DAISY COULDN'T CONTAIN her excitement as she woke up at the crack of dawn on Christmas Day morning. Fresh snow had fallen across Cokeworth overnight leaving the day feeling magical. She wasted no time in running downstairs, not changing from her pyjamas. "Merry Christmas dad." She beamed as she entered the sitting room, Severus Snape sat reading yesterday's edition of the daily prophet.
"Good morning Daisy, Happy Christmas." He folded over his newspaper, giving the girl a warm smile as he looked at his daughter. She was now sat on the armchair in the corner, her legs crossed under her as she picked up her school books. "We've been invited to Grimmauld Place for Christmas dinner." He held out a letter, handing it to Daisy.
"We?" She questioned, knowing the current resident of that household. Her father and godfather never saw eye to eye, even when they were younger. Severus nodded. She read through the letter one more time.
"Yes, we." Severus said stiffly, knowing he wanted nothing more than to stay at home all day with Daisy. He didn't want to be around Sirius Black.
"Will you actually stay for food this time?" Daisy questioned her father. Severus shrugged, shuffling forward in his chair, now perching on the edge as the girl handed back the letter.
"We will just have to see. Now, how about I make you some pancakes before you open all your presents?" He changed the subject as fast as he could, rising from the leather sofa and heading towards the kitchen as Daisy nodded.
••
The rest of their Christmas Day morning was spent peacefully together, Daisy unwrapping all her presents from her father and her friends. As she finally got herself ready for the day, she waited patiently for the clock to chime 12pm. "You don't have to stay, Dad. If you are that worried. I'm sure the Weasley's will look after me." Daisy spoke up, seeing the man go through several emotions at once.
"I know they will." Severus spoke up, pausing for a moment. "I will drop you off and you can spend time with your friends and godfather." He let out a sigh that Daisy recognised as a sign of feeling uncomfortable.
"You don't have to put yourself in an uncomfortable situation for me. I'll be just fine. I'll go for some food and then come straight home." Daisy nodded. Severus liked the sound of that plan. It worked for the both of them.
••
"Oh Daisy, you look well! Come in, come in. Everyone is in the kitchen, dear." The door swung open almost instantly after the duo knocked. Daisy dressed in her comfiest white jumper, black trousers and her winter jacket. Snow was falling quite heavily, a truly magical white Christmas.
"Hi Mrs Weasley. Lovely to see you." Daisy greeted the woman with open arms as she was engulfed in a warm hug. She could see why Harry always looked up to this woman. She was like a mother figure.
"Look after her Molly, I'll be back later." Severus spoke, not stepping over the threshold.
"Are you not staying, Severus?" Molly questioned, loosening her grip on Daisy as she faced her father.
He shook his head. "Not today. Daisy, have fun. I'll see you later." He waved at the girl, ready to walk away. That's when he froze, an all familiar voice coming from behind Molly and Daisy.
"Well, well. If it isn't the Snape's, joining us at last." Sirius Black spoke, a smile etched on his face. He looked healthier, more happier since the last time Daisy saw him.
"Sirius!" She turned around, giving the man a hug. He held her tightly, glaring at the man stood at the front door.
"Black." Severus spoke, his voice cold. He wanted to leave, to get away as fast as he could. He didn't want to see him so close to his own flesh and blood. "I must be off. See you later Daisy." Severus waved, exiting as fast as he could as Molly Weasley closed the door, ushering the girl and her godfather into the kitchen.
"Daisy!" There was a chorus of cheers as the girl took off her coat, each of them taking it in turns to give her a hug.
"Harry, Ron, Hermione!" It felt like old times, surrounded by her friends all the time. She missed this the most. "I've missed you all so much."
"It's been all of a week." Harry ruffled the girls hair, giving her a playful nudge.
"Yeah, well one week too long." She chuckled softly, taking a seat at the end of the table.
"I'm surprised you managed to get away from Malfoy. Thought he might have kept you away for the entire holidays or something." Harry joked, leaning in. Daisy blushed. Nobody else heard.
"I'm actually seeing him in a few days for the first time since coming home. It's our one year together." Daisy said softly, happy memories filling her up inside.
"A whole year already?" Harry questioned. She nodded. "And I've not had to hex him yet. Maybe he's better than I thought." The gryffindor chuckled to himself as the room filled with more people.
It wasn't long before everyone was present, Mr Weasley entering the room looking a little worse for wear. Molly wasted no time in handing out drinks to everyone. "A toast everyone, to Harry Potter and Daisy Snape, without whom I would not be here today." Arthur held his glass up with his free, uninjured hand, looking between the pair.
"To Harry and Daisy." The group chimed in unison. Daisy smiled, but deep down felt like she didn't deserve such praise. She had watched the attack, seen everything from a point of view she wished she hadn't.
It wasn't long before everyone was stuffed to the brim, their stomachs full with Molly's cooking. Daisy couldn't help but admit she liked Molly's cooking just as much as her father's. Everyone was engaged in conversation, playing games or catching up on the school year.
"I'm going to wander around for a bit, are you coming?" Harry asked Daisy who gladly nodded, wanting nothing more than to get away from the noise for just a moment. "So, how are you?" Harry asked his sister, walking down the hallway into an empty, deserted room. He closed the door behind them.
"I'm good, great actually." Daisy half lied. She couldn't tell her brother that Voldemort wanted her, could she? "It's getting better now the nightmares are not as frequent."
"You get them too?" He questioned. Daisy nodded briefly, taking in the tapestry behind her.
"All the time. They always relate back to mum or Voldemort. I can't make them stop." She sighed, scratching the back of her neck. "What is this room?" She studied it further, seeing the faces of people going back centuries, all linked together. It was a family tree.
"It looks like a family tree." Harry scanned it, looking at some familiar faces. Daisy walked around looking at each wall.
"Well, well." Daisy chuckled, pointing towards a familiar face as she halted. Draco Lucius Malfoy. Linked to Narcissa Black and a faceless entry of Lucius Malfoy.
"You could be on here one day." He joined her, seeing the links coming off of Draco. Blank. Waiting for someone to be added in the future.
"Don't be absurd." She whacked her brother playfully. "As if that boy would actually want to spend the rest of his life with me."
"You know, I think he only wants to spend it with you. Have you seen how he feels about you? It's obvious to everyone." Harry shook his head in amusement, watching his sister turn a bright shade of pink.
"I like him a lot but I'm sure he will find somebody better to marry." Daisy shook her head. She could not imagine herself getting married anytime soon. "Now, tell me all about your little crush on Cho Chang. We can't talk about my love life forever." Daisy raised an eyebrow.
"Well, we kissed one time after the last DA meeting." Daisy squealed, unable to contain her excitement.
"You did...does that mean you're official?" Harry shook his head.
"Not really, no. I think she is not sure she should move on from Cedric just yet." Harry frowned. "But I like her."
"Oh Harry, I'm so happy for you. Wonder if mum would ever approve of her two children having love lives so young." She thought deeply, picturing the red headed woman.
"Well, what does your dad think of Draco?" Harry questioned. He, too, was in deep thought about his parents.
"Dad gets on really well with Draco. The same way I get on really well with his mother." She thought back to the time she had overheard Severus and Draco having a conversation after they had their first kind of argument.
"That must be nice to know they are supportive?" Daisy nodded.
"It really is. I have never been so happy." She ran her finger across the tapestry, reading the scroll under his portrait.
Draco Lucius Malfoy
B. 5th June 1980.
That was her Draco.
Above him was Narcissa Black, next to Bellatrix and then Andromeda Black, who had been burned off the tree, the face now blank. Daisy noticed across the tree Sirius Black. His face also burned. She wondered what that meant.
There was a knock at the door, Molly Weasley walking in. "Ah, there you are Daisy. Your father is here to collect you." She beckoned to the girl, holding open the door for her.
"I'll see you soon little brother. Try and stay out of trouble."
"You too, sis." She waved goodbye as she joined her father in the hallway.
"Thank you for a wonderful dinner, Mrs Weasley. It's been great." Daisy gave a warm smile as she engulfed the Weasley into another hug.
"You are most welcome, dear. She's been an absolute pleasure to have, Severus. Take care now." She smiled, giving a small wave to the girl.
"Thank you Molly." Severus nodded curtly, opening the front door as they both exited the safe house. "Let's get you home. There's someone there to see you." Daisy raised an eyebrow. Who could possibly be waiting for her.
And her answer was given the moment Severus opened the door to their home. "Surprise! Merry Christmas Dais."Draco Malfoy was stood in the doorway of the living room, his face beaming as he bit down into a mince pie. "These are so good, Severus." He nodded slowly, taking another bite.
"Draco, what are you doing here?" Daisy jumped forward, engulfing the boy into a tight hug. "Merry Christmas, Dray!"
"He's come to eat all my baking! Draco, how many did you eat?" Severus looked at the tray behind the boy, shaking his head in amusement as Draco choked on a pastry crumb.
"I left some for you, I promise. They're just so good." He chuckled. "I did help bake them." He said a matter of fact, Daisy now noticing the flour and crumbs on his green sweater.
"You and my father did some baking?" Daisy raised an eyebrow in amusement, picturing the two in her mind.
"I was head of clearing up and eating the leftovers." Draco was proud of his efforts.
"More like head of getting in the way." Severus rolled his eyes as he sat down on the sofa, taking his own mince pie to eat. "Draco has come to stay for the night. The Malfoy's have something urgent to attend to." Severus spoke towards his daughter.
"Surprise, you're stuck with me." Daisy groaned playfully. Laughter erupting between the pair. "I'm glad I get to see you again." He reached out for the girls hand, squeezing lightly.
"Why don't you two go out and enjoy the snow while it's still light." Severus suggested. Daisy wanted to show Draco her favourite spot.
"Come on, let's get wrapped up warm!" Daisy dragged the boy upstairs and into her room as he stopped to look around. It felt homely. A small double bed next to the window, the wardrobe in the corner of the room. A book case covering the entire wall, lined with every book Draco had ever seen the girl read. String lights hung across every wall space. A chest of draws with several photo frames on. Photos of her mother, Harry, her father and even Draco sat on top. It was perfect. Draco picked up a photograph, studying it deeply. It was a photo his mother had taken of them at Daisy's birthday. Daisy was smiling, her face glowing with happiness as she was surrounded by her favourite person. Draco's arms around her shoulder as they laughed together, her arms resting on his as the emerald green ring sparkled. "That's my favourite photo." Daisy crept up behind him, shaking him out of his trance.
"It's mine, too." He nodded in agreement. "We look so happy." Daisy walked closer to him, him feeling the warmth radiating from the girl.
"I was so happy that day." Daisy took his hand in her own, pulling him closer to her. "I am still so happy." They were centimetres apart. He wanted to kiss her.
"Are you two going outside anytime soon?" Severus called up the stairs, the pair chuckling as they stepped apart, putting on their hats, gloves and scarves, Draco putting on his coat.
"We're going now." Daisy called down the stairs, taking a hold of Draco's hand.
"Be safe. I want you both back here before it gets dark, okay?" The pair nodded. "Have you got your wands?"
"Dad, stop fussing! We'll be okay." He nodded, taking a deep breath. They would be okay.
"Have fun." He called as they stepped out into the street, holding onto each other.
"Okay, to the park!" Daisy started walking towards the end of the street, past the row of houses next to hers. "It's not far."
"This place is so cozy, it feels homely." He looked around, taking in the sights. He hadn't seen anything like it before.
"It's also packed with muggles and I know like nobody around here. Come on, you're dawdling now." Daisy dragged Draco along the street, crossing the road to the next street, behind a cul-de-sac. There was the gate to the park. It was awfully quiet for the time of day, but Daisy put that down to it being Christmas Day. "Here we are. Cokeworth Park. This is the place my mum and dad met." Daisy smiled, holding open the gate for the boy as they entered the park. The snow was fresh, untouched.
"Tell me the story." Draco requested as they walked further into the park, seeing a few more people over by the play equipment.
"Well, they were ten years old. Mum had just gotten her Hogwarts letter and dad used to come here and sit under that tree over there." Daisy pointed to the biggest tree in the park, walking closer to it. "That's where I come to sit most of the time." Daisy was surprised to see someone else over there today. Someone she knew very well.
"Daisy!" The girl beamed up at her, giving her a wave. She had been making snow angels.
"Hi Cassie! Lovely to see you again. How's Hogwarts been treating you?" The couple walked over, Daisy opting to sit on the bench that had been cleared of snow. Draco sat down next to her. He remembered Daisy mentioning the girl before.
"It's been great, I love it so much. Second year is much harder than the first, but I passed all my exams. Who is this?" The young girl had noticed the person sat next to Daisy.
"Oh this, this is my boyfriend Draco. Draco, this is Cassie. She started at Hogwarts last year." Draco waved to the girl, feeling slightly out of place.
"What house are you in?" Draco questioned curiously.
"Gryffindor." Cassie pointed to her scarf, the colours now visible under her mousy hair.
"Remember when you were a Gryffindor, Dais." Draco teased. Daisy rolled her eyes.
"Nothing wrong with that, Dray. Ignore him. He's a strange one." Daisy smirked, Draco playfully hitting Daisy's shoulder.
"I see how it is." Draco crossed his arms, sticking his tongue out.
"You two are cute!" Cassie cheered. She had finally stood up, dusting the snow off of her clothes.
"We do try." Draco teased. "Daisy is the best. I am incredibly lucky." Daisy's face went red, not due to the cold weather. She felt warm inside. She was incredibly lucky to have him. "So, do you live here?" Draco looked over to the houses opposite the park. Daisy was quite surprised he was engaging in a civil conversation.
"I actually live on the same street as Daisy, Spinners End. We have done for some time now." Draco smiled. Daisy gave him a smile. "Where do you live?" Cassie did not know much about wizarding families. Especially those well respected, pureblood families.
"I live in Devon. It's like 3 hours away from here." Cassie beamed in excitement, like the reminder had brought back a happy memory.
"I have been to Devon before with my mum and brother, to the seaside." She was in happy thought. Draco nodded.
"I love the seaside. But we live a bit more in land than that area. We live in the countryside." Daisy admired the scene in front of her. Draco engaging in a conversation with a muggle born, genuinely interested in finding out more.
"I like the seaside too." Daisy smiled, having a fond memory of going there with her adoptive parents before things got bad. Draco made a mental note. He must take Daisy to the seaside.
"What was it like starting at Hogwarts?" Draco questioned the small girl. She was now taking handfuls of snow, rolling them into balls.
"Being muggleborn, I didn't really know what to expect. But it was magical. Obviously it didn't seem real at first." Daisy could also remember that feeling. Hogwarts had never felt real to her when she arrived for the first time. She was sure she had dreamt it. "But I soon settled and now I love going back." Draco knew the feeling. He knew that being at Hogwarts meant he was with Daisy.
"The real question is, how are you finding lessons with her father. That scary potions master!" Daisy choked on her own breath as Draco began to laugh.
"Professor Snape is well...Professor Snape. I don't think he likes anybody. Especially us in Gryffindor." Daisy could not contain her laughter. Cassie had summed up her father perfectly.
"He's not that bad, I promise." Draco shook his head in amusement. Daisy was still laughing. All she could picture was her dad telling off every single gryffindor to exist at Hogwarts.
"My mum is coming over, got to go! Nice talking to you both. Merry Christmas!" Cassie saw the figure of her mother, a small child dressed in a snow suit clutched at her side.
"Merry Christmas!" Daisy and Draco said in unison, giving the girl a wave as she skipped away, back to her mother.
Daisy turned to Draco, a soft look on her face. A look of happiness. "Why are you looking at me like that for?" Draco blushed, Daisy giving the biggest grin. There it was again, that warm feeling inside.
"I just love you, that's all." Daisy beamed, her cheeks glowing. He looked at the girl for a moment, studying her face once more. The sky had clouded over, a fresh downfall of snow falling around them. "It's snowing!" Daisy stated cheerfully, looking up at the sky, the small flakes landing gracefully onto her flushed skin. Draco did not stop looking at Daisy, seeing her excitement over something so simple. She never got to experience this as a child.
"You're so cute." Draco chuckled, diverting his eyes to the snowfall. It was getting heavier as the sun was slowly setting in the distance, peaking through the heavy clouds.
"Oh, there's one last thing I have to show you!" Daisy pulled the boy up from the bench, closer to the big oak tree. They reached the trunk, Daisy crouching down at the base, searching for one thing she had seen many times. "Here it is." Her fingers graced over the wood, dusting off the tiny amount of snow that had settled against the bark.
'S + L'
"Is that your mother and father?" Draco questioned. She nodded, holding her finger across the deeply carved letter L. Draco crouched down beside her, looking at the carving. "I have an idea." Draco got up, searching around the clear base of the tree, where the snow hadn't quite fallen. "Ah, this will do."
"What are you doing?" Daisy questioned the boy, watching him move back beside her. Daisy saw his hand grasping a sharp stone.
"I think it's time we added ourselves to the tree, don't you?" Daisy held back tears as she watched the boy carve into the tree, concentrating as hard as possible on the letters.
'D + D'
"Dray, this...it means a lot. This place is so special to me." She traced the new lettering as Draco put down the stone. Without another word he engulfed the girl into a tight hug, burying his face into the crook of her neck.
"You're special to me. Your mum would be so proud of you." He didn't move, she didn't want him to. Instead she looked down at the boy, placing a light kiss to his flushed cheek.
"It's going to get dark soon, shall we head back?" Daisy spoke up after a while, the boy groaned against her.
"I wish we could stay here forever." He hesitated breaking apart from her, longing for the warmth of the girl as he helped her up, taking her hand in his own. "Let's go back home into the warmth." Draco murmured softly as they walked hand in hand back to the exit of the park.
"What are your parents up to today for you to have to stay with us?" Daisy questioned as they began their walk from the park. Draco frowned slightly, wondering if he should tell Daisy. He hesitated for a moment.
"You-know-who has something planned and he wanted to go through those plans with the people that will be involved. Mum and dad didn't want to risk having me there so they asked your father. Obviously he said yes." Draco stated, feeling guilt inside of him. Draco knew this meant that it wouldn't be long before they had no choice but to join the dark wizard. Daisy didn't want him harming Draco in any way.
"It's an extra day you get to spend with me." Daisy tried to remain positive, without thinking about what the dark wizard could be up to. She hoped it did not involve her own brother. "Let's get inside, before it gets dark and my dad gets annoyed. Don't want scary Professor Snape on our backs."
The pair reached Spinners End with plenty of time to spare, shaking off their coats and hats that were now covered with thick, white snow. "Dad, we're home." Daisy called, her voice echoed through the hallway.
"Oh good. Are you both hungry? I was going to make your favourite, Daisy." The man greeted them as they walked into the living room, Daisy plopping down on the nearest sofa next to the fire, warming up her hands. Severus had the radio on in the background, Christmas music playing around the house. Draco sat on the floor next to the chair, doing the same. He felt right at home.
"I had a big lunch but I've always got room for spaghetti bolognese." Daisy chuckled. Draco gave her a look of astonishment. "What?" She raised an eyebrow at the boy next to her.
"We've been together for almost an entire year and I didn't even know we had the same favourite dinner." The boy chortled, moving even closer to the fire.
"Well that's sorted then. I'll be in the kitchen, I'll call you both when it's ready if you're not staying down here." He turned away without another word as the two sat in comfortable silence.
The boy got up, walking around the small living room. Every wall was lined with books. He had never seen the room in such detail. Potion bottles and ingredients were scattered along several shelves, photos in frames were propped up against books. Draco could see many photos of Daisy from over the years. It wasn't like the manor he lived in. There were no photographs of him outside his bedroom. Draco could tell that this household was full of love.
"Are you okay, Draco?" Daisy shook the boy out of his trance as he nodded, browsing the shelves for a book to read.
"Just admiring how this feels like a home. It's just so perfect." He looked at the details of the Christmas decorations hung so carefully, the small tree in the corner. The fireplace scattered with ornaments.
"It's not much. We don't have the grandest house, but I like it here." Daisy looked around. It was the perfect home. A home she had been taken into when she was ten years old. A house where she could be herself, do the things she wanted to do, without anyone hurting her or telling her off for being in the way.
"I love it. I think I much prefer this to a manor house with far too many rooms that feel all cold and lonely." He sat down next to Daisy, looking around once more. The girl was still flushed, her hands still cold. Draco grabbed the blanket from the back of the sofa, moving to wrap this around the girl. "Here." He pulled her closer making sure the girl was fully covered by the blanket.
"Thank you, love." She snuggled into the soft material, her body now warming up as he didn't let go. "You've truly been amazing today. You were the best Christmas surprise." Daisy shuffled against the boy, her head resting on his chest. She wanted every day to feel like this.
"So we've been together for a year in three days time." Draco stated. "One whole year." He reminisced on the conversation they had that day, how they were going to try and make things work. How they were willing to take that risk for each other.
"One whole year and I'm not fed up of you yet. That's an achievement, Dray." Daisy teased, hearing him gasp. "It's been the best year with you. I honestly thought you would leave the moment you saw my past." The boy shook his head, gripping Daisy's hand under the blanket.
"Seeing those memories made me want to stay even more. You're stuck with me, Dais." He had never thought about leaving the girl. He couldn't, he wouldn't. Daisy was stuck with him until the very end. "I'm going to see if your dad needs any help, I quite like cooking with him." Daisy shuffled as Draco got up, still wrapped in her blanket. This, to her, felt like home. Like this wasn't his first time here at all. He appreciated the little things, he loved Daisy for who she was, for what they had.
Draco finally felt like part of the family to Daisy Snape.