Chapter 14
"Wow!" Ron said. "I mean wow!"
"We get it Weasley," Draco said.
"But really, he's right," Hermione said. "Wow!"
Draco looked at Ginny, "Are they like this all the time?"
Ginny smiled a little, but it was really a half-hearted attempt. Harry noticed.
"Alright, Gin?" he asked.
"I'm worried about Daze. She was so... cold," Ginny said without looking at the others.
The meeting was still going on. It had been and hour and a half since Daisy left. Snape had come back in after half and hour and brought information from Daisy that had extended the meeting considerably. Each of the new recruits had offered an opinion. There had been a lot of argument, but it was finally decided that a rescue mission was in order. When they realized there was no way any of them would be involved, they decided to go see Daisy. They were all anxious. Allen was strangely quiet.
At Ginny's comment, Draco shrugged. "She can do that. She's good at it. It's not really that odd for her."
They looked at him as if he had grown an extra head. "What? Do you know how vehemently she defends her friends? I piss her off quite a bit."
Allen laughed from his position behind them. "They really don't know. She keeps such control most of the time. She doesn't do that with you, Draco."
Harry nodded. He thought of how often he had seen her angry with other people, including Malfoy. It really wasn't out of character for her. "Angry but controlled, that does sound like her. I'm wondering, Malfoy, when did you two became friends?"
Draco looked at the others and shrugged, he managed to make even this look elegant and nonchalant at the same time. "About a month ago I found her in an empty classroom. She was cursing the place like a mad woman. It was very entertaining. And she was just so easy to bait. Well instead of getting angry at me she cried. I didn't know what to do. I was with the girl for two weeks. I know she doesn't cry. She told me she couldn't stand her visions. That she thought she was going to die. I think that's why she turned to me today. She's seen her death. That and because of her parents."
"What about her parents?" Hermoine asked.
"You saw. You and the Weasley's have proper parents. Potter doesn't have any parents. I have awful parents. We talk a lot about that," Draco said this as if neither he nor Daisy cared about their patents, but since they had grown so close over it, it was clear they both hurt a lot.
"We're here," Allen said.
*********************************************
Daisy was sitting on the windowsill, staring out into the falling snow. She had the window open a crack so she could feel the cold air and the occasional snowflakes would blow in and land on her bare skin. She was absently running her fingers across her neck, along a scar that didn't exist...yet.
She didn't even notice the others enter until Ron let out a rather colorful remark about how cold it was in the infirmary. She smiled. That was one thing she was glad she learned today. She had friends. Any one of them would put themselves in danger to help her. Well, maybe not Draco, he would put some else in danger to help her, probably Harry.
She climbed down off the small sill and shut the window. They hadn't seen her yet. She was hidden from view by a number of screens. She really didn't feel like talking, but watched her friends.
When she saw Allen she almost went running to him. He looked lost. He had been strong for their mother, she knew, but this must be hard on him as well.
Mother. Always the drama queen. She was an amazing actress. She even preformed on stage occasionally. Theater was very popular among the upper class of their people, and Annabelle Dumbledore was literally queen of the theater set. It was quite convenient for her father. He would go off on government missions and his wife would take her place as the proverbial leading lady. It was a good cover, but their lives left little time for their children.
That is of course, until her 'incident'.
"I don't think she's here."
Daisy wasn't sure who said it but it brought her out of her revelry. "No, I'm here," she said, and came out from behind the screens. "But Ron was so cold, I didn't want him to suffer any longer. I closed the window."
"Why in the name of Merlin would you open a window in a snow storm?" Ron asked.
"Because I'm odd, as you constantly tell me," she quipped. "But really it's a good thing you came. If Pomfery caught me out of bed..."
She began to climb back into the hospital bed she'd be using, at least for tonight.
"You're not glowing anymore." Allen said.
She stopped and looked at him. He was almost as good as her at hiding his feelings, almost. She went over to the bed a bit down the row where he had perched himself. She didn't say anything. She just sat next to him. They sat like that for a moment, next to each other in silence, elbow-to-elbow, thigh-to-thigh. It is amazing how a little human contact can make you feel connected again.
"I'm glad you're alright," he said.
"Thanks."
"You could have taken me," he said quietly.
"I didn't really mean to go when I left," she said. "But your right. Not only could I have taken you, I should have. It's about your family too."
"I'm just glad Harry followed you. Incredibly stupid, but I'm glad just the same," Allen said.
"I am in the room you know," Harry piped in his own defense.
"Yes but you were still stupid," Daisy said. "And I'm glad you were too."
"We all are," Ginny said. "What were you thinking, Daze?"
"That's just it, Gin. I wasn't," she let out an auditable sigh. "I just felt so out of control. But that's not a problem anymore."
"What was it like?" Hermione asked.
Daisy's face glazed over as she began to speak. "I was part of everything. I could see centuries if I wanted. I had to watch my life. I had to see myself. I've tried to be a good person, but there are things I've seen, mistakes I've made. I had to watch that, than get past it. If I couldn't accept myself, faults and all, than I couldn't go on. There are some people here would benefit from that, from seeing every aspect of their lives." She looked pointedly and Harry and Draco. "But then, I was also ready. I mean you're never really ready for some thing like that, but I knew what I was doing. And I had a reason to be there. I needed to See the end of the half visions I've been having. I don't know if the V-clear fried me, or if I just wasn't developed enough to See clearly, but I haven't been seeing whole visions. That won't be a problem anymore."
There was a long silence after that. As she talked everyone had gathered around. Ginny had sat on her other side. Harry, Ron, and Hermoine were sitting on the bed across and Draco was standing near by leaning on a pillar. Daisy stretched.
"You looked like Crookshanks," Hermoine said.
"Thanks," she shot back, as she throw a pillow that hit Ron too.
"Watch it!" Ron said, throwing the pillow back and completely missing Daisy, but hitting Allen in the head. Harry laughed at them and was rewarded with a pillow to his own head. He summoned pillows from the near by beds and began chucking them at the three younger Gryffindors. Ginny, Daisy, and Allen for their part, were having fun throwing them back resulting in all out war, with feathers flying freely.
Draco was watching all this from his spot safely in the isle. "Gryffindors," he mumbled shaking his head. Unfortunately for him, he said it to loud and got six pillows throne at him at once.
"Hey! Watch the hair!" he said.
The great amount of noise caused Madame Pomfery to come out of her office and yell at them. It took just a moment more for her to shoo everyone out. Harry was aloud to stay so his cuts from the forest could be tended, as well as his now aching arm.
"Sorry again," Daisy said while his was drinking the muscle-relaxing potion.
He shrugged at her at smiled as he tried to swallow the potion. Just then both their stomachs grumbled loudly. Madame Pomfrey looked at them. "I suppose you missed dinner then?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am" Daisy answered.
Madame Pomfrey sighed as though she couldn't believe her long standing suffering. "All right then. Harry, do you know how to get into the kitchens?" He nodded in the affirmative. "Good, go and get yourself and Daisy some dinner please. Bring it back here."
"Turkey and cheese sandwich, an apple, and pumpkin juice please," Daisy said with a smile.
*****************************************************
"Malfoy!" Ron yelled.
They were separating at the Entrance Hall and Ron felt he needed to talk to Malfoy.
"What Weasley?" he said in his characteristic draw.
Ron tried to keep in mind that they were on the same side. He checked to make sure the others were gone.
"Well Weasley?" Malfoy said.
Same side. Same side. "Malfoy I want to talk to you about Daisy."
"Yes?" he said.
"You really were there for her. I missed what was wrong. I was her boyfriend. I should have seen it. I want to thank you for being her friend." Ron smiled and thought, 'There we go. I was the bigger man. At least now when he's a git I can say I tried.'
Malfoy gave him an appraising look. He finally said, "Well, it's not like she readily gives information. I just caught her off guard. It's not your fault. I'm sure over all you know more about her then I."
'Damn.' Ron thought. Then he said, "She would talk to me about her sister. I'm worried about her now. She doesn't open up to just anyone. Even if you did catch her off guard, she still trusts you. I don't know why, but she does. If you're really her friend, keep an eye on her."
Malfoy nodded. "This doesn't mean we're friends or anything."
"Good!" Ron shot over his shoulder as he hurried up to Gryffindor Tower.
*******************************************
Harry was down in the kitchens only briefly. He quickly told Dobby what Daisy had asked to eat. Dobby began getting enough food ready for a small family, so Harry refrained from asking for anything for himself. After telling Dobby to bring the food up to the Hospital Wing, Harry decided to run up to Gryffindor Tower for a quick shower and change. His cuts may have been healed but his cloths were a mess.
Harry knew a number of secret passages and was able to move fairly quickly. He didn't see any of the others in the Common Room and since he was in a hurry he didn't bother to look for them.
After he came back from the showers, Ron's head poked out from behind his bed coverings. "Hey, didn't take you long," he said.
Harry smiled as he straightened his fresh robes. "I'm going back. We missed dinner. Pomfery's actually letting us eat in the infirmary. I just got tired of smelling like trees and centaurs."
Ron nodded. "Yeah, I was glad I didn't have to sit next to you in Dumbeldore's office."
Harry trough his pillow at him. "Didn't Pomfery just tell us off for that?" Ron asked throwing it back.
"No she told us off for disturbing her patient," Harry said. "Speaking of, I don't want to leave her alone up there. I have an excuse to go back, and I'm really hungry."
Ron laughed at him, but then his face fell. "I know what you mean though. Hermoine and Ginny took her pajamas to her. Hermoine says sh's particular about her pj's."
"Good," Harry said. "I'll see you in a bit."
*******************************************
Harry ran into Hermoine and Ginny as they left the infirmary. "Oh, Harry good. Daisy was beginning to think you abandoned her. And then Madame Pomfery made us leave," Hermoine said.
"I really needed to clean up a bit," Harry said.
"I noticed," Ginny said. "I walked next to when we first came down here."
"Haha. First your brother, now you. I'd like to see what you would look like after half carrying someone through the forest." Harry said.
The girls laughed and said, "See you in bit Harry."
Harry took a deep breath and entered the infirmary. He began looking for Daisy and he found her by an open window, with Neville.
'Right.' He thought. 'She'd dating Neville.'
"Alright Mister Longbottom," Madame Pomfery came out and said. "I've given you long enough. Say good night."
Harry considered Neville for a moment. He wasn't quite the forgetful round- faced boy he had been first year. He had grown taller than Harry, almost as tall as Ron. Harry remembered his Aunt Petunia calling Dudley's bulk puppy fat. Apparently Neville's round really had been puppy fat, which he was rapidly losing. Neville was still a klutz, but then so was Daisy. He was still quiet, but Daisy had seemed that way too at first.
Neville had to bend down to kiss her. Harry felt oddly disconnected from the scene. It was like something out of a film. Beautiful, but ill girl in a pair of too big pajama bottoms and a tank top, kissing her sweet and steady boyfriend framed by a moon lit window. Harry and a very strong urge to be sick, or hit Neville. He wasn't sure which.
Harry quietly went over to the table and began to pick at the food. Neville didn't even see him upon leaving. He had dreamy look on his face.
'Typical!' Harry thought. 'That kiss was nothing to get excited about. And I would know.'
Daisy came over to where he was sitting. She was smiling dopily. And was she blushing? "Hi," she sighed.
"Quite a show," he said in a flat tone.
She didn't notice. "Yeah," she sighed again. Then she actually shook her head. "Where'd you disappear to?"
"Shower," he grunted before taking a long gulp of pumpkin juice.
Daisy picked up an apple and bit into it.
"You're quiet," she said through her chewing.
"Sorry," Harry said.
"It's okay," Daisy smiled gently. "Something on your mind?"
"Yeah," he said. "Yeah, why Neville? I mean why did that happen? You only broke up with Ron, what a week ago?"
"Harry, your loyalty to Ron is touching," she said.
"No I mean it. Last week you broke up with your boyfriend and six days later your kissing someone else."
"I might remind you, we broke up because he kissed someone else. And this coming for you? Can we say irony? Or how 'bout hypocrite! How many girls have you snogged in the past two weeks?"
Harry though for a minute and answered honestly. "Five. But that's just snogging. You're jumping from one relationship into another. That can't be good."
"So what should I do, oh great and wise sage? Be obnoxiously stubborn, like our two dearest friends? How long have they liked each other now? A year and a half? Since first year? Hermione broke things off with Viktor because she didn't think it fair to date him when she had feelings for someone else. Of course, buy that time Ron was taken. And now they'll wait again because they feel guilty. Or maybe I should have taken your road. Snog myself senseless with people I don't care about. Ron did suggest I get together with you when we broke up."
"This from the girl who went out with Draco Malfoy because 'it was fun,'" he said.
"Yes, but Harry, I actually went out with him. It wasn't just snogging for fun and profit."
"Ron suggested we get together?" he asked quizzically.
She laughed. "Yeah, and that was pretty much my reaction. Well, that and to make fun of you."
"Of course," he said returning her smile but feeling like someone had just deflated his favorite balloon.
Daisy sighed again. When Harry looked up from his food, she looked like he felt, miserable. "What's wrong?" he asked. Mood swings couldn't be a good sign.
"I was just wondering if you're right," she said.
"Course I am," he said triumphantly. "About what?"
She smiled at him. "Neville. I mean I like him. And he's the kind of boy a girl is suppose to want, steady, sweet, kind, not bad to look at..."
"And," Harry said trying to move her on to the part where he was right, and away from Neville.
"And I just don't know if I asked him out for the right reasons. I was so nervous before I asked him. I don't get nervous, not about this stuff."
"Maybe you just really like him." Harry offered, slipping in to good friend mode and trying to help her.
"Maybe. With Ron things just sort of happened. And then Draco just shocked me. I just I didn't have to ask them out and there wasn't the same pressure."
"And you knew Nev would never ask you out," he said, and she nodded. "Hey Daze, there's something I've been meaning to ask you. It's about Malfoy."
"What about Draco?" she said.
"When he first kissed you came running back to Hermoine like it was your first kiss. But now we know it wasn't and that you're quite experienced," he said carefully trying to find the right words.
"Yes, I was rather advanced at a young age. But Draco was my first kiss in two years. And it was Draco Malfoy. I was a bit panicked. I think from my reaction he might have thought I was inexperienced as well. Not the case. By the time he realized I wasn't we had broken up. And then with Ron..."
"Okay stop!" Harry held up a hand. "I asked about Malfoy. I don't need anymore mental images then I have, thank you."
She laughed. It felt good to be here laughing like this. "Harry, I know Ron's your best friend and all, but you know you're my best friend right?"
He was rather startled by this. "What about Ginny and Hermoine? And you seem to be awfully chummy with Malfoy now."
"Yeah but did he carry me though the Forbidden Forest because I was too stubborn to fly? And Hermoine and Ginny are, well the best girl friends I could have. But they don't know. There are things they just don't know. And I ask the Light every day to guide us in our steps so they won't have to find out. But you've seen into the soul of darkness. Draco has too, but there's more I can talk to you about. I just feel closer to you."
Harry didn't know what to say. He wondered briefly if the person he would miss most would still be Ron. "Thanks, Daze you know I'm here for you."
She smiled. "Yeah I know. But did you know you desperately need a haircut? I mean really! What a mop!"
*************************************
It took them about an hour to eat everything Dobby had brought for them. Daisy continued to pick on Harry's scruffy hair and he would counter with the fact that no one could use his hair for a rope (he called her Rapunzel for a full ten minutes). There was a slight food fight. (Harry still has a piece of turkey in his hair she wouldn't tell him about, which makes up for the piece of bread in her hair he hadn't told her about. Each was wondering why the other kept laughing every time they looked up.)
It was hard to believe they were in the infirmary. Serveus Snape found the whole thing entertaining. He had come back to see to that Daisy got the correct potions, and that they were made correctly. He tried to ignore the fact that it was Harry Potter who was making his niece laugh like that.
He couldn't help but see Daisy as a small child, all pigtails and eyes. She looked up to him, literally as well as actually. He never knew why and it un-nerved him. And she had certainly proved she wasn't a child anymore. She had been robbed of her childhood by her visions. It didn't matter what she said, it was the gift that stole her childhood, as it had stolen his mother's sanity.
Daisy never saw that part of her grandmother. Severus knew that part of his mother all too well. There was a reason Clotilde DuSol-Snape had to live with her daughter. Severus remembered the year before he started Hogwarts when his father died. His mother had Seen it but couldn't stop it. The guilt put her in St. Mungo's psychiatric ward. Severus was the only child still living with his parents. None of his siblings were anxious to have him. Annabelle had just married Jon Blanc and was starting her family. Rosmerta had just opened the Three Broomsticks. It was called Madame Rosmerta's Three Broomsticks at the time. And his brothers were both unable for some reason or another.
It had finally been his Uncle Duncan Snape who took him to live in Dundee, Scotland. Since then Severus had a rather strong aversion to his gypsy relatives. Annabelle was the only one he was sure visited his mother in the hospital, as he had seen her on one of his frequent trips. He was told Ro went too, but he had never seen her.
Family. If you looked at blood relatives they had a very large family. If you looked at people who were truly there for you, he was alone. He though again of Daisy's bright eyes. She must feel that too. He wondered if her eyes would dim like his. The peal of laughter sounding through the Hospital wing said no. Daisy was building her own family. He just hoped some of her blood relatives would be in it.
"Daisy!"
Daisy's head came up to see her Uncle Severus coming out of the apothecary in the Hospital Wing. "Yes sir?" She couldn't remember when she started calling him 'sir.' It seemed like a long time ago she just called him Uncle Sev.
"Drink these with in the next ten minutes." He set down two goblets. "And take this before you go to sleep. I...hope you feel better."
"Thank you, sir," she said.
He looked down at her again. She was drinking the first two potions right away, not looking at him. She had her grandmother's eyes. Even without those ridiculous sunglasses, her eyes were her most prominent feature.
"Potter could you give us a minute," he said. It was an order, not a request.
Harry looked at him suspiciously. "I'll just be over here then." He said looking at Daisy as though there were a silent, 'just in case you need me.'
Snape smiled, slightly. Potter was still as arrogant as ever, and loyal. That loyalty was to Daisy, so he could be forgiven.
She looked at him now. "Go ahead. Get it over with," she said.
"Get what over with?" he asked his voice was still cold. Couldn't he even sound comforting to her?
"Aren't you going to lecture me about how reckless I was? About the stupidity involved in everything I've ever done? I've been waiting since I started school here, and now I really deserve it. I know I just disappoint you," she said avoiding his eyes again.
"Is that what you think? Daisy, you are the strongest person I know. You don't disappoint me. I though I disappointed you."
"No! Uncle Sev, how could you ever! I mean, you're the most normal person in my entire family. I just wish I could be more like you," she said very fast.
He looked at her for any hint of guile. He shook himself. She could never hold any pretence around him, and knew it. She had never even tried before and wasn't trying now. She still looked up to him.
"Daisy," he said. Then Severus Snape did something he hadn't done in a long time. He voluntarily hugged another person. "Don't you ever do something so stupid ever again. If you got yourself killed..."
She smiled. "Yes sir."
*********************************************
"That was really weird, Daze," Harry said after Snape had left.
She smiled and shrugged. "Uncle Sev's never had much to encourage warm fuzzy feelings. The only time I really remember him being 'happy' I was about nine. He was dating a muggle barrister named Pamela. She was really nice."
"What happened? His charm entice her to marry him?"
"Ha-ha. No, she prosecuted this big crime boss. She really was a crusader to justice. It cost her life. Hence the renewal of his anti-muggle feelings, and general over all negativity." Daisy shrugged. "At least that's what my mom said."
"Wow, our teachers are human," he said as though it hadn't occurred to him before.
"Brilliant deduction, Holmes!" she said.
"Right I guess you know that too well." Harry smiled at her.
"Mmm-hmm. Too well indeed. Let's see, I'm the only person on earth the Headmaster won't give a second chance. Our DADA teacher is my older brother, who I used to get high with, and our Potions Master is my moody uncle and earliest hero." She shook her head.
"Snape as a hero. I can't picture it."
"Let's see then. I to be about two and Guy was picking on me. Uncle Sev came over, glared at Guy, and scared him into a corner." A wicked grin crept across her face. "It was so great."
Madame Pomfery came out then. "All right, m'dear. Time to go to bed."
Daisy suddenly looked petrified. Harry though he knew what the problem was. If she closed her eyes and let herself relax, she would see everything again. He was sure the third potion Snape left was for dreamless sleep, but still she was scared.
"Can I sit with her until she goes to sleep?" he asked.
With a pleading look from both of them, Madame Pomfery relented. "Just until she falls a sleep."
Madame Pomfery turned out the lights in the room after Daisy had gotten into bed and Harry had pulled up a chair next to her. Daisy took her potion and lay down. "Harry," she whispered into the darkness, a note a panic in her voice.
"I'm here," he said, and took her hand in his. She turned on her side toward him and pulled his hand to her as she pulled her legs up to lay in a fetal position. She fell a sleep like this, clinking his hand as though it was her lifeline.
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~~~~Harry's dream~~~~
Harry was an unknown pub with Ginny, Draco Malfoy, Ron, and Hermoine. They were sitting around a table facing a stage with the curtains still drawn.
"Eight on the dot," Ron said sitting with an arm around Hermione.
Hermione leaned her head on his shoulder. "Be patient. It was really hard to get such good seats. Her fans are coming in droves. She'll have to stop playing muggle pubs soon."
Harry glanced around the room. There were a large number of muggles and wizards, and for some it was quite easy to tell the difference. Of course her muggle following was as large as her Wizarding one. Her agent wasn't about to stop booking muggle venues.
"Between her singing and work in the theater, how does she have any time?" Ginny asked.
"You'll have to come stay with us, Gin," Hermoine said. "Then you can watch her mope about the flat. Harry, are you leaving with Ron in September, or going later?"
"Quidditch waits for no man, Hermoine. I have to go on the first same as Ron," he said without looking away from the stage.
"I can't believe the Cannons wouldn't sign both of us," Ron said. "It'll be awful to beat you on the field."
Harry smiled. "Dream on, Ron. The Cannons have to build a whole new team. You won't stand a chance, not against Wood, Katie, and me."
Ron looked like he was going to argue but the lights went down and a spot light pointed to the stage.
A voice came from the ceiling. "Ladies and gentleman my I introduce Miss Roxy Raven."
The curtains pulled aside, and center stage, sitting on a stool was Daisy. She was wearing a simple black dress and a gold scarf in her shoulder length brown hair. There was a band behind her. She smiled at the crowd. "Good evening everyone!" She called to loud cheers. She turned to the band and nodded. They began to play and then she began to sing.
"I know it's hard for you to understand what I'm going through..."
****************************************************************
"Potter! Potter, wake up!"
Harry tried to lift his head. His neck was very sore. It took him a moment to realize he was still in the infirmary. He had fallen a sleep still holding Daisy hand.
He sat up. Professor Snape was standing over him. "Get to your dorm, Potter."
Harry rubbed his neck with his free hand. "Yes, sir," he said. Then he carefully pulled away from Daisy. She protested in her sleep, but he managed not to wake her.
"Professor Snape?" Harry said as he stood.
"What Potter?" He sneered.
"Thank you. For standing up for Daisy today. She's...lucky to have you. You were her first hero, you know. I guess I can see why." Harry turned to leave but Snape stopped him.
"She lucky to have you too, Potter. I may have been her first hero, but I doubt I'm her favorite," he said.
"No, that would be Neville," Harry said bitterly.
"Longbottom? She has better taste than that," Snape said.
Harry looked at his hands. "Have you ever seen him around her, sir? She makes him a hero. It's hard to miss."
"Daisy could make sun rise at midnight if she wanted," Snape said in an uncharacteristically soft voice. " She took all three potions?"
"Yes, sir."
Snape nodded. "Good. Go to bed, Potter. You look done in."
Harry weakly smiled. "Thank you, sir. Good night."
**************************************************
"Wow!" Ron said. "I mean wow!"
"We get it Weasley," Draco said.
"But really, he's right," Hermione said. "Wow!"
Draco looked at Ginny, "Are they like this all the time?"
Ginny smiled a little, but it was really a half-hearted attempt. Harry noticed.
"Alright, Gin?" he asked.
"I'm worried about Daze. She was so... cold," Ginny said without looking at the others.
The meeting was still going on. It had been and hour and a half since Daisy left. Snape had come back in after half and hour and brought information from Daisy that had extended the meeting considerably. Each of the new recruits had offered an opinion. There had been a lot of argument, but it was finally decided that a rescue mission was in order. When they realized there was no way any of them would be involved, they decided to go see Daisy. They were all anxious. Allen was strangely quiet.
At Ginny's comment, Draco shrugged. "She can do that. She's good at it. It's not really that odd for her."
They looked at him as if he had grown an extra head. "What? Do you know how vehemently she defends her friends? I piss her off quite a bit."
Allen laughed from his position behind them. "They really don't know. She keeps such control most of the time. She doesn't do that with you, Draco."
Harry nodded. He thought of how often he had seen her angry with other people, including Malfoy. It really wasn't out of character for her. "Angry but controlled, that does sound like her. I'm wondering, Malfoy, when did you two became friends?"
Draco looked at the others and shrugged, he managed to make even this look elegant and nonchalant at the same time. "About a month ago I found her in an empty classroom. She was cursing the place like a mad woman. It was very entertaining. And she was just so easy to bait. Well instead of getting angry at me she cried. I didn't know what to do. I was with the girl for two weeks. I know she doesn't cry. She told me she couldn't stand her visions. That she thought she was going to die. I think that's why she turned to me today. She's seen her death. That and because of her parents."
"What about her parents?" Hermoine asked.
"You saw. You and the Weasley's have proper parents. Potter doesn't have any parents. I have awful parents. We talk a lot about that," Draco said this as if neither he nor Daisy cared about their patents, but since they had grown so close over it, it was clear they both hurt a lot.
"We're here," Allen said.
*********************************************
Daisy was sitting on the windowsill, staring out into the falling snow. She had the window open a crack so she could feel the cold air and the occasional snowflakes would blow in and land on her bare skin. She was absently running her fingers across her neck, along a scar that didn't exist...yet.
She didn't even notice the others enter until Ron let out a rather colorful remark about how cold it was in the infirmary. She smiled. That was one thing she was glad she learned today. She had friends. Any one of them would put themselves in danger to help her. Well, maybe not Draco, he would put some else in danger to help her, probably Harry.
She climbed down off the small sill and shut the window. They hadn't seen her yet. She was hidden from view by a number of screens. She really didn't feel like talking, but watched her friends.
When she saw Allen she almost went running to him. He looked lost. He had been strong for their mother, she knew, but this must be hard on him as well.
Mother. Always the drama queen. She was an amazing actress. She even preformed on stage occasionally. Theater was very popular among the upper class of their people, and Annabelle Dumbledore was literally queen of the theater set. It was quite convenient for her father. He would go off on government missions and his wife would take her place as the proverbial leading lady. It was a good cover, but their lives left little time for their children.
That is of course, until her 'incident'.
"I don't think she's here."
Daisy wasn't sure who said it but it brought her out of her revelry. "No, I'm here," she said, and came out from behind the screens. "But Ron was so cold, I didn't want him to suffer any longer. I closed the window."
"Why in the name of Merlin would you open a window in a snow storm?" Ron asked.
"Because I'm odd, as you constantly tell me," she quipped. "But really it's a good thing you came. If Pomfery caught me out of bed..."
She began to climb back into the hospital bed she'd be using, at least for tonight.
"You're not glowing anymore." Allen said.
She stopped and looked at him. He was almost as good as her at hiding his feelings, almost. She went over to the bed a bit down the row where he had perched himself. She didn't say anything. She just sat next to him. They sat like that for a moment, next to each other in silence, elbow-to-elbow, thigh-to-thigh. It is amazing how a little human contact can make you feel connected again.
"I'm glad you're alright," he said.
"Thanks."
"You could have taken me," he said quietly.
"I didn't really mean to go when I left," she said. "But your right. Not only could I have taken you, I should have. It's about your family too."
"I'm just glad Harry followed you. Incredibly stupid, but I'm glad just the same," Allen said.
"I am in the room you know," Harry piped in his own defense.
"Yes but you were still stupid," Daisy said. "And I'm glad you were too."
"We all are," Ginny said. "What were you thinking, Daze?"
"That's just it, Gin. I wasn't," she let out an auditable sigh. "I just felt so out of control. But that's not a problem anymore."
"What was it like?" Hermione asked.
Daisy's face glazed over as she began to speak. "I was part of everything. I could see centuries if I wanted. I had to watch my life. I had to see myself. I've tried to be a good person, but there are things I've seen, mistakes I've made. I had to watch that, than get past it. If I couldn't accept myself, faults and all, than I couldn't go on. There are some people here would benefit from that, from seeing every aspect of their lives." She looked pointedly and Harry and Draco. "But then, I was also ready. I mean you're never really ready for some thing like that, but I knew what I was doing. And I had a reason to be there. I needed to See the end of the half visions I've been having. I don't know if the V-clear fried me, or if I just wasn't developed enough to See clearly, but I haven't been seeing whole visions. That won't be a problem anymore."
There was a long silence after that. As she talked everyone had gathered around. Ginny had sat on her other side. Harry, Ron, and Hermoine were sitting on the bed across and Draco was standing near by leaning on a pillar. Daisy stretched.
"You looked like Crookshanks," Hermoine said.
"Thanks," she shot back, as she throw a pillow that hit Ron too.
"Watch it!" Ron said, throwing the pillow back and completely missing Daisy, but hitting Allen in the head. Harry laughed at them and was rewarded with a pillow to his own head. He summoned pillows from the near by beds and began chucking them at the three younger Gryffindors. Ginny, Daisy, and Allen for their part, were having fun throwing them back resulting in all out war, with feathers flying freely.
Draco was watching all this from his spot safely in the isle. "Gryffindors," he mumbled shaking his head. Unfortunately for him, he said it to loud and got six pillows throne at him at once.
"Hey! Watch the hair!" he said.
The great amount of noise caused Madame Pomfery to come out of her office and yell at them. It took just a moment more for her to shoo everyone out. Harry was aloud to stay so his cuts from the forest could be tended, as well as his now aching arm.
"Sorry again," Daisy said while his was drinking the muscle-relaxing potion.
He shrugged at her at smiled as he tried to swallow the potion. Just then both their stomachs grumbled loudly. Madame Pomfrey looked at them. "I suppose you missed dinner then?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am" Daisy answered.
Madame Pomfrey sighed as though she couldn't believe her long standing suffering. "All right then. Harry, do you know how to get into the kitchens?" He nodded in the affirmative. "Good, go and get yourself and Daisy some dinner please. Bring it back here."
"Turkey and cheese sandwich, an apple, and pumpkin juice please," Daisy said with a smile.
*****************************************************
"Malfoy!" Ron yelled.
They were separating at the Entrance Hall and Ron felt he needed to talk to Malfoy.
"What Weasley?" he said in his characteristic draw.
Ron tried to keep in mind that they were on the same side. He checked to make sure the others were gone.
"Well Weasley?" Malfoy said.
Same side. Same side. "Malfoy I want to talk to you about Daisy."
"Yes?" he said.
"You really were there for her. I missed what was wrong. I was her boyfriend. I should have seen it. I want to thank you for being her friend." Ron smiled and thought, 'There we go. I was the bigger man. At least now when he's a git I can say I tried.'
Malfoy gave him an appraising look. He finally said, "Well, it's not like she readily gives information. I just caught her off guard. It's not your fault. I'm sure over all you know more about her then I."
'Damn.' Ron thought. Then he said, "She would talk to me about her sister. I'm worried about her now. She doesn't open up to just anyone. Even if you did catch her off guard, she still trusts you. I don't know why, but she does. If you're really her friend, keep an eye on her."
Malfoy nodded. "This doesn't mean we're friends or anything."
"Good!" Ron shot over his shoulder as he hurried up to Gryffindor Tower.
*******************************************
Harry was down in the kitchens only briefly. He quickly told Dobby what Daisy had asked to eat. Dobby began getting enough food ready for a small family, so Harry refrained from asking for anything for himself. After telling Dobby to bring the food up to the Hospital Wing, Harry decided to run up to Gryffindor Tower for a quick shower and change. His cuts may have been healed but his cloths were a mess.
Harry knew a number of secret passages and was able to move fairly quickly. He didn't see any of the others in the Common Room and since he was in a hurry he didn't bother to look for them.
After he came back from the showers, Ron's head poked out from behind his bed coverings. "Hey, didn't take you long," he said.
Harry smiled as he straightened his fresh robes. "I'm going back. We missed dinner. Pomfery's actually letting us eat in the infirmary. I just got tired of smelling like trees and centaurs."
Ron nodded. "Yeah, I was glad I didn't have to sit next to you in Dumbeldore's office."
Harry trough his pillow at him. "Didn't Pomfery just tell us off for that?" Ron asked throwing it back.
"No she told us off for disturbing her patient," Harry said. "Speaking of, I don't want to leave her alone up there. I have an excuse to go back, and I'm really hungry."
Ron laughed at him, but then his face fell. "I know what you mean though. Hermoine and Ginny took her pajamas to her. Hermoine says sh's particular about her pj's."
"Good," Harry said. "I'll see you in a bit."
*******************************************
Harry ran into Hermoine and Ginny as they left the infirmary. "Oh, Harry good. Daisy was beginning to think you abandoned her. And then Madame Pomfery made us leave," Hermoine said.
"I really needed to clean up a bit," Harry said.
"I noticed," Ginny said. "I walked next to when we first came down here."
"Haha. First your brother, now you. I'd like to see what you would look like after half carrying someone through the forest." Harry said.
The girls laughed and said, "See you in bit Harry."
Harry took a deep breath and entered the infirmary. He began looking for Daisy and he found her by an open window, with Neville.
'Right.' He thought. 'She'd dating Neville.'
"Alright Mister Longbottom," Madame Pomfery came out and said. "I've given you long enough. Say good night."
Harry considered Neville for a moment. He wasn't quite the forgetful round- faced boy he had been first year. He had grown taller than Harry, almost as tall as Ron. Harry remembered his Aunt Petunia calling Dudley's bulk puppy fat. Apparently Neville's round really had been puppy fat, which he was rapidly losing. Neville was still a klutz, but then so was Daisy. He was still quiet, but Daisy had seemed that way too at first.
Neville had to bend down to kiss her. Harry felt oddly disconnected from the scene. It was like something out of a film. Beautiful, but ill girl in a pair of too big pajama bottoms and a tank top, kissing her sweet and steady boyfriend framed by a moon lit window. Harry and a very strong urge to be sick, or hit Neville. He wasn't sure which.
Harry quietly went over to the table and began to pick at the food. Neville didn't even see him upon leaving. He had dreamy look on his face.
'Typical!' Harry thought. 'That kiss was nothing to get excited about. And I would know.'
Daisy came over to where he was sitting. She was smiling dopily. And was she blushing? "Hi," she sighed.
"Quite a show," he said in a flat tone.
She didn't notice. "Yeah," she sighed again. Then she actually shook her head. "Where'd you disappear to?"
"Shower," he grunted before taking a long gulp of pumpkin juice.
Daisy picked up an apple and bit into it.
"You're quiet," she said through her chewing.
"Sorry," Harry said.
"It's okay," Daisy smiled gently. "Something on your mind?"
"Yeah," he said. "Yeah, why Neville? I mean why did that happen? You only broke up with Ron, what a week ago?"
"Harry, your loyalty to Ron is touching," she said.
"No I mean it. Last week you broke up with your boyfriend and six days later your kissing someone else."
"I might remind you, we broke up because he kissed someone else. And this coming for you? Can we say irony? Or how 'bout hypocrite! How many girls have you snogged in the past two weeks?"
Harry though for a minute and answered honestly. "Five. But that's just snogging. You're jumping from one relationship into another. That can't be good."
"So what should I do, oh great and wise sage? Be obnoxiously stubborn, like our two dearest friends? How long have they liked each other now? A year and a half? Since first year? Hermione broke things off with Viktor because she didn't think it fair to date him when she had feelings for someone else. Of course, buy that time Ron was taken. And now they'll wait again because they feel guilty. Or maybe I should have taken your road. Snog myself senseless with people I don't care about. Ron did suggest I get together with you when we broke up."
"This from the girl who went out with Draco Malfoy because 'it was fun,'" he said.
"Yes, but Harry, I actually went out with him. It wasn't just snogging for fun and profit."
"Ron suggested we get together?" he asked quizzically.
She laughed. "Yeah, and that was pretty much my reaction. Well, that and to make fun of you."
"Of course," he said returning her smile but feeling like someone had just deflated his favorite balloon.
Daisy sighed again. When Harry looked up from his food, she looked like he felt, miserable. "What's wrong?" he asked. Mood swings couldn't be a good sign.
"I was just wondering if you're right," she said.
"Course I am," he said triumphantly. "About what?"
She smiled at him. "Neville. I mean I like him. And he's the kind of boy a girl is suppose to want, steady, sweet, kind, not bad to look at..."
"And," Harry said trying to move her on to the part where he was right, and away from Neville.
"And I just don't know if I asked him out for the right reasons. I was so nervous before I asked him. I don't get nervous, not about this stuff."
"Maybe you just really like him." Harry offered, slipping in to good friend mode and trying to help her.
"Maybe. With Ron things just sort of happened. And then Draco just shocked me. I just I didn't have to ask them out and there wasn't the same pressure."
"And you knew Nev would never ask you out," he said, and she nodded. "Hey Daze, there's something I've been meaning to ask you. It's about Malfoy."
"What about Draco?" she said.
"When he first kissed you came running back to Hermoine like it was your first kiss. But now we know it wasn't and that you're quite experienced," he said carefully trying to find the right words.
"Yes, I was rather advanced at a young age. But Draco was my first kiss in two years. And it was Draco Malfoy. I was a bit panicked. I think from my reaction he might have thought I was inexperienced as well. Not the case. By the time he realized I wasn't we had broken up. And then with Ron..."
"Okay stop!" Harry held up a hand. "I asked about Malfoy. I don't need anymore mental images then I have, thank you."
She laughed. It felt good to be here laughing like this. "Harry, I know Ron's your best friend and all, but you know you're my best friend right?"
He was rather startled by this. "What about Ginny and Hermoine? And you seem to be awfully chummy with Malfoy now."
"Yeah but did he carry me though the Forbidden Forest because I was too stubborn to fly? And Hermoine and Ginny are, well the best girl friends I could have. But they don't know. There are things they just don't know. And I ask the Light every day to guide us in our steps so they won't have to find out. But you've seen into the soul of darkness. Draco has too, but there's more I can talk to you about. I just feel closer to you."
Harry didn't know what to say. He wondered briefly if the person he would miss most would still be Ron. "Thanks, Daze you know I'm here for you."
She smiled. "Yeah I know. But did you know you desperately need a haircut? I mean really! What a mop!"
*************************************
It took them about an hour to eat everything Dobby had brought for them. Daisy continued to pick on Harry's scruffy hair and he would counter with the fact that no one could use his hair for a rope (he called her Rapunzel for a full ten minutes). There was a slight food fight. (Harry still has a piece of turkey in his hair she wouldn't tell him about, which makes up for the piece of bread in her hair he hadn't told her about. Each was wondering why the other kept laughing every time they looked up.)
It was hard to believe they were in the infirmary. Serveus Snape found the whole thing entertaining. He had come back to see to that Daisy got the correct potions, and that they were made correctly. He tried to ignore the fact that it was Harry Potter who was making his niece laugh like that.
He couldn't help but see Daisy as a small child, all pigtails and eyes. She looked up to him, literally as well as actually. He never knew why and it un-nerved him. And she had certainly proved she wasn't a child anymore. She had been robbed of her childhood by her visions. It didn't matter what she said, it was the gift that stole her childhood, as it had stolen his mother's sanity.
Daisy never saw that part of her grandmother. Severus knew that part of his mother all too well. There was a reason Clotilde DuSol-Snape had to live with her daughter. Severus remembered the year before he started Hogwarts when his father died. His mother had Seen it but couldn't stop it. The guilt put her in St. Mungo's psychiatric ward. Severus was the only child still living with his parents. None of his siblings were anxious to have him. Annabelle had just married Jon Blanc and was starting her family. Rosmerta had just opened the Three Broomsticks. It was called Madame Rosmerta's Three Broomsticks at the time. And his brothers were both unable for some reason or another.
It had finally been his Uncle Duncan Snape who took him to live in Dundee, Scotland. Since then Severus had a rather strong aversion to his gypsy relatives. Annabelle was the only one he was sure visited his mother in the hospital, as he had seen her on one of his frequent trips. He was told Ro went too, but he had never seen her.
Family. If you looked at blood relatives they had a very large family. If you looked at people who were truly there for you, he was alone. He though again of Daisy's bright eyes. She must feel that too. He wondered if her eyes would dim like his. The peal of laughter sounding through the Hospital wing said no. Daisy was building her own family. He just hoped some of her blood relatives would be in it.
"Daisy!"
Daisy's head came up to see her Uncle Severus coming out of the apothecary in the Hospital Wing. "Yes sir?" She couldn't remember when she started calling him 'sir.' It seemed like a long time ago she just called him Uncle Sev.
"Drink these with in the next ten minutes." He set down two goblets. "And take this before you go to sleep. I...hope you feel better."
"Thank you, sir," she said.
He looked down at her again. She was drinking the first two potions right away, not looking at him. She had her grandmother's eyes. Even without those ridiculous sunglasses, her eyes were her most prominent feature.
"Potter could you give us a minute," he said. It was an order, not a request.
Harry looked at him suspiciously. "I'll just be over here then." He said looking at Daisy as though there were a silent, 'just in case you need me.'
Snape smiled, slightly. Potter was still as arrogant as ever, and loyal. That loyalty was to Daisy, so he could be forgiven.
She looked at him now. "Go ahead. Get it over with," she said.
"Get what over with?" he asked his voice was still cold. Couldn't he even sound comforting to her?
"Aren't you going to lecture me about how reckless I was? About the stupidity involved in everything I've ever done? I've been waiting since I started school here, and now I really deserve it. I know I just disappoint you," she said avoiding his eyes again.
"Is that what you think? Daisy, you are the strongest person I know. You don't disappoint me. I though I disappointed you."
"No! Uncle Sev, how could you ever! I mean, you're the most normal person in my entire family. I just wish I could be more like you," she said very fast.
He looked at her for any hint of guile. He shook himself. She could never hold any pretence around him, and knew it. She had never even tried before and wasn't trying now. She still looked up to him.
"Daisy," he said. Then Severus Snape did something he hadn't done in a long time. He voluntarily hugged another person. "Don't you ever do something so stupid ever again. If you got yourself killed..."
She smiled. "Yes sir."
*********************************************
"That was really weird, Daze," Harry said after Snape had left.
She smiled and shrugged. "Uncle Sev's never had much to encourage warm fuzzy feelings. The only time I really remember him being 'happy' I was about nine. He was dating a muggle barrister named Pamela. She was really nice."
"What happened? His charm entice her to marry him?"
"Ha-ha. No, she prosecuted this big crime boss. She really was a crusader to justice. It cost her life. Hence the renewal of his anti-muggle feelings, and general over all negativity." Daisy shrugged. "At least that's what my mom said."
"Wow, our teachers are human," he said as though it hadn't occurred to him before.
"Brilliant deduction, Holmes!" she said.
"Right I guess you know that too well." Harry smiled at her.
"Mmm-hmm. Too well indeed. Let's see, I'm the only person on earth the Headmaster won't give a second chance. Our DADA teacher is my older brother, who I used to get high with, and our Potions Master is my moody uncle and earliest hero." She shook her head.
"Snape as a hero. I can't picture it."
"Let's see then. I to be about two and Guy was picking on me. Uncle Sev came over, glared at Guy, and scared him into a corner." A wicked grin crept across her face. "It was so great."
Madame Pomfery came out then. "All right, m'dear. Time to go to bed."
Daisy suddenly looked petrified. Harry though he knew what the problem was. If she closed her eyes and let herself relax, she would see everything again. He was sure the third potion Snape left was for dreamless sleep, but still she was scared.
"Can I sit with her until she goes to sleep?" he asked.
With a pleading look from both of them, Madame Pomfery relented. "Just until she falls a sleep."
Madame Pomfery turned out the lights in the room after Daisy had gotten into bed and Harry had pulled up a chair next to her. Daisy took her potion and lay down. "Harry," she whispered into the darkness, a note a panic in her voice.
"I'm here," he said, and took her hand in his. She turned on her side toward him and pulled his hand to her as she pulled her legs up to lay in a fetal position. She fell a sleep like this, clinking his hand as though it was her lifeline.
********************************************
~~~~Harry's dream~~~~
Harry was an unknown pub with Ginny, Draco Malfoy, Ron, and Hermoine. They were sitting around a table facing a stage with the curtains still drawn.
"Eight on the dot," Ron said sitting with an arm around Hermione.
Hermione leaned her head on his shoulder. "Be patient. It was really hard to get such good seats. Her fans are coming in droves. She'll have to stop playing muggle pubs soon."
Harry glanced around the room. There were a large number of muggles and wizards, and for some it was quite easy to tell the difference. Of course her muggle following was as large as her Wizarding one. Her agent wasn't about to stop booking muggle venues.
"Between her singing and work in the theater, how does she have any time?" Ginny asked.
"You'll have to come stay with us, Gin," Hermoine said. "Then you can watch her mope about the flat. Harry, are you leaving with Ron in September, or going later?"
"Quidditch waits for no man, Hermoine. I have to go on the first same as Ron," he said without looking away from the stage.
"I can't believe the Cannons wouldn't sign both of us," Ron said. "It'll be awful to beat you on the field."
Harry smiled. "Dream on, Ron. The Cannons have to build a whole new team. You won't stand a chance, not against Wood, Katie, and me."
Ron looked like he was going to argue but the lights went down and a spot light pointed to the stage.
A voice came from the ceiling. "Ladies and gentleman my I introduce Miss Roxy Raven."
The curtains pulled aside, and center stage, sitting on a stool was Daisy. She was wearing a simple black dress and a gold scarf in her shoulder length brown hair. There was a band behind her. She smiled at the crowd. "Good evening everyone!" She called to loud cheers. She turned to the band and nodded. They began to play and then she began to sing.
"I know it's hard for you to understand what I'm going through..."
****************************************************************
"Potter! Potter, wake up!"
Harry tried to lift his head. His neck was very sore. It took him a moment to realize he was still in the infirmary. He had fallen a sleep still holding Daisy hand.
He sat up. Professor Snape was standing over him. "Get to your dorm, Potter."
Harry rubbed his neck with his free hand. "Yes, sir," he said. Then he carefully pulled away from Daisy. She protested in her sleep, but he managed not to wake her.
"Professor Snape?" Harry said as he stood.
"What Potter?" He sneered.
"Thank you. For standing up for Daisy today. She's...lucky to have you. You were her first hero, you know. I guess I can see why." Harry turned to leave but Snape stopped him.
"She lucky to have you too, Potter. I may have been her first hero, but I doubt I'm her favorite," he said.
"No, that would be Neville," Harry said bitterly.
"Longbottom? She has better taste than that," Snape said.
Harry looked at his hands. "Have you ever seen him around her, sir? She makes him a hero. It's hard to miss."
"Daisy could make sun rise at midnight if she wanted," Snape said in an uncharacteristically soft voice. " She took all three potions?"
"Yes, sir."
Snape nodded. "Good. Go to bed, Potter. You look done in."
Harry weakly smiled. "Thank you, sir. Good night."
**************************************************