act one: the girl in the bubble
chapter three

Lucerys Black was a man disowned from his own home for his choice of love. Despite for years listening to what his mother and father had expected of him until his eldest brother showed him a different way. A way that he had passed onto his nephew and his daughter. A strong persona with a kind heart.

Daphne Black was a girl known to be shy but with one of the biggest hearts despite some of her sass and emotional flip whenever something regarding her family was brought up to her. She couldn't help it. Over the years the flip became easier and easier. She tried to work on it, in fear of who'd she would snap at. But nothing ever truly worked.

Lucerys looked expectantly at his daughter awaiting an answer. He was patient and calm with her, she'd never once actually heard her father raise his voice. Not at her, at least. He'd always talk calmly with her, just as her Uncle Remus would. Despite the two being odd with each other.

"It's nothing important, it's rather stupid, actually," Daphne muttered under her breath before adjusting herself in her seat as her eyes flowed over to the door of her room which stood wide open.

"If it's stupid then it wouldn't be bothering you," Lucerys commented as he followed her gaze before standing up and walking over the door, easily pushing it closed as he let the lock click in, "Now, it's time for us to talk."

"It truly is stupid," Daphne hummed as she looked at her father, "It's just about the new babe."

Lucerys seemed to be listening closely, waiting for her to say more, "Go on," wanting to hear it all before he was to comfort her.

"I just know how things are going to change," Daphne's head hung low as she broke her gaze away from her father, "For so long I've kind of lived with the fact of what would and wouldn't change easily. What would happen to me was one thing I dwelled on, and as I've said the House of Black and male heirs... I'll be irrelevant once the babe's born. Simply a pawn for marriage."

"I wouldn't let that happen," Lucerys gave her a sharp look, "You're my firstborn. My daughter. Rules can bend and we both know that I bend the rules of my house."

"You heard Mom," Daphne looked rather annoyed, "She won't let it happen."

"Well, thankfully, your mother is only a Black by marriage. And she isn't your father who has control of it all," Lucerys had a slight smirk on his lips as he shook his head, "Ignore her. Most of what she says is irrelevant."

"She'd have your head if she heard that," Daphne couldn't help but let a soft laugh escape her lips.

"Well, thankfully she didn't and she can't do anything about it," Lucerys grinned as he looked at the girl, "And you wouldn't snitch on me to her, of all people."

Daphne looked at her father as she laughed, "Exactly."

"Now, don't let it bother you. You go off to Hogwarts tomorrow and is it too much to ask to have a good time with my daughter?" Lucerys asked as he rose to his feet, "We could go down to Diagon Alley, would you like that? Atticus could go too, we'd rather not leave him with her."

"I'd rather take him anyway with the times," Daphne looked at her father as she rose to her feet, "Now if we are to go, I must get dressed."

"Why not go in what you are wearing right now?" Lucerys found himself asking before realizing that she had been in her pajamas, "Nevermind, I take that back."

"Mhm," Daphne couldn't help but let out a small laugh as she watched her father walk out, "I'll be ready quick, I promise."

"Yeah, yeah, I know not to listen to that," Lucerys laughed as he shut the door back behind him.

Daphne listened as her father walked away from her door. The creaking of the floorboards following down the hall before the sound faded from her ears. Once it had, the girl rummaged through her closet before tossing on one of her red jumpers and a pair of jeans. When it came to her shoes, she paused before grabbing a pair of converse and going with it.

Then the knocks started. Atticus was ready to leave and tapped every five minutes, exactly, on her door to get her attention. He had always done this. Which many times had caught her off guard and caused her to mess something up which resulted in her taking longer.

"Wait a minute!" Daphne couldn't help but yell as she brushed viciously through her hair trying to get done quickly.

"Hurry up!" Atticus lost all patience once someone brought up the idea of leaving the home.

"Atticus, I'm going to flip!" Daphne yelled louder before running over to the door as she pulled it open, "Merlin, do you not know how to pause?"

Atticus simply grinned as he looked at the girl, "It got you to hurry up, didn't it?"

"I hope you fall on your face," Daphne narrowed her eyes before she apologized, "That was mean. I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize for things like that, Daph. It's funny," Atticus shook his head before throwing his arm over his sister's shoulder, "Now let's get going. This place makes me claustrophobic."

"That's a big word for you," Daphne teased as she grinned.

"Now that was uncalled for," Atticus muttered as he acted hurt just to make the girl feel bad.

"Was it really?" Daphne couldn't help but tease before laughing to herself, "How are we getting to Diagon Alley?"

"Apparition," Atticus spoke as he led the girl to wherever Lucerys Black stood.

"Lovely," Daphne couldn't help but be slightly annoyed, she hated apparating.

Lucerys turned to look as both children drew near. Taking both of their hands as he made sure they held onto him.

"Remember, do not let go and stay close to me," Lucerys spoke firmly, "I don't need anything happening to either of you. Not with these times - not with who is out."

Who is out. Her father's words echoed in her brain despite her being sucked into the apparition. Her stomach began to get jumbled before she came to her senses in Diagon Alley. Ignoring the rising bile in the back of her throat which left an unpleasant taste on her tongue.

Daphne walked through the streets alongside her father and her cousin. Eyes wandering through the crowds of witches and wizards piling down the streets. Passing the old Leaky Cauldron and a few shops as her eyes locked onto the stone path that resided within the ground.

The stares followed them everywhere they went. There wasn't a singular individual that hadn't stopped once their eyes had settled on the family. They're staring, Daphne couldn't help but keep note of in her mind. Knowing that deep down everyone feared of who they truly were. Hell, she feared of who she truly was.

"Daph," Atticus tried to catch her attention, shift her mind to anything but that, "I wonder if we'll see Caius."

"Possibly, you do go off to school tomorrow after all," Lucerys pitched in as he looked slightly back at the two who had begun to trail behind.

Daphne couldn't help but grin as she rolled her eyes, "I do."

Daphne's eyes flowed over Diagon Alley, going over each crack and core crevice. Noticing key details of the Alley that she hadn't noticed before. Though, there wasn't much. Just the occasional aging of the bricks and wear of the wooden doors.

"I've already bought your school books, we just need your quidditch supplies and whatever you see fit to have," Lucerys spoke as he squeezed the hand of the young teenager.

"I don't desire much of anything," Daphne spoke simply, "I see no need to collect more things. I'm no different than anyone else."

Lucerys looked at Atticus who looked almost proud of his sister's words, "She's always had the heart of others in mind," Atticus responded before letting out a small laugh, "It is why she has become quickly known."

"I can see that," Lucerys mumbled as they continued on their journey.

Waltzing through a number of stores. Nothing ever truly catches the eye of Daphne Black, despite a few boys having Daphne catch their eyes. She ignored the gazes. Knowing deep down that they were only looking at her due to her name.

Daphne managed to move off from her father and brother. Taking a few strides outside of Flourish and Blotts before she felt odd about something. Looking around before noticing that something lurked in the darkness. She found herself becoming curious, following after it.

She turned a corner. Walking down one of the small alleys before she noticed a black dog. At first, she grew worried that it would attack her though she slowly realized that the dog meant no harm. Something about it seemed familiar though. The vision.

The black dog escaped the cell. Slipping through the bars of the cell and managing to get past the dementors. Letting the cell become vacant before the alarms went off. A prisoner escaped.

"Sirius." Daphne's eyes widened as she fell back while pushing herself away, "No no no," She seemed to panic, as did the dog.

She realized quickly that she should have stayed by her father's side. She was quick to get herself out of the alley and back into the daylight of the wizards. The sad yet panicked look of the dog stuck in her head. She dismissed the belief that it could be Sirius, this was all a mind trick. Yes, that's exactly what this is.

Daphne managed to get through to everyone again before she knocked into a familiar face. A mop of red hair resided in her face. His hands placed on her arms keeping her standing.

"Woah there, Daphne," Ron couldn't help but laugh as he caught hold of his friend, "What the bloody hell are you all so crazy about?"

Daphne shook her head as she regained her posture while looking at the boy, "Nothing...I just... It's just me," She lied, trying not to laugh, noting the dirt on his nose.

Ron seemed slightly offended as he looked at the girl, "What are you on about?" He seemed confused as he looked at the girl, "Go on!"

"Ron!" Hermione called out from a short distance.

"You've got dirt on your nose, thought she'd finally teach you better," Daphne whispered as she finally let out a laugh.

"Daphne!" Hermione dragged Harry along as she held a cat in her arms, Crookshanks if she remembered correctly, "It's so good to see you."

"It is," Daphne smiled as she nodded her head down, "Are you excited for our return to Hogwarts?"

"Of course! I've missed studying, besides, the classes of this year... all so exciting!" Hermione grabbed Daphne from Ron as she hugged her excitedly.

"How are you dealing with... everything?" Ron couldn't help but ask as he watched a few more eyes fall on the lady Black.

Daphne pursed her lips together as she looked back at Ron, her eyes not yet falling on Harry, "May we push this topic off? I don't want to talk of this yet."

The air between the two felt weird for a moment as he nodded. Giving off a laugh as he let out a 'yeah'. Daphne smiled as she turned to look at Harry, raising an eyebrow of her friend before laughing.

"Harry," Daphne looked at her friend as she couldn't help but laugh, "You ready for yet another wild year?" She asked.

"Don't say that," Harry couldn't help but laugh as he shook his head, "The last thing we need is a year like the previous two."

"Knowing our luck we will," Daphne snickered as she tilted her head to the side, "Did you enjoy your birthday gift?"

"I did, but didn't I tell you I didn't want anything?" Harry couldn't help but chide his friend as he shook his head, "It was one of the first things I took with me after leaving Privet drive."

"That was a fun story to learn about via Owl Post," Daphne found herself laughing, "Blowing up an old woman, what in the Willy Wonka was that."

"I didn't mean to do it," Harry was quick to defend himself, "Did you run away to get here or did Mr. Black bring you?"

"My father brought me," Daphne answered as she looked around, "I kinda lost him though. As well as Atticus. I'm not too good at following the rules to stay at someone's side at all times."

Harry adjusted his glasses on his eyes as he rolled his emerald eyes, "Yes. I'd know."

"Don't start with me there, Mr. Potter," Daphne pointed her finger at the teenage boy, "Everyone in this group knows that you are a fiend when it comes to rule following."

Despite the playfulness between the two. She couldn't help but let the vision place itself back in her mind. The pain. The anger. Something happened between the two of them. She was worried that it would happen, that it would come true. What was happening to her?

"Hey!" Harry acted offended as he shook his head, "I am not!"

"Daphne," the girl looked at Ron who pointed towards a worried Caius, "Is the bloke looking for you?"

Caius stood slowly moving through a crowd of wizards. His long platinum hair resides down his back with a few pieces tied behind. Wearing a black shirt and black slacks per usual as the men in his house did.

"Don't be mean," Daphne gave Ron a look that matched a scolding mother, "Knowing him, probably. Caius!" Daphne raised her tone through Diagon Alley as she waved her hand, "Lovely to see you. Let me guess, looking for me for Dad?"

"You have Lucerys worried," Caius gave Daphne a look, "Atticus told him you were probably fine but he's also a bit worried."

"And so you, being the righteous gentleman, came to help me? How sweet," Daphne couldn't help but tease her poor cousin, ignoring the looks of annoyance the rest of her friends held at the Malfoy boy.

"Come on, we best be on our way," Caius offered her his arm, so that he wouldn't lose her, "Good day to you all," He kept his gaze away from anyone that happened to look at him.

"You as well," Hermione, who had never directly had any problems with Caius and only his brother, remained pleasant towards him.

"I'll see you lot on the train," Daphne smiled and winked at the group before going on her way with Caius, "See? That wasn't so bad."

"You know the times, Daphne. You shouldn't be running off on your own," Caius remained standing tall as he faced forward.

"I didn't mean to," Daphne whispered as her eyes fell on the ground, "I felt crowded, everyone was staring."

"Everyone is always staring, I'm sure if you would've said something then someone would help you," Caius gave the girl a look.

"You know, you have a very serious type face and every scornful expression you make only adds to how everyone perceives you," Daphne muttered as she chewed on her inner lip.

"Appearances and perceiving are the one thing that help uphold the fear of the house of Malfoy," Caius couldn't help but sigh as he looked at the girl, "If Lucerys was as Walburga and Orion had once been, you'd know."

"But my dad isn't, he's a good man," Daphne was firm with her stance as the two walked up to the Quidditch store, "Things are different."

"They are," Caius kept the tall short and simple, "But one day they might not be and we all best be ready for when the day of reckoning comes."

Daphne rolled her eyes as she let out a small scoff, her eyes meeting with Atticus as she spoke, "You know I hate when you talk like that, Caius."

Daphne let her arm slowly drop from her cousins as she took a few strides to get ahead of him. Walking over to her brother which almost immediately caused Lucerys to notice that his daughter had finally returned back.

Daphne's mind had created a checklist of the day. Something inside of her was ticking. Waiting to be let out. Waiting to break free. Deep down she felt as if she knew something. Something that she couldn't figure out because her mind was trying to block it out.

The dog was stuck in her mind. She was trying to keep it in the distance, not wanting to dwell on what she had seen and what her mind's reaction had become. Not wanting to think about the weird vision she had seen of that dog escaping from the one cell in Azkaban that had been made vacant.

"Daphne," Lucerys gave his daughter a small look before he sighed to himself, "You had me worried."

"I'm sorry," She chewed on her lip as she looked at her father, "I got distracted and wandered off. I ran into my friends and I shouldn't have done that. That's my bad."

Lucerys placed a hand on his daughter's cheek before letting it move up to her head, softly ruffling her hair as he smiled softly, "It's okay, just please don't do that again. I need you to be careful, sweet girl."

"I will be," the corners of Daphne's lips turned up as she tried to ignore the thoughts clouding in the back of her mind, "Sending Caius after me? Dodgy move," She couldn't help but go back to joking as she looked at her cousin who rolled his eyes.

"He'd scare off anyone doing anything they shouldn't be," Atticus shrugged his shoulders as he tilted his head up in amusement, "I think he's the perfect one to send after you."

"I feel so outcasted! How come I'm the only Gryffindor of this group?" Daphne faked pain as she held her heart, "Oh the greens! Surrounded by the greens!"

"Merlin, Daph," Caius laughed as he managed to catch her upper body as she fell back, "You're dramatic!"

Well, didn't the house of Black once have its flare of dramatics? Funny how history resided on a forever loop, generation after generation.