The Survivors

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Daphne had been in somewhat of a mood the rest of the week. The last conversation she had with her mother was really grating on her nerves. She knew coming from a family of Slytherin's who had more ambition than perhaps what was healthy that things like this could happen, but for some reason this whole situation really rubbed her the wrong way. Particularly after Harry and Susan had gone out of their way to see that she felt safe in her own home.

It was obvious that Tracey could tell something had upset her bestfriend by the way she was getting terse or short responses at work that week, and by the time Friday had rolled around to her days off she was tempted to call Susan and ask her for a rain check. The only thing that stopped her was that it was really the only thing she had been looking forward to all week, so when Tracey asked her as she was leaving her shift Friday morning if she would be seeing her that night she promised her that she would.

As Daphne was getting ready in her flat she heard the increasingly familiar chime from her fireplace indicating a call was coming through. Feeling her irritation rising thinking her mother was contacting her she pointed her wand at the fireplace, and instead the face of her sister was there, "Hello Daphne, my aren't you looking dressed up. Date tonight?"

Daphne grumbled slightly, but came closer to floo to speak with Astoria, "No just a girls night out with Tracey and some friends."

Astoria raised an eyebrow at this, "Wow my boring sister actually has plans on a Friday night. You were going to be my saving grace for something to do. I am actually shocked. If you are going out with some of the other girls from work do you think they would mind if I joined?"

Daphne bit her lip at this, and wondered immediately if her sister was fishing for information, "I would invite you, but Tracey and I are both kind of new to this group, and it's our first time joining them. If it goes well I'd be happy to bring you another day."

This made the younger woman frown, "Who exactly are you going out with?"

Trying to make it seem like no big deal she immediately said, "Susan Bones, Hannah Abbot, maybe Hermione Granger and a few others."

"Wow, it seems like a lot has changed since we spoke last week if you are dining with celebrities like Granger." Astoria said teasingly.

Daphne kept an even face happy for once Tracey wasn't blabbing about their social life, "I am a little surprised Tracey didn't run to tell you. We spent the evening last week at Harry Potter's ancestral home, and had a good time during the anniversary of the Battle. Susan Bones and I struck up a friendship, and we liked the rest of the girls too so we made plans to get drinks tonight."

"Well there's the interesting news of the week. Mother called me just a few days ago suggesting that I check in on you. Did you two get into a row?" Astoria asked carefully.

"A topic for another night. I have to get going soon or I am going to be late." Daphne said effectively dodging the question.

The young woman frowned at her sister's evasiveness, "Well you are off tomorrow too right? Perhaps we can get a late lunch, and you can tell me all about this party, and your first hand accounts of our new Head of the DMLE."

"Call me tomorrow, and let me know where we are going to meet." Daphne said with finality.

"Have a good time Daph, and don't do anything I wouldn't." The girl said with a laugh as she closed the floo connection.

Taking a deep breath Daphne tried to shake off the bad vibes that had been following her for nearly a week, and disapparated to Falmouth.

The wizarding community was fairly small in Falmouth, but Susan swore by a good restaurant / bar in the area, which is where the witches had all agreed to meat. The Lazy Irshman was a charming little restaurant that was built by brick, and seemed to be old, but much more modern than the Leaky Cauldron. The lights on the inside and outside were pretty, and the vibe the place was giving off on a Friday night was calmer than she perhaps expected.