Physical Description: Daphne has cropped blonde hair, which her mother took the kitchen scissors to after years of her refusing to brush the tangles before bed, forgetting to wash the chlorine out after a swim, and constantly letting it fall accidentally into her paint pots at school. She has a slightly upturned nose which she hates but her friends insist makes her look "very posh", and large, gapped front teeth which she avoids complaining about because she knows her parents cannot afford braces. Her hazel eyes she thinks are the nicest part of her face, but she would never say so for fear of sounding like a braggart. Daphne is short for her age, with arms, legs, and fingers that seem too long for the rest of her body. Her mother swears she'll grow into them, but she doesn't much mind because they make climbing trees and beating the neighborhood boys at races much easier.

Mental Description: Daphne's nickname at her muggle public school has been "Daffy Daphne" since the day she spelled every word wrong on a spelling test in year 2. She's never performed well in school despite trying her hardest. It was only her earnest dedication to trying and trying again that kept her from being held back in year four. She's come to believe the story that her peers have created for her: that she always has been and always will be daft. Despite her troubles in the classroom, Daphne is bright in every other way, inspiring spirited make-believe adventures amongst her few friends on the playground, being a fair but firm moderator when disagreements occurred, and above all radiating a compassion that drew her peers and adults alike to her. Often, her teachers wondered how a child who seemed so worldly in social affairs could possibly be so inept in class.

Biography: Daphne is the child of two muggles. Virginia, her mother, came to Cambridge on a study abroad trip and studied the town, its' history, and its' people so deeply that she fell in love, never to return to her home in the southern U.S. The object of her affections was Frank, the mechanic who one fateful night was called upon to fix the rental van which had broken down with Virginia aboard. Frank remains to this day at the same shop, though now as the manager, fixing cars and muddling through personal relationships with his employees. Virginia owns a small flower shop, which she inherited from a widow she had endeared herself to while working as a caretaker during her first years of marriage to Frank. The shop has never truly been successful, because despite her best efforts, Virginia does not have a green thumb. Daphne's parents had a son, Victor, who passed before she was born. The only knowledge she has of Victor is his name and a small photograph that sits on the mantle in their tiny home, as his memory is a topic which no one addresses. An unspoken sadness shrouds the home, and she often catches her mother and father looking at her with...well, something. Some emotion she cannot yet name, but which gives her a sinking feeling in her gut every time she sees it. Daphne has always lived in Victor's shadow, which is very tall despite the fact he was only 5 when he passed. He would be 18 this year.

First Instance of Magic: This instance occurred at the age of 8. It was nearing Valentine's Day, and Daphne was rushing to the flower shop after school, glitter and paint staining the ends of her hair, to show her mother the cards she had been working on. The lights were not on, which Daphne thought strange since mum didn't usually close the shop until 8:00 or 9:00 when holidays were nearing. Still, the door was not locked, and the bell tinkled weakly as she pushed it open. "Mum?" she called out softly. "Are you here?" She continued to walk through the dim shop, noting the dirt, leaves and mostly shriveled plants which appeared to be trying their best given the lackluster management they received. She found her mother sitting in the back office, crying defeatedly into her hands. Virginia didn't notice Daphne had arrived until the child wrapped her in a tight hug around the shoulders.
"Daphne!", she exclaimed, sniffling and wiping her face frantically.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't hear you, Bug."
Her mother smiled sadly, and Daphne gave her a little pat on the head, not knowing what else to do.
"It's bad, Bug. Valentine's in three and I've got shit to show for it."
Daphne knew cursing was wrong around other adults, but her parents had always spoken to her like she was a tiny grownup.
"It's okay, mum", she said, putting on her best toothy smile to prove it. "You just get your coat and warm up the car, and I'll sweep the shop for you."
Virginia wrung her hands for a moment, and then conceded, unable to resist the earnest help being offered and also considering that time alone in the car to continue her cry in private may be nice.

Soon, Daphne was alone in the front of shop, broom in hand. After creating a satisfactory pile of dirt and discarded leaves over by the philodendrons, she stopped to survey her handiwork. A rather depressed looking tulip (or one-lip in this case, as it was missing several petals) caught her eye. She reached out and touched the plant and thought how nice it would be if her mother didn't have to worry about the upcoming holiday. She began to feel a flicker of that emotion she saw in her parents' eyes sometimes...and then a sharp warmth in her hand. Daphne jumped back from the tulip, and began examining her fingers, afraid she may have touched some of the chemical she always saw mum spraying to keep insects away. When she looked back at the plants, she had to blink several times to make sure she wasn't seeing things. Not only the tulip, but the entire wall of plants were in full flower, looking as though they had been properly looked after for months (which as Daphne rightly knew, they had not been). Confused and frightened, she hurriedly finished her sweeping, leaving streaks of dirt behind in her haste. She then locked the front door and ran out of the back office to the car, climbing in silently.
"Mum?" she almost whispered, her breath pooling in clouds in the not-yet-warm car.
"I don't think you'll be needing to worry about Valentine's Day anymore."