As he had for the past three days since news of the Ministry's fall, Harry stood at the window, gazing out onto the muggle square from inside Grimmauld Place.
The grimy, junk strewn area was bathed in flickering streetlights. Several lampposts were outright broken.
His gaze swept left and right, all around the square again. Desperate, straining...in darkness, in silence...just a glimpse, just a hint...
They had to be...
They would!
Harry blinked as his eyes stung. He cracked his neck and shifted on his feet. He let his arm fall from the sill, working his aching shoulder.
They would be here, they would know - they had to!
"Please...Ron, Hermione..."
A lamp flickered near the front of Grimmauld Place, and the shadows shifted.
Two figures materialized out front of the building.
Harry's breath caught.
Even in the dim lighting, he knew them! The stances, that hair, he knew!
Harry bolted from the sitting room, bounding down the hall to tear open the front door.
He hesitated on the threshold, gazing directly at them now.
Head on, only a dozen feet apart.
They were staring all around themselves, glancing straight ahead - on past. At what they could no longer see but knew had to still be there.
Harry descended the steps, passing through the field of concealment. "Ron, Hermione!"
The pair startled at his sudden appearance.
"Harry!" Hermione responded, a small smile lighting up her face. But it was small, brief, and strained.
Harry swept her into a hug, taking in her familiar scent and feel - all of it. He couldn't believe it! She was here, they were both here! He let Hermione go, turning to Ron. Ron gazed at him, looking almost fearful; he flinched when Harry moved for him, and stepped backwards.
"H-Harry-" Ron started, in a tight, raw tone.
Harry hugged his best friend, as hard as he could. "You're okay! Mad-Eye said they'd captured you - and Ginny - is Ginny alright, is she-?"
"Ginny's fine - she's at the Burrow," Hermione interjected swiftly, and very quietly.
Ron suddenly returned his hug, so tight it was like he was trying to squeeze Harry to death. He was shaking all over, Harry realized - and then he was crying against him. "M'sorry, H-Harry, I'm sorry! I'm s-so sorry...I'm sorry...! I d-didn't mean to do it, I never- I'm n-not a rat, I s-stood up for you, I tried to...b-but they- and Ginny, they had Ginny and I c-couldn't...I'd never h-have given you u-up willingly, not like that, I s-swear it-! I wouldn't have told them where to find you, I- the Greengrass plan-"
Harry clutched his best friend more firmly, gazing past him at Hermione. "I know, mate, I know...it's alright, don't worry about it - I got out of it okay. Daisy and I, we're fine. So are Daphne and Astoria! It's all okay. We've got a new Fidelius set up here, and...and it's all okay! All that matters to me - hey, listen to me, Ron! - all that matters is that you and Ginny are fine too! If you're okay, then I don't care what you did or what you told them! You stood up for me against Sirius, when we thought he was a raving lunatic. I know you'd never just- I know, Ron! I know. And I'm never going to blame you for this. Ever! Got it? You're my best friend, and I love you, and nothing else matters but that! You're nothing like Wormtail, and never think different! You didn't sell me out, you did what you had to for your sister! I would've done the same for her, if it were me!"
Ron pulled away, blinking at him, tear stricken. "Y-you would...?"
"Yeah," Harry said firmly. "I would've. I- I would have tried to hold out, sure, but...the second I...I would have done it without hesitating. And I- I'd hope you'd forgive me for it, just like I forgive you. You never have to worry, don't think about it again, mate. Please. It's okay. We're okay. Look, just...both of you, come on inside. Kreacher can make you something to eat - he's really turned his whole attitude around on us; long story - we can get you set up in those spare rooms. You both know we've got plenty of room here. We had the whole Order last summer, no problem, remember? Just come inside, just relax...we're all okay here."
Ron nodded, wiping at his face. Hermione touched his arm, and her hand slid down to grasp his. Harry squeezed Ron's shoulder, patted at him, and then he led his two best friends into his home.
Harry got them settled in the basement kitchen, requested Kreacher to make them something to eat.
Even here at the familiar table, Ron kept avoiding Harry's gaze. His shoulders hunched. Shivering like a leaf. Poised like he wanted nothing more than to bolt.
Harry had to break this silence. This...
"S-so you- you and Ginny- did you...escape, or did the Order get you out?" he said quietly.
Ron glanced up at him, then put his head in his arms with a great gasp of air. Hermione rubbed at his back, stroked at his hair.
"Ginny orchestrated their escape," Hermione said, as factually as possible. "She came up with a plan, she secured wands for them - she fought through the Death Eaters and managed to Apparate them away. That was all a week ago." Hermione looked at him with something like pleading.
Harry just nodded. He understood. A week to themselves, after who knew what? Things he couldn't imagine? He wouldn't have cared if Ron had taken a whole year before coming to see him.
"Although, You-Know-Who did promise to let them go - for...being cooperative," Hermione went on, in a high voice. "He said that those who didn't make trouble in his new world would be allowed to live as happily as ever. That, and he claimed that...he didn't want to unnecessarily spill pure magical blood."
Ron lifted his head, stealing a look at Harry, his eyes haunted. "L-like we'd believe that t-tosser...eh? G-Ginny wasn't going to have us wait around and just stake things on his word!" A feeble, trembling attempt at a grin was made.
Harry tried to smile, nodding vigorously. "Yeah. That's right, mate. Anything he says, whatever he promises...it's not true. You two- you did real good, getting away like that. Damn good."
Ron's grin wobbled, and then he ducked his head again as more sobs emerged.
More words barely comprehensible.
Barely.
Harry met Hermione's gaze, and then closed his eyes.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Harry, I'm sorry..."
"Harry?"
"Err - hey, Daphne." Harry sat up in bed as Daphne entered his room (Sirius's former room). "What's- what's going on?"
"I just want to say I'm sorry, again," Daphne said firmly. "I said the shittiest things in the world to you-"
"That was weeks ago - and I get it, Daphne. I get why you did," Harry said quickly. "Trust me, I know- I know what it's like to be...in so much pain inside that you just- you want to break and hurt anything and anyone else around you just to...just to make it stop. You'd just lost your- your mother, and I wasn't going to hold any of it against you. So you don't have to keep apologizing about it, okay? We're completely fine," he finished softly - as kindly as he could.
Daphne crossed the room and sat herself down on the bed beside him. She gazed into his eyes. Her blue eyes shimmered as she blinked rapidly. She glanced down - away.
The silence of the night lingered between them for a long time.
Daphne tossed her head, then reached out to seize his hand. She inched forward, further still, closing the gap on the bed. "I was shitty, and I was way out of line, and I was the worst, and it wasn't true! You're not a death magnet, you're not responsible for anybody's deaths. Not your parents, not our friends, not Millicent, not Longbottom, not- not even my mum's. I never should have said that to you. I'm sorry. I'm going to try to do anything I can to make it up to you - to earn your forgiveness for it."
Harry glanced down at her hand over his. He flushed. His skin rippled with a tingling feeling. But...he didn't draw his hand away. "I- thank you, okay? But I already said it's okay. I understand. I do! And- you've already gotten my forgiveness. You don't have to earn it. I forgave you the day you said it. You don't have to make it up to me. I- d-don't want you doing anything for me-"
Daphne suddenly squeezed his hand tightly, then she darted in and pressed her lips to his.
Harry sat there, frozen. Staring into those big, shimmering blue eyes of hers. He thought vaguely that they were really quite pretty, this close up...
It was a second. Then two, three-
And then Daphne withdrew. Her lips, and her hand - the former quivering, the latter, closed into a fist, to be placed in her lap. "How sure are you about that whole 'not doing anything for you' thing? I can do a hell of a lot..."
"Uhm- err...I'm- sure you can...?" Harry stammered out stupidly. He shook his head and shifted on the bed, flushing all the more as he realized- "Look, Daphne, if that's what you mean about- making it up to me- I definitely don't want you doing things like that! That's not- not the way to- okay?"
Daphne frowned. She looked into her lap, clasping her fist. "Damn...so you didn't like it?"
"Well, hang on - I never said that," Harry protested weakly. "I- it was- nice - good - err...great, even! You're - you're great at that! But- just- any other time and- you know- context- it would've been okay, but right now...? It just feels a little..." Harry took a breath, gathering himself. "Don't make it an apology, alright? Don't make it a- a favor or a- it's kind of uncomfortable, that. If it was just...you felt like it, or you liked me, or-"
"I do like you!" Daphne burst out, smacking her fists to her legs. "And that makes what I said to you twenty times worse! Not that it wasn't already cruel as all hell, and inexcusable, and-"
"You like me?"
"I didn't stutter."
"R-right, no, of course not! Sorry - just-" Harry sighed, running his hand through his hair. "You're right, it did...sort of make it worse. But - look - do you get where I'm coming from here? Bloody hell, I'm probably making no sense at all..."
Daphne sighed, now. "No, you're making sense..." she mumbled glumly. "Total sense. No kissing for forgiveness - only for hot and bothering."
"Emphasis on bothering, right?" Harry said, trying for a grin.
Daphne laughed. She nodded - flashed him a grin of her own. The one he liked to see. "Oh, for sure."
"Well...uh...good talk?"
"Yeah. Good talk." Daphne stood. She strode for the door - stopped there. She glanced over her shoulder at him. "Maybe we can do more than just talk, one of these nights?"
"Errr...are you just- you talking about more kissing, or- you know-"
"Fucking? Slow down there, Harry; not even I'm anywhere near there yet," Daphne snorted. "But maybe we'll get there, if you want to go there with me."
"We'll...have to talk about that."
"Can we make them short talks?"
"How short are we talking, exactly? Daphne-sized?"
"Oh - nice one. I'll be back to get you for it tomorrow night."
"I'm looking forward to it," Harry retorted.
Daphne gave him a wave, and slipped out of the room, shutting the door behind her. Her light laughter was heard down the hall.
Harry sat back on his bed, hands firmly planted in his lap.
What the blazes had he just gotten himself into with this girl?
It was a risk to take, but it was one Harry found himself willing to take.
Entirely too willing.
He told himself it'd been months. He told himself that he trusted no one better than Ron and Hermione - and Kreacher, now, even - to look after Daisy. And he told himself that...well, his friends themselves had told him to go for it.
So he would.
Besides, he had the sneaking suspicion that his two best friends had reasons of their own for wanting to push Harry and Daphne out of the house for the night. Of course, that still left Astoria, but he didn't think she would be an issue there - she was probably going to end up being the main caretaker for Daisy anyway.
It was a careful step outside Grimmauld Place's front door, down the stone steps under his Cloak, and then Harry and Daphne were both gone. Apparated together.
They reappeared in the middle of the amusement park, under starry night and many electric lights.
They navigated the crowds to find a secluded location to remove the Cloak at last.
"All of this is running on electricity?" Daphne spoke, looking around with clear wonder. She was impressed, and she wasn't hiding it.
"Most of it, yeah - probably," Harry said, flushing in the dark. He stuffed his cloak into his enchanted bag - righted his glasses. "I've never actually had the chance to come out to a place like this. My relatives never would've let me." He smiled, adding, "But I've always wanted to, that's for sure."
"Huh..." Daphne stepped away from him, out into the lights and toward the crowds. Her eyes moved every which way. "I've seen the inside of some muggle buildings, but there was never anything like all of this. This is- this is- I don't even know what this is!" Her eyes found a high up track of a roller coaster, where said coaster had just come rushing past in a spiral. "But that looks plain barmy! How are the muggles making that stay on course without magic?!"
"Would you like to get an up close look at how it works?" Harry grinned. "It's just- like a train. Except, you know...crazier."
"Have you ridden on that thing before?" Daphne made a snort of laughter, shaking her head. "You'd love it, wouldn't you, Quidditch lover...the kind of insane maneuvers you've pulled in those matches over the years..."
"I haven't," Harry reminded. "But I'd like to. It's fine if you don't; there are a lot tamer things around here to entertain ourselves with. Different games and the like."
"Can we go for food and drinks first? I can smell it somewhere..."
"Alright," Harry agreed simply. "If that's what you want."
Daphne grabbed his hand, a wide grin on her face, and tugged him forward. "Come on - let's track it down already!"
Familiar, if aged faces gathered at the Burrow on a hot August day.
Or, more precisely, outside of it.
Friends, people like family, and trusted Order members all.
A large tent canopy had been magically erected over the area - tables and chairs arranged. Foodstuff and decorations set out galore.
"Can't believe it's taken you guys two years to make this official."
"Shut up, Ron."
"Just saying - we've got a war on; you know how much could've happened in that time? You could've both died a dozen times over and missed your chance!"
"Your parents operated under similar reasoning when they married so young," Remus spoke up, smiling lightly. "Though, nineteen isn't bad."
"As did plenty of us back then," Molly interjected. "As I'm sure many others are now - not just yourselves. It's perfectly understandable..."
"If we should've done this sooner," Harry began, grinning at his best friend. "Why haven't you and Hermione beaten us to the punch, then? Eh?"
"We just didn't want to steal your big moment," Ron retorted. "You haven't been in the spotlight in ages. You're withering, mate - like a plant."
"Oh, sod off," Harry laughed, shoving Ron in the arm. "Where is Hermione, anyway?"
"Last I saw she was inside - helping with things there, probably," Ron said. "Reckon I should go help as well?"
"Of course you should!" Molly exclaimed, glaring at her son. "What do you think your father is doing right now?"
"If he's in there, why are you out here, mum?" Ron said innocently. "Don't see you doing anything."
"Ronald Bilius Weasley, how dare you say such a-!"
"Congratulations on digging your own grave," Harry said quickly, making a hasty retreat. "I'll be over here - think Daisy's giving Astoria a hard time again!"
He was fortunate that it wasn't a lie.
Harry walked out of the room, into the Burrow's pristine kitchen.
A moment later, and Daphne came striding in to meet him.
For a minute, they stood staring at each other - eyeing each other, up and down.
"So?" Daphne swept an arm, placing a white gloved hand on hip and letting out a huff. A long lock of kinky hair was blown out of her eyes. "Do we make this look good, or what?"
They wore matching suits of white. His, form fitting and sleek. Daphne's, with long coattails and other additions she liked to call fashionable (she especially seemed to like the gloves she had picked out).
"You look absolutely gorgeous," Harry said firmly, smiling at her.
Daphne grinned, stepping in and grabbing his hands. She tilted her head back to gaze into his eyes. "Same to you. Are you ready to do this?"
"T-think so," Harry nodded, jittery. He took a gulping breath. "Yeah."
"It would be more fun to keep everyone waiting and just Disapparate to the beach - really, imagine the looks on their faces when they realize it's been half an hour and we're not coming out of here!"
Harry laughed, and it eased his nerves somewhat. "I'm imagining it. But it wouldn't really be worth it in the long run, would it?"
"If you say so." Daphne waved a hand, turning toward the back door. "I guess we're just stuck with this."
"Guess so. Y-you- can you lead? You know I've never done anything like this before - never even thought about it. But you...you and your sister, and- your mother- you have...and I...please?"
"I was planning to - yes," Daphne said seriously - with a slight bit of anxiety herself, now. "Okay: in three...two...walk! Move those feet."
The pair exited the house, emerging onto the grass. All eyes were already on them, overwhelming. Harry's stomach squirmed. He gripped Daphne's hand, letting her pull him along, for the most part. They moved up the aisle, hand in hand.
They stopped at the altar - before Lupin, who looked more anxious and more joyous than Harry could ever remember (and more cleaned up, honestly). He looked a good two decades younger. More like the man from the photos of another wedding, between another Potter and a witch.
Lupin regarded Harry and Daphne, standing with his hands clasped, as they took their positions across from one another. "I'm honored that you've chosen me to be the one to oversee these proceedings," he said quietly, leaning in.
"I know you're not an officiant or anything - but I wanted it to be you," Harry whispered back.
"Well, given the circumstances, I think we can allow for it; the Ministry certainly won't be signing any legal documents of yours," Lupin said lightly.
"Yeah," Harry agreed, laughing. He looked to Daphne, and they joined hands once more, gazing at one another.
Lupin turned toward the crowd, placing hands on the altar and fiddling with his jacket. He took out his wand and tapped it to his throat. Then, he expertly slid a sheet of paper from his coat and put it before him on the altar, hidden from all view. "Ahem. Before we actually begin the big speech I've prepared here for this amazing couple, on this equally as amazing day, I'd like to thank everyone for their patience, and for feeling like you can relax. Whether that means standing, sitting - or laying about this beautiful grass. I'm glad to see you've all done it." He payed a particular look and a smile to where Astoria was sitting, cross legged on the ground, with Daisy in her lap. And to Kreacher, who was standing vigil and attentive beside them.
"Now," Lupin went on. "On behalf of Harry and Daphne, I would like to thank you all for being here this afternoon. For taking the time and making the journey, and for all the effort that it takes - not only to be a part of this day, but to be a part of each other's lives. Especially in times like these. Harry and Daphne have invited you here to this beautiful place to show you a glimpse of an important piece of their love. To share with you trails, woodlands, marshes, and beaches, like the ones they've often explored during their years together - all their adventures together."
"Whenever we attend a wedding, we are given the opportunity to reflect on our own relationships. We might look at the couple before us and be tempted to compare their love to the quality of our own relationships. The truth is that every relationship is as unique as the individuals in it, but one thing holds true: For love to exist between two people, each person must allow the vulnerability of giving his or her love to the other, and each must be open to receiving the other's love in turn. Therefore each of us is a powerful creator of love. Each of us, every moment of every day, has the choice to dedicate ourselves to one another, or to withhold our love and caring."
"If you ask couples who have a strong and abiding love what they like most about their partners, many will say when they are with that person they don't have to pretend to be anything other than what they are. They are able to express themselves without fear of being judged or rejected. There is room in the relationship for both of them to be unique individuals. They are free to surrender to the vulnerability of true intimacy - to be known and loved unconditionally."
"Throughout time countless millions of people from many cultures, religions, and societies have gathered among friends and families to celebrate their love for one and other and their commitment to each other. Each culture has symbols and rituals to celebrate marriage. A rich tapestry of traditions from around the world combine to symbolize the meaning of marriage. Today we should try to remember that a wedding is a symbol, a heartfelt and meaningful symbol - but a symbol nonetheless. This ceremony is not magic, it will not create a relationship that does not already exist and has not already been celebrated in all the commitments Harry and Daphne have made to each other, both large and small, in the days since they first met. What we are celebrating today is not the beginning of a marriage, but a marriage-already-in-progress. This ceremony is a symbol of how far they have come together, and a symbol of the promises that they will continue to make to each other throughout their lives together."
Lupin turned his gaze to Harry, then Daphne. "The symbolic vows that you are about to make are simply a way of saying to one another, 'You know all those things we've promised and hoped and dreamed? Well, I meant it all, every word.' Look at one another and remember this moment in time, where you speak these words. Because nothing is easier than standing here and saying these words, and nothing is more difficult than living them day to day. When you love someone, you do not love them all the time in exactly the same way. That is impossible. Yet that is what most of us expect. We forget the ebb and flow of life and of love and of relationships. We insist on permanence, on duration, on continuity. But in love, as in life, the only stability is in change, in growth, and in freedom. Therefore what you promise today must be renewed and reaffirmed tomorrow and all the tomorrows to come."
"Having considered all of these things, Harry, do you promise to do your very best each day to create a loving, healthy, and happy marriage with Daphne?"
"Definitely - I definitely do."
"And Daphne, do you promise to do your very best each day to create a loving, healthy, and happy marriage with Harry?"
"For damn sure."
"Excellent." Lupin smiled at them. Took a step back. "Now, please declare your wedding vows to each other."
"Oh, crap, wedding vows..." Daphne muttered. "We made those, didn't we?"
"Yeah, we kind of did," Harry replied. "Do you...still remember yours?"
"No - do you?"
"Not really - for some weird reason," he said, sarcastic - and honest.
"Why didn't I write it down...? Well, fuck it, we'll skip past that part," Daphne swore. She turned to Lupin. "Can we just kiss already?"
"Even then, we still have a bit more to get through," Lupin said, apologetic. He turned again to the crowd. "Ahem! Now, this is the point where one might talk about how wedding bands are perfect circles, without a beginning or an end. But I think we all know that isn't true. Everything has a beginning, and an end. Even love, and even the symbols of that love. Today will have an end, and this love will eventually have an end - hopefully not too soon. But, for this moment, for as this marriage is thought to begin, and as these wedding bands are shown-" He nodded at Harry and Daphne; the pair lifted their hands, showing off their rings already in place to the crowd, catching the sun in a beautiful way on sapphire gemstones. "-you all see clearly that they will last, and that they began before today. They are strong, they are fitted into place. They were fitted into place before this day, between these two beautiful people before you. Together, alone, they did this for each other. This marriage is a continuation of the day they met, and so the wedding bands will continue on past this day as well, since the day they were first exchanged between Harry and Daphne."
"Their love began before today, their wedding bands were worn before today. Two imperfect beings, from separate beginnings, came together before today, and on this day, to continue to build something beautiful where once there was nothing. And so, I would ask that these two, Harry and Daphne, look into each other's eyes and reaffirm this idea of continuation of what you already have with one another. If you would repeat after me - Harry: I take you for now and for always, for always is always now."
Harry gazed into Daphne's eyes. "I take you for now and for always, for always is always now."
"Good. Now, Daphne...?"
Daphne glared at Lupin. "Did you make this a bloody tongue twister just to mess around with us?" She rounded on Harry. "Did you put him up to it to get back at me for last week?"
"I wouldn't use our wedding to take a shot at you," Harry replied faintly, shaking his head.
"That's a shame; I would have, if I'd thought it up first," Daphne laughed.
Those gathered laughed too, at what they obviously assumed was a joke.
Harry knew it was only half of one.
"Daphne?" Lupin spoke kindly, prompting.
Daphne waved a hand. "Fine, fine. Yeah, your crazy phrase. I take Harry forever and always, for now is always and...all of that."
"Excellent job, you two," Lupin complimented. "Now, although I'm very happy to be the one to guide you both on this grand day of yours, there is truly no one who can declare you married but yourselves. You've begun that today, and you will continue to do so for the days and years to come. So I ask that you both now declare yourselves as partners, in the first manner that comes to your minds. Because love between you two expresses itself in the unique and wonderful ways of your own minds, hearts, and souls, and I'd never dare to tell you how to express it - particularly not on such a day as today."
"Pfft - finally! Thank you!"
Daphne leaped into Harry's arms, arms around his neck, and kissed him on the mouth passionately.
Harry caressed and held her steady, stumbling with her a little. He wobbled, and then he kissed her back just as passionately.
"We can't go outside today. I'm sorry, Daisy."
"Why?!"
The dreaded question, the word Daisy had learned - and begun to use endlessly. For everything and anything in the world.
Over the years, often Harry and the others would give her answers. Other times, Harry would just say he would tell her when she was a little older. It wasn't because he didn't want to tell her - he had had a lot of talks with her about a lot of things, even at her young age, confident it was better to give her knowledge and honesty than to withhold - but because she literally wasn't capable of understanding some things. Complicated things. Hard, difficult things. But he'd never lied to her. He'd always made it a point to never lie; he'd hated his own childhood, growing up believing in all those lies about his parents, and about himself. He wasn't going to make those mistakes with Daisy - the mistakes of his relatives, and of Dumbledore...
Harry supposed the time had come. This question, this age...he thought she might be able to understand it now. It wouldn't hurt to try - to be honest. She was five now, after all. Maybe five was old enough for this talk.
Harry sighed, seating himself on the sofa. He glanced around Grimmauld Place's living room, then focused on Daisy. "Can you sit here with me, please? And try to calm down. I won't tell you until you are - so it's your choice, Daisy."
Daisy scrutinized him, then nodded and obliged; she sat herself right next to him, kicking her legs off the side before catching herself - stopping herself with a little huff. She shook her head, brushing long, shiny dark hair behind her ears. "Ok - tell me," she said, taking some calming breaths.
"Well, you know how we always have to make ourselves look different when we go outside. We have to use different names, too." Daisy just nodded, her sharp gaze boring into him. Scanning every inch of his face, he often felt like. "And you know the reason we do all that...is because there are a lot of people out there who- who would want to hurt us if they found us."
"I know - but why? Are you going to tell me why now?"
Again. Again and again...why, why, why...
"Yes. I'll- I'll try to explain this, but I'm not sure how well I'll do at it. It's because - there are a lot of people who- are a part of a magical government that think that...people shouldn't be allowed to- to be happy or- or love who they want to love, or...have families and a nice house, just- just because of...of who their parents are or- or who they married. Or even who their kids are. It's- they call it being pure blood. It's all about blood, and magic. People with no magic are called muggles, and mages born to muggles are called muggleborns. Mages who have...a parent who was born to muggles, even if they're magical, and a parent who's considered pureblood...are called half blood."
Daisy's face scrunched up. Those dark eyes narrowed. Confusion, concentration - she was struggling.
"Hermione is muggleborn, because she has two muggle parents. I'm a half blood because even though my dad was seen as 'pure blood', my mother was a muggleborn witch," Harry tried to elaborate for her, to draw examples for her. "Daphne and Astoria are considered pure bloods. Anyone who isn't pure blood, Daisy, that's who these...these people want to hurt, and hate, and control. They- they think that because they aren't pure blood, that we're all...lesser. That we- we don't- deserve to have the same things as them, or live the same way they do. They think we shouldn't be happy, or free, or- allowed to love who we love - muggleborn, or muggle, or whatever. They think that it...makes us...bad, or wrong, to do that."
Daisy looked like she was about to explode from her efforts to understand. She hummed, she worked her lips silently to herself, she looked down into her own lap for several minutes. "So what am I? Was my birth mother a witch or a muggle?"
Harry bit his tongue hard. He drew a breath in. "That's...something we'll talk about when you're older. Not yet, not now, Daisy. And it doesn't matter, anyway. You're here, living with me, and with mummy Daphne, and auntie Astoria, and Hermione and Ron, and we're raising you - and so that means that these bad people...they want to hurt you just the same. Just for that. Just for...being my daughter."
"So it doesn't even matter to them?" Daisy murmured out. "They just made this stuff up and said that's how it is? And even if you're 'pure blood' and they still hate you...they just get to make up stupid reasons to keep treating you wrong anyways? No matter what? Even if I was pure blood...they wouldn't care?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah. That's about right, Daisy. It's all- made up crap, and they just use it as an excuse to hurt others. To hate them. But none of it is real, none of it really matters."
Daisy looked him in the eye. "It all sounds really stupid."
Harry laughed in sheer relief - and pride. "Yeah, it is. It's all really, really stupid and dumb. And it's wrong of them, Daisy. To want to hurt others, and stop them from living happy lives with the people they love - just because of some made up idea about blood. But they're the ones in charge of the magical government of Britain, and they're always looking for people like us. To hurt us, to control us. To..." He brought out his wand, giving it a flick; a recent Prophet article appeared in the air. He showed Daisy the front page, the moving image.
Her eyes were wide. Her mouth fell open. Then she clenched her jaw and narrowed her eyes. "How can they do that to people?!"
"Because they...have power, and authority, and- it's what a lot of people believe in."
"We have power too!" Daisy exclaimed furiously. "Why don't we just make them stop?"
"We try, Daisy. There are a lot of people trying - why do you think you don't see auntie Ginny too much? Or anyone else when we visit the Burrow? She's out there trying, every day. Trying to free people from places like that - trying to protect them. There are a lot of others trying, too. Trying to...bring that whole- the whole government down. So that these things never have to happen again. But there are a lot of these- bad people, too, and there aren't a lot of us who are willing to...to risk getting hurt to help others. People are scared, Daisy. Scared that they'll get hurt too, put into- camps like that too. That they'll never get out again, never be free, never see their loved ones again. So they just...they don't try."
"Well more people should be trying!" Daisy erupted. "I want to - I'll do it! You always say how strong my magic is! I'm not scared!" she declared.
"That's...you've no idea how happy I am to hear you say that, sweetie. But if...if that is really something you want to do with your life, then you'll have to wait until you're seventeen. I'm not going to let you before then."
"Why not? These stupid 'pure bloods' aren't waiting."
Harry almost choked. "That's- true...but, look, you can't just go running off to save people. You need to be stronger, and faster - and taller," he grinned. "You need training, Daisy. You need to learn how to fight, how to use your magic to save people first. Because, trust me, if you try to just run off and do it before you're ready...you'll just end up getting more people hurt than you help. I know, Daisy, because I started trying to fight these people when I was a kid too. I messed up a lot, I got a lot of friends hurt. People I loved. And even people who never should have been there. They were even killed, Daisy. I hurt, more than I ever helped. I won't see you make the same mistake, okay? But I promise you...that if you want to...we can start training you now. If you want to go out more, you need to know how to defend yourself anyways. And you're right: you have very powerful magic, and incredible control over it, even without a wand. We can make you even better at that, if you want to."
"Ok," Daisy said, satisfied. "I want to do that. Teach me how. Then, when I'm older, I'll be the best - I'll be so strong I can save...like, dozens of people! I'll make all of this stop, I'll make all these bad people stop - all by myself! If everybody else is too scared to do anything!" she concluded hotly. Downright haughtily.
That pride, that vanity, shone through on Daisy's little face above all else. And all her usual stubborn determination, of course. It was in these moments that Harry could see it so clearly - the resemblance to Tom Riddle's expressions (the one from the Diary). The same eyes, the same hair...the way her mouth twisted...
Looks and personality she might have inherited - along with the unsurprising ability of parseltongue - but it was her choices that set her apart. Her desire to help, to save. What she wanted to do with her power and talents...
It was that outrage when she had seen the front page of the article, the image of those people, dirty and hurting, the children in rags and chains. It was the empathy and compassion, real and true in her, the genuine passion beneath the pride - driving it. The reason...the motive...
"Okay," Harry agreed. "But we're not going to make it easy on you, Daisy. It's going to be rough at times. It's going to be...really hard. It has to be - because the people you might have to...protect yourself from...they're not going to go easy on you either. They want to hurt you, and even kill you if they get the chance. Do you understand?"
"I can do it!" Daisy insisted.
"We'll see."
Pride before the fall was one of Daisy's greatest flaws; she really didn't handle failure well, despite best efforts to help her learn to deal with it.
And that was with trivial, innocent things, like failing in her schoolwork, or getting frustrated over not winning a game! Harry couldn't imagine it was going to go too well in that regard when it came to teaching her self defense.
But he'd agreed, and she deserved to know how. She had that right, same as anyone.
Even at her age - and especially in this world.
"I want to use your wand! It works better than mums!"
"Okay, okay." Harry withdrew his wand. "Just don't damage it this time, please?"
"And don't use it to pick your nose, either - I saw that yesterday," Daphne chimed in, with a wide grin. "Don't think I didn't."
"You what?" Harry said, staring at Daisy with exasperation. "Come on, you know better! And you could've blown your head off!"
"Did you want me to use my shirt - or my finger?" Daisy replied innocently. "I thought that was bad too."
"Don't get smart with me; we have wipes for a reason," Harry said calmly. "Which I'm going to need to use for my wand here, thank you..." He sighed, flicking his wand to bring a box of wipes into the living room. He glanced at Daphne. "Why didn't you tell me yesterday?"
Daphne shrugged. "I didn't think it was that big of a deal."
"See, I didn't either!" Daisy exclaimed, triumphant.
Harry counted to three, holding his breath in. "Hygiene is always a big deal, okay? Daisy, I want you to apologize for being...gross. And also for mistreating my things. You have to be more respectful, or else I won't let you borrow it again. And Daphne - can you try to consider it a big deal the next time it happens? Not that it will...right, Daisy?"
Daisy looked suitably chastised. "Sorry...no, it won't! Promise - sorry!"
It was times like these that Harry really reflected that, despite it being months into Daisy's very serious self defense lessons, and despite how sharp she could be at times, she was still a five year old girl.
He eyed his wife sideways.
And that Daphne was still Daphne.
Harry supposed some things just were never going to change.
Not for lack of trying, he supposed.
There was one thing he was becoming more and more desperate to change, however.
The prophecy he had never forgotten, even over the last five years.
Daisy's sixth birthday was rapidly approaching.
And with it...
The unknown that terrified Harry.
What was going to happen to her when it came to pass?