CHAPTER NINETEEN
One More Year
July 14th, 1978

Eighteen years old. What did they say about turning eighteen years old? Not a lot of good things. The Muggles were now allowed to vote, to drive a car, to do a lot of cool stuff (according to Lily Evans). Daphne couldn't do much, except blow her candles tonight and act happy. She would try to be happy.

Knocks on her door echoed through her bedroom as she let out a groan, she really couldn't have a peaceful morning since she came back from Andromeda. She had not attended any meetings yet, which she was grateful for. Instead, she spent time with Evan, Barty and Regulus. Even her Mum who, lately, seemed to spend a lot of time with her.

"Daffy, we know you're awake," Evan chuckled as she felt the bed sinking down from each side, meaning Barty and Evan had sneaked into her room. "Bart heard you groan from the other side of the door."

"Sod off," she muttered, keeping her eyes closed.

"Happy birthday, Daph," Barty said, kissing her forehead as Evan did the same. "Eighteen years old, eh?"

"Cheers, mate!" Evan said loudly, stealing a laugh from Daphne. "Alright, Daph, Mum is waiting for you downstairs. Letty prepared that huge breakfast for you so please wake up."

Daphne sighed and hummed, "Right. I'll be down in five, Evan."

The two boys hummed, leaving Daphne's room. Ah, there. Silence. The house was dead silent or maybe she was too busy not hearing the noise around her. Daphne wanted peace, she wanted a quiet day where she would be able to enjoy being eighteen. With a sigh, she rose on her feet and headed downstairs.

Daphne had to admit that the house had gotten a lot more pleasant since she had graduated. Perhaps the stress of being caught at school had faded away, it certainly left her much more space to act the way she was supposed to.

"Oh, my love, happy birthday," her Mum wrapped her arms around Daphne, tightening her embrace a little as soon as Daphne returned the hug. "How does it feel being eighteen?"

Daphne chuckled, pulling away, "Not much, Mum. Not much," she replied. "Where's Dad?"

"In his study. He should be downstairs in a few. Go sit, Daph," she told her, pointing at the table where Evan and Barty were already sat.

Evan was laughing loudly about some jokes Barty had made. Good, Daphne thought. Barty was good for Evan, he felt like family and in those times, we all needed family by our side. Speaking of family, Daphne hadn't gotten any news from Regulus since graduation, she had heard from the Tonks who sent regular letters all signed by Dora at the end.

"Hello, darling. Happy birthday," her Dad kissed her cheek and sat down at the end of the table.

Daphne smiled and turned her head towards her Mother, "Mum, have you heard from Regulus at all this summer?"

Amalthea winced, "Not directly. We've heard from Walburga, whom tend to be much chatty lately. Apparently Regulus is not returning back to school," she explained calmly.

"Bloody what?" Evan exclaimed loudly.

Bacchus let out a sigh, rubbing his eyes with one hand, "Evan, what did I tell you two days ago? Your language," he muttered as Daphne caught her brother rolling his eyes.

"Regulus is not returning school, Evan. Your Aunt was very specific about that little detail," she explained. "But, she's mad your Aunt, I'll tell you that."

Nothing much was spoken of after. Just basic and simple discussion including the weather, school, meetings and things Daphne couldn't hear correctly. But so far, her birthday it had been good; she had her favourite breakfast and beautiful gifts from her family. Evan and Barty had gifted her a Muggle invention called a typewriter, her Mum had given her a family heirloom which she liked for once.

"Isn't it weird that Reg is not coming back next year?" Evan asked once they were in Daphne's room with Barty. "I mean, we all know he has responsibilities but I didn't think he'd stop."

"His responsibilities are bigger than you think, Ev," Daphne replied as she put down her feather and tied the letter to her owl's paw. "I just sent him a letter, hopefully he can answer it soon."

Barty sighed, "See, it doesn't feel right though. Why would He gives little Reggie more responsibilities? He's barely seventeen, he's like—he's like us," he ended.

"Bart, Regulus is smarter, neater and more mature than the two of you combined," she answered with a chuckle. "Don't take this the wrong way but he is the right choice, I reckon."

"Yes but..." Evan started, clearly startled by his cousin not returning home. "You see, for example, you have way more chances to succeed at what's he's asking than Regulus. The Ministry is not able to track you anymore and you've mastered almost every spell possible, Daph. So, why Regulus?"

Daphne snorted lightly, standing up to sit down next to Evan, "Ev, it's easy. He's a Black. He's the Black heir, I'm pretty sure Aunt Walburga is trying to put him on a pedestal since Sirius left. He's her only hope," she explained with a wince. "And, to be honest, I'm good where I am."

"Right."

Daphne didn't think she could hate a particular day before. But, her birthday just seemed empty without him. Her whole life was boring without James Potter in it. Parts of her wondered if he was alright, happy even or if he was miserable—deep inside, the meanest parts of her hoped he was miserable, that he was feeling as bad and lost as she was. But, from what she had heard, James Potter was alright and living with Sirius Black at the moment.

"Daphne, do you reckon we could leave home soon?" Evan queried. "I mean, get married and all that boring stuff we are bound to do."

Daphne chuckled, "You don't have to get married to leave the house. Mum doesn't care, you know that," she replied. "It would be quite alright if you to find a decent job and leave the house, Ev."

"Right..."

...

"Becca!" Daphne exclaimed as she finally spotted her best friend through the crowd.

Daphne had decided to go out to celebrate her birthday considering she wouldn't get to blow her candles before this weekend, her whole family was busy at the moment and she understood that. Instead, she went out to meet Rebecca and Pandora for drinks—she even had managed to take Evan and Barry with her, it took a long conversation and endless promises to her Mum but she did it.

"Oh, I've missed you two," she told her two friends as she gave them a hug. "Busy night, isn't it?"

"Busy indeed, Daphne," Pandora replied and Daphne smiled widely at her voice. Merlin, she had missed it. "We even saw Sirius Black on our way in."

"Sirius Black, our dear cousin, in a pub," Evan snorted, nudging Daphne's side. "How surprising, eh?"

Rebecca rolled her eyes, leaning against Barty, "Well, Sirius is here with his mates almost every single night," she explained. "Remus Lupin is there, I reckon he's his boyfriend, I saw them kissing not long ago. Cute pair these two."

Daphne wanted to tell something, she wanted to act as normal as possible but she couldn't help the anxiety creeping inside. If Sirius Black was here, it meant that James was not far either.

"Have you seen his idiotic friends?" Barty queried, putting his pint of beer down. He licked his lips and squinted his eyes as if he was trying to scan the pub. "Too much people in this bloody pub," he muttered to himself.

Pandora chuckled, "I've seen them," she said. "There are in the corner of the pub on your right," she added as every head turned slowly.

"Pandy..." Daphne whispered, clearly anxious to cross eyes with any of them. "Can we just drop the subject?"

"Right, sorry," Pandora cleared her throat, clapping in her hands to bring back the attention of everyone. "Today is a special day, I reckon. So, happy birthday Daphne!"

"Happy birthday, Daph!" Rebecca shouted loudly and Daphne had to hide her face behind her hands. She could feel every eyes on her. "Oi, next round is on me," she exclaimed and everyone cheered.

"Thank you for agreeing to go out with me," Daphne said with a smile. "It really means a lot," she added.

But before she could continue, she felt a hand on her shoulder and froze, "Dear Daffy, how surprising it is to see you here," Sirius' voice echoed through her ears and she gulped.

"How unsurprising to see you here, Sirius," she replied, making him laugh.

"You still have that sense of wicked humour, I see. Anyways, I just thought I'd wish you a happy birthday and thank your sweet friend for the drinks," he winked at Rebecca as she rolled her eyes. "How's Aunt Amalthea?"

"None of your business," Evan spoke up. "How my Mum is doing is none of your concern, Sirius. Go back to your friends and leave us so we can celebrate Daph's birthday."

"You see, Ev..." Sirius pulled out a chair and sat next to Daphne. "I don't really want to leave you all, I'm family after all and Daphne means lots to me."

"Do I?" Daphne snorted loudly, shaking her head. "Stop playing games, Sirius. Go back to your boyfriend and your friends, enjoy the drinks that Rebecca is going to pay and just leave us."

"Is little Daphne anxious?" He asked, staring at her. "You bite your lip when you are; you've always done that even as a kid."

"I'm not anxious."

"If you say so."

"Can't we have a drink together? For old time's sake?" He asked, his voice a little sweeter this time. "Is Reggie around?"

"We haven't seen him all summer," Evan admitted as Sirius' face shifted almost instantly. His eyebrows furrowed, his lips formed a thin line and he exhaled a short anxious breath. "Nor received a letter. All we know is that he left for Scotland at the beginning of June with Aunt Walburga and Uncle Orion."

Sirius hummed and turned his head towards Daphne, "You haven't heard anything from him?"

"Anything," she replied.

"Oh."

If Daphne didn't know Sirius that good, she'd say he was disappointed and even concerned. He'd get rare updates on Regulus' state through Daphne during the last year of school but since they had graduated, he hadn't heard a thing even from Moody. He had completely disappeared.

"Oi, Pads, what are you doi—" his voice stopped immediately when he noticed whom his best mate was with. "Sirius," he said a little more sternly.

Daphne could have recognised this voice anywhere and at any time. There was no doubt in her mind that James Potter was standing right behind her and considering his voice, he had noticed her too. Her heart was beating faster than it was supposed to, it almost felt like it was ready to jump out her ribcage at any moment now.

"Merlin Potter, looks like you've seen a ghost," Rebecca laughed as he gulped hardly. "Don't worry, I'm not going to jump at your best mate's throat."

"We've grown up, haven't we?" He told her as she nodded to agree with him. "Thanks for the drinks, Goyle," he added.

"No problem. It's Daphne's birthday after all."

"Is it?" He asked.

Daphne's heart sunk. Really sunk. Did he not remember?

"Yeah," Rebecca mumbled.

"Well, then...happy birthday, Daphne," he spoke softly and for mere seconds, Daphne was taken back to all these clandestine meetings, when he used to be hers. "Had a good birthday?"

"Could be better but thank you," Daphne finally gathered the courage to answer. "How's life, I presume?"

"Could be better," he repeated and she turned around to meet his eyes for the first time since the graduation. He looked exhausted. "Er...but either way, I've been fine. Peter and Remus, too."

"Great," she forced a smile as he did too.

James' hand found Sirius' shoulder as he gave it a squeeze, meaning it was time for them to leave. Sirius looked completely confused and frustrated by the news of his brother—while James looked absolutely livid at the sight of Daphne.

"Well, it was great to see you again," Sirius said, gulping his drink as he stood up. "Crouch, Goyle, Ev, Daph, have a lovely night."

"Thanks mate, you too," Evan replied.

"Happy birthday again, Daphne," James added softly and she hummed with a smile. "Have fun."

"Thank you, James."

The rest of the night had been quite a blur, if she was honest. Daphne's mind kept drifting to the curly haired man in the corner of the pub, she still couldn't believe that she had seen him again. But, it was simply impossible to have fun after that interaction. She recalled drinking and speaking nonsense to Pandora, who stayed still throughout the whole thing. She also danced with Rebecca for a few minutes or hours (?), she couldn't tell. But, she made it home when the birds started chirping and some men were going to work. Walking up to her room, she avoided the only stair that creaked and closed silently the door after her.

"Merlin," she whispered sleepily as she fell on her bed and started to close her eyes but knocks on her window reverberated through the bedroom. "What the—"

She recognised rapidly the familiar owl she had seen during the holidays. The one who used to knock on her window at the same hour every two days, the one who had yellow bright eyes and loved treats. James' owl.

"Hello, you," she cooed, opening the window carefully and untied the letter with the tiny box from her leg. "It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

The owl simply blinked as if she was answering to Daphne and she found herself smiling, simply because it was James' owl. It almost felt like she was with him, a piece of him at least. Giving the owl one last pet on the head, she sat back down on her bed and unfolded the letter.

Dear Daphne,

I hadn't expected to see you tonight or ever, really. I knew it was your birthday but you didn't expect me to owl you, did you? I mean Sirius would have had my head for that. As I'm writing you, he's asleep in his room with Remus. But I reckon it was meant to be, you know, for us to meet again.

Anyways, I guess you deserve to receive this gift. I bought it when we were still together and it would be of no use for me to keep it. I got it while walking through Muggle London with Sirius and thought you'd like it.

Happy birthday, Daphne.

I love you,
James.

She released a breath and folded the letter back. Her eyes shifted to the box next to her and grabbed it. Inside it, there was a small ring but beautiful—something Daphne would have absolutely bought for herself; sliding the ring on her finger, she closed the box and put it on her desk.

Thank you, James. The gift is very appreciated.
Daphne.

The nine simple and dull words were scrambled up on a random piece of paper she had found in her bedroom, but she needed to know that he was aware that she had gotten the gift and liked it.

And despite everything they had told each other, all the mean and frustrated words that had escaped his mouth or hers. James Potter had written I love you on the letter. More importantly, James had thought of her birthday.

—————
authors note, i'm finally back with a chapter! this one took a long time simply because i'm extremely busy with school, but i'm hoping to post AT LEAST a chapter per week :)

anyways, i love you and thank you so so much for the support <3