(This chapter was low key unplanned, soz if it's a bit out of place)
15th September 1979
Leo placed down the daisy's on the grave he visited every year. But this year marked ten years since his mother had died.
He had only been eleven when she passed away, his father was there but never was. Once he was eighteen his father moved away, leaving him and his older brother alone.
It wasn't too bad, they had money left over from the inheritance, one flat in London and another in Derby. His brother moved further away and Leo stayed where he was closer to university.
He stood up from the grave, making his way back home, taking the longest possible route.
He hated the 15th of September. He wished that the day would just disappear from the calendar. Just make it non-existent. But of course that would never happen.
He finally made his way to Berkeley square stopping off at Joey's diner for a quick shake, but it didn't taste right, something was missing but he drank it anyway.
After he made his way back to his flat, he heard loud bangs from the stairs, he opened the door and saw a girl wearing a long black cloak, struggling to carry a large old fashioned trunk, which seemed as though she had plucked it from the 17th century.
"Oh, let me help you." he said, grabbing the other end, he was shocked at how heavy it was and how she had managed to get halfway up the stairs with no help.
When they reached the third floor, Leo realised she was the new girl Simon had told him about during band practice, who was moving in.
"Thanks for that, didn't think I could get up that flight by myself." she said, feathery.
He smiled in response. "I'm Leo, I live on the ground floor."
"Aries." she replied, holding out her hand for him to shake.
They began talking, stopping when Simon stuck his head out of the door. "Already chatting her up, I see." he nodded to Leo.
Leo rolled his eyes, saying goodbye. Aries flashed him a smile before he left.
He thought about her smile all day.
☽☆☾
23rd December 1980
"Just admit you've had a crush on Aries for a year now-" Simon teased.
"I do not have a crush on Aries."
"Leo! You have a crush on Aries, that's so sweet." Viktoria squealed.
Leo sighed. "I don't-"
"Listen mate, we all know you have a crush on her, it's pretty obvious. She probably knows you do, may as well just ask her out." Luke said, patting his back.
"Can we just get back to band practice because that's why we're all here."
"I'll give you a fiver if you ask her out tonight." Simon said, wiggling his brows.
"Piss off, I doubt she even likes me-"
"So you admit it-"
"For fuck's sake." Leo rolled his eyes.
"Your babies would be so cute." Viktoria grinned. "You're naming them after me."
"Why on earth would I name my child after you?"
"Because we're best friends."
"No we're not."
Viktoria gasped, pretending to look hurt. "Well there goes my first born not being called Leo."
"Oh no, how will I ever survive." Leo said, dramatically putting his hand on his forehead.
"I'm gonna tell Aries you like her-"
"Don't you dare."
Simone clapped his hands. "I knew it, just ask her out, what's the worst that could happen?"
"She could reject him, that would be really embarrassing." Luke laughed.
"I hate all of you," Leo said, beginning to play the drums.
After band practice Leo made his way to the diner, as he walked in, Aries was behind the counter like usual she smiled at him and proceeded to make a milkshake, it had become a ritual by now.
"Just finished practice?" she asked, gesturing to his drumstick.
"Yeah, Vik needed to practice her solo for tomorrow night, fancy coming?" He asked.
"Sorry, I'm heading back home for Christmas in the morning," she said, putting the glass down in front of him, he noticed a man near them watching the two but ignored him.
They spoke for a bit then the next person started their shift, Leo finished the milkshake quickly, he saw that she was waiting for him by the door.
"Awwh, you waited."
"How else would I find my way home?"
They crossed the road, he opened the door letting her in first.
"See you later," she said, heading up the stairs.
His heart started racing, "Hey Aries?"
She leaned over the bannister, "Yeah?"
She had a soft smile, her hair had been tucked into her scarf and her cheeks were a rosy red from the cold.
Just ask her out, it's not that hard.
He realised he had been staring for too long, so he opted out. "I just wanted to say Merry Christmas, seeing as you're leaving tomorrow."
Idiot.
"Merry Christmas, Leo." she smiled.
That damn smile.
☽☆☾
16th May 1981
"Tonight is the night, Leo's going to ask out Aries," Luke said, patting Leo's shoulder.
Leo rolled his eyes as the other's murmured.
They had been setting up the Green Dragon for their next gig.
"Aries?" Angelika asked. "You know she has a boyfriend."
He hesitated. "She- she's never mentioned a boyfriend."
"Oh, Angie's just trying to scare you," Luke laughed.
"No I'm not, his names Paul or Patrick, something like that. Did Simon not tell you?"
Leo swallowed, his skin warmed.
"Angie, stop scaring Leo." Viktoria shook her head.
"Fine, but it will be funny when you meet him, you invited all her friends to this didn't you?"
"Okay Angelika, you can help me with my setup," Viktoria said, taking her sister away.
And now Leo's stomach churned, Aries had never mentioned having a boyfriend, he would have known... right?
An hour later the pub was filled with people coming to listen to them, he saw Aries with her brother who called him over.
"So this is your new friend, huh?" a man wearing glasses and had a baby strapped to his chest in a baby carrier said, pretending to look intimidating.
He introduced himself as James and they got talking, a second later he saw Aries hug another person.
Simon cleared his throat waiting for an introduction.
"Oh, this is my boyfriend, Peter."
At that moment he wanted to floor to swallow him up, his stomach dropped as Luke laughed hysterically.
"You're an actual bellend." Leo groaned when the two were away.
"Nah, you're the bellend, she has a boyfriend." Luke laughed. "This whole time-"
"Okay, it's hilarious. I like someone who has a freakin boyfriend." he put his head in his hands. "I can't believe Angelika was right- hey, Vik," he stopped her as she walked by. "I can't do that last song-"
"The song dedicated to Aries-" Luke teased.
"Shut up. I can't do the last song-"
He tried as much as he could but Viktoria refused to change the song.
"Too bad mate," Luke said, patting his shoulder. "At least you didn't get rejected."
That night when he got home he found an acceptance letter from Belmont Hospital in Australia, and so he decided to go.
☽☆☾
5th May 1982
Leo had been in Australia for almost a year, he had a small group of friends now, most of them were junior doctors just as he was. One of his colleagues was also British so they instantly became friends, her name was Lisa Gateshead. She was very head strong and at work had a very serious mean about her but outside she was anything but that. One night after work they had gone to a bar for a few drinks and then nine months later Daisy was born.
25th March 1984
Leo and Lisa had married a few months after Daisy was born, they had bought a house near the sea, Lisa had read that the fresh salt air was good for babies.
It was just them three and Solo (Lisa was also a huge Star Wars fan), their family was small but that's how Leo liked it.
But when Daisy turned one everything went wrong.
She giggled as Leo tickled her tummy while getting her dressed.
"Lis, we're going in a minute." He didn't get a response, he smiled at Daisy picking her up. "Is your mum ignoring me?"
He walked down the stairs looking around. "Lis? Where is your mother, huh-" he stopped mid-sentence, as he saw Lisa collapsed on the ground. Everything faded, his heart raced as he dialled for an ambulance.
☽☆☾
"Stage four breast cancer, because the tumour was found very late, the chances of survival are low..."
Leo was hardly listening, his heart hadn't stopped racing since that day. Lisa took his hand, he shook his head, it should be him comforting her not the other way round.
"It's going to be okay." Lisa told him when the Doctor left them alone. "You never know I might get better,"
"He said the chances are low-"
"We don't know that for certain, I told a patient three years ago they had months to live, but they're still kicking about-"
"Lisa, this is different-"
"How? I'm not going to let this stop me, I'll get the treatment, I'll get better." she told him.
Leo didn't say anything.
"We'll sell the house here, and go back to England. I have a house in Brighton near my mums so if anything..." she trailed off. "If anything happens, you and Daisy won't be alone. Okay."
It hadn't even been two months when she died.
☽☆☾
15th September 1988
Today marked nineteen years since his mother died, he tried to get the day off work but with staff shortages that wasn't possible. But he did promise Daisy he would pick her up from school, which he almost missed because of a child sticking a peanut in her nose.
He didn't even have time to change out of his uniform. He drove straight to the school, running into the empty playground.
He didn't even know how late he was but he saw Daisy bobbing up at the window.
"I'm here, I know I'm late Dais, I'm sorry." he said as she ran to hug him.
"It's okay, Miss B is still here."
He smiled. "Well let's thank Miss B- Aries?" his heart stopped, her face filled with confusion for only a moment then she realised.
"Leo!"
In moments it was like old times, as he and Daisy left she smiled.
That damn smile.
☽☆☾
"Greece is amazing mate, you and Dais should come down one week." Luke said, through the phone, he had recently moved there to be a DJ in a popular club.
"Oh yeah, absolutely, I'm sure the school would love me taking Daisy out to go on holiday."
"Yeah, tell them her Uncle Luke said it's okay."
Leo shook his head. "Oh speaking of the school, you never guess who teaches Dais."
"The Queen?"
"Why would you choose that answer?"
"I dunno, maybe she would teach? Go on, who is it?"
"Aries."
"No way!" Luke gasped. "Is she still hot?"
"Luke-"
"Leo," he said, waiting for an answer.
He sighed. "She's still very pretty-"
"Ask her out."
"No."
"Why not?"
"She literally teaches my daughter, plus I have no idea if she's single."
"Well, find out then ask her, I doubt she's still dating that Patrick guy."
"Peter."
"Sure. Just ask her out, for me."
"Why?"
"Because you're my best mate and I don't want you to be alone for the rest of your life."
"Have you been speaking to Daisy's nan? You sound just like her."
"When was the last time you brought a girl round, huh?"
Leo rolled his eyes. "I have a child in the house, I'm not bringing random women into my house."
"Aries isn't a random woman, we've known her for years with a huge gap in the middle. Plus Cheryl said that Daisy's staying at her's tonight-"
"So you two are talking."
"Of course, she sends me cupcake recipes, ooh she sent a flapjack one the other day-"
"This call is costing me a lot of money. Can we stay focused please."
"Okay, ask Aries out-"
"No."
"Yes, I gotta go, you better have asked her out by the next time we speak." Luke said. "I'll be talking to Cheryl, bye!"
The other line hung up, Leo shook his head as he put the phone down.
"He's right, you know." Cheryl said.
"What have we said about you listening to my phone calls?"
"She's been gone for four years now, it's time you moved on." she told him, calling Daisy down from her room. "It's better you do it now rather than when you're old and wrinkly like me."
"Cheryl, you're a very beautiful lady."
"Oh stop it, you. Go get that girl, Leo. Luke was telling me you had a huge crush on her years ago-"
"You and Luke need to stop talking about me."
"What else will we talk about? The weather?"
A few hours later he saw her again, and then everything fell into place.
☽☆☾
1st August 1997
"I see you weren't too happy about Aries' decision." Remus said, walking next to Leo.
The two were watching Bill and Fleur take their first dance. He shook his head. "I just wish she told me. I know she's gotta stay and help but she told me we'd be together. That's why I'm mad."
"How long are you planning on staying mad?"
"Maybe another half an hour, I'm not sure." he looked across the dancefloor, she was standing on the side watching everyone else, she was wearing an emerald green dress, her hair was loosely curled and in Leo's opinion she looked stunning. "Maybe less."
Daisy ran over to him. "They're doing the father-daughter dance."
"Are they? Well in that case I think we have to dance, don't we?" he said, twirling her onto the dancefloor, as he danced with her she laughed.
"You're so embarrassing, dad."
"Embarrassing? You asked me to dance. And actually you're embarrassing."
"That's rude!" she giggled.
As the song faded into another Leo looked up, Aries was watching them, a faint smile on her lips as they made eye contact.
He knew he couldn't stay mad at her forever, he nodded at her and held out his hand for her to join him, only moments later there was chaos. A bright light had fallen into the canopy and everyone began running and disappearing on the spot. He gripped Daisy's arm holding her close to him.
"Leo! Daisy!" he heard her shout.
"Aries!" he shouted back, he ran through the ground as he saw her frantically looking for them.
She shouted for them again but before he could call out for her Chloe ran towards him.
"You need to go now-"
"Aries-"
"She's staying, we've got to go now." she said, frantically.
He looked back at the dancefloor, in the middle of the chaos was Aries, her face was filled with horror, he tried to call her name again but he didn't manage to catch her before he was pulled away.
☽☆☾
25th March 1998
It had been seven months since the wedding, since he and Daisy had been in hiding.
Chloe had taken them to an outback house in the middle of Australia, if you drove thirty minutes you would find a shop or two for essentials but other than that it was just red desert.
They had no contact with anyone whilst they were there, there was no way without the death eaters tracking them down.
He could tell Daisy had gotten restless from all the time alone, although he tried his best, there wasn't much to do about their accommodation.
He found her sitting on the bench outside one morning, she had a sketchbook on her lap that Aries had given her and next to her was Cuddles, which she hadn't outgrown yet.
"Morning, you're up early." he said, sitting down next to her, he peered down at the sketchbook, she had drawn the landscape but added things into it to make it seem less boring.
"I couldn't sleep." Daisy said. "It's too hot."
"Even with the fan?"
"The fan just blows hot air back, why did we have to come to Australia?"
Leo shook his head. "You know you were born here-"
"And I was raised in cold, rainy England." she huffed.
He let out a small sigh. "Your drawings are good. Your mum would like that one."
Daisy turned her head towards him. "I miss her."
He pulled her into a hug, kissing her head tightly. "I know, I miss her too."
"How long do we have to stay here?"
"I don't know, sweetheart."
She sighed, pulling away. "Do you think you could recreate the milkshake?"
"I don't even think I could attempt it. But I did pick up Milo Powder from the shop?" Leo suggested, half grinning.
"Okay," she shrugged.
"Put that stuff away and I'll make it for you." he said, going into the kitchen, after he'd finished he called for her.
"Dais, it's ready."
He didn't get an answer.
"Daisy?"
Once again she didn't reply.
He walked out into the hallway, a cold breeze brushed past him, he looked at the front door which stood ajar. Something felt wrong, "Dais? Where are you?"
It was when he heard struggles in the living room his heart began to race, he rushed in, his eyes widened as he did.
"Don't say anything and no one gets hurt." the familiar voice said, his hand covered Daisy's mouth gripping her back as she struggled, her eyes frightened.
"Get your hands off my daughter-"
"Please just listen to me-"
"I don't need to listen to you, Pettigrew, get the hell off my daughter!"
Leo was weapon less, we all know what happened the last time a father went against an enemy to save his child without protection.
The last thing he saw before running at him was a jet of bright green flames filling the room.
____________________
Don't get mad.
I can already see you are mad, but don't please 😭😭
Have a nice day xx