act three: vigilante shit
chapter fifty-four

A friend to all is a friend to none. Daphne had learned at a young age that you couldn't please everyone, and she never truly wanted to accept that. No matter what she did - she believed that everyone should benefit or that everyone should be at a mutual understanding when it came to certain topics. She never understood putting someone else down or treating others differently. It just was never something that a mind like hers could grasp.

That was until she began to grow up. Growing up and learning about the scars that had been left on her from others. The bloodstains that tainted her sweet smile that had once shined to everyone despite everything that had happened to her behind closed doors. Despite the fact that everyone she had ever trusted kept her in the dark at one point but the moment she did it to them, it was a different situation.

The young heiress felt as if she chased shadows, lies, and false stories her entire childhood. Believing that she'd grow up and have a perfect little life and her father wouldn't pass on for ages. That Rosalie might even clean up her act and learn how to be a mother. And maybe that one day, Atticus would be able to come home and be her big brother again. But the more time passed, the more that lie had faded from Daphne's mind. And the more the harsh reality that was the fact she was on her own, set in.

Daphne knew that her brother wasn't ever going to come back. He was stuck in the middle of a war that he didn't deserve to be stuck in. Even if he did return, there was a giant knife stuck into their relationship. That knife? Regulus and Helaena Black. The ghosts Daphne had to lie to hide, the parents of her brother that she had to keep from him. Making her nothing but a monster, just as bad as the people who she so hated. Daphne was just as bad as the monster that hid under the childrens beds. Just as bad as the girl behind the slaughter.

But she would never be the monster that her mother was, no matter how far gone Daphne Black began to fall. She would never be Rosalie Lupin. Rosalie Lupin was nothing but an ink spill on a white shirt. Nothing but a person trying to make herself as relevant as possible because she was never truly relevant in the first place. Nothing but a whore who deserved what was coming for her. Everything that was brewing and piece by piece, almost like a puzzle, setting her fate in crimson coated stone.

The girl knew that there would always be that fear of who she would become. She knew that there would always be that fear in the back of her mind that she was going to become just like Rosalie Lupin, but she knew that no matter how bad she became - it was to ruin the life of the bitch who had ruined hers before she even turned fifteen. And the stability and conscience of Daphne Black was dying, leaving room for that side of her to emerge in a fiery blaze.

Daphne rolled her head around, popping the bones as she looked in the dusty mirror near one of the old flower pots. Raising an eyebrow as she closed her eyes and let out a small sigh before running her hands through her hair, curses ran through her brain as she tried her best to keep herself from throwing something at the wall.

Until she heard the door open, her eyes falling onto the group that had peaked in on her. Fred and George held up the ear to show her what they were planning to do while Ron and Hermione both shared a look while Harry furrowed his eyebrows. Daphne's entire stance and posture changed as she pushed some of her hair back.

There was something hidden behind her eyes, and he saw it. No matter what facade Daphne could try and put on, there's only so many ways to hide something from someone who knows you too well. And it was only a matter of time before something came into the awkward light that was Harry and Daphne.

"Time to spy," was all that Daphne said as she managed to wedge herself through the group, pausing when she felt the grip on her wrist.

Her eyes fell down onto Harry's hand which had latched onto her wrist. Everyone around the two shared a look of worry, no one knowing how Daphne was about to react as she simply stared at his hand. Pressing her tongue against the cut on the inside of her cheek, drawing more blood before she looked at Harry with an eyebrow raised.

"We've got work to do," Daphne looked at the floor at her side, not pulling away from him but pulling him with her as they made it over to the stair bannister.

"If anyone has a right to know, it's Harry. If it wasn't for Harry...we wouldn't even know Voldemort's back with the way Daphne's been silenced."

"He's not a child, Molly," Sirius did not seem to like the fact that Molly was trying to keep Harry in the dark, but after all, they all were young and this was their war, "You paid no mind to what's happening to Daphne."

"He's not an adult either! He's not James, Sirius." And here was Molly being quick to fire back, knowing that this would dig into Sirius, "That's a different story. We can't remove her from this situation."

"Well, he's not your son and she's my niece, soon possibly one of my responsibilities and I won't have her dead." Damn, Daphne couldn't help but think before trying not to snort, good because that'd be weird. Dating a cousin.

"He's as good as! This focus is not on her right now, Sirius." I mean, you are the godfather, " Daphne understood his argument as she leaned forward.

And it wasn't long before questions passed from Harry to the other's about the members of the Order after he heard Severus Snape's voice come through the ear as Daphne ignored the splitting headache that wanted to hit against her temples. Barely realizing that Crookshanks had eaten the ear as the others looked annoyed.

Daphne followed alongside the others as they quickly began to run down the stairs as Molly spoke, "Well, we'll be eating down in the kitchen," She let out a scream as the twin's apparated, "Just because your allowed to use magic now does not mean you whip your wands out for everything!" The Weasley's slipped into the room as the other three remained outside, "Are you hungry, Harry?"

"You sure you are alright, Harry? Gave us quite the turn," Mr. Weasley asked as he smiled as Harry grabbed Daphne's hand for a moment.

"Harry Potter," Sirius spoke as Remus leaned against the door, prompting a smile from his niece as he returned the favor.

"Sirius!" Harry let go of her hand before surging forward into Sirius' arms, the two hugging as tightly as they could.

Daphne managed to slip through the area between the two as she nudged her Uncle Remus before swallowing thickly as she debated on whether or not to sit. Seeing how her father eyed her from the side. Setting her anger at him aside, what if this was their last meal? She hated to think like that - but Daphne wasn't sure how long they had left. So, she sat on the bench near him.

"This is very, very peculiar," Mr. Weasley went on as everyone sat dully around the table, "It seems your hearing is to be in front of the entire Wizengamot."

"Which is rare to happen," Lucerys spoke up as he looked at the boy seated next to his daughter whose eyes remained low, "Only happens with criminals."

"Guess I'll be having one of those soon, won't I then, father?" There was a certain tone of spite in Daphne's tone as she rolled her eyes, anger still burning through her veins.

"I don't understand, what's the Ministry of Magic got against me?" Harry asked as he looked at the three black brothers who had all seated themselves together.

It went dead silent as everyone felt they had no clue what to say before Moody looked over and said, "Show him."

"Everything," Daphne retorted as she felt his hand on her knee, "And it isn't just you that they are after. They hate both of us for the whole fake return of Voldemort. Even if it isn't fake."

Everyone went dead silent as Harry looked confused as all eyes fell on them, before Shackelbolt handed him the Daily Prophet. 'The Boy Who Lies' etched on the front cover with a picture of Harry on the front page. Daphne slowly and carefully placed her hand on top of the one that rested on her knee, unsure of what to do as she frowned.

"He's been attacking Daphne and Dumbledore as well," Sirius began to speak as he looked at his niece and godson, "Fudge is using all his power, including his influence on the Daily Prophet to smear anyone who claims the Dark Lord has returned."

"Why?" Harry asked as he put down the paper as he looked beyond enraged, not understanding why no one wanted to believe them.

Remus rubbed his hand against his face before speaking up, "The Minister thinks that Dumbledore is after his job and Daphne's trying to start an uproar for it to happen."

"No one in their right mind could believe that," Harry removed himself from Daphne as he picked up the paper once again.

"Exactly the point, Fudge isn't in his right mind," Remus pointed at his head while Daphne felt her entire body go rigid, "It's been twisted and warped by fear. Now, fear makes people do terrible things, Harry. The last time Voldemort gained power he almost destroyed everything we hold most dear. Now, he's returned and I'm afraid the minister will do almost anything to avoid facing the terrifying truth."

"The Minister doesn't want to believe that there is another war coming. Let alone that the child who survived a killing curse knows the true answers," Regulus spoke as he looked over at his niece, "Nor does he want to believe that the Ronin is coming."

"Stop," Daphne clenched her jaw as she glared harshly at her Uncle, "Now, Uncle Reg," her tone caused everyone to swallow.

"The Ronin? What's the Ronin?" There were a few whispers shifting from the young Weasley's, Hermione, and Harry as well and Daphne looked as if she could kill Regulus in that moment.

"Nothing but a tall tale," Daphne muttered as she narrowed her eyes at her Uncle, "Say another word and leaving your sons behind won't be the only thing that you regret."

"We think Voldemort wants to build up his army again," Sirius knew he had to watch what he said, "Fourteen years ago, he had huge numbers at his command. And not just witches and wizards but all manner of dark creatures. He's been recruiting heavily, and we've been attempting to do the same."

"But gathering followers isn't the only thing that he is interested in. It's far from it," The way that the adults' eyes fell on Daphne while Moody gave a harsh cough, all of the younger of the group looked alarmed.

"We believe... Voldemort may be after something and someone," Moody called Sirius name but he didn't stop, "Two things he didn't have last time."

"You mean, like weapons?" Harry asked as he looked confused and worried, he wanted to get all of this figured out.

"No. That's enough, he's just a boy," Molly stopped her aggressive chopping of vegetables to move closer to Harry, "You say much more and you might as well induct him into the Order like you all have done with poor Daphne."

"Good. I want to join," Harry didn't hesitate to exclaim as Molly took the paper away from him, "If Voldemort's raising an army, I want to fight."

"How about we discuss this more later?" Daphne wasn't ready to listen to all of this fighting, "Because I think it'd be a real shame to let another-"

"Daphne," Helaena looked at the girl trying to silence her as she sighed, "You're going to make yourself have another-"

"Shut up!" Ron had surged out of his seat before the words had time to leave Helaena's lips causing everyone's jaws to drop, "Stop attacking Daphne."

"Thanks Ron," Daphne muttered as she rubbed her temples with her hands while shooting her friend the tiny reminisce of a smile.

"Who even is that?" Harry asked, not so quietly, as he looked at the woman in confusion and Daphne placed her face in her hands.

"Helaena Black, and that's Regulus Black," Sirius pointed to his sister-in-law and brother as he looked at Harry, "It's quite a story of their not so dead previous years."

An uncomfortable silence fell over the entire table as no one knew what else to say. Daphne tried to remain calm as she kept her face in her hands, ignoring how Harry tried to have a hand on her to try and help, not realizing it was only giving her more anxiety, as she forced her face out of her hands looking at everyone around her.

And it wasn't long before disaster struck, Lucerys Black had gone to stand up and the next thing that they knew, he had fallen to the floor. Pale and unconscious as everyone scurried up.

"Dad! Dad," Daphne began to freak out before Remus had managed to get across the room to get ahold of his niece while others went to Lucerys' aid.

"Firefly, look at me," Remus tried to block her view of her father on the floor as Molly ushered the other kids out of the room, "Go with your friends, please."

"No! Dad!" Daphne was freaking out as she tried to fight against her Uncle's grip, seeing small glimpses of her father on the floor, "Is he okay?"

"Fred, George!" Remus called out for the two twins who apparated in, "Take her."

"NO!" Daphne argued as she kept her hands firmly on her Uncle as she shook her head, "No! I'm not leaving him!"

"We've got her," Fred and George both frowned before grabbing either side of the girl, despite her thrashing around and trying to fight against them... they took her out of the room.

Daphne felt as tears cascaded down her cheeks as she began to stop fighting against the twin's as they brought her into the living room, shutting the door as Daphne practically collapsed in their arms crying. Harry, Ron, and Hermione quickly move over despite Harry not understanding what was happening at all.

"He's going to be okay, Daphne," The twin's tried to help, but they couldn't make any quick and witty jokes at the moment.

"I told him he was going to get bad - what if he isn't okay? He's dying, and there's nothing to keep him well and we've been fighting and he's going to hate me and," Daphne sobbed as her body began to tremble, "She's killed him! She's killed him!"

Daphne then rose to her feet and ran over to the door before someone's arms wrapped around her, "Daphne come on!"

"NO! LET ME GO! LET ME GO!" Daphne screamed as she cried, trying to grab the door as she was pulled back into someone's grip, "Let me go!" Her voice wavered terribly as sobs left her lips.

Everyone shared uncomfortable looks, knowing that no one knew the fate of Lucerys Black that night and no one knew if it was his final night or if it was coming close. But all they knew was that Daphne Black was on the verge of breaking, and she was already cracked to the point she couldn't control herself anymore.

Harry Potter knew that he had a lot to catch up on after his trial, but none of that was important at that moment. What was important is that he was holding a girl that was crying her eyes out, a girl he cared for, and he was going to help her through this. He was going to figure out how to fix whatever was happening and stop Daphne Black's downfall.

"I've got you," Harry muttered as he let her cry into his chest as his eyebrows furrowed as he looked at the other's, mouthing 'what's happened?'

But by the time that the adults had come back into the room, they informed all of the teens who stood and the boy who was holding Daphne Black that Lucerys had been taken to St Mungo's for further treatment. But Daphne knew what that meant, it meant that they had taken her father to die somewhere peacefully.

"We'll be staying here, Remus and Sirius have gone with him," Molly explained as she looked at the young girl who was buried in Harry, "Oh, sweet Daphne..."

"This is my fault!" Daphne pulled away from Harry as her lower lip quivered, "If we hadn't gone home after term had ended - he wouldn't have been cursed! If I had seen it - he'd be okay. It's all my fault," Daphne leaned forward as she sobbed into her hands, "I didn't see it..."

"You couldn't have done anything, darling," George sat on one side of Daphne as he rubbed her side, frowning, "Nothing could've changed what happened, Daphne."

"Your gift is a curse," Harry winced when he realized that didn't help the situation at all, "You can't change what is set in stone, and you see things that are different outcomes. We make the choice that makes these things happen, but you couldn't have stopped this one. He's going to be okay."

"Nothing is set in stone, nothing is certain but one thing is. I'm going to kill her," Daphne voiced, turned angry as she looked up, tears burning her vision as she looked at everyone, "I'm going to kill Rosalie and I'm not going to feel anything."

"Now, don't say that," Molly frowned, not knowing what to do with her words as she looked at Arthur, "That's not the answer, sweetheart."

To Daphne, it didn't matter what anyone else said. She didn't care if they told her it wasn't the answer - she was going to kill Rosalie Lupin whether they liked it or not. And there wasn't a single person who could stop her.

"Daphne," Harry glanced at the girl who rose to her feet, seemingly more stable than she had been moments before, "Daphne?"

"I'm going to my room." Daphne's entire body was stiff as a board, her gaze was dull, no more tears dripped down her cheeks as she maneuvered her way out of the room, "Goodnight everyone."

Daphne barely made it out the door before she bit down on her lip, "That's how she is now. Reserved, quiet. And not in the same way that she used to be - she does everything to push us away...violent. There's a change in her, almost like she isn't her."

Daphne scoffed as she heard those words and rubbed her hands over her face before making her way through a door near the staircase. Shutting it behind her and waving her hands through the dust as she tried her best not to start coughing. Her teeth gnawing at the inside of her lip as she placed her hands harshly on her eyes, rubbing them harshly.

It burned as if something was being repetitively stabbed into her eye. As if blood was being drawn from somewhere. But alas, it wasn't blood. There was nothing but her hands and her emotions that were tormenting her. Tears were burning her waterline. The waterline that she kept harshly rubbing against in an attempt to stop it.

Daphne Black was losing it.