Written for QLFC Season 11 Round 4, Beater 1/Captain

Main Prompt: Write about someone going to great lengths to hide something precious.

Optional Prompts: (dialogue) 6. "If only it were that easy." and 12. (dialogue) "For what it's worth, I truly am sorry."

Word Count: 1164

Warnings: Internalized homophobia, lesbian pining, bullying

~wWw~

Daphne stood with her back against the cool stone walls of Hogwarts, hidden slightly in a small alcove off the main hallway leading to the potions classroom. She peered out from her hiding spot, desperately trying to avoid her housemate and sometimes friend, Draco Malfoy. Draco was a good friend, but she had no interest in marrying him, much to their parents' displeasure.

"Wouldn't you rather be married to me than some old pureblood that offers your father the largest sum?" Draco asked as the pair sat doing their Transfiguration homework. Something in Daphne's stomach rolled at the thought of marrying Draco, or really—no, Daphne pushed the rising thought away.

"I would rather marry for love," Daphne said tartly, pointedly turning her attention away from Draco and to the Transfiguration paper she was writing. Desperately trying to forget her father's parting words. 'If you don't find yourself a suitable husband, I will.'

"If only it were that easy," Draco muttered, turning back to his own Transfiguration work.

Since that conversation, he brought marriage up every time he saw her, hence her current predicament, hiding just outside the classroom in order to slip in the back right as class started. She carefully watched for Draco's distinct blond hair, but her attention was pulled away by another head of pale blonde hair leaving the potions classroom.

She was beautiful, her hair framing her soft features like a halo. The deep blue lining of her robes denoted her house—Ravenclaw. Daphne watched as the petite girl disappeared into the crowd of her peers.

"Daph, there you are," Draco said, catching sight of her hiding slightly behind the alcove. Daphne sighed, wishing she could run in the opposite direction of her friend. She turned to enter the potions classroom, hoping the presence of their professor would prevent him from restarting the marriage conversation.

~wWw~

Daphne sat on one of the comfortable armchairs in the Library, trying to focus on studying for her upcoming potions practical. Her attention was quickly drawn away from her schoolwork when Luna entered the Library, Ginny Weasley at her side. The pair took the table closest to her, spreading out what looked to be their Transfiguration homework across the table.

They were close enough that Daphne could hear snippets of their conversation.

"Do you want to join me in searching for Nargels on the weekend?" Luna asked, her voice soft. She tilted her head slightly towards Ginny.

"I've Quidditch practice. Sorry, Luns," Ginny said, reaching to pull the textbook between the pair closer to herself so she could get a closer look.

"Oh, that's unfortunate," Luna said softly, her voice falling in disappointment.

"Perhaps next weekend?" Ginny offered. At the other girl's words, Luna's face immediately lifted. Daphne watched the pair interact quietly, quickly returning her attention to her potions book anytime the pair glanced her way. Something about Luna enthralled her, and she didn't want to look away from the Ravenclaw girl.

~wWw~

Daphne stood behind Draco and slightly off to the side. Something about him had changed over Christmas break. The sweet, guarded boy she had grown up with was now sharp and harsh, snapping at his friends over the smallest of things. He was engaging in his favourite pastime, being a pest to his fellow students. This time, it was Luna Lovegood, the girl who had caught Daphne's eye almost two years ago.

"Loony, where's Potter?" Draco asked tauntingly, his fingers tightly gripped around his wand. Daphne's own hand was on her wand hidden deep within her pockets as she tried to quench the sickening feeling rising in her chest.

"Why would I know that, Draco?" Luna asked dreamily, seemingly unperturbed by the wand steadily aimed towards her. Her eyes flitted about the group, resting on Daphne for a moment longer than the rest, causing a slight fluttery feeling in her chest.

"Don't lie to me," Draco hissed, his voice taking on a darker tone as he took a step toward Luna.

"That is enough," a melodic voice called, pulling everyone's attention away from Luna—everyone but Daphne—and towards the Grey Lady who had floated towards the group. Daphne locked eyes with Luna for a moment, getting lost within her pale silver eyes, before she forced her attention towards the Grey Lady.

"Perhaps you should head back to the tower, Luna," The Grey Lady softly suggested. Luna smiled before retreating from the group of Slytherins, seemingly floating away. Daphne's eyes trailed after her a moment longer than the rest, something that went unnoticed by everyone but the Grey Lady, who eyed her curiously.

~wWw~

"Daphne Greengrass," the Grey Lady whispered, causing Daphne to look up from the textbook she had been studying for her upcoming Herbology exam. Daphne didn't say anything, instead tilting her head slightly, indicating for the Ravenclaw ghost to continue.

"What is your interest in Luna?" the Grey Lady asked simply, eyeing Daphne curiously.

"Interest?" Daphne asked, her voice shaky as thoughts raced through her head. No one could know, right?

"I'm sorry, but I don't know what you are talking about." Daphne internally thanked her Slytherin upbringing for allowing her to keep a straight face as the Ravenclaw ghost stared her down. Her eyes seemingly piercing through Daphne's very being.

"Oh," the ghost finally said after a moment. "I understand now."

"How could you understand?" Daphne snarked before she could think.

"You and I are more similar than you might think," the Grey Lady said simply, pausing a moment before continuing, "Back when I was a student, there was this girl, Seraphina Bones. I felt much the same about her as you do for my Luna."

"Oh," Daphne said, hesitating momentarily. "Did she like you back?" Daphne's words were soft as she carefully watched the Ravenclaw ghost.

"If only it were that easy," the Grey Lady mused. Daphne nodded in understanding, the weight of her father's words heavy upon her mind.

"Times have changed; it is no longer as frowned upon," the Grey Lady started before Daphne interrupted her.

"I don't have a choice in the matter."

"For what it's worth, I truly am sorry," the Grey Lady simply said giving Daphne a look of pity before floating away from the conversation without a glance back. Daphne turned her attention back to her Herbology textbook, desperately trying to pull her mind away from Luna.

The way her hair framed her face like a halo. The small smile that seemed to be permanently etched on her lips. Her soft silvery eyes which Daphne found herself unable to look away from. Daphne shook her head, trying to shake the thoughts out of her head.

It didn't matter how she felt. Her future was predetermined. It didn't matter that she lov—no, it didn't matter that she had a silly crush on Luna. It didn't matter that she could feel her heart skip a beat when Luna looked at her. She could never be Luna's and Luna could never be hers.

It just wasn't that easy.