CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
Mystery Of Love
September 17th, 1982

"You can't avoid him forever, Remus," Daphne told him, bringing the brush to the wall and starting to paint. "Don't you think so?"

Remus was against the door frame of the guest bedroom, his upper lip biting the lower one as he sighed loudly. Remus had returned, in all secrecy of course, he hadn't tried to reach out for Sirius nor James. Instead, he went straight to Godric Hollow and stumbled across Daphne who was renovating the cottage.

With her hands on her hips, her arched eyebrow and her foot tapping the floor constantly as she waited for a fair explanation–he couldn't help but think of Lily. She reminded him of the sweet girl he had shared so many secrets with during his younger years, and he could not help but feel his heart being tugged by the bitter reminder that she was no longer part of this Earth. Though, he did appreciate Daphne's company. After seeing he was not going to talk yet, she dropped the subject and ordered him to help her with the renovations which he did.

"Well, I can avoid him a bit longer, don't you think?" He returned sarcastically as she rolled her eyes and he stepped closer. "Come on, Daphne. He's fine without me, is he not? I don't want to waltz in again and just ruin his day. We all know how he is."

Daphne shrugged, "I think he would appreciate you coming back home. He is constantly teasing James and I about us and I think seeing you would calm him down a notch."

Remus snorted gently, "So you want me to come back so he can get off your arse, is that it?"

"Yes and no," she replied as he chuckled. Daphne pouted, looking at him. "Listen, he is miserable without you and we all see it. And yes, I want him to stop teasing us."

"Is he wrong though? To tease you both?"

Daphne's eyes widened, a short laugh echoed through the empty cottage, "James and I?" Remus nodded. "Salazar, no! We–we're friends, alright? I'm helping him with Harry and he helps me not feel alone, you see."

"I see," Remus answered. "But, don't you think there could be something more underneath the surface? Surely, you two don't hate each other..."

"I never hated him," Daphne mumbled under her breath, her tone quiet and almost scared. "He hated me for a while and his hatred for me was only fair."

"I know."

"But do not try to change the subject!" Daphne exclaimed, pointing her brush at him as he raised his arms up in the air with a chuckle. "So let's go back on why you are being a complete arse and avoiding everyone?"

Remus groaned, rubbing his eyes tiredly, "I'm not avoiding him! I'm just–leaving them some time, alright? It is not as easy as you think, Daph. I left Sirius by himself for months without a word and he loathes me for that."

Daphne scoffed, "He doesn't. We all want you home, Remus."

"Right."

Daphne finished painting the last wall and checked the clock that she had fixed the month before, "It is already late. I should go," she notified Remus as he hummed. "Where are you staying?"

"A hotel in London."

"Right...if you need anything, ring me, yeah?" Daphne told him with a smile, reaching for his forearm and giving it a squeeze. "Night, Remus."

"Night, Daphne," he replied, kissing her cheek. "And nice renovation."

"Thanks, Remus."

When she returned home, James, Harry and Sirius were on the sofa watching the television. Her keys caught their attention as they all turned their heads at the same time, earning a laugh from her. With an exhausted groan, she took off her coat and hung it next to the door then she made her way to the sofa.

"Hi," she breathed out, whispering because Harry was asleep.

James smiled, "How was today?"

"Got to paint the last wall," she admitted softly. "It is completely done."

"Oh," James exclaimed. "That's–nice?"

Daphne snorted, "You don't have to say that it's nice, James," she said as he hummed, thanking her mentally. After a moment, he looked away from her, focusing back on the television.

"I wish they'd broadcast Quidditch games," James admitted, knowing their shared passion for the sport. "It'd be much better than football."

"Sirius is fond of it, though."

James rolled his eyes, "Sirius loves Muggles a little too much," he joked. "Besides Chuddley Cannons lost against Kenmare Kestrels. It's a shame."

"I know!" Daphne exclaimed, her hands falling on her lap. "It's a shame, really."

There was nothing more comforting than going through all of it with Daphne and Sirius. They made life easier. They made James' life easier. Their silly fights would ease his mind and earn his first smile of the day, they'd soothe his heart when he had trouble making the heartache go.

"How's the cottage?" He found himself asking, pushing away the painful memories and the good ones too. He just couldn't bear the sight of Lily in his mind for now.

Daphne sighed, "Good as new."

"Brilliant," he breathed out quietly, letting his head fall back as well. His eyes stared up at the ceiling, a sigh leaving his rosy lips. "Thank you."

Daphne shrugged, nudging him lightly, "You do not have to thank me, James. It occupied me for a moment."

James snorted, "Oh, well if it did occupy you for a moment then I am glad," he said as she chuckled. The same old chuckle. "Daphne? Is it wrong of me to not think about Lily? I mean, I do! But, I try not to think too much because when I do, it hurts."

"Who am I to tell you what is right and wrong, James?"

"I don't know."

"In my opinion, you are allowed to do whatever you want to do. Lily will understand."

"Right."

Sirius started moving in his sleep and Daphne concluded it was time to go to bed. Carefully, she rose on her feet, kissing Harry and Sirius tonight like she used to do every single night. But, usually she would stop at James, not wanting to make it awkward for both of them. Perhaps tonight she was exhausted from the renovation and forgot about that special rule she had set up for herself, and she leaned down to peck his forehead.

James didn't move as if he was petrified, he let her kiss his forehead, enjoying how her lips felt against his skin. As she wandered to bed, he found himself doing the same—quietly, he took Harry in his arms and headed to the bedroom where he laid him in his crib. He laid in bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling with one thought: Daphne Rosier.

James wondered why love hurt so much when it came to Daphne Rosier. When she kissed him for the first time and argued about how she would be no good—he fell right into her net because love with her seemed like a bliss. Her smile and touch brought him warmth and safety. But, then with Lily—he didn't have to fear anything, it was as if it was written somewhere all along.

Perhaps that was the mystery of love?

...

Daphne woke up to the sound of Sirius cooking while he spoke to James, rare were the times where she opened her eyes after them. But, it would be a lie to say she hadn't struggled to fall asleep. Daphne didn't know what got to her when she leaned down to kiss James's forehead, every ounce of her body was shouting not to but her heart wanted to. Her lips craved to feel his skin again.

"Morning," Daphne mumbled, sitting across from James. Never looking at him once. Instead, she focused on Sirius. "You're awfully merry today."

Sirius shrugged, "I don't know," he admitted. "Good feeling for today."

"Right. Did James tell you?" Sirius shook his head, telling her no. "I'm done renovating the cottage."

Sirius smiled softly, handing her a plate with eggs and potatoes, "That's brilliant, Daph."

James scratched the back of his neck, "About that..." he started, biting his lower lip and that was the first time since she woke up that Daphne allowed herself to look at him. "I was thinking last night and I want to sell or rent the cottage. I can't go back there," he said.

"Well, that would be mad," Sirius said.

"Yeah. Instead I want to move back to the Potter manor."

"Oh, wow."

James licked his lips, looking at Daphne, "Is that okay?"

Daphne scoffed softly though shocked, "Of course. Why wouldn't it be okay, James? You're allowed to move out. I'm not your mother."

James chuckled softly, "Right."

Sirius sighed, "Oh, I'm going to bloody miss you, mate."

"Pads, you can come live with me until you know, Remus makes it home," James said with a smile as Daphne kept the smile on her face, though she was slightly sad about them moving away.

"Perfect!"

Sirius ended up heading out to go shopping, which meant Daphne and James were now alone with Harry in the flat. Harry was playing in the playground that Daphne had installed when they arrived here.

"Daphne?" James queried, leaning on the palm of his hand as he looked at her.

"Yes?"

He inhaled deeply, "You don't have to stay here, you know. You could always move in with me—us, I mean."

"James," she started, a laugh escaped her mouth. "What good would it make?"

He shrugged, "I don't know yet but Harry loves having you around. We wouldn't be here if it weren't for you, Daph."

"It's mad, James," she exhaled, bringing a hand to her hair and running it through it. "I can't, can I?"

"Just—" he stood up, his hand reaching for her shoulder as he gave it a squeeze. "Think about it, alright?"

Daphne promised she would but then again, how could she move there with him? Daphne adored this flat. She loved the dusty corners where her kneazle used to hide whenever Fabian and she were playing around. She enjoyed the sunlight throughout the windows and the noisy streets underneath.

The flat held so many memories that she didn't know if she could ever leave it. Yet, a part of her heart ached to leave this place. Daphne wanted to see Harry growing up, she wanted to be here for Sirius until Remus made it home, she wanted to see James every morning as he sipped on his tea. The truth was she didn't know if she could truly ever let him go away from her.

Despite wanting to go, she couldn't help but wonder if Fabian saw her from time to time. Was he happy that she hadn't completely lost her mind yet? Was he disappointed that James shared the flat with her? Though she hadn't been able to see him before his death, she always pictured Fabian Prewett to hold one of those speeches where he told her to be happy after him, even if it was with bloody James Potter.

"Have you thought about it?" Sirius snapped her out of her thoughts as he took a seat in front of her, previously where James was.

Daphne rested her head on the palm of her hand, "Thought about what, Sirius?"

"Well, moving out with James and I."

Daphne grimaced as she was about to voice all her doubts, "I don't know if I should...See, I have so many memories here and I don't know if I'd be able to leave them all behind. But then again, I love having Harry around..."

"Then it is settled, you're coming," he said, cutting her off as she snorted. "Don't be stupid, Daffy. Just come with us, alright? Besides, we would die of starvation by the end of the day if you didn't bring your arse with us."

"Sod off!"

"Gladly, cousin."

"You're disgusting, Sirius," she grimaced.

Daphne knew the wisest choice would be to go with them. So, after an hour or so, she headed towards the guest bedroom that James and Harry occupied. James was packing, more like throwing his clothes in the bags that Daphne had taken the time to retrieve at the cottage. Daphne couldn't help but laugh at the sight, which caught his attention. He looked up, startled by her presence and offered her a warm smile.

"Hi," he breathed out, scanning around the room to check the remaining clothes he had yet to pack. "Have you decided?"

Daphne shrugged, "I want to come but do you want me there? Do you think I should come with you?" She asked, sitting down on the bed as he joined her. His shoulder was grazing hers. "James?"

"Daph," he paused and her breath caught in her throat as she noticed how it was the second time he had used her nickname today. "If I asked you it is because I want you there. Harry and I want you there with us."

It was all she needed to hear.

"I'll come," she breathed out.

James smiled widely, rising on his feet to pick her up. Happily, he spun her around as he took the time to hug her tightly. He didn't really know why he felt the need to spin her around or hug her but all he knew was that it felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulder. He felt carefree and lighter.

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authors note, i...i just can't resist them sometimes 😭