Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. All rights go to respective owners.

Second Year: Ride or Die

"Daphne … are you okay?"

Daphne looked up to see Tracey — fellow Slytherin and her best friend — looking at her with clear concern. She looked away and shakily exhaled. Her breath frosted in the air in front of her. Hands shaking, she tried unsuccessfully to calmly and steadily refold the parchment she held.

"Was it a letter from your parents?" Tracey asked hesitantly. They both knew that only her family could ever elicit such a response. Daphne nodded.

She was glad they were having this conversation outside, away from everyone else. Thankfully, it was the first day of winter break. The few students remaining in the castle were most likely curled up by their respective Common Room fireplaces.

They were alone and far from prying ears.

"Daphne, come on… Don't leave me in the dark," Tracey prompted nervously. "What did they say?"

"They found out."

The words were like ice, chilling both of their hearts like the frosty weather never could.

"You mean…"

Daphne nodded stiffly. "They found out that you are a half-blood," she replied. "And they have … asked me to cut all ties with you. They also informed me that they were coming to pick me up tomorrow. Apparently," she said the word in a scathing tone, "they are suddenly longing to spend Christmas with me."

The two girls had long since stopped walking. Daphne stood stock still, looking at anything except Tracey. She could feel her friend's surprise and fear: surprise that they were able to hide if for so long, only to get caught now; fear that Daphne would listen to them and fall in-line with the Pureblood agenda.

"What- What else did th-they say," Tracey stuttered.

"Oh, what you would expect," Daphne replied, her anger boiling to the surface. "That they are so disappointed in me for keeping it a secret from them. They also managed to appropriately convey their displeasure with me, specifically in regards to the company I keep. All while nicely tying a pretty ribbon around the request that I 'go home' for the holidays."

"Well," Tracey said, looking down at her boots, "I hope you can enjoy time with your family…" They both grimaced at the false hope and weak encouragement. Daphne had told Tracey about her home life. None of it would be fun.

Daphne looked down at the letter and felt her eyes stinging with unshed tears. How dare they. This was her life! They had no right to tell her who she could, or could not, befriend. Damning the consequences, she crumbled the parchment into a ball, threw it on the ground, and withdrew her wand. Tracey's eyes widened in surprise.

"What are you—?"

"Incendio!"

Tracey shrieked as the letter burst into flames, while Daphne smiled grimly. They looked at each other and Daphne took a deep breath.

"I'm going to have to lie to them," she said, without preamble. "There will be things I have to tell them that are going to be mean or cruel. But I swear, on my life and honor, that I don't mean them."

"Daphne, you don't have to do this for me…"

"Yes," she responded instantly, "I do. You're my best friend. You are the family I got to choose."

Tracey searched her face and Daphne tried to convey everything in one look. That she would always have her back; that she would never back down. Slowly, Tracey smiled and Daphne felt her heart lighten.

"Well," Tracey said, her confidence leaking back into her voice, "we did promise each other, last Christmas, that we wouldn't leave the other alone. So I guess we're stuck with one another."

"And besides," Daphne teased, "I got your Christmas present back in August. I have to see you open it up in person. I spent forever trying to pick out the perfect gift."

"You did?! Daphne, what did you get me? Daphne?"

"Nope!" she said while turning back towards the castle. "You'll have to wait until next week!" She looked over her shoulder and giggled at the sight of Tracey's face. Her friend was torn between amusement and a desperate need to know.

"Daphne!"

The courtyard filled with ringing laughter, as Daphne raced her Christmas-obsessed best friend back into the warmth of Hogwarts.

They would deal with the rest of it tomorrow.

Prompt — Day 5: (word) Family

Word count (not including title and author's notes): 719