act one: the girl in the bubble
chapter fourteen

There were some things that never changed. Possessiveness and protectiveness in the House of Black and Malfoy seemed to be two things that happened to be blurred together in the families which often caused a lot of problems with toxicity but there never truly seemed to be a change in it.

It was nearing a time where Daphne felt that danger was near. She knew she had always been in danger, she knew that her line within the family was in danger, but this wasn't the same. Despite how low she believed that she was worth, her ability in the wrong hands was gold.

It was almost like there was some sort of beacon along the horizon. Glowing red, but not out of danger. No, out of warning. The beacon on the Ancient House of Black, do you know what color it glows when the darkness calls its banners to war? Green.

Daphne almost felt as if the greenness slithered closer, almost as if it would shine brightly in the darkness before anyone could hide. Before anyone could prepare, but Daphne knew better than to sit and wait for something to happen. Sitting and waiting were for those who were vacuous and awaiting their own demise.

Daphne and Atticus, as far as they knew, were the only current living grandchildren of Orion and Walburga Black. Heirs to the Black fortune through their fathers. That is, until the new babe arrived, then Daphne's succession would disappear. As if it had never existed. As if she hadn't been warned and given lessons from her father about their own house and what happens to those in it.

That's a lot for a thirteen year old to swallow, but then again, look at her life. Daphne never had a true chance to be a child. She never had a true chance at living a small, quiet, and full life. She had been marked, even before her birth. The faces of the past returned to her, to warn her of what was coming her way.

Rosalie Lupin-Black, her mother. A woman who over the course of the years seemed to fight against her own daughter. Daphne recalled from when she was younger, how her mother hated that she refused to agree to her own ludicrous beliefs and despite being rough and angry with Daphne, she was always treated as if she was some sort of weapon.

There was more to the story than Daphne knew. There was more happening that meets the eye. You'd think, the escape of a former Death Eater, would scare anyone in any sort of circle that he could break into? No. Rosalie had never been scared, in fact, she continued to fight against Lucerys' and tell him how absurd it was that his 'little bitch' of a brother would be a Death Eater.

Her Uncle hadn't been in the classroom when they arrived at his first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson, which was slightly weird seeing as he had always been on time. Everyone sat down, took out their books, quills, and parchment, and were talking when he finally entered the room. Remus smiled vaguely and placed his tatty old briefcase on the teacher's desk.

Daphne smiled at her Uncle who looked as shabby as ever but looked healthier than he had on the train, as though he had had a few square meals. It slightly relieved Daphne to see her Uncle in better health, knowing how his condition had taken a toll on him over the many years. He seemed to notice her as well and gave her a soft smile.

"Good afternoon," Remus spoke clearly as he stood tall, "Would you please put all your books back in your bags. Today's will be a practical lesson. You will need only your wands."

"Don't need to tell me twice," Daphne managed to make her voice sound less strained than it truly was as she was quick to rid herself of her book.

Harry shook his head as he stood at her side with a slight grin, "You're smart, but the complete opposite of Hermione."

A few curious looks were exchanged as the class put away their books. They had never had a

practical Defense Against the Dark Arts class before. Not a true one. Lockhart simply set pixies off on them and continued to test them on their knowledge about, well, him. Before he tried to sacrifice Daphne, she would never let that go.

"Right then," said Professor Lupin, geez that's weird to say in my mind, when everyone was ready, "If you'd follow me."

Puzzled but interested, the class got to its feet and followed Remus out of the classroom. He led them along the deserted corridor and around a corner, where the first thing they saw was Peeves the Poltergeist, who was floating upside down in midair and stuffing the nearest keyhole with chewing gum. Peeves didn't look up until Professor Lupin was two feet away; then he wiggled his curly-toed feet and broke into song.

"Loony, loopy Lupin," Peeves sang. "Loony, loopy Lupin, loony, loopy Lupin — two! AHA! Almost like a history repeat! Loony Lupin and Loopy Loony Lupin-Black!"

Daphne couldn't help but hold back a small snicker. Peeves was a ghost who had no sort of self control, often not caring about filtering the comments that dripped from his mouth, but he was usually more respectful to the teachers. Though, Remus Lupin did not seemed mad as he continued to smile.

"I'd take that gum out of the keyhole if I were you, Peeves," Remus simply used the excuse, "Mr. Filch won't be able to get into his brooms."

Filch was the Hogwarts caretaker that seemingly had it out for Daphne, a bad-tempered, failed wizard who waged a constant war against the students and, indeed, Peeves. However, Peeves paid no attention toRemus's words, except to blow a loud wet raspberry while laughing. Remus gave a small sigh and took out his wand.

"This is a useful little spell," Remus said, barely looking back over his shoulder at the class, "Please watch closely," He raised the wand to shoulder height, said, "Waddiwasi!" and pointed it at Peeves.

With the force of a bullet, the wad of chewing gum shot out of the keyhole and straight down

Peeves's left nostril; he whirled upright and zoomed away, cursing. Daphne couldn't help but place her hand on her nose as if she had felt the pain, scrunching her nose ever so slightly.

"Cool, sir!" Dean Thomas exclaimed in amazement.

"Thank you, Dean," Remus said warmly, putting his wand away again. "Shall we proceed?"

They set off again as they walked deeper through the corridor, the class looking at Daphne's Uncle Remus with increased respect. He led them down a second corridor and stopped, right outside the staffroom door.

"Inside, please," Professor Lupin hummed, opening it and standing back.

The staffroom, a long, paneled room full of old, mismatched chairs, was empty except for one

teacher. Professor Snape was sitting in a low armchair, and he looked around as the class filed in.

His eyes were glittering and there was a nasty sneer playing around his mouth. As Remus and Daphne came in last and closed the door behind them.

Snape grumbled querulously, "Leave it open, Lupin. I'd rather not witness this," He got to his feet and strode past the class, his black robes billowing behind him. At the doorway he turned on his heel and said, "Possibly no one's warned you, not even your insufferable niece who has an attitude from-"

"I believe it'd be wise if you leave my niece's name out of your mouth. I do not like the defaming tone you use against her," Remus was quick to snip as he began to move in front of his niece and the class who all appeared entertained.

Snape's face was nearly scarlet, "Lupin, but this class contains Neville Longbottom. I would advise you not to entrust him with anything difficult. Not unless Miss Granger is hissing instructions in his ear and Miss Black acting as insanely as you once did."

Neville went scarlet and Daphne looked as if she was on the verge of losing her mind. In return, Harry glared at Snape; it was bad enough that he bullied Neville in his own classes, let alone doing it in front of other teachers. Daphne was angered. Remus had raised his eyebrows, as he tried not to let his anger show as he saw how his niece was treated.

"I was hoping that Neville would assist me with the first stage of the operation," Remus adjusted his posture, "and I am sure he will perform it admirably."

Neville's face went, if possible, even redder. Daphne was trying her best not to think about how he was almost as red as their house colors. Snape's lip curled, but he left, shutting the door with a snap.

"Now, then," Remus clasped his hands together, beckoning the class toward the end of the room, where there was nothing but an old wardrobe where the teachers kept their spare robes.

As Remus went to stand next to it, the wardrobe gave a sudden wobble, banging off the wall which caused Daphne to slightly jump but not as much as the Potter boy beside her. Or Ron who had practically jumped into Harry's arm causing Hermione and Daphne to snicker.

"Nothing to worry about," Her uncle spoke calmly because a few people had jumped

backward in alarm, call them out, he was dead staring at Harry and Ron, "There's a Boggart in there."

Most people seemed to feel that this was something to worry about. Neville gave Professor Lupin a look of pure terror, and Seamus Finnigan eyed the now rattling doorknob apprehensively. Daphne let her finger run against her bottom lip as she tried to remain collected.

"Boggarts like dark, enclosed spaces," Remus explained as if it was common knowledge, "Wardrobes, the gap beneath beds, the cupboards under sinks — I've even met one that had lodged itself in a grandfather clock. This one moved in yesterday afternoon, and I asked the headmaster if the staff would leave it to give my third years some practice.So, the first question we must ask ourselves is, what is a Boggart?"

Hermione put up her hand as well as Daphne who then retreated her hand down, not wanting to be the one to answer this question.

"It's a shape-shifter," Hermione then explained, "It can take the shape of whatever it thinks will frighten us most."

"Couldn't have put it better myself," Remus looked proud, and Hermione glowed. "So the

Boggart sitting in the darkness within has not yet assumed a form. He does not yet know what

will frighten the person on the other side of the door. Nobody knows what a Boggart looks like

when he is alone, but when I let him out, he will immediately become whatever each of us most fears."

"What we fear?" Ron seemed to turn a bright shade of white, "Bloody hell not spiders..."

"This means," Remus didn't seem to hear Ron while choosing to ignore Neville's small sputter of terror, "that we have a huge advantage over the Boggart before we begin. Have you spotted it, Harry?"

Trying to answer a question with Hermione next to him, bobbing up and down on the balls of her

feet with her hand in the air, was very off-putting, but Harry had a go. Daphne raised an eyebrow as she looked over at her friend, waiting for him to speak.

"Er — because there are so many of us, it won't know what shape it should be?" Harry tried as he adjusted his glasses against the bridge of his nose.

"Precisely," Remus nodded his head, and Hermione put her hand down, looking a little

disappointed, "It's always best to have company when you're dealing with a Boggart. He

becomes confused. Which should he become, a headless corpse or a flesh-eating slug? I once

saw a Boggart make that very mistake — tried to frighten two people at once and turned himself

into half a slug. Not remotely frightening."

"Is your Uncle always talking about his sort of stuff?" Harry couldn't help but whisper as he leaned closer to Daphne.

"If he wants to get everyone to shut up or get involved," Daphne whispered while making a face.

"The charm that repels a Boggart is simple, yet it requires force of mind. You see, the thing that

really finishes a Boggart is laughter. What you need to do is force it to assume a shape that you

find amusing. We will practice the charm without wands first. After me, please... riddikulus!"

"Riddikulus!" the entire class tried to speak together but failed miserably.

"Good," Remus hid his wince at the discordant voices, "Very good. But that was the easy part, I'm afraid. You see, the word alone is not enough. And this is where you come in, Neville."

The wardrobe shook again, though not as much as Neville, who walked forward as though he

were heading for the gallows. Daphne bit on her lip as she watched Neville, wondering if he could even properly hold his wand in such a state.

"Right, Neville," Remus tried to seem cheery as he looked at the boy, "First things first: what would you say is the thing that frightens you most in the world?"

Neville's lips moved, but no noise came out. Daphne felt bad for him, he had always been so shy. He was a total sweetheart - but never truly learned how to properly come out of his shell. It had taken a while for Daphne to even learn how to do that.

"I didn't catch that, Neville, sorry," Remus had a face of slight pity as he tilted his head at the boy.

Neville looked around rather wildly, as though begging someone to help him, then said, in barely

more than a whisper, "Professor Snape."

Nearly everyone laughed, except Daphne who managed to stop herself. She understood his fear, it was valid.  Even Neville grinned apologetically. Her Uncle, however, looked thoughtful.

"Professor Snape... hmmm... Neville, I believe you live with your grandmother?" Remus had a tinge of amusement in his tone when bringing up Snape.

"Er — yes," Neville fiddled nervously, "But — I don't want the Boggart to turn into her either."

"No, no, you misunderstand me," Remus shook his head, now smiling. "I wonder, could you tell

us what sort of clothes your grandmother usually wears?"

Neville looked startled, but said, "Well... always the same hat. A tall one with a stuffed vulture

on top. And a long dress... green, normally... and sometimes a fox-fur scarf."

"And a handbag?" prompted Remus, an eyebrow raised as he tried to get the imagery clear.

"A big red one," Neville nodded rather quickly.

"Right then," Remus nodded, "Can you picture those clothes very clearly, Neville? Can you see them in your mind's eye?"

"Yes," Neville said uncertainly, plainly wondering what was coming next.

"When the Boggart bursts out of this wardrobe, Neville, and sees you, it will assume the form of

Professor Snape," Remus gave a stern look, "And you will raise your wand — thus — and cry 'Riddikulus' — and concentrate hard on your grandmother's clothes. If all goes well, Professor Boggart Snape will be forced into that vulture-topped hat, and that green dress, with that big red handbag."

There was a great shout of laughter. The wardrobe wobbled more violently, Daphne made a face while rocking on her heels watching as this happened. She couldn't help but try to think about what she feared most.

"If Neville is successful, the Boggart is likely to shift his attention to each of us in turn," said

Professor Lupin. "I would like all of you to take a moment now to think of the thing that scares

you most, and imagine how you might force it to look comical..."

The room went quiet as everyone watched what was happening in front of them. Daphne couldn't help but be caught in her mind while trying to figure out her greatest fear. Though, she could hear Ron muttering beside her which told her what he was thinking about.

Ron was muttering to himself, "Take its legs off."

Harry and Daphne shared a look, knowing what that was about. Ron's greatest fear was spiders. They had learned that rather early on and unfortunately for Ron, he had encountered giant arachnids many times with the two.

Ron's mutters were very loud which interrupted Daphne's ability to think. She wasn't going to say anything to him about it though. She should be used to always hearing someone talk, after all, there was never a moment in her life where there wasn't some sort of noise around her.

"Everyone ready?" Remus questioned as he managed a grin, "Wand at the ready," Remus stood at Neville's side, "One, two, three."

Remus muttered a spell and the cabinet opened. Neville looked horrified as Remus began to walk around him as the door slid open and Professor Snape stumbled out looking as angry as ever.

"Think, Neville, think," Remus muttered into the third-year ear.

Snape began to walk closer as the door closed. Strutting closer to the crowd of students and closer to where Remus and Neville stood. The boy looked petrified.

Neville whipped up his wand, "Riddikulus!" Snape whirled around before now standing in a green womens set, a wild hat, and an odd handbag.

"Wonderful, Neville! Incredible! Okay..." Remus looked around for another person to go, "To the back, Neville! Everyone form a line..."

Remus repeated his words and an odd line was formed as everyone began to shove one another. Chatter ringing throughout the classroom which made Daphne get shoved in front of Harry as everyone was pressed closely together which made her eyes widen in discomfort.

Ron was in the front, "I want everyone to picture what they fear the very most!" Remus called out as he walked away from the line to lean against a table and turn on the music, "And turn it into something... funny."

"Deez nuts!" Daphne couldn't help but say as she laughed before being shoved even harsher back into Harry which made her squeak.

She made the mistake to look back, nearly crashing her face into Harry's which nearly made her pass out, his hands were in the air as his face was bright red.

"Very funny, Daph. Now, let's begin..."