Chapter 29
With Theo and Daisy's relationship revealed, things at school became stranger than usual. The first few days Blaise had to get her out of several situations that could have become unpleasant.
Strange rumors were circulating about her and Theo and what had happened to his face. The funniest one, according to her, was that Remus had turned him so that he was forced to date her. But she knew that neither Remus nor Theo would be happy to know what people thought of them so she refrained from telling them what was happening. Of course, Blaise was not of the same opinion because he sent his best friend a detailed description of how he found her surrounded by some Slytherins trying to disfigure her face to match Theo's in retaliation for daring to refuse the mark. Theo's worry, which had almost gone back to school just to keep her safe, was dampened-or at least attempted to be so-with a letter from Daisy where she irritatedly told him about how some people had the audacity to stop her in the hallways to give her their opinion on their relationship and every single time Harry had to restrain her from cursing anyone who spoke badly of Theo. Her intention was to make her boyfriend understand that she was able to defend herself and that she had no need to worry about some idiots.
Even teachers seemed to look at her with curiosity, and the only place she could relax was inside her dormitory. Sure, rumors still circulated but they were toned down and she had to admit that she appreciated the calm they were showing about the whole situation. Susan was particularly supportive, admitting that she had witnessed their reunion at Hogsmeade and found them lovely. After demanding in the middle of the night a report on the birth of their romance where she heard Susan repeating over and over again that she wanted to find someone who loved her so deeply, Daisy decided to introduce her to Neville. She was convinced that the two had potential.
Between Theo's visits, classes, and clandestine meetings with his friends, the Easter vacations came quickly, and if anyone noticed it odd that almost their entire group went home when they usually preferred to stay at school, they didn't comment on it.
They had devised the plan beforehand, and with the help of Sirius and Remus they were able to implement it. At first the two men were horrified by what some kids had managed to do behind the backs of the entire order, frightened by what they had to face without an adult on their side.
Then they understood that the enlarged group they had formed to fight a battle of their own was something beautiful, something that reminded them of their group of friends before Dumbledore tried to lead them into a war that led to their destruction. Although their appearance did not arouse suspicion, they were powerful and when working together were unstoppable.
Their plan required everyone to be present at Grimmauld Place, and after months of deliberation they managed to find a way that would work. The Weasleys were going to show up at their house anyway so they were one less worry to have and Luna had simply announced to her father that she would be staying with them, shocking everyone by the quickness with which the man accepted.
Neville had to work months to convince his grandmother to send him to their home, but he finally relented. Blaise, Hermione, Astoria and Daphne told their families that they would stay in school to study while their heads of families were told otherwise. They lied so they could go to Harry and Daisy's house without anyone suspecting anything.
Susan, being alone, communicated to the principal her willingness to spend the vacations with her friend Daisy. The principal could not refuse being the first time the girl wanted to leave the school since the death of her last living relative. Little did it matter that she would be in the same house where meetings of the Order of the Phoenix took place.
Susan had recently joined their group, fitting in perfectly as the missing puzzle piece to their chaos. And much to Daisy's delight, she seemed to have grown very close to Neville. When they got together she would totally take credit for their relationship. And it would certainly happen before Hermione and Ron thought of declaring themselves judging by the painful way they kept looking away from each other.
Not to risk being spotted by anyone, they waited until everyone had left the station before leaving the train where Padfoot was waiting for them, jumping on his stepchildren when he saw them. Remus was fresh from a bad transformation so would not be present, still too tired to move freely. From what Theo's letters told, the man had been down lately because he had started carrying a walking stick after a bad laceration in his leg.
" Hi Sirius. " Luna said, stroking the dog's head as if she had not just realized that their godfather was an animagus with one look. The dog responded by licking her hand before trotting away, a clear invitation to all the boys to follow him.
After returning to his human form in the privacy of a malfunctioning bathroom, he proceeded to magically alter the outward appearance of the young ones who were with him. It was best not to risk anyone wandering around Muggle London recognizing their ambiguous group.
Once they arrived at their home, fortunately without a hitch, Kreacher popped up to get their guests' bags.
" Kreacher. " said Daisy, looking with pleasure at the elf who looked better than the last time she had seen him. He had taken better care of himself, and the house seemed less dark now that the elf was no longer meddling with their attempts to alter it. On his chest, hanging proudly, shone Salazar's Slytherin medallion. Knowing he would not appreciate a hug, Daisy let him know how much she had missed him.
" Miss Daisy also missed Kreacher. " said the elf, sending the bags with a snap to each room and leaving without deigning Harry and Sirius a glance.
" That damn elf hates me. " grumbled the man. " Did you know he refuses to follow my orders? "
Daisy smiled openly, remembering how much she had laughed when Remus told her about the drama that caused this new rebellious side of Kreacher. Apparently he refused to listen to anyone but Daisy, deeming her the only one worthy of being his mistress.
" However, you must excuse me but you will be a little cramped in your rooms. It is best to prevent Molly from meeting you before she has to or hell will be raised. " Sirius nodded, giving the guys a tour of the house as he explained their accommodations each time they arrived in front of each door. When they arrived at the library, they found Remus and Theo sharing the same couch while reading what appeared to be the same book.
" They started some kind of book club. " whispered Sirius, pouting while saying he felt slightly left out by their nerdy ways.
" We can hear you. " hummed Remus, turning the page without looking at him. The man was suppressing a smile while Theo groaned as he complained about having to hear the same phrase over and over again. When he turned around he almost gave Daisy a heart attack when she saw him wearing glasses.
" I am in love. " stammered Daisy, unable to take her eyes off her boyfriend.
" We know. " huffed Hermione, elbowing her playfully as he nudged her toward him. Theo looked embarrassed, surely not intending to let them know about his new addition soon, and when he was about to take them off, Daisy blurted out, " Don't you dare, Theodore! "
" Always bossy. " snorted the boy, leaving her a tender kiss on her lips before greeting the rest of their friends. " How was your ride? "
" Fine, thank you. " nodded Daisy, taking the seat previously occupied by Theo and resting her head against Remus' shoulder. " What are you reading? "
" He kept saying he wanted to read Hamlet for some absurd reason so I agreed. " said the werewolf, leaving her a kiss on her forehead after closing the book. " Where is your brother? "
" Here. " Harry whispered beside him, causing such a fright to the man that he tried to hit him with the stick lying beside him.
" The only good thing about this horrible thing is that I can hit those who annoy me. " smiled Remus, hugging the boy and greeting all the newcomers. " How was school? "
" A nightmare. " said Blaise, despite Hermione's complaints that were promptly silenced. " Don't listen to her. We don't even have time to breathe because of the mountain of homework assigned. "
" I would have exams this year but at least I have them to help me review. " smiled Astoria, pleased.
" Wait until next year and then you will think back to the sixth year with joy. " said Sirius, remembering Remus' state in the time leading up to their N.E.W.T.'s.
" I wasn't that horrible. " grumbled Remus, blushing much to the delight of most people who found the man extremely attractive.
" You cursed me because I tried to get you to take a break after 2 days of no sleep! " retorted Sirius, exhausted. It seemed they had had that conversation a couple of times.
" That's where she gets it from. " muttered Theo, looking between Remus and Daisy for more similarities between the two.