Daisy wasn't expecting to find her father in the kitchen when she walked in late that night after most of the family had left following the quidditch matches and a light dinner. The Woods had won yet again, even though Harry's team had put up a good fight with John joining them as beater. It was a riveting final between the two. The parents had stayed up late into the night and she had assumed he had gone up to bed with her mother after they had left around 1 a.m.

"Dad?" she asked. She had come down to grab something to snack on. The triplets had a decent amount of alcohol left upstairs on the third floor, but she was getting hungry. He was hunched over the table, staring into the glass in his hands, a bottle of whisky sitting nearby. He looked up at her and sat up. During the tourney and dinner he had mostly returned to his old jovial self, but now - he was back to looking tired and ragged, as though he had been battling with old memories or nightmares.

"Pixie," he said, smiling slightly. He motioned to the chair across him. She walked over and sat down. He waved his wand and another glass appeared. Daisy watched silently has he poured her a portion. She studied him, noticing that even his warm brown eyes had lost their twinkle.

"How are you?" she asked, taking her glass and sipping it. He sighed.

"Been better, to be honest," he said, gulping down his own.

"Mum told me…," she said. Oliver looked at her a moment before saying anything.

"I reckon it's about time you heard," he said.

"You were really there?" she asked. "When… Teddy's parents…" Oliver heaved a big sigh.

"Yea, I was," he said. Daisy was silent, not sure how to respond. "I… couldn't save them." Daisy blinked back tears. She had never seen her father this way. When she was younger, he was Oliver Wood - star keeper of Puddlemere United. Then he was Oliver Wood - coach of Puddlemere United. Always so confident with a personality that filled any room. More than that, he was the larger-than-life protector of her family and slayer of monsters under the bed. She had never seen him as a broken man, up drinking because he couldn't sleep. She wondered if he had done exactly this the night Hardwick had knocked her off her broom.

Daisy reached across the table and grabbed her father's hand.

"I'm sure you did everything you could," she said softly. Oliver looked at his daughter and laughed softly, squeezing her hand.

"Never seems to be enough," he murmured.

"I don't believe that for a second," she said.

"I couldn't save them… I couldn't even protect you," he said. Daisy laughed.

"Da… I think we can both agree that I'm not so much in need of protecting," she said. "I can handle fallin' off my broom now and again." He laughed as well.

"I suppose that's true. But forgive an old codger, every time I look at you, I still see the tiny babe we brought home from hospital," he said.

"Dad, that was ages ago," she said. He nodded and studied her silently.

"You were always a wee bit of a thing. Much smaller than your brothers. I was terrified to hold you at first, thinking I'd accidentally break you," he said. "When you wanted to learn to fly, I was equal parts terrified and proud."

"Suppose it's a good thing I turned out good at it," she said, taking another sip. Her father nodded, a hint of a smile on his face. He looked out the window, his mind going somewhere else.

"It was terrifying… back then," he said. He turned and looked at Daisy. "For a time, I thought I had lost your mum. For over a year I had no word on where she was, if she was even alive. And then I was trying to stay alive myself. Some days were harder than others. Tonks… she kept me believing that things would get better." Daisy nodded, silent.

"Mum said that was why you were so protective… you couldn't standing losing someone else again," she said. Oliver nodded.

"It still terrifies me," he said. "The thought of losing you or your brothers. Or your mum again. I'm not sure I could survive it."

"Then why in bloody hell did you let us play quidditch?" she asked, smiling and hoping to diffuse a bit of the melancholy. Her father laughed, shaking his head. He was finally returning to his usual self.

"I suppose my pride won out there… The thought of all four of my weans succeeding at quidditch… does me proud," he said. "Truly. When I watch you play, Pix, it's like nothing I ever imagined." Daisy blushed slightly.

"Well… I had a good coach growing up," she said.

"And you have a good coach now," he responded. Daisy held her glass out. Oliver clinked his against her and they both finished off their whisky. At that moment John bounded into the kitchen and froze. Both Woods turned to look at him as his eyes went wide.

"The triplets sent me down," he sputtered. "Said you were taking too long." Daisy smiled as Oliver chuckled.

"Off with you then. You should be upstairs with the young folk. Not down here with your old Da," he said. Daisy looked at him and smiled. She stood.

"Night, Da," she said, walking over to kiss his cheek. "I love you."

"Love you, too. Night, Pixie," he responded. Daisy rolled her eyes and walked towards John.

"Let's go then," she said. The two walked up the stairs in silence a bit.

"Does it really bother you that they call you pixie?" John finally asked. Daisy chuckled softly.

"To be honest, not really. It did in Hogwarts, but now… I suppose I've just gotten used to it. Besides… I know they do it because they love me," she said. John chuckled.

"I have to admit, it seems fitting," he replied. "Seeing how much trouble you get into on a regular basis."

"You should have been at Hogwarts. I was constantly getting reamed out for dangerous stunts on the pitch. Or the triplets were talking me into helping with their pranks - though I did get away with a lot more than what I got caught for," she said.

"Where is Hogwarts exactly?" he asked. Daisy shrugged.

"No one really knows. It's somewhere in the Highlands, near where Gran and Grandad Wood live. The only way to get there is taking the Hogwarts Express from London. Unless you're my mum. She can just pop up there whenever she feels like," she said offhandedly. John stopped.

"I imagine that wasn't fun," he said with a laugh. Daisy shook her head.

"In a word - no," she replied.

"Where are the Highlands, then?" he asked.

"Northern part of Scotland. All of Dad's family is from there. Grandad Wood likes to tell stories about the Highlanders of old and Bonnie Prince Charlie," she said, chuckling. "I'm surprised he didn't corner you today to regale you with tales. Usually once he gets into the whisky, you can't get him to stop talkin' 'bout the days of old."

"Is it true that everyone has kilts and such?" John asked. Daisy tossed her head back in laughter.

"You are certainly full of questions tonight," she said as she cleared the landing on the third floor. "And I'm not sure about everyone, but I know for certain that Dad and Grandad do." The triplets, Teddy, Victoire and Lucy all looked at her from where they were sitting.

"What the bloody hell are you talking about?" Victoire asked, a smile on her face.

"Dad's kilt," Daisy responded as she walked over and flopped down on the couch next to Lucy. Her cousin promptly handed her a full glass of chocolate liquor.

"Blimey, what on earth brought that up?" Remus asked as John sat next to Victoire across from Daisy.

"Please tell me the three of you have them too. For some reason the thought of you three in kilts just sounds hilarious," the beater said. Teddy started laughing so hard he snorted.

"Of course they do," he said. "Uncle Oliver wouldn't have it otherwise."

"We're not wearing them at the wedding," Alan said promptly.

"Why not? I think they're dashing," Victoire said, sitting back with a smile.

"They are a bit… freeing," Remus said.

"Not for a winter wedding," Alan replied.

"We're not going to be outside, you dimwit," Teddy said.

"When is the wedding?" John asked.

"February 14," Victoire replied, gazing lovingly at Teddy. He rolled his eyes.

"My fiance is a bit of a romantic," he said. Victoire looked at John.

"You simply must come!" she exclaimed. "You can be Daisy's date! She hasn't got one yet." Everyone looked at Daisy who choked on her drink. "She's one of my bridesmaids." John looked at her and smiled.

"Only if it's okay with her," he said. Daisy's cheeks burned bright red at being put in the spotlight.

"I suppose I have to say yes now that you've all put me on the spot," she said with a smile. She wouldn't admit it then, but she was more than happy to have him as her date. Granted her father's warning against dating teammates was still very present in her head. But this wasn't like a date-date, she told herself. John was now a family friend and he was just escorting her to the wedding. She could see Lucy grinning out of the corner of her eye.

"So… will Kelly be your date?" Daisy asked, turning the spotlight from herself. Immediately Lucy blushed.

"Yes," she said before taking a large drink.

"Bit of a gamble, is it not? You haven't even told Uncle Percy," Remus said. Teddy and Victoire sat up.

"You haven't?" she asked, grinning.

"He's taking me to the New Year's Ball, so we figured that's a good time to let Dad know," Lucy said. "Public, so he can't fly off the handle. Should be used to it by the time the wedding comes 'round." Victoire cackled in an decidely unladylike manner.

"Oh this will be a memorable wedding," she said before taking a drink.

"Indeed," Teddy replied, gazing down at his fiance. Daisy found herself smiling at the two. They were perfect for each other. She hoped to someday find the same thing. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught John glancing at her, causing her cheeks to burn red again. She shook her head.

"Don't even think about it," she warned herself mentally. Out of the other corner of her eye she caught Jamie choking on his drink and laughing. She glared at him. He shook his head.

"Trust me… I don't even want to get into that," he sent her. "I have most definitely learned my lesson."

"So John, who are you taking to the ball since Daisy here already went and asked Toby?" Victoire asked, grabbing Daisy's attention. She glared at her cousin, then looked over at the beater, curious to hear his answer. He shrugged.

"No one, I guess. Never got around to asking anyone," he said.

"That won't do," Teddy said. "You should at least have a beautiful girl on your arm." John laughed.

"It's fine. I didn't even go last year. My first year I went alone," he said before taking a drink.

"But everyone else has dates. You can't be the only one," Alan replied.

"There's always Molly," Daisy found herself saying. Everyone looked at her. Lucy was trying not to laugh while Teddy and Victoire glanced at each other and back at Daisy, confused. Jamie looked away while Remus and Alan were trying not to roll their eyes. "What? It's just a suggestion. Dominique's already going with Cunningham and it's not like we know of anyone else to set him up with." John smiled.

"Yea, but… I don't know… I did just meet her. Could be awkward," he said. Daisy nodded.

"Makes sense," she said, looking down at her drink, not willing to push it further.

"But it could be so much fun," Lucy piped up, glancing at her cousin. Daisy looked at her wondering what she was playing at. "She's really sweet and a lot of fun to hang out with. And she'll understand if you just ask her as a friend." Everyone was staring at her. "And I know for a fact she already has a dress."

"At least you wouldn't go alone," Alan said.

"We could all go as a group. I'm taking Kelly's cousin. And Daisy and Toby are just going as friends," Jamie said, looking over at the beater. John was watching Daisy, who was attempting to look blase about the whole conversation. She was the one who had suggested Molly after all. Made no sense for her to suddenly feel somewhat jealous about it. He sighed and smiled.

"I guess I could ask her," he said. "She seems… nice."

"Good, then it's settled," Remus said. "Cheers!"

The next morning, the entire house was quiet when John woke up. He figured everyone was sleeping in after the late night last night. Teddy and Victoire had stayed until about 4 a.m. and he had heard the parents up downstairs until about 1 a.m. before he and Daisy had run into her dad in the kitchen. He had heard giggles from Daisy's room long after the triplets had gone down to bed. He glanced at his watch, noting that it was about 9 a.m. He rolled over and tried to go back to sleep but found he couldn't so settled for getting a bottle of water from the kitchen instead.

He got off the couch and rifled through his bag before he found a thick sweater that he pulled on over his t-shirt before heading downstairs. Even though the triplets' doors were shut, he could hear loud snoring coming from two of them - Remus and Alan, if he remembered correctly.

Upon entering the kitchen, he smelled freshly brewed coffee. Feeling that sounded better than water, he walked over and helped himself to a mug. Turning towards the large windows that looked over the backyard, covered pool and quidditch pitch, he noticed a bundle sitting in a chair on the porch. A bundle with a bright red bun on top. He walked over to the door and stepped out. Daisy turned to look at him. She was sitting with her legs pulled up in the chair, a large quilt wrapped around her and a steaming mug of coffee in her hands.

"So, you do always wake up early," he said, smiling. Daisy nodded, smiling as well.

"Care to join me?" she said, motioning to the empty chair next to her that had another quilt on it.

"Don't know how you can stand this cold," he said, walking to the chair. He sat down, placing his coffee on the small table in between them, then wrapped himself in the quilt before picking up his mug again. Daisy picked up her wand and cast a heating charm around him. "Ah, that's how." Daisy chuckled softly.

"Usually Mum joins me," she said, looking back out at the landscape. "I just love being outside, I suppose. Mum as well. She made sure that the builders made a large porch so she could sit out here in the mornings and evenings every day."

"With a view like that, I don't blame her. It reminds me a bit like home - minus the mountains, anyway," he said, looking out. In the distance he could see small, snow-covered mountains rising up.

"Are there no mountains in Oklahoma?" Daisy asked, looking over at him.

"In some parts, but not where I'm from. Mostly just fields, pastures and cows," he said.

"Ah, right. You grew up on a farm," Daisy murmured before taking a sip of her coffee.

"Yep. Lots of critters running around."

The two sat in a companionable silence for a few minutes before John looked over at Daisy and ventured to speak.

"Will your mom be joining us soon?" he asked. Daisy thought for a moment and sighed.

"Not sure. I thought maybe, but then again, Dad was looking pretty rough last night… They may be having a bit of a lie-in after that," she finally said. John frowned slightly.

"He didn't look so great," he said. Daisy shook her head slowly.

"I never realized how difficult it was for them… that it still affected them now," she admitted, still looking out. "Mum told me a bit of it. Said the whole family had it rough. My Uncle Percy blamed himself for my Uncle Fred's death. He and Harry were there when he died. And of course, Uncle George struggled with losing his twin."

"They were twins?" John asked. He couldn't remember if anyone had told him before - they probably did and he forgot. He imagined it would be hard losing a sibling - God knows he'd lose it if anything happened to his sister - but to lose a twin. That was another level. Daisy nodded her head slowly.

"And then Dad was there when Teddy's parents died… tried to save them, but couldn't," she continued, her brow furrowing slightly. "Mum said she blamed herself for a lot of it for a time… because she wasn't there until later. Said Da still gets nightmares sometimes." John took a deep breath and then a sip of the hot coffee, letting the information sink in.

From watching the family together yesterday, he couldn't tell they harbored such dark moments in their pasts. But looking back now, he realized he had seen it in little things. In the way Gran Weasley teared up when she looked around the table at all her remaining children. Or in the way Iris stopped and watched everyone from a doorway while they opened presents, a sad smile on her face. And again, when he caught Percy patting George on the back in the kitchen while the two shared a glass of whiskey away from the chaos of the living room. The pain was still there, just seemed as though the family had learned to manage it.

"I guess… from everything I've heard about your family and how famous they are… it's sometimes easy to overlook the pain they had to go through," he said. Daisy looked at him.

"Even I didn't realize," she said with a small smile. "And it's my family. Kind of puts things in perspective a bit." She looked back over the landscape. "My problems don't seem so big. My mum and dad fought for their lives - for others' lives - and I'm worried about a vindictive journalist and whether I'll catch the snitch in my next match." John laughed softly.

"Yea, I can see that. But just because you didn't have to fight in a war, doesn't mean your problems are insignificant," he said. "It's okay to admit that you're struggling." Daisy laughed softly and looked down at her coffee.

"I suppose," she said.

"Though the writer - that one you can just shrug off. Just… look at it as a joke. I mean, you've got tons of fans right now, Daisy. Obviously no one is taking those poor excuses for articles or columns seriously," he added. "And as for catching the snitch… that's why Nilsson has us practicing so much."

Daisy laughed and looked over at her teammate.

"That is true," she said. John wasn't sure if she was referring to quidditch, the writer or both. "And I am pretty good at catching the snitch, if I say so myself." John chuckled.

"I couldn't do it," he admitted. "And there's no denying that you're amazing on the field." Daisy blushed slightly.

"Speaking of fans… I kinda had an idea," Daisy said, changing the subject. "I ran into a little girl right before Christmas. She said she wanted to be a seeker, like me. And then my cousins Lily and Rose want to start up quidditch now… I was thinking about seeing if Coach could help me put together some sort of workshop this summer for young girls. Get Ashley and some of the other women in the League involved." John's eyebrows shot up.

"I think that's a great idea, Daisy," he said, in awe of the idea. "More than great, actually." Daisy smiled, happy to hear that it wasn't such a crazy idea. "And I think Coach would definitely want to help." She nodded quickly.

"Then it's settled. I'll ask him about it when we get back to practice," she said. John smiled at her, taking the lull in the conversation as a chance to study her. While her face exuded a sense of tranquility, her eyes were bright, as though she were already planning what activities she wanted to do at the workshop. She took a deep breath and cocked her head to the right slightly, her eyes taking on a far off look as she smiled slightly. Her red curls looked as though they were about to fall out of the hasty bun she had pulled them up in.

In that moment, John thought he could just sit and watch and talk with her forever. He wished he had Jamie's gift to see in her mind, see what she was planning or thinking. There was definitely something special about Daisy and he hoped that he would be around to see more.

"Nearly forgot, thank you for the gift," she said softly, still not looking at him. He had given them to her shortly after the quidditch matches in a lull in the chaos of Christmas Day. "I've been wanting to read that series for awhile now." John smiled.

"It's nothing. I happened to come across them in a bookstore near my place and thought of you," he said. He had gotten her a box set of books about time travel set in Scotland.

"They're Mum's favorites, but her copies were so tattered I was afraid to touch them," she said, glancing at him. "I can't believe you remembered."

"I remember a lot from our conversations," he replied. Daisy's cheeks turned slightly pink.

"Ah, there you are Daisy," Iris said as she opened the door. Both looked over at her, clad in flannel pajamas, a thick fleece robe around her. Truth be told, she was so tired when she came downstairs, she hadn't noticed John sitting out there until she opened the door. But she couldn't help but smile at the happy coincident.

"Mrs. Wood," John said, starting to stand. Iris waved him to sit down.

"Don't worry, John. Have a seat. I can get another," she said.

"Oh, no, it's fine. I was just about to go upstairs and take a shower before the triplets woke up," he said, standing. Remembering this was a tradition with the mother and daughter, he didn't want to intrude anymore than he already had. He pulled the quilt off and left it in the chair. "Please, have a seat." Iris smiled gratefully and stepped over to the chair as he walked by.

"Thank you. I should have breakfast ready in about an hour or so," she said, looking back at him.

"Okay, thanks," John said before stepping into the house and shutting the door behind him. Iris walked over and sat down, wrapping the quilt around her.

"Seems John warmed up my seat for me," Iris said, glancing at Daisy as she sipped at her coffee.

"Well… I did the heating charms," she said, glancing at her mother. Iris nodded slowly.

"You're getting good," she commented. "Almost better than me." Daisy laughed softly as she looked over at her mother.

"Please, Mum. If you want something warm, you just think about it and it's warm," she said. "Some of us have to use actual spells and wands." Iris chuckled.

"I have to use them too," she countered. "Sometimes." Mother and daughter laughed softly a few moments before Daisy fell silent again. "Seems you and John are getting on well…" Daisy glanced at her mother.

"He's a good friend," she said.

"He seems to be," Iris replied, a small smile on her face. "A very good friend."

"Ach, Mum, really?" Daisy said, turning to look at her mother.

"What? All I said was that he's a very good friend. Nothing more," Iris said, grinning.

"We're not dating if that's where this is headed," Daisy retorted. Iris shrugged.

"This can go wherever you want it to, dear," she said, trying to look as innocent as possible. Daisy waited. "All I ask is that if it - you and John, I mean - should go in a… certain… direction that you please be safe. I'm not ready to be a grandmother yet." Daisy scoffed and dropped her head into her free hand.

"MUM! GOD! NO!" she shouted as Iris started laughing.

"Well, you are an adult, Daisy, and we should be able to talk about these things. And there's nothing to be ashamed of. Your father and I certainly didn't wait. I mean, we lived together for a year before we married-"

"SERIOUSLY, MUM!? I do NOT want to discuss this with you… OR hear about you and Da," she said, making a sound like she was gagging. Her face was bright red as her hair quickly turned purple. "Besides, that is definitely not happening. I do live with the triplets, after all." Iris chuckled.

"Well, just so you know that you can talk to me about that, should you need to," she continued.

"Mum, we've already talked about sex. I highly doubt I need a refresher course," Daisy retorted. Iris continued laughing softly as Daisy's hair slowly returned to its normal color.

"Well, in my honest opinion, John is a good man. If you decide someday that you should like to date him, he has my stamp of approval," Iris said. Daisy looked at her and started to talk, but Iris held her hand up, stopping her. "I know, I know. But just wanted you to know, nonetheless." Daisy fell quiet, settling into the chair a bit.

"How's Dad?" she asked quietly, glancing up at her mother. Iris sighed, staring out over the backyard.

"Sleeping. He had a rough night. But… he'll be fine. They don't usually come that often, but we've long since learned how to deal with them," she said.

"How are you?"

Iris sighed and smiled slightly, looking over at her daughter.

"I'm fine," she said. "Don't worry about us, my dear. We'll be okay." Daisy nodded. "I'm just happy to have all of you home for the holidays. Not too sure how much longer we'll all get together like this. Once everyone starts getting married… suspect some will be rotating or splitting holidays." Daisy laughed.

"Teddy and Victoire are finally getting married and now you think the rest of us are going to start falling in line?" she asked. Iris shrugged.

"Obviously not my children… you lot have a few years - maybe a decade - yet before any of you will probably start thinking marriage… but you have to admit, everyone's getting older. It's only a matter of time," Iris said. Daisy looked away from her mother, thinking.

"I bet it's Lucy…" she mused.

"Are Lucy and Ryan getting that serious?" Iris asked. Daisy shrugged.

"She says they aren't, but… I see the way they look at each other. Even if they don't get married anytime soon, I'd bet a few galleons that they do someday," she said.

"Says the expert in love," Iris joked. Daisy glared at her mother playfully.

"It could happen," she said. Iris nodded.

"I just hope you lot don't decide to all get married at once. There's a lot of you around the same age… we'll be broke," she said. Daisy laughed.

"Dare say, Gran Weasley would try to plan each and every one as well," Daisy said. Iris nodded.

"Most likely. She had a hand in all of ours. Though Audrey went ballistic when she was planning hers and Percy's. She's such a control freak, you know… I thought there wasn't going to be a wedding for a bit," she said. "After that, Angelina and George threatened to elope if she didn't step back a bit." Daisy laughed, imagining her Gran going head to head with her aunts. They all loved each other and got along, there's no doubt about that, but her Gran was a formidable force to be reckoned with.

"And then Uncle Charlie did elope," she added. Iris nodded.

"We never thought he would marry," Iris said. "But Scarlet's a good person. And she's been part of the family for so long now, it's not really as though anything has changed, to be honest."

"Though I'm sure Gran was upset there'd be no more grandchildren," Daisy said. Iris laughed.

"Trust me, she's fine with that. Just eager for all the great-grandchildren. I'm not sure we'll be able to fit everyone for the holidays once they start coming…"

"And we've gone full circle," Daisy muttered loud enough for her mother to hear. Iris laughed and looked at her daughter. She stood and walked over, taking Daisy's cheek in her hand gently.

"For now, you and your brothers are all I need," she said. "The best advice I can give you is to wait. Know who you are before you decide who to spend the rest of your life with… it's going to be a very long time. We are witches, after all." Daisy smiled up at her mother.

"Thanks, Mum," she said. Iris smiled and patted her cheek.

"Now… My toes are slightly frozen, so I think I should get in and start on breakfast before the boys wake up. You know how they are before they eat," she said, rolling her eyes slightly. Daisy stood.

"I'll help," she said.

"Good."

"Home, sweet, home," Daisy said with a happy sigh after she and John apparated into the London flat. She immediately made for her bedroom as her brothers appeared around them in the living room.

It was two days after Christmas and they had returned to city. They all had things to do before the ball the following Friday night - the triplets had yet to pick up their dress robes and Daisy had promised Lucy she'd help her pick a dress. The poor girl had spent over a month looking and had it narrowed down to three options. Daisy had gotten hers weeks ago with her mother. The two and Molly would be getting ready together at Daisy's place with Toby, John and Kelly meeting them there.

John watched Daisy's retreating back, wishing he had thought to ask her before she had asked Toby. Spending a few days with her and her family, getting to know her, it had only confirmed to him that what he was feeling was more than just a crush on his pretty teammate. The rub was finding the courage to ask if she felt the same, though he had a good feeling she did at least have some sort of feelings toward him. At least he had her cousin's wedding to look forward to. Though the fact that he had sent an owl off to her cousin to ask her to the ball that morning and she had accepted before they left added yet another kink in the plans. The fact that Daisy had even suggested it made him more confused. He sighed and figured he would just play it by ear.

"Want to stick around for dinner?" Remus asked, walking up to Kingfisher, knocking him out of his reverie. He looked over at the taller man. "Mum sent us home with enough leftovers to feed an army. 'Sides, none of us have anywhere to be tomorrow." He shrugged and dropped his bag.

"Might as well. Not like I have anyone waiting at the apartment for me," he said with a smile.

"Oi, how about a game of Exploding Snap?" Alan suggested. John shrugged and nodded his agreement.

Daisy came back out just as the four were settled at the dining room table, Remus dealing out cards while Jamie reheated plates of food and Alan was walking from the fridge with four bottles of beer.

"Care to join, Pix?" he asked, smiling at her.

"God no," she said with a laugh. "Last time I played with you lot, my hair was singed. I do not need that just days before the ball." Daisy walked over to the balcony and opened it, retrieving the post from while they were gone. The latest Prophet was on top.

"Pix, really? I thought you said you'd leave it for the holidays!" Remus groaned as he saw her glancing over the front page. She looked at him and continued over to the island. She pulled the stool out, stepping up and then sitting on the counter. She placed all the other post on the island next to her while she opened the Prophet to the sports section. It was mostly reviews of the season - what the standings were, predictions for the second half. There was a feature on Coach Nilsson, though it mostly consisted of his stats and what he had done with the Arrows. Even the snoopy reporters at the Prophet couldn't dig up much on him. Daisy laughed softly, thinking they should have gotten Evil on the case to make up shit to add more length.

She then took a deep breath and turned the page.

"Pixie," Jamie said in warning. "You know it's just going to piss you off." She put down the paper and glared at him, then looked down again.

"Daisy Wood - Hogwarts harlot and heathen. Good grief!" she shouted. All four men looked over at her. Daisy looked up, annoyed.

"Hogwarts harlot?" Remus said. "You were the biggest prude of all." Daisy read through the column, though rather than getting angrier, she found herself laughing.

"I think ol' Evil Shortbrush is finally driving her mental," Remus said as they watched her. By the time Daisy got to the end, she put the paper down and had to wipe tears from her eyes.

"Merlin… I do think she must be stalking me. That was nearly word for word a conversation I had at the Leaky Cauldron with Lucy and Sarah before Christmas," she said. All three of her brothers looked at her oddly.

"Wait, so it was true?" Jamie asked.

"God, no. We were predicting what she would write about after the ball - which was that she'd create some sort of sordid love affair about me and Toby from Hogwarts. Thankfully, she didn't include his name, just wove some tall tale about me sneaking into the boys dorm every night. Though she did include the underwear prank - which was true," she said. John smiled at her, seeing her take his advice about laughing it off.

"She, what?!" Alan shouted. "But… No one was supposed to know it was us." Daisy hopped off the island and stared at him.

"Everyone knew it was us, Alan. You lot even got grounded from the tourney that year because of it," she said, chuckling as she set to putting a plate together for herself.

"What underwear prank?" John asked.

"Not important," Remus said.

"We stole all our cousins' underwear and strung them up in the prefect car on the Hogwarts Express," Daisy said. John started laughing.

"What's this new attitude towards Evil?" Alan asked, looking at Daisy curiously. She shrugged as she perched back up on the counter, her plate full of food.

"Just thought it would be best to look at them as a joke - seeing as they are pretty much giant jokes. I mean, it's so outrageous, how could anyone really take them seriously," she said before taking a bite. She winked at John, who was grinning in return. The brothers looked at each other and got back to setting up the game.

"Oh, by the way, I'd watch it, Kingfisher," she said. "They cheat."

A bit of a longer chapter, but I wasn't sure how to break it up. And a bit more serious...

twilightlover427: Thanks! I'll admit, it was hard. I added it in at the last minute because I couldn't think of just the right thing. Which is not surprising considering in real life, I have such a hard time deciding on presents...

Thanks everyone for reading! And thanks to new follower and fave, Jacqualeen!