CHAPTER THIRTY
Never Ending Spiral
December 18th, 1978

Daphne admired Fabian from the kitchen table as he wrapped some gifts. They hadn't really talked about Regulus' visit after she made it back home. She somehow felt guilty for talking with James instead of Fabian. If Fabian ever knew she had spent half of the afternoon with James Potter, he would say 'alright, I understand. It's fine.', except that it wasn't fine and Daphne couldn't bring herself to tell him. Fabian Prewett was special and precious, a rare gem that people usually struggled to find and he somehow chose her. She could never hurt him and if she ever did, she would hate herself for it.

"Daph, have you thought about spending Christmas at my sister's?" He asked.

Fabian wasn't exactly cold toward her, but he didn't feel like the sun he used to be, these days.

"I'd love to."

"Really?" His eyes lit up as he looked up at her.

Daphne smiled, "Yes, of course."

"Great. I'll owl Molly, then!" He exclaimed, kissing her lips softly before walking toward the office.

During her free time, she continued the research for the horcruxes, trying to possibly think what he could have used. But, it was rather complicated. Tom Riddle was smart, smarter than what the Order thought. As she thought through the plan, an owl made her jump slightly as she knocked on the window. That was a whole new owl that she had never seen. With a frown, she opened the window and let the owl fly on her arm.

Untying the little piece of paper on her leg and started reading it. Her heart started beating faster as she read it all. Tom Riddle had written to her, after months of being basically nonexistent. Why now? Did he know about Regulus seeking help? How could he?

"Love, you're going to lo--What happened?"

"He--I just got a letter. I have to get ready," she mumbled, throwing the letter on the other side of the kitchen table. Anxiously, she rushed to the bedroom, trying to find some clothes that would fit the meeting. "Fabian, have you seen my black skirt? The one that I wore not too long ago?"

"No, I haven't," he shouted from the kitchen as he grabbed the letter and started reading. "Daph, you're not going, are you?" He muttered, joining her in the bedroom while she searched frantically for the skirt.

She looked up at him, frowning, "Of course I am going," she replied. "I cannot just go."

"Love, hey, look at me," he pleaded, taking a step closer as she released a sigh, hiding her face in her hands. "Daph, it is going to be alright. He doesn't know about Regulus coming and you're the best at Occlumency, he won't be able to read through you."

"I don't know," she mumbled, letting out a small sob. "I--Don't you think it is weird that he sent me a letter now? He hasn't been writing to me in weeks. I--"

"Calm down, please."

"Alright," she breathed out as she finally found her skirt and threw it on. "It's going to be alright, isn't it?"

He gave her a reassuring smile, "It is."

Giving him a tight smile, she headed towards the bathroom and splashed some water on her face hoping to look at least presentable for this meeting. There was no precision on the letter, just an hour and a place, which Daphne was familiar with. Anxiously, she grabbed her purse and took one last look in the mirror before walking out of the room, just to land on Fabian.

As expected, he was waiting for her with a worried face, "You don't have to go, darling," he reminded softly.

"I do," she answered with a sigh. "Hopefully, I will be back before night."

He hummed as he watched her go, "Wait," he exclaimed, taking her hand. "I love you."

She smiled gently, "I love you," she replied, pecking his lips.

Heading towards Knockturn Alley, she constantly felt the need to check if someone was following her. Was she going crazy? But, she couldn't help but wonder why he was asking to see her now, merely days after Regulus came to her. The stress made her stomach turn and she felt so nauseous just knowing she'd have to face him soon. But Fabian was right, she was amazing at Occlumency and could easily lie.

Reaching the Malfoy manor by the chimney, she took a deep breath taking in the familiar place. It had gotten slightly darker or perhaps she was just used to having colours around her now. As she walked through the manor, the voices were getting louder and louder. By now, she could hear his voice and other familiar ones.

"Ah, Daphne is here," he notified as the doors flew open, revealing few people she already knew and Tom. "Come in."

"My lord," she spoke up, bowing slightly. Looking around, she noticed Barty, Regulus, her father and some men she couldn't quite name. Regulus glanced at her, bowing his head as well. Daphne could tell he was as anxious as she was.

"Take a seat," he showed the seat next to him and she nodded, pulling the chair out rapidly. "Bacchus, my friend, you could have pulled out the chair for your own daughter."

"I'm sorry, My Lord."

"How are you?" He asked Daphne, completely ignoring her father. "Good, I presume. Though, you look quite tired."

"I am."

That was the only answer she gave him before focusing back on her father, who was definitely ignoring her. Barty seemed gone as if he wasn't truly present, it was quite scary to see him this way, especially when she recalled how he was before.

"I have asked you to come today to merely talk," he started, eyeing each one of them and Daphne found herself missing the warmth of when she attended the Order meeting. "It has come to my attention that Dumbledore's little army has a plan to defeat me. Many people couldn't attend due to people watching them. They couldn't risk it. Thankfully, you were able to come."

"Of course," Bacchus answered.

"Severus Snape has agreed to spy for I," he then said. Daphne felt her eyes widen in shock. "He will reach out to this old Dumbledore and will seek help, which Albus will give. He has always been a foolish man."

Daphne wouldn't call him a foolish man because one thing Albus Dumbledore wasn't, was foolish. He was not foolish and definitely didn't have a giving personality. It was clear that he wasn't the type of person to give and not ask anything in return.

"So, Severus will spy from the inside?" Daphne queried.

Tom nodded, taking a breath, "That is indeed right. Now, Daphne, I have something to ask you. Will you do it for me?"

"Of course."

"I'd like for you to try reaching out to Aberforth Dumbledore, ask him to join us. I am sure he'll think of it considering he hates his brother."

Daphne gulped, "What if he refuses?"

"Well, I have already told you," he replied. "Kill him."

She hummed quietly as she sat in the meeting room and waited patiently for it to end. From what she had caught during the few moments she was actually listening, Regulus was thanked for lending his house-elf which didn't miss to make Regulus clench his jaw. Also, Barty had been sent on a mission--to be fair, he had it quite easy and Daphne suspected it was because he was Barty's son. For a mere moment, Evan was mentioned and she preferred not listening because the thought of him being a death eater still angered her.

As soon as the meeting was over, she headed out and hurried herself. Truth was Daphne couldn't bear to talk to her father right now, and she knew he'd try to have a conversation with her before she could leave. Before she could reach the chimney, a grave voice echoed through her cousin's manor.

"Daphne!"

"Don't!" She warned without turning around.

"Listen to me, Daphne," he said sternly. "Your mother and I have had enough of this attitude ever since...," he got closer to her so he could whisper "...ever since you joined the death eaters, you have been complicated..."

Daphne snorted, "Me? Complicated?"

"Yes, darling. You haven't been quite easy ever since you left Hogwarts and started living on your own. I barely saw you and never got any letters."

Daphne was angry and she could feel the tears pricking, "You've never tried to reach out to me, Dad. I—I have never been complicated. I did what you asked of me, never angered you and the only thing I wanted in return was Evan's safety. But, you failed to keep up your promise as you always did."

"I have given you everything," he shouted-whispered. "I have provided you with a roof, food and an education. I have given you the opportunity to be here, to be considered as one of his best assets."

Daphne scoffed bitterly, shaking her head, "I—I've never asked for all of this." Was the last thing she said before walking through the chimney.

His face. It was the last thing she saw before going away. His face and how he looked disappointed, angry and mostly betrayed. Daphne never thought that her Dad didn't love her and Evan but he always had other priorities such as wor. Her mother, on the other hand, never stopped showering them for love and sometimes Daphne could feel that she knew they were missing their father's love and attention.

The walk back home was quiet, mainly because Daphne was lost in her thoughts and she couldn't help but think. She truly hated those moments, the ones where she tended to overthink everything. All of it.

"Funny to see you there," a voice echoed from behind her before she could reach the door of her building. "How are you, cousin?" Daphne turned around to see Sirius behind her. "Shite, you look..."

"Exhausted? Angry? Annoyed? The list could go on and on, Sirius."

"Right. Would you like a drink? Just the two of us?" He proposed and she pondered the offer for a second. "Come on! I'm sure Prewett can wait a few more hours alone, can't he?"

Daphne chuckled softly, "He can."

"Alright!"

They headed to the Leaky Cauldron and opted for a table far away from the noise so they could talk and hide, if needed. It had been a long time since Daphne was alone with Sirius but ever since the conversation they had, it felt right.

"What is going on, then?" He asked.

Daphne shrugged, "Oh, just—my Dad."

Sirius hummed, "Uncle Bacchus was never—pleasant, was he?"

"No, no, he was...he is pleasant when he wants to," she replied, sipping on her firewhisky. "But, see, since he gave up Evan to the Death Eaters—it hasn't been easy between them and me. To be honest, I don't even know if my mum is fine or if Evan is alright. No one has contacted me."

"That must be...complicated considering you're a family type of person," he told her as she shrugged, contemplating her drink. "I am sure Evan is fine. He is smart."

"Right. You know, I just got out of a meeting."

"Did you?"

She hummed, nodding her head before continuing, "I have a mission," she snorted sarcastically. "I have to recruit Dumbledore's brother."

Sirius frowned, "This old man has a brother?"

"Believe it or not, he does. I've met him. He—he looks like him," she said. "Just the beard is maybe not that grey yet."

"What's his name?"

"Aberforth."

"Twisted name," he laughed softly, lighting a cigarette. "Want one?" She nodded her head as he handed her one before talking again. "Why does he think he can recruit his brother?"

Daphne sighed, "Well, if you didn't know, our great Headmaster was partly responsible for his little sister's death. I don't know if you've ever heard of Grindelwald—he's similar to You-Know-Who. Dumbledore and him used to be best friends."

"Holy shite!"

"Right!" She chuckled loudly. "Anyways, Aberforth got suspicious of whatever his brother was doing with Grindelwald and they got into a duel. Their little sister died in the process—so, Aberforth holds Albus accountable for it."

"That is—mental," he finished. "Reckon Aberforth could accept the offer?"

Daphne shook her head, "Even if he's not fond of his brother, he wouldn't do anything that could cause him harm. Besides, he knows what I do."

"Oh, so you've really met him?" Sirius queried, surprisingly interested in their discussion which Daphne liked more than she thought she would.

"I did. He's grumpy. He's kind of like Filch."

Sirius laughed loudly at the mention of their old caretaker, "Oh Merlin, that old Filch—wonder if he's alright with what's going on. He must be terrified."

"I don't think he even leaves the school," she replied.

It was silent for a moment, they both drank their drinks in absolute silence. It seemed like they both needed peace for a mere moment. Sirius could see that his cousin was clearly struggling and he wondered if she was able to do what she had sworn to accomplish weeks before. He somehow admired her--don't get him wrong, he was really sceptical at first when he saw her at the Order meeting, he thought she could possibly betray them again but it turned out, she had the best intentions at heart--even for him. Him who had tried to kill her in the hospital, him who had caused Regulus to be mad at her for a few months, him who had run away.

"I'm sorry," he blurted out. "I'm sorry for being awful with you--I know you want to do good and I'm sorry."

Daphne frowned softly, "Sirius, it's alright."

"No, it's not. I don't know why I ever thought you could actually be part of the villains--I think I put you in the same box as my parents and--it was wrong."

She was lost for words so she simply looked at him, her mouth wide because Sirius Black, one the biggest arses in the world, had just apologised to her.

"I--Thank you."

He cleared his throat, nodding quietly. He waited for her to sip her drink to talk again, "I know you saw James again--he can't keep his mouth shut," he laughed. "James--he, he's a good bloke and my best mate."

"I know. He's having a hard time, isn't he?"

"He struggles, that is what is happening for now. He cares for everyone, he cares too bloody much. During these scary times, it might be one of his biggest weaknesses--I've told him hundreds of times, but he still cares because he's James Potter," he explained. "I reckon he still somehow loves you."

Daphne grimaced, "I know..."

"Whatever happens, don't hurt him again."

Before she could answer, he stood up and threw on his leather jacket before grabbing some galleons, and putting them on the table. He offered her a last smile and she took this as a goodbye and watched him head out of the place. For a few minutes, she stayed on her own, watching the people around her. It felt good to be able to not care for a moment, even if it was only hours. By the time she made it home, Fabian was asleep on the sofa while the Muggle TV spoke in the background.

Daphne ended up falling asleep on the sofa, next to Fabian. After the drinks with Sirius, everything felt so much more joyful and light--Daphne loved it. But, she had this feeling that this was a never ending spiral. Rather than overthinking, she laid back and relaxed because she knew that despite the feeling of entering a never ending spiral, only time could tell.

——————
authors note, ahhh i really love sirius and daphne! like they're just it 💞🥳

also, to any new readers who say that they want james back and this is a james fic, yes it is a james fic—however, i've already mentioned in the past chapters that daphne will be at the center of the story, not james... and since they fell apart, he's not as present as he used to! AND i love fabian and her 😤😤

anyways, thank you for 70K reads, this is just insane so thank you babes. love you very very much!!!!