CHAPTER FIVE:
THE WOMAN IN GREEN

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DAISY AWOKE THE NEXT MORNING WITH A HEAVY HEART, HER HEAD SLUMPED AGAINST HARRY'S SHOULDER.

Her parents had neglected to open the bedroom door all night, fussing over Dudley's new tail. Daisy tried not to take it personally, she worried about him as well, but it hurt more than she'd care to admit that they hadn't approached her at all.

"Sorry, Harry," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes and sitting up, pushing the moldy blanket to the side.

Harry grumbled something under his breath, still dazed and asleep, and Daisy looked to the ginormous man on the sofa. She wondered how it hadn't collapsed yet, and more importantly, how she'd even managed to get any sleep at all with his snoring. Each loud breath of air from his mouth and nose reminded her of a foghorn, echoing through the house.

Daisy shook her head, stepping over Harry's body and taking a deep breath. She knew he and Hagrid would be going shopping to get his supplies, and she wasn't invited. Nibbling on her lower lip anxiously, she wiped her hands on her legs, trying to stop them from clamming up.

Her parents hated magic, that much she'd figured out. Perhaps, they hated magic more than they hated Harry. They would never let her go to Hogwarts, not willingly, at least, and as much as the thought ate her up inside -- she had another thing to worry about. If they didn't want her to attend school, really, and with good reason, she would understand their wishes and stay home.

But she couldn't have them hate her. She needed them. They were her family. She couldn't help being magical, she didn't ask for it. They had to understand that, right?

Knocking on the bedroom door, she heard a grunt and a loud thud. Dudley had probably fallen off the bed.

"Mum? Dad? It--it's me. I was hoping we could talk."

No response.

Daisy waited in bated breath for what felt like hours, her fingertips shaking and legs full of lead. She glanced over at Harry, who was speaking in low tones to Hagrid now, feeding an owl. When had the owl come back?

The door opened and Daisy's head snapped back, facing her father's blank face.

"Daddy, please, I-I'm sorry. I won't go to school. I just wanted to hear about it. I'm sorry I'm m-magic and--"

"--DON'T SAY THAT WORD!" He boomed angrily, staring down at her with a furious expression. He glanced to Hagrid and Harry's side of the room, fear flickering across his face before tugging her into the bedroom, mustache flailing against his skin. "Daisy, we forbid you from going. You are not to paint anymore. No more drawing or sketching or whatever else you do. Imagination is DONE. Do you hear me?"

Daisy's eyes filled with tears and her lower lip trembled. Looking between her father, pointing at her from the edge of the bed, and her mother huddled up with her brother at the head of it, she shook her head.

"Please, that's not fair," she pleaded, "I won't go to the school. I won't learn anything. I'll be good. Please don't take away my art."

"You think we want to do this?" Her mother spoke up shrilly, a bitter look on her face. She recognized that look. It was the same expression she wore when Harry annoyed her. "You think we want to take away what you love? It's our fault. We should've kept a closer eye on you, raised you more like Dudley. You have too much freedom in imagination and it influenced you to become an abomination like your cousin and my godforsaken sister. No," she shook her head. "You will not go to that school. If you do, you won't ever come back."

Tears slipped down Daisy's cheeks and a hand flew to her mouth. "Please, I'm sorry," she begged, breath catching in her throat. "I'm sorry, Mummy, please don't stop being my mum."

Petunia turned her head to the side, ignoring Daisy. Daisy looked to her father for help, only to find him in the main part of the shack, looking where Harry and Hagrid were. They'd left. Daisy's heart fell. Now she had no chance of going to the school, and her family didn't seem to want her here either. She didn't belong anywhere.

"Blasted," Vernon cursed, swiveling around on Daisy. "You little twerp!" He shouted. "I--you--I have to get us off this ruddy island now because they took the boat!"

Daisy's expression morphed into that of guilt. "I'm sorry, Dad--"

"--Not a word until we get home," he ordered. "Then maybe we'll talk."

She nodded, hope filling her face. Please, she hoped, please let them still love me.

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Vernon found a small sailboat inside the closet in the bedroom and used it to row himself out to the shore. Once he got another one from the toothless sailor who owned the place, Daisy and her family made their way home.

The drive was long and quiet. Daisy felt less squished than before, her leg wasn't asleep, and she didn't whisper to Harry. He was off with Hagrid, exploring the world of magic she yearned for.

Instead, she and Dudley sat on the far left side of the car, and Petunia slept in the passenger seat. Daisy wasn't hungry anymore, she didn't know how she could ever eat again. Her family didn't love her anymore. Would she be forced to sleep in Harry's old cupboard? She couldn't paint anymore, no more art. She'd probably have to destroy her finished paintings. She wished she'd given the one of Harry to him, perhaps it could've been saved. She liked that one. She also liked the one of the man with amber eyes -- but she'd probably have to destroy it too.

When they arrived home, Daisy felt numb. Her mind was exhausted and her nose burning from sniffling so much, she wanted nothing more than to lie down.

However, upon arrival at the house, they were all stopped in their tracks at the sight of a stern-looking woman in green. Wrinkles carried her eyes and lips, but her eyes were soft, covered by hard rectangle glasses. Wearing all dark green robes that seemed to go to her ankles and a tall, pointed green hat, she had a no-nonsense sort of way about her. Daisy was immediately on guard. The last visitor they'd had ruined her life. She didn't need another one.

"Good evening," the woman greeted, a Scottish accent slipping through as she sipped on a glass of tea. Petunia's favorite tea set. "Petunia, lovely to see you again. I remember as a child, you were quite eager to attend Hogwarts yourself, were you not?"

Petunia paled and Daisy looked at her mother in surprise and betrayal. Why not stick up for Daisy?

"Oh, apologies," the woman continued, waving them in. "Do come in, I was just awaiting your arrival."

"Who do you think you are, entering our home with no warning--"

"Mr. Dursley, do sit down, I'm a busy woman and this has taken far too much time already."

They stood for a moment, watching her. Vernon spluttered for a moment, before tossing his suitcase to the ground and storming upstairs. Daisy jumped as his bedroom door slammed.

Petunia picked up his suitcase and moved upstairs but the woman held up a hand. "Petunia, please, sit. Your son may go. Daisy, do come sit as well."

Daisy swallowed, following her mother into the sitting area and taking a seat next to her. Dudley disappeared without hesitation, rushing to his computer game.

"My name is Professor Minerva McGonagall, and I'm the transfigurations professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Petunia gasped, falling back against the sofa. Professor McGonagall blinked unimpressed.

"Do save the dramatics for your husband, Petunia, I don't find it the least bit entertaining."

Daisy's eyes widened at the woman's words. No one had ever spoken to her mother like that, especially during one of her fits. Daisy swallowed as the woman's gaze turned to her.

"Now, Miss Dursley, it's come to the school's attention that your parents have concerns about you attending Hogwarts. This isn't uncommon," her gaze moved to Petunia again, "if you recall, I was the one who brought your sister to Hogwarts. I delivered your letter to Headmaster Dumbledore requesting admission, and I sent his response to you. As you are well aware, Mrs. Dursley, this school is for magical students only. Daisy is extraordinarily magical. If you decline to finance her institution or the funds needed are lacking, the school has a generous amount of money for students in situations such as these. You will have to bring her to the train station on September 1st. To assure she gets the proper supplies, I will take her to Diagon Alley myself."

Daisy blinked. "W-what?" She asked, turning to her mother. "You wanted to attend Hogwarts? Why didn't you tell me?"

Petunia shot a glare at Professor McGonagall, who couldn't be bothered. "I was a fool," she seethed, "before I realized how much of a freak Lily was. How much of a freak you are."

Daisy's face fell at her mother's words and she felt an urge to cry -- but she'd already cried so much the past few days. She didn't have it in her again.

"I don't have to go," she said to her mother, turning to Professor McGonagall, with a firm shake of her head. "I'm not going," she added finally, her heart thumping in her throat. Oh, she so desperately wanted to go. But she couldn't lose her family in the process. "I won't."

Professor McGonagall's face softened. "Pushing your magic away is dangerous. Especially with magic like yours, Miss Dursley."

Daisy shook her head. "I'm not doing it. You can't make me go."

Professor McGonagall held up a hand. "Leave the room, child, I'll be having a quick discussion with your mother to get everything sorted out."

Daisy looked to her mother questioningly, hoping she'd be proud of what Daisy was giving up for her and her family, but Petunia didn't look at her. She hadn't looked at her all day. Daisy's eyes fell to the floor and she stood up. Rushing from the room, she raced upstairs and into her room, flinging herself onto her bed, and letting out a sob.

"I hate you," she pressed her palms into her eyes, feeling hot, wet tears against her skin. "I hate myself, I hate this stupid magic. I just want things to be good again, to be normal again. I hate you, I hate you, stupid Daisy Dursley. Stupid."

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A knock on the door woke Daisy from her nap. Sitting up quickly, she pushed her hair back from her face and rushed to the door.

"Mum?" She asked hopefully.

Her mother looked close to tears. "You may attend," she spoke bitterly, staring above Daisy, avoiding eye contact. "I have no choice in the matter. Don't come home for Christmas."

Without another word, her mother turned from the doorway and moved down the hall into her bedroom. Daisy stood at the doorway, all hope lost from her face. She felt small. The world was so big, so angry, suffocating her into the small doorway. She bit her lip, trying not to cry.

Don't come home for Christmas.

She wasn't welcome here anymore. She would only stay here because they were obligated to keep her. They didn't love her anymore. Her parents didn't love her anymore because she was magical -- even if she couldn't help it.

Someone cleared their throat downstairs and Daisy's eyes widened. She rushed to the bathroom and brushed her teeth quickly, tightening her shoelaces. Professor McGonagall was still downstairs. Even if her parents didn't love her -- which they'd shown to be the case -- she could still attend Hogwarts. She could still be a witch. She could still fit in somewhere, or at least try to.

As her hand ran against the wood of the railing, her heart thudded against her ribcage. Straightening up, she stopped at the bottom, in front of Harry's old cupboard, and slipped her hand into her pockets.

"Professor?" She grabbed the attention of the witch, who appeared to be saying something into a wisp of air. "Woah," she breathed out in awe. "What is that?"

Professor McGonagall's lips turned up and Daisy could swear she was smiling. "It's called a Patronus charm. A conjuror can summon one to wield off dementors or send messages to another magic user. In this case, I was sending a message to Headmaster Dumbledore."

"Wicked," a smile blossomed on Daisy's face, for the first time since Hagrid visited. "What's a dementor?"

Professor McGonagall didn't answer, instead, moving closer to Daisy. "You'll learn about them in school. Now, we're going to Diagon Alley, we're to purchase everything on your school list. Due to Hogwarts paying for your financials, you are unable to get a pet, unless you have one already?"

Daisy shook her head, face falling a fraction. Professor McGonnagal appeared sympathetic.

"There's always next year. Once you reach your third year, the school has a program to help young minds such as your own, with a lack of familial funds, to explore options of financials themselves. You may assist in the Hospital Wing with Madam Pomfrey, or maintain the grounds with Hagrid. If you'd prefer, you can spend weekends and even breaks in Hogsmeade assisting in shops. Each position will pay you through student funds and you can purchase extra items, such as an animal, or a gold cauldron."

Daisy smiled. "So, I can get a job in the witch world at thirteen?"

"Wizarding World," Professor McGonnagal corrected, "and yes. Of sorts. It must be pre-approved by a member of Hogwarts staff, typically your Head of House, and must not interfere with your studies."

"Why's it called Wizarding World?" Daisy questioned. "Shouldn't it be called 'magical world'? There's more than just wizards."

Professor McGonnagal's lips turned up again, amused. "You're quite right, Miss Dursley. Now, grab my arm," she held her elbow out for Daisy to take, which she did, "and hold on tight. We're going to apparate to Diagon Alley, it will only take a moment. You'll feel a tugging in your stomach, and you may feel sick afterward."

And then they were gone.

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