Chapter 3
The gift that her brother could not keep from her for another two weeks was great so she understood his excitement. Sirius had managed to get a trial under veritaserum that declared him innocent of all charges. Of course, it would have been better if the hearing would have happened sooner, thus sparing their godfather 12 years of unnecessary suffering
But unfortunately, it was impossible to go back so far into the past to actually change it.
However, Sirius Black was a man who knew what he wanted. He had come to the hearing prepared and when he was informed by the current minister that he would be provided with compensation for the terrible mistake he had made, the man refused. Instead, he asked for something that no one could refuse because it was rightfully his. He asked for something that in his eyes was worth more than all the gold in the world.
" What? Stop making everything so painfully slow. " complained Daisy, throwing a fist against her brother's arm in retaliation.
" From today, no more Dursleys. " Harry smiled at her, tears in his eyes.
" Did Sirius and Remus adopt us? " the girl asked, hugging her brother in joy.
" Technically only Sirius. " smiled sadly Harry, reminding her that they would not allow Remus to adopt anyone. Especially not the chosen one.
" It doesn't matter, he's still part of our family. " Daisy reassured him, happily. " I just hope he's not getting down on himself over something silly like this. "
" Sirius will take care of him, don't worry. " Harry said, knowing how close his sister was to Remus. " Do you want to stay here tonight? I'm sure the boys won't mind. "
The girl accepted quickly, knowing that she wouldn't have to meet Theo that evening. " So we can talk about how our gift for Moony and Padfoot is going. "
" Great, the big day is almost here. " he said enthusiastically, showing her the still intact mandrake leaf.
" How are the dreams going instead? " Daisy asked, stroking his hair.
" They come and go, but nothing to worry about. " Harry reassured her, pinching her side when he reminded her that she didn't have to mother him since she was only five minutes older.
" Well, get some rest. " said Daisy, ignoring him and continuing to stroke his hair knowing how much it calmed him. " I'll take care of alerting the others once we get up there. "
Harry fell asleep almost instantly but the sleep didn't last long. A few hours later he got up screaming and sobbing while he kept repeating agitated that he needed to see the principal because something horrible had happened.
Daisy, having never seen her brother so distraught, asked no questions and dragged him to Dumbledore's office where she listened in amazement as he told the principal what he had dreamed.
The principal immediately believed him, making Daisy realize that the man knew much more than he was willing to reveal. She could close both eyes and pretend not to witness many of the old man's lurchings but she would not allow Dumbledore to use Harry as an unsuspecting pawn.
" I killed him. I did it. " sobbed Harry, terrified of himself.
" It couldn't have been you. " Daisy reassured him, hugging him. " You were sleeping in your dormitory, how could you be anywhere else and especially in a form that is not your own? "
" Harry, your sister is right. " smiled Dumbledore, equally devastated by the news. The way the principal looked at Harry, almost as if he was sorry for something, made Daisy make the decision to do some research once she arrived at Grimmauld Place.
Albus Dumbledore was not a horrible person. He tended to make questionable choices because he thought his way was the best way to act. He was a man used to do everything himself and trust no one, and these characteristics, according to Daisy, did not make a good leader.
" What will happen now, sir? " Harry asked, after a patronus informed them that Arthur was at St. Mungo's.
" Professor McGonagall has already gone to get the Weasleys. Once here, you will all go to Grimmauld to wait with Sirius and Remus. " The principal explained, informing them that they would be leaving school a week early. " Your things will be sent to your home. "
" Sir, could you please inform Luna of the situation? I'm sure she will be worried when I don't show up. " Daisy asked, hoping her friend would understand that she should pass the information to Theo.
" It will be done. " promised Dumbledore, rising as the door opened revealing four Weasleys with reddened eyes. " My dear boys, I am so sorry about what happened. But don't worry, I'm sure your father will recover. "
The children simply nodded while one by one they used the floo powder to go to Grimmauld. Once everyone was there, they were looked after by Sirius and Remus who informed them that Mr. Weasley's condition was stable and that Molly was already in the hospital keeping him company.
After giving each of them a hot drink, they sent them to rest. Of course, after making all the young ones promise to call them if they needed them.
" It must have been horrible to see everything from that snake's body but don't blame yourself. If it wasn't for you they wouldn't have found it in time. " said Daisy, after the Weasleys went to bed.
" Why am I having these horrible dreams? " whispered Harry, confused.
" I don't know. " sighed the girl. " But I promise I will find out and solve it for you. Maybe ask Sirius to teach you Occlumency tomorrow. " Seeing the confused look on her brother's face, she explained, " It is used to protect the mind from outside penetrations. By doing so, no one will be able to get into your head as happened tonight. "
" What if by doing this, I can't save someone in time? " Harry asked, terrified.
" That connection, whatever it is, is a double-edged sword. " Daisy tried to explain to him. " They could show you something fake to send you into a trap or they could use it to know who you care about so they can use it against you. "
" How is it possible that you're not a Ravenclaw? " her brother asked, looking at her in shock.
" I'll remind you my dear missed Slytherin that that sorting is a big crap. " she scolded him.
" Yes, we all have the characteristics of each house etc.... " Harry said, rolling his eyes, before turning serious again. " Thank you, if I didn't have you in my life I don't know where I would be. "
" Probably following whatever others tell you to do. " she teased him, before telling him to fall asleep. " Don't worry, I'll stay up and read for a while and if anything happens I'll wake you up. "
Taking advantage of the free moment, Daisy wandered around the library looking for texts on magical connections, on ancient rituals that affected mind, body and soul to take with her to school. For the moment, she would focus on books that explained the functionality of Portkeys and their creation. It sounded like an interesting topic.
" I see you can't sleep either. " Remus said, walking over and inspecting the books she had placed on the coffee table in front of her. He raised an eyebrow questioningly at what she was reading.
" It might be useful. " she explained evasively, while watching Harry sleep peacefully in a small sofa placed in the shadiest corner of the library.
" Moony, I swear if you abandoned me again to read.... " Sirius said while walking across the door and stopping when he saw her and Harry there as well. " Family reunion? Without me? "
" More like nerd meeting. " Daisy corrected him, setting the book down on the coffee table. " Anyway, it didn't seem like the right time but Harry and I are really happy to be able to be with you. "
" Yes? " Remus asked, genuinely surprised.
" I told you so. " snorted Sirius, kissing him softly.
" Could I ask you a question? For informational purposes, of course. " Daisy asked, suddenly. When they gave her permission, she took the Gryffindor courage she possessed however scarce and asked, " How did you realize that what you felt was not just friendship? "
" All the feelings I had, I tried to convince myself were of friendship because I wasn't yet ready to face that part of myself. Of course, I was aware that I didn't feel the same emotions for anyone else but I was pushing that information away forcefully, ignoring what I needed. It took years but the desire to kiss him and love him as he deserved had become so strong that I could no longer deny it. You know the rest of the story. " Sirius explained, looking at her curiously and ignoring the smirk Remus was proudly showing off.
" Harry was telling us that you befriended Luna. " Remus began cautiously. " Whatever happens between the two of you, you should know that in this house no one will ever be judged for their love choices. It would be hypocritical of us to do that. "
" Thank you but we are just friends. " She reassured him, blushing slightly. She was sure her godparents were thinking she was lying because of her reaction.
She was actually just embarrassed.
" Anyway, you can go back to sucking each other's faces so I can finish reading my book without distraction. " She added soon after, trying to change the topic. When she was uncomfortable, Daisy used to say the first thing that came to her mind, and in doing so, her godparents smiled victoriously, totally convinced that she had a crush on her friend. They would be so disappointed once they discovered the truth.
" Why aren't you sleeping? You must be exhausted. " Sirius said, ignoring, albeit reluctantly, the girl's tantalizing suggestion.
" Because I promised Harry that I would watch over him. " Daisy replied.
" You are no longer alone, we will take care of you now. " Remus said, covering her with a blanket and ordering her to rest. The man had dared to seize all her books, threatening her not to return them if she didn't listen.
" You cannot understand what black horror is forming under your eyes. " said Sirius to emphasize the tiredness that could be seen reflected on her face.
" Good. " she muttered, leaning back against her brother. " No need to be an asshole. "
" Moony, I blame you for her bad language. " said Sirius, laughing when Remus told him to fuck off in response.