CHAPTER SIX
Forever
March 27th, 1978

"Oi, look at you!" Rebecca exclaimed as Daphne stepped out of the bathroom, wearing a black dress. Grabbing the small hand-bag she had previously charmed only to put James' gift in it. "You look gorgeous, Daph," she added, smiling at her from her bed.

"Thanks, Becca," she replied softly. "Are you sure you are not coming?"

"To watch Slughorn being all over you? No, thank you," she snorted. "I am pretty sure he is in love with you."

Daphne grimaced, "Don't ever say that," she mumbled. "He doesn't fancy him. Do you realise how wrong it is?"

Rebecca shrugged, "Did you want me to come with you? As your date, perhaps?" She teased.

"I am fine going alone," Daphne replied, putting on red lipstick. "Regulus is bringing his rubbish date. Aunt Walburga asked him to. Surprising, isn't it?"

"No, not really," laughed Rebecca as Daphne snorted. "Are you going, then?"

"Mum asked me to," she answered. "Said it could be important," she added, releasing a sigh. "Alright, see you later. Yeah?"

"Of course! Have fun with your secret lover!" She shouted loudly enough for Daphne to hear before she could close the door.

Daphne found herself walking through the hallways, the stars were bright and she recalled the times when Sirius, Regulus, Evan and she would look up at the stars while Sirius would speak about his star—the Dog Star. Then, Regulus would rant on and on about his which made Daphne feel all warm inside. He used to be such a chatty kid. As she reached the door, she stopped dead in her tracks and sighed.

"Not walking in?" A familiar voice snapped her out of her thoughts as she turned on her heels to watch her cousin. He was smoking a cigarette with his fanciest dark robe on, his hair were tied in a bun and she actually smiled at the sight of it. "Hello, Daffy."

"Hello, Sirius," she greeted nicely.

He exhaled the smoke, then managed to reach inside his pocket and handed a cigarette to her, "Fancy one? Or Aunt Almathea had forbidden you to smoke."

Daphne rolled her eyes, grabbing it as she lighted it within a few seconds, "Mum caught us with Evan, she had been mad since then," she explained, making her cousin snort. "Doesn't mean I will stop."

"How is he?" His voice was soft.

Daphne licked her lips, "He is better. I'm doing my best to cheer him up," she admitted. "He's not as happy as he was before," she then said.

"That's good if you are taking care of him," he hummed, crushing his cigarette on the wall. "Don't worry. The walls are charmed," he chuckled softly.

"Don't you want me to tell him?" She questioned with a frown. "Because he thinks that you have given up on him, Sirius."

He seemed to think for a second but gave up, "No, it's better that way, Daph."

"Aright," she sighed, taking a long drag before crushing the cigarette under her heel. "Are you coming or..."

He arched an eyebrow, "What makes you think I was waiting for you, Daffy?"

"You've finished smoking almost two minutes ago, and you have not walked in so you are waiting for me, dear cousin," she smirked.

Sirius ran a hand through his hair, "Well—"

"Oh, enough," she cut him off with a chuckle, linking their arms.

He smiled softly, "Okay with being my date?"

Daphne nudged him playfully, "Do I have a choice?"

"I'd appreciate it," he replied. "You see, Slughorn loves you and seeing you at my arm would make him love me!" He argued as she snorted loudly. "What?"

"I never thought I'd see Sirius Black craving for some Professor's attention," she teased as he groaned, rolling his eyes.

"Shut up and be my date?"

Daphne smirked, "Oh, I will Sirius. Let's go, shall we?"

Both took a step closer and pushed the door, instantly being greeted by Professor Slughorn. Glancing at Sirius, she had realised he had straightened his posture and had put on his best smile—probably. And, weirdly Daphne felt herself clutching at his arm. Who would have thought that a stupid party was all it would take of them to get slightly closer?

"Oh, how nice it is to see you both!" He cheered loudly, putting a hand on Sirius' shoulder. "You two are together, then?"

"Oh, no, no," Daphne hurried herself to answer as Sirius shook his head. "We're cousins. His mum and my father are siblings," she explained as he nodded.

"Oh well, it is perfect. There are drinks and food going around. Suit yourself," he said.

Sirius released a loud sigh as he walked away, "A drink is what I need. Perhaps you do too...of course you do," he mumbled to himself, starting to walk towards the bar as Daphne followed behind.

Her eyes rapidly scanned as she spotted Regulus with his date, Lily was there too as she chatted with Stephen Walsh as others danced around, or chatted. It was great. Every person was wearing a piece of their house colour, Daphne found it awfully cute.

"Ah, Pads," a familiar voice echoed as she reached a corner in the room. "Is Sandra still there?"

Sirius snorted, "Prongs, have you been hiding in the corner?"

"Yes! She won't leave me alone and..." he stopped in the middle of his sentence as his eyes darted behind Sirius' shoulder. He gaped at Daphne as she offered him a soft smile, and managed to arch her eyebrow trying to hide the blush on her cheeks. "What is she doing here?"

"Daphne, here, has agreed to be my date," he said proudly, then groaned. "I'll go fetch us some drinks," he then told before walking the other way.

James let his eyes linger on her features because... surely, nobody would notice them, right? For the first time, Daphne didn't really care about the people around; instead she let herself drown into his eyes and smiled lazily at the man in front of her. Everything about James felt so warm, in a way. The way he smiled, looked at her, touched her...everything he did, really.

Leaning against the wall, he smirked at her, "Sirius' date, eh?"

"It was an act of pity, James," she chuckled softly. "He looked awfully lonely outside," she added, taking a step closer but kept a good distance with him. "Happy birthday."

"Ah, you remember," he told softly, cocking his head to the side as she repeated the same action. "Thank you, Daph."

"We could maybe see each other after the party? I have a gift for you," Daphne said, putting a wide smile on his face.

James nodded, "Sure, yeah. Do you have it here?"

"Yup," she pointed at the charmed bag. "Charmed it myself. Am I genius?"

James chuckled, "Yes, yes, you are."

They stayed there for a moment, just staring at each other and turning their heads to look at the crowd here and there. Just to make it look like they weren't obsessed with each other, but truth was...they were. Then, they started talking, well James started telling jokes and Daphne laughed at them. Like she usually did in private. But, this time it was different—people were around them, glancing at them but despite all of the attention, it seemed that Daphne and James only had eyes for each other.

"We could leave," he proposed after a bit, waiting for her laugh to fade down. "Leave the party, and just be the two of us."

Daphne smiled, "Or, we could enjoy it...we can spend time with each other as much as we want," she replied. "I don't care about who is watching me, us."

"Right," he said softly. "Dance with me?"

"I don't know..."

"Or, I could ask Sandra? I know she's been looking for me the whole bloody night," he teased as Daphne sent him a glare. "I heard she was an amazing dancer. Oh, the things she can do."

"Go ask Sandra, then," she muttered, crossing her arms over her chest. "But, I'm sure you will be missing out."

"I doubt it," he replied before starting to walk away.

"For Circe's sake," Daphne mumbled to herself, wrapping her hand around James' wrist before dragging him in the middle of the room.

James only smirked as he put one hand on her waist, while he grabbed her hand and started spinning them around. His hand felt so warm against her skin and she fought the urge to kiss his rosy lips, just to wipe that smirk off his face.

Daphne looked up at him, "Good dancer, am I not?"

"The best," he whispered. "You're beautiful tonight," he commented as she blushed. "I mean it. You will always be the most beautiful to me. Forever."

Forever. The word rung in her mind as she let it sink in, it sounded nice. Forever with James Potter. If months ago someone would have told her that James Potter would be her greatest love, she would have laughed. Why him and not another? But now that she held his hand tight in hers, kissed him lovingly and endlessly, ran her hand through his hair, argued like two old people, she knew the reason why. Silly, wasn't it? Daphne Rosier and James Potter completed each other perfectly, and perhaps that was why it was so scary. How can someone so different yet so similar can feel like your other half?

As his hand squeezed her waist, it was like reality slammed into her. This was good for now, but what would happen at the end of seventh year? Nothing could erase the snake on her forearm, nothing could take back her actions and he would be left devastated and heartbroken. All because of her. Did soulmates hurt each other that way? Surely not.

"I love you," she whispered, feeling the need to say it here and now. Perhaps, in a few years, he would look back at this specific memory and smile foolishly to himself. "It's always going to be you, James. No matter what."

"I know," he said confidently.

Another thing she was fond of with James. He was confident, so confident that it could be seen as cockiness. But, in reality, he was just being confident and sure of himself.

"Potter, what are you doing?" Lily's voice snapped them out of their bubble as Daphne smiled at the red-hair. "Did you force Daphne to dance?"

James scratched the back of his neck, "Er, guilty," he said with a pout.

"My saviour has arrived," Daphne said loudly, chuckling as Lily pushed James away. The warmth of his hands were suddenly replaced by Lily's soft hands. "Alright, Potter. Evans' turn," she said.

"Miss Rosier, would you do me the pleasure of dancing with me?"

Daphne hummed, "The pleasure is all mine, Miss Evans," she joked as they both laughed.

The two girls broke into giggles as the others stared at the two, unaware of the friendship they had and frowned. But, none of them minded and danced until their feet ached and they were too out of breath to continue. Daphne loved Lily, Salazar... she loved her dearly. People, her own family, would laugh at her for finding a muggle-born so funny and interesting but she couldn't help it. Lily Evans was everything Daphne wished she could be. Confident, fierce, funny, intelligent and many other things probably. Daphne inspired to be Lily.

"Daphne, how are your parents?" Slughorn asked once everyone was sat down and food had been served. "Bacchus and Almathea, am I right?"

"They're perfect, thank you for asking Sir," she replied, sipping on her drink as her eyes drifted to Stephen Walsh next to her. A hufflepuff. "I'm sure they would be delighted to see you again."

"Ah, likewise...likewise," he then turned his head to look at Sirius. "And, what about you, Mr. Black? How are Orion and Walburga?"

"I wouldn't know," Sirius smirked, following with a chuckle. "You see, Walburga and I are not on speaking terms, Professor."

"Sirius," Regulus cut off firmly. "Do not speak ill of Mother and Father," he warned lowly.

"Oh, come on," he said with a frown as he put his glass down. "I am not speaking ill of anyone," Sirius replied. "Walburga disowned me," he whispered to Professor Slughorn.

His eyes shot open as he excused himself, "Merlin, I did not know. I'm terribly sorry," he mumbled.

"He deserved it," Regulus said loudly.

Daphne looked around and could have sworn she saw everyone shrinking down a bit. She watched carefully as the scene unfolded, ready to step between them at any moment because that was what Daphne had done the past few years. Step between them. Everyone glanced back and forth between the two bothers as though they'd miss an important key detail, if they did look away.

"You were arrogant, ungrateful and—" Regulus was cut off by Daphne clearing her throat as she rose on her feet.

"On your feet. Both of you," she commended, then offered Slughorn an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Professor. I will walk them out, if you are okay with it?"

"Oh, yes. Of course," he replied rapidly. "It was lovely having you, Miss Rosier. As usual."

Daphne didn't waste a second as she grabbed both of their arms and dragged them outside. Once the door was closed, she turned on her heels and pointed a finger at them, "Are you going to jump at each other's throat, like some animals, for the rest of your lives?"

Regulus shrugged, then let out a laugh, "I saw you coming with him tonight, your arm linked to his. How can you act as though everything was okay?"

"Because it is! It could be okay!" She argued. "But you two won't bloody make up," she muttered.

"He's a blood-traitor, and...and he left! He left like a coward, Daph," Regulus shouted.

Daphne didn't think he had ever shouted at her before.

"Reg, she's my cousin as much as she is yours," Sirius argued with a frown.

His little brother spun on himself, meeting his eyes, "You don't deserve her kindness nor to call her Daffy. You lost the right to do so when you left Grimmauld Place, Sirius," he muttered, his bottom lip quivering. "You know nothing and you shouldn't even try!"

"Regulus," Daphne whispered, reaching for his arm but he nudged her hand away as he took a step closer to his brother.

"Aren't you ashamed of what you've done? You let me rot in there!" Regulus was shouting now. Shouting so loud that Daphne wondered how no one had walked outside, yet. "I...I do my best for them and you have the bloody audacity to show up, and waltz Daphne away? She stayed, you didn't."

For a moment Daphne thought Regulus had managed to silence Sirius, but sighed as soon as she saw him straightening his posture. Today was the first day she realised they were almost the same height, and looked so alike but so different in many ways.

"What happened to you, Reggie?"

"Regulus," he corrected. "Regulus, for you."

Daphne cleared her throat, "Can we just...can we not fight anymore? I don't like seeing you two fight," she pressed softly, laying her hand on Regulus' shoulder.

"You...you came with him knowing how bad it would be," Regulus whispered, unable to meet her eyes. "You knew what it would cause...Daphne, you are family and I'd go to the deep end for you. But, perhaps I was wrong and you are just like him."

With that, he walked past her and walked down the stairs. Daphne didn't move or utter a word until she couldn't hear his footsteps, as soon as they were too far to be heard, she let out a choked noise and immediately slapped her hand on her mouth. How ridiculous could it get? Sobbing in the middle of the corridor with her cousin she hadn't talked to in years? Yeah, pretty ridiculous.

"I should go," he whispered. "Are you going to be okay on your own?"

Seeing that she wasn't answering, he simply left her alone. With a shaky sigh, she allowed the tears to stream down her face as she played nervously with the necklace around her neck. Maybe she was overreacting, but something had struck her when Regulus said those words. Perhaps I was wrong and you are just like him. Was she, though? Daphne didn't think she was like Sirius, if anything, she was the total opposite. First, she would have never given up on Evan. No matter how bad it got. But, then she realised they didn't have the same parents and Daphne knew how strict Walburga was. Mad, that she was. Parts of her understood Sirius, but Regulus pained her...truly. His own brother had walked out and never turned back.

Maybe that was why she felt the need to get closer to Regulus, maybe she wanted to fill up the void Sirius had left and so far, she didn't feel like she was doing a bad job. Daphne realised, a long time ago, that she would never be Sirius to Regulus but she could be Daphne. His cousin. And, Salazar knew how much she loved Regulus. He was like a second little brother, she would do anything for the both of them. Die, if she must.

"Daphne, love," a hand on her knee and a soft voice was enough to make her look up at the person in front of her. James was kneeled in front of her, his hand caressing her knee in a soft manner. Gentle, almost. As though he was afraid she could break at any moment. "Are you okay?"

"Their fight got bad," she confessed, sniffling. "I just...I don't like it when they're tearing each other apart, James."

"I know, love," he reassured. "They tore you apart in the process, didn't they?"

"Regulus did," she said with a sad laugh. "Told me I was just like Sirius...Not that he is bad. But, he meant it in a bad...awful way."

James grimaced. He didn't know what to do, and what would be okay to do since they were in the middle of the corridor. In the meantime, he held her hand as she rose on her feet and released a shaky breath. All he wanted to do was her hug her. It hurt him to see her eyes so red and puffy.

"Can I—" before he could continue his sentence, Daphne had wrapped both of her arms around his frame and sobbed quietly in his shirt. Good, he didn't mind. The shirt was bloody ridiculous anyways. "You're going to be okay," he cooed, wrapping his arms around her and resting his head on the top of hers.

They stayed like this for a long time, enough for her tears to dry and her eyes to start hurting. His hand was still soothing her as she chuckled softly in his chest. This is it, she told herself. This feels like home. James is home, she thought because it was true. James was home. Without noticing, they reached the room of requirements as he pushed the door. She hadn't even realise they had started walking.

"Feel better?"

Daphne hummed softly, "Yes, thank you. You didn't have to," she told him.

"That would make me the bad boyfriend, Daph. I simply refuse," he chuckled, leaning down to kiss her cheek as he sat down on the couch. "How about you show me that amazing gift, yeah?"

"Oh, right! It's your birthday," she whispered to herself, sitting down next to him. James watched as she dipped her hand in the small handbag and pulled out two notebooks. "There you go," she told him, handing him one.

He frowned, "This...it's a handbook, Daph. I could have bought this in Hogsmade, you know," he replied.

"Ridiculous," she muttered under her breath with a laugh, and James found himself smiling at the sight of it. He liked seeing her happy. "There, write in it," she asked, handing him a pen.

Hello.

James watched as the ink disappeared, and noticed Daphne grabbing her own notebook and write it in.

Hello, James.

He chuckled as she tried her best to draw a heart next to his name but failed terribly, "This is...this is wicked, Daph. I love it," he told her, smiling widely.

"Do you, really?"

"Yes," he breathed out, cupping her face and leaning down to kiss her lips.

The kiss wasn't needy or rushed, it was soft. Daphne would kiss him forever if she could, get drunk on his lips. She rapidly straddled his hips as his hands moved under her shirt, while hers ran through his hair and pulled at them so often. The only times James pulled away, it was for letting out a moan that Daphne soon covered up by kissing him lazily.

"Shagging, eh?" James breathed out, trailing kisses along her jawline as she moved her head a little to give him a better access.

Daphne let out a breathy chuckle, eyes shut as she fought the urge to whimper, "Why not? Birthday shag, isn't that right?"

"Mmh, sounds about right," he murmured, kissing right underneath her ear. "Just, we don't have a bed."

"Sofa is good. The sofa is okay," she pressed, moving back to take off her shirt and James looked at her with a proud smile. His finger traced lazily her ribs as she smiled. "I love you."

He sat up as she started working on his buttons, "I love you."

There was always a calmness after, they would lay in bed and just talk and laugh. His finger ran up and down her spine as she rested her head on his chest, drawing small circles. Spending time with James was enough to make her forget about everything else. It was only them.

"Happy birthday, love," she whispered, kissing his cheek.

Just them.

—————
authors note, i'm sorry for the lack of updates but i had to rewrite the whole chapter HELPP

but, let's appreciate how cute they were in this chapter THANK YOUUU

also thank you so so much for 7k+ reads, it means the world to meeeee! i love you all x