Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling. I make no claims to ownership.

"Now stay right here and don't move, okay? Cora, can you keep an eye on him for me?"

"Yes, Aunt Daffy."

Daphne didn't bother to correct her young cousin of the nickname as she made a quick check of the kitchen. Finding none of the children's things, she then checked her bedroom, where she usually let Cora and Jason sleep with her when they visited, and then the bathroom. Once ascertaining that everything had been collected, she then returned to the door, where the children were waiting. Jason had wandered a short distance away to the window, though Cora kept a stern eye on him just as Daphne requested.

With only a bit of difficulty, Daphne lifted Jason up so he could see out the window.

"Is the coast clear?" she asked him. "No bad guys around?"

"None!"

She set him down again, took his hand firmly in her own, and then, after steeling herself, opened the door. She stepped outside cautiously, peered around, and then gestured for Cora to follow her. Cora did so, standing to the side as she waited for Daphne to close and secure the door. Unlike Jason, who was too young to understand the need for secrecy, Cora knew they couldn't be seen performing magic by the Muggles. Cora's body was angled to cover the view of the video camera situated on the building across the street.

"There, let's go," said Daphne.

Cora automatically slipped her hand into Daphne's free one. They then walked a few steps down to reach the busy city street. Daphne made sure that Jason, who was fascinated by the vehicles passing by them, was never near the curb. Close to the major street intersection, they found a cab stand and climbed into the first taxi to pull up.

"Why aren't we taking the Tube?" asked Cora.

"Because this way, we can spend more time together," Daphne answered. Traffic was high so it would take longer to reach the Refuge.

She winced as a particularly loud horn honked outside the window, and then quickly grabbed onto the children, preventing them from flying forward as the taxi's brakes squealed.

"God, I hate Muggles," she muttered.

Music playing from the radio was grating on her ears. She was really beginning to regret this decision. Jason, however, had his nose pressed to the smudged window, and was animatedly pointing out people and landmarks to his older sister.

"Get away from there, Jason," Cora said irritably.

Jason glanced at Daphne, who nodded. He sank into his seat and frowned down at the dirty floor of the cab.

The worst part of it all was when they reached their destination and Daphne discovered she hadn't brought enough money.

"Here," she snapped, flipping a galleon at the driver who had begun yelling at her.

He shut up as he caught the golden coin and looked at it in amazement.

"It's solid gold," Daphne added.

His eyes now wide, he climbed back behind the wheel and took off before she could try to take back the coin.

Good luck trying to exchange it, Daphne thought with a snort.

Then, firming her shoulders, she turned to face the building behind her. This was always the worst part.

Although the Refuge was called an orphanage, not all of the wards were without a family. Some of them were like Jason and Cora, with kin who were willing to take them in, but the government was unwilling to release custody of the children to 'scum like Death Eaters'.

No one in Daphne's family had even been a Death Eater. They were just associated with them due to being in Slytherin.

Upon crossing through the gates, the actual orphanage was revealed rather than the façade exposed to the Muggles. A grassy area was crisscrossed with sidewalks and surrounded by houses. Each residence had a married couple watching over their assigned children, giving them the semblance of parents. Astoria had tried to become a houseparent, but was rejected due to her single status. Daphne hadn't even bothered applying, despite wanting to be closer to Cora and Jason. Even if she were married, she doubted she would be accepted.

Mrs. Borg opened the door as soon as Daphne knocked.

"Did anyone see you come in?"

"No, I don't think so," Daphne replied as she ushered the children into the house.

Mrs. Borg breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank God," she said. "A tour is being given today, but they didn't tell us when the representatives are coming."

"Tour? Representatives?"

"The public wants to see what the Refuge is like," Mrs. Borg explained. "Of course, to increase the press coverage, Harry Potter is among the representatives."

"Of course," Daphne muttered, and then, before the matron could scold her, she asked in a louder tone, "Will they be bothering the children?"

"Hopefully, they will only observe the children from a distance," said Mrs. Borg. "If not…" She sighed. "There is not much I can do to stop them."

It took all of her effort for Daphne to not let out a heavy sigh. She looked at the stairs up which Cora and Jason had disappeared and wished she could take them back with her to her small apartment. That couldn't be done, though. Mrs. Borg was already risking trouble just by letting Daphne sneak the children out for a short sleep-over.

She took a deep breath and then forced a polite smile.

"Thank you, Mrs. Borg –"

"Ophelia. Call me Ophelia, dear. You visit often enough that I think we can be classified as friends."

This time, Daphne's smile was more genuine, small as it was.

"Thank you, Ophelia," she said. "And please, call me Daphne."

Ophelia smiled back at her. "It would be my pleasure, dear."

Just then, there was the distinct cracking sound of Apparation. Rushing to the window, Daphne saw a large crowd had arrived in front of the gates. Several of the people were holding cameras and were already snapping photos. Daphne's chest tightened. She hoped that, since it was so early in the morning, none of the children would be venturing outside to play. They were not monkeys to perform tricks for the media. They were children, who should not be judged by their parents' sins.

"Quickly, dear," Ophelia whispered to her, though there was no one to hear them. "They must have lowered the Apparating wards. If you leave through the back, then you can get out without anyone seeing you."

Daphne briefly clasped the elderly woman's hand.

"Thank you," she said again, softly.

"You're welcome, dear," Ophelia replied, squeezing Daphne's hand in return. "Now go, before they start wandering around and see you."

Daphne nodded and hurried to the back door. Once outside, she felt the anti-Apparation wards that were inside the house disappear. She closed her eyes, spun on her heel, and disappeared with a crack.

As soon as the group was distracted by the arrival of an official, Harry took the opportunity to escape the reporters. He was sure Kingsley noticed him leaving, but the Minister made no move to stop him. More than likely, Harry wouldn't be needed until it was time for the photo shoot.

Something gold flashed in the corner of his eye. Frowning, he glanced around, wondering if he had been followed. It wouldn't be surprising if a reporter used this event to get an exclusive story. There was no one to be seen, though, so Harry shrugged it off as the sun rays striking something at an odd angle.

Harry let out a breath and tried to relax. Ever since his defeat of Voldemort, every moment of his life seemed to be catalogued by the press. It had gotten to the point that he feared the paparazzi more than the Death Eaters who had escaped capture.

These were the same Death Eaters he wasn't allowed to help hunt down. Although he was supposed to be an Auror, his only role was to smile for the camera.

He looked up at the house he had hidden behind. It was nothing remarkable, but he wondered if his own life would have been better if he had stayed in such a place. Then he snapped out of that thought process. He'd seen the memories of Tom Riddle in the orphanage, and it had been no better than the Dursley residence.

Ah, Potter, he thought to himself. What has become of you?