Just imagine a day before I was going to post this, my little nephew deleted it :')
I had to rewrite it again, with work and all…
Oh and did you see Harry Potter Awakened! Cassandra gives me a full Daphne glamour XD
I had to say it guys, sorry
Enjoy and have a great summer!
05th of June, 1996
"Happy birthday, Draco!"
The words sounded like a bitter insult to his ears, even if he knew, logically, that it was probably the most sincere thing he'd ever heard in a while.
Blaise and Theo were looking at him expectantly – and with a clear glint of worry in their eyes as they waited for him to respond while he stood frozen on the spot, struggling to breathe properly.
Blimey! He needed to keep it together! Don't show weakness you fool boy
"Whatever," was all that he managed to spit out, before pretending to be reading Daily Prophet, some gossip nonsense from the government that he had no interest in. He could only pray that his friends didn't realise he hadn't even his fingers digging into the thin paper like a madman. "As if I cared about my birthday anyway."
"What?" Theo laughed, but there was a clear strain to it as he frowned. "Since when you don't care about your birthday? You used to insist we celebrate it for the whole bloody week in the past, you prick!"
The words felt like a stinging hex to his ego. He really did used tp make a whole fucking fuss about his birthday, didn't he? Like a true spoiled prat that he was, believing himself to be worthy of exuberant celebrations just because of his name.
And look where that got him now! Perhaps this was simply divine retribution for all his stupid ideas.
He pressed his lips to a thin line, resisting the urge to shove his friend away from him when Theo dared to place a hand on his shoulder – probably thinking he was helping, but only making things much worse as he felt his skin crawl with the unwanted contact.
"I just don't care about it! Now leave me alone, Nott!"
"Draco, mate," it was Blaise's turn to speak up – this time, with a chin lifted up high and a straight back in a poor attempt to appear taller than him – as smart brown eyes pierced through his very soul, trying to uncover his deepest secrets. "Are you alright?"
Bloody fucking perceptive wanker that he was!
"Of course I'm fucking alright," he gave off a flippant shrug, jumping out of the green velvet sofa settled on their common room and pacing back and forth like a caged animal.
His friends looked startled by the motion, moving to hover their hands just above their wands while Draco eyed them in anger – giving the mermaids just outside the tall glass panes quite a view of the drama that was unfolding right underneath their lake. "I'm just being hounded with useless questions by two nosey idiots, is all!"
"Woah there, mate! What's with all this venom? What the hell happened?"
"Yeah – Did Pansy not give you the birthday present or something?"
Oh, he gave me a fucking birthday present alright!
The Dark Mark concealed under his Oxford shirt started to burn like a bitch, making him clench his teeth and turn around just to make sure neither of them could see the tears prickling his eyes as a bitter taste of bile threatened to rise in his throat.
How pathetic. To cry like a baby in a situation like this – His father would have been horrified if he heard about this.
Leave him be, he is just a boy… his mother would cry blood just so he could be happy.
And at the end of the day, no matter how arrogant Lucius was, and how cold he may have seemed, he was up to his fatherly role and would not hesitate to give his child the birthday gift.
And his friends wonder what's wrong with him. This was the first time he didn't receive a letter from his mother, or a gift from his father.
He received nothing…
Nothing but rage burning inside him, wanting to destroy those who did that to his parents.
Is this what it feels like to be an orphan? Like Potter? He refused to be even in the same as that dickhead, nevertheless classified like him.
This pain was probably never going to go away. Something that would always remind him how foolish he truly was, unable to make actual good decisions in his life.
Fear not, we shall avenge their deaths, dear boy…. He was promised.
He was promised to be relieved of the pain that he had to learn how to deal with before he actually started crying like a desperate child right in the middle of a snake's nest – a place filled with people that were itching to see him fall from the pedestal he had for himself after years of arrogance.
"You know what?" He kicked the leg of a decorative iron armour as he emphasised his point in a growl. "I have better things to do than listen to you two – I'll be going now."
"Hey! Wait a second, Draco!" Theo pleaded and it sounded so hurt, he almost turned around to reassure his friend. "We just want to help! You look…, We're worried about you."
"And we know this isn't about your birthday," Blaise aptly added. "Just let us be with you."
His tense shoulders dropped down when he sighed, feeling bloody exhausted. But he refused to look at them as he stood lingering right on the exit of the dungeons, ready to leave as quickly as possible.
They were his friends, after all.
And they were even closer than Crabbe and Goyle – and any other sycophants that tried to get closer to him just to get a hold of his family's fortune, really. Blaise and Theo were far more than just mindless lackeys and they cared little about his money. It was only natural that they might feel worried for his health, given the nature of their friendship.
No, he needed to be on this alone.
"I just... Really don't want to celebrate my birthday today, alright?"
"But can't you stay? We could just hang together for today. Tracey got us some good stuff, " Blaise smirked, wickedly.
He shook his head with a wry laugh. As much as he wanted to have drugs right now, or Pansy give him blowjobs, the thought of being with her that night made his stomach churn.
"No. I think I'll just go somewhere else."
And with that, he left the dungeons – aimlessly wandering the castle like a ghost haunting the old halls – trying to find a way to take his mind off his problems, but only really making his own anxieties worse.
Salazar! He felt like he really should be happy for finally turning sixteen... But can happiness like this be at all meaningful when he was sure the rest of his life was going to be shite?
He found himself sitting by the lake, glancing down with zero interest, seeing lovebirds everywhere, the exams of terms were over and they were leaving school grounds soon.
Some are trying to enjoy their time as much as possible as if they don't know something called floo calls.
He heard a pop and turned his head left to see a wrapped gift beside him with a note on top of it.
Happy birthday, Draco
He raised a brow, wondering who may have sent it to him, unwrapping the box and opening it, he found an Apple pie? His brows knitted, who would send him a pie on his birthday? Definitely not Pansy! His Friends? Nope.
And it was fresh and just been baked, all from the fresh sweet scent of apple, that lured him.
However what took his breath wasn't the sweet bake, but the other thing inside the box, long forgotten the cake; his fingers reached to grasp the wooden frame inside.
His heart clenching tightly, the sensation of longing for that warm hug appeared in front of his sight.
His mother's young face looked right at him while holding the baby him. They seemed happy and uncaring, He turned around the frame and saw it,
Draco Lucius Black Malfoy, 1981…
Nothing survived the explosion in the manor, not a single portrait or a picture, nothing that reminds him of his parents and Their side houses don't have many personal items.
He suddenly found it hard to breathe, hard to swallow. The place was too stuffy and he was too warm and he needed to leave, but he couldn't.
Who sent it to him? He looked around startled and saw no one; Only the golden trio sitting and chatting with their stupid friends by the lake, uncaring to the world. He shook his head, and took the picture off the frame, hiding it away from the world; he sat and laid his back to the tree, taking a bite of the apple pie.
It was a mere gift from her, she didn't know how to clear things between them, she almost killed him and Voldemort did actually kill his parents, making him believe it was Dumbledore's plan. How did it come into this?
Daphne sat at the kitchen's table, scrolling her daily letters, what's here and what's there. She was trying as best as possible to be able to handle her tasks. She adjusted to her routine now, but she really needed an assistant, waiting for the tea pot and the soup to be done. It was noon, and the sun was brightening the place.
A Letter here thank Harry Potter for his generous gift at the company's opening, another one her asks Harry Potter for an interview about his personal reaction with Sirius Black innocence., another one for his rejection to the quidditch team, another one for him to attend some galla in july.
did Draco even like my gift? The thought popped up,
Of course, he would! She sent it, why would he not, she scoffed at herself spivking it was actually just a coincidence; At first she was going to get him some famous quidditch player signature, too fancy for Draco. Harry would've killed her if she did it to someone who wasn't him, nevertheless his childhood nemesis.
Harry's jealousy could be a dangerous threat sometimes, he may not show it, but he lash it somewhere else and that's when the gift magically arrived straight to her hands.
She was going through Walburga's stuff again behind Kreacher's back. The dead woman had crazy stuff locked inside her bedroom, and when she says crazy stuff oh dear, you may think women's lingerie these days have more to cover than back in Walburga's days. Daphne was a curious cat, Don't blame her. Being locked all day and night, it became her hobby to discover the wonders of House Black.
But then, some knick-knacks in Walburga's room that she just didn't know what to do with. They were inoffensive, but rather cute. There was Regulus's Hogwarts diploma, framed in gold. Handwritten notes and then there was this box of photos.
The box was shoved to the back of Walburga's closet to be dealt with later. She didn't really have to go through it, but for some reason, she just did and then she met up with that picture.
Perhaps just like Lilith said, she became too soft for humans, God have mercy on her but Daphne could only agree with her.
Lilith may be evil and a twisted dark creature but she was giving her nice tips during pregnancy, she told her to feed the child magic, to allow it to take and take,and Lilith was right, Lilith told her to be careful; and yes she was breaking her own word and talked to Lilith, boredom or wisdom who knows, these days her mind was messed up.
She was going through anything to keep herself busy as much as possible. The exhaustion and some episodes of unbalanced magic in her body was the cause, maybe she was just trying to be worthy enough in this life of her's.
She needs to kill boredom. Should she change the decor again? She was waiting for the new sofa and she already repaired the piano. Cleaning Sirius's room or Regulus's? That was still a challenge for her; Kreacher doesn't want her near Regulus's room but soon or later, she will conquer that area.
Oh Merlin! The fuck is wrong with her, she was turning into a MOLLY!?
Blimey, just forget all about cleaning and think of something else.
Last week, Harry's company opened its doors again last week and she literally cried over because she couldn't attend the shop's opening ceremony,
She ordered the town's butcher to slaughter seven sacrifices and send them to the nearest care and orphan houses, for the good omen and to keep the evil eye away.
Even sending a birthday gift to Draco! they would think she is a psychopath, who loves to torment her prey, Especially those she didn't kill yet, she he had a heart after all.
Plus, she doesn't want any old archery in her pregnancy, what if it was a bad omen!? She really doesn't.
Draco was a smart one. One cannot deny that, Tracey was the fun one, Theo was the gentleman and Blaize was the cleverest… And they have all been her friends, she cannot deny that word now that she lost the chance to be around, she couldn't let go all of sudden. They all knew her as Daphne Greengrass, but now they know her as the cruel traitorous witch who betrayed and destroyed.
She doesn't have any regrets of her own doings now, she made her choices, she choose Harry and their unborn child, She pitied Draco just as she did herself, he had every right when he saw her to rage and try to attack her, he probably thinks that she had a hand in his parents murder, it was not her job to justify truths of that night, but the bloody freaking Order, perhaps he shouldn't do that little play when her half brother was around, she doesn't want to give the bastard the satisfaction of knowing how much she's being a very hated person at the moment.
Oh, she put the letters aside and checked on the lunch; The soup is almost done, yummy! She prepared the tray, humming to herself while ascending the stairs, enjoying the house's silence.
"What should I do today?" she asked herself, knitting as Molly suggested would help her spend time; a way to build a bond with her unborn child, Molly is already going through the sixth sweater for the baby, all colours she made were so adorable! Bill of course wondered to whom and she shrugged him to the next room.
And the baby wasn't even here yet! Daphne went through dozens of books already and learned hundreds of spells to change diapers to clean the house and bake the best food, all from the housekeeping empress herself; Molly Weasley.
Molly left to her own house and her own life, like Remus said, 'Molly finally accepted Arthur's death,' It was hard to let Molly leave. She likes Molly and her bossiness, she even held her firmly at the door not to go, due to her stupid pregnancy brain.
Yes, she hugged her! And they all laughed at her dramatic moment, Molly assured her that she may live at the burrow but she will keep a close eye on the tidiness of Grimmauld.
Acceptance, was the hardest stage of grievance, no one accepts their beloved's death, it's a lie, made so everyone will believe that you're alright.
The house was always like this, calm when no one was around, something both she appreciated and loved.
Those Order meetings were pointless, sure Dumbledore allies are raising from europe, but before someone builds an army, must think of it's quarters, weapons, budgets, a headmaster can't support it all by himself and certainly the larger the number of members is the smaller the headquarter became, Sirius's biggest mistake was donating up his house for the order, the will said it belongs to Harry but her man really doesn't think when it came to Sirius. She admits that the house's wards are similar to the high castle , no wonder after going through the archive, it seems that an old Black member was indeed part of the guardians.
And, safety of her baby was all she desired. Sometimes she wonders how long she can hide the pregnancy; A week, two, one month as farest, they will notice eventually.
She does understand the risks of letting the news out, she really tried the best not to let Phobos notice, he would see the baby a threat, if he did realise back then, the worse could happen now.
The cottage is a safe place, the scent of pups and remus hovering to cover her scent from demons working well, but she can't wear large clothes forever and she can't stay home forever.
Worst part is that even glamorous don't work on her pregnant body. The baby rejects any kind of spells and charms, stubborn as his parents. Fuck, she likes this house not as her comfortable cozy romantic honeymoon cottage of course but she earned her stay her, more than anyone.
She must figure out what to do, soon or later.
A loud thud startled her, and made her quickened her pace to the source, her chambers.
Noticing the bed empty and her bathroom's slightly ajar, she put the tray aside and went in, only to meet up with him falling on his knees in the tub, water running over him,
"My god, Remus!" she sighed, wearily.
"I'm… fine," he hissed, trying to shove her away gently or weakly, to cover himself.
"It's not something, i haven't seen before," She handed him a towel, noticing a few soap bubbles over his hair, she removed it.
When he couldn't get up, Daphne sighed again and knelt to help him" I can get… up!" he half halted, groaning in pain.
Daphne pursed her lips, ready to let him down on his face, but part of her heart told her not to, "You certainly can… You old man, " she scoffed at him, forcing her arm sliding behind his back and mastering her strength to lift him up he wouldn't have guessed she possessed, dragging him back to the bedroom.
He immediately curled under the covers, trembling. The Second day after turning back human in three nights of a full blackout he was completely wrecked.
Damn Snape for this!
She went to the dresser, lighting another herb and humming to soothe him down before return to him, yanking down the covers despite his protest,
It may sound odd, why would he stay in her room instead of his, simply because no one enter and was heavily injured and no one knows.
Remus had a night to remember, simply because that git Snape forgot to brew a wolfsbane, under the excuse of "running out of supplies"; Which he accidentally told Harry of at the evening of the full moon,
Looking at him, the man who actually put up with the real her, the first who easily defied her and told her to fuck off, not under false and sweet words, if head to he would, she licked her lips to let the words that would shake him a bit out, "Remus, the man is safe and sound,"
Three Days ago,
"Remus, are you home?" Harry, using his wand, unlocked the door and entered the house.
It was surprisingly airy, which, well, to be honest was not expected.
He wandered through the ground floor that housed massive books and a battered old sofa.
And he saw it, wide open and his heart sank, The cellar door of the basement dweller was wide open in front of him.
He certainly hoped to find him safe and unharmed in his basement? With a quick pace, Harry descended a rickety stepladder into the gloom.
The pervading damp and rot was a sharp contrast to the upstairs area. In the center of the gloom was a large empty cage. Harry ran outside the house, following the shaky aura of Remus, the faster he run, the closer he gets, the worried he became,
—-
The uneasy smell of iron filled his nose, becoming stronger the closer he got. Blood, Harry realised as an ominous feeling crawled up his back, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand on edge.
Harry ignored the feeling, making each footstep lighter. His wand was clenched tightly in his fist. Only a bit further…
A deep snarl came from the end of the road, a pair of glowing, gold eyes just visible in the thick darkness. Harry raised his wand quickly, shooting a powerful Stupefy in the general direction where the wolf could be.
The growling grew louder, the tick tick tick of heavy clawed paws hitting the dirty ground getting closer. This wasn't good. Harry was sure his spell had hit the beast square in the chest.
Then why wasn't it down yet? for the wolf was nearing him faster than before. It was charging at them.
Harry jumped aside just in time for the wolf to reach them, his reflexes as quick as always.
Sending another wave of rapid spells in the direction of the giant wolf.
"you're not Moony…" he murmured,
It was enough for the wolf to recover and get ready for another attack, its growls almost sounding eager now.
He didn't hesitate this time. By means of no soft spell, the wolf who was eying him hungrily. Deepening its growls . It almost sounded like it was laughing.
Harry searched around, where Remus was?, no signal and he aimed a stinging hex at the wolf.
The wolf trotted closer, taking its time. It growled. Harry had to do his best to even understand what the wolf was saying.
What frightened him was whether this wolf had engaged with Remus and the scent of blood was his, Though Harry wasn't sure of that. "What do you want?" he asked.
The stench of blood and ripped flesh filled Harry's nose as the wolf came even closer. His wand was still raised, though his hand was trembling now.
Every blast he sent, the thick skin of the beast absorbed every last bit of it, making it stronger instead of weakening it. Harry had one choice, cut the wolf or destroy it.
Harry closed his eyes momentarily, distracting the wolf enough so it wouldn't make any innocent victims. So he did the only thing he could think of.
He charged at the wolf, crashing into its side.
The wolf stumbled slightly but quickly recovered, Harry used this opportunity to shoot another hit, unstabling the beast, Harry used a hidden dagger. It howled loudly, coming to stand above Harry. Its claws were heavy on his chest.
"You stupid, stupid, little wizard," the wolf growled, its sharp teeth glinting in the soft light of the moon. "Did you really think you could stop me?"
He talks… full one, "do not tempt me pup," Harry spat, not using a bit of rage, " where is the other one?"
The wolf laughed menacingly. "The other one, I suppose the boy-who-lived still not understand yet."
Harry's jaw tightened, Before Harry could even react, another wolf howled up, appearing out of blue and charging at Harry.
Harry wasn't as fast for once. The wolf knocked into him, sending him flying against a tree. His head hit the hard stone, his teeth clattering against each other with the impact.
Ignoring the angry throbbing where his head had hit. He looked up at Remus' wolf above him,
He couldn't hurt him, not wanting to hurt him,
Because all of sudden Harry remembered the first time he saw the form, with Sirius there to help him.
He shook off that memory, "OKAY, OKAY!" he jumped on his feet, holding his hands up.
"I won't attack you, look. " he tried to distract him, "Moony, I am a friend, do you hear me," Hecate, can i communicate with this beast?
Harry needed to tame him up, he can't attack the other one either in this situation, he had to tie Remus up and drag him back to his basement. He fought demons, he can take down werewolves, unless there is more around.
Trying to spread his aura around, he noticed someone near them, reaching up with his magic. It was a muggle, bloody brilliant.
"Moony, I'll give you to the count of three." he tried to distract him, It snarled, it didn't escape Harry that the other wolf noticed the muggle but he didn't go after it, which was now odd.
"One."
The snarl turned into a growl. The other one was giving Moony a signal.
"Two."
The growling grew louder ending in a sharp bark. Harry was backing away slowly in the direction of the muggle.
The cracking sound of breaking wood stopped him in place, Harry kept his back straight, both werewolves noticed it, and sniffed, "Three…"
The barking morphed into a howl. Harry used a stupify at first but the other wolf knew better, running in his direction.
There, a big scream launched into the air, "Remus, NOOO!" He sent an electrical hex but the other wolf was smarter, it meddled and attacked Harry.
Harry had enough and pulled out his sword that was beating like a living heart, calling it's master to slaughter the beast, he swirled into the wolf,
He could hear the human scream from afar, Remus hunched over the human just as another wolf did , the other wolf ran to the human prey lapping, slurping, and chewing loudly.
The beast Remus feltthreatened, attacking the other wolf with the force of a tank. The two werewolves became entangled in a fight. Paws swiped out, ripping into flesh. Jaws locked into sinew and blood rained onto the ground.
"Suspendo!" someone cried from the dark. Both wolves were frozen in mid-fight.
Harry raced towards the human in a heartbeat, His throat had been ripped open, too late to save him. Forgetting all about the wolves.
He removed silver shackles from his bag and clamped them on the paws of both the wolves, paralysing them before removing his charm. They fell apart with a heavy thud.
He needed to do something quick, come on! Think of the spell you did to save Tracey Davis and he chanted it over. Please don't die on me now!
He tried his best to mend the wound of the man, who was probably camping here, when Remus attacked. Shit, he pulled a vial that was long hidden in his pockets,he swore not to use it, he probably shouldn't use it, the emergency vial.
"Use it when it's necessary," Daphne handed the small potion to him.
"I told-" Harry pushed the vial back to her lap, they have already talked about this,
"You told me nothing!" she cut him off taking a deep breath, "I don't go around throwing my blood,"
Hoping that it will work on this muggle, he opened it and pushed it all through the man's mouth. Waiting a couple of minutes, praying for it to work, and then he heard a soft groan, he released a deep sigh of relief, "Oh thank God," he saw the injured skin heal again as if nothing happened.
He turned to the struggling wolves in the air, what does he suppose to do with them now?
"Who are you?" He asked, in the tongue of beasts. "Are you an alpha? Who sent you? Greyback?" He took one step forward, feeling the awful breathe of the wolf on him and glared up, the werewolf himself, flinched.
Harry potter smile up at him, challenging smile, "Go tell who sent you that i will come for the tribe, and i will hunt it down," Harry was not the type that would torture someone or even torment it, unless it broke the nature law.
A werewolf's pride was its capability to shift with or without a full moon, Harry despite the werewolf's struggling put the wand on it ears and cut one, no broken wolf can have its way again after this, another hex to remove his scent sense and puff, he magically cast him away.
With another flick he restored the damaged items of the camp and so put the man back inside his tent, casting an obliviate, funny part in this messy life of his, he became expert in obliviating the camp, this was not his first time in three month, he had to do it multiple times, because sometimes muggles get to be curious around them.
On the third night, Harry was back and decided to step outside the house,the full moon covered him with silvery light, he turned to see Daphne, sitting there calmly. The two exchanged a look, and he made it to the porch and sat in wicker chairs next to her. If by some slight chance the werewolf that had taken over their friend escaped, they would see. "Tea?" she offered him, he was sincerely relieved that she came, she rarely leaves the house alone, but when it was needed, she was always there.
He didn't bother to ask the question, with a small breathy chuckle he took the cup, his wife always had the time for a tea, he sat there looking at the sky and thought to himself how he would look if he was able to morph into his animal form..
Instead of saying it outloud, he chose, however reluctantly. Intervals of comfortable silence, quiet conversation, and dozing rotated as the night wore on.
"It probably wore him out, come on." Daphne spoke up, jerking him out of one such doze at the sunrise. He listened inside carefully for several house became completely quiet; no noises came from the basement. Harry sat up, looked around,
Harry shouldered a bag filled with supplies that Daphne brought along. They went inside, Harry tapping the door with his wand to unlock it. The charms placed over the basement door were complicated. They waited about a minute performing the counter-charms before he could open it. They glanced at each other, both taking a deep breath, before entering.
It was very dark, as there was only a single lamp and the one window had been boarded up. They could only make out the dark figure of a body on the floor.
Harry was in front as they made their way cautiously down the stairs. He waved his wand, producing about two dozen candles, which he magicked into the air and lit. As they reached the bottom the room was bathed with warm candlelight. They saw Remus, and both of them gasped involuntarily. The old man on the floor barely looked like their friend. He was drenched in blood, so much that it was hard to see where his wounds actually were. The few skin patches that weren't bloody were as pale as snow, and his robes hung on him in shreds.
Daphne recovered first. She hurried forward and knelt next to the still form, and began to wipe off blood with her wand. Harry was at her side doing the same, " you wiped earth with him," She huffed.
"Not my fault," Harry defended himself. When most of the blood was off, Remus didn't look much better. Now they could actually see the deep gashes, bite marks, and bruises covering him. Daphne opened her bag, drawing out a number of rolls of bandages and a jar of thick salve. Spells would not work on these injuries, not with werewolf venom in them. Harry moved around to the other side of Remus and caught the bandages Daphne tossed him. Together, they tended to his wounds.
"He cracked some ribs; see this swelling. I guess the best we can do for that is to put a salve on and wrap them up," Daphne said, easing their friend out of the rags hanging on him, "Harry, go up to his room and find some new robes?"
"You can be a rather good healer," Harry said at the door, by the time he was back, Daphne started spreading salve over Remus' chest, bandaging and the two of them pulled the fresh robes onto Remus. For the first time he stirred, and as Harry supported his head and shoulders against his own body, Remus opened his eyes, moaning. His pupils were unfocused, not recognizing the face above him. Softly, Daphne said, "I bet that's about how you feel. Here, drink this." She took the cup of potion Daphne handed him and tipped it down Remus' throat. It was barely gone before he passed back out. Harry hand brushed Remus' cheek as he lowered the cup. He quickly raised it again and touched Remus' forehead briefly. "He's got a fever."
"Let's take him to °12"
And so, Daphne put him in her bedroom, no one would see his miserable state, also because her bed is rather comfortable and deep down, big sacrifice from her part.
She watched Remus push food around his plate, not really eating anything, watching him have nothing but tea.
"How is Harry? I caused him trouble, didn't I?" he almost startled her by him talking, suddenly.
"You certainly did, but first-" she smirked, taking the spoon from him, " feed."
Remus's eyebrows wanted eagerly to knit but he was too tired to, she forced the cold metal tool against lips and the scent of food hit him, "You know…" he stared at her, " I can feed myself,"
"Oh don't be a baby, I'm spoiling you here, the least you can do is smile and be grateful," she huffed at him, playfully.
Remus could only sigh, "I can't,"
"You have to. stop being dramatic, nothing happened for the love of freaking merlin!" She pushed the food inside his mouth, harshley that he almost choked, the bitterness of the soup was worse than he expected but she forced another one,
"What the hell is this!?" he frowned at her, Daphne blinked twice innocently, "tomato soup,"
Remus frowned at her, that was nothing like tomato soup!
"I added a little stuff just to eat it!" she rolled her eyes, hating to explain herself, after some silent treatment between the two,
"Thank you i suppose," Remus said, his cheeks flushed.
She gave a derisive snort, "was it hard to say it," when he said nothing "there is plenty ways to do that," she smirked, pushing that spoon to his mouth, the pups hurling into his lap,
Remus smiled faintly at them, "Greyback tried to recruit you, but Harry was right on time,"
"They know i'm part of the order, i will endanger you now,"
"They do… what a good reason to frame you,the last marauder killed a muggle,"
Remus stopped moving at her words, "Now Now, you didn't."
"Dumbledore and mad-eye must be furious,I can't stay here," he tried to move,
"-They don't know," Harry's voice popped up they both turned and saw Winky holding the magical mirror,
"I'm not following," Remus looked between both Daphne and Harry.
"No one knows, we made sure of this," Harry said, firmly.
"Why! Have you lost your nuts, Greyback knows now, Dumbledore needs to know!"
"No, he must not, for your own good, trust me in this… " Harry snapped back, glaring sharply at Remus.
Daphne said nothing and left the things to Harry to handle, removing the tray to the side. "You almost killed a muggle, we won't deny the act for sure but we… I need you here Remus,"
Daphne blinked once, taking a quick breath not letting anyone to notice, Harry doesn't want Remus apart, he trust him the most, "Snape set you up,"
Remus took a deep frustrated sigh,a battle amongst the members was the least of Harry's concerns, and apparently Snape wanted a sweet revenge, simply because he refuse to move on, now that is Sirius out of picture, time has come for Remus.
"I'm sorry, I do trust you, really… It was just an instinct. Old habits die hard, I guess." Remus spoke quietly meeting Daphne's eyes and in the smile that passed between them, they knew everything was all right.
"Well, I don't think a summer vacation at Azkaban would be a good idea," Harry joked.
"Too much humidity," Daphne added, exchanging long-suffering expressions with her husband. Harry bunched his eyebrows together as if in thought. "What are we going to have to do to prove it to him?"
"I don't know," Daphne said in a mock-serious tone, "Maybe sign our souls over to his keeping. But I'm warning you now, I'm stopping short of getting down on one knee and declaring my undying love. That's only for this one here.".
Harry laughed, and turned to Remus. "We're your family. Did you really think we'd not come just because you choose 'no'? Like we were about to let you suffer just to save your pride. That's one blow your ego will have to take, mate."
"It wasn't pride," Remus replied quietly, "It was just… I didn't want to endanger anyone,"
Harry shook his head, a mixture of exasperation and sadness filling him. Remus had been the most insecure of the marauders according to Sirius. People tended to think it was Wormtail, but it had always been Remus. He just didn't let most people catch on. Being a werewolf had made him constantly afraid that he wasn't good enough, that he was somehow less of a man because of it. It had nothing to do with their treatment of him- Harry knew they had actually helped- but it wasn't something he could get rid of. And Harry saw that it was time for a fresh reminder. It hurt him greatly to know that one of his dearest friends thought so little of himself. He leaned forward to say something but Daphne turned her back to him, preventing him.
"McGonagall is gonna kill me if I'm late for quidditch, thanks Winky, " Harry said, waving bye, Daphne took the mirror from the elf and asked her to go feed the pups and Buckbeak. "Kreacher helps non with the house chores, i should discipline him," she talked mostly to herself,
When Harry was present, it was always lighter, but once he leaves heavy silence lingered now that Harry left,
Daphne looked at Remus while and pursed her lips, she was supposed to be the younger depressed one but here she is staring at a condition worse than hers, until the last couple of years this man lived all by himself, no one out there for him, he was more like a lonely puppy than a grown arse man, it all reminded her of that muggle song she heard over the radio, all by myseeeeelf, she sang mentally before giving herself a mental slap to focus, what was wrong with her recently!? She caughed "Remus. Being this is not a weakness."
She took his hand in hers, and smiled gently, "The greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. When God loves people He tests them. Whoever accepts that wins His pleasure but whoever is discontent…" she paused, and turned her focus to their joined hands, rubbing gently small circles with her thumb "None of us chose what we are, but facing it and accepting it, is the greatest battle we live, don't let it breaks you, winning in the end is always with those who are truly patient… So go out there , find something, someone and live your life the fullest, " Daphne finished sincerely.
Harry was still listening through the mirror, he nodded fervently, glad that Daphne had taken the reins. When she had to, she was so much better at the heart-to-heart thing, speaking the words that expressed them both, but he himself couldn't have found them. And no one could understand the things Remus was going through.
She smiled, taking his arm now and putting a new bandage soiled with a herbal oil, he hissed a bit at the touch on his skin,The time had come to lighten the mood. "Granted, it made you look even uglier than usual. Red is really not your colour. We'd hoped cleaning you up would make you look normal… but, alas, 'twas not to be. We shouldn't have been surprised; you've never looked normal. Your blood stained my sleeves, too, so you owe me a new robe."
Remus, for the first time since he was up, laughed heartily.
"Anything but expensive, i'm kinda jobless here," between his laugh, he tried to stand up, feeling a bit energetic enough to do it, "I should go to my room," he tried to stand, but she held him by shoulders, pulling him back to bed,
"No, you are not," she firmly said, ''Just stay here, besides" No one rejects her stubbornness that's for sure, she left the room for a few minutes and returned holding a plate that made Remus flabbergasted.
"Surprise!" She exclaimed in French, reaching for him.
"What...what is this?" Remus asked as innocently as he could, trying desperately to decipher just what exactly he's looking at
Daphne nodded beaming, "The one and only,"
Tonks walked through °12, having a very bad day. She'd spent the morning under a large pile of paperwork, something she despised the most and at this point, she had three paper cuts, a stiff neck and the words on the parchment were beginning to blur together. Plus her first fucking stupid fight with her new stupid boyfriend. She was not ready for anything more than a quick shag, he was fun but not that fun, she couldn't keep up with him.
This was moving too fast even for her, Unable to contain her restless energy, she couldn't go home, her mum would keep nagging at her, she headed over the kitchen for a dear cup of coffee she longed for, go see if Daphne was around perhaps she should blame her for this, she trapped her into this mess, and then go to her room for a quick nap.
Tonks almost sprinted to the door. But she heard some noise that actually seemed like Harry skipped school again for, she was turning back in her heels and stopped when she heard a name. no no no no!
"I'll never hear the end from Harry if he knew."
"Harry is at school playing quidditch now. He won't know."
tonks 's eyes widened, she couldn't enter and give herself away so she pressed her ear listening to the conversation.
"I don't do this often."
"I can tell but…. mmm!" Mmmm? What was that, Tonks tried to guess
" Stop it, don't eat down there NO-mmm'' Daphne moaned.
"this is good." Remus groaned.
" you are special to be given this bless,"
"Can you shut up and not ruin the mood,"
"I will take it away, then, ,"
"Don't you dare! " Remus groaned.
"NO, not the fingers!"
Tonks held a gasp, staring in disbelief at the door, "Remus, come on!"
Tonks couldn't believe her ears and ascended down stairs as fast as she can, Remus and Daphne, Daphne and Remus.
Daphne… and Remus. Tonks run a hand through her face, feeling colour drain out of it. The cup shaking in her hand. Oh dear Merlin! O dear Helga!
She found herself running down to the kitchen, looking for water, anything to refresh her.
They were having sex! They were shagging! Behind Harry's back, behind their back! And she was thinking about leaving Gareth! For who, Remus fucking Lupin, he was having sex with Daphne, a sixteen year old while she was having anxiety about her age here!
Wait… is that why Daphne told her to find a boyfriend, it was never for her, but it was for Daphne to have her way with Remus.
And when she wanted to go to see him, last night after his transformation, Daphne said that he didn't want anyone to come.
What about Harry? Poor Harry knows nothing about his fiance,his cheater fiancée that he adores the most. How could she do this to him, after all that he went through.
Daphne that evi–" Tonks?" A voice startled her to drop the cup, shattering it.
"Jez, What took your thoughts?" Daphne said as she walked around the kitchen table, to have water, Tonks eyed Daphne's flushed cheeks as she drank, thirsty the water.. "Did you just got here?"
How dare she ask innocently? Tonks fumed.
Daphne smiled, "I was kinda feel lonely here, it's good to see you,"
Tonks arched a brow, feeling her hair changing red, Daphne sat next to her furrowing her eyebrows in confusion. Thinking that the metaphor had a terrible day with bossy Mad-eye.
"Is Remus here?" Daphne turned to Tonk's sudden question, feeling some negative vibes coming off Tonks, giving her a half shrug, "Still in his lovely tiny cottage lastI recalled, miss him already?" Daphne smirked.
"You mean, he hasn't come at all?"
Daphne wanted to roll her eyes, lying or covering up is literally the same face of a coin.
"Nope," Daphne stood up, deciding to end the discussion there before leaving. She added, " Go and see for yourself," and left just like that.
Going back to her bedroom, now that Tonks is lurking around, Daphne locked the door and cast a silencio before turning around and gasping in fury.
"Remus John Lupin! How dare you finish the cake without me!" she jumped on bed, punching his non-injured shoulder.
Remus who now changed into a full clothes person, feeling all healed and light smiled playfully at her, " Not my fault, what took too long to return?" he pinched her nose.
Daphne huffed at him, wanting to choke him to throw out again, he finished the cake all without her, glancing at the empty box; of what was once containing a lovely pandora chocolate cake that takes four days to be baked and done, all by personal order.
The chocolate cake that with each bite, the taste differs into a whole explosive delicious weird flavouring taste. And the good part was the more you are the more you feel hungry and each bite be like the first one.
You can't had enough of it until you completely finish it. Daphne bit the curse she was about to send Remus for his next life, because he was the sick person here and needed some good spoiling. However there is a little punishment, she dropped like a cold ball of ice on Remus's face.
"Ah, Tonks showed up here, she's gonna stay the night probably,"
Remus's smile dropped immediately.
Few Weeks later…
Harry now is used to the audience now, he won't say that he doesn't hate it because he still do. But at certain point he admitted that he must learn how to deal with it. "It have been a long year for us all and I admit, I was not around to see what've you achieved with 'Mione and Ron." He smiled to his best friends. Before turning his attention to the rest of DA, eyeing each one of them. "But I trust your abilities, I may not be there to witness it but I know that you'll be able to take care of yourselves."
"Darkness like Dumbledore said is lurking, it could easily touch any of you, that slight moment of anger or envy on anyone could lead to the worst scenarios.
I am not a philosopher but I'll keep short. Be careful during summer, be aware with who you may deal or with who you will deal," he clasped his hands behind his back, and straightened up his back. "Have great summer!"
Once the finale meeting ended, his friends turned to him, "So tomorrow you're coming with us?" Ginny hoped.
"I miss Mrs Weasley's food!" He breathed out, playfully. Ginny blushed as Harry dropped his arm around her shoulder playfully, leaving the chamber.
For this year, many things happened, shortly it opened new gates in Harry's life.
He never expected that he would love to leave Hogwarts grounds more than now,
He was worn out and glad that his school routine now was excluded from his daily routine, at least he was freed of the Dursleys
The frontline was a whole level of war for him, and worst he must remain rather invisible like his dad's cloak.
The worst part, that it would be the longest summer. And he won't be able to stay with those he loves.