There she stood in what appeared to be a private little meadow, surrounded by beautifully healthy grass and wild flowers in bloom, eyes trained on something not too far ahead.

There she stood, quiet as ever, simply watching the scene before her.

The little girl with her long dark hair, several strands dancing with the air. Her green, green eyes.. not so unlike the nature around her. And that smile.

Sitting perched on handmade swing, a man held out his arms.

The same silly smile she had adored as a teenager.

His smile.

"Actually.. it really has nothing to do with where I'm from," Delphinia explained, picking apart a blade of grass. Her green eyes slowly lifted, finding Nathan's. "It's more to do with my mom.." She trailed off.

The blade of grass was forgotten as Nathan grabbed her hands, giving her a squeeze that said so many words, without saying anything at all.

She didn't talk about her parents much.

"It was special to mom. She saved her first kiss for the man she would fall in love with.. my father. So, it is special to me."

"Mummy?" Hopping from stone to stone, Delphinia held onto her mother's hand, both for balance and the feeling of security. "What is amortentia?"

Casting a look down at her daughter, Konstantina hurried further down the street, frown deepening. Those horrible women and their gossiping. Konstantina shook her head, stopping as she took her little one's hands.

"It is an awful potion that no one should ever use on another human being. It creates confusion and obsession, it takes away a person's own free will. There is never a right reason to use such a potion, do you understand, my love?"

"So what is he like?"

The question brought Delphinia back down to earth, turning her head to look at her godmother. A half-puzzled look crossed her face, briefly. "What is who like?"

Craddling her steaming cup of tea between her hands, Athena offered that motherly, warm, knowing smile that made Delphi want to squirm under her watchful eyes. "The boy you've been writing to this whole time. That is what you're waiting for, isn't it? A letter?"

Delphinia shrugged, leaning against the countertop behind her. "Just a boy."

"Just a boy? That is all?"

"Just.. my best friend, I guess."

Green eyes locked on the small gold heart dangling from a chain in her hand, studying it. Delphinia remembered playing with the necklace when she was very young, she remembered sitting in her mother's lap, her fingers tracing over the engraved letters 'K.T' on the front.. especially when her mother would take her along to visit with Erimentha.

They would talk for hours, and Delphi entertained herself by playing with the locket around her mother's neck. Opening and closing it, looking at the picture of their small family. When she was just a baby... when they were still alive.

Curled up with her knees to her stomach and her small feline companion wrapped in her arms, Delphinia laid motionless in her bed. It wasn't even curfew yet for the Ravenclaw, nor had it been when she had taken to her sleeping quarters. She was currently the only Seventh year girl in the dormitory.

Short dark hair rest on her pillow, partially of her face. Hiding the tears drops that fell from her eyes. As the tears turned to sobs that shook her body, Delphi buried her face in her pillow. "I miss him so much.." She mumbled to Philia.

As Delphinia found herself on Platform 9 3/4, her luggage trailing a little too close, she began pushing her way through the crowds with Philia, the small grey and white kitten she'd recently adopted held secured in one arm.

When the Hogwarts Express was mere feet away, Delphi paused. This was her third and last year, her last time aboarding the train to go to school. It felt surreal.

A tug from behind made her turn. Nathan took her trunk, and her hand.

"Ready to go back, Delphi?"

With one last glance around the platform, Delphi smiled.

"Yeah, I'm ready."

"What was that?" Gorgios sounded annoyed, his voice low but not so low that she couldn't hear him.

The celebration was over, for the most part. Everyone had gone off to another part of the house, doing their own things. Talking, laughing, reminiscing.

Delphinia paused from cleaning up, turning her head toward him. "What are you talking about?"

"The boy, Delphinia, from that school you go to."

"What about him?" Delphi asked, not terribly excited with where this was going.

"Why is he here?" Gorgios pressed.

"Because he's my best friend, and I invited him here!" Delphi answered, rather defensively.

"So, why did you move to England?"

Delphinia sat in the sand, burying her own feet as the boy who had decided to sit by her began to talk. She knew him, not very well but from when they were young. He had gone to her school.

"Just wanted to," Delphi mumbled, though it wasn't entirely truthful. Her parents had died, she hadn't wanted to stay in Greece.

"Oh, I see." Gorgios considered her answer, giving the reserved young girl a friendly smile. "Well, how about ice cream? On me."

The boy offered her a hand up.

"Chocolate?"

"Sure thing!"

Their daughter was a fish.

Delphinia sat back in a beach chair, her knees up and a baby boy wiggling in her arms as she watched the dark haired child in the water climb out and run toward them.

The girl began to dig through her mother's bag while her parents watched with curiosity until she found what she was looking for.

With a grin, she threw it in the pool and jumped in.

"No, Sweetheart! Mommy needs her keys!" Delphinia panicked, imagining herself unlocking the front door of their Muggle apartment with her wand.

The man beside her laughed.

Full of excitement to be home, Delphi bounced down the hall toward the kitchen where she could hear voices. Delphi stopped just inside when she noticed a small child seated at the table that looked familiar, though she'd never met him before.

"Did Demetria have another kid?"

The question was serious.

Athena gave her a soft, warm smile, a tired look in her eyes.

It was Apollo who broke the silence.

"No, he's mine."

Delphi might not have been the best student in Divination, but never in her wildest dreams would she have predicted the child belonged to Apollo.

"Oh."

Admittedly, she had been in utter shock when she found out Apollo was a father. Not just a father, but the father of a toddler she'd never even known existed.

Apollo was someones daddy.

But now, sitting in the child's new room at his Grandparent's house, Delphinia absolutely adored the boy.

"Ry-Ry! Come to Aunt Delly!" With her arms open, Delphi beamed.

"His name is Rylan." Apollo tossed her a glare.

"But I like Ryley!"

"His mother named him Rylan, not Ryley, or Ry-whatever."

Rylan jumped into her arms, just as he had their lives, and stole her heart forever.

When Delphinia had started her first year at Hogwarts, as a transfering fifth year, it had come as quite the surprise to enter the Great Hall. Not only because the four tables were positively flooded with too much food, but the sorting hat. That had been a strange experience all in it's own.

Memories clouded her mind, but the brush of an arm against hers brought her back to the feast. Green eyes shifted to Nathan, the Hufflepuff boy beside her, a smile falling on her lips.

Nathan had taken her plate and was piling her favorite foods on it.

Delphinia had a sweet tooth, and so did Nathan. It kind of worked out well for them. Neither were very picky with candy, not really.. Though Delphi personally preferred something chocolate most days.

With dinner over, dessert filled the four tables in rows of sweet, sticky, warm goodies that brought a small smile to her lips. That was one of her favorite things about Hogwarts. The house elves made excellent food.

Delphi's green eyes focused on a fruit-filled pastry, before her attention shifted to Nathan as he placed a big piece of cake on the plate in front of her.

Snow crunched beneath her feet as she made her way around the grounds, petite hands buried in her cloak that was wrapped snuggly around her small frame. Her destination was the lake today, where she thought a certain Hufflepuff boy would be. Kind of tall, dark haired, brilliant green eyes so much like her own..

Her lips turned up in a smile, spotting him several feet out nearer to the frozen lake. Where he stood was about the same place they had first met, Delphi thought.

Without a second thought, Delphinia bent and picked up a handful of snow.

Swoooosh.

It had been a few years since her parents passing. It was probably about time that Delphinia start going through things.. not that she intended on giving the house up, because it was hers now. Athena held on to the key for her, and took care of things that came up.

Nathan was somewhere, probably exploring the house - perhaps he had found her old bedroom, still in it's childlike form, - while Delphi sat on the floor, going through letters.

A single tear fell down her cheek, followed by another, and then the letter was abandoned. "Nathan?" Delphi called.

How was it, that she could even have a sister? A half-sister.

Delphinia had only asked herself that question, and more, a million times now. She should have been happy not to be the last Suvari, but she wasn't. At all.

Laying on the couch in her and Nathan's apartment, her hands tucked under her head, Delphi continued to frown.

She'd met the girl.

Her name was Callidora.

She almost looked just like her. Her eyes were a bit blue, rather than plain green. Her hair was dark. Just a little darker than her own.

But they still looked alike.

Delphinia took a deep breath as she took the stairs toward her childhood home, the one she'd grown up in her whole life - up until her parent's death.

It had been a year. A whole year, since she'd last seen the house. Since going off to Hogwarts.

The sixteen-year-old paused near the front door, turning the key over in her hand. A slight movement on her left that was caught out of her eye made her turn, curiously.

A small grey and white kitten stare back at her, while pacing near the bushes.

"Oh, hello there.. are you lost?"

It had taken quite a bit of convincing, but there she was. In London, England. In Artemis and Brett's house.

Her hand stroked the soft comforter over the bed she sat on, almost absently, her green eyes roamed the room - her new bedroom, thoughtfully.

A knock at her bedroom door brought her back down to earth, and a small smile pulled at her lips. "Thank you, Artie.. you didn't have to.."

"It's no trouble, Delphi. We want you to feel at home." Artemis assured her, entering the room. "I thought you might need this."

Hogwarts, A History.

"Thank you."

"Waaaaaaait," Yelled four-year-old Delphinia Eumelia Suvari, running around barefoot just outside her home. "Waaaait, Miss Butterfly!"

The small girl frowned, arms at her sides as she gave up the chase. Her lips jutted out, full on pouting. Little Delphi plopped herself down on the ground, and laid back, not at all concerned about getting dirt in her short brown hair as she gazed up at the afternoon sky.

"Did she get away, my love?" Konstantina asked, coming to stand over her daughter with a loving smile playing on her lips.

Delphinia nodded, awkwardly. "Yes mummy, she did." Sigh.

Silly butterfly.

Pitter-patter of little feet sounded down the hall, and a wide smile formed on the woman's pink lips. "Hello, little love." Delphinia turned toward the door to see her daughter dance in, twirling in her pretty new dress.

"Did daddy help you get ready?"

The little girl nodded, "Yes!" She announced happily, offering her mother a big smile.

Delphinia bent over to straighten the bow in her little girl's hair, and took her small hands in her own. "Are you excited to go to Aunt Jana's birthday party?"

The child bounced up and down, excited as ever. "Yes, I am!"

"Aunt Delphi!" Five-year-old Rylan DeVille shouted, racing down the hall when he heard her voice. His Grandma Athena was holding the door open, waiting for the young woman to come inside. Beside her was a man Rylan hadn't ever seen before, and was curiously staring at.

"It's not polite to stare, Rylan." Said Apollo, who appeared to only have come to see who was at the door. After Aunt Delphi hugged his grandma, she was hugging his dad.

Rylan frowned, before looking at the man again. The one his Aunt Delphi had brought along. "Will you help with my socks?"

In all honesty, Delphinia couldn't remember the last time she'd seen her older brother. She had seen him, briefly, when her parents had died. But properly? A good, proper visit? She couldn't remember.

Excitement twisted her insides, as she wrung her hands nervously. It was unfortunate, Nathan wasn't with her. She had hoped for the two to meet. Her older brother, and her best friend.

Her green eyes traveled, glancing at everything near her, all the shops with their holiday decorations.

"Delphinia?" She heard a voice call, almost uncertainly, and turned.

"Nils!" Delphi shouted, and ran straight for his arms.

When Demetria had asked her to fill in for her missing model, Delphinia had thought she was absolutely bonkers. She didn't know a thing about being a model, didn't watch what she ate closely, or at all - she didn't even know how to pose. But that hadn't stop Demetria from believing in her. Or using her.

"Okay, now sit here-" 'Tria said, guiding the younger girl into place. "-There. Wait, fix your hair.. yeah, just right there.. good, now smile-" The Greek woman sighed, "-No, not that I'm a little girl smile."

"Demetria!" Delphi laughed, and smiled cheerfully.

"Better!"

Short brown strands fell forward, hiding her eyes but still allowing her to see the book spread out on her lap, knees tucked under her awkwardly in a over-stuffed armchair residing in the Galanis's personal library.

Delphinia was focused, content, and every few moments her hand would change the page she was on, or reach for a piece of candy in the bowl on the side table.

The room was silent, no one around but her. Everyone else was in the kitchen, she thought.

"BOO!"

Or not.

Delphinia nearly jumped out of her seat, and socks. "Juliet Fotos!" She shouted.

Delphinia sat, curled up in a cushy chair in her hotel room, tears making trails down her cheeks at an incredible speed. She had wiped away the first couple of tears to fall, and that was all - then she gave up, because it was useless.

Sobs shook her body, her head buried in the blanket she'd wrapped around herself moments earlier. Mumbled, choked words escaped the Suvari that she could barely understand herself - If only she had a timeturner to undo her mistake. If only she didn't need one at all. How could she be so stupid?

"Nathan.."

"Aunt Deeeelly," Rylan called, knocking lightly on the jarred door before walking in to find 'Aunt Delly' laying across her bed. The little boy frowned. She looked sad. "Want a cauldron cake, Aunt Delly?" He asked, offering the sweet in his hand, he waved it under her nose. Smell?

When he received the smallest of smiles, Rylan beamed back.

"No thank you, Ry-Ry." Delphi mumbled, wiping at her eyes to make sure she wasn't crying in front of the boy. "But thank you for asking."

Rylan frowned again, and climbed onto the bed with her. "Are you okay, Aunt Delly?"

Hearing a knock at the door, Konstantina shifted the bundled baby in her arms, raising out of the rocking chair as she heard her husband shout 'I've got it,'. Still, she stood and proceeded down the hall. A smile stretched across her tired lips as she saw her husband hugging a dark haired young man.

"João," She would have hugged him herself, but her arms were full. "I'm so glad to see you.. How are you?"

"Nils," The young man corrected with a gentle smile. Her question fell on deaf ears though, when he noticed the baby in her arms.

Konstantina's expression softened more, if that were even possible. The ghost of memories flashed before Nils eyes, she could see it. Exchanging a glance with her husband, Nikolaos, the woman stepped closer to the man she had once considered a son.

"Is this her?" Nils asked, though it was a silly question. When Konstantina nodded, and offered to let him hold her, the eighteen-year-old very carefully accepted the bundled child - his sort of little sister, Eros' little sister.

"Hey.. little Delphi," He whispered to the sleepy baby girl, adjusting the blanket around her face. "You are beautiful, aren't you?"

Delphinia couldn't have been happier, running down the halls of her family's house with her big brother chasing her. She skidded to a halt in front of the wall that held all her mum and dad's portraits, and turned her head to see if he had caught up yet.

The four-year-old beamed up at Nils, and after getting him to pick her up, she wanted to play her favorite game ever. "Who's that?" Delphi asked, leaning in Nils' arms to point at one of the photos.

"That's our brother. His name was Eros," Nils said, "He was my big brother."

Delphinia's curious green eyes followed the woman with her dark hair and blue eyes as she walked through the door, her parents were talking to her, hugging her. Mum looked surprised.

"Delphinia, my love," Konstantina started, taking her daughter by the hand to stand in front of her. "This is Artemis Galanis, she's a very good friend of our family."

The seven-year-old sort of studied the woman, Artemis, with interest before offering anything to say. "Did you know my brother?" She asked, and added quickly, "Eros. Not Nils."

Her question seemed to take Artemis by surprise.

"Hello." Was that better?

Laying across her bed, in her old bedroom in Artemis and Brett's house, Delphinia buried her head in her pillows, sniffling every now and again while Callidora sat by her side, stroking her hair in an attempt at comfort.

"I'm sure you guys are fine, Delphinia," Callidora said, "Nathaniel is a good guy, he has to know you didn't do anything wrong-"

"No."

"No what?" The younger girl frowned. "Delph, really.."

Delphi's face appeared as she pushed herself up, "It was wrong. The whole thing was wrong. And my first kiss.."

"That didn't count. He kissed you."

"You don't understand.."

"Ahhhh, GOTCHA!" Seven-year-old Delphinia proclaimed, turning to run away with her stick firmly in hand. Once she had reached where she wanted to be, several feet away, she turned abruptly on her feet and held her stick out in front of her, waving it wildly in the air. "Unguard!"

Nikolaos smiled, a mischievous look in his eyes. With a glance at the 'wand' in his hand, he tossed it over his shoulder and ran after his little girl, swinging her up into his arms as she squealed excitedly, her laughter filling the yard. "Daddy, that's now how the game works!"

At barely fifteen-years-old, Delphinia was an orphan.

She couldn't do this, couldn't take it anymore. Everyone was standing by as the funeral took place, all dressed in black, with her standing in front. Nils was next to her, his hand on her shoulder, and Artemis was on the other side.

Green eyes swelled with tears. She couldn't do this. Lip quivering. She couldn't do this. Someone stepped forward to speak about her parents, and Delphi snapped. Turning abruptly away from the gathering, she kicked off her shoes, and took off at a run with Nils and Artemis shouting after her.

"You're almost a whole decade old, Delphinia," Nikolaos said, watching his daughter climb onto a chair at the table and help herself to the plate of fresh baked cookies her mum had just put down. "Do you know what you want for your big birthday?"

Konstantina smiled adoringly at the pair, before busying herself with more cookies to be baked.

Delphinia paused in her cookie eating, and made a face. "What's that? Decade sounds old. I'm not old, Daddy. I'm not even ten-years-old yet." She protested, before shoving the rest of the cookie into her mouth. "I want a kneazle."

Delphinia was well on her way toward the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room, when she paused, shifting the books in her arms. With all the recent events and possible rumors floating around school about her and Nathan, thanks muchly to Nathan's now ex-girlfriend - who she was housemates with and dorm mates as well, - Delphi wasn't so sure about entereing the common room anymore.

No, she would sit and read elsewhere. It was quieter, and easier, than dealing with nonsense. With that decided, Delphinia took a seat against the corridor wall, and opened a book on her lap.

Delphinia could hear a knock on the door from where she was, in the baby's room, and started toward the bedroom door to proceed down the hall when she heard Nathan answer the door, and her half-sister's voice follow his.

Cradling the bundled infant closely, Delphi made it to the front room before Nathan and Callidora could move to another room or come find her first.

"Awww, look at that pretty baby," Dora smiled widely, holding out her arms to take the baby. "I want to hold my niece." The baby yawned, once settled in her auntie's arms. "Nap time."

When her parents asked her to go brush her teeth, they probably didn't have in mind what a young Delphinia was up to. At first, it had started out as her bringing her stool over to the counter, the grabbing of her tooth brush, and then .. well, somehow or another, tooth paste oozed from the tube she squeezed between both hands, covering her tooth brush, the sink, counter, and the pretty new dress her mummy had just bought her for some event.

"Oops," Delphi mumbled, realizing her mistake as she glanced down at the glob on her dress. "Daaaadddyyyy!"

It was the holidays, and Delphinia was feeling on the grown up side, which wasn't hard when you were surrounded by little kids. Well, sort of. Juliet was only four years younger than her, but the girl's little brothers were just.. little.

"Okay, Juliet, you can help me make the food," Delphinia began, putting the items she'd pulled out of the fridge on the counter along with everything else. "Nikator, you can jam up the toast.. and um," That was about it. "Mickail, stop mooching off the toast!" Delphi frowned, and snatched it from the toddler's hand. "You can wait."

"Nathan!"

"Delphi," Nathan said back, quieter than she had, since she was leaning against him on their couch.

Delphinia snuggled more into his side, and beamed up at him. "I have an idea," She announced, "We should have a Halloween party this year."

"Oh, and who would we invite?" He asked, not at all dismissing her idea.

"Well, we could invite your dad and his wife, Jana, Callidora - who could bring someone with her, Artemis and Brett.."

Perhaps she should rethink the magical decorations she had in mind, since Nathan's father was a muggle, after all. His wife, too.

When Nathan had found out that Delphi didn't know how to produce a Patronus, he insisted he help her learn how to. It would be fun, Nathan said. No pressure, either.

"Remember, think of the happiest memory you can, and hold on to it." Nathan instructed patiently, as Delphi prepared herself, wand at the ready - pointed at a defense dummy.

Delphi gave a slight nod, as if to say she was ready - and closed her eyes, thinking. Her eyes fluttered back open, her wand raised, "Expecto Patronum!" She exclaimed, and watched a silver swan emerge from her wand.

Snuggled up to Nathaniel on their couch, Delphinia curled her feet in, her body resembling a ball against his side. Her head rested against his shoulder, one hand playing with his.

The Christmas tree was light up with colorful lights, twinkling in the darkened room, torn wrapping paper laid tossed aside on the floor. "Merry Christmas," Delphi whispered, green eyes glancing up.

"Merry Christmas, Delphi," Nathan repeated, a smile playing on his lips.

Delphi moved, straightening up. "I have one more thing for you," She confessed, and stood to retrieve it, even though she could have used a summoning spell.

Standing near the window, her sister at her side, Delphinia shook her head. Where was Nathan, again? Oh yes, going to pick up coffee and goodies.

"I dare you, come on!" Callidora continued, practically bouncing on her feet. "It's April first, Delphinia!"

Again, Delphi shook her head. Her hand came to rest just under her chin, eyes watching for the return of her boyfriend. Also, nope. Not happening, sister.

Callidora sighed, and turned abruptly at the sound of the front door opening. "Nathan," She said, calmly - giving Delphi a funny look before looking back to Nathaniel, "Delphinia is expecting."

When Nathan walked through the door and Callidora blurted out her words, causing Nathan to pause near the counter, where he set down the coffees and sugary treats, Delphinia almost put her head in her hands.

"You told her?" Nathan asked, acting shocked as his green eyes came to rest on Delphi, who appeared confused - for a split second.

Callidora froze, staring wide-eyed at her sister's boyfriend. "I was just joking.. wait," Dora frowned, "what?" .. Were they serious?

As Delphi's half-sister looked from Nathan to her, and back again, Delphi quickly found her in a fit of giggles.

Finally, her nephew had arrived.. in all green, with a funny looking hat. "What are you dressed as, Ry?" Delphi asked, eyeing the small boy as she let him into the kitchen, cookie preparation scattered across the counters.

"A leprechaun, Aunt Delly." Rylan replied, matter-of-factly as he stepped up onto his stool. "It's Saint Patrick's day."

"Oh, and who's teaching you about that?"

"Nana Brooks," The boy answered.

Delphi rolled out some dough, and placed some in front of him as she worked on the rest. "Did she dress you, too?"

"Yes," Rylan said.

"Figures," Delphi mumbled under her breath.

Spread out on her bed, Delphinia flipped a page of the book that laid in front of her, and the another. Almost absently, her hand reached for a licorice wand in the package next to her and raised it to her mouth. Green eyes remained fixed on the book, as she nibbled the tip of the candy wand.

"Enjoying your book?" A voice asked, near the door. Artemis' smiling face appeared, as Delphi looked up and returned the look. Artie's boyfriend being the local bookstore owner was a definite plus, and it helped that he was a nice guy, too.

"ZZZZ, ZZAAAAP, ZZAAAAP," Ten-year-old Delphinia made sound effects to follow the jerky moment of her hand, pretending the stick between her fingers was very much alive. "ZAPZAPZAPZAP!"

Juliet frowned, and took a step back. She offered no words, and merely stared.

"Juliet!" Delphi sighed, hoping down from the couch she stood on so she could go over to the six-year-old in question. "Juliet, you are suppose to do something about it."

"About what?"

"About the rogue wand, silly!"

The younger of the two nodded, uttering a quick "Ohhh," before swiftly pulling the stick from her friend's hand, and throwing it.

For some reason, Nils had owled her to ask if she would like to accompany him to a Quidditch game. He also told her to ask Artemis if she minded, too.

"Right over here," Nils said, walking just a little bit ahead of her as he gestured toward their seats.

Once settled beside her older brother, Delphi glanced sideways at him. "So.. who's playing again?"

"Um.. Montrose Magpies, and.." Nils paused, clearly trying to remember. "Oh look, here they come. There's Curtis Diggory and Alexis Chosen.. Chasers, I think."

Briefly, Delphi wondered if Nils liked Quidditch anymore than she did.

With All Hallows Eve fast approaching, the small family had many things to finish up. Costumes, treats, and jack-o-lanterns.

Delphinia smiled, walking into the kitchen with her children and husband, where their pumpkins sat on the countertop. "Okay, we're going to carve our pumpkins very carefully-"

"With knifes?" Interrupted her young daughter, who stared up at her expectantly with wide green eyes.

"No, that's too dangerous." Exchanging a look with her husband, Delphi pulled out her wand and stepped up to the counter, while her husband grinned.

"Okay kids, come back here with me and let mommy open the pumpkins."

Similar to the time Delphi had tried to make Nathaniel, her best friend, a birthday cake by scratch all on her own, when eggs somehow ended up on everything in the kitchen, and flour covered the floor, the pumpkin she'd cast a spell on to open the top with magic, went BOOM.

Pumpkin guts flew all over, splatting the ceiling, as well as the floor. When heads began to be uncovered, and Delphinia could properly see again, she looked sheepishly over at her family: Her husband, her daughter, and her son.

All three were covered in orange goe.

"Oops.. sorry."

"Dora, we don't care much for pink.." Delphinia tried to protest weakly, knowing she was already losing the battle. The brunette watched as her half-sister shook her head and continued on her way, setting the large pink seedpods down on the bench.

"Tough, Delphi." Callidora replied, without so much as looking at her. "You and Nathan might not like pink, but my niece just might."

There was a long silence, where Delphi frowned until Callidora gestured for her to come closer, and handed her one of the puffapod seeds. "I am not pregnant, Dora." Delphi grumbled, before dropping the seed.

The wedding was.. incredible. Delphinia could find little words to describe what she was feeling, standing next to her sister, both hands holding a bundle of flowers.

Looking out at all the happy faces, then past the bride and groom who were staring deeply into the others eyes, Delphi peeked over at the best man, none other than her Nathan.

As they exchanged a look, the bride and groom exchanged their vows. A tear fell down her cheek, and Delphi quickly wiped it away.

You may now kiss the bride!

As the cheering and hooting began, Delphi could only smile.

"So, what's he like?"

Sitting across from her sister, Delphinia's green eyes fixed on the young woman - almost eyeing her, hands wrapped around a steaming mug of fresh made tea.

"I don't know.." Callidora began, and paused as she earned herself a look of disbelief. "Okay.. fine," Sigh. "He's nice.. and kind, and warm, and funny.."

"So, why doesn't Aunt Calliope approve?"

The younger woman's shroulders shrugged, before any words came out: "He's muggleborn."

"What does that matter? You're not.. I mean,"

"I'm not a pureblood," Callidora finished, unoffended. "I know. I guess she likes to pretend I am."

Delphinia took a deep breath as she slowly approached the stool, gaze fixed on the hat. It wasn't that it was clearly old, and possibly dirty that bothered her. No, it was the fact the hat talked, that alarmed her.

Once settled on the stool, the fifteen-year-old couldn't help but look up as the hat was lowered toward her head, and she was instructed to keep her head down. Her cheeks turned rosy, staring out at the great hall with all eyes staring back at her.

'Hmm.. interesting, I haven't had one of you in a while. Right, then. RAVENCLAW!'

"We can't forget to pick up a dress for Delphinia," Athena added, almost absently as the three women walked further into Diagon Alley, each of them carrying atleast one bag.

So far, so good.

Delphi had gotten her books from Flourish and Blotts, which seemed totally unnecessary since Brett worked there - but both Artemis and Athena insisted this trip would be good for her. They had also already picked up her quills, parchment, and ink.

"Why do I need a dress?" Delphinia asked, green eyes turning from Artemis, to her godmother.

"In case Hogwarts has a yule ball, dear."

One thing was for sure, atleast in Delphi's mind, Hogwarts seminar lessons were the opposite of boring.. usually, anyway. And this one in particular sounded.. fun, even. They needed fun, right?

It had taken practically nothing to get Nathan agree to attend with her, which she was grateful for - she couldn't imagine partnering up with anyone else for this.. FUNcantations and Dance Magic class, especially if the dance part meant they were acting dancing. With other people.

Still hand in hand with Nathan, Delphi stopped short of the classroom and turned, "Thank you," She smiled. "For coming with me."

This was the first History of Magic lesson of the new school year, and while Delphinia had tried waiting for Nathan outside of the classroom, she eventually wandered inside and took an empty seat, placing her school bag in the seat next to her. That desk was reserved Nathaniel, her best friend.

He was late. Or maybe she was early, who knew with them.

Delphi watched the train on Professor Scabior's desk, which unlike the one next to her, was animated - or charmed, maybe. "Hogwarts Express," She murmured to herself, realizing.

So.. they were going to play with trains?

Peering over the side of the crib, hands planted firmly on the crib wall to hold her still and toes raising her up so she could see the small human laying there. "Awwww, she's so precious." The four-year-old heard her mother say to Erimentha, while she played with the newborn's foot. The baby merely stared back, silent.

Erimentha offered Delphinia's mother a cup of tea, she vaguely heard. As the two left the room, Delphi continued to stare down at the baby - Juliet.

"Hi,"

The baby began to cry, and Delphi stumbled backward. "AUNT ERIMENTHA, I BROKE THE BABY!"

The sound of a rattle being shook made Delphinia turn sharply, taking in the sight of Juliet, the one-year-old culprit with one chubby hand around the colorful toy.

"No, Juliet!" Delphi cried and rushed over, knocking the toy out of her hand a little too hard. "That's a portkey, silly baby."

At first surprised, a horrible look crossed Juliet's face before she began to scream, thick tears falling from her grey eyes.

"Don't cry!" The five-year-old said, while picking up the rattle and trying to place it back into the baby's hand. "I'm sorry! You can go anywhere you want!"

All that they would need to use when baking was scattered, covering almost every inch of countertop except for the small piece of counter directly in front of her. Seated upon a very tall stool, a young Delphinia swung her legs back and forth, beaming up at her mother as she put down a bowl. "Are you ready, my love?"

Delphinia nodded excitedly, pushing herself around to face the counter as her father suddenly appeared in the kitchen, a sneaky grin playing across his lips. "Delphi, you know what to do if your mother sets a fire, don't you?"

"Yes!"

Sitting behind a desk, Nikolaos ran both hands through blonde hair, one hand knocking his glasses - causing them to sit crooked on the bridge of his nose until he adjusted them with a sigh. His eyes traveled toward the door of his study as he heard a knock, followed by the door being opened and his daughter's head peeking in. A smile was all it took for her to come prancing over, and climb into his lap.

"Rooooar," The small girl whispered, a wide smiling playing on her lips as she looked up at her father with adoring eyes.

It was on the first year anniversary of Eros' death, that they received the news.. Konstantina was expecting a child. A little girl, they had recently found out.

Konstantina stood in the doorway of her son's old room, which remained untouched. Her eyes gazed around, and slowly she ventured toward the dusty bedside table inside the room, carefully picking up the Ford Anglia toy model Eros had built as a child.

The realization was still bittersweet, and saddened her knowing her daughter would never know the hero that was her brother.

"He would have loved you so, my little Delphinia."

When Athena turned around, eleven-month-old Delphinia Suvari was sitting peacefully on a blanket spread out on the floor, small and noisey toys surrounding her - although the only thing that had her interest was the rubber duck in her mouth, - and then Apollo was shouting.

"KID!" The twelve-year-old growled from the kitchen table, "Stop throwing your SHOES at me."

"Apollo Davis DeVille, she is a baby. She means no harm. And she probably threw a toy at you, she doesn't know how to take her shoes off." Athena scolded, before dismissing the matter.

"Her shoe is UNTIED."

Delphinia beamed.

When her father had come home with the Christmas tree, Delphinia waited patiently for him to get it inside while her mother prepared the space where they would put it. All the while, the small girl bounced from one foot to the other, hands clasped together as she stood off to the side.

Dancing green eyes watched carefully as her father settled the tree, and removed his protective gloves. That was all it took for her to take off at a run at her parents, beaming brighter than the Christmas lights.

"Can we decorate now?" Six-year-old Delphinia asked, "Can we?"

"Apollo, we would really like for you to join us in decorating the tree."

Absently twisting an ornament between her hands, Delphinia stole a quick glance toward Apollo as Mrs. Galanis half-lectured, half-spoke to him. There was no smile on her lips, just the forced ghost outlines of a former smile that once was.

This would be the first Christmas since the death of her parents, her first with the Galanis' family.

From where Apollo sat at the table with his dark haired head buried in papers, he raised a lazy eyebrow and offered them a glance. "Sorry, I'm allergic."

Standing in front of a floor-length mirror, Delphinia took a deep breath, her hands busy smoothing the thin white fabric of her dress. Her wedding dress. Her wedding. Another deep breath.

"You look gorgeous," A voice said from behind her, as a door clicked closed. Artemis appeared beside her, already dressed and hair left to flow in curls. Her blue eyes watched the younger woman nod, and a soft smile found it's way to her lips. "Are you sure about this?"

Her question was spoken softly, only slightly worried about the bride's nerves. Whatever she was feeling, would be normal.

"Yes, of course." Delphinia answered quickly, without giving Artemis' question much thought. What was there to think about? She loved him.. he loved her. End of story. Or maybe, this was just the beginning of the story..

Delphinia hardly noticed when Artemis moved toward the door as a light knock sounded, and Nils slipped inside - whispering to Artemis at first, before coming up behind her. Delphinia could only think that he looked surprised, stunned even - as if someone had stupefied him.

"Do I look okay?"

"You look more beautiful than a Veela," Nils said, smiling softly. "little sister."

Diagon Alley was holding a summer festival. Of course, they couldn't pass that up.

Walking hand in hand with Nathan, there was a slight bounce to her steps, an excited yet distracted smile playing on her lips. Her green eyes gazed around, taking in all the colorful decorations, and well.. colorful people.

As they headed into the petting zoo, talking all the while and completely unaware of others around them, Delphinia briefly wondered - upon spotting the abraxans, - what other kind of winged horses were around, too.

And then Nathan said it, he brought up her. Her half-sister.

Sigh.

As they walked the streets of New York City, Delphinia's mind replayed the scene earlier over in her head: Demetria getting a floo call, and leaving suddenly. She left her there on her own. If it wasn't for the fact she thought something must have happened back home, Delphi would have been upset.

Green eyes glanced over at her companion, Adam. He was a crew worker from her photoshoot, or rather - Tria's photoshoot. He'd been nice enough to explore the city with her, and here she was - lost in thought.

It was getting late though, night had fallen.

And she really needed to get back to her room.

There was parchment and a self-inking quill waiting for her on the table in her room, as well as Nathan's latest letter. Nathan. Her sweet, incredible Nathan.. with the idea of writing to him as soon as she got back in her head, Delphinia offered her companion a slight smile as she neared a waiting taxi.

In that same moment, his face had gotten much closer to hers - close enough to feel his breath near her lips, his eyes daring her to move.

Frozen in place, she didn't move.

"Isn't she the cutest?" Delphinia asked, though not really meaning it as a question at all - Carlina was the cutest baby ever. Bouncing the infant gently in her arms as she paced the floor, Delphi paused as she met Apollo's gaze.

"That depends on who you're comparing her to."

"What is that suppose to mean?"

Raising an eyebrow, Apollo looked away from the young woman holding his niece. "Most babies aren't cute. They look like little shriveled up aliens."

"Apollo!"

"You, on the other hand. You looked like a goblin when you were a baby."

Delphi glared, "You're horrible."

Callidora was still hoping this was a joke. Delphi didn't really want to go back to Greece, did she? Just like the last several months had been one big joke. One big nightmare. Unfortunately, some nightmares were real.. like theirs. And this wasn't a joke. Delphinia really was returning to Greece. And she was going with her.

"Are you sure about this?" Callidora said, her voice quiet as she looked around the empty room, gaze falling on her half-sister as she packed the last of her things into a bag. "What about.."

The older sister paused, before whispering: "I'm sure."

The sun shined through the open window of their flat, a warm breeze played with the ends of both young women's dark hair as they sat across from each other at the small table in Delphi and Nathan's kitchen. This was the first time since meeting her half-sister that Nathan wasn't around to join in the conversation, or help Delphi when she needed it.

"So, did you like Hogwarts?" Delphinia asked quietly, deciding it was time to break the silence as bluish-green eyes met hers.

The hint of a smile traced Callidora's lips. "Except for those bloody moving staircases? Yes."

"No," Delphinia spoke rather loudly, willing her voice to be strong as she took a step back from the image in front of her. There was no mirror, but there was.. a double of her, standing there. This Delphinia was much older though, much older.. and seemingly alone, without even Philia for company.

"No, you're not real!" The young woman shouted again, determined. "You're not me, not even a future me. I will not be alone!"

The brunette's head shook as the elderly version of herself babbled off nonsense.

"I have family, I have Nath-"

She didn't have Nathan.

"Riddikulus!"

As the Headmistress gave her speech at the end of term feast, Delphi heard none of it, as if she were speaking Parseltongue. Of course, she wasn't.. although according to the whispers of student voices throughout the last few years, quite a number of kids wouldn't have been surprised if Truebridge could speak Parseltongue.

Whatever that meant.

"Delphi," A voice said, breaking through her thoughts. Nathan's voice. Nathan's face came abruptly clear as she turned her head to look at him, his concern visible. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, sorry." Delphi smiled sheepishly, "Just thinking about what happens now.. after tomorrow."

"Delphi, you cannot sit around here like this." Callidora's voice was firm as she stood there, hands on her hips, staring down at her half-sister whom sat in a chair by the window, simply staring out of it. "You can't live like this. This isn't living, it's existing."

Three weeks had gone by since they'd moved to Greece, back into the house Delphinia had spent her childhood. Three weeks since Delphinia and Nathaniel had apparently ended things between them.

"I'm fine, Dora."

"No, you're not." Callidora argued, and shoved a quill and piece of parchment toward her. "Write to him."

"Artie, was Eros an Animagus?"

Dark blue eyes watched as the small girl perched herself on the arm of a chair, a faint smile appearing on her lips at the question. "Why would you ask that?" was Artemis's response.

The seven-year-old shifted a bit, allowing herself to fall into the seat of the chair with her legs dangling over the side. "I found an Animagus book in his room." She answered, simply.

"He wasn't. We were both studying Animagi, with hopes of becoming them."

Delphi paused, considering her explanation. "Did you ever do it?"

"No, I didn't." Artemis answered, softly.

It was like one of those silly muggle movies, where the leading girl went into a dark, haunted dungeon at night and was chased by things of the night. Vampires.. ghosts.. monsters.. even crazy demented people, that kind of thing. But Delphinia wasn't that girl, she hadn't put herself in this position. She was at home, in her and Nathan's apartment.. safe and sound.

Delphinia was fairly sure she was going crazy. This had to be a nightmare, a really horrible, long, nightmare. That was the only reasonable explanation.

As a pair of arms wrapped around her, Delphi screamed.

Being a pureblood witch who lived in Wizarding Athens, young Delphinia Suvari didn't have much experience with muggles or their lifestyle. Which was probably why her mum had encouraged her taking Muggle Studies.

Playing with the object in her hands, the eleven-year-old frowned as she looked closer. It looked kind of like her mum's camera.. but this one had way more buttons, and a screen on the front. "Professor Mikos?"

"Yes, Miss Suvari?"

"I think mine's broken, it's not working."

"Press the big silver button, Miss Suvari."

Doing as she was told, Delphi pressed the button.

FLASH!

"It's not broken!"

Seated firmly behind her desk with another First year student - a boy with large brown eyes, and even darker brown hair to match, - Delphi played with the big white feather that was suppose to stay on her desktop until the Professor instructed otherwise, between her fingers. She squirmed, fingers wiggling, a smile on her lips. It tickled.

"Miss Suvari," The Professor said in his thick Greek accent, "I hope for your sake you're paying attention. What did I just say, child?"

Delphi could have frowned at his tone, but she remained unfazed. "You said the incantation. Wingardium Leviosa."

"Apollo, guess what! .. Guess what, guess what! .. It's really exciting, .. Apollooooo!"

Hop. Skip. Bounce.

Any other child probably would have started whining, or huffing, growing impatience quickly with the lack of response, but not this child. Thirteen-year-old Delphinia Suvari trailed after a much older man, relentless.

"What?" Apollo practically growled as he turned to give her a nasty little look. "I'm working."

Delphinia smiled in return. "I learned how to Transfigure a Teapot into a Tortoise!"

The little teenage girl was so proud of herself. Apollo scoffed. "I learned to do that at the age of five."

"I don't see why you're walking around here like someone's died."

The comment from the seat nearest her caused her to pause in her tracks at the kitchen door, her back turned. Apollo was many things, but cruel was never one of those things that Delphi considered before. Even as a child when he would reject her and refuse to spend time around her, Delphi had never thought of him as cruel. Maybe because she was young and naïve, or maybe because this was Apollo.

"Did you even love Annika? No?" Delphi countered, her words harsh. "Obviously, you wouldn't understand."

Rylan had arrived.

Delphinia only knew for certain when she heard the voice of a young boy being carried throughout the halls, followed by laughter. For being Apollo's child, Rylan was a joy. Full of energy, sweet, and being raised into a little gentleman already at the tender age of seven-years-old.

Peeking her head into the study where she could hear Rylan yodeling, the young woman spotted Apollo at his desk - just where she knew he would be. Delphi cleared her throat. "Hey.. Apollo."

"Yes?" The man answered, sparing her a glance.

"I just wanted to apologize.. for earlier."

When Callidora stepped into the room, the only thing Delphi could think was that the look on her half-sister's face gave her the impression she had just been whomped by the whomping willow, despite the lack of dirt and bruises. Never mind the fact that the great old tree was all the way back at Hogwarts, and they were in Greece.

"Dora, what is it.." Delphi frowned, closing the book between her hands only to rest it in her lap. "What's wrong?"

"It's my mum.." Callidora said, slowly. "She was found. She's in a hospital, somewhere in England."

"Oh, Dora."

Hand trailing over dusty book spines, Delphinia studied each title, each book carefully, as if trying to remember them forever. She wasn't, of course. That became clear as she paused, slowly pulling one of the larger books from the shelf which needed a good dusting itself, her fingers tracing the words on the cover: Ancient Runes Made Easy.

Upon opening the textbook to the front page, the nineteen-year-old took in the handwritten name, Nikolaos Suvari; followed by - Third year. It was hard for her to imagine her father, Nikolaos, as a child.. or even a teenager.

"I miss you.."

Glancing at the child seated at the kitchen table, Delphi set a small plate of cookies in the center of the table before pulling out a chair for herself. Nathan's baby sister, who wasn't actually a baby any longer, quietly worked on her Muggle homework.

"So there's this boy at school, and I like him.. but he likes another girl."

"How do you know?"

"They hold hands." Jana said, her nose wrinkling in disgust.

Delphi smiled gently at the eleven-year-old, sensing something more to the story. "Is he your friend?"

"My best friend," Jana confirmed, and sighed.

"It'll be okay."

There was a pause as silence enveloped them, Delphi's green eyes settled on young Jana Riley Aspen, while she twirled her pencil between finger and thumb. "How do you know?" She asked, finally. "How do you know it'll be okay?"

Before responding, Delphinia allowed for another pause, looking thoughtfully down a the table top. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a little hand reach over to take a chocolate-chip cookie. How did she know? She had lived it, with Nathan. "Do you trust me, Janny?"

The small girl nodded.

"What's meant to be, will be. I promise."

Perched on one of her father's old chairs that was more for looks than comfort, Delphinia's gaze roamed the old study. It resembled an abandoned classroom back in Hogwarts, she noticed, possibly because of the amount of dust and dirt the desk alone offered. She hadn't gotten around to cleaning up this room, and wasn't sure if she ever would.

"It is spring, Delphinia." The voice of her half-sister, Callidora, caused the twenty-year-old to look up. Her tone was gentle this time, surprisingly. Dora was giving up on force. "You cannot sit around here forever. You must move on.. Please."

Delphinia sat outside, her house just a little ways behind her. Fingers picked apart a blade of grass as she stared up into the sky, gazing at the stars. Night had barely fallen, and with it, brought colder weather.

She had just spent her first Christmas away from Nathan, and it had been horrible. They were going on a year. A whole year of not seeing each other. If she were still in England where she belonged, snow would surely have fallen already. And they would be making a snowman together - despite the darkness.

They would still be happy.

Maybe if she had understood Arithmancy, she could have avoided the mess she made. Was it possible that this was what her heart number had been trying to tell her? Or her life number, or maybe she wasn't even close to being right. Maybe she should have listened to Professor Hadley more. Maybe she should have taken her classes more seriously. And maybe, just maybe, she wouldn't be where she is today.

All this and more traveled slowly through her mind, sitting mute next to a window as Callidora tried to coax her into talking, or atleast taking a walk.

With their first Potions class of the new term behind them, Delphinia and Nathaniel, now sixth years, stood together at a large desk with their things out in front of them. The room was empty aside from them, which worked out well for the pair.

Scanning the notes left in her Potions journal, Delphi glanced toward their ingredients to make sure they had everything to practice the Dreamer's Elixer potion, and then to Nathan as he filled the cauldron and set the fire beneath it.

"What does this do again?" Nathan asked, catching her gaze.

"It prevents nightmares, I think.."

Something had clicked inside Delphinia's brain, but Callidora didn't know that.

When the older of the two had leaped up from where she sat only to practically fly through the house, the younger sister stood stunned and confused. The shock of it didn't last long, though, and Dora was chasing after her.

"What is it, Delph?" Callidora arrived in time to see Delphi's old school telescope land on her bed, tossed aside in favor of everything else in the room which was being crammed into a trunk.

"I'm going to him." Delphi answered, "I need to see him, Dora."

"Delphi.."

Finally.

Finally, Nathan was standing in front of her. His expression wasn't one of happiness, nor was it welcoming - his tension was obvious, like a slap in the face. He was uncomfortable. Even after the time that had past between them, Delphinia felt she could still read him accurately. This was her Nathan, after all. Or he had been hers.

'What are you doing here.'

She saw his mouth move, but the words barely reached her. In truth, it wouldn't have mattered if they had. "Will you meet me? Please?" Delphinia blurted out, "We can go get ice cream."

"You are obnoxious, Delphinia." Apollo said loudly, the expression on his face one of pure annoyance as he walked away from the bouncing five-year-old, a book in hand.

Little Delphinia paused mid-hop, a wide grin on her sweet young face. "What's that mean, 'Pollo?" The child asked fondly, green eyes staring curiously at the book.

Apollo groaned and snatched a second book from a near by shelf, before nearly tossing it at the small girl. Instead, the Greek dictionary landed on the dining table. "Look it up." He answered.

"Apollo DeVille!" Athena exclaimed from another room, "You will be nice!"

Delphinia was caught red-handed, her arms overloaded with all sorts of things, and none were quite recognizable squished between her two small arms in an attempt to make it to her destination without dropping a single thing.

Closing the door behind her softly, Athena glanced down at the seven-year-old, an inquisitive look in her eyes as the child paused to stare back at her. "Delphinia, dear.. what are you doing?" She asked, her tone gentle.

"Doing stuff for Apollo," Delphi answered, "It's fun!"

Athena sighed, and offered a brief sympathetic smile. Her son. "Apollo, Delphinia is not a house elf!"

"Miss Suvari, keep your wand ready, and think of something funny. Remember, it's not real." the professor coached, repeating the last bit assuringly. "It's not real."

Professor Braeden's words were lost on the third year as Nikolaos loomed over her, coming closer and closer as Delphi stepped back. "You are weak, Delphinia." Her father said, his tone harsh and disapproving. Konstantina wasn't far behind him, glaring almost in disgust - as if looking at something the kneazle had brought in. "You are not the daughter we raised you to be!" Her mother added, shrilly.

Tears were forming in Delphi's eyes.

Seated at the dinner table across from her mum and dad, five-year-old Delphinia frowned at her plate. The fork in her hand poked repeatedly at her meat, picking at it but not putting any in her mouth. Hearing her dad clear his throat, her eyes grew wide and her gaze wandered upward.

"It's just chicken, Delphinia.." Konstantina said, what once was a smile turning into a frown as well - with concern, though. "Is there something wrong with it?"

A splash of color flooded the little girl's cheeks, and she shook her head quickly. "Can I just have salad, Mummy?

By all means, Callidora was furious. Although Delphinia hadn't known her half-sister long, it wasn't unusual for Dora to get her wand in a knot easily, but this.. this was different. Furious might have been an understatement.

"I may not have been good at Care of Magic Creatures class, but I know a dog when I see one, and I know how to put one out too!" Dora practically growled at Gorgios, wand pointed carefully under his chin. "Out! NOW!"

The man stole a glance toward Delphi, still sitting mute as if unaware of what was happening around her. "Delphinia?"

Cuddled into her mother's side, Delphinia gasped and reached one little finger out towards the sky. "Mummy, lookit!" The four-year-old exclaimed, pointing. "Mummy, is that a star? Why is it falling? Mummy, someone needs to stop it! Or.. or, catch it!" Could she catch a falling star? And why was it going up, and up, and up.. It was suppose to be falling.

Konstantina laughed, her smile gentle as she peered down at her small daughter with a look of amusement. "It's not a falling star, my love. It's a shooting star. When you see one, you make a wish."

Perched on the edge of the low-sitting fence, Delphi did her best not to look down into the seemingly endless body of water beneath the bridge where she waited alone. The light breeze of September blew past her, playing with her short brown hair. Green eyes followed a passerby, who looked like one of those old men in a portrait inside of the Headmistress' office at Hogwarts.

Even lost in thought, Delphi looked up as a figure approached her. As if sensing Nathan's presence, the twenty-year-old leaned forward onto her feet. "Hi," She managed a smile, "I'm glad you came."