act three: vigilante shit
chapter fifty-two

Ron had grown closer to Daphne, even as she had tried to pull herself away. She wanted to be alone - and she made it very firm she just wanted herself but Ron never once became phased on that. He would sit in her room in the darkness even if she wouldn't say anything, but he'd recount it all.

Friendships are something that stay stuck. They can go from close to far, or far to close. Or they can simply go from close to closer. And that is what situation Daphne and Ron found themselves in. Before, she had been closer to the twins than the boy who was with her everyday. But now, he was on the same radar as the twins.

Fred and George were a help, yes, but they sometimes didn't understand how to react to how Daphne acted. They'd bring different creations to her to show the girl what they had made, not letting her try it after the last ordeal, before they'd sit there and wait in the silence for her to say something. Sometimes she would, and sometimes she wouldn't.

Some feared that Daphne was a shell of who she had once been. A ghost sitting in a room that had once been her own, but they were wrong. Daphne wasn't just a ghost that lingered within the walls of the home. In Daphne's mind, she was evolving. Something in her was becoming far greater than she had ever thought.

Helaena's words about Harry had dug a knife in the girl's shoulder. It was enough to knock her down, but not enough to truly hurt her. Harry had noticed there was a slight change in Daphne's behavior and he had asked about it, but Daphne hadn't told him everything that was running through her head.

She still cared for his feelings, she liked Harry. She didn't want to hurt him and then lose him, but she knew one day it would come even if she tried to prevent it. But Harry knew nothing of her father's condition, all he knew is that the fall of Cedric Diggory had dug into her deep.

Despite shuddering away from people, Daphne wrote letters to Harry everyday and she wrote to Hermione once a week. Sometimes she wouldn't want to speak, feeling the words get stuck in her throat - so she'd write letters to the people around her to let them know her mind.

But the darkness had become not only Daphne's sulli rude but her greatest enemy. As comforting it was - it was scary. She felt as if she was becoming the thing that she feared, or that the darkness was changing her to be someone she never thought she would be.

Daphne was sitting down on the couch as her eyes looked around the room, her head leaned against Ron's arm as the boy did his best to calm his best friend back down. He needed her to cool down. She was on fire, and ready to burn whoever said anything that even made her upset in the slightest.

"You know that no one is judging you, right?" Ron clearly had no clue what to say but he was trying, "Bloody hell, Daph."

The girl barely peered up at the boy as she continued to chew on her lip, "Everyone is judging me, Ron. And it's driving me mad."

"They're not judging you, it's just your worries speaking. Don't listen to that load of rubbish," Ron retorted as he resisted the urge to roll his eyes, "Would you get mad if I joked that you're hormonal?"

"Do you really need to ask me that?" Daphne lifted herself up in the slightest as she gave Ron a dirty look, "I'll take you out of this home and whoop your-"

"Got it," Ron scrunched up his nose as he looked at the girl, "Bloody violent I'll say," Ron paused as he realized what he said as he looked down at the girl.

Everyone knew since day one Daphne Black had been deeply bothered by even the slightest insinuation that she was violent. It had always irked something inside of her, the last thing she ever wanted was to become her mother - and it seemed that now... what was left of her to care?

"Daph," Ron nearly winced at his own tone as he tried to bring the two off of the silence, "I didn't mean it like that. You're one of the sweetest people."

Daphne's eyes were filled with nothing as she rose to her feet, shrugging Ron from her side as she looked over at him momentarily, "Dinner," She spoke before walking.

Daphne crossed her arms tightly across her chest as she entered the kitchen once more, not making any effort to announce herself. Everyone knew it was her, as the girl immediately moved over to her father who gave her a small smile. A tired smile. She managed to mimic that smile as she seated herself in the seat beside of him.

And it wasn't a few moments later that everyone began to pile around the table in Twelve Grimmuald Place. Daphne watched as everyone took their spots as she then felt a cold shiver fall over her body, prompting her to look behind her as her eyes narrowed. Yet, nothing was there. She turned back to the rest of the table.

Fred and George apparated in the room, nearly causing Molly to drop everything that rested in her hands as she shrieked, "FRED! GEORGE!"

A tug at Daphne's lips caused her to hold an amused smile as she looked at the twins, "Can't believe you'd scare your poor mother like that. Be ashamed."

The twin's simply smirked over in Daphne's direction before laughing, "Oh sweet little Daphne, reactions are what we live for."

Daphne rolled her eyes as she lifted her head, "You live for the applause, not the reactions," was her simple response before the whispers started.

"I'm glad that you know that, Daph," George took the seat closest to Daphne before Ron could as he smirked at her, "Our names will go down in history."

Daphne let out a small laugh as she simply shrugged her shoulders. Keeping herself quiet as she looked over at her Father as she raised an eyebrow at his expression. He was looking at her as if he was questioning something. As if there was something that he was trying to figure out - but what could it be?

"Dad?" Daphne asked as she tilted her head in the slightest, "What are you thinking? Don't lie, I know you too well."

Lucerys seemingly shrugged his shoulders as he pushed back a few pieces of his hair before he fell into a coughing fit. Causing everyone's eyes to land on the two while Daphne did her best to help her father out as he held a cloth to his lips. Body shaking with each cough as Daphne had two hands placed on him.

"You need rest," Daphne whispered as she looked at her father, worry spiking through her veins, "The coughing is getting worse."

Lucerys waved the girl off as he continued to cough before getting a grip on himself, "No. I'm fine," His voice was scratchy but that didn't stop him from using his firm dad voice.

"Dad," Daphne's voice grew softer as she let her worry seep through into her actions as she continued to keep a hold on her father.

"I said I'm alright, Daphne," His voice was much sterner this time before he managed to sit himself up as Daphne drew back, her eyes falling low, "I'm sorry."

Daphne pursed her lips together as she kept her eyes on her lap momentarily as she tried to fight the tears in her eyes as she looked over at her father, "It's fine," Before looking at her lap once again.

There was an uncomfortable silence that overtook the room. Everyone sharing wary looks as Daphne kept her head hanging low, refusing to look at anyone as her hand laid underneath her father's on the table. Her legs bouncing furiously as she chewed on her bottom lip before letting out a small sigh.

"Odette!" The girl's eyebrows furrowed as she raised her head and looked around, knowing the voice all too well but not seeing the source, he isn't here.

She tried to remind herself of that. Assuming that her mind was playing tricks on her, and she wasn't hearing something that was about to overcome her. She turned back to the table as she rubbed her temple before letting out a quiet sigh, pulling her other hand back from her father as she chewed on her inner lip.

"ODETTE! Listen to me!" The urgency in his voice caused something in Daphne's stomach to drop, knowing that something was not right.

"Daphne, are you alright?" Sirius was the one who asked the question, watching as the girl's hand fell to her necklace as she began tugging at it.

Remus looked at Lucerys who looked lost. Lucerys had never actually been with Daphne when she had a vision, he had never witnessed what it was like for her and Daphne knew he was internally freaking out. Lucerys often freaked out when he had no clue what to do and usually Daphne would help him through it, but it was hard when she wasn't really present to help.

"Fine, just give me a moment," Daphne placed her hands over her forehead as she tried to keep breathing steadily, but the moment she peered back up... no one was there.

The room was completely empty and everything seemed so much darker as Daphne forced herself to stand before she slowly began to walk out the door until she paused. Seeing herself standing with blood on her hands as she was smiling. Daphne felt sick to her stomach before she looked over at Harry who stood in front of her, covered in sweat, and obviously upset.

"I don't want anyone to know, no one... will know," The other version of Daphne's hands were shaking as she looked at him, "A debt had to be payed."

"You've put yourself in more danger," Harry seemed to protest as he grabbed ahold of her hands, "I'm not going to tell anyone - but you've put yourself in both sides. If they find out you're playing them...."

"They're fools for thinking I'll ever side with them," The other Daphne muttered before looking down at his hands holding her bloody ones, "I'd do it all again, and I know that's supposed to scare me but it doesn't. It guarantees its one less person after you. After us."

"Daphne," Ron was the one who seemed to catch her in the doorway, pulling her back into the room as he looked confused, "What is it?"

"Nothing," Daphne placed a hand on Ron's arm as she gave a tight lipped smile, "Just a future argument," She played it off as if it was nothing.

But no matter how much she wanted to hide what was happening, or that it was something deeper than a simple argument. Everyone in that room seemed to know. And everyone let it go... for now.

Summer seemed to pass by excruciatingly slow to Daphne. Maybe it was the fact she wanted more than the half-assed letters she had to send and receive so many letters back from Harry. Maybe it was that she hated seeing her father slowly waste away before her eyes and she had to sit and watch. Or maybe it was simply because she was tired.

"They've gone to get Harry," Hermione peered in the library, looking at her friend who was sitting and scribbling down on her paper, "They want to be there to prepare him for a trial."

Hermione had arrived a few weeks ago, and she had seemed to be a little annoyed with the rules of keeping everything a secret. Daphne and Hermione often rambled to each other about how much they hated keeping everything tied down on the low. Hermione, Ron, and the twin's learned some about what Daphne had seen but not enough for anyone else to find out.

"So, he'll be here... tonight?" Daphne asked as she looked over at Hermione, "He's going to hate me and be angry at all of us."

"He won't hate you," Hermione walked over and took a seat next to her best friend, "Trust me, I know he won't be happy - but he could never hate you, Daphne. He tried, once. You see how that went."

Daphne rolled her eyes as she shook her head with a tiny grin, "Let me guess, my Dad's one of the members on trial?"

"He is," Hermione paused before speaking as she nudged Daphne's arm, "He's working in favor of Harry. I know you're worried about him, but he's going to be okay."

Daphne's eyes fell lowly to the floor as she swallowed the lump in her throat, "I've seen what's coming, 'Mione." and with that, Daphne let out a sigh as she nearly screamed when the twin's apparated into the room, "FRED! GEORGE!"

"Sorry," George teased as he leaned against one of the bookshelves while Fred had a mischievous twinkle in his eye, "We want to talk about some products we're thinking of."

Hermione couldn't help but roll her eyes and scoff at Fred and George, "And what is it this time? Something that's completely ridiculous, rubbish, and not useful?"

"Actually, useful," Fred snapped his fingers before raising his index finger as he tried to look professional, "Dear Daphne gave us the idea for this one, we call it....Extendable Ears!"

Daphne had a tiny smirk as she looked at the twins, "Let me guess, to eavesdrop on conversations?" she asked before laughing, "You two found my plans, didn't you?"

"We did, and we created one! Don't be mad, love," George revealed the product from behind his back as he smirked, "Cracked the code and we can help you figure out everything you want to know."

"Blimey," Daphne rose from her seat as she grabbed the weird looking ear from George's hands as she smirked, "I knew I loved you two idiots for a reason."

"Hey!" Fred exclaimed as he pouted before looking at Hermione, "Did you hear this one? Called us idiots after professing her love!"

"What would Harry think of that one," George teased before he faked a sob before slowly grabbing the ear back from Daphne before she could throw it at him, "Now, we can learn anything that we want."

"I can figure out whatever they're making sure to hide from me," Daphne looked slightly proud as she moved around the twin's, "Thank you all for the information, but who all is leaving and who is watching us?"

"Shacklebolt, Tonks, Moody, your father, and two others are going," Fred looked over at the girl and noticed the immediate change in her demeanor, "Daph you can't stop him."

"Like hell," Daphne did not hesitate to get out of the room as she made her way downstairs, "DAD!" Daphne's voice boomed through the walls and everyone knew what was about to happen, "You are not leaving."

"Daphne," Lucerys was at the edge of the stairs holding onto the bannister, "I know that you are worried, but I think I should go."

"No," Daphne stood on the step above him as she shook her head, grabbing onto the edge of his shirt, "No. You're staying here. You aren't well enough to go out there-"

"I'm weller than you think I am, Daphne," Lucerys gave her a firm look as he gave her a firm look, "I'm the father, Daphne. You do not get to tell me what to do."

"Lucerys," Sirius and Remus both moved forward to say something but both immediately paused seing his reaction.

So he's fine with making his daughter an orphan, sooner rather than later, Daphne couldn't help but think as fire burned her veins as her mind clouded with anger. Her hands almost shaking as if she was trying to hold herself back from doing something and everyone stood silent. The only sound that met anyone's ears was when Daphne punched the bannister.

"Bloody hell," Ron went to run down the stairs but he paused when Lucerys gave everyone a look as if telling them to not move.

"I need to take over my role as parent, Daphne. I don't need you refusing me," Lucerys was trying to be calm, but something in him seemed to change, "I don't need you acting out anymore."

Daphne couldn't help but laugh as she placed a hand over her mouth, "Very funny, Dad. Very fucking funny. You act like you bloody know everything, you act like you're going to be here forever," Daphne ran her hands over her face, "If you want to kill yourself faster, fine. But think about the consequences it'll have on those who are your FUCKING CHILD!"

"Firefly," Remus tried to get past to her but Lucerys stopped him, something in his eye shattering at his daughter's words, "Lucerys, I think this has gone far enough."

"Everything I've done, and will do, Daphne... it's for you. For your future, think about that," Lucerys sighed before he walked out of the home with others following suit.

"Look, I know I've been difficult, believe me. Everything's changed, and something's been unlocked. Something I can't control - and all I need is one final thing to happen before it sets it off," Daphne looked between her Uncles as she looked back at her friends, "And you all know what that will be and Merlin rest the souls of those who face me after it happens."

"What happens to you?" The question hung in the air, almost like a noose tightening around everyone's necks as Daphne watched it happen.

"I become somebody... something... that won't stop until every bit of blood against me is on my hands," Daphne turned back on her heel as she shook her head, heading to the library once again.

"She's only fifteen. I want to say visions can be decieving," Molly's voice met her ears as Daphne reached the library door.

"The Ronin, whether she will be a child or a teenager is one of the deadliest beings that will walk the grounds," Regulus was the next one to speak.

"Daphne couldn't hurt a fly. She's too scared to hurt anyone after her mother," All of her friends were quick to come to her defense, even if they were wrong.

"It's already starting, one day... soon. Daphne won't be the same girl you all know," Helaena's voice caused Daphne to press her hands to her eyes to keep from crying.

After everything that Daphne had been through, after everything she'd seen, sooner or later everyone knew it was going to take a toll on her. That there was going to be a change in Daphne, and she would be stuck that way for a time but like always... they'd work it out. But the way that she had seen it, the adults had no hope for Daphne Black to survive.

And maybe she wasn't meant to after all. Maybe that's why by some means of Godric Gryffindor the girl seemed to be cursed to witness every bad thing ever. Daphne couldn't help but find herself ready to simply scream at the top of her lungs before throwing every book off the shelf, but alas, she couldn't find it in her heart to hurt a book.

"Firefly," Daphne heard her Uncle Remus' voice and she quickly ducked behind one of the many shelves of books as she sat down on the ground, "I know you're in here."

"Can't hide from your favorite Uncles forever," now her Uncle Sirius' took a nudge at her, "We haven't got lung, most of the Order is supposed to talk before they bring your boyfriend here."

"You finally get to see him, and not just lie through the letters," Remus visibly cringed at his own words, "Come on, Firefly. We always used to talk."

"We all used to do a lot of things."