"This doesn't look too bad" Harry stared at the block of buildings in front of him, the street was bright, the town houses looked exactly the same on the strip of street but they were all well kept.
He frowned when both Sirius and Lyra casted him a single look, like he was missing something "Here Harry" Lyra held out a slip of paper, identical to the one she handed Sirius.
"What is this?"
"The password"
"You're the secret keeper?" Sirius spun on the spot to stare at her "Do you know how dangerous that is?"
"I do but too many people knew the location to not change it" she nodded to Harry to open the paper in his hand.
'You are your home'
He spoke the words aloud like they were foreign but when he went to question it, the slip of paper caught alight in his hand and he heard a low rumble. In front of him the buildings were moving, from the windows he could see a few people going about their daily lives as if their own house weren't uprooting themselves.
A dark town house almost identical to the others crept forward, the brick instead of a brilliant red was dirtied reminding him of soot from a fire. "It's the dark magic, it seeps into the air" Lyra stared at the house in front of her knowing what he was thinking, the paint of the door was chipping and the grass over grown "Come"
Together they all walked in and Harry's hand was tempted to come to his nose, the air was damp and so dusty that them just opening the door made a small tornado of dust to fly up into the air. It made the slim corridor look foggy and even more unwelcoming then he thought it would have to begin with "This is..." he searched for something good to say but for all he tried he couldn't find anything.
"Girl! Is that you? Come here now!" a loud sharp screech echoed through the house.
"Who is that"
"Walburga Black" Sirius glared up the corridor "But how?"
"Her portrait" Lyra walked ahead as she spoke, she moved towards where she knew the men put the ghastly thing.
"Girl!" She turned the corner and the portrait paused her screaming to study her "Where is Kreacher, my frame needs dusting?" Lyra remained silent as she just stare at the painting, magic still amazed her but times like this it sucked "Well? Are you dense get the elf now girl"
Sirius walked around the corner with Harry, Harry studied the painting. The woman wore a black drees with a white lace high neck that came almost to her chin, her black curls much similar to Lyra's were wrapped in a huge bun. The woman was obviously related to the two people in front of him but where he saw happiness and soft features on them there was none to be found on her face, she was angry and Harry was not surprised she used dark magic at all.
She fit the type exactly.
"Sirius, you've come home..." the portrait cocked a brow "And they released you from Azkaban because? Aren't you meant to be away for what you did to that Potter boy and his mudblood pet"
"Fuck you!" Sirius threw his wand up throwing an incendio at the frame but he frowned when it hissed away before doing any damage leaving the portrait pristine.
"How dare you!" Walburga screeched "I knew you were a screw up! And you girl, you bring him here along with..." her eyes snapped to Harrys who was just staring in shock "Another Potter, a blood traitor right? Seeing as he shares his mothers dirty blood...You are a waste of Black blood just like your father!"
Sirius moved to rip the portrait off the wall but it wouldn't budge, he saw Lyra storm off into the other room towards the kitchen, Walburga kept screeching her insults while screaming for Kreacher who had gone to a small room he was now claiming as his own under Lyra's orders. Both Sirius and Harry backed up quickly when Lyra came back towards them with a huge kitchen knife in her hand "Woah! What are you...?" Sirius couldn't even finish before Lyra attacked the wall holding up the portrait.
"You think just because you layered this fucking frame with protective spells you'd be safe?" Lyra taunted as she cut through the plaster and dry wall, when she realised the knife was slowing her down she started using her fists, punching hole after hole in the wall "You forgot about the wall you stupid. Vicious. Inbreded cunt! I will tear down this whole house and burn it if i have too"
"You foul beast! Stop this! Stop it right now! You trollop! STOP!" Walburga screamed watching in horror as the girl relentlessly attacked the wall, the worst part? It was working, blood started to splatter up the dark wall as the girl busted her knuckles but in her rage she felt nothing.
Harry rushed to stop her seeing as he was the first to break out of his shock "Stop, Lyra stop! You're hurting yourself"
"Fitting isn't it? I always end up hurt around you" she sneered at the woman in the painting who scoffed.
"You got what you deserved for your insolence, we were so close if i had just one more year with you, i would have perfected you but you went away and sullied yourself! I gave you everything! I took you in and trained you to be perfect!"
"You gave me NOTHING! You would never have had another year, i would have killed you myself" Lyra snarled at the frame, grabbing the knife she wordlessly and wandlessly transfigured it into a long mallet, cocking her arm back she swung at the wall and a huge part of it concaved in on itself with her own loud rage filled scream.
Sirius swallowed thickly, he tried to move but his feet wouldn't work, he just kept running what Lucius had said through his mind. Damaged, Walburga had damaged his daughter, she was vicious right now hitting the wall non stop, she didn't tire or slow once until the wall that once held the frame was nothing but wooden frame supports and dust. The frame still pristine attached to a small part of dry wall that was laying on the ground with the rest of the rubble.
He watched as Lyra picked it up "I'm going to put you in a muggle landfill, i will bury you in Muggle shit and rubbish...You know why? Because that's what you are and where you belong. I hate you, and i'm glad you died" she smirked ignoring the answering screams "Bye grandmother, hope you enjoy hell. Kreacher?" the elf popped up at his name being.
"Yes Mistress Lyra?"
"Can you take this into the attic, throw a sheet over it until i can dispose of it please" Lyra held out the frame.
"Of course" he took the screaming frame and popped off into the attic, not once did he speak to his old mistress nor did he hesitate to throw a sheet over it and cast a silencing spell when he could still hear her screeching.
Lyra just stood staring at what used to be the wall, her breaths coming in panicked pants...Walburga was the worst thing that had ever happened to her, the only true thing that kept her strong was the knowledge that she was meant to die early on but that didn't forego the torment she went through. She knew Walburga triggered her but she wasn't sure just how much the woman had effected her.
Being the closest to the girl Harry wrapped his arms around her knowing how it felt to be confronted by the ones who hurt you most after so long of being away from them, she breathed in his scent she noticed when she became an Animagus her sense of smell heightened. Harry smelt like treacle tarts, broom polish and the ground after a heavy rainfall, like when you step outside after a storm and can smell it in the atmosphere.
Sirius walked closer but paused when he saw her suddenly stop, the panicked breathing, the wide eyes even the shaking. Lyra straightened up flat faced as she turned back to the wall "Well we did say open plan right" she smiled but it was wrong, it was pinched and lacking of emotion, it was so eerie that Harry released her slowly.
Sirius narrowed his eyes at his daughter "Who taught you that?"
"The punching? Just came natural to me"
"No that's not what i meant and you know it" he scolded her, Occulumenting could be dangerous when you did it to push back emotions just so you didn't feel them "Who taught you Occlumency?"
Lyra looked at him for a second "Narcissa mainly"
"Did she tell you pushing back your emotions this often isn't healthy"
"She did"
Her simple emotionless answers sent a chill up his spine, he moved closer cupping her cheek "Lyra, you're safe now"
The girl shook her head "Words, they're just empty promises. I've seen what's to come none of us are safe"
"Right here, right now, you are safe" he stroked her cheek seeing a small glimmer of fear seeping into her eyes "I'm here now, you are not alone, you're safe...Just drop the walls baby, i'm here, i've got you i promise"
Lyra's walls while not dropping did weaken to allow her emotions back out and she launched herself into her fathers arm, she sunk into his warm embrace. One of hands came up to cup the back of her head while the other held her close to his body, this feeling of safety was one she hadn't felt in...Well a very long time.
Moment's later she felt the arm around her back move only to be replaced with Harry as Sirius pulled him into the hug "I'm here now, for both of you" he whispered down to his pups, he could do this, he had too.
~~~
Sirius dragged himself out of bed, stumbling sleepily as his body detested him for forcing it to get up and move about so early but he took Lucius' words serious...Shocking he knew but low and behold his daughter was stood in the doorframe of the dining room at 7 am sharp.
"You alright baby?" he spoke softly, tried to at least but it came out as a grumble of sleepy mumbles making her snicker.
"I'm fine, i'm sorry about last night...I shouldn't have done that to her portrait" she bend her head but Sirius reached out tipping it back up by her chin.
"You don't need to apologise, i'm glad you did it. I wouldn't have thought to just take the wall down" he winked "Now i am starving, shall we get breakfast and some well needed coffee"
Lyra chuckled "What are you doing up?"
"I...I couldn't sleep" he lied but she cocked her brow seeing right through him and he caved quicker then a wet paper bag "I didn't want you up and down here alone"
"The house never hurt me Dad"
His breathing stuttered at her words, he'd noticed she'd taken to calling him father when talking about him, like with Draco but never had she addressed him as such yet "Why haven't you gone in yet then?" he asked gently and she took a deep breath through her nose.
"I'm not sure, silly isn't it...It's like i'm expecting her to jump out at me and curse me because my back isn't straight enough"
Sirius gulped "You know...You know i would never..."
"I do!" she nodded facing him "I do know that, i also know the memories can't hurt me just as they can't you but-" she paused turning back to the dark room "I also know we deserve better, Harry deserves better then this...So it needs to go, it all needs to go. No more dark colours, no more skinny corridors, no more elf heads! Just happiness"
"That i can get on board with but after coffee okay?"
Lyra laughed "Alright, come on" she took his hand pulling him to the kitchen.
"Why isn't Kreacher up?"
"He doesn't like this place either, he needed time so i told him to have today to grieve"
"Grieve?"
"Regulus" she whispered and his face twisted into an emotion she couldn't explain but she just got the coffee pot going.
"So...Redecorating? Where do you want to start?"
"I was thinking the main areas first, living room, dining room and bed rooms. Then we hit the other rooms"
The pair exchanged ideas over coffee until a sleepy Harry ran into the room like he was on fire "Sorry! Sorry i slept in, i...I can start breakfast now"
"No need" Lyra beamed at him knowing if she made a big deal right now he'd shut it down "I made some bacon and eggs, help yourself" she made a waving motion to the food on the small kitchen there, he slowly sat and unsteadily served himself a plate up with a flushed face. Sirius opened his mouth to question it but Lyra kicked his shin and shook her head "So we were talking about decorating, do you have any ideas?"
"Oh...Erh, well i think the Gryffindor common room is homey"
"We thought the same thing!" she grinned "But i am capping the amount of red we use, the common room is slightly gaudy"
Sirius groaned making Harry chuckle "Gaudy! I'll have you know Hogwarts got the right amount of red to gold ratio!"
"Yeah like a whore house" she snorted rolling her eyes, Sirius spat his coffee from his mouth while Harry swallow thickly around his breakfast.
"Excuse me? What would you know of whore houses?"
"Well not much, i'm sure you could fill in the blanks" she chuckled as Sirius burst out laughing.
"Oh!" He tried to cover his laughter "That's...That's inappropriate and seeing as i am the grown up if you do that again i'll...I'll ground you?"
Lyra turned to Harry who was biting his knuckles, shoulder shaking as he tried to hold in his laughter but seeing Lyra nod her head towards her father in a 'Did he just say that' motion the pair burst out in loud, robust laughter setting Sirius back off.
~~~
The first room they hit was the living room, Lyra had ran off while Sirius and Harry were sleeping the night before to the muggle store close by. There she brought a small table record player, there was a sale on the records but she was sure she had also seen a few tucked behind some clothes in Sirius' wardrobe.
Setting it up on top of the piano she placed a record on it and fiddled with it until it stared to play, while out she had brought bits to clean with not trusting cleaning spells to get rid of god knows how many years worth of grim on the floor and walls. She started to clean, rolling the rug up she dragged it out to the hall to get it out of her way, she shrunk the piano bench and sofas placing them in her pocket.
Lyra had dressed in a pair of jean dungarees and a dark red shirt, a same coloured bandana tied around her head keeping her curls out of her face. She had made a decent dent when Sirius stumbled into the room clutching a cup of coffee, she watched him take a sip then grimace deeply "Your elf hates me"
"He doesn't hate you, you're just not his favourite person" she giggled as she watched him choke back what seemed to be a poorly made coffee, made by her very own elf "I'm surprised he even made you a drink, that's progress!"
"Well if progress could taste a touch better i'd appreciate it" he sighed placing the mug on the mantle "You've been busy"
She grinned as she started to scrub the floors again "Just getting a start"
"You look like Cinderella" Harry startled her as he appeared out of no where.
"Well Cinderella is pretty so i'll take that as a compliment" she narrowed her eyes before smiling brightly which Harry reciprocated.
Sirius saw the smile and frowned slightly stepping in between the two "Well" he clapped his hands together "Where do you want me?"
"You can start by stripping the wallpaper, Godric knows how old it is" she grimaced looking at the dark stripped wallpaper.
"And me?" Harry moved further into the room.
"Can you clean the baseboards please?" she looked at the very dusty boards on the wall, that came up a foot or two like short panelling.
"Sure, no problem" Harry grabbed a spray bottle and several cloths she had brought.
"The record player?"
"Brought it the other day" Lyra shot her father a smile.
"You left the house?"
She paused and gave him all her attention "I did, is that alright?"
Sirius didn't talk for a while before he nodded "It is but...Next time i'd like you to make me aware you're leaving the wards"
"That's respectable, i can do that" she nodded "I apologise for not doing so before"
"I accept your apology..." Sirius grinned before scoffing slightly "And they said parenthood was hard, i got this in the bag" Lyra and Harry shared a look before snickering but neither said a word letting him revel in his good mood and his proud smile.
Hours later the three collapsed into the resized and newly transfigured sofa, the walls were now clean and were a bright white apart from the Gryffindor red feature wall. Both Sirius and Harry had wanted all four walls to be red but when they mentioned having the two sofa's, piano bench and rug red she was quick to put her foot down.
The two sofa's were a darker red matching the newly changed bench, the rug which Lyra had spent hours cleaning was a brighter red matching the feature wall. Seeing as that feature wall was the one with the huge fireplace, she painted the fireplace white to match the other walls, charming it to stay clean. Harry had cleaned the mirror over the fireplace while Sirius did most of the transfiguring, they had all agreed to leave the cabinets dark to match the throw pillows Lyra had insisted on.
Lyra had Kreacher check on the contents of the cabinets, anything harmful was moved to the attic while everything clean was left which was mainly books. Grabbing her photo box she took several photos out, enlarging them she ran into the kitchen retrieving a large pot of toothpicks she had seen years ago she transformed them into white glossy photo frames. Slipping the beloved photos inside she presented them all front and proud in the glass cabinets.
"Wow" Harry stared at their work, his eyes kept making their way to the bookcase which held a few dozen photos more then a few containing his parents.
Lyra took a deep breath and grinned "It feels lighter, do you think they would have liked it?" she turned to her father who was staring at the bookcase with watery eyes.
"They would have loved it" he whispered, Sirius and Harry froze when there was a knock at the front door.
"I hope you don't mind but i got in contact with someone..." she stood and walked to the door, opening it up she waved the person in, both sets of mouths dropped when the figure walked into the newly transformed room.
"Moony!" Sirius beamed "You got free from Ol' Dumbledore aye?" he stood and hugged his friend.
Lyra grinned "Remus is going to be staying with us"
"She insisted really, wouldn't take no for an answer" Remus smiled gently at the girl before looking around the room in awe.
"Blackmailed more like but i never stated i was a good person" Lyra nudged Harry's shoulder with her own winking at him making him snicker.
"Blackmailed?"
"She quite forcefully insisted i came and stayed here" Remus narrowed his eyes at Sirius who looked stunned "Wonder where she got that from?"
"Marls probably" Sirius shrugged as if he had no idea but they all knew where.
~~~
Grimmauld place was put through the wringer, it had probably never seen so much life in the whole time it stood, the four of them hit the dining room next cleaning everything with the help of Kreacher who had taken his quiet time to grieve being back in the house. The dining room had been a big arguing point between the two Blacks, Sirius wanted to stick with the red theme but Lyra was holding strong and instead wanted a sage green colour to lighten up the place.
"Green, Lyra! You want me to, in good conscience, paint my walls green!" Sirius groaned leaning back in his chair as if she shot him.
"A sage green, there's nothing Slytherin about it dad! Please!"
"No"
"Please!"
"No"
"Yes" she snapped back glaring at him and the battle of wills began.
"No"
"Yes"
"No"
"No"
"Yes!" Sirius snapped and the room froze as it registered what the girl had done.
Lyra squealed "Thanks dad! I knew you'd understand!" she beamed and kissed his cheek, grabbing Harry's hand she pulled him from the room before Sirius could argue.
"I...But...She" Sirius was all wide eyed and open mouthed as the two teens ran from the room, Remus snorted and chuckled.
"She got you Pads"
"I can not believe i fell for that! That little brat" he glared at the door before smirking "Definitely my kid thought right?"
Remus shook his head "No doubt about it"
So the dining room had been painted a light sage green, the long dining table had been kept but cleaned up and fitted with better, more comfortable chairs and a new long rug.
~~~
The kitchen had turned out to be too big of a job so they cleaned it as much as they could before having to allow some builders in to fix it, they had as a collective chosen to go with birch coloured cupboards with a white countertop and tiles.
While the builders worked on that they worked on the bedrooms, they decorated each of their rooms. Sirius, surprising no one had gone all Gryffindor red and gold everything knowign Lyra couldn't say no, Harry had gone similar but had muted the red down to a dark wine red with splashes of gold and whites here and there on Lyra's pleading but he did agree with her in the end that it was better for the room.
Lyra had the biggest change, the room she was placed in had always been a dark, dank place but with their help she had the walls changed into a light pretty sky blue colour. Her bedding, pillows, curtains, even her rug was white, she couldn't bare it being dark in there one more day. She had a few decorative pillows and a throw the same colour as her walls but she kept it as light as possible, going as far as to change the colour wood her bed frame was to a lighter wood grain.
"It's pretty baby" Sirius smiled looking around when they had finished the room, it was such a teenage girls room but there was something delicate about it.
"It reminds me of flying" Harry looked around with a soft gaze on his face.
Remus nodded from where he leant against the wooden door frame "It's very you Lyra"
"Thank you for helping me" she grinned at all three of them "Now just Remus' room left"
"Oh no, don't worry. I am fine with the room i picked" he waved them off and she frowned, being around him in this way showed her just how much he seemed to loathe himself and that just wouldn't do.
So that meant one thing, Lyra convinced her father to get Remus out of the house for several hours, doing what exactly she didn't care but she needed him out. Sirius had somehow convinced Remus to go out and the moment they left the wards Lyra and Harry had started on Remus' room. It hadn't taken them long to clean it seeing as he had chosen the smallest room available, it didn't even have a window...
"So, red?" Harry cocked his head to the side looking at the empty room.
"Don't make me hit you!" She glared and he snickered running his hand through his hair.
"Fine what colour then?"
Harry had gotten quite efficient at doing colour transfigurations wandlessly, he was the type of person that once he got it, it clicked and gotten better with practice. He'd been trying more and more to do magic without his wand and Lyra helped him, she was a little sneaky because she told him to meditate, to practice clearing his mind. All the things he'd need to do to learn Occlumency and how to become an Animagus, whether he did or not would be down to him, she was just giving him a helping hand.
She had to be careful because this room was quite small and it having no window would be tricky but she had an idea "Navy blue...You see this panelling here?" Harry nodded "Take the colour to this point no further"
"What do i do at the top?"
"White, we want to open this room up as much as possible so only do the blue on that part"
Harry nodded turning to the wall she wanted him to paint "You got it"
She turned back to opposite wall, the wall Harry was about to paint was the one Remus' bed was pressed against. Taking a deep breath she started the charm work she'd planned to do, it was going to be one of the hardest pieces of work and she wasn't sure she could but Lyra had to try.
Harry changed the bed to a thicker white bed under her orders, the thin blanket Remus was using had thickened out, when he was happy with it he turned and gasped softly "Woah! This is...Wow Lyra" he stared at the wall which now looked like it backed onto the forest "How?"
"Do you know back at Hogwarts? The ceiling? I used that charm to show a forest, i hope he likes it" she panted gently feeling tired after that blast of magic.
"I think he'll love it" Harry took her hand and squeezed it, he smiled and together they brought back in Remus' books and belongings, placing them back exactly where they had found them after that all they had to do was wait.
~~~
Sirius walked back into the house with a grumpy Lupin "What the fuck Sirius? That was a bloody waste of time!" he growled walking into the kitchen when his two pups were sat.
"Well Moony, i apologise but i had to" Sirius shrugged glancing at his daughter who winked.
"Had to?...Lyra what did you do?" Remus turned to face her, his hands coming up to rest on his hips.
"It wasn't just me!" she squeaked at the parental stance.
"Hey! Snitch!" Harry glared at her throwing a bread roll which she caught in one hand and threw it back to him making him duck to miss it.
"Better catch me then!" she smirked and ran off, she heard his chair screech as he shoved it back, she picked up her pace, this was her domain, she knew this house inside and out. But she could hear Harry's loud heavy steps catching up behind her, he had gone through another growth spurt and damn those long legs! As she went to turn a corner a pair of hands caught her hips lifting her from the ground making her scream "NO!"
"I caught you, Gryffindor wins" Harry snickered as he threw her over his shoulder "Now you're going to take the blame for the room"
"What room?" Remus' voice behind Harry made both teens pause, Lyra looked up to look at him while Harry remained facing the other way probably wishing to disappear.
She grinned "Yours silly"
"And what is it may i ask that you need to take the blame for?" Remus cocked a brow at her.
"Harry?" she whispered.
"Yeah?" he whispered back.
"Run" He started running jostling her as he went, she squealed when she looked up and saw Remus chasing them, Sirius wasn't far behind but his laughing was slowing him down "He's catching up!"
Harry suddenly stopped, throwing her down onto a bed he turned and ran, Remus had a choice to catch Lyra who was cornered or Harry who'd already disappeared...So he chose Lyra and he realised she was in his own room, entering he froze in the doorway.
"Surprise" Lyra smiled trying to back up just in case he still gave chase.
"Did you two do this?" he stared at the room.
"You deserve this Remus, if you don't like it you can always turn it back but we will be offended right Harry?" she looked out to see Harry sneaking back to stand beside Sirius, the boy froze when Remus looked at him before he straightened up.
"Right"
"Wow, you two this is..." Sirius walked in with a soft whistle of appreciation.
"Amazing...It's amazing, thank you" Remus whispered and the two teens grinned at each other.
~~~
The four of them had spent a month getting Grimmauld place into a state that they wanted, the place had quickly lightened up, Lyra still didn't want to live here indefinitely but it made the place easier to swallow.
She'd gone to the Malfoy Manor for a week, Draco had been attached to her side practically the whole time, she couldn't deny that it was easy being there in the house, with them all. Their schedule which had been habit kicked in as if she'd never left, her and Draco rode their abraxans, brooms, sat in the library and Narcissa was just as bad. Finding any excuse to enter her room to talk, do her hair anything, Lucius had been calling her into his study to talk about...Well she wasn't too sure but it was a guise to spend time together.
It was nice but it was also bittersweet, when the time came for her to go back to Grimmauld place, Draco was silent and upset, Narcissa had teary eyes and Lucius had hugged her!
On the other hand Sirius had yanked the door open before she'd even entered the wards as if he was stood at the window waiting, Harry had pulled her onto the sofa telling her everything they did while she was away and Remus had hugged her tightly before passing her another book he thought she'd enjoy.
The amount of trees Hermione must have had cut down with her letters was concerning but sweet all the same, the girl had just gotten back from her yearly skiing trip and had all but demanded they met up, Hermione's parent's wanted to meet her father and Sirius was never one to say no to a free meal meaning Harry and Remus were dragged along to the Granger's house.
Sirius and Mr Granger had got on like a house of fire, when Sirius told him about quidditch, Mr Granger explained golfing and Sirius was hooked when Mr Granger subtly implied how good it would be to use magic to win a tournament. Mrs Granger just adored Remus, she had taken it upon herself to keep him fed and a fresh tea in front of him while they spoke about Shakespeare and other literature.
"Mr Weasley has invited us to the world cup, have you received your tickets? It was very kind of him to think of us don't you think?" Hermione grinned from her seat, the three of them were sat outside in the sunshine.
"Very nice Mione" Harry nodded.
They had received the tickets the other day, her father had offered to pay for Lyra and Harry's but Arthur had refused. Both Harry and Lyra were going to stay the night before at the Weasleys, Hermione was going to join them so they could set off early while Sirius and Remus left from Grimmauld place, they were all excited to watch the game even Hermione who wasn't the biggest quidditch fan.
~~~
Hermione was put into Ginny's room, a single bed being transfigured and dressed for the Granger girl, the same was done for Harry as they squeezed him into Ronald's room. Lyra had been given Charlie's old room Molly had apologised about having her on her own but she had waved it off as gently as she could, the Weasley matron had taken to her like a mama bear but that was probably because she insisted on helping in the kitchen and washing up.
The morning of the quidditch game Lyra had woken up and went downstairs after dressing to help Molly cook breakfast, Hermione was the next to come down stairs while they were cooking, the twins followed her soon after and had started showing Lyra their new prank sweets, Molly had sent Hermione upstairs to wake the boys and Ginny.
"Percy left early this morning, works for the Minister" Molly smiled at Lyra who was placing the food trays on the table.
"That's brilliant Mrs Weasley" Lyra nodded placing the jug of pumpkin juice in front of Fred who winked at her earning an eye roll back.
"Oh none of that my dear, you can call me Molly" The Weasley matron beamed at the girl who was helping her put food down for the family, the girl hadn't even needed to be asked simply came into the kitchen asking what needed to be done.
Hermione had came back down with a sleepy Ginny, the ginger girl slumped into her seat and started eating quickly, Hermione grinned at Lyra who snickered but caught the apple Ginny launched at her head in retaliation, why was everyone always throwing food at her?
"Ginevra Weasley!" Molly scolded.
Ginny groaned "Mum please, it's Ginny"
"Well that is news to me, i thought it was Ginevra seeing as i was there when you were born and named" Molly tutted filling Lyra's tea cup up as Harry and Ron came stumbling down the steps, Lyra didn't miss the way Harry was gripping his forehead. She'd need to speak to her father about training Harry in Occlumency, he'd need it and soon she gathered.
When Arthur stood from the table and put a big camping bag on his back they knew it was time to leave, Molly hugged each of them even Lyra, Hermione and Harry and sent them on their way after a quick scolding of the two Weasley twins as she confiscated the sweets they tried to take with them.
"Where are we even going?" Lyra heard Harry ask somewhere behind her.
"Don't know...Hey Dad where are we going?" Ron called out and they all turned briefly.
"Haven't the foggiest, keep up" Arthur yelled back and Lyra snickered, Ginny was giggling with Hermione about god knows who or who, Harry and Ron were trailing the back while Lyra was kept company by the twins.
"Arthur!" A older man called by a tree "It's about time son"
"Sorry Amos, some of us had a bit of a sleepy start" Arthur glanced back at Harry and Ron who was yawning "This is Amos Diggory everyone, works with me at the ministry" the two men hugged in greeting and Lyra tilted her head, at the end of next year this guys life was going to be in ruins, that was if she sat back and did nothing.
A body dropped from the tree above them "And this strapping young lad is Cedric Diggory, am i right?"
"Yes sir" the boy smiled shaking the hand Arthur offered, strapping was one way to describe the boy, he had attractiveness in abundance, good breeding for sure!
"This way" Arthur called and they started moving once more, she heard Amos talking to Harry but Amos was harmless and he would be fine.
She glanced up when the twins barricaded her between them "So, are you ever going to tell us-"
"-Exactly how you seem to know everything" George finished for Fred.
"How about this...You two boys figure it out and i will invest in your little shop" she smirked when boy boys froze.
"How do you...?"
"Little piece of advice? Don't bet with Ludo, he has a gambling problem and will take all 37 galleons and whatever change you decide on" Fred choked on nothing and George's eyes budged.
"What are you a seer or something?" Instead of saying anything she just smirked and continued walking seeing as the statement was a question not an actual guess, and walk they did, for a long time until they came to a hill with a lone boot at the top.
"Yes, it's just over there" Amos chuckled leaning on his hiking stick as they walked up hill, he looked back and winked at his son who gave a strained almost embarrassed smile and Lyra chuckled making his eyes drift to hers, his smile became more genuine.
"Shall we? We don't want to be late" Arthur walked closer to the boot.
"Get yourselves into a good position" Amos panted gently as he and Cedric dropped to there knees around the boot followed by the twins, Arthur and the others.
"Why are they sat around a manky old boot?" Harry frowned as he asked Ronald.
"That isn't just any manky old boot mate" Fred grinned.
George winked "It's a port key"
"What's a port key?" Harry looked panicked as they all reached for the boot.
Lyra reached up grabbing his shirt "Just grab hold Harry"
"After three, one, two, three" Amos counted them down, Harry grabbed the boot at probably the last moment and they were transported.
It was just as bad as apparation but it didn't make her feel as sick "Let go kids" Arthur yelled.
Hermione's head snapped up "What!"
"Let go!"
Lyra released the boot and tried to stop her fast falling, she managed to actually get the hang of it until Harry's flailing body hit her, she grunted as they spun out of control "I'm going to kill you!" she screeched louder then his panicked yelling, they spun and fell until they hit the ground with a hard thump "I hate you" Lyra grunted.
"I'm sorry" Harry winced looking up to see Arthur, Amos and Cedric gently gliding down to land on their feet, he'd seen Lyra start to do as such and he winced again when he turned and saw Lyra laying flat on her back wincing as she tried to catch her breath after he winded her "Sorry"
"I bet that cleared your sinuses ay?" Arthur grinned as Amos laughed.
Cedric helped Harry up but before Harry could turn to Lyra he saw Cedric holding his hand out, Lyra linked hers to his and allowed Cedric to pull her to her feet "You alright?"
"Fabulous" she grunted nodding her thanks as she started walking off, Harry wasn't sure what he felt, he'd never felt anything like it but he shook it off quickly to follow her as she reached the top of the hill and they all stopped to look at the chaos.
"Well kids? Welcome to the quidditch world cup!" Amos looked at all of their awed faces with a amused smirk.
"Come on, keep up girls!" Arthur warned as they walked into the huge crowd, Harry reached down at his warning and grabbed Lyra's hand to make sure she didn't slip off into the crowd but other then that he was looking around at everything he could. Cedric and Amos separated to find their own tent while Arthur lead them to their tent "Ahh home sweet home" Arthur stopped at their tent and held the door open for them all to walk inside.
"What?" Harry frowned watching them all walk in but he didn't release Lyra's hand.
Seeing his unease she smoothed small circles on the back of his hand with her thumb "It's a magic tent Harry, come" she gently pulled him inside and he gasped softly.
"Girls, choose a bed and unpack" Arthur took his bag off "Ron get out of the kitchen we're all hungry"
"Yeah! Get out of the kitchen Ron!" the twins parroted.
"Feet off the table" Arthur warned them as they both put their feet up on the table.
"I love magic" Harry whispered beside her and she chuckled releasing his hand she went to the girls to pick her bed.
"Lyra?" she stopped unpacking her bag to look at Ginny who was red in the face "Are you...Are you and Harry dating?"
"Me and Harry? No" she smiled and she hoped it came off genuine "No we aren't, why?"
"Oh, no...No reason, no reason at all...Not that it would be a bad thing if you two were...Dating that is, yeah" Ginny rushed out and went back to unpacking but Lyra and Hermione shared a look of amusement, Ginny had taken the top bunk which was a single while the bottom was a double bed meaning Lyra and Hermione were sharing which didn't bother either of them.
~~~
Their small group was walking the steps to their seats at the podium, Sirius and Remus had joined them and they would be sharing the tent with them that night "Blimey dad, how far up are we?" Ron grinned looking up at all the stairs and rows of people.
"Well put it this way, if it rains you'd be the first to know" Lucius' voice broke through the crowd and they all turned to face him, Draco was stood in his all black suit looking handsome as always.
Draco chuckled at his fathers statement "My father and i are in the ministers box...By personal invitation of Cornelius Fudge himself"
"Don't boast Draco" Lucius scolded his son, Malfoys didn't boast, they let their wealth speak for itself "There's no need with these people...Do enjoy yourself won't you? While you can" Lucius looked at Lyra who frowned slightly, he hadn't told her Moldy was back but at his subtle nod she knew he was, someone must have picked up from Wormtail which was slightly concerning because mostly everyone was much smarter then Peter.
Shaking the uneasy feelings off she winked at Draco who'd been watching her, in return he shot her a smirk before Lucius lead him off to greet other people there "Come on up, take your seats, i told you these seats would be worth waiting for" Arthur grinned as he joined back up with Amos, they were very high up.
Lyra wasn't sure what made her look back but when she did she saw a small elf, the elf was sat on a chair and was hiding her face in her hands as she trembled, Harry followed her eyes direction "Dobby?"
The elf lifted her head and looked at them with huge wide brown eyes and a round slightly bulbous nose like a tomato "Did sir just call me Dobby?" the elf squeaked, this hadn't happened in the films but maybe certain characters and plots that she remembered more solidly happened. Lyra remembered the films better just because she'd seen them, things were easier to remember that way but Winky was one character she could never forget.
"Sorry" Harry grimaced "I just thought you were someone i knew"
"But i knows Dobby too sir! My name is Winky sir, and you sir? You is surely Harry Potter" her eyes moved up to see if she could find his scar, the elfs eyes moved over his party of friends but came to a stop seeing black curls "And you is Dobbys Little Miss, Lyra!"
"I am" Lyra smiled with as much warmth as she could for this little slip of an elf.
"Dobby speaks of you two all the time" Winky still shook but it lessened.
"How is Dobby, how's freedom suiting him?" Harry asked gently.
Winky started shaking her head "Ah sir, meaning no disrespect sir but i is not sure you did Dobby a favour sir when you is setting him free"
"Why?" Harry frowned and the elf squeaked at his expression, her shaking figure shook more on her seat, she went on to explain that Dobby is now asking to be paid to work for people but Harry having not been taught about elves had asked her what was wrong with that.
"House elves do not be paid for their work, house elves do as they is told! I is not liking heights at all Harry Potter, but my master sends me to the top box and i come sir"
"Why did he sent you up here if he knows you don't like heights?" Lyra frowned but she knew the answer.
"Master sends me to save a seat Little Miss Lyra, he is very busy" the elf looked at the free seats next to her "Winky is wishing she is back in the tent but Winky does what she is told, Winky is a good house elf" Winky hid her face once more clearly reaching her limit of looking at the height and Harry turned back to Ron and Hermione while Lyra kept watch of the elf.
"Excuse me" she moved back a row "Winky?" the elf looked between her fingers at the witch "May i sit with you until your master is here? I can help you save his spot"
"Oh! Little miss doesn't have too! No Little miss doesn't have to at all!"
"I'd like to, if you'd allow me that is?"
"Yes! Winky allows Little miss to sit here until her master arrives" the elf nodded.
"Would you like to hold my hand? If you are scared?"
The elf beside her gasped loudly "Oh no Winky isn't allowed! Winky mustn't"
"Alright, that's okay Winky" She sat there just talking to Winky about absolutely anything so she could be kept distracted of the heights, that was until the elfs master turned up and was talking to Harry, Winky started to panic but Lyra smiled and wished her a goodbye as she walked back to her seat.
The Malfoys were with Winkys master along with Ludo Bagmen and Fudge, when they passed after their usual hostile petty arguments with the Weasleys Draco's hand reached out more then necessary to brush against hers in greeting. She flashed all three of them a big warm smile and managed to get smiles back but only public Malfoy smiles.
The Irish flew overhead starting the game making them crouch instinctually "It's the Irish! There's Troy!" Fred yelled as he pointed.
"And Mullet!"
"And Moran!" the twins were loving this.
The Irish flew up suddenly and set off explosions, it took the figure of a leprechaun that started to dance, it hit her then that this exact moment was probably where the twins got their love for fireworks like with Umbridge and the dragon. The Leprechaun burst and with it small golden rocks fell "Excellent!" Ronald yelled and scrambled to pick up the fallen gold.
"Ron, Ron stop, it's not real" Lyra pulled him upright as she spoke softly "It's not real gold"
When the Irish took to their side the Bulgarians flew out and flew two quick laps of the pitch, they all watched one of the players do tricks on his broom "Who's that?" Hermione looked at Lyra who smirked.
"That Mi is Viktor Krum" however with the players followed Veelas "Veela" Lyra grimaced remembering this part, she'd hoped it would be more like the films but apparently not.
"What is Veal--?" Harry frowned but stopped when he caught sight of the women, they really were beautiful with white golden hair and clear skin, the music started and the veela's started to dance.
The chaos that followed was ridiculous both Harry and Ronald had jumped forward as if to pitch themselves from the box to get to the women and they were far from the only ones "Harry, what are you doing!" Hermione demanded as he lifted his leg up to try to climb out of the box.
Lyra looked back and saw that Draco was simply sat in his seat staring out to the pitch as if he were bored, the music stopped and it was like all sense came to them again, Harry looked befuddled as he lowered his leg. The game was amazing, it ended just like she expected Ireland won but Krum caught the snitch.
~~~
Back at the tent the boys were dancing around singing on the tables, Hermione and Ginny were playing the drums for the boys to dance too, Lyra and Sirius were dancing by the fire Arthur and Remus just made.
"There's no one like Krum!" Ronald stopped dancing when the twins started to taunt the Bulgarian seeker.
"Dumb Krum?" Fred smirked, they thought he was thick seeing as he ended the game basically handing the Irish the win.
"He's like a bird the way he flies like the wind, he's not just an athlete..."
"Dumb Krum, dumb Krum" the twins where chanting and Lyra laughed loudly.
"He's an artist!" Ronald finished.
Ginny stood up abandoning her drum to stand beside Lyra instead "I think you're in love Ron"
"Shut up!" Ron snapped, he was clutching an Irish frag over his shoulders even if he had newly fallen in love with the Bulgarian player.
"Viktor i love you!" Fred sang grinning at his twin.
"Viktor i do!"
"When we're apart my heart beats only for you!" The twins, Harry and Lyra sang, she pretended to swoon into Georges arms who caught her as he cackled.
A bunch of explosions boomed from outside of the tent, George stood her upright still chuckling "Sounds like the Irish have their pride on" he joked as Ron started attacking Fred with a pillow.
"Stop! Stop it!" Arthur ran into the tent, none of them had even noticed he'd left "It's not the Irish"
Sirius moved forward with a frown "What do you mean Arthur?"
"We've got to get out of here, now" Arthur grabbed Ginny's arm as they all sobered up quickly.
They all left the tent and the chaos from before seemed like childs play now as people ran past shoving and barging as they went, people were screaming, tents were on fire "Get out of here, it's death eaters" a man screamed as he ran past them shoving Lyra as he went.
Sirius grabbed Lyra's shoulder tightly "Get back to the port key everybody, stick together!" Arthur yelled as he turned to the twins "Fred, George, Ginny is your responsibility! Go!" Fred pulled Ginny into his side as the girl panicked.
Arthur pulled his wand out and ran off to help a group of muggles who were being levitated into the air, Remus was quick to follow him but Sirius turned to Lyra "Go, Dad go, we'll be fine we'll go straight to the port key!" she waved him on. Sirius and Remus wasn't meant to be there and she was worried what would happen if they didn't stick together plus if they were near Crouch Jr, her father would attack and lord knows how that would pan out.
"Stay with Harry and the others, i'll find you soon i promise" he kissed her forehead and took off after Remus.
They were running but the crowd was trying to go a different way and in doing so the group of teens had to fight the tide of frightened people, "Lyra!" Hermione screeched grabbing onto her arm when she was almost separated from them all, Hermione's nails clawed into her skin as if to latch on to help Lyra stay with them.
"Harry?" Lyra turned round by the boy had already been swallowed by the sea of people "Harry!"
Just great.