Chapter 29
Dinner was quiet. Daisy knew they were right. She would never say that to the adults of course. They already thought too highly of themselves, even if they had a right to. So she put up a tiny fight but conceded in the end saying that they were in charge after all.
She was going to stay at the Leaky Cauldron in the parlor, with Sirius in his dog form. She had brought the wireless Ginny had given her. It was currently shrunk in her pocket with a pair of headphones. So she wouldn't be board at least.
She watched everyone else at supper. Harry was staring at his food, lost in thought. Draco had a similar pensive face. Neither so much as looked at her, nor that was probably a good thing.
The adults had gathered down the other end of the table and where talking in hushed voices. She really didn't care to hear what they said at this point.
"We'd better be off," Professor Dumbledor said rising.
"Be good boys!" Daisy said with a smile as she waved good-bye. Harry and Draco each tried to give her a feeble smile. Draco's looked more like a sneer and Harry looked like he was in pain.
"Well Snuffles, ready to spend the rest of the afternoon in public?" she asked the dog now sitting by her. She gave a soft bark in response.
"Let's go then," and she headed back inside.
Daisy sat in the lounge area of the Leaky Cauldron in a big comfy chair. Snuffles put his head on her knee. She out on her head set and turned it to a Muggle radio station.
"You know, Snuffles, I really don't mind staying here. It's a shame you can't tell me embarrassing stories about Uncle Sev, though."
If dogs could smile, Daisy was sure he would have.
She began to scratch behind his ear and leaned her head against the back of the chair. Soon she was asleep.
Daisy watched the two people dancing.
'I know this song! "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic." Wow, they can dance.'
Then she felt a slight shift and she was the girl. And when she looked up she saw the unmistakable green eyes of Harry Potter. Suddenly she felt very dizzy. They were dancing so close. Harry's arms around her, holding so tight, made her feel like she couldn't breath, but in a good way.
She became vaguely aware of people watching them. And green hair. There was green hair in her eyes. Not the emerald green of Harry's eyes, but bright neon green. It wasn't her hair. Harry had found someone else to dance with?
She woke up quickly, with the song "Every Little Thing She Does" finishing in her ear.
Daisy was breathing hard when she woke. Get a grip girl. It was just a dream, after all.
The large black dog looked at her curiously. Apparently he had been dozing off too.
"Some guard dog you are," she said.
She turned off the headphones and stretched.
Suddenly Snuffles was growling, his hackles rose. Daisy looked up to see the person she expected.
"Belle." Daisy scratched Snuffles ear to show it was safe. The dog/man still growled, but he stayed put.
"Daze," the blonde woman said sitting across from her little sister. "Nice hair!"
"Well, you know," she said unable to prevent the smile that formed, "long hair is just so hard to manage. What are you doing here?"
"Morbid curiosity?" Belle shrugged. "Vince sends his love."
"That was uncalled for," Daisy glared. "Has grandmother's pendant worked for you?"
"Noticed I took it, eh?"
"I wore the thing constantly. Wasn't to likely I'd not miss it."
"No, not so much as a twinge. How did you know?"
"Please Belle, I may be young but I'm not stupid. Well, not usually. And I'll admit, you're my blind spot. But the dark Lord wants a Seer. You couldn't deliver me, so you'll try and fulfill his, um, needs."
"Very astute little sister. You have the Snape mind. Luckily so have I."
"Yes, if you had your father's intelligence, you'd already be dead," Daisy said coolly.
"Don't talk about my father Dumbledore! You know nothing!"
Daisy leaned close to her once beloved sister. After a vision her eyes were always creepy looking, even with Merlin's Draught. She stared straight into Belle's eyes. "I know more than you could possibly think. And I know how much you know. You and your Lord don't know anything we don't what you to. Keep the damned pendent. I don't need it anymore. I've gained a level of control you could never imagine! I can See for centuries if I want. You will lose Belle. And then I will personally hunt you and that slime that clings to your boots. You don't want to meet me alone in a dark ally, sister dear."
As Daisy leaned back into her chair, she brought a cup of tea to her lips, hiding a smile. She had actually just intimidated Belle. This woman approaching thirty was scared of a fifteen year old. Power was definitely a head rush.
Belle recovered after a moment. She was just as stony faced as she had been while she poured herself a cup of tea.
"I wouldn't get too cocky, Little One. I may not have visions, but you have."
"Well, of course I have!" Daisy answered irritated. Belle had never been one to over state the obvious. "I am a Seer after all."
Belle withdrew from her pocket a small vile made of blueish glass and tossed it to her sister. It had recently contained a liquid, but had been drained.
"I must say I'm glad I brought that," Belle said sipping her tea. "But then I thought to my self, 'you never know!' The Dream Walker potion came in quite handy."
Dream Walker potion allowed the taker access to a sleeping person's thoughts. Usually it was just what ever thoughts were strongest, like the dream of the sleeper, but depending on the strength of the witch or wizard taking it and how practiced they are at taking it, a person's entire mind was laid open.
Daisy was staring at the vile blankly. How could she have been so stupid? Napping in public like that was apparently not a smart thing. What had Belle seen?
Belle smiled and answered as though she had read Daisy thoughts. "That was very sweet, dancing with young Mister Potter. Has my little sister got a little crush? But oh wait, that wasn't you, was it? Seems you have a higher opinion of Harry's tastes."
Daisy swallowed hard. She didn't know how to respond. Luckily for her, Snuffles came to the rescue and began to growl at Belle.
"That animal should be caged," Belle said coldly.
Daisy distractedly put a hand on the dog. "Easy boy."
Sirius, um, Snuffles stopped growling, but didn't take his eyes off Belle. He still had his teeth bared too.
"What are you doing here Belle?" Daisy asked. "I know you said curiosity, but then why aren't you at the court house listening to Wormtail beg for his life?"
"Because I came to see you, little sister. Of course I was surprised that you didn't go back into the courtroom with the other members of your little 'Do-Gooders-Annonymus' group. I assumed you'd be here. And they even left the dog to guard you."
Snuffles growled again. Belle laughed.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say he understood me."
"Oh?" Daisy said. "And how do you know he can't?"
Belle smiled at her. "I suppose I don't. Anyway, this is much more fun than watching the sniveling rat beg for his life. I'm afraid he's pleading guilty. Struck a deal so I hear," her wicked smile curled around the edges of her mouth again. "He's afraid of what we'll do to him if came back."
"I can't imagine why! Your such a welcoming little band."
"Aren't we though?" Belle said with a smiled and rose. "I must be going now. Send my love to our dear brothers, and Uncle Severus!"
With pop she was gone. Daisy sighed and slummed back into her chair. The dog at her feet made a comforting noise.
Daisy pet him, smoothing his ruffled fur. She turned and looked at the big puppy-dog eyes that just emitted sympathy. She smiled at him.
"That's what your best friend fell in love with. See why I'm so anxious to grow up? Look what I could turn into!"
Daisy was pacing in the parlor of the Leaky Cauldron. Other patrons were watching her. More than once she heard Tom whispering who she was and why she was so anxious.
Apparently, since 'the incident,' as she had taken to calling it, she had gotten a lot of sympathy. The press had called her and Harry heroes. She knew Harry was. He had always been. But the looks of respect from these strangers were somewhat disconcerting.
She sighed. People were curious things. At least she was ready for what was coming. She wasn't sure Belle had been completely honest about Wormtail confessing, but it would seem to fit him.
She whorled around again and knocked a lamp over. The shade broke off. A quick "Reparo" fixed it right up. She then threw herself back into the chair.
Snuffles lay on the floor just out of her chosen path. He now came over and looked at her with those puppy-dog eyes again.
She smiled at the big black dog and scratched behind his ears.
"I'm a mess aren't I?" she asked knowing he couldn't answer, at least not at the moment. She really wanted to talk though. "Come on."
"Tom?" she called to the old man, "Has someone taken the big dinning room yet?"
"No, love," he answered with a toothless grin. "You head back, and I'll bring you tea in a moment."
Daisy and Snuffles waited until Tom brought the tea. He brought two cups. Daisy smiled.
"I'll send the others back when they come," Tom said with a wink.
Sirius sat sipping his tea. Obviously the girl wanted to talk. He could sense that. He could tell how afraid she had been while talking to Belle.
"If you'd rather talk to Snuffles, I could turn back," he said gently.
She smiled warmly at him. Defiantly a Dumbledore smile, he thought. He'd never seen any Snape smile so brightly.
"No," she said. "I wanted some feedback. Plus some people out there were beginning to look at me like I was crazy. Trouble is, now that you can talk back I can't think of what to say."
"Well for starters, you are not a mess, nor are you your sister or in any danger of becoming her."
"Are you so sure Sirius?" she asked.
She fixed those odd eyes on him. He could recognize another wounded soul. Harry some times looked like that too. Especially when he was worried about the people he had come to love.
"You know, don't you," she continued, "that if I was to be like her Harry would be hurt. If I were like her, I could rip out his heart and hand it to him. Do you want me to put your Godson in that sort of danger? How can you trust me?"
"I did know that Daisy, but you wouldn't do that. I'm not saying you can't. Harry thinks you can't, and I suspect that's why you can't talk to him about this. Harry thinks too highly of you. I, however, do not suffer those delusions."
Sirius watched, as the girl seemed to have taken nothing in. He knew, though, that she had absorbed every word. He had watched Severus do the same thing.
"Your uncle and I have talked about this at length, actually. He thinks very highly of your ability to over come that part of yourself."
She looked up at him startled. "Since when do you talk to Uncle Sev about me?"
"Since he needed some to ask about how to handle a child you love. Godfather to Godfather."
Daisy smiled with merriment in her eyes. "And neither of you has made the other an offer you couldn't refuse?"
Sirius burst out laughing. "That's good one. I certainly didn't expect to laugh today."
"Peter," she said.
Sirius nodded.
"It's a big day for everyone," Daisy said stiffly.
"I did hear the testimony today. Remus fixed a listening devise to my ear."
"Good Light!" she said and turned pink. "Harry's gonna kill me!"
"Why?" Sirius asked confused.
Daisy turned even pinker. "Ron."
"Ooh, yeah, that was, um..."
"Yeah."
"Don't worry about it," Sirius advised. "It'll blow over. Your friends will understand."
"Harry just looked so..."
"Why Miss Dumbledore, do you perhaps have a little crush on my Godson?" Sirius teased.
"For a long time I thought so," she said completely serious.
"And now?" Sirius asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I know I'm not crushing on him now," she said without looking at him.
Sirius smile to himself. This was certainly going to make Severus happy. Last time he had mentioned the children; Severus had been convinced they had feelings more than friendship for each other.
"Well, at least you know how you feel," Sirius said jovially.
"Yeah," she agreed in a sad voice. She looked up at Sirius and he thought her heart was breaking. "I love him, and I can't do anything about it."
Sirius looked shocked. He certainly hadn't expected that!
"Well, well of course you can," he stammered.
"No Mister Black, there is nothing I can do. Because I know what that would do to Harry. I can't put him through that."
"Well, at least that proves you're in no danger of becoming your sister. And just what would you put Harry through?"
She mumbled something Sirius couldn't hear.
"Beg pardon?"
"I said he would have to watch me die. I've seen it. He's right there next to me, blaming himself. I can't do that to him. Even if it is only fifteen years. I can't take that time from him. He has a chance for real happiness if I'm not selfish."
"Daisy, I don't think Harry would see it that way. Why don't you talk to him? Give him a chance," Sirius urged.
Daisy stood and stared pacing again. She knocked over the teapot.
"Crap!" she said. "I just can't get anything right!"
This time Sirius cleaned broken china.
"So don't try to get it right. Just try and get through it."
"And when did you become Zen-Master-Sirius anyway? What happened to the infamous Black temper?"
Sirius smiled. "Oh, it's still there, reserved for anyone how tries to hurt my friends. I don't really have a family, Daisy. The Order has become my family. Harry and Remus were before, of course. But I've watched you and the others grow over the past few months. You're important to Harry, and therefore me. If you hadn't stopped me, I may have been put down for the things I wanted to do to Belle. She's hurt quite a few people I care about. And she was threatening you. I'm proud of they way you held yourself though. You gave as well as you got today. She was afraid of you."
Dinner was quiet. Daisy knew they were right. She would never say that to the adults of course. They already thought too highly of themselves, even if they had a right to. So she put up a tiny fight but conceded in the end saying that they were in charge after all.
She was going to stay at the Leaky Cauldron in the parlor, with Sirius in his dog form. She had brought the wireless Ginny had given her. It was currently shrunk in her pocket with a pair of headphones. So she wouldn't be board at least.
She watched everyone else at supper. Harry was staring at his food, lost in thought. Draco had a similar pensive face. Neither so much as looked at her, nor that was probably a good thing.
The adults had gathered down the other end of the table and where talking in hushed voices. She really didn't care to hear what they said at this point.
"We'd better be off," Professor Dumbledor said rising.
"Be good boys!" Daisy said with a smile as she waved good-bye. Harry and Draco each tried to give her a feeble smile. Draco's looked more like a sneer and Harry looked like he was in pain.
"Well Snuffles, ready to spend the rest of the afternoon in public?" she asked the dog now sitting by her. She gave a soft bark in response.
"Let's go then," and she headed back inside.
Daisy sat in the lounge area of the Leaky Cauldron in a big comfy chair. Snuffles put his head on her knee. She out on her head set and turned it to a Muggle radio station.
"You know, Snuffles, I really don't mind staying here. It's a shame you can't tell me embarrassing stories about Uncle Sev, though."
If dogs could smile, Daisy was sure he would have.
She began to scratch behind his ear and leaned her head against the back of the chair. Soon she was asleep.
Daisy watched the two people dancing.
'I know this song! "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic." Wow, they can dance.'
Then she felt a slight shift and she was the girl. And when she looked up she saw the unmistakable green eyes of Harry Potter. Suddenly she felt very dizzy. They were dancing so close. Harry's arms around her, holding so tight, made her feel like she couldn't breath, but in a good way.
She became vaguely aware of people watching them. And green hair. There was green hair in her eyes. Not the emerald green of Harry's eyes, but bright neon green. It wasn't her hair. Harry had found someone else to dance with?
She woke up quickly, with the song "Every Little Thing She Does" finishing in her ear.
Daisy was breathing hard when she woke. Get a grip girl. It was just a dream, after all.
The large black dog looked at her curiously. Apparently he had been dozing off too.
"Some guard dog you are," she said.
She turned off the headphones and stretched.
Suddenly Snuffles was growling, his hackles rose. Daisy looked up to see the person she expected.
"Belle." Daisy scratched Snuffles ear to show it was safe. The dog/man still growled, but he stayed put.
"Daze," the blonde woman said sitting across from her little sister. "Nice hair!"
"Well, you know," she said unable to prevent the smile that formed, "long hair is just so hard to manage. What are you doing here?"
"Morbid curiosity?" Belle shrugged. "Vince sends his love."
"That was uncalled for," Daisy glared. "Has grandmother's pendant worked for you?"
"Noticed I took it, eh?"
"I wore the thing constantly. Wasn't to likely I'd not miss it."
"No, not so much as a twinge. How did you know?"
"Please Belle, I may be young but I'm not stupid. Well, not usually. And I'll admit, you're my blind spot. But the dark Lord wants a Seer. You couldn't deliver me, so you'll try and fulfill his, um, needs."
"Very astute little sister. You have the Snape mind. Luckily so have I."
"Yes, if you had your father's intelligence, you'd already be dead," Daisy said coolly.
"Don't talk about my father Dumbledore! You know nothing!"
Daisy leaned close to her once beloved sister. After a vision her eyes were always creepy looking, even with Merlin's Draught. She stared straight into Belle's eyes. "I know more than you could possibly think. And I know how much you know. You and your Lord don't know anything we don't what you to. Keep the damned pendent. I don't need it anymore. I've gained a level of control you could never imagine! I can See for centuries if I want. You will lose Belle. And then I will personally hunt you and that slime that clings to your boots. You don't want to meet me alone in a dark ally, sister dear."
As Daisy leaned back into her chair, she brought a cup of tea to her lips, hiding a smile. She had actually just intimidated Belle. This woman approaching thirty was scared of a fifteen year old. Power was definitely a head rush.
Belle recovered after a moment. She was just as stony faced as she had been while she poured herself a cup of tea.
"I wouldn't get too cocky, Little One. I may not have visions, but you have."
"Well, of course I have!" Daisy answered irritated. Belle had never been one to over state the obvious. "I am a Seer after all."
Belle withdrew from her pocket a small vile made of blueish glass and tossed it to her sister. It had recently contained a liquid, but had been drained.
"I must say I'm glad I brought that," Belle said sipping her tea. "But then I thought to my self, 'you never know!' The Dream Walker potion came in quite handy."
Dream Walker potion allowed the taker access to a sleeping person's thoughts. Usually it was just what ever thoughts were strongest, like the dream of the sleeper, but depending on the strength of the witch or wizard taking it and how practiced they are at taking it, a person's entire mind was laid open.
Daisy was staring at the vile blankly. How could she have been so stupid? Napping in public like that was apparently not a smart thing. What had Belle seen?
Belle smiled and answered as though she had read Daisy thoughts. "That was very sweet, dancing with young Mister Potter. Has my little sister got a little crush? But oh wait, that wasn't you, was it? Seems you have a higher opinion of Harry's tastes."
Daisy swallowed hard. She didn't know how to respond. Luckily for her, Snuffles came to the rescue and began to growl at Belle.
"That animal should be caged," Belle said coldly.
Daisy distractedly put a hand on the dog. "Easy boy."
Sirius, um, Snuffles stopped growling, but didn't take his eyes off Belle. He still had his teeth bared too.
"What are you doing here Belle?" Daisy asked. "I know you said curiosity, but then why aren't you at the court house listening to Wormtail beg for his life?"
"Because I came to see you, little sister. Of course I was surprised that you didn't go back into the courtroom with the other members of your little 'Do-Gooders-Annonymus' group. I assumed you'd be here. And they even left the dog to guard you."
Snuffles growled again. Belle laughed.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say he understood me."
"Oh?" Daisy said. "And how do you know he can't?"
Belle smiled at her. "I suppose I don't. Anyway, this is much more fun than watching the sniveling rat beg for his life. I'm afraid he's pleading guilty. Struck a deal so I hear," her wicked smile curled around the edges of her mouth again. "He's afraid of what we'll do to him if came back."
"I can't imagine why! Your such a welcoming little band."
"Aren't we though?" Belle said with a smiled and rose. "I must be going now. Send my love to our dear brothers, and Uncle Severus!"
With pop she was gone. Daisy sighed and slummed back into her chair. The dog at her feet made a comforting noise.
Daisy pet him, smoothing his ruffled fur. She turned and looked at the big puppy-dog eyes that just emitted sympathy. She smiled at him.
"That's what your best friend fell in love with. See why I'm so anxious to grow up? Look what I could turn into!"
Daisy was pacing in the parlor of the Leaky Cauldron. Other patrons were watching her. More than once she heard Tom whispering who she was and why she was so anxious.
Apparently, since 'the incident,' as she had taken to calling it, she had gotten a lot of sympathy. The press had called her and Harry heroes. She knew Harry was. He had always been. But the looks of respect from these strangers were somewhat disconcerting.
She sighed. People were curious things. At least she was ready for what was coming. She wasn't sure Belle had been completely honest about Wormtail confessing, but it would seem to fit him.
She whorled around again and knocked a lamp over. The shade broke off. A quick "Reparo" fixed it right up. She then threw herself back into the chair.
Snuffles lay on the floor just out of her chosen path. He now came over and looked at her with those puppy-dog eyes again.
She smiled at the big black dog and scratched behind his ears.
"I'm a mess aren't I?" she asked knowing he couldn't answer, at least not at the moment. She really wanted to talk though. "Come on."
"Tom?" she called to the old man, "Has someone taken the big dinning room yet?"
"No, love," he answered with a toothless grin. "You head back, and I'll bring you tea in a moment."
Daisy and Snuffles waited until Tom brought the tea. He brought two cups. Daisy smiled.
"I'll send the others back when they come," Tom said with a wink.
Sirius sat sipping his tea. Obviously the girl wanted to talk. He could sense that. He could tell how afraid she had been while talking to Belle.
"If you'd rather talk to Snuffles, I could turn back," he said gently.
She smiled warmly at him. Defiantly a Dumbledore smile, he thought. He'd never seen any Snape smile so brightly.
"No," she said. "I wanted some feedback. Plus some people out there were beginning to look at me like I was crazy. Trouble is, now that you can talk back I can't think of what to say."
"Well for starters, you are not a mess, nor are you your sister or in any danger of becoming her."
"Are you so sure Sirius?" she asked.
She fixed those odd eyes on him. He could recognize another wounded soul. Harry some times looked like that too. Especially when he was worried about the people he had come to love.
"You know, don't you," she continued, "that if I was to be like her Harry would be hurt. If I were like her, I could rip out his heart and hand it to him. Do you want me to put your Godson in that sort of danger? How can you trust me?"
"I did know that Daisy, but you wouldn't do that. I'm not saying you can't. Harry thinks you can't, and I suspect that's why you can't talk to him about this. Harry thinks too highly of you. I, however, do not suffer those delusions."
Sirius watched, as the girl seemed to have taken nothing in. He knew, though, that she had absorbed every word. He had watched Severus do the same thing.
"Your uncle and I have talked about this at length, actually. He thinks very highly of your ability to over come that part of yourself."
She looked up at him startled. "Since when do you talk to Uncle Sev about me?"
"Since he needed some to ask about how to handle a child you love. Godfather to Godfather."
Daisy smiled with merriment in her eyes. "And neither of you has made the other an offer you couldn't refuse?"
Sirius burst out laughing. "That's good one. I certainly didn't expect to laugh today."
"Peter," she said.
Sirius nodded.
"It's a big day for everyone," Daisy said stiffly.
"I did hear the testimony today. Remus fixed a listening devise to my ear."
"Good Light!" she said and turned pink. "Harry's gonna kill me!"
"Why?" Sirius asked confused.
Daisy turned even pinker. "Ron."
"Ooh, yeah, that was, um..."
"Yeah."
"Don't worry about it," Sirius advised. "It'll blow over. Your friends will understand."
"Harry just looked so..."
"Why Miss Dumbledore, do you perhaps have a little crush on my Godson?" Sirius teased.
"For a long time I thought so," she said completely serious.
"And now?" Sirius asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I know I'm not crushing on him now," she said without looking at him.
Sirius smile to himself. This was certainly going to make Severus happy. Last time he had mentioned the children; Severus had been convinced they had feelings more than friendship for each other.
"Well, at least you know how you feel," Sirius said jovially.
"Yeah," she agreed in a sad voice. She looked up at Sirius and he thought her heart was breaking. "I love him, and I can't do anything about it."
Sirius looked shocked. He certainly hadn't expected that!
"Well, well of course you can," he stammered.
"No Mister Black, there is nothing I can do. Because I know what that would do to Harry. I can't put him through that."
"Well, at least that proves you're in no danger of becoming your sister. And just what would you put Harry through?"
She mumbled something Sirius couldn't hear.
"Beg pardon?"
"I said he would have to watch me die. I've seen it. He's right there next to me, blaming himself. I can't do that to him. Even if it is only fifteen years. I can't take that time from him. He has a chance for real happiness if I'm not selfish."
"Daisy, I don't think Harry would see it that way. Why don't you talk to him? Give him a chance," Sirius urged.
Daisy stood and stared pacing again. She knocked over the teapot.
"Crap!" she said. "I just can't get anything right!"
This time Sirius cleaned broken china.
"So don't try to get it right. Just try and get through it."
"And when did you become Zen-Master-Sirius anyway? What happened to the infamous Black temper?"
Sirius smiled. "Oh, it's still there, reserved for anyone how tries to hurt my friends. I don't really have a family, Daisy. The Order has become my family. Harry and Remus were before, of course. But I've watched you and the others grow over the past few months. You're important to Harry, and therefore me. If you hadn't stopped me, I may have been put down for the things I wanted to do to Belle. She's hurt quite a few people I care about. And she was threatening you. I'm proud of they way you held yourself though. You gave as well as you got today. She was afraid of you."