Word Count: 538

"What am I, a mirage?"

Daphne takes a deep breath as she turns. Marcus Flint leans against the shelf, grinning at her. "What the hell are you doing here, Flint?"

His grin only broadens. "What? Just because I didn't fight in the battle, I don't belong here? I'm not allowed to help clean the place up?"

She rolls her eyes. She doesn't believe his innocent act for a second, and she keeps walking. The library isn't the worst place in the castle, but it's where she seems to be drawn to now.

"What happened to you?" he asks, following alongside her.

Daphne resists a groan. Marcus has been like this since she turned sixteen, always around, always trying to impress her. She touches her fingers to the scars that cut across her cheek, marks left behind to remind her of Alecto Carrow's wrath. "We all bear scars," she says with a shrug of her slender shoulders. "Mine just happen to more visible than most."

Marcus laughs. "That's not what I meant," he says. "You used to be all shy and cute. Next thing I know, you're some great weapon, fighting against…"

He doesn't finish the sentence; he doesn't have to. Daphne knows how Marcus looked at the Dark Lord. Fearfully. If he had been asked, Marcus would have followed to save himself. So many in their House would have.

Fighting against the Dark Lord hadn't felt like a radical act, but she knows it was.

She feels her heart ache and quickly turns away, aiming her wand at a busted table. "Reparo."

"Why did you do it?" he asks.

"Why wouldn't I? It was the right thing to do."

It had been as natural as anything. Why fight for a cause she didn't believe in? Why lay her life down for a monster? In the end, she made the right choice. In the end, she had been terrified, but she can carry on with her head held high.

"Where'd you learn to be so brave, huh?"

With a roll of her eyes, she casts a repairing charm on a splintered chair. "You always hated the library, so what are you doing here?" she asks. "You know you would be happy to leave it in ruins."

"Pince always hated me," he agrees with a nod.

"Pince hates everyone," Daphne points out.

"Fair dues." Marcus shrugs. "But I think it should be obvious. You're here."

Daphne sighs and shakes her head, moving along.

"Come on. The war is over. There's no more looming death hanging over our heads," he says. "So… Why not take one more chance?"

She can't think of a reason to say no. Despite his appearance, Marcus is actually rather nice. He's always been nothing but good to her. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to try to be more than friends.

Playfully prodding her finger against his chest, she grins. "Start repairing shelves, and I'll let you take me our for dinner after."

Marcus offers her a mock salute and sets about, casting spells this way and that, slowly tidying the library with each step.

Maybe he's right. Maybe it's time to take another type of risk, to harness this newfound bravery.

At least it's worth a try.