act one: the girl in the bubble
chapter eighteen

Something was coming soon and it seemed apparent to all those around Daphne. Something in her had completely changed since the prior few weeks. She was more irritable. She was having more headaches. She was more distant.

It was like she was trying to be completely on her own and have no help from anyone. That is what raised many flags with other people around her. Daphne had never been the person who wanted to be alone. Even if she had no choice, someone was always with her.

But many things had spread around about the girl. Spread that she had been involved with Sirius Black, spread that she was marked for death, spread that she had betrayed all of her friends for some stupid dark lord. Daphne couldn't escape it.

Daphne now sat at a different table. Ron kept looking over at her on occasion seeing as she sat with a few of the other girls who looked at her weirdly. Daphne tried to ignore the storm of rumors that had flown around after everything that had happened between Harry and herself. After everyone knew that she had see Sirius Black.

Things were different from her. Hermione hadn't said a word to her - she only had Ron. Her brother constantly spewed the 'I told you so' while trying to make her feel better as if he hadn't shattered her heart time and time again with that statement.

"The art of crystal gazing is clearing of the inner eye!" Trelawney yelled as she stood happily, making sure that her point got across to the students so that they understood what was happening in their studies, "Only then can you see! Try again."

Ron had fallen asleep while staring at the crystal ball. Daphne couldn't help but find herself amused at his antics before she sighed hearing someone whisper about her again, causing her to move to a table by herself.

"Now, what do we have here?" Trelawney must've startled Ron as he jumped out of his skin and looked at the woman.

Hermione seemed excited and looked at the woman, "Do you mind me trying?"

The woman seemed happy as she tutted before looking back at the crystal ball, "Go ahead."

"The Grim, possibly," Hermione didn't even look at the ball as she spoke, instead staring at the Professor.

The woman looked back at the young girl, leaning close as she seemed saddened, "My dear, from the first moment you stepped foot into my class... I sensed that you did not possess the proper spirit... for the noble art of Divination. No, you see, there," Trelawney inspected the girl's hand, "Your heart may be young in years... but your heart is as shriveled... as an old maid's, your soul as dry as the pages of the books... to which you so desperately cleave."

Hermione was clearly angered with the woman once she finished speaking. Hermione ripped herself away from the Professor as she bent down and grabbed her bag before turning and hitting the crystal ball off of the table, sending it falling to the floor and rolling out. Hermione then stormed out after it while everyone sat in shock.

"Have I said something?" Trelawney asked, looking visibly confused.

And that confusion stuck as everyone except for Daphne exited the classroom. Trelawney paid no mind to the girl who had become focused on the crystal ball and the images that seemed to swirl around within the smoke. She was using it as a way to cleanse her mind, maybe she'd find something good.

Daphne heard a few footsteps coming back into the classroom and she noticed as Harry came back in, crystal ball in hand. She immediately looked away as he looked in her direction. Keeping herself focused on the crystal ball as she listened to the methodic creaking of his footsteps.

She saw out of her peripheral vision as he placed the crystal ball down on Trelawney's stand before he paused. Daphne turned her head in the slightest while trying to figure out why he had stopped but his focus remained on the crystal ball.

Trelawney seemingly appeared and grabbed ahold of his shoulder out of nowhere as he turned, "Professor Trelawney?" Harry asked, as his voice began to tremble.

"He will return tonight," Trelawney's voice was distorted, it was clear that this wasn't her.

"Sorry?" Harry questioned as he froze.

She took a shaky gasp in as she began to speak once again, "Tonight, he who betrayed his friends, whose hearts rot with murder shall break free... innocent blood shall be spilt... the child of the moon and the raven shall fall... and servant and master shall be reunited once more..." Trelawney looked and pointed at Daphne which caused the girl to completely freeze.

Harry seemed to look back at her as well, his eyes filled with genuine concern and fear before he tore his gaze and looked at the coughing professor. Daphne swallowed thickly before looking down at the table again.

"I'm sorry dear boy, did you say something?" Trelawney questioned as she looked at Harry.

"No..." Harry trailed off as he tried to get some sort of answer formed before he walked over and grabbed Daphne's wrist, "Nothing."

And he walked away with Daphne's wrist in hand despite her tugging and fighting against his grip. Clearly not happy with what was happening or why he suddenly wanted to change back up on the girl without giving her some sort of apology.

But one never came. Instead, he looked at her in a sort of way like a ghost. Forever frozen in time and having constant regrets and misfortunes in a past life. He almost looked like he expected her to say something first, but she didn't.

"We need you," Harry's voice was soft, void of any anger as he looked at her.

"Who is we?" Daphne asked as she had a little bit of attitude behind her voice.

Harry went quiet for a moment before looking at the ground, "I do... so does Ron and Hermione and after that... I don't want to leave without you."

Daphne went silent for a moment as she waited for the boy to say anything else, "Then don't. Unless you are still thinking about our previous conversation, if that's the case then leave me."

"Never."

So, now here Daphne stood.

Daphne stood alongside Ron and the others with her arms crossed across her chest as she popped her fingers. Trying to get ahold of her emotions which seemed to be all over the place with recent events. The school day had ended - and it was the day of Buckbeak's execution.

Daphne pondered the words of Trelawney from class. Trying to get a deeper understanding of what the obsession all seers seemed to have with the daughter of the raven and of the moon. It had made no sense to her and for some reason, it made no sense to her why everything pointed back at her.

"I can't believe that they're going to kill Buckbeak. It's just horrible," Hermione was walking in front as they began to walk down towards Hagrid's.

Ron seemed to notice something as he froze, nearly causing Daphne to trip, "It just got worse."

"What did I say? Father said..." Draco Malfoy was standing a few feet in front of them, standing against the stone walls while overlooking Hagrid's, "I can keep the Hippogriff's head. I'll donate it to the Gryffindor's room."

Daphne huffed before following down after Hermione who had practically ran down in anger, "This is going to be rich," One of the boys said from behind.

"Look who's here," Crab sneered as he looked at the lot of Gryffindor's.

"Aw come to see the show?" Draco questioned with a smirk as he turned to look at the group.

Hermione whipped her wand out of her jeans as she continued to stop down, "You! You foul, loathsome, evil little cockroach!" Hermione had Draco pinned against the stone as her wand dug into his throat.

"Hermione, no!" Ron was quick to exclaim as Daphne tried to push Hermione's wand down, "He's not worth it."

Draco was whimpering and near tears as Hermione held the wand there. His eyes screwed shut until he felt her lower her wand, his eyes slowly opening as his fear went away and turned into cockiness. He laughed as Hermione turned away before she turned back and swung, punching him dead in the face.

"Well," Daphne winced as she forced herself to look away.

"Malfoy, are you okay? Let's go, quick!"

The lot of slytherin's began to run off, clearly trying to get away from them as quickly as possible. Not wanting anything to do with whatever had just happened. Hermione watched as they left and the two boys gleamed with joy.

"That felt good," Hermione admitted as she faced everyone.

"Not good, brilliant," Ron looked over the moon at what he had just witnessed.

"Hitting someone is something that shouldn't be celebrated," Daphne muttered more or so to herself as she looked back down at Hagrid's before walking down.

They got down to Hagrid's hut quickly and Hagrid was more than happy to let them in. Ready to tell them about whatever happened to be on his mind and explain whatever he deemed best to explain in the given moment. It was what he loved doing.

"Look at him, loves the smell of the trees when the wind blows through them," Hagrid was staring longingly out the window at Buckbeak.

Harry moved to Hagrid's side as he looked out the window as well, "Why don't we just set him free?" He questioned.

"They'd know it was me and then Dumbledore would get in trouble. He's coming down, Dumbledore," Hagrid explained as he continued to stare out the window, "Says he wants to be with me when they...when it happens."

"I want to say too," Daphne frowned as she spoke, she couldn't even imagine how Hagrid felt at that moment.

"No," Hagrid was quick to shake his head as he turned around, "Great man, Dumbledore. A great man."

"We'll stay with you too, Hagrid," Hermione hopped up on her feet as she went off of Daphne's words.

"You'll do no such thing," Hagrid was quick to shut that down as he shook his head, clearly not approving of the situation, "Think I want you seeing something like that? No. You just drink your tea and be off. Oh. Before you do, Ron..." Hagrid moved and pulled something, someone, out of a tin can.

"Scabbers! You're alive!" Ron cheered as he looked at his rat in glee.

"Keep a closer eye on your pet, Ron," Hagrid advised him as he handed the rat down to the red-haired boy.

Hermione moved from her spot near the table as she spoke, "I think that means you owe someone an apology."

"Before she gets one I deserve one," Daphne looked over at Harry as she made a face.

"Right. Next time I see Crookshanks, I'll let him know," Ron looked at Hermione as he shrugged his shoulders.

"I mean me," Hermione snapped, seeming clearly angered.

A pot then shattered which caused Daphne to jump as Hagrid went, "Blimey! What was that?"

Hermione sifted through the sand that had fallen out of the broken pot before picking up a stone, "Ow!" Harry exclaimed as he held the back of his head, turning back to look out the window, "Hagrid."

Hagrid made his way to the window at Harry's words, looking out before sighing, "Oh, crikey. It's late. It's nearly dark, you shouldn't be here. Daph, especially you," Hagrid then walked over to the other door and looked worried, "If anyone sees you outside of the castle, you'll be in trouble. Big trouble! Particularly you, Daphne and Harry," There was a knock at the door, "With you in a moment!"

Hagrid began to cover things as the friends looked at each other while trying to figure out what they were going to do. Having nowhere to run or go except out the door which Hagrid seemed to want them to leave through.

"Quick, quick!" Hagrid hurried them out as he waved his hands.

Everyone ran out, Harry stuck behind for a minute before he followed after the rest. They all peaked out the door making sure they wouldn't be seen as they ran out into the patch, trying their best not to get caught. They hid behind a large lot of pumpkins as they watched through Hagrid's window the conversation that was happening.

There was a crack behind them and Hermione turned around while Harry was quick to ask, "What?"

"Thought I just saw...nevermind," Hermione muttered before turning back around.

"Let's go!" Ron exclaimed before the group of four began to run back up the grass.

Daphne followed after them before stopping momentarily. Having a large feeling of dread deep within her. She looked down at Buckbeak who made a small squeak and looked at her expectantly which caused her to nearly run back down as tears filled her eyes.

"Come on," Harry had grabbed her hand as Buckbeak sadly bowed his head at her as she did the same before letting Harry take her to the others.

They reached the top and all stopped to look down. Daphne didn't fight against Harry, being too upset in the moment to care about what was happening as a few tears fell down her eyes as she watched the sight in front of her. Watching as the gleaming blade was lifted as tears fell from her eyes.

She let out a sob and Harry slowly wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close as he watched what was happening in front of her. Ron had a hold of Hermione but also pulled the other two in. Daphne and Hermione were both crying over what had just happened, both clearly distraught.

After a moment, Ron let out a gasp and a squeal was heard. Daphne was quick to rip herself out of the depressing group hug as Scabbers began to run around causing Ron to panic.

"He bit me! Scabbers!" His voice was strident which made Daphne wince.

"Ron! Ron!" Hermione yelled while Daphne ran after the redhead.

"Ron! Damn rat!" Daphne cursed at the air as she followed him down the narrow path.

"Scabbers come back!" Ron called after his pet.

"Wait!" Daphne heard Harry yell but it was too late, the two were right at the Whomping Willow.

"Ron," Daphne got down on her knees as Ron completely dropped down as he got his rat.

"Scabbers, you bit me," Ron seemed distraught with the rat in his hands and Daphne winced in pain as she felt her head begin to hurt.

"Daph, Ron, run!" Harry's panicked voice caught their ears causing the two to look back.

Daphne's eyes widened and Ron looked in horror as he caught sight of the black dog, "Harry! Hermione! Run!" He yelled, "It's the Grim!" Ron cried as he grabbed ahold of Daphne as if he was trying to protect her.

"Oh my," Daphne was trying her best to get a grip on the situation.

The dog began to growl and bark before jumping over Hermione and Ron and running over at full speed to the two. Daphne's grip on Ron became tighter as she tried to grab her wand but her movement was limited. The dog bit down on Ron and Daphne tried getting it away, though it felt wrong knowing who it was.

"Harry!"

"Ron, Ron wait!" Harry yelled as he and Hermione trugged forward.

Ron began to try and claw at the ground as Daphne did as well as the dog effortlessly dragged the two backwards. Not even having a hold on Daphne, but Ron had one hell of a grip.

"Harry! Help!" Ron was sobbing in fear as he tried to call out.

"HELP!" Daphne yelled as she tried to get out of Ron's grip who only held her tighter, "Help!"

"Ron! Daphne!" Hermione yelled as the two descended down a dark hole.

Ron and Daphne had been dragged through the tunnel into the Shrieking Shack. Sirius let go of Ron and moved back as he showed himself to the boy while Daphne helped Ron into the seat as she coughed wildly, tears falling down her face as her body felt like fire.

"Daphne..." Ron was freaking out as he pointed behind her, "It's him!"

Daphne shook her head rapidly as if trying to get him to shut up, "no... no..."

It wasn't long before Harry and Hermione had managed to get inside as well, the two looking worried as they ran over to the two.

"It's a trap, he's the dog! He's an animagus," Ron was freaking out as he pointed behind him.

Everyone's eyes followed the paw prints to footsteps behind the door. Revealing Sirius Black to the group of teenagers as they stared. Daphne felt as Harry pushed in front of her as she tried to fight off whatever was coming through her.

"If you want to kill Harry or Daphne, you'll have to kill me too," Hermione moved in front of everyone as she tried to protect them.

"No. Only one will die tonight," Sirius spoke maliciously to the group as he slowly walked over.

Harry moved Hermione from her spot as he yelled, "Then it'll be you!" He threw Sirius to the ground as he held him by his neck, causing a struggle.

"Are you going to kill me Harry?" Sirius laughed as he watched the boy on top raise his wand.

"Stop!" Daphne cried as she ran forward before she heard the squeak of the door.

"Expelliarmus!" Remus had disarmed the boy in front of him.

Daphne looked alarmed as she looked at her uncle, "Uncle Remus..."

Daphne stayed in her spot in the floor, ignoring the motion Remus made which caused Harry to run back, the boy trying to tug her with him. Remus kept his wand up and waited for Harry to get Daphne away before he finally said anything else.

"Well, well, Sirius. Looking rather ragged, aren't we? Finally the flesh reflects the madness from within?" He stalked closer as he continued to point his wand at the other man.

Daphne whimpered in Harry's grip, shoving him off of her as she watched, "We'll, you'd know all about the madness within, wouldn't you, Remus?" Sirius questioned as his hands twitched.

"Uncle Moony," Daphne whispered while shaking her head, trying to ignore the whispers that fed into her ears.

Remus offered a hand down to the man on the floor. The two stared at each other for a moment before Sirius took his hand, being pulled up by the taller man before the two shared an embrace. Daphne took in a deep breath as she placed her hands over her face.

"I found him," Sirius' voice was high pitch as he spoke to Remus.

"I know," Remus looked down at the man as he let him go, "I understand."

Daphne flinched as she began to get flashes of a raggedy man, a man who looked like a rat. Twiddling his fingers as he... he turned into a rat.

"Let's kill him," Sirius almost begged.

"No!" Daphne's eyes widened as Hermione stalked forward, "You! I trusted you... and all this time... you've been his friend!" Hermione yelled as she looked at Remus before looking back at the others, "He's a werewolf that's why he's been skipping classes, right, Daphne?"

Daphne was quick to anger as soon as that left her lips, "Watch your mouth," Daphne had a glare as she felt her fists ball up.

"Daphne," Remus gave his daughter a warning seeing how close she was to taking out Hermione, "How long have you known?" The question was directed towards Hermione.

"Since Professor Snape sent the essay," Hermione looked fearful as she backed away from her friend, looking at the girl's Uncle.

"Well, well, Hermione, you really are the brightest witch of your age I've ever met," Remus shook his head as he looked at the girl.

Sirius began to grow impatient though, "Enough talk Remus! Come on, let's kill him!" Sirius yelled.

"Wait!" Remus raised his voice as he looked back at the man.

"I did my waiting! Twelve years of it! In Azkaban!"

Well, isn't this a family reunion...