Written for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments)

Mythology - Task 1: Write about a long period of darkness in someone's life.

Summary: Daphne has known nothing but pain and heartache from the moment Draco chose her sister. Until she let Kingsley in. (Daphne/Kingsley)

A/N: Another one I need to clean up, but I'm on a deadline! Hope it reads okay and you enjoy.

Living with Pain

Present Day

Daphne Greengrass had been in emotional pain for many years when Astoria died. She thought she was prepared for the moment her sister would no longer be there.

She wasn't.

She clung onto Scorpius' hand, holding it tightly with both of hers, with Draco on his other side, an arm around his shoulders. He looked so young and scared.

They stood in the Malfoy crypt, watching Astoria's coffin sink into the recess of the wall. Daphne put one of her hands on Draco's, still sitting on his son's shoulder, and he moved it, to grip it tightly in return. She looked at him to find silent tears falling down his cheeks.

Draco's parents stood rigidly by the entrance of the crypt; emotionless. Not even a sympathetic look from Narcissa. They'd never agreed with Astoria's views – or lack thereof – when it came to blood purity. Daphne supposed she had to be grateful that they loved Draco enough to still be here.

Daphne's parents had died not long after Astoria had married Draco – Dragon Pox. Which meant the only tie she had to her own family was through her nephew; Scorpius. But he was just a boy of thirteen. He needed to deal with this loss in his own way.

When the stone slab bearing Astoria's name moved into place, now sealing her coffin in, Daphne felt like the pain that had kept her company for so long had a vice-like grip on her heart. Draco extracted his hand from her's and whispered to Scorpius to go with Albus, who was stood nearby, and take him to the kitchens for food.

'Before you go,' Daphne said quickly, keeping hold of his hand. Scorpius looked back to her with watery, red eyes. 'Make sure you write to me when you go back to Hogwarts. Can you do that for me?' He nodded. 'And come see me whenever you want, yes?'

Scorpius gave her a tiny smile before hugging her tightly. 'Love you, Aunty Daff.'

She kissed his cheek and let him go. Daphne and Draco watched him run off with Albus Potter. The Malfoys gave a small nod to Draco before stepping out of the crypt.

Draco turned to face her, taking the black cloak with emerald stitching that hung over her forearm, and held it up. She turned away from him so he could put it on.

'You won't be a stranger, will you?' Draco asked when she turned back to him.

Daphne hugged her arms tightly to her body under the cloak. The summer season seemed to end quickly with Astoria's passing and she shivered as a cold breeze blew through the open door.

'You and I both know I can't do that, Draco.'

He seemed to shrink within himself, tears filling his eyes. 'Maybe one day?'

She moved quickly, wrapping her arms around his neck, and hugged him before she could let her mind overthink the act. Draco instantly hugged her back tightly, his arms around her waist and his chin on her shoulder. 'Maybe,' she whispered.

Astoria and Draco's Wedding Day

Daphne paced the drawing room of Malfoy Manor, already dressed in her teal bridesmaid dress. The silk material moved around her legs like water, the bodice fitted with thin shoulder straps. Her dark brown hair was still untouched, loose and whipping this way and that every time she turned sharply.

She couldn't do it. She couldn't watch her sister marry Draco Malfoy.

'You look as nervous as I feel,' Draco said from the doorway.

Daphne spun around quickly, the drink she was holding splashing on the floor. 'You scared me!' She grabbed her wand from the drinks table and cleaned the mess up.

Draco gave her a wry grin. 'Care to pour me one?'

'It's your home. Do it yourself,' she said sharply.

She ignored the frown she saw flit across his features for a moment, choosing to focus on her dress and whether she'd spilt any drink on it. Daphne froze when Draco had gotten close enough to smell his aftershave; clean and light.

'I do love Astoria, Daphne. I promise I'll never do anything to hurt her,' Draco said while he poured his drink. 'Maybe we could try and be friends – or at least get along, seeing as we're going to be family.'

Daphne continued to search the long skirt of her dress for any stains, not saying anything.

'Is it because of my past that you don't like me?'

'I never said I don't like you,' she muttered, satisfied the dress was fine.

'Then what is it?' His voice was so gentle. So unlike the Draco she knew in school, who could be bitter and whiny. 'Please let us be friends.'

'Stop pushing, Draco,' she snapped. She took a step away from him, gripping her wand tightly, refusing to look anywhere near his face, let alone his eyes.

'Can't you at least try? For Astoria?'

'It's for Astoria that I'm keeping my distance from you.' The words were out before she knew she was even thinking them. She met Draco's eyes, confusion in them. Daphne sighed heavily, defeatedly. 'I was right there, Draco. All those years. Picking you up, night after night, during that last year with … him.'

Draco's face lost what little colour he had. He lifted his drink to his lips a couple of times without taking a sip. In the end, he put it back on the table. He attempted to say something, too, but nothing but noises came out.

'Don't worry, I've kept it to myself for this long, what's a few more decades, right?' Daphne couldn't help the spiteful tone in her voice. 'I love my sister. I see how you make her happy. Just…' She swallowed against the lump in her throat, blinking quickly to try and stop the tears.

'Daphne—'

'Make sure you keep her occupied so that she doesn't expect me to be around a lot. Do you understand?' Daphne brushed a stray tear away. This was why she hadn't brought herself to do her make-up and hair yet. Not that she'd expected to reveal to Draco how she felt, but she knew tears would inevitable.

'Do you understand, Draco?' she repeated her question with an edge to her voice. He gave her a single nod.

Daphne left the room.

Daphne returned the room she'd been staying in at Malfoy Manor, finished getting herself ready, and then boxed up the heartache she'd been carrying for three years when Astoria announced she was dating Draco. She found her sister and became her rock for the rest of the day.

She calmed her down when she started getting cold feet as they stood at the entrance of the Manor, looking to the tent she would be married in.

She smiled dutifully while she stood by Astoria and watched the happy couple as they said their wedding vows.

She made sure she was there until they left for their honeymoon, never straying far, should Astoria require anything from her.

When Daphne returned to her little cottage, in a little village where only Muggles lived, she closed the door and cried.

Present Day

Daphne returned to work a week after Astoria's funeral. As an Unspeakable, not a lot of the Ministry workers spoke to her, but on this day, it seemed like the world wanted to say how terribly sorry they were for her loss. She was sure most of them didn't truly know her sister, but Astoria was one of those people who left a lasting impression with her kindness and ability to make anyone feel special with a few words.

By the time she'd reached her department, Daphne had her wand gripped tightly in her fist instead of the pocket of her suit jacket. She couldn't bear the looks and the fake words any longer. She was going to curse the next person who spoke to her.

At least that was the plan.

Kingsley Shacklebolt, the Minister of Magic – and her boss – was the next person to approach her.

'Miss Greengrass,' he'd called, his deep, melodic voice bounced down the tiled corridor to her as she'd reached the door to her office.

Daphne grit her teeth and turned to greet him with what could only be described as a demented grimace. Kingsley flinched back with a bemused frown. 'The sympathetic comments?' he asked.

'Sorry, Mr Shacklebolt,' she groaned, pocketing her wand. 'At least I didn't actually curse you, like I'd promised myself I would on the next person who spoke to me.'

Kingsley laughed. It wasn't loud, but it filled the small space between them, making Daphne feel like she was being hugged by it. She felt a small laugh bubble up through her and come out as a quiet giggle. 'I didn't mean to scowl at you,' she said apologetically.

'Better than a curse,' he said gently.

Then he did it. He gave her the Sympathetic Look. 'Don't you dare say it,' she warned, putting a hand on the doorknob, ready to run into her office if needed.

Kingsley didn't lose the Sympathetic Look as he handed her the thick folder he'd been carrying under his arm. 'Some work to keep you busy.'

'Thank you,' she replied gratefully.

Kingsley didn't let go of the folder when she took hold of it. 'Don't shut yourself away. Make sure you stay among the living.'

Daphne felt her lips tighten together as she tried not to blurt out anything rude to her boss. She was sure he was understanding enough to take whatever she gave, but she didn't want to make a bad impression on him after only being here for a year.

'I don't need anyone's help, thank you.' She pulled sharply at the folder and went into her office before he could say anything else.

Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy

Arriving at the gates of Malfoy Manor, Daphne barely had time to register where she was when Draco appeared and started pulling her by the hand. He was talking so fast she could barely understand his words, sweat covered his face, soaking into the collar of his black shirt, the sleeves rolled up past the elbows.

'Draco.' She pulled at him to make him stop walking once they reached the entrance to the Manor.

She recoiled at the fear in his eyes. 'She's struggling. The Healers are doing everything they can.'

Daphne no longer needed help Draco's help getting to Astoria. She pushed past him and raced through the entrance hall, up the stairs and followed the piercing cries she knew to be her sister's. She sounded feral and scared and in pain.

Reaching the room, she found four Healers surrounding her. One held her hand. One was waiting for the arrival of the baby, hands ready. One had a wand over her large bump, the sound of a rapid heartbeat echoing in the room. And one had blankets in arms, ready for when the baby arrived.

'Da-Daphne,' Astoria said weakly when her tired eyes saw her at the doorway.

Daphne felt Draco's presence by her. Without looking, she shoved him to her. 'Hold your wife's hand. She needs you.'

They both went to her, with Daphne taking over from the Healer holding her hand. 'I'm here, Astoria.'

Astoria suddenly increased the force of her grip on Daphne's hand, a guttural cry ripped from her throat as she leant forward to push.

'That's it, Mrs Malfoy. A couple of strong pushes and he'll be here,' a Healer said encouragingly.

Astoria flopped back onto the pillows propping her up. 'I can't. Can't you take him out?' She sounded so weak and tired. She looked to Daphne, tears slipping down her cheeks. 'I'm not strong enough, Daphne. Make them take him out.'

'That wasn't what you wanted,' she said gently, putting her free hand on Astoria's damp forehead.

'It's so hard,' she whispered.

'Is everything still okay? With the baby? Can she keep going?' Draco asked rapidly of the Healers.

'We might need to do something soon,' the Healer with the wand said quietly.

Daphne listened to the baby's heartbeat. It was fast and strong. Without thinking, she moved quickly to sit Astoria up, placing herself behind her so that Astoria could lean back into her. 'I'm here.' She grabbed Astoria's hand. 'Let me be your strength,' she whispered into her ear.

Astoria lifted her head up from Daphne's shoulder, nodding slowly. Then she pushed.

Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy arrived quietly into the world three minutes later. He stared at everyone like he could see them and was judging them already.

'Just like a Malfoy,' Astoria teased, struggling to keep her eyes open as she watched Draco hold their son.

Daphne took the moment to pull the Healer that had delivered the baby to one side. 'How bad is it?'

'That's not for me to tell you,' she whispered, but the concern in her eyes said enough.

'She shouldn't have had the baby?'

The Healer shook her head.

'How long?' Daphne asked.

'A few years, at most.'

The Healer continued with her tasks, effectively dismissing Daphne from their conversation for fear she'd said too much. Daphne didn't push her, as she'd heard enough.

She watched the little family on the large bed; Astoria still trying to stay awake and Draco looking like he had been given the gift of the world in his arms. She'd warned Astoria not to have children, had begged her. They'd lost their parents not long ago and now she was losing her sister.

A darkness filled every fibre of Daphne and she couldn't be there anymore. She quietly slipped out of the room and had almost made it to the gates when Draco appeared, abusing the fact that the wards of the property allowed him to Apparate around the grounds.

'You haven't held him yet,' Draco said, holding a hand out to her.

She stared at it. 'Congratulations. I hope it was worth it.'

Draco dropped his hand down with a slap against his thigh, a dark look in his eyes. She hadn't seen that look since they were teenagers. 'That's your nephew you're talking about.'

'And he's cost me the only family I have left.'

Draco took an involuntary step backwards like she'd punched him.

Even now, after all these years of watching the love of her life love her sister instead, Daphne itched to comfort him, to be the person he turned to when he was hurting. But the pain and the darkness and the heartache made her want to lash out.

'She never told you, did she?'

'Told me what?'

At the last moment, she couldn't finish what she'd started. 'Go back to Astoria, Draco. Enjoy this time together.' Daphne stepped across the Malfoy property line and Apparated home.

Present Day

For some reason, the weeks after Daphne had returned to work, Kingsley's words had stuck with her. As someone who did shut herself away, and had intended to keep doing that, she was surprised he'd noticed. Daphne got up, went to work, did her job, which she did well and enjoyed it, and then went home, where she kept to herself and read a lot of books. Sometimes she would paint.

It was the kindness that had come with his words. The way he'd said it. Like some part of it had gotten deep into her and soothed the edges of the pain she was in. Which was how Daphne found herself going to a nearby tea shop during her lunch breaks.

At first it was once a week. Then twice a week. Within two months, it was every day. And every single time she was there, she would always bump into Kingsley as he was on his way out with a takeaway cup of tea in hand.

'Good afternoon, Daphne,' he would say as they past, only ever using her first name outside of working hours.

'Kingsley,' she would reply.

Sometimes he would't be there, having been called away to another part of the country on Ministry matters. Those days seemed to let her pain come back into her soul a little more.

It was on one of these days, on a pleasant autumn afternoon, as Daphne sat outside the teashop, with her pot of tea for one, watching people, mainly Muggles, racing about their lives that she realised what was happening. It was the third afternoon in a row Kingsley hadn't been there to greet her as he left, and … she didn't like it. She'd come to expect him to be there, to soothe her with his few words, to make the world a little easier to live in by smiling at her.

A shadow fell over her and the small table as she thought about this, scowling at her cup.

'May I join you today? Or would that risk me receiving a curse?' Kingsley asked.

Daphne looked up quickly. He was blocking the sun and was a broad silhouette before her, but it didn't matter. Just as she'd suspected, with his presence Daphne felt like breathing wasn't a chore, that her heart didn't need to fight to keep beating, and that it was okay to be alive.

'Please do,' Daphne said with a smile. 'I'm not very good company, though.'

'Neither am I. We'll be bad company together,' he said with a smile.

A Life Filled with Love

Daphne lay on the bed with Astoria, a chessboard between them. 'Daphne, I'll be dead by the time you make your next move,' Astoria teased, her weak voice doing very little to hide her humour.

'I'm beginning to think you've missed a trick not playing chess more often. How are you so good at this game now?' Daphne stared at the board, but no matter what path she tried to see in the game, it led to Astoria taking her queen in less than three moves.

'When you're nice to me, it reminds me that I'm dying,' Astoria said, laughing croakily as she tipped her queen over. 'Let's do something else.'

Daphne sighed. She used to live for dark humour. Not so much, anymore. She packed the chess set up, watching Draco come into the room with a tray of tea floating behind him.

'Where's Scorpius?' Astoria asked, struggling to sit up.

'Somewhere in the library,' Draco said quietly. Scorpius had been living in there all summer as he searched for information on blood curses.

Daphne helped Astoria to sit up, propping pillows behind her. Astoria turned her head and gave her a puzzled frown. 'Are you actually here? Or am I hallucinating again?'

'Stop it, Astoria,' Daphne muttered. 'I've been here all day.'

'Have you?' She looked to Draco. 'Where's Scorpius?'

Daphne couldn't seemed to move. Her blood ran cold as she stared at Draco for answers he didn't have. Astoria had been struggling for over a year, but never had she started losing her memory.

She put a hand on Astoria's shoulder, pulling her attention to her. 'Astoria, what's going on?'

'Nothing. I'm … where's Scorpius?'

Draco wasted no time in leaving to get his son. Daphne gripped onto Astoria's frail hand, holding it between hers and kissing her fingertips. 'Scorpius is coming.'

Astoria gave her a tired smile, blinking slowly. 'I'm sorry that I took Draco,' she said, each word coming out slower than the last. 'And thank you for never fighting me for him. I do love him so much.'

Daphne stared at her sister, struggling to comprehend her words, to understand what was happening right now. 'I don't know what you're talking about,' she whispered, squeezing the life out of Astoria's hand.

'Yes, you do,' Astoria said. She smiled slowly, the effort of it looked like it took all her energy. Then she frowned. 'When did get you here?'

Daphne let out a sob, kissing Astoria's fingertips again. 'I'm not ready,' she said with a sob.

'Mum?' Scorpius' voice called from the corridor. He came skidding into the room, crawling over the bed to her as if his life depended on it. Draco followed quickly, moving to the side of the bed. Daphne got out of the way, rubbing his back as he tucked himself into his mother.

'Darling,' she said quietly, putting her arms around him as he curled in tightly to her side. 'You'll be good, won't you?'

'Always,' Scorpius cried, gripping onto Astoria tightly.

Daphne watched as Astoria kissed the top of his head, her eyes drifting shut. She could almost believe she was going to sleep.

Almost.

Present Day

Daphne sat in her small back garden. To most people it was wild and overgrown; to Daphne it was filled with wildflowers for nature. Most of it was shrinking back now; petals had fallen off of flowers or were wilting, the trees' leaves were now red, one dropping off every so often, and the bees had stopped coming.

She cradled her cup of tea, holding it against her lips without sipping. An unopened book sat on the table by her side. This was how she liked to spend her weekends.

But today she was feeling nostalgic. A small box sat on her lap, with it's lid flopped open, and childhood versions of Daphne and Astoria waved and laughed at her from their paper homes. Sometimes she would pick one up and think about the memory it would bring. She hadn't done this in the longest time.

'Hello?' a familiar voice called from the side of her house.

'Kingsley?' she called back, closing the box.

The man in question peered around the corner of her cottage. 'I'm sorry to intrude like this,' he said coming into full view, a wide smile on his kind face. 'I hope you don't think me rude, but I saw you through the window as I walked up.' He pointed to the kitchen window behind her, which gave her direct view through her small home to the front garden.

'Not at all.' She genuinely meant it. She got up, putting her cup and box on the table. 'Would you like some tea – I was about to make a fresh pot?'

'If it's not too much trouble.'

Daphne smiled at him. It felt foreign to her. It was an action that usually had to forced out of her; always strained. She led him into the kitchen, leaving her box and book on the table.

'This is a lovely little home you have.' She watched him as he looked around the kitchen, flicking her wand at the kettle. 'It's almost like you.' He looked at her, his brown eyes no longer holding the Sympathetic Look when he saw her. Now they held something else and she liked it. 'Closed off on the outside, but once you're in, it's got a lot of warmth and comfort.'

Daphne stuttered in her movements of setting the tea tray up, a spoon crashing against a teacup, at his words. 'Is that what you think? That I'm closed off?'

A large hand settled on her shoulder. Daphne looked to it, and let it gently pull her so that she faced Kingsley.

'For a long time I would always see this dark cloud around you, like you were in a lot of pain and preferred it stayed that way,' he said, his hand still resting on her shoulder.

'You're not wrong,' she admitted. She sighed. 'I suppose … it's just … how many people must I lose before I just stop feeling?'

'Is that what you wanted?'

Daphne shrugged, never taking her eyes off his. The more she held his gaze, the duller that pain became. 'I love Draco…' She trailed off, feeling herself frown. The tense didn't feel right. 'I loved Draco,' she said, realising that it felt right now.

Kingsley smiled slowly. 'But not anymore?'

Her frown deepened. 'No…'

She put a hand to her chest, like feeling the beat of her heart would make her understand.

Kingsley's hand on her shoulder squeezed ever so slightly. 'A heart's a heavy burden.'

'Is that a quote?' she asked, still pushing her palm against her chest.

'Maybe. I don't know. They are words that was said to me a long time ago,' he said. He always had a smile to hand, and it was always warm and kind. 'I know the pain you have been living under, Daphne.'

'You do?' she asked quietly.

'Love that is unrequited … it can make you feel lost and in a dark place, and you couldn't move on because…'

He didn't need to finish that sentence. She was already nodding. She couldn't move on because he was always there, being her brother-in-law, making all her other losses and pains intensify. And now that she had time to be away from him, to live without him. Those losses and pains didn't hurt as much.

Not anymore.

'What has changed, Daphne?' he asked.

She let out a small laugh. He laughed with her. It was always like Kingsley knew her thoughts, like she wore them on her face for him to read and ask or say the right thing.

'You,' she said simply. Honestly.

When Kingsley smiled this time, it was brighter and lit up his wonderfully beautiful face in a way Daphne had never seen. And she felt another piece of her pain chip away knowing that she'd been the reason for that smile.

'Then it wouldn't be crossing a line if I did this…'

Kingsley didn't get chance to lower his head much. Daphne pulled at his jacket and pulled him to her. Their lips met in a fever of kissing, his large arms wrapped around her, pulling her close.

So this is what it was like to have those feelings returned.

Other prompts used for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (challenges & assignments)

Spring Funfair

- Cocktail Bar - Strawberry Daiquiri - White Rum - (character) Daphne Greengrass

- Leap Frog - (dialogue) 'Congratulations. I hope it was worth it.'

- Paint a Rainbow - Orange 10. Kingsley Shacklebolt

- Teddy Bears Picnic - Cheese Sandwich - (action) Helping someone into a coat/cloak

- Petting Zoo - Alpacas - (trait) Friendly

- Egg Hunt - Purple Egg - Daphne Greengrass

- Spring Parade - How's Moving Castle Float - Sophie - (dialogue) 'A heart's a heavy burden.

Spring Seasonal

- Days of the Year & Religious Events - 1st June - Write about someone saying something nice or giving a compliment

- Crayon Day - 44. Shadow

- Siblings Day - 6. Astoria & Daphne Greengrass

- Spring Colours - 2. Teal

- Spring Flowers - 9. (dialogue) 'How many people must I lose before I just stop feeling?'

- Locations - 6. Tea Shop

- Crystals & Gemstones - 5. (emotion) Sympathy

- Hufflepuff Challenge - 9. (action) Looking through old photos

April Writing Club

- Record Collection - 3. Write about someone who tries to live alone, without any support

- Book Club - Offred - (object) board game, (emotion) longing, (object) Photograph

- Lizzy's Loft - 19. (dialogue) 'When you're nice to me, it reminds me that I'm dying.'

- Elizabeth's Empire - 5. (word) beginning

- Scamander's Case - 14. (colour) Emerald

- The Forecast Says - 16th 'Are you actually here? Or am I hallucinating again?

- EnTitled - 14. (theme) Death

- Hobby Hole - 6. (character) Astoria Greengrass

Piñata

Hard - Kingsley Shacklebolt - Word Count: 4,300

Yearly

- Fantastic Beasts - 105. Jobberknoll - (scenario) Write about witnessing someone's death

- Scavenger Hunt - 39. Write a story including flashbacks

- 365 - 284. (genre) Tragedy