CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Family Dinner
May 20th, 1978

          "Look at you," Amalthea cooed, laying a hand on Daphne's shoulder.

For some reasons, Daphne and Evan had gotten the Headmaster's permission to leave for the weekend. As far as the siblings were concerned, they were having a very important family dinner that usually took place during their Easter break. On Friday night, Daphne and Evan walked to McGonagall's office and used her floo network, which was awfully awkward. It was clear that their Transfiguration Professor didn't fancy them so.

Also, two weeks had passed since the Quidditch Cup and to Daphne's happiness, James still felt very happy to have won. He even had brought the Cup one night and had said he had won because of her, only because of her. Perhaps, she hoped it'd make him feel as though he was worthy of it. James had the tendency to put others before himself and that, she hated.

Right now, Daphne stood in front of a mirror with her own Mother, Narcissa and her house elf around her. Multiple dresses were on the floor and she couldn't remember how many she had tried on since this morning. Narcissa had qualified this dinner as the most important, and for that, Daphne needed to find the perfect dress.

"Mum, I don't like it," she complained, grimacing as she set eyes on her reflection.

Amalthea rolled her eyes, "What don't you like, Daphne?" She asked with a sigh. "You're awfully complicated, my child. I do not understand from whom you have inherited this trait," she muttered, using her hands to flatten the bottom of the dress. "Narcissa, don't you like this one?"

"It feels as though it makes her look a bit round around the hips," she said after thinking it through. "However, I do think you'd look great in it, Daph." 

Daphne shook her head, not convinced, "Letty, is there another dress I could try on?"

"Yes, yes. I is sure that you will like this one," she replied excitedly before snapping her fingers. An emerald dress appeared in Amalthea's hands as she unfolded it, and stared. "Does Mistress love it?"

She smiled, "Yes, very much. Thank you, Letty," she answered. "Daphne, dear, you will love this one."

She groaned quietly but reached for the dress nevertheless, and tried it on. The emerald dress hugged her frame perfectly and she looked timidly down at her feet, too afraid to look at her reflection in the mirror. Narcissa was the first to rise on her feet and took a few steps towards her cousin.

"You truly look magnificent, Daph," she whispered, apparently mesmerised by the dress. "Salazar, green really does fit you," she added.

Daphne cleared her throat, unsure and replied, "Do I?"

"Absolutely," she reassured. "Doesn't she, Aunt Amalthea?"

Amalthea nodded her head in approval, "It fits you like a glove, dear. I'm afraid you must wear it or your cousin, here, will gladly take it," she teased as Narcissa chuckled. "You look beautiful in it, Daphne."

"Thank you, Mum."

"Letty, take this into Daphne's room and make sure to fold it correctly," her Mother ordered as the elf house waited for Daphne to undress before taking the dress. "Is your brother occupied?"

"I reckon he's with Regulus," Daphne answered, watching as she hummed and walked out of the fitting room. "So, Cissa, how have you been since we last saw each other? Is Lucius' family still pushing for that bloody baby?"

"They stopped...for now. His Mother still hints at it at most of our dinners, but they had gotten over it," she explained with a grimace. "But, I still want a child."

"I know that," Daphne reassured. "If it can help you, Reg and I are done with the potion. We planned on giving it to you tonight," she explained, taking her hand in hers and giving it a squeeze. "So, please, for the love of Salazar, relax Cissa."

Narcissa smiled warmly and nodded her head, "Alright, I promise. I'll relax."

Daphne gave her one last smile before walking out of the fitting room as well and headed straight to the garden, where she knew she'd have the opportunity to breathe again. Thankfully, the English weather was rather fine today and Daphne felt like she could stay an eternity under the sun. Her vision was soon blocked and a chill travelled her whole body; opening her eyes, she noticed Regulus' frame and invited him to sit down.

"Your brother is currently getting dragged into the fitting room," he spoke first and she chuckled because Evan always despised losing his time in the fitting room. "He's being quite complicated as we speak. Your Mother is angry at him."

Daphne smiled, "He always has been that way," she replied, closing her eyes once more. "I've never asked you...Are you mad that we lost the Cup?"

Regulus shrugged, "Yes and no. My brother didn't deserve it, but I reckon his team did. They almost played as fantastic as us," he told her, running his fingers through the grass. "Nevertheless, it would have been nice to have it. You know, Mum doesn't care about Quidditch but she still went on and on about how Sirius didn't deserve it," he snorted, almost as if he still couldn't believe it. "Papa was proud. He didn't say a word, but I could see it on his face."

"Is it wrong of him to be?"

"I guess not," he answered instantly. "I just...I think--"

"You wanted him to not be proud, didn't you?" She asked as he nodded timidly, Daphne would even go as far as ashamed. Regulus Black was ashamed of thinking so negatively, of wishing someone so many wrongs, and that someone being his brother. "It's okay, Reg. It won't be okay to feel that way in ten years, but right now it is."

"It's easier to hate him, Daph," he whispered. "So much easier because he walked out on me, he left me and I only had myself."

Without wanting to, Daphne's mind drifted to James. Everything led back to him anyways, she had grown quite accommodate to this. Even though, lately, half of her thoughts were sad. Sad because James was going to live exactly what Sirius, his best mate, had done to his little brother. Daphne was going to walk out on him and leave him to drown in his own sorrow while her heart would break as soon as James knew.

"Did it hurt?" She found herself asking.

Perhaps knowing how Regulus felt would help her see clearer.

He huffed, "More than anything, Daph and I wish I was being dramatic," he said.

"Oh."

How could she have been so selfish? How could she have thought that starting a relationship with James Potter would be her best idea? But, why did no one tell her it was wrong?

Daphne didn't care of herself, she cared for James and she had hurt him. Well, would hurt him. It was truly a waste of time to care about herself because she was going to be sad, and if she was honest she was already rotting from the inside, but she would have to be okay.

"Daphne, Regulus, come inside please!" Amalthea's voice echoed through the garden and the two rose on their feet before walking back inside. When did it get so dark inside that house? "The dinner starts at seven. We have to be ready by six so we can Apparate after, yes?"

"Alright," Evan groaned. "I hate those bloody dinners," he said, leaning a little closer to his sister.

"Me too, Ev," she whispered.

Amalthea turned her head towards Regulus and offered him a sweet smile, "Regulus, darling, your house elf came by earlier when you were in the garden and left your robe for the evening. I reckon Walburga wants you to stay with us," she told him as he hummed. "Alright, off you go and be ready at six!"

...

"Aye, look at you," Evan mimicked to whistle as he leaned against the door frame. "You look brilliant, Daph. Did Mum help you choose that one?"

"Yeah, Narcissa did too," she replied, turning to face him. "Does it really fit me, Ev?"

"Well, I think you look bloody nice. If you don't leave with a bloke tonight, I'll be highly disappointed," he teased and she rolled her eyes playfully.

"Black heels or white ones?"

He cocked his head to the side and said, "Black, definitely."

With a hum, she put on her heels and headed downstairs where Regulus was having a nice conversation with Letty while her parents were whispering in the back of the parlour. Her Father looked up at his two children and smiled, almost proudly.

"Daphne, darling, your Mother was right. You do look ravishing," he commented as his eyes drifted towards Evan. "My boy! Who chose these robes? They fit you perfectly," he added with a cheeky smile.

"Thanks, Dad."

Daphne sighed, "Alright, we should head out," she said, taking Regulus and Evan's hands and dragging them outside.

Minutes later, the three of them were standing in front of the Malfoy Manor. It actually looked quite nice and enormous. They could see the lights from every window and hear the guests chatting and laughing. With one last exhale, they all headed towards the double doors which were wide open but a guard was standing at the door.

"Oh, hello Sir," Daphne said politely.

The man barely looked up and said, "Names."

"Rosier and Black," Regulus replied with an arched eyebrow.

"First names, please."

Evan snorted, "We're family, mate. We don't give a fuck if we're not on Cissy's bloody list," he muttered as Daphne grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him away from the man. "Oh come off it, Daph! Mum made me wear this stupid robe, and if I can't get in, I'll cause a scene."

"Oh, will you now?"

"Bloody yes!"

She shook her head, "You're a bloody child, Ev. Just stay behind me and shut up," she ordered, walking back next to Regulus. "Just call Narcissa Malfoy, please. Or her bloody husband, I don't care."

Daphne and Evan's parents seemed to have caught up to them and frowned at the scene, "What is going on, Daphne?" Bacchus asked, taking a step closer from the man who held the list.

"This bloke won't let us in, even though we told him our bloody names!" Evan exclaimed. "It's the robe, isn't it?"

Daphne scoffed with a laugh, "Stop being so dramatic, Evan. It's ridiculous at this point," she muttered, rolling her eyes.

"Shut up. The both of you," Bacchus said sternly. "Bacchus and Amalthea Rosier," he added as the man glanced at his list and nodded. "Then, these two are Daphne and Evan Rosier. The other boy is Regulus Black."

The man stayed silent and motioned for them to walk in. It wasn't until Regulus pushed Evan in the manor that they all strolled inside. Narcissa was right when she said it would be a huge family dinner. If Daphne's additions were right Bellatrix and her husband would be back by now, she didn't even want to know what exactly they left for or for who but she had an idea. It was truly no secret that her cousin and her husband were part of his most loyal followers.

"There you are, I was getting worried," Narcissa welcomed them with a wide smile. "Don't be surprised but Lucius invited some of our closest friends. Bella is there as well," she mentioned. "Daph, you do look fabulous in this dress."

"Thank you, Cissa."

Following her cousin, she did notice Dorian Nott standing in a corner with his wife who was much younger than him. The Lestrange were all sitting around the table as if they were having a small reunion without the rest, while the Black and Rosier were having (apparently) a much more pleasant conversation.

"Ah, Regulus, my boy!" Orion shouted, motioning for his son to come next to him. "I've saved you a seat. Your Mother wanted you next to her, but I've talked her out of it," he chuckled as Regulus did too. "Daphne, Evan, I see you two have grown up."

Evan snorted, "Says the old man," he teased as Orion barked a laugh. He had the same as Sirius'.

Evan, Regulus and Orion began an animated conversation as Walburga patted the chair next to her, inviting Daphne to sit down, "How have you been, dear?"

It did shock Daphne to hear her Aunt call her dear, but also to see her smile. She realised that she had not seen her smile that much since she was a kid. According to her Mum, Walburga always had been a maniac deep inside.

"I've been alright. How about you, Aunt Walburga?"

"Oh," she exclaimed as if she had asked her the right question. "Better, if I was honest. Don't tell a soul but your Uncle is sick, we've seen multiple healers the last few months, nothing helped..." she explained quietly as she looked around. "How is Sirius? Have you spoken to him? Is he thinking of coming back to us?" She ranted still quietly, afraid someone would hear her ask those questions.

Daphne opened her mouth, but closed it thinking of the perfect words, "I don't think he's thinking of coming back," she uttered quietly.

Just as she was about to say another word, Bellatrix's loud cackle echoed through the family circle and it went completely silent. She dragged her chair until she was next to Daphne and smiled at her, in a very mischievous way that she disliked.

"Hello, cousin," she spoke up. "How have you been?"

She frowned but answered, "Quite alright, Bella. How was your secret mission?" She teased.

Bellatrix seemed offended for a second but released a breath, "Quite the success, actually. You know, he has great things planned for you. Our Lord, I mean," she told her with a smirk. "Oh, and Dorian Nott has been telling us that rumours are spreading at Hogwarts about little Reggie and you."

Were they?

"I had no idea," she replied, trying to make her voice sound as flat as possible. "Reg, did you know rumours were going around about us?"

Regulus, who was now listening, shook his head, "We were not aware of it," he answered, clearing his throat afterwards. A sign that he was anxious. "How do you know?"

"Dorian Nott, apparently," Daphne answered.

"All I'm saying is you two swear to be careful," Bellatrix cut their conversation off, glancing between her two cousins. "The Dark Lord considers you both very important assets. Besides, school is soon over for you Daphne, you won't see these bloody idiots again."

Perhaps, that was the problem. She wouldn't see the bloody idiots again. She wouldn't see Peter Pettigrew messing up in Potions, or Stephen Walsh eating his pudding like à pig every Saturday morning.

But, something broke within her. The rumours. If this was true, then it meant that rumours were spreading for quite à long time now and James had surely heard of it—or his close mates. Salazar, was it why that small kid from Hufflepuff was staring at her the other morning?

"We will be careful, Bellatrix," Regulus reassured, casting a look towards Daphne. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Daphne snapped. "Will you give Narcissa what she asked for, please?"

He sighed but nodded, "Of course."

Without wanting to, her mind drifted back to James, as usual. His smile, his dimples, his blue eyes, his curly hair or how he laughed out loud when Daphne would get annoyed at an essay. She really didn't want him to learn about her from grotesque rumours, but at the same time she didn't wish to tell him either.

Her thoughts were soon stopped when Evan's hand came in contact with her shoulder. He didn't say a thing, instead he bowed his head towards the table meaning they'd soon have dinner. Daphne found herself between Evan and Regulus, which she preferred because she truly couldn't bear being next to someone else.

She really hoped James didn't know about it already.

——————
authors note, chapter fourteen is kind of a filler but oh well chapter fifteen will be HEARTBREAKING soooo buckle up!

also, i miss james and daphne so bad! i can't wait to be done with the stupid internship so i can finally write/edit again

anyways, i hope you liked it!!! love you and thank you for all the love xx