Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Chapter warning: implied abuse, implied non-con(There is no detail about these themes. It is just implied that it happens. If you decide not to read this chapter for these reasons, please do not quit this story! Just PM me and I will explain to you the key parts to this chapter)

And all those things I didn't say

Wrecking balls inside my brain

I will scream them loud tonight

Can you hear my voice this time?

Daphne was finally going to Hogwarts. She dreamed of this day since the first time she believed her father knew that she knew she was worth more than he said. He was a cruel man. For that reason Daphne also feared leaving because Astoria would be left there. Over the years, Daphne's has tried to teach her sister what is right and this is not. Thankfully, Astoria was smart enough to pick up the clues.

The sight of the red engine excited Daphne. This was her escape. Her father put a hand on her shoulder. "I expect your best behavior at Hogwarts."

"Yes father."

"Keep yourself surrounded with purity."

"Yes father."

"And I mean blood, family, talent, and personality. You remember the families to avoid." Daphne nodded. Her father's grip tightened. "Response?"

"Yes father."

He nodded. "Say goodbye to your mother and sister and then get on the train. Find a compartment and just wait. I will put your trunk on."

"Yes father."

Lyle grabbed the trunk and walked off. Daphne hugged her mother first and said a quick goodbye. Her attention was focused on Astoria. Daphne squeezed her little sister in a tight hug.

"I'm gonna miss you, Daph," Astoria murmured.

"I'm gonna miss you too, Tori," Daphne sighed. "You'll owl me at least once a week, right?"

Astoria nodded. "You owl me too. I'll try to keep you updated."

"You remember everything I've taught you."

Astoria nodded once more and pulled away. "I will. Father never paid mind to me because I am the youngest. Who knows now though with you being gone. I'll survive. I'll keep an eye out for mum too."

Daphne shook her head. "It's too late for mum, Tori. I know that's bad to say but it's true. Focus on yourself."

"I love you, Daphne."

"I love you too, Tori."

"Daphne! It's time," her father said. Daphne nodded and hugged her sister one last time. Lyle grabbed his daughter as she walked away. "Don't make a fool of yourself, or us. I will know if you do."

Daphne nodded and her father let her go. As quickly as she could, Daphne got on the train. She wandered towards the rear of the carriages and finally found a compartment to herself. She watched the other children and parents smile, hug, cry, and kiss. She watched children seek out their friends they hadn't seen in two months.

She saw the backs of her parents' and sister's heads as they walked towards the floo. It didn't surprise her that they were leaving already. Her father wouldn't dare keep her mother or sister out any longer than was necessary.

Daphne pulled a book out of her bag and began to read. She became absorbed in the fictitious world of a wizard acting like a muggle. Sometimes Daphne wondered if it were better to be a muggle. Even with magic, Daphne felt she was more muggle than witch. She lived a sheltered life.

She was zoned out from the world until she heard the carriage door open. "This carriage is taken," she said, still staring at her books.

"And so are the others. I'll only be reading," Daphne recognized that voice. She hadn't heard the Welsh boy in years. She looked up to the seat across from her.

Theodore Nott's dark brown hair was loose and shaggy as if he hadn't had a haircut in a very long time. His skin was sickly pale, and his amber eyes seemed lifeless. This wasn't the Theodore Nott who changed her perspective of what life should be.

"Are you okay, Theodore?"

"Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?"

"You just seem so...dead in your eyes. You have no life in your eyes."

"Again, shouldn't I be asking you that question?"

"Cheeky much?"

Theo shrugged. "A lot has changed in my life since that Christmas party. I'm surprised you haven't forgotten about me."

"Your words motivated me," she replied. "I haven't let my sister be sheltered."

"And you?"

"I'm doing the best I can for the situation. My main goal has been protecting my sister. He has no idea she understands. What about you? What's changed in your life?"

"My mother died three years ago and my father has been in and out of the hospital since. I've had to live with the son of a friend of my father's when he's in the hospital. He lives with a bunch of his friends. They stay on the first two floors while I stay on the third. I don't ever go down there. I did once," his voice got colder. "I interrupted a party of theirs once. Couldn't leave my bed for a week. My house elf has to force feed me puréed food."

Daphne gasped. "Oh Theo!"

"Don't worry about me, Greengrass. It was my first week there. I know how to survive. It's you I worry about."

"I'm not a china doll. I can take care of myself...as much as an 11 year old can. I have to seem naive to survive. Father doesn't expect Astoria and I because we play the part."

Theo gave her a small smile. "Seems like you're learning how much of hell hole this world is. Let's be honest though, Greengrass, you'll always be my damsel in distress."

Daphne chuckled. "Until the day comes when I have to save you."

Theo grinned and stared down at the book in his hands. Daphne swore she saw his cheeks tint. "Never gonna happen."

Daphne flattened her green dress. Four years into Hogwarts and life wasn't very different. Her father still controlled her life and she was utterly alone, except Astoria was now in her second year of Hogwarts.

"You look gorgeous, Daphne," Astoria sighed dreamily. "I wish I was going to the Yule Ball."

Daphne rolled her eyes. "I would gladly change places with you. This night is going to be terrible I can feel it," Daphne flipped her hair behind her shoulders and then in front again. "It's better than being at home."

"So is Prince Charming taking you?" Astoria teased.

Prince Charming was the nickname Astoria had given to Theodore Nott. He found it amusing while Daphne saw it as her sister embarrassing her. It did allow them to easily talk about him without suspicion at places.

"You know he's not," Daphne scowled. "You know father arranged for Gregory Goyle to take me because he is pure enough. Charming is going with Tracey Davis. Father loathes his family."

"You are going to dance with Prince Charming though, right?"

Daphne sighed as the sisters heard a knock on her door. "One can only hope, Tori," Daphne walked over and opened the door. "Hello, Gregory."

"Let's get moving, Greengrass." He barked.

Daphne nodded and walked out of the room without saying goodbye to her sister. Goyle grabbed Daphne's arm and dragged her down the stairs. Pansy Parkinson, Draco Malfoy, Millicent Bulstrode, and Vincent Crabbe were waiting at the bottom of the stairs. "We're going to be late," Pansy screeched.

"It's just a fucking dance, Pansy," Crabbe said. "Let's just get this night over with."

Goyle yanked Daphne towards the door. She winced in pain. "Goyle, I know you are a complete dunderhead but I would've thought that you would at least have the common courtesy to know when you are hurting your date," The group of Slytherins looked up to see Theodore standing there with Tracey glaring at him.

"She's fine, Nott. Your date, on the other hand, looks uncared for. I'd take her off your hands but Lord Greengrass is trusting me with his daughter. I could get a good reward out of this," Goyle grinned.

"I'm sure Daphne would be willing to say that you did your duty. Take Tracey as your date and I'll watch after Daphne," Theodore bartered.

"And why would I do that?"

Theodore whispered into Goyle's ear. Goyle looked over at Tracey when Theodore stepped back. "Let's go, Davis. Remember this for later, Greengrass."

Tracy smiled and scurried over to Goyle. The two walked out leaving Daphne and Theodore alone. "Why?" Daphne asked.

"Tracey thinks Goyle is the catch. I was doing all of us a favor."

"I don't need saving," Daphne snapped. "You've ruined my night."

Theodore shook his head and held out his hand. "Follow me."

Daphne reluctantly grabbed his hand and let him guide her through the castle. He tugged her up flights of stairs. The air got colder the higher they went. She shivered. They stopped part way up the tower stairs. "Take my cloak," Theodore instructed and wrapped her in it.

They continued up until they reached the top of the astronomy tower looking out at the snow falling sky. "We're not supposed to be up here, Theodore! We'll get in trouble."

"No we won't. Everyone is either at the ball or in their common room or at home," He flicked his wand. The air warmed up and music began to play. "Dance with me, my damsel in distress."

Daphne rolled her eyes as they swayed to the rhythm. "One of these days I will save you."

Theodore chuckled. "I'll most likely save you at least a dozen more times until then, but I look forward to the day when I can tell my captors they'll wish they never messed with Daphne Eloise Greengrass."

Daphne's eyes widened. "Astoria is going to rue this day."

Theodore smiled. "I shall remember to never say that again and to never mess with you again. You are a spectacle, even angry."

Daphne leaned her head on Theodore's shoulder. "I will always cherish this moment."

"It won't be the last...even with all that is coming." She picked her head up and green eyes met amber eyes. They both knew what that meant. For the first time in years, Daphne found someone else she wished to keep alive besides just her sister.

Pansy Parkinson became the closest thing she could to perfection. She made everyone aware that she was better than them. Her mother praised her third year for getting Draco Malfoy to be her boyfriend and again in fourth year for being her date to the Yule Ball. Her father praised her fifth year for becoming a prefect, a title Basil never achieved.

But now it had all caught up to her. It caught up to all the Slytherins in fact. Many people, like Pansy and not just in Slytherin, had people in alignment with the dark. She would be next. It had already happened to Draco, who was only her friend now and it was better that way.

Pansy brushed blush over her cheeks. She brushed her hair. She did her best to cover up how tired she was. She could just imagine her mother and brother making comments about her look and actions.

She grabbed her books and headed to Potions. She couldn't stand Slughorn. He was a suck up with a stupid club. She sat down next to Draco.

"You look like hell," he whispered.

Pansy snorted. "You're one to talk. It would take kilograms of blush, concealer, and all sorts of facial products to cover up your bags."

Draco gave her a weak smile. "Is your homework done?" She asked him.

Draco nodded. "Salazar bless Theo's soul. Started a new rumor for today?"

Pansy smirked. It didn't surprise her that Draco had figured what she was doing. "A little bit more on Boot's animated mole. I have a meeting with Warrington later. Perhaps people will find out he has a micropenis."

"But that's not a rumor," Pansy glanced at him skeptically. "Quidditch, woman! I know from quidditch. I don't swing that way."

"Students!" Slughorn shouted. "Today you are all going to try and make the peace draught. The person with the best one gets to come to my Slugclub Christmas party. Begin!"

Pansy saw Draco perk at the mention of the party. "Draco…"

"I need this, Pansy. I need this like you need blush and contour."

"But you don't, Draco. You don't need this," He stares at her incredulously. "Oh shut up."

Warrington grunted before pushing Pansy off of him. "Thanks for that," Warrington grinned. "Part of your makeup came off. You should fix that." Pansy got off the bed and started putting on her clothes. "Where are you going?"

"To study in the library. I have exams to prepare for," Pansy answered as she buttoned her blouse.

Warrington sat up. "Why would you do that? You're just going to end up being a society wife, Parkinson. All Hogwarts is for you is learning the basics for your magic."

Pansy scoffed. "I'm more than just a pretty face, Cassius."

Warrington cackled. "Bullshit and I'll show you why."

Pansy was confused until he threw back onto the bed and started to open up her blouse. "What are you doing?" Pansy stuttered.

"Showing you that all you are is a pretty face, even if you aren't close to the greatest looking girls I've seen."

Pansy didn't cry until after it was all over and she was in her room. Never in her life had she hated the thought of being pretty until that moment. She was quiet for days and tried to stay as far away as she could from Cassius Warrington. He had shown her that all she was was a pretty face. She believed now that's all she could be, and even then she wasn't very pretty.

"Are you okay, Pans?" Blaise asked her one day after charms. Draco was sick. "You haven't been yourself lately."

"I'm fine," she snapped. "You wouldn't understand even if I tried to explain it to you."

Blaise sighed. "You can't be broken too, Pansy. First Draco, then Theo, even though he always seems depressed, and now you. I can't lose you too, Pansy. Daphne can't lose you either. Draco and Theo can't lose you. Please let me help. I can get anything you need."

She shook her head. "Vain and beauty won't help with this. Just drop it, Blaise."

For now, everything inside of her had been crushed with no hope of returning. She realized she was far from the perfection she thought she was close to achieving. Beauty wouldn't make life better.