Lyra had waited with Snape, who wasn't so angry that Sirius had escaped as he was that he hadn't had a chance to hex him. He knew Sirius was innocent, at least innocent of the murders of James and Lily Potter, doesn't mean he hated him any less. He watched over the girl, she was furious and he could see it, it radiated off of her like heat off a furnace. Lyra had the Black family temper, that was clear but it wasn't simply anger, it was focused anger and he did not want to be in the Ministers shoes.
Lucius and Narcissa stepped through the fireplace followed by Dumbledore who had lost the normal twinkle in his eyes "What happened My Love?" Narcissa rushed forward cupping the girl dirtied cheeks, the state of the girl worried her, not because she hated the mess but because in all the years they had Lyra that was one of the things they couldn't get her to kick. The need to present perfectly but here she was dirtied and ruffled for any to see.
"I found him" Lyra whispered "We need to see the minister now, with witnesses! It all ends tonight"
Dumbledore cleared his throat "May i ask what 'it' is?"
"You may ask when i showcase my findings in front of everyone, you are Chief Warlock after all, you will be present" Lyra didn't allow her eyes to roll, the whole time he'd been wording the same question differently, even went as far as to say that seeing the Minister was a big thing and he didn't want her to waste Fudge's time but she remained lip locked to his annoyance.
The old man looked ready to blow a fuse and Lucius smirked "Lets go Lyra, we have a minister to see"
She stood leaving her chair as she moved to his side, she took the hand he offered to her and felt his magic sweeping over her, her clothes becoming clean and ironed out, her curls unknotted and became silky once again, the dirt on her skin vanishing "Thank you" she whispered and he nodded.
"Prepare yourself" he warned and apparated her along with Narcissa to the Ministry, they were followed by a few teachers including Dumbledore.
"What is the meaning of this meeting! You can not just...Just turn up and make demands" Fudge spluttered as they entered the room, it was full of Ministry officials.
"I thought it was advisable seeing as i came across the marked death eater who is solely responsible for Voldemort finding and killing James and Lily Potter" Lyra walked forward, she knew these people would only listen when she spoke as if she was one of them and only then if she threw facts at their faces.
"You mean Sirius Black? Your father?" Fudge frowned.
Lyra stared at the man for a few moments "You have no idea what you speak of, if you did then you'd know my father, Sirius Orion Black was not marked nor was he ever a death eater..." she paused.
"I beg to differ he was imprisoned for the murder of James and Lily Potter" A ministry worker stated.
Lyra scoffed "My father was falsely imprisoned, he was thrown into Azkaban without a trial, that doesn't seem like the correct protocol to me...If you had done the bare minimum and given him a trial you would have taken note pretty quickly that it was physically impossible for my father to be guilty"
"And why is that?" Lyra looked and noticed Neville's grandmother was the one who asked the question, there was no anger in her voice only curiosity.
"It is known that the Potters Cottage was under the Fidelius charm, it should be stated just for those who don't know or those who need a reminder that only a secret keeper could give out the distinction, without it the house would have been unplottable to everyone even if they were stood with their noses pressed to the glass of the window"
"Yes, yes, get to the point" another worker called.
"The point?" she smirked "Are you sure because it's quite embarrassing for those involved?" she paused before nodding "Alright then, it was impossible for my father to give Voldemort the destination because he was not the secret keeper..."
"LIES!"
"I haven't lied, put me under veritaserum if you must...Which i believe is also common protocol before throwing someone into Azkaban which my father was also not privy too" she looked around "My father started out as secret keeper but he, along with everyone who knew my father, knew it was too obvious so they changed it" Lyra stared at the faces around her "They changed the secret keeper to Peter Pettigrew"
"Even if that were true, Pettigrew is dead" Fudge sighed once more.
"Also another thing you got wrong" she took the cage she'd put in her pocket, resized it and held it up "Let the record show i am holding up to the room of many witnesses Peter Pettigrew who is also an illegal Animagus...Peter Pettigrew was the Potters secret keeper, he gave Voldemort the Cottages' location, he was responsible for their deaths. Knowing what he'd done my father went to confront him and then Peter killed those muggles, turned into his rat form after cutting off his finger where he slipped into the sewers and ended up with a family where he stayed hidden from all for 12 years"
"This is absurd"
"Is it? You want further proof? Alright" she put the cage down "Come on you Rodent" reaching into the cage she grabbed the beast who bit and scratched at her hand "If you'd all be so kind as to watch closely"
"Petrificus Totalus" she put the now frozen rat on the ground before turning to one of the Aurors there "Would you be willing to cast the Animagus spell that forces them from their transformed state?"
The auror looked to Fudge who sighed but nodded wanting the girl to be proved wrong so he could leave, the auror nodded and threw the spell at the rat on the ground. However to almost everyone's shock the rat did change, and it was Peter Pettigrew.
The room erupted into shouting and screams "Enough! I am not finished!" she yelled and it slowly quietened down "Now, if you have all gathered your wits why don't you get some veritaserum and you can ask all the questions that my father should have been asked before he was imprisoned" she walked forward "Oh and before anyone questions me again, here"
Lyra ripped his left sleeve and showed the dark mark to the room where no one had moved an inch "Well go on then...Get the veritaserum"
~~~
Almost two hours later Peter had finished his trial, the bastard was a blubbering mess, he begged, he pleaded, he threatened until it was over and he was carted away while they deliberated. Fudge turned to look at the Black heir "I...Well i'm not sure what to say" he muttered and the room became awkward as he continued to search for what to say.
"How about i save us all the embarrassment of whatever speech you are planning?" she offered "I'm going to tell you my demands and unless you want this broadcasted all over the daily profit you'll agree to them, but don't panic i think they're quiet reasonable"
People bristled at her words but no one spoke until Fudge's shoulders sank "What are your demands?"
"You will exonerate my father effective immediately, of all accusations. You will release a statement to whichever media platform you wish and you may have it written however you wish. So long as it states my father is innocent on all counts and Peter Pettigrew is, with no doubt, the one who is guilty"
He started to nod but she was far from finished "My father will not be prosecuted for running from Azkaban, he was desperate and innocent after all. His name will be cleared and he will be able to join the wizarding world however he sees fit without having to hide or be hunted"
"Yes that sounds reasonable, i am inclined to agree to each of your demands"
"I have one last demand"
"You have asked enough" a voice pitch the silence it was a high squeaky voice which she recognised to belong to a pink toad.
"Have i? My father was ripped from my life and thrown into Azkaban for 12 years, i was placed with my grandmother who did not hold back from torturing me anyway she saw fit! 12 years! If i wanted to demand an apology from each and everyone one of you, you bet your arse i'd have them by the end of the night! You will not sit there and down play the colossal mistake you made!"
"Please Miss Black, we apologise. Go a head and make your final demand" Fudge held his hand up feeling the slippery slope this was going if he did not, he was in hot water right now and he knew it just as everyone else did. The false imprisonment of an heir to one of the biggest, richest and god knows most willing to hold a grudge, families was not something you wanted on your conscience, especially if you planned on staying in high power.
"My father was made the magical guardian of Harry Potter, he will be reinstated as such and if Harry wishes to move in with him, it will not be questioned or stopped"
"I must intervene here" Albus Dumbledore spoke up for the first time that night "You see Harry is safest with his muggle relatives"
"I beg to differ and if you wish you go down that route i can assure you, the others here would agree...But luckily sir you are only a temporary guardian seeing as my father was imprisoned, but as you just heard he was exonerated so your guardianship is now void and moot" she cocked her brow "Just for everyone's peace of mind all of the Black family properties are under the Fidelius Charm and we have learnt our lesson about the secret keeper the hard way, i can assure you if Harry Potter chose to live there he'd be safe"
"Well seeing as Sirius Black is the boys magical guardian and he has been cleared, that demand would have happened anyway but if you need extra reassurance. I personally will update the boys file and send a letter out to both the Potter boy and your Father" Fudge intervened once more "We give you our deepest apologise for what happened, your father is a free man and is free to do as he wishes"
"Thank you Minister" she nodded and he relaxed seeing the immediate change in her stance, it was no longer that of a snake about to strike but of a polite pure-blooded lady. He'd be lying if he said he didn't find it easier to breathe once she had softened, Albus Dumbledore tried to fight off the last demand after the meeting while he wrote down both letters he'd promised, talking about some spell, a sacrifice, but Fudge waved him off.
He did not need the most ancient house on his case, he also saw how Lucius stood at her back ready to demand respect for her. If the girl had house Malfoy, Black and all the others that came with the sacred 28 then this was defiantly not something he'd fight, why should he care where the Potter boy slept? So long as Potter was alive and he himself was still Minister that's all that mattered.
He just thanks the stars he got away with that as easy as he did, 12 years was a very long time...
~~~
While everyone was distracted at the Ministry, Remus packed his things knowing he'd have to leave, the post was only for a year anyway. He saw Harry approaching him on the map and he waited, hearing the boy climbing the steps to his office he chuckled "Hello Harry" the boy startled "I saw you coming" Remus tapped the map on his desk.
"You've been sacked" Harry noticed the packed trunks.
"No, no resigned actually"
Harry frowned walking further into the room "Resigned? Why?"
"Well it seems that someone let slip the nature of my condition, this time tomorrow the owls will start arriving and parents will not want a erm...Well, someone like me teaching their children"
"But Dumbledore--"
"Dumbledore has already done enough, besides people like me are...Well let's just say that i'm used to it by now" he smiled and finished packing "Why do you look so miserable Harry?"
"None of it made any difference, Pettigrew escaped"
"Escaped? Has no one told you?" Remus frowned leaning on the desk tiredly, his body aching terribly.
"Told me what?"
"Lyra caught Peter, she's at the ministry now demanding her father be claimed innocent "
"What! When did...Why am i...Where's Sirius?"
"I thought you got him out?"
Harry shook his head "He went looking for Lyra in the forest, he must be with her now no?"
"No, Lyra wouldn't have wanted him there just in case, look don't panic i will look for Sirius. All you have to do is wait for Lyra to come back, hopefully with good news"
"How did she catch him?"
Remus chuckled "She had him in a cage, from the look in her eyes i'd suspect Sirius will be free of all charges by noon...If i am proud of anything this year it is of how much you have learnt, now seeing as i am no longer your teacher...I feel no guilt whatsoever about giving this back to you. So now i'll say goodbye Harry, i am sure i'll be seeing you soon, until then, Mischief Managed" the map cleared and folded up.
Harry watched Remus walk stiffly from the classroom leaning heavily on his cane, after a moment of sad silence Harry left the Defence classroom and moved towards the great hall. The trio waited for Lyra patiently, everyone was asking them about what had happened, they'd heard the rumours floating around already.
One was that Lyra had gone off to join her father on the run where they could kill muggles and muggleborns alike, another was that Sirius had killed Lyra because she was in Gryffindor. They were nasty and vicious but the trio just ignored everyone, eyes pinned to the doors as they waited.
When Lyra arrived back at Hogwarts she held the sealed letter addressed to Harry tightly in her hand as she walked to the great hall where everyone should have been at lunch already. The doors opened and the hall fell silent as the Black heir walked down the centre isle, the girl ignored all and just stared straight ahead until she made it to her friends. Flashing them a grin she sat down between Harry and Seamus who both shifted to make room for her "We did it" she handed Harry the letter to which he ripped it open.
To Mr Harry Potter
It has come to our attention that your magical guardian is entirely innocent of the accused charges against him, given the proof we have recently received he has been released of his crimes and cleared of all charges.
Meaning his guardianship over you has been reinstated, if it pleases you to move permanently into the wizarding world you are by all means free to do as such.
Rest assured, the Ministry is happy to inform you that the one guilty of the horrendous acts against your parents, has been apprehended and placed into Azkaban effective immediately.
Best wishes and kind regards,
Cornelius Fudge,
The Minister Of Magic.
Lyra giggled...She actually giggled when Harry threw the paper down and pulled her into a tight hug, she blushed when she realised what she had done but she hugged him back just as tight "We did it" she whispered into his neck as he squeezed her to his chest "We did it, you're both free"
He squeezed her once more almost making her spine crack by the force of it but she didn't wince or complain "Thank you"
"Oh my god!" they pulled back to see Hermione reading the letter "You did it! This is brilliant!" the girl pushed her plate aside and reached over the table to hug her best friend. Lyra grinned and stood as well hugging Hermione over the table, she felt a hand holding the bottom of her skirt down and she glanced down seeing it was Harry who was glaring at seventh year Adrian Pucey who had been staring at where the lace of her stockings and a slither of her thighs had shown where she was stretched across the table.
"Thanks" she blushed and quickly sat back down, Harry's cheek burnt as he turned back to his breakfast, he shook off the fluttery feeling in his stomach putting it down to the part in which he'd never have to go back to the Dursleys.
"Tell us everything" Hermione demanded so Lyra did, she told them about the trial, she told them about her demands and how Fudge accepted everything. It wasn't until the following day that the owls went crazy, the first batch of owls brought the daily profit, one issue for everyone present even if they didn't have a subscription. That had been all Lucius' idea, the next round of owls were from parents, family members all wanting to know if it were true.
Was it true that the notorious Sirius Black wasn't indeed guilty of the crimes that they had spat at his name for?
Lyra received more then a few dozen letters, all from old family friends who 'never doubted' her father, who 'wanted to catch up'. She burnt most of those letters, if they truly meant a single thing they'd reach out to her father once more but she didn't owe a single person anything. Half of those letters came from the parents of students at Hogwarts who went out of their way to ignore or taunt her.
But Lyra smiled seeing a letter stamped with a feather in it, the feather had been cut shorter so it fit on letter but the grey feather was recognisable even if she hadn't had the chance to fly the hippogriff.
Ripping the letter open she pulled the parchment out and carefully unfolded it, her fathers handwriting wasn't something she'd seen a lot of but she knew it was his first glance. It fit him perfectly, it was eccentric while still holding an air of old blood to it.
My Little Star,
A owl came to me this morning, it's contents were quite shocking but it seems like that is an emotion i should become used to feeling now.
You my darling daughter are shocking, in the most delightful way. I am so proud of you.
Remus found me in the forest the other day while i looked for you, imagine my surprise when he tells me you not only stayed by his side until he woke but then demanded Albus took you to the ministry.
Everyday i thought of you, not a single day went by when you wasn't on my mind. I spent hours upon hours imagining what you'd be like, how you'd grow, how you'd carry yourself.
But i must apologise because it seems i wasn't thinking high enough, i was underestimating you without even knowing it because you Lyra, are better then any thought i had of you, you surpass everything i ever wanted for you.
You are the best parts of both your mother and I, Marls would be so proud of who you are now just as i am...
The minister said i am now reinstated as head of house Black and am the newly appointed guardian of Harry and yourself but i...
I would understand if you wished to stay with Cissa i just ask that you write and hopefully see me, i know i missed out on a lot of your life Little Star and i will always regret that day not listening to you but i want to make up for it.
I want to be there for you now.
Hoping for your owl,
Your Father
P.S. Do not take no for an answer next year, Remus said you played brilliantly, a Black should never sit on the sub bench. You deserve this and more.
Lyra chuckled just as she heard Seamus gasp beside her "No way!" she looked up and saw two new broom sticks on the table, Ronald who was in front of her had opened one of them and the Firebolt brand was staring at them all.
"The tag says Harry's name" Hermione scolded Ron who blushed.
"It was an accident"
"Harry!" Neville called and ran towards the boy who was walking into the hall "Wherever did you get it?"
"Can i have a go, Harry? After you of course" Seamus begged confusing the Potter boy even further.
"What are you talking about?"
"Quiet, let the man through, i didn't mean to open it Harry...It was badly wrapped. They made me do it" Ron pointed to the twins who was gawking over the broom.
"Did not" the twins parroted before George pointed to the broom "It's a firebolt"
"Fastest broom in the world" Fred nodded.
"For me? But who sent it?" Harry smiled softly running his fingers down the polished broom.
"No one knows but this came with it" Hermione held up an uncut hippogriffs feather up for Harry to see "There were two parcels"
Harrys eyes snapped over to Lyra who just smiled to which he chuckled "Did you open yours?"
"Not yet"
"Well? Hurry up, we can finally see who's faster" He's smile turned into a smirk as he watched her rip apart her own packaging to unravel another firebolt.
The pair ran out and were followed by almost the entire Gryffindor table that had been there at breakfast "You ready?" Harry turned to her.
"Please i was born ready, are you?"
"One way to find out" with that they both kicked off the ground, Harry yelled out in shock as his broom raced off with the slightest movement while Lyra screeched as she flew. She laughed just enjoying the wind in her hair, this was...Exhilarating.
~~~
The summer came quickly, she'd been exchanging owls with Lucius and Narcissa and they had agreed to invite Sirius to tea the day they broke off from Hogwarts, invited him to meet them at the train station to pick the children up. Sirius had felt hesitant but that didn't stop him from sending out an owl immediately after accepting their invitation.
The whole train ride Harry couldn't hide his large grin, the anxious bouncing of his knee or the fact he kept glancing at the watch on his wrist "We'll be there soon Harry, why don't you try to sleep and i'll wake you when we get there" Lyra smirked when he blushed.
The boy had snatched the seat next to her when they found their compartment, he wanted to hear every story she could remember again, he wanted to go through their photos and have her name every face one more time and while she had chuckled, she had agreed.
It had been this year that he noticed on her birthday she'd receive a birthday card that held a polaroid she hadn't had before, it wasn't until he caught her duplicating them that he realised she'd been sharing her birthday presents with him. She gave him a duplicate of every photo she owned even if they didn't show his mother or father, Lyra had brought him a separate photo album for those photos and the ones of his parents were slipped neatly into the album set for them.
His eyes burned with unshed tears the first time he realised it and he didn't think she understood just how much it meant to him. He had nothing to his name until he reached eleven and even then it was a bank vault, a cloak and a photo album with a single photo but then she stopped at his house that first summer. The next thing he knew he then owned two photo albums that were bursting with memories, a hamper that kept him fed when he was denied food...He had memories even if they were her own, he had stories, he had a godfather...He had Lyra...Ron and Hermione too obviously.
"I'll try" he's blush intensified when she grabbed something from her bag and unfolded it, it was a blanket, A thick blue fleece blanket that was laid over him "Thanks"
Lyra chuckled finding his blush sweet "You are welcome Harry" she whispered casting a glance at Hermione who had fallen asleep with her book open on her chest, Ronald was leant against her, drool slowly slipping from his mouth into Hermione's hair.
She snickered and vanished the drool, leaning forward she took the book from Hermione, placing the girls bookmark in between the pages she closed the book and tucked it into the girls bag. Grabbing her own robe she transfigured it into a large black blanket to cover the pair of her friends, she glanced up hearing a gentle tap at the window.
Lyra stood and moved the blind, she grinned seeing Draco so she opened the door and slipped from the compartment "Are you alright Dragon?"
Before she finished her sentence he pulled her into a breath stealing hug which she reciprocated "Promise me you're not going to go to Grimmald place and disappear"
Lyra huffed "I promise you Draco, i'm not just going to disappear for your life"
"Swear it, vow it" he pulled back with wide eyes.
"You want me to make a vow?" she gaped at him slightly and his cheeks coloured.
"Well not an unbreakable vow but you make those finger promises with Granger!"
Lyra chuckled "A pinky promise? Would you like me to make one with you?"
"Well it depends what happens if you break it?"
"You get to break my finger"
Draco recoiled "That's barbaric, vicious beasts" he muttered and she giggled "What?"
"You don't actually break my finger Draco, just make the promise"
The boy huffed lifting his little finger and he watched closely as Lyra wrapped her own around his "What do i say now?"
"Well, i swear that i will not disappear from your life even if i move from the manor" she smiled brightly at how closely he was paying attention.
"Alright and i swear that i will not disappear from your life, even if it means being around lions" Draco grinned smugly "Now what?"
"Now you kiss your thumb, like this" she dipped down towards her thumb nodding for him to do the same and they kissed their own thumb sealing the promise "Now it's sealed"
Draco tilted his head "I am unsure what the kiss does? Seems pointless really, sealing a promise with a kiss only with the threat of breaking a finger if the promise is broken? It's very...contradictory"
She couldn't help but laugh as she pulled him into another hug "I love you Dragon" she felt him tighten his arms around her.
"I love you too Lyra"
"We still have our journals Draco, you can write to me all the time"
The boy huffed "I know that!...It's just different"
"I know" she smiled sadly and drew back watching as he ran a hand through his hair and sighed.
"I should get back, i'll find you at the station alright?"
"Alright" she nodded and he studied her for a few moment before nodding and turning round to find his compartment, she'd known this was hopefully going to happen so why was she so sad?
The journey had been a long one but she couldn't sleep, she was too busy running over the plot of all of the films and trying to work from there. It had seemed that as the years passed the plot stuck closest to the films then the books but Lyra believed that had more to do with her and her memories then the actual plot.
She jolted when the train came to a slow stop the trains horn blasting, Lyra turned to her left seeing that at some point Harry had leant over to rest his head on her shoulder much like Ron had with Hermione who was now using the red heads skull as a pillow.
Shaking off the small swarm of butterflies she ran her fingers through his messy black locks "Harry?" she whispered and he shifted burrowing deeper into her shoulder and in turn her hair but stayed asleep "Harry, we're here" at the words his eyes sprung open startling her slightly.
"We're here?"
"Yeah" she nodded and he crinkled his nose gently when a few of her curls tickled his nose, as if realising their position he blushed once again and sat up.
"Sorry"
She waved him off "It's no problem" When they went to exit from the train Lyra felt Harry hesitate and freeze so she took his hand and gently lead him off onto the platform.
"Lyra!" she glance over her shoulder and saw Draco moving towards her, seeing each other the two boys by her both turned their noses up at the other, Harry narrowed his eyes while Draco sneered.
"Now boys, that's enough" she hissed gently and took Draco's hand with her free one "We are going to enjoy tea and have a good time"
"I don't know Lyra"
"Well that's fine because i do" she shrugged Harry's comment off with a cheeky grin.
Hermione walked closer purposely ignoring Draco as she approached Lyra quickly "I'll miss you! Send me a letter soon and tell me everything! We'll arrange to meet, maybe this time i can visit you as well"
Lyra grinned releasing both of the boys hands to encase Hermione in a tight hug "I'd love nothing more! Give your parents my love" she waved brightly at the two muggles who were grinning at the two girls, Mrs Granger waved and blew her a kiss while Mr Granger tilted a imaginary hat at her in greeting.
"Bye Harry" Hermione grinned hugging him as well "Oh, i am just so happy for you!"
"See you soon Mione" Harry hugged her back lightly still looking very awkward with the whole touch thing, but the moment Hermione had released Lyra, Draco's hand had grabbed her drawing her closer to him in true possessive dragon style as he watched her friends departing with distain.
"Later mate" Ron slapped Harry's back and grinned at Lyra, he did however shoot Draco a hateful glare before walking towards the large gathering of gingers.
"If only Potter would bugger off as well" Draco whispered to Lyra but the Gryffindor seeker had heard and glared at Draco taking Lyra's free hand.
"Come on Lyra, Sirius is probably waiting" he started to lead her off, not someone to be one upped Draco squeezed her hand stopping her, and by continuation Harry, from moving for a second or two before allowing the pair of them to move as if it was now on his terms they moved. Lyra rolled her eyes and walked towards Lucius and Narcissa who were stood with a stiff looking Sirius Black.
The people around them were staring, whispering but no one seemed to have the guts or the stupidity to approach her father who was pretending no one was around him. Seeing the children Sirius beamed at his pups, Narcissa smiled while Lucius remained stoic but Lyra saw the black silk ribbon in his hair and she knew he was just as happy to see them as the others were.
"Hello dears" Narcissa took both Draco and Lyra's faces in her hands smiling softly making her cold face appear gentle "Hello Harry, i'm pleased you agreed to come along" she greeted the boy with a small cordial smile.
"Thank you Mrs Malfoy" Harry winced at how awkward this all felt but grinned when Sirius laughed.
"Hello pups" Sirius pulled Harry and Lyra into a tight hug "Godric this couldn't have came quicker" he whispered holding them as tight as they'd allow.
"How are you? Where have you been staying? Have you been eating?" Lyra pulled back enough to look him over, Sirius chuckled and smoothed her curls back even though they were already back. The change between her now and back at the Whomping Willow was drastic and slightly shocking but Harrys explanation that she got distracted made sense, he just couldn't believe his daughter was a seer.
"I am well, i was staying with Remus up to today and i have been eating just fine Star" he kissed her forehead before resting his nose on the top of her head as he breathed her in, all in the years in Azkaban thinking of this moment...It was better then anything, holding his daughter again, his godson, it was more then he could have wished for even if they were a lot bigger then when he last held them.
He'd missed out on so much, he would not miss another day.
"Should we take this back to the Manor?" Lucius' drawl interrupted them, Lyra saw him stood with his hand on Draco's shoulder.
"Okay" She nodded and they all readied themselves to apparate, Lucius was going to take Draco and Lyra while Narcissa took Sirius and Harry seeing as Sirius or Harry wouldn't be able to pass through the wards if not.
~~~
Upon entering the manor, Kreacher was waiting as he always did, in the exact same spot with a large smile on his face, seeing Sirius though it dropped "What are you doing here?" Sirius questioned with a deep frown.
Kreacher blatantly ignored him, the elf actually turned his nose up at the new head of house and shifted his body to turn away from him. He had felt the change in magic the day Sirius had been exonerated but he wasn't just a house elf anymore, he was his Mistress Lyra's elf meaning he didn't have to address or answer to the man in front of him thankfully.
"Kreacher you beastly elf, what are you doing here!" Sirius glared at the elf that was part of his god awful childhood.
"Father i'd appreciate it if you didn't insult my elf, Kreacher is my friend and you will treat him as such just as he will treat you with the same regard" the room froze at Lyra's words, Sirius spluttered as her words registered but he also saw how the old elf straightened and beamed at his daughter "Isn't that right Kreacher?"
The old elf huffed crossing his arms, he still refused to look at Sirius but he nodded his head after a few moments "If it pleases Mistress Lyra Kreacher will not insult, harm or endanger her father...No matter how much he wishes too" the last bit was mumbled but regardless Lyra beamed at her friend.
"Father?" she looked at Sirius who was wide eyed and flushed as he bit his tongue "You do not even need to socialise with each other but you will both, at the very least be civil" her father still remained silent and she sighed "We will talk about it later, this is not the end of this conversation"
"Fine" Sirius grumbled as he looked back at the elf who was moving to his daughters side, the ghastly thing had been friendly with Regulus, had been his brothers very own personal pet but this was different. The elf glowed next to Lyra, the bond between elf and witch was so strong it was practically tangible in the air, Kreacher was passed the age of breeding having done so when Sirius was a child but Sirius could see the magic between them.
Normally the elf would have a heir to keep watch over their witch or wizard and their heirs, when the bond was strong the elf did so as added protection and respect, they would bring that elf heir up knowing clearly what their role would be. Kreacher probably could have produced an heir for Regulus but it wasn't as clear as it was here, if Lyra asked Kreacher for a continuation of his line, the elf would most defiantly be able to. He had never looked younger or healthier then he did just then, Lyra might not even have to ask, the elf defiantly looked committed to his witch.
"Should we get some tea?" Narcissa broke Sirius from his thoughts and he saw Kreacher glaring at him having caught him staring, Sirius cleared his throat blinking one, twice, three times when he caught Lyra holding Kreacher's hand gently as she told him of her year. He looked up and instead of catching Lucius glaring or looking at them in disproval Lucius was smirking at him of all people like he was enjoying Sirius' reaction.
"Tea sounds good" he nodded and they followed Narcissa through the house, Sirius hung towards the back.
"She fiercely protective of the elf" Lucius threw the guy a bone.
But Sirius threw him a sharp glare "I see that"
"That elf was the only friend she had for six years, the only company she had in that hole of a place you used to call home" Lucius smirked "The day they brought her here she simply told the will reader Kreacher would stay by her side, said Kreacher was an elf for house Black members not a simple house elf...When he went to refuse the girl simply made him her personal elf and threatened the will reader to contact his superiors" Lucius studied the head of house Black "If i can give you a word of advice? The girl loves that elf and the elf loves the girl, don't make her life difficult just because you hate the elf"
"Difficult? How could i make her life difficult"
"She loves hard and she loves freely, how she does it after...Well i'm not too sure but she deserves all that loves she hands out back, that means you should just accept that, that elf has been there for her while you couldn't" Lucius chuckled "You don't know maybe after Lyra tells you how she became friends with the elf, you may just find yourself liking him"
Sirius had to swallow his hate, hearing someone say he wasn't there for his daughter did hurt even though he knew it was the truth. It stung and his heart ached, the words caused a visceral reaction in him and if playing nice with the elf allowed him to be with her then so fucking be it.
Tea had been silent for a long time, everyone was on tender hooks, tense and waiting for something to happen. The only person who was relaxed and seemed to actually be enjoying themselves was Lyra, a gently pop from an elfs arrival sounded loudly "Dobby made young master and Little miss' favourites" Dobby snapped his fingers and several plates and displays appeared at the table.
"Dobby!?" Harry gaped at the elf who beamed at his favourite wizard "What? But I...Why are you here?"
"Oh yes Mr Potter freed Dobby" the elf nodded "He did! But Dobby comes back on the holidays to be with young mister Draco and little miss Lyra, he leaves when they do, to do what free elfs do...Mr Malfoy Dobby's old master even pays Dobby now!"
"Oh well that's...Very good Dobby" Harry nodded gently shooting Lyra a glance but the girl just shrugged.
"Thank you Dobby, that's very kind of you to prepare our favourites" Lyra beamed at the elf who twisted his pillowcase, it was a clean and soft one, he smiled widely at his favourite witch and popped out of the room, Lyra looked up when Harry snickered slightly.
"Apple pie? Cause you don't eat enough apples at school?" Harry glanced at Draco who glared but couldn't hide the slight flushing on his face.
"Shove off Potter"
"Harry" Lyra cocked a brow at him and he sighed grabbing a small apple pie Harry shoved it in his mouth to stop himself from arguing with Malfoy, seeing that Draco smirked and went to make a snide comment but Lyra cleared her throat and glared at him making the white haired boy bow his head quickly grabbing his own apple pie.
"This is nice" Narcissa smiled softly but it looked a little tight.
"I agree" Lyra grinned.
"I'm glad you are out of that horrid place cousin" Narcissa faced Sirius who was brushing crumbs from his clothes to the floor making him freeze.
"Right, yeah" he nodded "I erh...I should be thanking you for looking after my daughter while i was unable too"
Narcissa smile became a true one, one that showed clearly how beautiful she was "Oh no! She is a delight, we love having her here"
"Yeah, well i am grateful for what you have done for her while i was away..." the insinuation that he was in fact back again sucked any positive feeling from the room and Lyra wasn't entirely sure he even meant too.
Draco glared "So what? Lyra just leaves with you now?"
"Draco!" Narcissa scolded him but he was far from done.
"You can't just...You just come about and think everything will go back, have you even asked Lyra if she wants to go with you?"
"Hey!" Harry exclaimed putting the cup of pumpkin juice he'd just picked up down with more force then he'd meant to.
But Draco ignored him with not much effort "She hates Grimmauld place!"
"Draco" Lyra tried to sooth the boy but he just glared at Sirius ignoring her attempts.
"Do you even know what life for her was like there? Do you even care!"
"Draco!" Lyra snapped and slapped her hand on the table when she saw Sirius slump in his seat, any fight leaving him "That's enough...I have made my decision, i will be moving with my father" Draco gaped at her and went to argue but she held her hand up "I will come back here and visit, maybe stay for a week or so. I already told you i wouldn't disappear and i won't but i will be living with my father"
"In that hell hole" The Malfoy heir hissed at her, glaring in his normal seat beside her.
"Home doesn't always relate to a house Draco" she stated and glanced at her father "I think we should stop the polite niceties and just talk about how this is going to go"
Sirius sighed but nodded, he watched Lucius make up two teas identically and placed them in front of Lyra and Draco. The act was so completely domestic, fatherly even that it stumped him, Lyra was his daughter but he was so out of the need know he didn't even know how she liked her tea. Didn't know what her favourite food or if she was allergic to anything, he regretted leaving her that day, it would forever be his biggest mistake.
Lyra sighed "Alright" she looked at the head of the table at Lucius who nodded as he put his tea cup down.
"How about we start at the beginning and we can fill you in on everything" He offered Sirius who tried to school his face but he nodded "Lyra has made her decision to go with you but there will be stipulations" Sirius narrowed his eyes but kept quiet as Lucius kept talking "We want to be able to see her, however often she wishes and we want to be kept up with what goes on at school with her"
"What do you mean?"
Lucius cocked a brow "You have heard nothing of how much trouble Lyra seems to find herself in every year?"
"Like?"
"First year she was attacked by a mountain troll" Draco grabbed another apple pie ignoring the shocked gape Sirius sent him "Then she went with her friends to do tasks that could have killed them, a teacher did die actually"
"Draco" she hissed but he just smirked at her, he was angry but it was mainly because he was scared of her leaving, it wasn't fair.
"Second year she fought a basilisk..."
"Actually i didn't fight it, Harry did!" Lyra turned to her father to clear up the mistaken statement.
Harry choked on his pudding slightly "Hey!" he had been hoping he'd be left out of this, he just wanted to eat and then go home with Sirius and Lyra but when did he ever get his own way.
"You did though!"
"And then obviously this year she ran into the forbidden forest after a marked death eater where she knew there'd be a loose werewolf" Draco narrowed his eyes at Lyra who just huffed knowing he was lashing out.
"Now, now Draco" Lucius smirked slightly, it was not often the two argued but when they did it was amusing, both knew what lines not to cross. Even fighting they protected the other or at the very least didn't want to hurt them too badly.
"Would we be going back to Grimmauld Place?" Lyra turned to lock eyes with her father who winced slightly.
"It's the safest option right now"
"There's the Black Manor" Lyra offered and Sirius shook his head.
"We can move there over time but i need to get in several curse-breakers, the manor has been shut for decades now and god knows what our ancestors did to it...But i could find us some place else to go to if you don't want to go back there"
"I erm...Lyra took me to get an inheritance test done so we could find out who my guardian was and it said i had a few places, we could check them out?" Harry offered quietly and throughout his face grew more red the longer he spoke knowing all of them were watching him and out of them all he had less knowledge of this world.
"The Potter Manor has been empty for..." Sirius' voice trailed off as he looked haunted.
Seeing her father struggle she finished his sentence hoping she got it correct "Since your grandparents passed of Dragon Pox Harry" Sirius nodded drinking some tea trying to play off his emotional stumble "Seeing as it is just for the summer, a few weeks at Grimmauld Place is fine, i can do that but if we stay can we change it?" she asked softly and Sirius chuckled.
"In what way?"
"In all the ways grandmother Walburga would hate" she smirked "I was thinking bright walls, open plans, red furnishing..."
Sirius laughed "I think i can do that"
"We" Lyra smiled at Harry "We have all summer to transform that awful hell hole into a temporary home"
~~~
Sirius had disappeared into Lucius' office leaving the kids with Narcissa who was soaking up her time with Lyra "So..."
Lucius frowned as he poured two glasses of fire whiskey "Lyra is a good kid Sirius, she is strong, kind, magically talented...But she's damaged"
"Excuse me! My daughter is not damaged" Sirius stood quickly his chair shooting back a few inches with a rough screeching sound as wood scraped wood.
But Lucius just stared at him "She is, do you really think living with that witch for six years wouldn't leave an impression? It did to you, no?" Sirius remained silent keeping his glare "You may take it how you wish but my words still stand, i want to show you something"
"Show me what?"
"The day i first met Lyra and the next morning" Lucius waved his wand and a pensive floated from the cupboard towards them. Sirius had dived into the memory with Malfoy, the pair of them stood in the study as past Lucius was sat. His breathing hitched as he watched his seven year old girl walked into the room with a man dressed in a suit and an old elf.
She took her seat and sat upright, everything about her was polished and 'perfect', Sirius watched as she spoke and commanded men almost three times her age but it was when Narcissa tried to take her hand, the small girl had tensed looking like she'd be punished for any slight physical touch.
"What colour was the spell?" past Lucius asked.
"Yellow" his sweet daughter whispered and Sirius felt like his heart had been torn from his chest and ripped into pieces, that beast of a witch had...God he felt like he could puke.
The following memory was of the morning, Lyra was sat once again perfectly polished at the breakfast table waiting patiently. Sirius listened to the two figures talk about how Lyra was expected at the table at 7 am sharp, her new rules, then a seven year old Draco came into the room and all but ran to her side.
When Sirius was released from the memories he sank into his seat, Lucius handed him the glass of whiskey which he took and threw back with a hissed breath "As i said, something like that leaves a trace" Lucius refilled the two glasses "But after years of building trust she relaxed, Lyra has come a very long way in herself but there are things that even she can not break"
"Like?"
"She still wakes at 6, still sits at the table at 7 sharp. She takes her education very seriously, just as her visions...Lyra takes on a lot of responsibilities because of them, believes it's down to her to fix things and i will not lie to you. The things she told me, i am relieved she wishes to change them"
"So what you let her fight monsters, she's just a girl" Sirius glared fiercely.
"I can not 'let' her do anything, i do not see the future Sirius but she does, she saw her death..."
All fight left Sirius' body as a cold wash or horror came over him "What" the words were barely audible, his heart was louder in his ears then his own words.
"Her death, Draco's death, yours, Harry's, she's seen them all and she works everyday to change that fate because she can. She's seen both outcomes, i've never heard of a more powerful Seer Sirius" Lucius gulped his whiskey "I will not lie she has done some very dangerous things, very dangerous, but she did it without a hitch and she wasn't alone, i have gone with her for some of her plans, Kreacher the rest"
"The elf"
"That elf has done more then you know, Lyra's mind should resemble something more of the Longbottoms, she should be in a room at St Mungos but she isn't because of him. He shielded her mind, healed her body after Walburga's training, you have much to be grateful for, from that elf"
"So what would you suggest i do?"
"Be there for her, listen to her visions and just remember in some cases she does know better...I abhor the thought of you taking her back to that place but she seemed excited to rip it apart so maybe it will be releasing for her, but if at anytime i believe being there is causing her more harm then good, i must warn you Sirius i will fight for guardianship"
Sirius gritted his teeth "I am her father"
"Which is the only reason you stand here in my home, the only reason she is leaving with you but but believe me Black...That girl out there is like my own daughter, i will protect her...Even if that is from you"