Chapter 1

Christmas Vacation

Daphne Greengrass loved Christmas just as much as any child but as she grew older she became aware that her experience with the holiday was considerably different than others. She didn't notice until returning to Hogwarts after her first Christmas break. Her classmates endlessly showed and described all the gifts they'd received and were left with confused faces when Daphne had so little to share. It was then that it became painfully obvious that she was much less than not well off, she was downright poor.

Her mother had always made it feel like it wasn't a big deal. They always had food, and though she didn't have a very large wardrobe her mother would regularly transfigure clothes so it appeared she had a wider variety than she actually possessed. That was even less of an issue at Hogwarts with the uniforms. Sure, some students flaunted their wealth but otherwise, everyone was on a fairly even playing field.

So, on the Christmas morning during her third year, she awoke with excitement but as she was more keenly aware of her family's financial situation, her enthusiasm was tempered. Her mother was waiting for her outside her door, which was odd. Usually, Daphne had to wake up her mother to go open presents.

Her mum had been weird the whole break but Daphne had just played that off as her trying to compensate for not providing Daphne with as many luxuries as her friends. As a single mum, she never could get a well-paying job, whether due to the time commitment she was unwilling to make or due prejudice against her situation, she would never say but Daphne had her suspicions it was a combination of both.

'Good morning, sweetheart. Happy Christmas,' Raquel Greengrass said to her daughter, taking her in a light embrace.

'Happy Christmas, mum,' Daphne replied pleasantly.

'You wait here until I call you in,' Raquel stated.

Now that was bizarre. She always just let Daphne run in and tear into the few presents she had. It wasn't until last year that Daphne even realized her mother never bought a present for herself. There was usually just something Daphne made at school for her mother to unwrap.

'Ok, you can come out now!' Raquel called, anticipation dripping from her voice.

Daphne stepped out of her room and walked down the short hallway to the living room where they had their small Christmas tree set up. She froze and her eyes bugged when she saw the pile of gifts.

Raquel beamed at her. 'Come on, what are you waiting for?'

'I'm just shocked,' Daphne said as she slowly began to make her way to the small sofa.

'Well, they're not all for you, so don't go ripping them all open,' Raquel said with a smile.

'You got some presents for yourself this year?'

'Just start opening,' Raquel said as she tossed Daphne a small box that had her name on it.

A new jumper, a new pair of shoes, a box of chocolate frogs, and a simple but elegant gold chain necklace.

Her mother opened some new clothes as well, along with a couple pieces of nice jewelry.

Daphne was just enjoying the increase in bounty without considering—well, she considered it briefly, but didn't deign to vocalize her thoughts in case it might spoil the happy mood—how hard her mother had to work or how long she might've had to save to make this possible.

The joy on Daphne's face was indescribable and it elicited a large smile from her mother.

'There's one more for you,' Raquel said as she slid a long slender package out from its hiding place.

Once more, Daphne's eyes widened in anticipation. She tore through the wrapping paper quickly that revealed a box with no markings though the shape alone had her only thinking of one thing, even if she wouldn't dare say her wish aloud for fear of being disappointed.

She found a latch on the outside of the box and looked to her mum as she undid the locking mechanism.

Raquel wasn't even trying to hide her grin. 'Go on. Open it,' she prompted with a wave of the hand as she noticed Daphne's hesitation.

She pried open the latch and opened the box to reveal the glimmering shaft of a brand new broom. She pulled it out of the box and examined the broom with great interest.

Her eyes stopped when she reached the inscription on the broom.

'Is this real?' she asked in what came out as a whisper.

'It is,' Raquel confirmed, adding a nod of the head.

'How? There's no way. How could you get a Firebolt?'

'Sweetheart, that is not for you to worry about. After lunch, we can go find a place for you to try it out.'

Daphne got up and crossed the room and gave her mum a giant hug. 'Thank you so much, mum. I don't know how you did it but if you say not to worry about it, I won't.'

Daphne had used her mother's old broom for flying. And while making the Slytherin Quidditch team was likely out of the question, she would never be embarrassed at the state of her broom ever again.

'You're welcome, sweetheart. Hopefully, this is a new beginnings of sorts. Perhaps it won't happen quickly but I've got a good feeling that things are looking up.'

There was only one thing that could make today better, a father. Or at least a story about him. It was one of the only things that caused her mother angst and so she had given up asking much about him. Sure, she still made the occasional offhand comment, but those were easily dismissed, especially since Daphne never followed up or pressed the issue.

Her mother had never said he was dead but she would never confirm him to be alive either. So Daphne had settled with believing he would never be a part of her life, due to circumstances she would likely never know or understand.

This wonderful Christmas morning had her wondering if this is what she had been missing out on her entire life. She couldn't help but think the answer was yes, but again, she didn't dare bring up the topic with her mother, especially in light of the current joy they were both basking in.

Third-year progressed without much change from before. Her Firebolt drew a few comments from those that found out about it, she didn't flaunt it. And the fact that another student, who actually played Quidditch, Potter, also had one now, seemed to draw far more attention. For once, she was appreciative that Potter was such an attention whore. He couldn't go a month without doing something to draw all eyes on him, such a prima donna. And the worst part was how the whole school ate his whole act up like chocolate pudding, it made her gag.

Of course, there was one person that wouldn't let a new development like this slide, Malfoy. It's not like she wasn't prepared for something, before her first year Daphne's mother had tried to explain some of the things that would be said in her direction.

Raquel had portrayed to Daphne that she had grown used to the insults and implications thrown her way, verbal and nonverbal alike. Being a single mum in the magical world came with its fair share of judgment.

Raquel had reminded Daphne of this before returning to school with her new broom, explaining that this would likely attract attention and with that, the ire of some of the more jealous types. Daphne had played out some scenarios in her head but there are things and specifics one can never truly predict.

Except Malfoy, he was the epitome of predictable.

So when Malfoy started spewing derogatory words about Daphne's mother in the common room one night, Daphne was ready to not take the comments lying down.

'Greengrass, do you even know what to do with a broom of that calibre?' Malfoy sneered.

'Bend over and I'll show ya,' Daphne responded dryly, catching Malfoy off guard with any sort of response, let alone a combative one.

'You've got a lot of nerve talking to me that way, Greengrass.'

'I wasn't talking to you,' she drawled.

Malfoy shared confused looks with Pansy, who furrowed her brows, and Crabbe and Goyle, who just shrugged.

He then looked back towards Daphne with a scowl. 'What do you suppose your mother had to do to afford the Firebolt?' he jeered. 'Or who, would be the more appropriate question.'

This drew laughs from all his cronies and some of the others that were hanging around the room and starting to pay attention to the interaction.

'You know I had a similar thought, and I asked her,' Daphne started, garnering the attention of any that weren't already paying attention. People didn't typically respond to Malfoy's snark and when they did, it usually ended badly. She had his attention, so she continued in a tone of mock sincerity, 'She said it was your father. So if you could thank him for me, I'd appreciate it.'

Gasps erupted from other students and Malfoys eyes narrowed.

'You dare insult my family—'

'Oh, that wasn't the insult. That would be how unsatisfying she said he was,' Daphne cut across.

'She—That whore! My father will hear about this.'

'Actually, we were hoping you would tell your mother. Though come to think of it, she probably already knows about his performance issues and that's why he has to step out on her.'

'Why you,' Malfoy sputtered.

'Do you think that's why you have no siblings?' Daphne asked mockingly. The gasps from other students had turned into all-out laughter.

Malfoy was looking around for support but even his most loyal cronies had taken a step or two back.

'I am the heir of The Most Noble and Ancient House—'

'We already know, blah blah blah. . . Nobody cares, Malfoy!'

A mixture of laughter and applause filled the common room, drowning out whatever response Malfoy had.

Daphne sat back in her seat with a smug smile. She wouldn't tell her mum the things she had said about her, though they weren't that far off from some of the comments she'd heard her mother say to shut people up in the past. So, although it stung inside that she had essentially thrown her mother under the bus, it was better than Malfoy doing it without recompense.

The incident with Malfoy seemed to buy her some space, from him and others who liked to throw verbal barbs. And other than her ability to escape to the air on occasion—which was less often than she'd planned due to the presence of the Dementors, bloody Potter—her year had progressed rather uneventfully; she didn't mind.

Daphne heard the whispers as she entered the Great Hall for breakfast. Every head was buried in the nearest copy of the Daily Prophet.

She found her seat and found an unattended paper. She was as shocked as anyone at the headline.

Sirius Black Innocent

Peter Pettigrew, found alive, confesses to all.

She read through the article and of course, it was bloody Potter who was given credit for the discovery and capture of Pettigrew.

Such an attention whore, she thought. Always playing the hero and seeking the admiration of all for his exploits, of which she hardly believed were half as true as the stories that were told.

The news made the rest of school and the trip home much more pleasant at least. The professors all seemed much more relaxed, except Snape, he was as irritable as ever, perhaps even worse. She didn't hold it against him though, Slytherins were always subtly separated from the other Houses by the other professors so it was nice to have one that looked out for them, even if he was just looking out for his own.

And no thought or threat of Dementors on the ride home meant more peace for all. All the staff could rest easy that their precious Potter could arrive at whatever summer home he had without incident. She scoffed at the thought of how everyone in the whole school was affected at attempts to ensure his safety.

Her mum met her at the platform and if Daphne thought she had been weird over Christmas, she was downright spastic now. Looking over her shoulder constantly, you'd think she had a warrant out for her arrest with how much she was checking her surroundings.

'Mum, what's going on?' Daphne asked with concern.

'Nothing, hun. I just—I think I was expecting—I'll explain when we get home.'

Pop

'Ok, we're home. Now tell me what's got you all weird,' Daphne declared as they sat down together on the sofa.

'Well, let's see. . . How do I put this?' Raquel was wringing her hands and her eyes kept darting around the room.

'Just spit it out, mum!' Daphne proclaimed.

'K, your father wants to be involved in your life going forward,' Raquel blurted out.

Daphne's eyes widened.

Her father.

She's all but given up hope that she'd ever learn anything about him, let alone meet him and have him involved in her life. And now, out of nowhere, he is just ready to jump in like nothing happened.

But that wasn't fair. Something had to have happened to him, something terrible, for her mother to never even hint at what it could've been. And the hope in her mother's eyes told Daphne she was already on board and was just hoping that Daphne would receive the news with a semblance of an open mind. She trusted her mother but she still was hesitant and had some questions.

'But you said—'

'All I've ever said is I didn't think we would ever see him again. I really didn't know anything,' Raquel cut across.

Daphne paused to examine her mother's face. She was slightly worried, probably uneasy about how Daphne would react, but there was a definite wisp of excitement bubbling beneath the surface that Raquel was unable to hide. 'Are you serious?' she breathed.

Raquel snorted and held in a laugh, 'I am, but not as much as he is.'

'What is so funny?' Daphne asked in confusion. 'Is this your version of a joke. I don't think it's very funny.'

'No, no. It's no joke. I'm serious, and so is he.'

Another snort escaped.

'Ok! Will you stop that!?' Daphne proclaimed with irritation.

'I'm sorry. It's just that, that was always his joke and I can't help but laugh as I picture him saying it again,' Raquel said with joyful tears welling up in her eyes.

'I am so lost,' Daphne said in exasperation. 'If you are just getting my hopes up after all these years of dodging the topic, I'm not going to be very pleasant.'

'I understand. I'm telling you the honest truth. Your father is Sirius,' Raquel stated.

'I've got that much by now. You're not joking.'

'No. I mean, yes, he is serious about meeting you but that's actually his name—'

Knock knock knock

Both heads snapped towards the door. Then they looked back at each other. Visitors were extremely rare so this was more than a surprise to Daphne.

Daphne's eyes were bugging out while Raquel was sporting a knowing smile.

Raquel got up to answer the door and strode calmly to the door.

Daphne had learned herself that her exterior did not always give a true reflection of her inner feelings and she suspected that was a trait she'd inherited from her mother, who almost always portrayed strength and calmness in public. This wasn't exactly public but Daphne presumed that her mother was not nearly as calm as she appeared. The way she was wiping her palms on her clothes was all the evidence she needed.

Raquel opened the door revealing a man with long black hair and grey eyes. He was handsome even if he looked a bit emaciated with his cheek and jaw bones featuring prominently in his current state.

They locked eyes for a brief moment and a roguish grin spread on his face.

It was enough to shatter whatever resolve she had to maintain her composure as she threw herself into his arms, sobbing on his shoulder.

'If you ever leave me again. . .' Raquel threatened.

'I won't. . . as long as you'll still have me,' Sirius replied with moisture filling the corners of his eyes.

'I'd have no one else,' she declared.

Well, Daphne couldn't deny that they still seemed devoted to each other. And it made her think of a topic she had only recently brought up with her mother for the first time, only to be resoundingly shot down. Now that reaction made much more sense, her mum still had hope, she'd always had hope.

Now, as a show of good faith, Daphne thought it might get her relationship with Sirius off to a good start if she gave him a little surety her mother always has her heart set on him.

'It's true,' Daphne proclaimed, drawing the attention of the two adults. 'I've told her for the last year or so to get out, but her attempts have been non-existent. I don't think I understood, until now.'

Raquel flushed a little. 'She's not wrong. But come inside,' she said, grabbing his hand and piling him inside, closing the door behind her.

'Daphne, this is your father, Sirius Black. Sirius, your daughter, Daphne.'

'You are more beautiful than I ever could've imagined, Daphne. I'm glad you take so much after your mother,' Sirius stated.

'Thank you,' Daphne replied softly as she dropped her eyes. Sirius Black, he'd been in Azkaban, then had Dementors instructed to give him the kiss on sight. No wonder her mother has been so uncertain they'd ever see him again. Azkaban was as good as a death sentence. Then she slowly raised her head. 'But. . . how?'

'Well, you see, dear,' Raquel started. 'When a man and a woman love each other—'

'Mum! Stop!'

'Oh. That's right, we've already had that talk. You're wondering about his story. Mass murderer turned—what are you now?' Raquel asked Sirius.

'I guess just a normal wizard,' Sirius said pensively.

'You are not just a normal wizard,' Raquel proclaimed longingly.

'Oh, Morgana. Get a room!' Daphne said.

'That's the plan,' Raquel said. 'You are moving in, right?' she asked Sirius.

'As long as it's still ok. My place is barely what you could call habitable.'

'Of course, it's ok. Daphne?'

'I guess,' Daphne replied with a sigh, more for effect than any true reservations. 'But I still want to know some things.'

'Right, well, our relationship was a pretty well-kept secret. Your father was actively fighting against You-Know-Who—'

'Which put a target on anyone I was close to,' Sirius cut in.

'Gramma and grandad?' Daphne asked.

Sirius dropped his head. Raquel looked at him with sadness in her eyes.

'You know I've never held you responsible,' Raquel said softly, taking his hand and giving a little squeeze.

Daphne looked between with confusion on her face.

'A couple Death Eaters tracked me to your grandparents' place where they were helping take care of you as a baby. Your grandparents didn't survive the encounter,' Sirius explained solemnly.

'But neither did the Death Eaters,' Raquel interjected with a sense of pride.

'Yeah, and it's a good thing too, or else the whole world would've known who your father is,' Sirius added.

'Which wouldn't have been great for you considering where he ended up,' Raquel said to Daphne.

'Is that why you never told me?' Daphne asked.

'Yes, even though my heart never believed it happened like the Ministry suggested, I thought that would be a lot to put on your plate. How about you fill us in on what really happened. There was only so much you could put in those letters,' Raquel suggested to Sirius.

Sirius started at the beginning for Daphne's sake and told them about the Potters going into hiding and the secret keeper switch, finding the Potters home destroyed and his best friend and wife murdered, their son in his crib, the realization that Peter had betrayed them and the ensuing confrontation—while describing Peter's Animagus abilities without revealing his own—that ended with him in Azkaban.

'Wouldn't you have told Peter about me?' Daphne asked curiously.

'Oh no!' Raquel declared. 'After your father told me about his Animagus form I told him about a time I caught a rat that I know was spying on us in the girls' bathroom during our seventh year. The Potters might have trusted him but I never did.'

'So the Potters have always been stupid,' Daphne said dryly.

'Er,' Sirius was without a response.

'No offence to your friend or anything, but Potter just seems like an idiot,' Daphne stated. 'And you know what they say about the apple.'

Sirius chuckled softly but bit his tongue and allowed a small smirk to cross his face.

The next couple weeks were spent rekindling an old acquaintance and developing a new one. Sirius wasn't too keen on being seen in public all too often but that didn't mean they didn't go out and that he didn't spoil them a touch.

Daphne relished in the time together as a whole family and as a father and daughter. Sirius regaled some of his stories from school though there were a couple aspects she wasn't fond of.

'I can't believe you were a Gryffindor,' Daphne stated.

'Well, one doesn't really have a choice, do they?'

'I suppose not.'

'And if you knew my family, you would understand why I had a small rebellious streak in me,' Sirius explained.

'Small?' Raquel scoffed.

Sirius returned with a sheepish smile and a shrug.

'Ok, so you couldn't choose your House, but you could choose your friends,' Daphne said. 'Your best friend, a Potter? From the sounds of it, all that entitlement and cockiness is just baked right in.'

'Is that what you think of Harry?' Sirius asked.

'Just what I've observed. It's pretty obvious he thinks he can get away with anything.'

Sirius shared a quick smile with Raquel and nodded his head in acknowledgment. 'Well, the universe has a way of bringing people together in ways you never could've imagined. Be that friends or otherwise,' Sirius said while taking Raquel's hand.

'I guess so. . . but still, Potter. Ugh,' Daphne groaned.

Her parents laughed but let her have her say without more debate.