Being His Daughter

The One I'd Miss the Most

Daniels's eyes fluttered open slowly a few seconds after I had tipped the contents of the vial Snape had given me into his mouth, and I exhaled a breath of relief. When I had entered the room a couple of minutes ago to find him passed out halfway to the door, I had almost dropped the antidote in fright, but was able to recompose myself and pour it into his open mouth.

"Riddle?" Daniels croaked.

"Yeah, I'm here," I grumbled, rolling my eyes at him despite the fact that I was brushing the hair away from his sweaty forehead. "Now tell the name of the girl you were with during the Yule Ball so I can go curse her—"

"I was... I was with you, wasn't I?" he asked, his brow furrowing in confusion as he squinted his eyes at me. Suddenly he winced. "Oh no... It wasn't you... Bloody hell, I remember... Merlin, that stuff gave me a headache..."

"Do you— Do you remember what happened?" I asked cautiously. "I don't need you to remember the face of that whore; I remember it all too clearly. Just... Do you remember anything else?" I was hoping he wouldn't remember professing his love for me, or admitting that he fancied me back when we met. I could go along and let it consume my thoughts, but if he remembered, he may make our friendship awkward...and that was the last thing I wanted...

Daniels slowly peeked his eyes open at my question, and his eyes were glossy.

"No, no," I said, cradling his face as he sniffed. "Don't cry again—"

"Again?" he asked, astonished. "When did I—oh, Merlin, it did happen. All that I said to you...?"

My stomach dropped; he remembered. I nodded slowly anyways, causing Daniels to groan and lean his head back on my thigh. We were in the same position we had been when he'd rested all of his weight on me in the corridor earlier; on the floor with his head in my lap.

"I'm so sorry, Riddle," he mumbled. "I didn't want you to...know. Wait—what did I say exactly? I don't want to go rambling about something I might not have even said..."

"Er—you might as well," I said slowly. "I mean, you said some pretty intense—"

"Did I tell you that I...love you?" he asked, wincing at the word. I tore my gaze away from his knowing eyes. "Well, based by that look on your face I assume I did," he said, sighing. "Look, I do love you, Riddle—"

"Daniels..."

"Just let me explain," he insisted. I pursed my lips together and looked off at the unmade bed behind him. "I just-- I do love you...but as a friend...now. I'm sure I told you all of this earlier, but...just so I can repeat it sober... I fancied you when I first saw you—well, even before then; when I'd first heard of you. Another Slytherin who didn't give a damn what Snape thought of them? How could I not be attracted to that? I saved you on purpose that day you pranked Snape. I just really wanted to...talk to you, I guess. It sounds pathetic, I know. And it's weird since I'm so much...older...but I don't know. It was crazy. Then Malfoy came along. Well, he was really always there, but I had never seen how you two acted around each other. When I did, though, Merlin, I knew you fancied each other—"

"We're just...best—"

"Oh, rubbish," Daniels said, rolling his eyes despite the fact he still had his head rested on my thigh peacefully. "I know. Everyone knows. It's bloody obvious. I'm not mad, though. I mean...if I was mad I wouldn't talk to you anymore."

"Well, you've done that before," I grumbled. He shifted his head on my lap, looking up at me with a crooked grin.

"Don't remind me," he said. "Anyways, I knew you'd be happy with Malfoy--even if he is a prat-bag--and--here comes the cliche part--that's all I really want for you. I would obviously be a better option," he winked and I snorted, "but if he makes you happy, then that's alright. That's why I...backed off."