...

It'd been almost three weeks since his trip to Diagon Alley, a trip that had ended with him experiencing the house-elf form of transportation for the first time- Courtesy of Daphne helpfully urging the elf to move them somewhere close enough to his home so he could avoid the long journey back.

He'd requested somewhere close by to avoid any extra form of pity from the girl- He'd certainly gotten enough during the trip- Yet the moment she'd taken one look at his neighborhood, the girl had visibly balked at the thought of him living in it.

If she'd seen the orphanage she might've actually lost her mind.

Still, he wasn't sure if it was seeing the neighborhood or a prior plan, but evidently, the girl had decided he would be visiting Greengrass Manor, along with Tracey, for a bloody four-day sleepover.

One that was to start tomorrow.

Apparently

, the Greengrass family liked to throw summer parties- And he was invited for this year's one, which just so happened to start on the fourth day of said sleepover.

He'd been somewhat reluctant to go if he was honest... Then Ferus and the other orphans tried to apologize again, failed to do so, and effectively started a one-sided screaming match at his lack of manners. Of course, he couldn't really blame the source given it was one of the newer orphans, but still, that had effectively convinced him to go.

Surprisingly though, most of the orphans had... Well, elected to give him his space after that outburst, and it wasn't even because of Ferus' reasons or actions even.

It was because of the caretaker who'd elected to finally intervene and told them off.

Most claimed and called out for unfairness, for some inane reason, and essentially blamed him as the problem.

One guess as to who started that little stampede of 'accusations.' Hint, he'd tried to rob his pillow the next morning after when he'd elected to get some fresh air.

Yet for all the caretaker refused to acknowledge their accusations- it didn't change the fact she did so with practical fear pouring out her eyes as she stood between him and the newer orphans.

It was partly for that reason he hadn't bothered to inform her about his impending little trip to the Greengrass Manor, at least not until earlier today.

The only thing he'd gotten in response to that 'request' was a relieved sigh from the woman.

He wasn't sure why that, of all things, irritated- especially considering he'd barely acknowledged the woman's parting remark to 'try and avoid hurting his so-called friends'.

He'd confirmed the fact woman was magical- Or at the very least a squib on the first week back by idly carrying a wand around the orphanage to test her reaction, the other kids thought it was a stick- Fingers hadn't even bothered to attempt at stealing it.

The caretaker however widened her eyes before locking herself in her office for a few hours.

Which, well, was just one more thing he needed to ask his still not seen Grandfather.

The lack of contact there was honestly starting to worry him.

He couldn't help but wonder what he'd done that was so wrong that had convinced his grandfather to effectively abandon him for weeks.

He let out a sigh as he dropped his head into the pillow at the thought, the dreamscape once again not appearing continuing the longest streak he'd ever had Elder Grindelwald free.

...

The first thing he noticed the moment he reached the designated stop where he was supposed to meet Daphne at- The same spot her house-elf had teleported them to last time- Was the distinct lack of Tracey Davis not tagging along.

He'd figured the redhead would've already arrived at the manor by now unless she hadn't bothered to come to pick him up with Daphne?

"So is Tracey at your manor or are you still waiting on her to arrive?" It certainly couldn't have been early given Daphne had chosen the time herself.

"...Hello to you too, Rodrick." The girl deadpanned in response. "Why yes it is a nice morning, and my family is doing great thank you very much." The girl continued, her lips straining to smile and break her expression.

He rolled his eyes in response.

"Astoria is especially excited for toda-"

"Ok, ok, jeez." He sighed. "Hello Daphne," He deadpanned. "Happy?"

She sniffed at him. "Yes, actually, very much so." She remarked a cheeky grin growing on her face. "And Tracey will be joining us tomorrow."

He blinked at that.

"I thought you said it was meant to be a four-day sleepover?"

She shrugged in response, the cheeky smile still stuck on her face. "For you maybe, it was hard enough to convince her mom to let her stay for three days instead of one,"

"...Right." Was all he said on the matter. "...You know you could've just said you wanted me all to yourself for a day," He snorted before quickly chuckling at the slight embarrassment that rolled over the girl's face at his words.

"I-" She started, immediately sputtering as she narrowed her eyes at him. "I was just been nice okay! I figured a four-day break would do you some good!" She crossed her arms, clear embarrassment radiating out of her. After another beat passed following her words, the girl turned her gaze to the side and idly told him to shut up.

He simply put his hands up behind his head, still grinning at her.

"Why four by the way? I am pretty sure I could've survived an extra day here you know."

Her expression turned thoughtful as she turned her gaze back to him fully.

"I dunno," The girl remarked. "Wasn't sure if you'd be allowed to leave for any longer than that." The girl shrugged. "My parents wouldn't really mind- It was actually my dad's idea, to begin with."

He blinked at that, surprise coloring his face.

"...Huh. So what you're saying is your dad invited me?"

Daphne snorted at him in response.

"Something like that,"

"To have a sleepover with his daughter."

Daphne blinked, her amusement dying off as her expression twitched.

"A sleepover." He repeated. "In his own home." The girl's expression twitched again. "With. His. Twelve-year-old daughter."

Embarrassment quickly reared its amusing head once again as it filled Daphne's face.

"...Just so we're clear if he puts a marriage contract before me, I am not signing it."

Needless to say, he'd never seen the girl's face go as red as it just did at that comment.

"Also, I am fairly certain, the caretaker wouldn't have noticed if I'd disappeared for the summer."

Daphne's immediate response to that, besides the denials and relatively polite insults for his former comment, was-

"Great! You can just spend the next summer with my family then!" She stated and immediately regretted the words given the sheer amount of red (Which had to be accidental magic at this point) that filled her face.

"...Okay, I was joking before, but I am really starting to worry about this marriage contract thing." He immediately deadpanned. "like I am pretty sure that was outlaw-"

The girl put a hand over his mouth, a pout on her face.

"Shush." She practically whispered. "Please just shush for a minute."

He wasn't sure how the four days were going to go, but they certainly started off amusingly.

Judging by the snickering visibly hidden house-elf, it agreed.

...

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