BLUE BAYOU.

SO THE STORY GOES...

EARLY LIFE

The younger of two siblings, and born into hella privilege—as in, born into the British aristocracy. 

Wanting to learn all things about magic, she enrolled in the History of Magic and Magical Languages & Culture cohorts at Hogwarts.

1979

Given an internship with the Minister’s cabinet in the summer to last an entire year—with the promise of a full time role afterward. Shortly after starting, Frances Bletchley placed Daphne under the Imperius (unbeknownst to Daphne). 

When the Minister’s cabinet went into lockdown as protestors flooded the Atrium, Minister Minchum made a pass at Daphne. She encouraged the behavior, unable to reject his advances due to Frances’s magic wanting Daphne to get close and have him trust her. All while she dated John Dawlish.

In the fall of 1979, an affair began, still Frances forcing Daphne. She also removed the memories from Daphne, leaving her in familiar but random places after finishing, which caused Daphne to feel incredibly dazed and confused. Unknown to Daphne still, she was stealing documents for Frances from the Minister whilst being forced to sleep with him. 

A third party (identity still to be revealed) documented the affair and anonymously sent photographs to Daphne. For blackmail? To look out for her? She’s still unsure, but she eventually confided in Clem, Emma, and John about this affair she couldn’t remember. Oh, and Frances too.

1980

In February, Frances attempted to kill Daphne and steal the photographs. She was unsuccessful with both attempts, and was eventually arrested by John. Daphne ended up in a coma at St. Mungo’s for months.

Since recovering, Daphne has a new zest for life, a determination to uncover the truth of these events. She worked with Doris Purkiss who wrote an exposé regarding Minister Minchum’s sexual misconduct, and Daphne gave a statement on the matter to The Daily Prophet as well. 

She will repeat her final year at Hogwarts, completing a degree in the Social Sciences. 

At the end of August 1980, Daphne purchased a townhome in the Uplands neighborhood of Banchory. 

Daphne landed a curatorial internship at the Banchory Museum of Magical Art. 

After meeting Regulus Black at the Masquerade Ball in October 1980, unknown of his true identity and believing him to be a stranger named Nomad, they began corresponding as pen pals. 

After the Statue fell, it surprised Daphne to learn that her family’s peers were utterly fascinated by magic—some would eventually join God’s Gatekeepers. With their acceptance readily given, the Davenports told all their friends about Daphne’s magic... Without her permission. 

Daphne found herself at Fiendfyre Fitness when Death Eaters attacked in November. Lucky, Betty Huxley saved her, and Daphne emerged relatively unscathed. At least, physically. 

KISS & TELL

1978

March - April / Sturgis Podmore / casually dated

June - August / John Dawlish / casually dated

1979

1 August - 14 November / John Dawlish / committed relationship

1980

“I can’t believe you actually got an invitation to Diana and Charles’ wedding. I still can’t fathom how she can actually stare looking at him, let alone having sex with him. I mean honestly. Hardboiled eggs at every meal? That man must wreak.” Except, Emma was certain she hadn’t found anything this exciting in months. Years, even. The possibilities were endless. The cattiness no longer needing to be contained. 

Daphne snorted, the unpolished sound flowing all too easily from her mouth after consuming a full glass of wine. She couldn’t imagine anyone smelling even decent after consuming that many hardboiled eggs. Blech. “She’s younger than us, too! Can you even imagine?” She briefly thought of Nomad, if he would find himself in a similarly precarious engagement—and go through with it, too. 

“It’s settled,” Daphne declared. “You must come with me.” 

“Wedding of the century? You’re going to have to be more specific, Daph. Though, in my experience, it’s always in good taste to go to any wedding, if only to judge the quality of the food.” And there was nothing that Emma loved more than being judgy. She quite literally could never deny that part of herself. “Unless—No. Don’t tell me. You didn’t.”

Her eyes snapped to Daphne’s, losing all of her earlier mirth, and now there was simply unrestrained glee.

“I honestly didn’t think I would be invited, given my parents’ loose lips as of late.” The Davenports certainly liked to brag about their daughter’s magical abilities. “I suppose I underestimated their dedication to tradition.” Daphne finished off her first glass and immediately poured more chablis. “You know he eats a hardboiled egg with every meal? Every. Meal.” 

Daphne held up an ivory invitation, the cursive letters gleaming as if set in gold. Perhaps it was gold, actually. “Question for you, Em.” She could already feel the relaxing effect of chablis, despite a first glass not quite empty yet. “Is it in poor taste to attend a wedding if you think the match isn’t a good one?” She giggled at her own loose lips. “Even if it’s the wedding of the century?” 

The joke did little to eliminate Clem’s raised hackles, or her distaste. She doubted there actually was a glittering ribbon, but the joke alone felt self deprecating enough that she wanted to flinch away from it. She had spent enough time trying to prove herself worthy to her parents to recognise it in someone else. “No offence,” she said, hating it, since it’s what people said when they were going to cause offence, “but it sounds like you need to cut the fucking ribbon. You’re not an impressive person because you can wave a wand, Daphne. So many idiots can do that. I’ve met enough of them myself to know.” It was hard, perhaps. But since the attack and the subsequent events, Clem had felt herself harden when it came to matters such as this. “Magic isn’t a party trick, or a shiny new toy for muggles to play with, and fuck any of them who think it is.” 

Daphne nibbled at her bottom lip as the words cascaded over her. “I know,” she said barely above a whisper. A small, quiet admission that she could not avoid that truth for the rest of her life. That something within her begged to roar, to forge her own path, to live beyond the boundaries placed upon her. For a time after waking up in St. Mungo’s, she did just that. But that seemed an eternity ago. Another life all together. She cleared her throat, not wanting to ruminate further. To enjoy the company she had. 

“How about we check in with this store? See if they know anyone looking for a kitten.” 

It was impossible to keep the look of disgust off Clem’s face, even if it would have been preferable to. “Daphne, you’re not— going along with that, are you? You’re not some sort of performing seal.”

Daphne nibbled on her bottom lip. When the kitten mewed, she nuzzled a check to it’s soft head. She found herself embarrassed to admit the truth. That it did feel nice to be accepted so publicly. To be praised, adored, loved. Celebrated for all she was. That Daphne could strive to forget the unbearable truth, that it was all superficial. It wasn’t real. It was a fine line she walked, between wanting and knowing. 

“With a glittering ribbon tied around me.” Her lips curled upward slightly, trying to poke fun at an otherwise grim interaction despite being in good company. Maybe the kitten was an omen of sorts. 

“I think I might have already done that.” Her announcement hadn’t exactly been digestible. She waved a hand, more dismissive than she felt about the whole situation. “That’s just how life is going, isn’t it, since the statute and everything?” 

Daphne nodded somberly. She wouldn’t compare their experiences, but she couldn’t deny how dramatically her life had shifted since the Statute fell. “My family now think magic is a blessing. They like showing me off to their friends, have me do parlor tricks. Like a puppet.” And Daphne didn’t protest, no matter how desperately she sought to scream the truth from the top of her lungs. That for much of her life, her family sought to hide her abilities. 

“It’s polite normally to say everything’s been fine, isn’t it?” That was what Susan had always taught Clem growing up. She was the first person to teach Clem to swallow her words. 

Daphne frowned. “Let’s toss politeness into the bin.” She wouldn’t pry details out of Clem. She would, however, make herself as strong of a pillar as possible for her friend. 

“Let’s get started, Davenport. This kitten’s future is at stake.” Or more importantly, Daphne’s social schedule if she did indeed end up taking the kitten home.

Emma kept up appearances, because there was nothing that could be said or done. Sometimes things in life just simply didn’t work out. She was excellent at maneuvering. “Worst things have happened than this. I’m not in the business of dwelling on it all too much.” Her eyes shifted back to the kitten once more. “So, what’s our plan?”

“It’s alright to dwell, I think. If only for a bit, and then find a way to move forward.” Because that’s how Daphne saw life, a series of challenges and rewards that required patience while wading through the ebbs and flow. “Hmm.” She pressed a kiss to the kitchen’s soft head. “We’ll knock on all the doors on this street, and if we haven’t any luck, then I’m buying a bottle of chablis at Vino Vidi Vici and taking this little one back home.” Poor Lucille, she thought. 

“My parents have sided with Minchum.” She hated saying his name out loud. Mostly because there was nothing she could do about the potential affects it could have on her friend. “They’re cowards. Mostly in it for the money, and the promises. And I suspect any day now they’ll realize I have no intention of staying on at their firm.”

Daphne swallowed audibly. Hearing his name would always sent shivers down her spine; in time, she hoped she would learn how to lessen the impact. “I’m sorry you’re going through that.” 

“There’s nothing to vent about, Daph. I just have to make new plans.” She shrugged as thought it was nothing. As if this wasn’t the falling apart of years worth of dreams and hopes. Emma wasn’t even sure she cared to be on the Wizengamot anymore. Not like this. Maybe it was time for a new goal. “Like how to find this kitten its proper home.”

“But why?” Daphne’s brows furrowed. “What’s happening?”

“Right. Let’s see. My parents have gone insane. I might quit my job. I haven’t properly had sex in months due to said job, and I’ve decided the worst thing in the world a person can be is ambitious.” She ended with a flourish, eyes still staring at the kitten in Daphne’s hands.

“Oh.” Daphne bit at her bottom lip. “Well. That’s certainly...” Quite dreadful, is what she nearly spoke aloud. But Daphne tried to stay positive, perpetually seeking the brighter side of life despite the looming darkness. “You can vent about it all, you know. I’m here to listen.” 

“Oh, not a lot,” Clem said breezily, trying to make her voice sound as indifferent as possible. “Just your usual, working a lot, accidentally got myself a puppy,” - she gestured down at Kevin, - “been charged for an unprovoked assault on muggles by the muggle police.” That was the first time she had said that aloud, recent as the official news from the DMLE had been. It was both a great relief and a great burden to say it. She said it like you might give a weather report. 

Daphne stopped dead in her tracks, eyes widening. She reached a hand for Clem’s forearm. “Gosh, really?” She felt her stomach sinking.

“I take back what I said before, maybe you should just keep this kitten. For your own sanity levels.” The more someone became like their mother, the worse off they were. No matter how lovely their mother might actually be.

Daphne sighed. “Will you tell me what’s new with you? Mostly to catch me up, but also to stop me from spiraling any bit further.”

Emma rolled her eyes. “I’m done. I’m done. Let’s take care of this kitten, and I can psychoanalyze whatever weird problems you have later.”

“I don’t have problems!” Daphne squawked. And in that moment, she realized something truly terrible. “Oh dear.” She gulped. “I sounded exactly like my mother.” 

“It’s not my fault that you keep bringing him up. Are you obsessed with the Grinch? I didn’t give you a weird kink with all of this, did I?” She inspected the kitten a little more closely, determining that it did look to be in relatively good health. Though there was no collar to speak of.

“Emma! Stop this right now!”