their tents, greeted and sat down, Lucius across from her and Narcissa next to her on the right.

Making a little hole in the pan of food she added five eggs into the pan, they sizzles and bubbled instantly. She covered the top, wanting a bit of the yolk to cook more. There was some small talk here and there about how everyone slept while they waited for food. Once the yolk wasn't as yellow she uncovered it and poured once again in the bowls and handed it to everyone. Just like the night before, they gobbled it up. Daisy wore he long sleeved shirt, that was plain white, with long black pants that were a bit on the thicker side, this August morning had been cold and she preferred to stay in warm temperatures, she even had her hoodie wrapped around her waist just in case. She got up for another stretch once everyone was done, the fire was off, and everything was cleaned out again.

"I think I'll go a for a little walk" She announced.

"Alone?" Narcissa didn't seem fond of the idea, Daisy was about to confirm, that it was intended to be alone yes, but Draco stood up and spoke before her.

"I'll go with her"

"Okay well, you two better come back way before sun down" Narcissa said and they nodded and headed down a path to follow. Despite Draco following her, it was like she was alone in this new world, her eyes wondering at all levels, admiring, and observing, listening and feeling every tree. Upon the forest floor lie trees of yesteryear, fallen in storms long forgotten. The seasons have been harsh, stripping away the bark and outer layers, Daisy touched the trunk of the tree tracing the lines, admiring them all the more beautiful. They have the appearance of driftwood, twisting in patterns that remind Daisy of seaside waves; even the colour of the moss is kelp-like. They are soft, damp, yet her fingers come away dry. Daisy tilted her head upward, feeling her hair tumble further down her back; the pines are several houses tall, reaching toward the golden rays of summer. Birdsong comes in lulls and bursts, the silence and the singing working together as well as any improvised melody. A new smile paints itself upon her face, rose-pink lips semi-illuminated by the dappled light. Before she knows it her feet have begun to walk, body and mind both on autopilot - it's morning-time and no-one expects her back until supper.

All the trees were tightly-knit, just one strand in a massive web of life. Green leaves, yellow leaves, red leaves. It was a rainbow of rich colors. The scent of earth and water drifted through the air. It was a picture of serenity, one which would endure for many long years. If Draco was speaking she heard nothing of it. The drone of insects humming started the usual routine. Slowly, the forest came alive with the layers of sounds echoing in the cold morning air. Little frogs croaked under large, broad leaves. She couldn't help but smile as she saw more and more things, Draco simply behind her, watching her in her own world. The forest does not care for seconds or minutes, even hours are inconsequential. The smallest measure of time here is the cycle of daylight and darkness. Even then the forest is more in tuned with the seasons: rebirth brought by the warmth of spring, darkened foliage from summer's kiss, the onset of fall and then the keen bite of winter. Here in the forest so little can happen in the time it takes for one to change from a child into a woman, to gain and loose so much. Perhaps that is why Daisy felt so drain to be here- it stabilizes the rapidity of thoughts, grounds people in a place where ticking of clocks is unregarded. A place where one can let go of the demands of society. Merely you, the trees and some good shoes.

"I assume you've never went into woodlands?" Draco's voice said behind her and she turned, surprised as if forgotten he was there, then nodded.

"It's wonderful" She said dreamily. The sound of something crying made them look at each other at such a sound. They found themselves looking around for the source. Walking further down the path, deeper into the forest.

"Look" Draco pointed to the side of the path, Daisy knew instantly what creature it was, the redness of the skin, the human like face and upper body, but with a horse body. A young centaur laid there, unable to move, the leg clearly hurt, and it seemed to be gathering some insects too. Daisy rushed to it. "Daisy!" Draco stood his spot, scared, he looked around to see if there was any others.

"Draco he's hurt!" Draco still didn't move, she turned back to the beast, and took her bottle and wand out. "Aguamenti!" Water poured into the bottle from her wand, and she brought it to the beasts mouth. "Drink, I won't hurt you" The beast rolled it's eyes to her, he looked already dead, but he drank, he drank it all down. She moved over to the leg. "I'm just going to see" When she touch it howled and Draco panicked even further.

"Daisy, hurry up, centaurs aren't beasts that live alone." Daisy couldn't tell if it was broken or fractured. Instead she merely cleaned the wound gently with water and went looking for a good lengthy bark.

"Where are you going?" The sky was getting angry above the trees, as a few drops fell. Unable to stand alone much longer he went after her, she picked up what she needed and went back to the poor centaur, who seemed to be more conscious now. She place the large stick against his leg and wrapped her hoodie around it tightly. An arrow came down by them and Draco screamed falling back away from it. Looking at where it came from. A few centaurs stood in front of them, quite a distance away.

"Step away from him humans" Daisy stood, hands up in the air to show she didn't hold a weapon, a charged arrow ready for her following her movement from the archer of the group.

"I mean no harm" She spoke, it was raining harder now, her hair and clothes getting wetter and wetter.

"Leave" Daisy nodded, and Draco stood up, and ran off, she went after him. She called him, but he kept running, faster and faster, deeper and deeper.

"Draco!" She cried out again, worry in her voice. She couldn't catch up to him, she couldn't grab him, he was going off of adrenaline. "Draco please!" She cried out again. She was slowing down but he kept running. She screamed his name as loud as she could, she wasn't sure if it was the rain or her tears falling down her face. She saw him slow down and she tripped on a tree root and fell. She heard his footsteps in the distance come closer. She slowly pulled herself up, and when she stood up he was there. The forest that was once alive now chilled her. She shook from coldness and wet. The trees that sheltered so many with their spreading canopy of green and provided so much now seems so sad. All the vibrant colors seemed to fade into grey, and lifeless. They were panting, and Daisy looked around her, nothing looked familiar everything seemed the same, they had strayed too far from their path and it only rained harder.

Daisy hugged herself in an attempted to keep herself warm, complete soaked and covered in mud and dirt. His eyes showed fear, and worry, and she couldn't help but feel this was all her fault.

"What do we do now?" His voice was cracking. "Tell me you know the way back?" She looked down, not responding, and he took hold of her shoulders. "Tell me!" She shook her head, he was at the verge of tears, so was she. She took his hand slowly, and he watched her as she took lead. "Where are we going?" He cried out.

"We need to priorities finding a shelter, at this rate we'll die from the cold" Her voice was dead, shaky, and lacked confidence.

"This is all your bloody fault, bloody wanting to help a bloody centaur!" He cried, and she felt numb inside, she said nothing.

"They haven't returned yet, why haven't they returned?" Narcissa said, they were all in the girl's tent, taking shelter from the rain. They were all warm and comfy, but she was worried sick. "Something must have happened..." She concluded. She turned to her husband and friend. "What do we do? We should go looking for them-" She stood up only to be pulled down by her husband.

"Don't be reckless, going out now will only result in everyone getting sick"

"We can't just sit here" She shot back. She turned to Severus, "What do you think? It's been hours, it's raining hard and-"

"We have no idea where they are, let's wait a bit longer, till the rain dies down" She sunk deeper in her seat, defeated.

Draco was getting tired of walking, so was Daisy, but this was her fault, and she had to be the one pulling, and she dragged him along until she found a cave.

"Just a bit more Draco" She tightened her grip and took them to the caves. She sat him down, he was shaking violently, she hugged him tightly, to share body heat, and she stayed like that, her eyes were getting heavy, and so was his, she tried shaking her mind, she tried to think of something to keep her up. She talked out loud, to keep herself awake but it was too late, her eyes were closing, her mouth stopping and slowly she let the darkness take over.

It was the dream again, the sound of horses became louder and louder, she could see nothing, nor a weeping sound, the sound of horses and the feeling of being rocked, side to side only made the darkness seem more comforting.

Daisy woke up staring at moving ground, and seeing four brown legs walking. Horse legs. Her eyes widened and she arched her back to look around. There was at least ten centaurs, her hands were tied behind her, and she laid on her stomach on the beast's back. She could see Draco still asleep on the centaur next to her, his face in better conditions than the night before. He was no longer shivering, there was even a blanket on top of him.

"Chief, she's awake" came the deep voice of one of them.

"Why are you on our land witch?" The interrogation came quick, with no introductions or greetings. She saw the little centaur she saved, walking perfectly fine not far from her, he was smiling at her.

"I meant no harm" She spoke. "My family came into the forest for a camping trip, and I went for a walk. I didn't know I was trespassing sir" She honestly and politely replied. "We got lost after our first encounter"

"How many others are with you?"

"Three adults" The centaur grimaced.

"We will help you find your people, as our little Botan has said you were kind to him and gave him water. We do not like to be in debt with humans" everyone knew when Draco woke up, because he screamed.

"Unhand me you filthy half-"

"Draco !" Daisy scolded. He looked up and saw her, relief showing in his face. "They're helping us!" The beasts around him glared at him and he shrunk back.

"Then why are we tied?"

"Honestly do you never read? Centaurs aren't fans of witches or wizards, in fact, they aren't fans of humans at all. They have a long history of humans treating them unfairly, taking advantage of them and using them for their own gain. So" She paused. "So, they have us tied up, just in case. I would do the same if I were them"

"Wise girl" The chief who carried her spoke.

"Then why are they helping us?" Draco spat back. "If they hate us so much"

"Because we helped Botan"

"Bo- who?"

"Botan" She pointed her head to the little centaur who came by them at the hearing of his name. Smiling. "How's your leg?" She asked.

"All good, thanks to you"

"Sorry, I don't know much healing charms, after today I should focus on that a bit more"

"You're quite something human" The chief spoke again. "I've never met a human with divination powers such as yourself, for it to be active when you sleep" Daisy now remembered, centaurs were known for their divination themselves and healing.

"You can sense it?" She asked.

"No, we saw it, we felt it the moment you slept, and we were able to find you through it" Daisy saw a familiar opening, they weren't far from their camp site.

"You can drop us off here, I'm afraid my family is quite protective, and we do not look like we're being helped. I do not wish to cause anymore trouble" They helped her down, and untied her, some of them were on edge, as if waiting for her to spring an attack on them the moment she was free. They brought Draco down and they were even more on edge opening his ropes.

"Wait till my father-"

"Draco" She said warningly. "They helped us, you actually owe them now"

"What, why?" his face contorted in confusion.

"Because you didn't actually help Botan you were just standing there with wide eyes and mouth waiting for a spider to make it it's home" He opened his mouth to say something but closed it, the tension in the air seemed to lessen at her siding with the centaurs. She walked in front, Draco following her, and turned around to face them all. She bowed her head and closed her eyes.

"Thank you for your kindness" The chief bent his head and lifted his necklace and put it around her neck, she opened her eyes and straighten up, looking at it. They were round beads of all sorts of metals. She looked up at the beast.

"It is a symbol of alliance and peace between many beasts in the forest, so whenever you are in need, simply show this necklace and they will guide you to us" Daisy lifted it up to get a better look, looking from him to it. A huge smile.

"I am honored." She replied and bowed her head again. They turned and said their farewell, and raced away, Botan gave one last wave before he too disappeared with them. She waved back. She looked at Draco, with a smile, and he returned an annoyed face. She laughed and turned around.

"Come on, lets go back."

"How come I didn't get anything"

"You didn't help, remember?"

"I was still there"

"But you didn't do anything"

"But I didn't hurt them either"

"That is true, but it doesn't count"

"I didn't insult them either"

"Wow, you truly need an award for that one" She laughed and he sulked. The sound of Draco and Daisy chatting back and forth, laughing reached the camp site right when they were about to leave. Their protective instincts lead them extra good hearing as they heard them approach louder and louder. They stood, waiting for them to show themselves.

"Wait till my father hears about this, my arms are so sore from where they tied me"

"I don't blame them" Daisy said like a song, far too cheerful.

"You look horrible"

"All thanks to you running so fast" When they turned the last big tree and saw the three adults that were standing, and staring at them. Their clothes were extremely dirty with mud, leaves, and pebbles, that clung to all the wet folds on their clothing. They all froze and Daisy gave a huge smile. "Seems like we returned pretty early it not even close to sun down"

"Where have you been?" Narcissa motherly instincts kicking in. "It's been well over 18 hours!"

"It's a long story...Misses Malfoy..." She hovered over them, Draco and Daisy shrunk back terrified.

"I'll gladly hear all of it" She said with a scary face.

As Daisy made food for their last day, Draco and her went back and forth explaining what happened, of how they got lost, and found their way back. Draco and her changed out of their clothes first, Daisy cleaned her clothes and Narcissa helped to dry them. Nothing felt better than wearing fresh clean clothes, especially underwear. Daisy washed her hair with the best of her abilities, and that was with water. She got out all the dirt and gunk, she even found a twig in there.

"And then Draco, goes screaming and ran faster than road runner, I don't think the centaurs would catch him even if they tried!" Daisy pointed at him with the spatula she was using to flip the pancakes. Draco's face was red.

"I did not, who's road runner anyways?"

"Muggle thing"

"Well if you didn't help that centaur we wouldn't have needed to run!"

"If it wasn't for helping Botan we wouldn't have found our way back" She shot back, and he leaned forward at his next statement.

"We wouldn't need to find out way back because we wouldn't have been lost in the first place!"

"Well if you didn't run we could have helped the poor beast and walked back to camp without being lost!"

"Now kids" Lucius said, trying to calm them down, his hands up.

"Daisy, I don't remember you wearing that necklace before" Daisy looked down at it, forgetting about it. She touched it and looked back up at them.

"The centaur chief gave it to me, he said it was a symbol of peace and alliance to a lot of beasts in the forest"

On their walk back Draco stared at Daisy's back. Despite the scary experience she had pulled through till the end, she had kept fighting when he showed such fear and weakness, she had showed bravery and wisdom and was about to make up for it. As she stood next to Professor she felt envious of the man next to her. He felt more like a family now, even with his father and mother. His father didn't even insult him for his coward-like behavior he displayed. He didn't evenlookdisappointed at him when Daisy said he screamed and ran off. He touched his chest and clenched the front of his shirt. Was this what a family was like? The way they had argued back and forth was playful, and he knew no harm was meant out of it. He had never argued like that with anyone before. It was fun. She made such a scary experience sound so entertaining, and amazing, like something out of a fairy tale. The way she spoke, she even stood to act some scenes while they were eating, she laughed and it felt like she was someone easy to talk with. She didn't sound or look scared, her eyes were sparkling the whole time, and she was smiling the through the day.

She made his mother and father laugh at her impersonation of the chief when they first saw him, he even saw Severus's lips twitch upward before he covered his mouth to hide it. He knew she was scared though, during the time, she was crying, she was shaking from both the cold and fear of the dark forest, he knew it. Yet she was still able to push through. He looked down at his hand that was brought in front of him. The sorting hat had put her in Slytherin, and she was bashed and pushed around in the house by her own peers. He could easily see her in Ravenclaw, she thought fast, and was able to make quick decisions. Not to mention she was such a book worm, full of knowledge craving. But now, after today he confirmed she also seemed like a Gryffindor, minus the annoyance of their kind. She was brave and strong. She made mistakes and tries to make up for it, she takes insult with a grain of salt, but he knew it still hurt her. Yet she didn't let it show. Even now his heart raced at the event they had. He wondered while staring at her back, if she too was still scared deep, deep inside. He reached out for her and took hold of her hand, the same hand that held his so security during the whole incident. She and Professor turned, surprise in her eyes. She told Professor he can go ahead, and with one last glance he did. After there was space between the two groups, Draco and Daisy continued walking at a slower pace to keep the distance.

"How did you do it?" he asked, not looking at her. She had her hat on, she wore those nice faded jeans and sandals and that nice simple white shirt. She looked up at the sky as they reached the end of the forest. The sky no longer hidden from them. He glanced at her, a big smile on her face, yet her eyes showed something else. Some sadness.

"I've never experienced a family Draco" She started. "Professor Snape was the closest thing I had, and to me" Her gaze went to the back of the man she spoke of. "He is the most important, during the whole time we were lost, I thought of him" She looked down as they walked in unison. "He said, he has lost too many people in the life he has lived, and I decided, then and there, that even though I look so down on myself. That even if for me, getting hurt is normal, and I don't care if I did, but the thought of Professor's face if I were to suddenly disappear. I don't ever want to see that because of me" Her voice was soft, and full of honestly and care. "There was also you. I brought you the situation, it wouldn't be fair for your parents to lose their only son because of me" Her words left him with a tightness in his heart. She looked up back at the clear blue sky having had missed it greatly, as if the storm from last night was only a dream. The people around have changed, his father was actuallytalkingto his wife, nothing job related, nothing money or fame related, it was like seeing them when they were young again, joking around and teasing. He looked at the cause of that, at Daisy, who only looked ahead, behind her smile he knew held many restless nights, many soundless screams, many painfully long days and unimaginable loneliness. Yet she tries to smile, she tries to see the beauty in anything, be that person, beast, situation, with no judging eyes, and unfairness. His pace slowed but she kept walking, getting ahead of him.

He felt so far from her, and yet so close. It wasn't as simple as the world seeing her beautiful, it wasn't that she was so different on a saint level of purity. No,it is your eyes that sees the world made her different and beautiful.

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Author note:Another long chapter, i really liked this one, I hope you guys did too. Let me know if you like these longs ones or not? Please review. Another