act two: little dark age
chapter twenty-nine

There was now a plague of fear within Daphne and Harry. Well, two plagues of fear within Daphne. She laid awake in bed, staring at her ceiling just thinking about it all. The monster within the walls. She knew she'd never truly be safe if anyone knew about her, and sadly they did, but she was fourteen. She wasn't expecting any of this to come so soon.

She wondered who was doing all of this. Who was handling the strings of the marionette that happened to be the lives of the teenagers that happened to be in grave danger. She hated that someone had outsmarted all of them, but she understood that they were young and naive so it wasn't the hardest thing to do.

Daphne just felt plain stupid, though. Over the summer she felt something warning her, but not as bad as it had now. She had tried for so long to push it away and act as if nothing was there. That there was nothing to worry about and nothing was coming for her or for Harry, but now it had managed to get inside the walls.

The world felt like some cruel bitch to her at the moment. She felt as if she was losing everything and that she had everything on the line. She wasn't prepared to go into anything like this and she wasn't even the one in a suicidal tournament. She felt as if they just had huge target signs on their back that attracted everyone to them.

Then there was the girl's second problem, feelings. Daphne noticed how everything had changed. She noticed how even his name makes her perk up. How she thought about him all the time and she hated when other girls were near him. She hated how she craved to be around him and she hated how she walked to hug him or even hold his hand.

Feelings were the one thing that Daphne refused to have. Simply because those feelings were stuck with her best friend who seemed to have no clue. Only fueling the fire with every smile, with every time he helped her up and down, with every time he was there for her. Daphne wasn't good enough for the chosen one, she simply wasn't good.

Daphne did more harm than good in her own mind. She felt like a worthless friend despite putting up the facade that she was one of the best, that she joked and was constantly happy. She was fourteen and felt like a failure to her friends and her family. Maybe if she had done better, maybe then her mother would've loved her.

Or maybe if she had done better, her Uncle wouldn't blame himself for her getting hurt when it was her fault. Maybe if she had just done one thing right, no one would be hurt or upset and maybe they'd all be safe. Maybe someone would've figured something out based off her vision and all of this would've been prevented.

Maybe it was the little bit of firewhiskey she had, or maybe it was simply her mind telling her everything she had done wrong, but she couldn't help but feel guilty. She felt as if she was no better than Lord Voldemort himself at that moment. When she said she wanted to feel like something, she did not have in mind to feel like a criminal.

She tossed and turned in her bed. Trying her best to shut her own mind down as it tried to shut her down. She hated how when she was trying to go to sleep her mind was keeping her awake as the gears would turn and run faster than ever. It seemed as though something in the dark was a trigger for her mind to just start working.

She forced her eyes to remain closed as her body sunk down into the bed. Her hands clutching the covers up to her chest as she hoped for the best. Though, it seemed as if she was never going to fall asleep. That everything she had ever done wrong was plaguing her mind. As if it was all coming back to haunt her at that moment.

The girl finally had enough and opened her eyes, slowly making herself rise from her bed. Sliding on a pair of slippers as she let her nightgown fall from where it had been bunched up due to her laying down. She peered through the darkness as she began to walk out of the girls dormitories while making her way into the common room.

She wasn't supposed to be awake and she knew that. It was unreasonably late, and here she sat, in the common room in her slip with bunny slippers on her feet. The fire was still going as it illuminated part of the room, helping her get her way around as she looked over at the paper and quill that sat on one of the desks before deciding to write to her Uncle Remus.

She walked over to the chair before sitting down. Dipping the quill in ink before looking down at the paper as she tried to think of what to write about. There were many things. She could run through her entire life story and how she felt - but that would cause great concern within her Uncle. Or, she could simply talk to him about what had recently been happening.

Daphne knew that Lucerys was trying to keep Remus updated with the strange occurrences that they had been having recently. After all, Remus was as worried for her as her father was. Daphne wondered if Remus knew anything about Atticus or if the boy had even written to him. Daphne knew Remus was disappointed in Atticus, though.

But it wasn't her fault, she told herself that often because she did want to blame herself. Atticus had kissed up to her mother's arse. A woman who was abusive in more ways than one for no reason at all. Though, she had always loved Atticus. He was the son she never had. He was what she wanted, not Daphne. Daphne was just the weapon that fell into her hands.

Dear Uncle Moony,

I know it is late, well, for me. It probably won't be when you get this letter. I'm sitting in the common room at around three a.m. Don't worry about me though, I've just had a lot of my mind recently with everything that has been happening. My consciousness wants to get the best of me recently, nothing new. Just my anxiety deciding to kick back in.

I had a bad feeling about this year. I had a feeling all summer that something was coming and that something was going to happen and over time my feelings, turned into suspicion, have been proven correct. The Death Eaters targeted me at the cup. I have an insider who has told me this. The curse, the attack, the state I was in... it was all planned.

There's a beast in the walls. He's here to take Harry and I away. Voldemort needs us for some sort of plan. Harry had a dream about it. The problem is, this man has outsmarted us all. He knows how to hide and how not to make himself known. I have a small suspicion on who it might be though, but I'll have to see when something else goes wrong.

As for questions, well, questions that I have for you... have you heard from Atticus? If so, what all has he told you? I have a bad feeling about something with him. I don't believe it's about him, himself, but rather something or someone around him. Caius or Rosalie. I'm not sure which one yet but he's in a bad situation, Uncle Moony. I'm worried.

I hope you're doing alright. All things aside, I'm happy. Seeing my friends and having my dad at Hogwarts is nice. I just wish it was under better circumstances and I WISH YOU WERE HERE I miss you as professor. Come back. Please. SOS.

Love,

Your favorite firefly

Daphne smiled lightly as she picked up the letter before walking over to the couch as she plopped herself down. Sinking into the cushions as she let her head fall to the side as she stared at the flames that danced around. Thankfully, there was no face coming out of the fire now. It was simply a fire.

Something in the fire had her intrigued though. Her mind began to slip as she watched it dance around as it burned the wood beneath it. Though, it looked as if it wasn't even touching the wood. It was almost like it was floating above it all. Like there was nothing happening, like it wasn't killing what was beneath it.

Daphne looked startled as the portrait hole began to open. Quickly adjusting how she sat and placing the letter behind her as she grabbed one of the pillows on the couch, ready to throw it at whoever was coming in at such a time. Though, she relaxed upon seeing the two tall boys who were finally returned to their age.

"Bloody hell, love, going to attack us with pillows?" Fred placed a hand over his heart as he let himself lean forward as if he was bowing, "I'm sorry."

"What are you doing up?" George questioned as he crossed his arms across his chest, "It's late, Daphne."

"I could ask you the same question," Daphne smirked slightly as she looked at the twins before relaxing on the couch once again, "It's good to see you two are sixteen again. Getting old sucks, I'm assuming."

"I'm pretty sure I had what muggles call arthritis," George joked as he moved to sit down on the couch as Fred leaned against the arm.

"Barbaric," Fred then proceeded to explain as he sighed, "I'm sure my di-"

"Dick got wrinkly?" Daphne didn't need him to finish his sentence as she piece it together while her face curled in disgust, "Got it."

"I was going to say I'm sure my dice were gone," He joked as he rolled his eyes, "You're fourteen, you shouldn't know what that is."

"I have an older brother," Daphne raised an eyebrow before she grinned at the two boys, "You both are so annoying sometimes."

"Only to the people we love, darling," George grinned as he nudged her arm, "Now tell us what's wrong."

"Yeah, we don't like seeing you upset," Fred agreed as he gave her a stern look, "Don't make me work it out of you, love."

"Because we will," The twins spoke in unison while sharing their signature smirk.

Daphne rolled her eyes at their antics. They hated seeing anyone upset, let alone one of the people they held dear. Daphne supported everything they did, therefore, she was one of the most important friends in their books and seeing her trying to hold the weight of everything wasn't pleasant for anyone.

"Nothing's wrong," Daphne leaned her head on George's arm as she peaked up at him through her eyelashes, "I just can't sleep."

"Sure," Fred scoffed as he scooted into the couch, "And we aren't twins."

"We know a lot has been going on," George reminded the girl as he let one of his arms wrap around her shoulders, "Is it the Harry problem? Because he definitely loves you."

Daphne nearly shot into the air, being grounded by George's arm, as her face went blood red, "What? Are you mad? I don't have problems with Harry and of course he loves me. We're best friends."

Fred raised an eyebrow while smirking, "Maybe for now, but there's definitely something there, love. He gets so jealous, it's quite funny."

"He does not," Daphne shook her head as she shut his words down, "I think that potion messed with your heads."

"Not the ones you are thinking of," Fred joked before making a face, "That sounded a lot better in my head."

"I don't think it did," George even made a face at his twin's words before looking back at Daphne, "Moving on, since that clearly is not the right thing. What are you upset about? Be honest."

"It's just everythings really getting to me, Georgie. I feel like it's all my fault and I'm scared," Daphne sighed as she responded while closing her eyes, "And no matter what I do I feel like I'm just as bad as Voldemort."

"You're wrong," The twins spoke in unison as they tried to figure out what to say to her,

"You haven't murdered anyone's parents or anyone for no reason. So you're not as bad as him," Fred looked at George who nodded, "Don't think that."

"And, you care about everyone whether you want to admit it or not. You have a kind soul, somehow," George joked before smiling, "Nothing is your fault. You can't stop anything that's happening or know about it. Trust me, even if you could, none of it would be in your hands."

Daphne stayed silent for a moment, not commenting on George's statement, "Fate is cruel," She whispered as she looked over at the fire, "I just want one normal year. Is that too much to ask?"

"I think one normal night is too much at this point," Fred sighed as he looked at George before the two spoke, "But that's because the chosen one exists and you-know-who."

"How lovely," Daphne made a face as she yawned before adjusting the placement of Remus' letter, "Even if none of this happened or existed, we'd still never catch a break."

"Maybe," The twins hummed, "You need to get some sleep."

"I'm not tired," Daphne protested as she continued to move before she began to wiggle her nose around when it began to itch.

"You will be," The two seemed to have some sort of scheme to make her somehow fall asleep.

The twins started to talk about everything they had been working on recently in an attempt to tire out the girl and to clear her from her own thoughts, which worked after nearly an hour. The problem was, when she had fallen asleep, they couldn't get into the girl's dorms and they didn't exactly want to leave her on a couch.

So, the twins took her to the boys dormitories and let her sleep in George's bed after a long fight between the twins before George slept on the floor in a small cot he ended up making. Neither realizing that they'd probably freak everyone including Daphne out in the morning due to her being in an unfamiliar setting and her being the only girl.

When Daphne woke up the next morning, she was in fact caught off guard. Practically rising faster than the sun as she held herself up by her arms as she looked around. Catching sight of the empty beds around her except for the twins who were both sitting on the floor messing with things. The girl looked alarmed as they caught sight of her.

"Morning sleeping beauty," Fred winked at Daphne as he looked at her, "We told you that you'd fall asleep."

"And before you are alarmed, you're in the boys' dorms. In my bed," George explained as he looked at her expression.

"I'm already alarmed, you didn't sleep with me, right?" Daphne asked as she got out of the bed before looking for her letter, finding it on top of his trunk.

"Well, I'd hope not," Fred faked a gag as he looked at the girl who gave him a pointed look.

George shook his head while grinning, "No. I slept on the floor, away from you. A simple thank you would've been great."

"Thank you," Daphne retorted while faking a bow, "I've got to get going and change. I'll see you two later."

"Bye love!" The twins exclaimed as the girl slipped from the dormitory.

Daphne made it down the stairs before going into the girl's dorm which happened to be empty. She placed her letter into her trunk before changing into something that wasn't her night dress. Tugging on a black skirt and a jumper as she adjusted her jewelry and pulled on a pair of shoes.

"Daphne! We've been looking all over," Hermione seemed relieved to see the girl on her bed adjusting the straps on her shoes, "Where have you been? We've been worried sick!"

"I fell asleep on the couch so Fred and George took me to the boys' dorms, I slept on George's bed," She explained as she made a face, "What do you mean 'we' have been worried?"

"Well, I didn't see you when I woke up so I figured you went to Harry but he had no clue where you were either and you two were supposed to meet this morning. Not to mention Ron figuring out you were gone!" Hermione exclaimed as she looked at the girl, "Give us a warning next time."

"I will, I'm sorry. I didn't realize that I had fallen asleep and the twins would take me somewhere," She joked as she rose to her feet, "How were they this morning?"

"Tense," Hermione gave her a look as she sighed, "Come on."

Daphne followed Hermione out of the girl's dorms and down into the common room where Harry had just burst through the portrait hole while Ron wasn't far behind. The two noticed Hermione first.

"We asked Atticus if he saw her - Daphne!" Ron exclaimed as he watched her walk out from behind Daphne, "We've been looking for you for ages!"

"So I've heard," Daphne made a face as she adjusted her posture, "Sorry to worry you all, I was with the twins."

"All night?" Harry questioned, seeming a little bitter, "I thought you went to bed."

"I did," Daphne nodded before huffing, "But I couldn't sleep so I came in here again. The twins came in and we talked and then I fell asleep. Fred and George took me to the boy's dorms and then I slept there for the night - who else do I need to explain this to? I'm sorry for scaring you all but I'm fine."

Ron scoffed before walking back towards the boys dorms without another word which caused the girl to frown and look confused as Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose before she walked out of the common room leaving the girl with Harry.

"You worried me," Harry admitted as he sighed, "I thought he got you."

"If by he, you mean the twins, then they did," She grinned as she nudged his arm, "Come on. I'm starving."

"Lead the way, Odette."