Daphne struggles with future expectations and Yaxley finds himself starting to care for the witch.

When Daphne had returned to her dorms, she got in her jammies and went to sleep. The next day she went about her business like nothing was the matter, but inside her heart was broken. She had been ecstatic thinking that Corban Yaxley might be interested in her, but he was just interested in dominating her. He did not see her as an equal or something of value.

Sometimes she wished she’d been born a half-blood, then she wouldn’t have all these expectations placed upon her.

Hermione knew there was something wrong with her friend, but she didn’t press for information, she just quietly observed. In DADA, their Professor was exceedingly polite and helpful, but not overly familiar. Daphne was the epitome of a proper Pureblood princess, but Hermione could see her slowly dying inside. When Halloween came and Daphne had received a letter from her father about potential betrothal contracts, the girl had wandlessly set the letter on fire, much to the shock of her housemates, not to mention the intense blue eyes that had watched her display and frowned at whatever it was that was causing the witch to react with such anger.

The Saturday after Halloween arrived, Daphne decided to take a walk around the Black Lake after lunch. She had made it to a secluded spot where she sat and cried her heart out.

She didn’t want to get married!!

Well, she did, but she wanted to fall in love first!

Maybe be swept off her feet?

Was that too much to ask?

She hadn’t been keeping track of the time and soon it got dark outside, but she didn’t care. When night fell, she just laid on the grass and watched the stars come out.

She cast a warming charm and eventually fell asleep.

When she finally woke up, it was still dark and she had no idea how late it was. Casting a ‘tempus’ charm, she was shocked when it read 2am. Realizing she was out way past curfew, she had two options: Try and sneak back inside, or just wait it out until morning.

Neither option sounded particularly optimal, but casting a disillusionment charm on herself, she made her way back inside the castle. When she had reached the final corridor towards the dungeons, she heard voices talking quietly in whispered harsh tones.

“Have you located Miss Greengrass, Mister Filch?”

“No, Lord Yaxley. No one from her dorms has seen the witch and Mrs. Norris hasn’t been able to scent her out.”

Yaxley nodded. “Keep looking, and if you find her bring her to me directly. No sense in alerting the Headmaster, unless we need to.”

Filch bowed his head and went down the other end of the hall. Daphne immediately noticed that her Professor looked worried and stressed. She cancelled the disillusionment charm and cleared her throat softly. Turning and seeing her standing there, Yaxley couldn’t hide the relief on his face before he moved over with purpose, grabbing the witch and bringing her into his office.

Closing the door and silencing the room, Yaxley sat her down by the fire and cast a warming charm, then grabbed a blanket to help her stop shivering. He turned around and grabbed a small decanter of Cognac and handed her a glass, to which she nodded her thanks.

He then sat down across from her and was looking over the young girl...no woman.

She was definitely a woman, with her long pale blonde hair, deep blue eyes and gorgeous figure.

“Where have you been, little love?”

Daphne sighed. “I’m sorry, Professor—truly. I went for a walk by the Black Lake and was doing some Astronomy work and I fell asleep—lost track of the time.”

Yaxley nodded, seemingly satisfied with that explanation. “Miss McKinnon came to me tonight when you didn’t show up in your dorms. She was rightly worried about you.”

“Hermione is a good friend.”

Yaxley hummed in agreement. “From what I’ve learnt, you were one of her only friends for a while. You gained her trust, not an easy thing to do from what her Father tells me.”

Daphne shrugged elegantly. “Hermione has every right to mistrust everyone. We were horrible to her, and yet she managed to overcome it all. She’s the smartest witch I know and she’s lucky. Her parents value knowledge and will support her desire to further her dreams.”

“And yours won’t?”

Shaking her head in the negative, Daphne replied, “My Father, lovely man that he pretends to be, wrote me to inform me that he has been looking over betrothal contracts for me. As if I’d let that man give my consent away. I’d rather slit my own wrists.”

Yaxley watched the beautiful witch take a sip of the Cognac and smiled at its warmth, “This is quite good. Richard Hennessy?”

He just gaped incredulously at the young witch. “Yes, it is.”

“Mmmmm...” taking another sip and moaning softly at the rich flavors, she failed to notice the man across from her, eyes darken and slightly adjusting his trousers, “It’s exquisite.”

Glancing up and catching her Professor’s heated gaze, the man nodded once and said in his deep, rich voice. “It is...absolutely exquisite.”

Setting the glass down, Daphne blushed slightly before standing up and saying politely, “Thank you for sharing it with me, Sir. I should probably head back to my dorm room.”

He nodded reluctantly and stood up too, walking over to the younger witch and gently cupping her face with his hand, causing Daphne’s breath to hitch, “What is it you want, little love?”

Daphne smiled tremulously and replied, “Just to have the choice. Is it really too much to ask?”

Yaxley shook his head. “No, it isn’t.”

Lifitng up on her tip toes, Daphne kissed her Professor’s cheek. “Thank you.” She whispered softly, and walked out of the room leaving Corban Yaxley to wonder what the fuck just happened.

A few days later, Hermione and Daphne were leaving Arithmancy with Theo and Blaise when Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom walked over to say hello. When their small entourage walked into the Great Hall for lunch, and as luck would have it, Daphne and Harry walked in together, causing everyone to stop and whisper at the pair.

At this, Daphne snapped and bit out in her most commanding voice...

“What is it with the infernal gossiping that runs rampant in this school? There’s actual work to be done people! Expand your minds, read a book, put away childish things...grow up! Not every witch who talks with a wizard is hoping to bag a boyfriend! I know it’s a novel concept that two people can actually carry on an adult casual conversation—be friends. It’s the twentieth century people! Buy a damn clue out of the clue box!”

Hermione laughed joyfully and started clapping at her friend’s tirade, causing many of the other witches to do the same. Daphne blushed prettily and grumbled something unintelligible under her breath, then went over and plopped down unceremoniously into her seat next to Hermione, while the other witch just smiled widely at her.

“I have no idea what brought that on, but...bravo!” Hermione snickered, while Draco just smiled at his friend.

“That was something else, Daph. Maybe you should go into writing a self-help column—for the liberated witch.”

Daphne’s eyes lit with fire and she looked over at her friend with a smile. “You know, that’s not a half bad idea.”

Draco paled, but Hermione just kissed him on the cheek. “You can’t take it back now, handsome. You’ve got Daphne all fired up.”

“I’d rather get you fired up, beautiful.” Draco waggled his eyebrows and Hermione smiled, while Daphne just groaned.

“Can you both just put a lid on the lovey dovey ickleness for one day. I think I may actually vomit in an over-whelming demonstration of self-expression.”

Everyone laughed while Daphne just shook her head, catching the eye of Professor Yaxley who sent a silent toast her way, causing the witch in question to blush deeply.