Disclaimer: I am just a mere visitor in the sublime world constructed by the brilliant mind that is J.K Rowling. Anything that rings a bell is hers

Chapter 57

Ky's POV

The door clicked shut and I leaned against it momentarily, gathering my thoughts which were slowly becoming turbulent. I focused on the low ceilinged corridor, defining the abstract etches that decorated the pillars into formidable shapes in the flickering light of the many lamps.

Harry. He was where I truly wanted to go, ever since I ran out of that bathroom two hours ago. He was a cauldron of emotions that I knew if left to simmer might just spoil whatever we managed to just piece back.

Mi. She was where I needed to be. I can't possibly fathom the pain she must feel, I couldn't possibly imagine Harry lying half dead in front of me... there was hardly time to react to the situation though, to let it sink in, but now there would be a whole night of it and I should be with her.

Draco. Surely he was alright; Sev wouldn't have left if he wasn't. Should I go see him? He was seriously hurt...

Daphne. I closed my eyes, his face taunting me and a coldness rippled through me that had nothing to do with the icy dungeons.

I pushed off the door and started down the long corridor, my heels tapping against the cold stone floor in a comforting melody in the still night, I wasn't far away from the Slytherin Dorms, but that fact never scared me. I always felt slightly more at home in the Dungeons than the average Gryffindor, mostly due to the fact that I had both a bedroom and laboratory in the vicinity.

I turned and looked back, my eyes trained on the little passage that led off the main corridor, the one that I took to get to both my lab and bedroom. I hadn't been in there in ages, not since last year actually...

I suddenly had the urge to just lock myself in that room. Away from all the drama and commotion that was my first day back of last term. To sink into the soft cushions and stare up at the night's sky...

I shook my head, turning back around to meet a mirror that I often ignored. Bobby had spent much of our fifth year staring at it whilst waiting for Potions to start, I think that was the only reason she was ever early. I stared at my reflection, my dark locks replacing the straight blonde hair, framing my face as I pushed a tress aside, touching my neck where his cold lips besmirched it...

I rubbed at my skin slightly but the kiss never affected me as much as I thought it would, maybe because it was Daphne's neck and Daphne's lips...

I touched my stomach, the pain had left me without me being aware of its absence. I looked back up at the mirror, observing myself in a way I hadn't done before. Seeking out the physical difference.

I thought I would be more fazed by him, considering what he had done two years ago. Something about the Ky that reflected in the crystalline surface was different to the Ky that lay chained to a bed and tortured, something that made this Ky stronger. Something that gave me the ability to let Bastian Blishwick kiss me, no matter how chaste the kiss may have been, and yet never losing my composure...

I glanced up at the ceiling, knowing that I wouldn't find the difference in my eyes, or lips, or nose, or any physical part of me. The difference was currently up there... probably elbow deep in guilt and anger, pretending to be asleep rather than face the judgemental glances and whispers.

My eyes snapped forward again as I heard a grating sound, the mirror was sliding away and I slipped my hand into my pocket for Daphne's wand, my fondina safely up in the dorm in my attempt to hold character. What would Daphne Greengrass be doing with Ky Thornton's wand after all?

My shoulders relaxed when I saw who it was, I walked forward, glancing behind her bushy hair to see a sitting area, no bigger than a small classroom yet contrasting in its comfortability.

Mi was back in her jeans and sweater, Pansy's pink coat and pink heels lying on a vacant armchair and I glanced about the room as I walked in just as the mirror slid shut behind me.

Daphne was sitting on a black leather arm chair, her hair up and out of her face in an intricate plait of some sort, her pyjama clad legs folded underneath her. She sat across from Pansy, whose short dark hair set stylishly as ever, her back straight against her armchair and her blue eyes focused on me as she fidgeted with the bottom of her blue silk night dress. Between them was a small wooden table ladened with cards, the two seemed to be killing time playing exploding snap.

I glanced away from the blue eyed glare, not in the least bit intimidated by the girl and turned around to find Mi hovering at the door. Hovering was of course a gross exaggeration as I doubt she moved since I entered, her eyes red rimmed yet dry and focused on a spot on the wall opposite her. I could tell she desperately wanted to leave yet did not know where to go. She didn't want people, which was the only reason why she waited. And there would be enough people up in the dorms, eager for intel about the Draco Malfoy- Harry Potter sparring match, we Gryffs were never shy to ask questions.

I wondered how she found this place; then again I'm sure Daphne chose this room because it was a good lookout for us considering we would re-enter Hogwart's through Sev's floo.

I glanced behind me to see the corridor I just exited, noticing that the mirror was in fact a two way mirror and explained why this room was kept so dim in contrast to the torch brightened corridor.

"Gr...Hermione tells us that you found Theo." I turned to the green eyed girl, ignoring the perfectly pruned arch that was Parkinson's brow at the use of Mi's proper name. "She, erm, is he OK?"

I glanced at Mi before I could answer Daphne which seemed to trigger Pansy to shoot to her feet, her face reddening as her nostrils flared, "This is absolute bullocks! We shouldn't have to BEG you for information about OUR friend! You bloody well should have the decency to answer questions when asked!" She snapped at Mi and I stepped forward protectively but she didn't falter in the slightest, "WHAT was I even thinking!" She turned to Daphne who was looking up at her with a glint in her eye, "Letting you talk me into helping THEM! WE should have gone to see him. THEY have NO right-"

"Thank you." Pansy stopped, glancing away from Greengrass to Mi with trembling eyes, "Thank you for helping us." Mi's eyes were still and set on the brunette, obviously speaking up from minutes of silence and deferred questions if Pansy's bitch fit has anything to go by.

"It was our pleasure Hermione." Daphne rose, glancing at her friend in disapproval as her eyes landed on Mi, softening considerably, "It was the least we could do. We've never seen Theodore as happy as... well we've never seen Theodore happy at all. He's never been unpleasant or surly or anything like that, but he's not been happy either. Until recently." She licked her lips and I was surprised to see her eyes well up in tears, "Is he OK?"

"We're not sure, he is with a Healer as we speak and..." I glanced at Mi but she was staring at Daphne in mild amazement. "He wasn't in good shape when we found him. Turns out whoever admitted him didn't sign him in. On top of that he was sent to the wrong ward and the Hospital is like a war zone, there have been attacks all over the place today."

"He will be OK though?" Pansy's voice was heightened as her eyes bore into mine, "You said he is with a Healer."

"He will be OK." Mi cut in and stepped forward, "He was under a lot of stress and he was near cardiac failure but he is with an exceptionally skilled Healer. Whatever Dark Magic was placed on him it would be justly countered tenfold for there is no dark that cannot be torn asunder by light." She took in a deep breath, "He will be OK." She repeated, forcing out a smile that trembled as she fought to keep it in place, "He'll be back. He can't miss the exams, he's going to try and beat me in Arithmancy you see and he wouldn't pass up on that opportunity. He'll be OK."

Daphne nodded her on as I lowered my eyes, hearing the plea in her voice under the false bravado, she turned to me, "I'm just going..." She pointed upstairs and backed towards the mirror and I walked forward but she stopped, shaking her hands at me. "Give back Daphne's clothes." Her scolding was marred by the tears that sprung up just as she turned on her heel and walked out and I sprang forward.

"Ky, let her go. She needs to be alone for a bit." I turned around, the retort on my lips that she didn't know what Mi wanted, but my shoulders lowered in defeat when I remembered how I contemplated solitude not five minutes ago. Maybe Daphne was right, maybe Mi needed some time alone with her thoughts.

My thoughts on the other hand were distracted by the tear that snuck down the Blonde's cheek as she wiped it with a stroke of a long finger. I glanced at Pansy who took her seat, staring at the cards in anger. It never crossed my mind what Theo had meant to them, and what it meant letting us go in their place. Would I have done the same for Bobby if Ron was hurt?

Draco's words from long ago echoed in my thoughts, "Just because we all don't hold hands and skip around like you hotheads, doesn't mean we're not…close…in our own ways."

"He's insane." Pansy spoke to the cards as I lowered myself into an armchair, "It's not the first time he turned his wand on Theo. I mean, it's not uncommon; everyone gets punished at some time in their life. Except Daphne," She glanced up at her friend accusatorily, "Daphne can commit murder and Mr Greengrass wouldn't even raise his voice at her. I didn't think he would actually go this far though... I thought he was dead. When I saw Draco and the state he-" She stopped, her eyes widening, "Draco!"

She jumped to her feet and was out the door in a matter of moments. My brows rose and Daphne shook her head, "I convinced her to wait here, rather than in the Wing with Draco. Word travels fast and it would be hard explaining what she had been doing by Draco's side and Theo's side at the exact same time. She couldn't use a disillusionment charm like we thought, there's actually wards put up against those in the Wing. And Theo's the only person with an invisibility cloak and Blaise did say the charm on the thing was running out..."

She sighed and tucked her legs underneath her tighter, "We were betrothed for a brief time. Theo and I."

She smiled fondly at the memory and I shifted uncomfortably, knowing I had to discuss what happened in Mungo's but dreading it nevertheless.

"Before we were even born actually, my mother and his mother were best friends, and when they found out I would be a girl they were ecstatic. They always wanted to be sisters, apparently." She rolled her eyes at the notion, but a dimness befell them instantly as they landed on me, "I can't understand why she fell in love with him of all people. Mother described aunt Tilda so vibrantly, bright and colourful and everything that Trevor Nott isn't. It's beside me how she could love that man. I half believe that very love is what killed her in the end, they say it was childbirth but one can never tell with Trevor Nott."

She licked her lips and leaned forward conspiratorially, "There's factions amongst the Death Eaters. Trevor has been head of the Muggle Hunting committee since he joined, took over from his father, he was bred for the job. He's... the one in charge of sending a message. Whatever that message may be he knows just what type of quill to write it with." She shook her head in disgust, "With Tilda gone, Father didn't want me in the family and the betrothal was called off on some other minor technicality. Not that that stopped me."

She smiled and it was pretty simple to understand why people called her the most beautiful girl at Hogwarts. "I had the mightiest crush on Theo when I was little. I liked odd things and you didn't get odder than Theodore Nott at that time, of course that was all before Blaise..."

I leaned forward, the topic looming ever closer yet I never quite opted for the change, there was a small crinkle between her brows as if she pondered something quite beyond her seventeen years, her green eyes were moist but they never teared again, they found my own darker ones and held it there with the depth of her emotions, "How did she love him? Tilda... its impossible isn't it? You can't love someone that hateful and wrong; you can't lie with them... and stand by their side... how could she love him..."

"You don't have to love him Daphne." Her eyes flickered to mine, widening slightly and I leaned forward further, "You don't have to marry him. Leave, I'll help you. Nonno will protect you, you don't have to be with him."

She blinked and looked down, understanding flowing across her pale face, "You don't understand-"

"There's nothing to understand. He is vile and detestable and you shouldn't have to breathe the same air as he does. You..." I hesitated and then battered the doubt away, if I couldn't tell the girl he was to marry, who could I tell? "You don't know how repugnant he is. Two years ago, he kidnapped me and tried to rape me."

Her green eyes left her legs and lay on my face, her face a blank canvass awaiting expression as I watched her slowly process what I had said. "That is truly unforgivable and I am sorry for it, but I do know how repugnant he is. Did he hurt you when he saw you?"

I didn't question how she knew Blishwick was at Mungo's but I could tell by the lack of curiosity in her voice that she asked the question more out of protocol than anything else. She knew he had hurt me as it probably was that common of a thing, I stood up in frustration and loomed over her, "Let us help! Ask for help and I promise Daphne I will-"

"Don't" She shook her head and stood, "Don't you dare." Her nostrils flared as she towered over me, "Don't you dare insult Blaise. You think if there was a way for me to get out of this that he would not have found it. You think that he didn't fight for me? For us?"

"Daphne-"

"No Ky! There is NOTHING! Nothing can be done. I don't know why my father relented to his proposal, I don't know what he threatened him with, but I TRIED to run away from it and..."

She shook her head and collapsed in her chair, folding her legs underneath her and tucking her hands around her waist.

I kneeled down before her, eye to eye, feeling pity for this beautiful creature. I watched as her hands clutched her top, bunching at the midriff and I recalled the pain from earlier on...

She tried to run away from all of this. With Blaise. I stared at her pale fingers, unnaturally long, heightened by her lengthened nails and I bit my bottom lip. I glanced up and her eyes were the lifeless mouth of a river that flowed powerfully in its infrequency.

"How many months?" I whispered as she gazed at a spot on my shoulder.

"Not even one." Her voice was raspy from her tears, her trembling hands met her face as she wiped away her saline sadness whilst sniffling. "I don't even know why I'm crying. I read that it's like, nonexistent at two weeks. Just a speck or something."
She cleared her throat and I leaned on her thighs and looked up at her. I had no idea what to say? A baby? Daphne was pregnant... but he took that away from her...

"When? How?" I mumbled, out of my comfort zone completely.

"I think you know how Ky." She rolled her eyes but the action was stunted by her trembling chin, "My father notified me about Blishwick at the beginning of the Summer holidays. Ironically enough it was the day that Blaise was supposed to put forth his proposal, and then..." She shrugged, "I have no idea why but daddy was unbending that I marry him. This complete stranger who was Bellatrix Lestrange's son no less. When I told Blaise... within moments we were taking a portkey to Italy, we were there for three weeks when he eventually found us."

Her face crumpled and fell into her hands and I uselessly rubbed her leg in a weak effort to comfort her, "The...the pregnancy was supposed to solve everything. It was supposed to make things irrevocable. We knew we couldn't hide forever but it was supposed to push my father's hand into letting Blaise and I be together but then... one night I just went to sleep and then this horrible pain woke me up. And I was back. In my bedroom. In my bed."

She sniffed and looked at the corner of the room as if watching the memory play out in front of her. "He was there. There was so much of pain and all I could see was his eyes. They're so... unforgiving. And I knew... I just knew..."

She clutched her tummy and curled into herself and I patted her head, "I'm so sorry." I muttered softly.

"It... it... was supposed to fix everything. It's... Blaise. It's Blaise. It's Blaise... a little...it was his." I was horror-struck and completely devoid of words, all I could muster was patting her head as she sobbed.

She lifted her head and I sunk lower down when I saw her tortured green eyes, "It felt so good to have... I felt whole. Full. Like... purposeful. It was only two weeks but we spent the whole time just talking about what she'd be like. Blaise insisted that it would be a girl." She cried harder at the thought, "It made sense because it was always going to be Blaise. Always. So why wait? Of course there would be babies, I never even thought about babies before that but ever since that potion turned gold I knew... I wanted tons. Because we'd be good at that. I wanted tons and tons and she would have been the first."

I blinked and a tear ran down my cheek and shook me straight, and I racked my brains for the right words. But it seemed Daphne was not in the mood to listen, she wanted to speak and I wondered just how long the words were bottled within her.

"He took the purest, most beautiful feeling I ever felt and made it ugly... he's insane Ky. I don't know how he does it but he manages to just replay that painful moment when her life was taken," She spat clutching her shirt in frustration, "Over and over and over again and I hope, I hope, I hope he's hurting me! I hope he's somehow breaking me from the inside because I never, ever," She grit out, "Ever want to bear his spawn."

I would have thought her crazy for wishing herself barren if I didn't know Blishwick. How often did he hurt her? It seemed like such a natural thing to him. Why do that? Of all the pureblood girls, why Daphne?

I watched as she wiped at her face and it wasn't a hard question. I wasn't a stranger to appreciative glances but there was just something more unattainable about Daphne Greengrass. Blishwick loved possessing things that have a 'do not touch' sign on it. I summoned a tissue, a thousand tears too late and she took it, wiping at her face.

Blaise never struck me as a guy who would give up. Then again, there was probably one thing that he wouldn't risk. Her safety. And Blishwick wasn't above the policy 'If I can't have her, nobody can.' The only thing that's stopping Blaise from running away with her is probably fear for her safety. Blishwick was cunning and powerful and way too much for them to take on now, he would find them. And he won't be so forgiving a second time.

She stood and I followed, unsure what to say to her. So much made sense now. Why she and Blaise broke up. Those boys that are always hanging around her are probably like Blishwick's little spies. It's probably how he found out she wasn't in the castle today and probably why he was even in Mungo's in the first place.

She straightened her top which looked like she stretched it almost to shreds, which reminded me of her clothes and I shrugged the trench off but she stopped me, "No. Please. Keep them."

"They're not THAT stretched." I added with a raised brow, sniffing at the grey dress playfully. "Or smelly."

She laughed, it had no depth to it but I didn't complain, it was such an improvement from the tears that poured forth minutes ago. Laughter I could deal with and I smiled in return. "Let's call it a Christmas present. Or a birthday gift." She sighed, "I wasn't going to wear it again anyway. I've been making my way through my trust fund and bought more outfits than days left in the year." That explains her hefty donation at the Beach Day earlier in the year. "I plan on bringing as little as I can into this arrangement."

I was more comfortable with her bitter hatred than her tears, it showed some sort of fighting spirit and I smiled, "When do you close the deal."

"Sometime this Summer." She took her seat and reached for the book I hadn't noticed was on the table. That was her plea for solitude and I nodded, placing her wand down on the table. I stopped at the door, turning around as she opened to a page of her book.

"You need anything, I'm here OK? I feel horrid as is that all you have is Pansy." I rolled my eyes and she raised her head.

"Pansy doesn't know. Not that I don't trust her it's just... anyway give her some credit. Pansy's had her fair share of grief in all of this. Even us privileged are not so in this War."

I recalled Healer Grint's words and frowned, Daphne was right. Something made Pansy seek professional help. Nobody was spared in this War.

I walked out, turning to the closing mirror and tilting my head. I flicked my hand and the torch shuddered, sputtered and died off and the corridor fell into darkness and just like I knew it would the mirror became transparent due to the difference in light between the two rooms...

She hadn't even noticed that the window into the corridor had become a mirror on her side. She sat there, her head bowed and transfixed on her abdomen, she rubbed slow circles about it hypnotically...

It may have been a speck, barely a living thing. But it was their's. She was their's. I hated Blishwick for attacking me, detested him for forcing Daphne's hand in marriage... but murdering an unborn child... that was unforgivable.

Yet there she was, hurt but whole and ready to help at the risk of angering the very same devil. Daphne was completely wrong, he had not broken her at all for even in her tears there was no weakness... she was braver than she gave herself credit for... braver than any Slytherin I knew... she was far from barren, there would be growth left in her yet...

If War did anything it did that... it would make grownups of us all...

A/N: So that's Daphne's story. Just when you think Blishwick can't get any worse!

Feedback as always will be appreciated

Kalina