CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
A Piece Of Us
December 4th, 1984

throwback to December 9th 1981!

          "Oh Merlin, that is wicked," an exhausted James whispered as he read the Daily Prophet. That was all he did most days, read the newspaper and take care of Harry.

Daphne peeked at him before saying, "What is?"

He looked up at her and read the small article that appeared in the smallest letters they could find in the Daily Prophet and it was obvious that they had tried to hide it.

"Death Eaters, Augustus Rookwood and Martha Rookwood, had been kept in Azkaban since the fall of Tom Riddle. However, Martha was admitted to St Mungo's to give birth to a little girl that will be put in an orphanage as she goes back to Azkaban."

Daphne frowned sadly, "That is—really sad," she marked a pause before going on. "I've never seen Martha Rookwood. Surely, I met Augustus, he was working at the Ministry but his wife...I've never heard of her."

"I can't even imagine what that poor little girl will go through," James commented.

"I'm sure she will be better in an orphanage than with her parents, James," Daphne tried her best to reassure him but everything seemed so hard these days. He was seeing life mostly in black and white and she couldn't blame him really. "She will be alright, James."

...
back to the present day!

Daphne wanted a child, she wanted to feel the same joy she felt when she held Draco when he was a baby and she wanted that baby to be hers. Hers and James. But fate had decided otherwise. If she thought about it, fate was a cruel thing—it somehow had been cruel to her.

Salazar, she loved Harry with her whole being and she couldn't dream of trading him for anything else. But when she looked at him, she saw James and Lily. Not her and James. There was nothing wrong about it–but, was it wrong of her to want a baby that had a piece of them?

Just a little after the wedding, Daphne had decided to go to St Mungo's to do tests as a routine. James had pushed her to do so really. A healer had come back and explained to her that there was a small chance for her to have children. She had cried in the hospital, cried in James's arms and cried in the bath late at night.

"Love, it doesn't mean we have to stop trying," James cooed in her hair as he held her close. He understood where her sadness came from, Daphne always wanted a family. "Stop crying, alright?"

"I–I just wanted another baby, James. I wanted to be able to experience it all," she whispered. "And if we still try, there's a chance for us to have that baby too late."

"Darling," he said softly, brushing some hair out of her face. "It is never too late, yeah? Besides, we could adopt one, couldn't we?"

"I reckon."

That was how Daphne found herself contacting her old Professor, Professor Mcgonagall. If she recalled, she knew contacts–wizards that were now working in orphanages and helped the young wizards and witches reach Hogwarts. Perhaps, there was one child that would need a family. Daphne slowly started to lose hope until Mcgonagall sent her a letter on a cold December morning, stating that a little girl born in 1981 was showing signs of magic. Daphne and James jumped on the occasion and got ready as soon as they could.

"Harry, you stay with Uncle Moony, yeah?" James said, kissing Harry's head. "Daffy and I have to go do something important."

"What is it?"

"Well, we...we'd like to adopt a baby, someone like you," James tried his best to explain. "So, maybe you can have a little brother or sister."

Harry's eyes lit up at the mention of brother and sister, "Just like Ron, dad? Ron has lots of brothers and—and he has one sister too! Her name's Ginny!"

"We know, Harry," James chuckled, ruffling his hair which made him groan. "Alright, see you later."

Their old professor had proposed to them to meet in a restaurant, right outside of London centre so she could give them all the information needed. As they strolled in London, James's arm went around her waist, bringing her closer and she was close to slap it away until she remembered—they were married and this was allowed. There was no war anymore, telling which side was good and which side was bad.

"That should be it," Daphne commented, pointing at the sign ahead of them. "Salazar, it's cold."

"I told you, you should have brought a scarf," James muttered as she rolled her eyes. They entered the place and his eyes fell on their old Professor. "Minerva!"

"Mr. Potter," she greeted, looking over at Daphne, a smile appearing on her face. "Mrs. Rosier."

"Potter," Daphne corrected shyly. "Hello, Professor."

She smiled sneakily, "Congratulations," she told them as they both thanked her. "The orphanage is in Norwich, the child is a little girl, a year younger than your son, Mr. Potter. Her parents got imprisoned in Azkaban for being Death Eaters."

"Death Eaters?" James asked with a frown. "Who were they?"

Their Professor sighed, "I'd rather not share their last names considering Mrs. Potter's past," she replied truthfully and even though it should have hurt a little, Daphne understood. "The wizard working there is called Anthony O'Malley."

"Thank you so much, Professor," Daphne said softly. "I'm so grateful for your help."

She smiled softly and Daphne didn't think her smile had been so honest before, "It is my pleasure, Mrs. Potter. After everything you have done for us," she said, referring to the spying.

"Thank you."

Biding their goodbyes, James and Daphne walked hand in hand to an Apparate point that would lead them straight to Norwich. Norwich was pretty, not as pretty as where James lived but pretty enough for Daphne to feel slightly in awe at the sight of it. James didn't speak much, instead he looked at Daphne. He had never seen her so envious of having something—someone else to call hers.

Reaching the orphanage, they walked through the double doors and waited at the reception desk. Finally, a man appeared in front of them. He was wearing glasses and had straight brown hair. His face was familiar but Daphne couldn't tell yet.

"Hello, how may I help you two?" He queried, offering a dazzling smile.

"Right, hello," Daphne replied. "We are looking for a certain Anthony O'Malley?"

Suddenly, his eyebrows furrowed in surprise, "This is he."

"Brilliant. Minerva Mcgonagall sent us here," she explained. "About a little girl who was born in 1981."

His face lit up, "That's perfect, follow me," he said, motioning with his hand for them to follow. As they walked through the building, he spoke up. "Her name's Helena. I am sure Professor McGonagall explained the reasons for her stay here. She was born on December 9th 1981. She is very calm though and she loves playing chess. Very cunning that one."

"Is she aware of being here? At an orphanage, I mean?" James questioned curiously.

"Surely. Every child is aware that this situation is temporary, they'll find a home sooner or later."

"Helena looks like you actually," Anthony told Daphne, pushing another door that led straight to a common area. "Helena, darling, hello," he said to her softly and her face lit up at the sight of James and Daphne. "Is it okay if these two people talk to you for a bit?"

"Yes!"

First impression of her was: a very chery personality. It did match Harry perfectly. Daphne couldn't wipe the smile off her face when she watched James and Helena talk. It was as if all they had been missing was right there in front of them–she was right there. Then it came to Daphne's turn to have a conversation with her and Daphne felt...she felt joy, simply joy. Helena reminded her of Evan–the cocky smile and the laugh then she had somehow a part of Daphne too. Daphne couldn't put her hand on it but there was some of her in Helena.

"She's perfect," Daphne whispered to James. "Anthony, excuse me, how does it work–we've never adopted a child."

Anthony offered a toothy smile, "Well, it is quite easy actually. There is a lot of paperwork, surely but then you can go home and be a little family. I must tell you I'm quite happy that you've found your way here."

"Why is that?"

He sighed, "Children who tend to...show magic abilities are most of the time not adopted. You see, it is considered as an abomination by most couples that come to visit and we have to erase that memory from them."

"I see."

"But, Helena deserves a loving family that will treat her well. Do you have children at home?" He asked and Daphne concluded that it was part of his job.

Daphne sat down in front of him and cleared her throat, "We do, yes. His name is Harry, he's a year older than Helena."

"Good, that is brilliant," he breathed out. "Are you two married or–"

"We're married and share the same house," she cut him off, smiling. "My last name used to be Rosier."

"Rosier? Oh, wow," he said softly. "I've heard of your family and mostly read the news in the Daily Prophet."

Daphne didn't answer because all he could have read in the Daily Prophet was pure disdain for the family. Rita Skeeter never liked the Rosier nor the Black much, she liked gossiping and she liked to lie as well. Evan and Bacchus's deaths had appeared in that piece of paper–not James and Daphne's special day though. They had wished to keep it a secret from the rest of the world.

By the time she finished answering his questions, Anthony was fully satisfied with the couple and their abilities to take care of sweet Helena. When she walked back to the common room, James was playing chess with her.

"We're going home," Daphne breathed out, relieved to finally leave. Though Helena didn't move an inch. "Helena, darling, you are coming home with us?"

"Am I?" She asked, her voice slightly shaky as she looked up to them.

"Yes. Anthony is packing your bag," she grinned. Standing up, she offered her hand which Helena took hesitantly but when she did, Daphne felt a deep connection with her, as if she was meant to find her someday. Helena seemed to feel it too because she relaxed instantly. "At home, there's a little boy called Harry. He'll be like a brother to you. Then there are two other men called Sirius and Remus."

"They are wankers, I'll tell you that," James teased Helena, earning a breathy chuckle. "Remus is Uncle Moony."

As they reached the room, Anthony appeared in front of them, "We have floo travel, right down the corner and on your right," he indicated to them then looked down at Helena. "Goodbye, Helena."

"Goodbye, Anthony," she whispered, trailing by Daphne's side as they walked to the fireplace. "What is floo travel?"

James scratched the back of his neck, "It is quite fun. All you have to do is take our hands, we are going to say Potter manor and then we'll whisk away to our home," he told her as she nodded, taking it all in. "It is easier than you think. Would you like to try?"

"What do I have to do?"

"You can either say Potter manor or throw the powder," Daphne proposed. "Whatever you'd like, love."

Helena bit her finger anxiously before answering, "Can I throw the powder?"

"Of course."

Holding on tight, James pronounced the words that would bring them back home. In a matter of seconds, they were in the living room. Harry was sitting on the sofa, a book in hand as his eyes widened at the sight of his parents with a little girl. Closing the book, he stood up shyly and went to them.

"Hello," Harry said quietly, observing the little girl. Seeing she wasn't answering, he went on. Harry was definitely not the shy one. "I'm Harry."

Daphne squeezed her shoulder, saying it was okay to answer, "Helena."

"Oh, funny! Our names start with the same letter!"

"Alright, Harry, where are Uncle Moony and Uncle Pads?" James queried.

Harry shrugged, "Kitchen."

"Hello, kitten!" Sirius's voice echoed through the living room, scaring Helena for a moment before she relaxed on the couch. Sirius and Remus appeared, their eyes fell on Helena. "Aren't you a pretty one?"

Helena blushed, "Thank you."

"My name's Remus and this is Sirius," he introduced both of them. "What do you like to do?"

"Play chess!"

Remus chuckled, "Right, that's something I like to do as well."

"Uncle Pads doesn't like to play chess," Harry commented sweetly. "He likes to play Quidditch!"

"Quiddish?" Helena tried her best to pronounce the word, making everyone chuckle.

"Love," James started, caressing her head softly. "It is Quiddi-tch. And Quidditch is a sport where you mount a boom and go up in the air."

"Can I try?" She asked excitedly but James shook his head, a rather proud smile on his face. "No?"

"No, you're too young yet. Even Harry is too young."

Sirius chuckled, "She is quite amazing," he told Daphne softly as they watched James talk with Harry and Helena. "She even looks like you."

"Does she?"

"Oh, fuck yes. Looks like there's a piece of you two in her," he whispered back, almost amazed. He didn't know how she managed to be so at ease around people she had never met but Helena looked as if she had lived here her entire life.

After a long moment of talking, they finally managed to put Helena and Harry to bed and laid in theirs at a late hour. Once they were laid down and everything was quiet for the first time today, Daphne released a breath and allowed herself to breathe properly. She moved her head to lay it on James's chest and let him run a hand through her hair like he usually did.

"She's brilliant, isn't she?" James asked, darkness surrounded them but they both felt at peace.

Daphne hummed, "She is," she replied back quietly before continuing. "Sirius told me she had a piece of us in her," she then added.

"Well, he might be right," James answered, looking ahead of him. There was a painting that Daphne had painted a few months back. "She is a lot like you actually," he noticed, making her smile. "I'm glad that we adopted her."

"Me too, love."

That was what Daphne needed to hear–she had a piece of them in her and that was more than enough.

—————
authors note, i am so not regretting the fact that they're back together? daphne being a potter is everything we all ever wanted!!!

helena is my beloved even though, we won't hear of her much in this book. i plan on making a new book, focusing on her while she's at hogwarts!! thoughts on this??