Chapter 15
On Sunday morning, Harry made is way down to breakfast alone. He had slept later than anyone else in the dorm for the first time in he couldn't remember how long.
He spotted Ron and Hermione. They had saved him a seat in between them. 'Hmmm.no subtext there' he thought. Still, he sat quietly between his friends and began to tuck into breakfast.
"'Is is 'eally 'ood," he said.
Hermione rolled her eyes. Ron was going at his food just as adamantly.
"Mmm-hmm!" was the redheaded boy's comment.
Hermione rolled her eyes again. Ginny started to giggle.
"So Harry, Daisy's all right?" Hermione asked.
Harry stopped shoveling kippers into his mouth and swallowed. "Well, let's see, she had to relive her most painful memories, confront the people whose approval she wants more than anything else in the world, face the fact the her beloved sister is a traitor and has been using her as a pawn for years. She was afraid to close her eyes to go to sleep. Oh, and did I mention that Snape is her hero?" Harry said this all very calmly, as though he was talking about new subjects for a class. Then he sighed, "Listen, all of you. We three are her closest friends."
"And apparently Malfoy," Ron said.
"And Malfoy," Harry conceded. "But she tries to hide everything from us. She doesn't want us to have to face that pain, or to even think of her facing it. Just try to follow her lead on things. I think she's starting to come to terms."
Hermione smiled wryly. "Didn't have choice, did she?"
"No," Harry agreed. "Which is why we have to let her make the choice about what to say and to who, even if it's Malfoy."
Hermione looked thoughtful for a moment. "You know," she said, "I've been thinking."
"I'll call the Prophet," Ron joked.
"Ha ha! I've been thinking about why Daisy fit in with us so well. How she knows just what to say to get the reaction she wants out of... certain people." Hermione looked at them.
Ginny sitting across the table did not look up from her plate but said, "because she's Seen us."
"Right!" Hermione exclaimed, getting excited as she always did when thinking through a problem. "Probably for years! I would guess that she's Seen everything we've been through at school, from trying to figure out what the Philosopher's Stone was straight through to Harry's name coming out of the Goblet of Fire! And she must See things about Malfoy as well. That would explain why she empathizes with him."
"That, and the fact that she empathizes with everyone," Ron said.
"Yes, but why is she so good at it? And her music? You saw her yesterday. We've all heard her play her violin, but when she sang! It was just..."
"Magic," Harry said.
Ginny nodded. "Her drawings are amazing too. Have you ever seen?"
"You actually got her to open her sketch book?" Ron said.
"Well, no. I sort of came across it."
"Where?" Harry asked.
"In a secret compartment in the top of her trunk."
"Gin, your as bad as Fred, and George!" Ron said.
"Well I was worried about her. It was a few weeks ago, and I though, well, we were all worried about her."
"Anyway," Hermoine said redirecting the conversation. "That just fits in with my theory. When I was doing all that research on the Sight and seers and potions, I came across a bunch of things that were really just fascinating!"
"Such as?" Ron prompted, trying to get the fascinating.
"Such as," Hermione continued, "the large number of empaths who were able to pass themselves off as seers and the large number of seers who were also empaths. Seers are highly artistic souls. Communication on a deeper level, such as through music or artwork often comes naturally to them. And with her gypsy up bringing, those gifts would have been encouraged. She may even be able to develop as a siren. We were all pretty spellbound yesterday."
They were all rather quiet for a moment. "I wonder if she'll be up to leaving the Hospital Wing today?" Ron asked.
Ginny smiled. "Of course. There's Quidditch practice to day."
*****************************************
Daisy ran to Gryffindor tower. Qudditch practice was at eleven, in fifteen minutes. She wasn't sure Madame Pomfery was going to let her out in time. She had to go get her gear before going down to the pitch. She assumed the others would go straight to practice from breakfast, as usual.
She shouted the password, Kneazles, while she was still a few steps away. As the porthole opened she continued running, straight into someone.
"Ow! Sorry Angelina," she said when she was who she had rammed into.
"No problem. You going down to practice?" the older girl asked.
"Yeah as soon as I grab my stuff. You going too? Going to be the good little girlfriend?" Daisy smiled.
"Yeah, yeah. I sit and study with Hermione while you blighters fly about trying to kill each other."
"You mean while your boyfriend and his twin try to kill us," Daisy said. "Shame you don't play anymore."
"Yeah," she sighed. "But between my duties as Head Girl, prepping for N.E.W.T.s, and the special classes there just wasn't time for Qudditch."
"What special classes, Ang?" Daisy asked.
"What you don't know? Well, I guess it's safe to tell you. All seventh years have been taking special classes, to prepare us for..." She trailed off and Daisy knows without having to hear the name, Voldemort.
"All seventh years?" Daisy asked.
"Yes all, but those who show particular talent take another special class. As Head Girl, I was in on the planning."
Daisy nodded. "I better just get my stuff. Wait a sec and we can go down together."
*********************************
Quidditch practice was going well until near the end. Daisy wasn't paying attention and flew into one of the goal posts. The others stopped flying long enough to listen to her curse in four different languages.
"You know I don't think I've ever heard her swear before," Fred said.
Ron shook his head. "No, you've never heard her swear in English. She doesn't, ever. Her dad doesn't speak as many languages as the rest of her family, so she got in the habit of swearing in ways he couldn't understand. Worked to, until her mum caught on."
"I think that's it for practice!" Harry called. "Everybody come in!"
They all landed, Daisy still looking disgruntled. "All right. We've got the last match of the season against Slytherin. Right now were in the lead for the cup by 160 points. Slytherin plays Ravenclaw in month so they'll be fresher off a match, but that doesn't mean we'll be any less practiced. For the next six weeks we'll only practice once or twice a week. Don't want to hog the pitch. After that we'll be practicing three or four times. I've already booked the pitch if you want to check the schedule in advance for any reason. Now the N.E.W.T.s and the O.W.L.s start the week after our match. I suggest everyone start to study now. Great practice."
And with that the team broke up and headed off.
Ron put an arm around Daisy. He smiled and shook her. "Off in your own world again," he said.
"Stop! I'm dizzy enough," she laughed.
"Really, though Daze you were..." Hermione began.
"In a daze," Daisy finished cutting her friend off.
"Awful pun, but yes. You never do things like that on a broom. Walking on your own feet, yes, but not flying on a broom," Harry said.
"What is this Dis Daisy Day?" she asked. When they looked at her funny she said, "I spent too much time in muggle America."
"So what's everyone planning for this afternoon?" Ron asked.
"Studying, as you should." Hermione said.
"Not me." Daisy said. "I've a guitar for the first time in two years, I'm going to practice."
"Where?" Ron asked.
"If you'd have ever come hear me play my violin, you'd know," she said.
"Yes because I so enjoy listening to you play scales before launching into Bach," Ron said.
"That's not all I play. Anyway, I'd rather practice alone. Just play and not worry about how I sound or anything."
"You mean so you can just get lost in the music," Ginny said.
"Something like that." Daisy admitted. "When I fly I usually am in my own world, but when I play I am always in a another world. And singing always makes me feel better."
********************************
Daisy had been gone for over an hour. Harry looked up from his divinations text. Ron and Hermoine where going over Charms notes. Ginny had Potions homework she was doing. Everyone was working and it seemed oddly quiet. Harry closed his book with a thud.
"I just can't look at that anymore. Do you know what aurgry is? I am not killing chickens," he said.
"Just get Daisy to do it. The Divination queen will be on top of it I'm sure," Ron said distractedly.
"Putting something we only just started learning on the O.W.L.s is cruel though." Hermoine said with a wicked smile. "Glad I won't have to worry about that."
"I'm going for a walk," Harry said rising. "I need to get out of here before this stuff drives me dotty."
"I think we could all use a brake," Hermoine said.
"Yeah, let's go torment Daisy," Ron said.
Ginny hit him on the arm. "Evil git," she said.
"No, that's Malfoy, but Ron's not far off," Harry quipped.
"Um, did I hear someone mention Daisy?" Neville came over to them asking. "I haven't seen her for awhile."
"Yeah, she took off to go practice her music," Ron said. "Why don't you come with us, Nev?"
"Oh, just want she wants an entire audience," Harry said with a bit of an edge. "I think practicing was just an excuse to be alone, but I'm worried about her."
Hermoine nodded. "I know what you mean. Come on I know where she practices."
*********************************
'Need to cheer up. Need to cheer up,' Daisy keep repeating her new litany in her head as she picked out new songs to play. It was working. When she played she couldn't help getting into a song, and as she was choosing all happy songs she was finally starting to feel happy. The last song, Furry Happy Monsters done by REM for Sesame Street, had done wonders.
However, it had her audience raise their eyebrows at each other. Unbeknownst to her she had gathering quite an audience. Not only her Gryffindor friends but also her brothers, Draco Malfoy, Severus Snape, and the Headmaster himself had gathered at the other end of the room.
Finally she smiled. She had the perfect song. It always made her laugh. Wonderboy by Tenacious D was just a fun song and had always spoken to her.
"High above the mucky-muck, castle made of clouds, there sits Woderboy sitting oh so proudly. Not much to say than your high above the mucky-muck. Yeah, yeah, Wonderboy what is the secret of your power? Won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck nooowww?
"Now's time for me to tell you about Young Nasty Man, nemesis, and arch rival to Wonderboy, with powers comparable to Wonderboy. What powers you ask? I dunno how 'bout the power of flight? That do anything for ya? That's levitation Homes! How about the power to kill a yak from two hundred yards away, with mind bullets! That's telekinesis, Kyle. How about the power to move you?
History of Woderboy and Young Nasty Man. Rigagoogoo Rigagoogoo. The secret to be told, a gold chest, to be bold, and blasting forth with three-part harmony. Yeah.
Wonderboy, what is the secret of your power? Wonderboy, won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck nooowww?
Wonderboy and Young Nasty Man joined forces to form a band the likes of which has never been seen. And they called themselves Tenacious D!
Come fly with me fly, Fly!
Woderboy, what is the secret of your power? Wonderboy, won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck nooowww?
Take my hand. Young Nasty Man, we're flying. Bring out your broad sword. There's the Hydra. Slice his throat! Grab his scroat. You take the high road; I'll take the low. There! The craves, fill it with your mighty juice."
And suddenly Daisy was scared out of her skin by cheers and laughter coming from behind her in what she though was an empty room.
"Daisy what in the name of Merlin were you playing?" Ron asked wiping away tears. "I mean it was very good and all, but weird!"
"I'm with Weasley on this one, Daze," Draco said dryly. "I mean really 'furry happy monsters feeling glad?'"
"That happens to from Sesame Street, Mister Malfoy and I will thank you not to insult a show that brings monsters like Grover to children's lives! What are you all doing here?" she asked.
Harry smiled. "We were bored. Ron thought it would be fun to come and bug you."
Daisy looked at them, her family. 'And they were worried about me,' she said to herself. 'Then again I did fly into a pole today so maybe they have good reason to worry.' She sat down on the end of the table closest to them.
"I'm all right, really. You don't have to worry," she said.
"Who was worried?" Guy said as he sat next to her and put an arm around her. "I just missed your performance yesterday and I wanted to here you sing again. If you don't watch it, Ty and Lu will pull you up on stage next weekend. They're playing the dance."
"Oh no they won't! She'll be other wise occupied," Neville said.
Ginny laughed. "Unless you can dance better than last year, Nev, Daisy may be ducking up there for cover."
They all laughed again. Well, Snape and Malfoy didn't really laugh, but they smiled, sort of. Then Albus Dumbledore spoke. "It was quite enjoyable to here you sing, Daisy. You have your grandmother's voice. Aberforth always told me he fell in love with her while she was singing."
Daisy had never known her father's parents. They died before she was born. However, she had tears in her eyes when she said, "Thank you, Uncle."
He smiled. "There are some things I'd like to disguise with you though."
"I know, sir," she said. She looked up him then. "About my parents, I mean. Insisting on going after Belle. I understand that all the information I gave will be checked and a rescue plan will be formed once it's figured out what's best. The actual rescue will probably start next Sunday night or Monday. But if there isn't anything else, sir, could we just go to dinner now? It should be starting in a few minutes. And I just got cheered up, I'd rather not dwell on how stubborn my parents are being."
Albus Dumbledore smiled at his great niece. "Daisy," he said, "I am very proud of you. I don't tell you that enough."
He left the room then, not seeing the tears in her bright brown eyes, or hearing the whispered, "Thank you, Uncle."
*************************************************
On Sunday morning, Harry made is way down to breakfast alone. He had slept later than anyone else in the dorm for the first time in he couldn't remember how long.
He spotted Ron and Hermione. They had saved him a seat in between them. 'Hmmm.no subtext there' he thought. Still, he sat quietly between his friends and began to tuck into breakfast.
"'Is is 'eally 'ood," he said.
Hermione rolled her eyes. Ron was going at his food just as adamantly.
"Mmm-hmm!" was the redheaded boy's comment.
Hermione rolled her eyes again. Ginny started to giggle.
"So Harry, Daisy's all right?" Hermione asked.
Harry stopped shoveling kippers into his mouth and swallowed. "Well, let's see, she had to relive her most painful memories, confront the people whose approval she wants more than anything else in the world, face the fact the her beloved sister is a traitor and has been using her as a pawn for years. She was afraid to close her eyes to go to sleep. Oh, and did I mention that Snape is her hero?" Harry said this all very calmly, as though he was talking about new subjects for a class. Then he sighed, "Listen, all of you. We three are her closest friends."
"And apparently Malfoy," Ron said.
"And Malfoy," Harry conceded. "But she tries to hide everything from us. She doesn't want us to have to face that pain, or to even think of her facing it. Just try to follow her lead on things. I think she's starting to come to terms."
Hermione smiled wryly. "Didn't have choice, did she?"
"No," Harry agreed. "Which is why we have to let her make the choice about what to say and to who, even if it's Malfoy."
Hermione looked thoughtful for a moment. "You know," she said, "I've been thinking."
"I'll call the Prophet," Ron joked.
"Ha ha! I've been thinking about why Daisy fit in with us so well. How she knows just what to say to get the reaction she wants out of... certain people." Hermione looked at them.
Ginny sitting across the table did not look up from her plate but said, "because she's Seen us."
"Right!" Hermione exclaimed, getting excited as she always did when thinking through a problem. "Probably for years! I would guess that she's Seen everything we've been through at school, from trying to figure out what the Philosopher's Stone was straight through to Harry's name coming out of the Goblet of Fire! And she must See things about Malfoy as well. That would explain why she empathizes with him."
"That, and the fact that she empathizes with everyone," Ron said.
"Yes, but why is she so good at it? And her music? You saw her yesterday. We've all heard her play her violin, but when she sang! It was just..."
"Magic," Harry said.
Ginny nodded. "Her drawings are amazing too. Have you ever seen?"
"You actually got her to open her sketch book?" Ron said.
"Well, no. I sort of came across it."
"Where?" Harry asked.
"In a secret compartment in the top of her trunk."
"Gin, your as bad as Fred, and George!" Ron said.
"Well I was worried about her. It was a few weeks ago, and I though, well, we were all worried about her."
"Anyway," Hermoine said redirecting the conversation. "That just fits in with my theory. When I was doing all that research on the Sight and seers and potions, I came across a bunch of things that were really just fascinating!"
"Such as?" Ron prompted, trying to get the fascinating.
"Such as," Hermione continued, "the large number of empaths who were able to pass themselves off as seers and the large number of seers who were also empaths. Seers are highly artistic souls. Communication on a deeper level, such as through music or artwork often comes naturally to them. And with her gypsy up bringing, those gifts would have been encouraged. She may even be able to develop as a siren. We were all pretty spellbound yesterday."
They were all rather quiet for a moment. "I wonder if she'll be up to leaving the Hospital Wing today?" Ron asked.
Ginny smiled. "Of course. There's Quidditch practice to day."
*****************************************
Daisy ran to Gryffindor tower. Qudditch practice was at eleven, in fifteen minutes. She wasn't sure Madame Pomfery was going to let her out in time. She had to go get her gear before going down to the pitch. She assumed the others would go straight to practice from breakfast, as usual.
She shouted the password, Kneazles, while she was still a few steps away. As the porthole opened she continued running, straight into someone.
"Ow! Sorry Angelina," she said when she was who she had rammed into.
"No problem. You going down to practice?" the older girl asked.
"Yeah as soon as I grab my stuff. You going too? Going to be the good little girlfriend?" Daisy smiled.
"Yeah, yeah. I sit and study with Hermione while you blighters fly about trying to kill each other."
"You mean while your boyfriend and his twin try to kill us," Daisy said. "Shame you don't play anymore."
"Yeah," she sighed. "But between my duties as Head Girl, prepping for N.E.W.T.s, and the special classes there just wasn't time for Qudditch."
"What special classes, Ang?" Daisy asked.
"What you don't know? Well, I guess it's safe to tell you. All seventh years have been taking special classes, to prepare us for..." She trailed off and Daisy knows without having to hear the name, Voldemort.
"All seventh years?" Daisy asked.
"Yes all, but those who show particular talent take another special class. As Head Girl, I was in on the planning."
Daisy nodded. "I better just get my stuff. Wait a sec and we can go down together."
*********************************
Quidditch practice was going well until near the end. Daisy wasn't paying attention and flew into one of the goal posts. The others stopped flying long enough to listen to her curse in four different languages.
"You know I don't think I've ever heard her swear before," Fred said.
Ron shook his head. "No, you've never heard her swear in English. She doesn't, ever. Her dad doesn't speak as many languages as the rest of her family, so she got in the habit of swearing in ways he couldn't understand. Worked to, until her mum caught on."
"I think that's it for practice!" Harry called. "Everybody come in!"
They all landed, Daisy still looking disgruntled. "All right. We've got the last match of the season against Slytherin. Right now were in the lead for the cup by 160 points. Slytherin plays Ravenclaw in month so they'll be fresher off a match, but that doesn't mean we'll be any less practiced. For the next six weeks we'll only practice once or twice a week. Don't want to hog the pitch. After that we'll be practicing three or four times. I've already booked the pitch if you want to check the schedule in advance for any reason. Now the N.E.W.T.s and the O.W.L.s start the week after our match. I suggest everyone start to study now. Great practice."
And with that the team broke up and headed off.
Ron put an arm around Daisy. He smiled and shook her. "Off in your own world again," he said.
"Stop! I'm dizzy enough," she laughed.
"Really, though Daze you were..." Hermione began.
"In a daze," Daisy finished cutting her friend off.
"Awful pun, but yes. You never do things like that on a broom. Walking on your own feet, yes, but not flying on a broom," Harry said.
"What is this Dis Daisy Day?" she asked. When they looked at her funny she said, "I spent too much time in muggle America."
"So what's everyone planning for this afternoon?" Ron asked.
"Studying, as you should." Hermione said.
"Not me." Daisy said. "I've a guitar for the first time in two years, I'm going to practice."
"Where?" Ron asked.
"If you'd have ever come hear me play my violin, you'd know," she said.
"Yes because I so enjoy listening to you play scales before launching into Bach," Ron said.
"That's not all I play. Anyway, I'd rather practice alone. Just play and not worry about how I sound or anything."
"You mean so you can just get lost in the music," Ginny said.
"Something like that." Daisy admitted. "When I fly I usually am in my own world, but when I play I am always in a another world. And singing always makes me feel better."
********************************
Daisy had been gone for over an hour. Harry looked up from his divinations text. Ron and Hermoine where going over Charms notes. Ginny had Potions homework she was doing. Everyone was working and it seemed oddly quiet. Harry closed his book with a thud.
"I just can't look at that anymore. Do you know what aurgry is? I am not killing chickens," he said.
"Just get Daisy to do it. The Divination queen will be on top of it I'm sure," Ron said distractedly.
"Putting something we only just started learning on the O.W.L.s is cruel though." Hermoine said with a wicked smile. "Glad I won't have to worry about that."
"I'm going for a walk," Harry said rising. "I need to get out of here before this stuff drives me dotty."
"I think we could all use a brake," Hermoine said.
"Yeah, let's go torment Daisy," Ron said.
Ginny hit him on the arm. "Evil git," she said.
"No, that's Malfoy, but Ron's not far off," Harry quipped.
"Um, did I hear someone mention Daisy?" Neville came over to them asking. "I haven't seen her for awhile."
"Yeah, she took off to go practice her music," Ron said. "Why don't you come with us, Nev?"
"Oh, just want she wants an entire audience," Harry said with a bit of an edge. "I think practicing was just an excuse to be alone, but I'm worried about her."
Hermoine nodded. "I know what you mean. Come on I know where she practices."
*********************************
'Need to cheer up. Need to cheer up,' Daisy keep repeating her new litany in her head as she picked out new songs to play. It was working. When she played she couldn't help getting into a song, and as she was choosing all happy songs she was finally starting to feel happy. The last song, Furry Happy Monsters done by REM for Sesame Street, had done wonders.
However, it had her audience raise their eyebrows at each other. Unbeknownst to her she had gathering quite an audience. Not only her Gryffindor friends but also her brothers, Draco Malfoy, Severus Snape, and the Headmaster himself had gathered at the other end of the room.
Finally she smiled. She had the perfect song. It always made her laugh. Wonderboy by Tenacious D was just a fun song and had always spoken to her.
"High above the mucky-muck, castle made of clouds, there sits Woderboy sitting oh so proudly. Not much to say than your high above the mucky-muck. Yeah, yeah, Wonderboy what is the secret of your power? Won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck nooowww?
"Now's time for me to tell you about Young Nasty Man, nemesis, and arch rival to Wonderboy, with powers comparable to Wonderboy. What powers you ask? I dunno how 'bout the power of flight? That do anything for ya? That's levitation Homes! How about the power to kill a yak from two hundred yards away, with mind bullets! That's telekinesis, Kyle. How about the power to move you?
History of Woderboy and Young Nasty Man. Rigagoogoo Rigagoogoo. The secret to be told, a gold chest, to be bold, and blasting forth with three-part harmony. Yeah.
Wonderboy, what is the secret of your power? Wonderboy, won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck nooowww?
Wonderboy and Young Nasty Man joined forces to form a band the likes of which has never been seen. And they called themselves Tenacious D!
Come fly with me fly, Fly!
Woderboy, what is the secret of your power? Wonderboy, won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck nooowww?
Take my hand. Young Nasty Man, we're flying. Bring out your broad sword. There's the Hydra. Slice his throat! Grab his scroat. You take the high road; I'll take the low. There! The craves, fill it with your mighty juice."
And suddenly Daisy was scared out of her skin by cheers and laughter coming from behind her in what she though was an empty room.
"Daisy what in the name of Merlin were you playing?" Ron asked wiping away tears. "I mean it was very good and all, but weird!"
"I'm with Weasley on this one, Daze," Draco said dryly. "I mean really 'furry happy monsters feeling glad?'"
"That happens to from Sesame Street, Mister Malfoy and I will thank you not to insult a show that brings monsters like Grover to children's lives! What are you all doing here?" she asked.
Harry smiled. "We were bored. Ron thought it would be fun to come and bug you."
Daisy looked at them, her family. 'And they were worried about me,' she said to herself. 'Then again I did fly into a pole today so maybe they have good reason to worry.' She sat down on the end of the table closest to them.
"I'm all right, really. You don't have to worry," she said.
"Who was worried?" Guy said as he sat next to her and put an arm around her. "I just missed your performance yesterday and I wanted to here you sing again. If you don't watch it, Ty and Lu will pull you up on stage next weekend. They're playing the dance."
"Oh no they won't! She'll be other wise occupied," Neville said.
Ginny laughed. "Unless you can dance better than last year, Nev, Daisy may be ducking up there for cover."
They all laughed again. Well, Snape and Malfoy didn't really laugh, but they smiled, sort of. Then Albus Dumbledore spoke. "It was quite enjoyable to here you sing, Daisy. You have your grandmother's voice. Aberforth always told me he fell in love with her while she was singing."
Daisy had never known her father's parents. They died before she was born. However, she had tears in her eyes when she said, "Thank you, Uncle."
He smiled. "There are some things I'd like to disguise with you though."
"I know, sir," she said. She looked up him then. "About my parents, I mean. Insisting on going after Belle. I understand that all the information I gave will be checked and a rescue plan will be formed once it's figured out what's best. The actual rescue will probably start next Sunday night or Monday. But if there isn't anything else, sir, could we just go to dinner now? It should be starting in a few minutes. And I just got cheered up, I'd rather not dwell on how stubborn my parents are being."
Albus Dumbledore smiled at his great niece. "Daisy," he said, "I am very proud of you. I don't tell you that enough."
He left the room then, not seeing the tears in her bright brown eyes, or hearing the whispered, "Thank you, Uncle."
*************************************************