Chapter 21
Daisy stumbled down to the Great Hall for breakfast, practically pulled by Hermione. They sat down at the Gryffindor table across from Ron and Harry. Harry also looked like he was about to drop off.
Hermione was lecturing about taking proper care of yourself and sleeping properly. Finally Ron asked her a question about their Transfigurations homework.
Daisy took the opportunity to ask Harry, "Voldemort or guilt nightmares?"
"Guilt," he answered. "I kept seeing Cedric ask me why I dragged him along or something of the like. You?"
"Reactions to my death. Cheerful thing. I think I've decided I don't want any kids!"
"Really?" Harry asked.
"Well, did you enjoy growing up without a mother? I've spent the past week trying to figure out how to stop certain things from happening." She wasn't looking at him, just poking at her breakfast. "I just won't get married. Then Ron can't get jealous and talk his girlfriend into marring so young and Draco won't die and..."
Harry's head was starting to hurt. "Daze, stop! Stop, breath, and relax. I'm too tired to even try to figure out what you're talking about."
She sighed. "Then your probably better off then me. I can't turn off the voices in my head."
"Why don't you take some Merlin's Draught?" Hermione asked hearing the last bit.
Daisy yawned. "Don't want to become dependent."
***************************************
And so the Monday went by in blur of classes and stifled yawns. On Monday night she dreamed of her parents. Every pleasant memory of her childhood seemed to condense in to one dream. It should have left her more rested then she was.
On Tuesday she still drifted through class until Potions. She was starting to wake up, to be cheerful. Nothing bad had happened. Surely it would have happen by now.
She didn't see the Daily Prophet that morning. She wasn't even aware of the people pointing at her and the whispers that seemed to follow her that day. She didn't notice that her friends had taken a protective stance around her while they walked through the halls from one class to the next.
But Severus Snape had seen the paper that morning. He also noticed the honor guard surrounding his niece, and the fact that she was oblivious to everything.
She sat in her usual seat in the back, between Hermione and the isle. Snape walked over to her desk and put the paper down in front of her.
'Delinquency Affecting Student'
Daisy groaned at the headline, and then again as she skimmed the story. Apparently she had corrupted the entire student body. Rock concerts in Hogsmeade, consorting with gypsies and students at the Three Broomsticks, fornicating in the halls of Hogwarts.
"That's just a lie!" she bellowed when she read the last part. "An out right lie!"
"Well, the picture of you snogging Longbottom right next to it doesn't help," her teacher said.
"We're just talking! We're in a roomful of people!" Daisy cried, but then she realized who would have taken that photo. It was her and Neville at the dance sitting at a table heads so close together you can't see where one stops and the other starts.
"Well, Professor, what are we studying in class today?" she asked. When he didn't say anything and everyone continued to watch her she said, "What? I'm not about to let that rag upset me. There's too much else to worry about."
A smile ghosted across the Potion Master's face. "Good, we have a particularly difficult lesson today. That is, if you think you handle it, Miss Dumbledore?"
Daisy sat up straight in her chair. "I can handle it, professor."
***********************************
'I can handle it.'
Daisy kept repeating that to her self the rest of the morning.
'I can handle it.'
She made it through class.
'I can handle it.'
She talked a little with her friends.
'I can handle it.'
She went to the Great Hall for lunch.
'I can handle it.'
She sat at the Gryffindor table with her friends and watched life happen around her.
'I can handle it.'
It was midway through lunch that she began to See her parents. They were dueling with at least six Death Eaters.
'I can handle it.'
They stood back-to-back, wands raised defending each other. Then Belle came at her mother. Annabelle Dumbledore cried as she saw her oldest daughter, but did nothing to hurt her child. The words of the Killing Curse were the last thing Belle Blanc said to her mother.
'I can handle...'
This left Alexander Dumledore's back exposed. It was only three Death Eaters who faced him including Belle. It was still too much for him. With a flash of green he joined his wife on the floor.
'I can...'
****
Harry was now poking at his lunch. He didn't feel particularly hungry. At least he could take a nap in History of Magic that afternoon.
"And I think that everything Snape said about that potions should be carefully taken into consideration," Hermione was saying to Ron.
"Hermione!" Ron whined. "I'm trying to eat. Must you bring up Snape?" Then he seemed to realize the niece of said teacher was sitting across from him. "Er, no offense, Daze."
She didn't seem to hear him.
"Daisy!" Hermione said.
She had gone very pale. It was hard to tell through her glasses, which was half the point after all, but Harry felt sure she was having a vision.
Daisy stood abruptly. "'Scuse me," she mumble and went off to the teacher table.
"You don't think she'd say anything to him?" Ron asked.
She was talking in low tones to Professors Snape and Blanc. They both seemed very interested.
"I don't think Blanc would care that Snape turns your stomach," Harry said. "And I don't think Daisy even heard what you said."
"Something's up," Hermione said matter of factly.
After a moment Daisy left the Great Hall with Guy and Snape went to the Gryffindor table and collected Allen Dumbledore.
"Wonder what that was all about?" Ginny mused.
***************************************
The fifth year Gryffindors had a free period for their last class. Daisy hadn't shown up in class and they were starting to worry about her. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville went back to the Common Room to wait for Daisy to get back from wherever she went.
As they entered the seemingly empty room Ron asked. "Anyone want a game of chess while we wait? Hermione?"
"You know, Ron," said Daisy from a corner of they room on the floor, surprising the others who hadn't seen her, "It's rather rude to ask a girl to a game just because you think she needs to lose at something."
"Daze, You startled us!" Hermione said.
"Did I?"
"Where have you been?" Ron asked. "We've been worried sick."
"Yes you all look so stricken," she said tersely.
"There's no need to be snippy," Harry said.
"Oh, because you know abos-bloody-lutly everything! Don't you, Potter? Well you don't know everything! You have no idea," Daisy said shaking her head. It also had the effect of draining her anger.
"Daze what happened?" Harry asked sitting on the floor next to her.
"Did you See something at lunch?" Neville asked.
Daisy looked at them. Her eyes started to fill with tears. "I saw my parents. I-I saw Belle attack them. They-they're dead."
She completely lost it then and began crying piteously. Harry pulled her onto his lap and she sobbed on his shoulder. They sat like that her until she went silent.
"She's asleep," Harry said checking the girl.
"We'd better get her up to the dorm," Hermione said.
Harry carried her up to the girl's room. She was so light. Had she been eating properly? He couldn't remember her doing more than poke at her food for the past week.
"You'll stay with her Herm?" he asked. "So she doesn't wake up alone and disoriented."
Hermione smiled. "I'll say with her. Don't worry Harry. Maybe you should get some sleep too."
"Yeah, maybe. Just take care of her," he said.
*******************************
Harry didn't feel like sleeping. He decided to talk to Professor Dumbledore to see just what happened. He didn't want to ask Daisy about the other operatives, or even if they got the hostages out. It didn't seem like quite the right time while she was weeping in his shoulder.
One good thing about being part of the Order was that he was now given the password to the Headmaster office.
"Skittles," he said causing the gargoyle guard to leap aside.
He ascended the moving stairs and knocked on the Headmaster's door.
It opened a crack to reveal the head of Guy Blanc.
"Hello, Professor," Harry said.
Guy nodded and let Harry in.
"Harry!"
"Sirius!"
Before Harry realized it his Godfather had him in a tight embrace.
"I'm glad you're alright, Sirius," Harry said. "I was worried. Daisy she, we founder her in the Common Room."
Sirius touched the wet patch that Harry had transferred into his robes. "She finally cried then?"
Harry nodded.
"Good," Professor Dumbledore said now. "She had us worried a bit. She just sat there as we talked about what happened. We we're starting to worry."
Harry looked around the room. It was only Dumbledore, Sirius, Blanc, and Snape. All three looked very somber.
"What did happen, sir?"
Dumbledore nodded to Sirius. "Belle drew Annabelle and Alexander away from the rest of us. We had all of the hostages, or what was left of them, out by nine o'clock this morning, but they weren't back yet. When the other operatives and I went back, all we found were their bodies and the Death Eaters they had managed to take down.
"Daisy said it was Belle her self who preformed the killing curse at about twelve fifteen. We got there at exactly twelve twenty, so she probably had the time table right."
"I'm sorry, sirs," Harry said looking at his three professors.
"Thank you, Harry," Guy said. "And thank you for taking care of Daisy. Can you, do you know how she is?"
Harry shook his head. "She's taken it pretty hard. She cried herself to sleep. We put her up in the dorm. Hermione is staying with her for now."
"I'm glad she's being looked after," Professor Dumbledore said.
"What about Allen?"
"He's in the Hospital Wing," Snape said quietly. "He wanted to say good bye alone."
"He shouldn't be alone," Harry said firmly. "Even if he said that's what he wants. Don't leave him alone."
Guy stood. "I'll go check on him now, then."
*****
Daisy didn't really remember that week. Aunt Ro was alive but in St. Mungo's, as were the other people Voldemort had abducted. It was fifteen in all, and three were not going to survive.
Daisy lay back against the tower and watched the night envelope her. She couldn't look out at the water any more. Her parents had a traditional wizarding funeral. It was an old custom. Pyres were built on boats, the bodies prepared by thirteen witches, including family. She could still see her hands shaking as she wrapped the linen around her mother's hand. They had the same hands.
Hermione and Ginny had been there with her. They finally pulled her away when she couldn't work any more.
Friday night at sunset, just over twenty-four hours ago, the boat had been set out to sea. They were lit with flaming arrows fired at the boat. No magic was used out of respect for the dead.
Wizards were cremated because of the dark magic that could be invoked using the dead, the boats sent to sea to prevent access to even the ashes.
She should be comforted here. The Dumbledore family home, the Hive, had played host to the somber events. She was on the west coast of Scotland, just over half a mile north of Edinburgh. And 'the Hive' was a perfect name. It had been the family estate for longer than anyone knew. There were a series of caves along the coast that they had accessed, not to mention the multitude of buildings that made up the home and the park grounds surrounding.
She sighed looking up at the darkening sky. It had been along time since she could just sit and think. But she refused to cry again.
"Hey, Daisy," Harry said braking the silence. "I had a feeling I'd find you up here."
"I like towers," she shrugged.
"It's warmer here than at Hogwarts," Harry said sitting next to her.
"We're about a hundred miles south. Enough to make a difference."
She watched him sitting there. He just looked out at the water. It was breezy up here and his still blue hair was even wilder then it normally was.
Daisy sat up. "Know what I've been thinking about up here?"
"No, what?" he said turning to her.
"I've been thinking if life was perfect, we'd both still have parents. We'd have grown up as friends. You would have gotten your first broom the Christmas after you turned one. And not to be out done, my father would have gotten me one too. We'd go to the school in Hogsmeade with other magical children. Ron and Ginny too. They would invite us to the Burrow and we would all play Qudditch until we dropped. We'd be normal kids. I wouldn't be fighting the effects of Vericlearvoicium. You wouldn't be famous and have to fight Voldemort. We'd just be normal."
"But were not," Harry said. "I've wonder about what life would be like if my parents had raised me. But you can't live your life wondering about stuff like that."
"I know. I can't help it. For as little as I saw them before, I miss them so much now."
"You'll always miss them," Harry said. "Just don't let the hate get to you. It's had sometimes but..."
"I don't hate Belle. I mourn her too. She's my sister, I can't help but love her."
"Love and hate are very close sometimes."
A ghost of a smile crossed her face. "It's a thin line I know." She stood and dusted herself. "Thanks."
"For what?" Harry smiled.
"For not asking how I am. Everyone keeps asking how I'm doing. If one more person asked I'm going to answer truthfully."
"Oh? And what would your truthful answer be?"
"My parents were just murdered by my sister! How do you think I am? Bloody awful!' That truthful enough for you?" she asked.
"It'll do. Want a ride back down?" He held up the broom he'd brought with him.
"Rescuing me as always?" she smiled, really smiled, it was the first time in a week.
"That's what I'm here for, Daisy," Harry said as he helped her on the broom. "And I always will be."
*******************************************
Daisy stumbled down to the Great Hall for breakfast, practically pulled by Hermione. They sat down at the Gryffindor table across from Ron and Harry. Harry also looked like he was about to drop off.
Hermione was lecturing about taking proper care of yourself and sleeping properly. Finally Ron asked her a question about their Transfigurations homework.
Daisy took the opportunity to ask Harry, "Voldemort or guilt nightmares?"
"Guilt," he answered. "I kept seeing Cedric ask me why I dragged him along or something of the like. You?"
"Reactions to my death. Cheerful thing. I think I've decided I don't want any kids!"
"Really?" Harry asked.
"Well, did you enjoy growing up without a mother? I've spent the past week trying to figure out how to stop certain things from happening." She wasn't looking at him, just poking at her breakfast. "I just won't get married. Then Ron can't get jealous and talk his girlfriend into marring so young and Draco won't die and..."
Harry's head was starting to hurt. "Daze, stop! Stop, breath, and relax. I'm too tired to even try to figure out what you're talking about."
She sighed. "Then your probably better off then me. I can't turn off the voices in my head."
"Why don't you take some Merlin's Draught?" Hermione asked hearing the last bit.
Daisy yawned. "Don't want to become dependent."
***************************************
And so the Monday went by in blur of classes and stifled yawns. On Monday night she dreamed of her parents. Every pleasant memory of her childhood seemed to condense in to one dream. It should have left her more rested then she was.
On Tuesday she still drifted through class until Potions. She was starting to wake up, to be cheerful. Nothing bad had happened. Surely it would have happen by now.
She didn't see the Daily Prophet that morning. She wasn't even aware of the people pointing at her and the whispers that seemed to follow her that day. She didn't notice that her friends had taken a protective stance around her while they walked through the halls from one class to the next.
But Severus Snape had seen the paper that morning. He also noticed the honor guard surrounding his niece, and the fact that she was oblivious to everything.
She sat in her usual seat in the back, between Hermione and the isle. Snape walked over to her desk and put the paper down in front of her.
'Delinquency Affecting Student'
Daisy groaned at the headline, and then again as she skimmed the story. Apparently she had corrupted the entire student body. Rock concerts in Hogsmeade, consorting with gypsies and students at the Three Broomsticks, fornicating in the halls of Hogwarts.
"That's just a lie!" she bellowed when she read the last part. "An out right lie!"
"Well, the picture of you snogging Longbottom right next to it doesn't help," her teacher said.
"We're just talking! We're in a roomful of people!" Daisy cried, but then she realized who would have taken that photo. It was her and Neville at the dance sitting at a table heads so close together you can't see where one stops and the other starts.
"Well, Professor, what are we studying in class today?" she asked. When he didn't say anything and everyone continued to watch her she said, "What? I'm not about to let that rag upset me. There's too much else to worry about."
A smile ghosted across the Potion Master's face. "Good, we have a particularly difficult lesson today. That is, if you think you handle it, Miss Dumbledore?"
Daisy sat up straight in her chair. "I can handle it, professor."
***********************************
'I can handle it.'
Daisy kept repeating that to her self the rest of the morning.
'I can handle it.'
She made it through class.
'I can handle it.'
She talked a little with her friends.
'I can handle it.'
She went to the Great Hall for lunch.
'I can handle it.'
She sat at the Gryffindor table with her friends and watched life happen around her.
'I can handle it.'
It was midway through lunch that she began to See her parents. They were dueling with at least six Death Eaters.
'I can handle it.'
They stood back-to-back, wands raised defending each other. Then Belle came at her mother. Annabelle Dumbledore cried as she saw her oldest daughter, but did nothing to hurt her child. The words of the Killing Curse were the last thing Belle Blanc said to her mother.
'I can handle...'
This left Alexander Dumledore's back exposed. It was only three Death Eaters who faced him including Belle. It was still too much for him. With a flash of green he joined his wife on the floor.
'I can...'
****
Harry was now poking at his lunch. He didn't feel particularly hungry. At least he could take a nap in History of Magic that afternoon.
"And I think that everything Snape said about that potions should be carefully taken into consideration," Hermione was saying to Ron.
"Hermione!" Ron whined. "I'm trying to eat. Must you bring up Snape?" Then he seemed to realize the niece of said teacher was sitting across from him. "Er, no offense, Daze."
She didn't seem to hear him.
"Daisy!" Hermione said.
She had gone very pale. It was hard to tell through her glasses, which was half the point after all, but Harry felt sure she was having a vision.
Daisy stood abruptly. "'Scuse me," she mumble and went off to the teacher table.
"You don't think she'd say anything to him?" Ron asked.
She was talking in low tones to Professors Snape and Blanc. They both seemed very interested.
"I don't think Blanc would care that Snape turns your stomach," Harry said. "And I don't think Daisy even heard what you said."
"Something's up," Hermione said matter of factly.
After a moment Daisy left the Great Hall with Guy and Snape went to the Gryffindor table and collected Allen Dumbledore.
"Wonder what that was all about?" Ginny mused.
***************************************
The fifth year Gryffindors had a free period for their last class. Daisy hadn't shown up in class and they were starting to worry about her. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville went back to the Common Room to wait for Daisy to get back from wherever she went.
As they entered the seemingly empty room Ron asked. "Anyone want a game of chess while we wait? Hermione?"
"You know, Ron," said Daisy from a corner of they room on the floor, surprising the others who hadn't seen her, "It's rather rude to ask a girl to a game just because you think she needs to lose at something."
"Daze, You startled us!" Hermione said.
"Did I?"
"Where have you been?" Ron asked. "We've been worried sick."
"Yes you all look so stricken," she said tersely.
"There's no need to be snippy," Harry said.
"Oh, because you know abos-bloody-lutly everything! Don't you, Potter? Well you don't know everything! You have no idea," Daisy said shaking her head. It also had the effect of draining her anger.
"Daze what happened?" Harry asked sitting on the floor next to her.
"Did you See something at lunch?" Neville asked.
Daisy looked at them. Her eyes started to fill with tears. "I saw my parents. I-I saw Belle attack them. They-they're dead."
She completely lost it then and began crying piteously. Harry pulled her onto his lap and she sobbed on his shoulder. They sat like that her until she went silent.
"She's asleep," Harry said checking the girl.
"We'd better get her up to the dorm," Hermione said.
Harry carried her up to the girl's room. She was so light. Had she been eating properly? He couldn't remember her doing more than poke at her food for the past week.
"You'll stay with her Herm?" he asked. "So she doesn't wake up alone and disoriented."
Hermione smiled. "I'll say with her. Don't worry Harry. Maybe you should get some sleep too."
"Yeah, maybe. Just take care of her," he said.
*******************************
Harry didn't feel like sleeping. He decided to talk to Professor Dumbledore to see just what happened. He didn't want to ask Daisy about the other operatives, or even if they got the hostages out. It didn't seem like quite the right time while she was weeping in his shoulder.
One good thing about being part of the Order was that he was now given the password to the Headmaster office.
"Skittles," he said causing the gargoyle guard to leap aside.
He ascended the moving stairs and knocked on the Headmaster's door.
It opened a crack to reveal the head of Guy Blanc.
"Hello, Professor," Harry said.
Guy nodded and let Harry in.
"Harry!"
"Sirius!"
Before Harry realized it his Godfather had him in a tight embrace.
"I'm glad you're alright, Sirius," Harry said. "I was worried. Daisy she, we founder her in the Common Room."
Sirius touched the wet patch that Harry had transferred into his robes. "She finally cried then?"
Harry nodded.
"Good," Professor Dumbledore said now. "She had us worried a bit. She just sat there as we talked about what happened. We we're starting to worry."
Harry looked around the room. It was only Dumbledore, Sirius, Blanc, and Snape. All three looked very somber.
"What did happen, sir?"
Dumbledore nodded to Sirius. "Belle drew Annabelle and Alexander away from the rest of us. We had all of the hostages, or what was left of them, out by nine o'clock this morning, but they weren't back yet. When the other operatives and I went back, all we found were their bodies and the Death Eaters they had managed to take down.
"Daisy said it was Belle her self who preformed the killing curse at about twelve fifteen. We got there at exactly twelve twenty, so she probably had the time table right."
"I'm sorry, sirs," Harry said looking at his three professors.
"Thank you, Harry," Guy said. "And thank you for taking care of Daisy. Can you, do you know how she is?"
Harry shook his head. "She's taken it pretty hard. She cried herself to sleep. We put her up in the dorm. Hermione is staying with her for now."
"I'm glad she's being looked after," Professor Dumbledore said.
"What about Allen?"
"He's in the Hospital Wing," Snape said quietly. "He wanted to say good bye alone."
"He shouldn't be alone," Harry said firmly. "Even if he said that's what he wants. Don't leave him alone."
Guy stood. "I'll go check on him now, then."
*****
Daisy didn't really remember that week. Aunt Ro was alive but in St. Mungo's, as were the other people Voldemort had abducted. It was fifteen in all, and three were not going to survive.
Daisy lay back against the tower and watched the night envelope her. She couldn't look out at the water any more. Her parents had a traditional wizarding funeral. It was an old custom. Pyres were built on boats, the bodies prepared by thirteen witches, including family. She could still see her hands shaking as she wrapped the linen around her mother's hand. They had the same hands.
Hermione and Ginny had been there with her. They finally pulled her away when she couldn't work any more.
Friday night at sunset, just over twenty-four hours ago, the boat had been set out to sea. They were lit with flaming arrows fired at the boat. No magic was used out of respect for the dead.
Wizards were cremated because of the dark magic that could be invoked using the dead, the boats sent to sea to prevent access to even the ashes.
She should be comforted here. The Dumbledore family home, the Hive, had played host to the somber events. She was on the west coast of Scotland, just over half a mile north of Edinburgh. And 'the Hive' was a perfect name. It had been the family estate for longer than anyone knew. There were a series of caves along the coast that they had accessed, not to mention the multitude of buildings that made up the home and the park grounds surrounding.
She sighed looking up at the darkening sky. It had been along time since she could just sit and think. But she refused to cry again.
"Hey, Daisy," Harry said braking the silence. "I had a feeling I'd find you up here."
"I like towers," she shrugged.
"It's warmer here than at Hogwarts," Harry said sitting next to her.
"We're about a hundred miles south. Enough to make a difference."
She watched him sitting there. He just looked out at the water. It was breezy up here and his still blue hair was even wilder then it normally was.
Daisy sat up. "Know what I've been thinking about up here?"
"No, what?" he said turning to her.
"I've been thinking if life was perfect, we'd both still have parents. We'd have grown up as friends. You would have gotten your first broom the Christmas after you turned one. And not to be out done, my father would have gotten me one too. We'd go to the school in Hogsmeade with other magical children. Ron and Ginny too. They would invite us to the Burrow and we would all play Qudditch until we dropped. We'd be normal kids. I wouldn't be fighting the effects of Vericlearvoicium. You wouldn't be famous and have to fight Voldemort. We'd just be normal."
"But were not," Harry said. "I've wonder about what life would be like if my parents had raised me. But you can't live your life wondering about stuff like that."
"I know. I can't help it. For as little as I saw them before, I miss them so much now."
"You'll always miss them," Harry said. "Just don't let the hate get to you. It's had sometimes but..."
"I don't hate Belle. I mourn her too. She's my sister, I can't help but love her."
"Love and hate are very close sometimes."
A ghost of a smile crossed her face. "It's a thin line I know." She stood and dusted herself. "Thanks."
"For what?" Harry smiled.
"For not asking how I am. Everyone keeps asking how I'm doing. If one more person asked I'm going to answer truthfully."
"Oh? And what would your truthful answer be?"
"My parents were just murdered by my sister! How do you think I am? Bloody awful!' That truthful enough for you?" she asked.
"It'll do. Want a ride back down?" He held up the broom he'd brought with him.
"Rescuing me as always?" she smiled, really smiled, it was the first time in a week.
"That's what I'm here for, Daisy," Harry said as he helped her on the broom. "And I always will be."
*******************************************