They'd said goodbye to Sirius who reluctantly left the school, they found themselves in the Gryffindor common room, somewhere that both Harry and Lyra had avoided as much as possible but now it was filled with smiling faces and happy house mates.
The Weasley twins lifted Harry onto their shoulders as they spun him around while the crowd cheered, losing grip of the egg Harry used the last of his grip to throw it to Seamus who caught it "Knew you wouldn't die, lose a leg or an arm maybe" George grinned.
"But pack it in altogether?" Fred asked.
"Never!" the twins yelled bouncing Harry in the air.
"Shush!" Seamus kissed the egg throwing Lyra a dramatic glare when she snickered "Go on Harry, what's the clue?" he handed the golden egg back up to Harry, if anyone had glanced at Lyra at that point they would have noticed how she covered her ears tightly.
"Who want's me to open it?" Harry held it up for the room who cheered, he opened the latch on the golden egg and the screeching that followed made everyone fold in on themselves as they sought to cover their ears. Harry had been dropped from the twins shoulders in the moment and he grunted as he hit the floor but he forced the egg closed, the latch shutting and with it the noise stopped.
"What the bloody hell was that?" Ronald stormed into the common room.
"Alright everyone, go back to your knitting, this is going to be uncomfortable enough without all you nosy sods listening in" Fred called out and the crowd slowly disperse.
"Finally" Hermione muttered beside her and Lyra grinned, the girl pulled Lyra to their normal seat on the couch where they cuddled in together and caught up on everything but really they were listening to the weird conversation Harry and Ron were having "Boys" she whispered shaking her head as she looked at Lyra.
"Alright lover boys, this is a celebration so either kiss or come sit down!" Lyra called and both boys glared with a blush but they both rushed to the couch "Idiots, the lot of them"
~~~
They were sat in the great hall for breakfast, Lyra sat next to Harry while Ron and Hermione sat opposite "Hi Harry" the Patil twins passed and giggled to each other, Lyra simply rolled her eyes but didn't look up from her book.
That was until Harry accidentally spat pumpkin juice onto her lap "Argh! What the hell!" she looked up to see Cho telling her friends not to laugh "You have got to be kidding me Potter" she growled at the boy, she got a lap full of juice because of his stupid crush?
"I...I'm sorry!" he handed her napkins from the table but she vanished the mess from her lap.
"Whatever" she hissed and scooted away from him making a gap between them moving closer to Seamus who immediately started telling her about his last explosion.
"Look at this!" Hermione slapped her issue of the Daily Profit down on the table "I can't believe it, she's done it again"
Lyra took the paper and started to read aloud "Miss Granger, a plain but ambitious girl seems to be developing a taste for famous wizards. Her latest prey, sources report is none other then the Bulgarian bonbon, Viktor Krum...No word yet on how Harry Potter's taking this latest emotional blow...Yikes, how can someone go from stunningly pretty to plain?"
"Forget that, it gets much worse look here" Hermione glared at the paper and pointed to a paragraph further down.
"Sources speculate that Miss Grangers best friend, Lyra Black, is abiding her time before getting revenge on the muggleborn. The Heir of house Black is seen to be following Harry Potter around like a dog snapping at any who questions how he was picked for the Tournament...Perhaps Miss Granger should keep a wary eye out, for what is that saying? An apple doesn't fall far from the tree?" Lyra read before she rolled her eyes and scrunched the paper up and forced it into her goblet of juice.
"She can not continue doing this!" Hermione snapped watching the paper absorb the juice in the cup as it began to disintegrate.
"Parcel for you Mr Weasley" a young Gryffindor walked forward with a package.
Ron smiled taking the package "Oh, thank you Nigel" the young boy lingered as he stared at Harry, Hermione cleared her throat and Ron looked up seeing the boy was still there "Not now, Nigel. Later" The boy pouted slightly but left without another word, when Ron realised all of his friends were watching him he shrugged "I told him i'd get him Harry's autograph...Oh look mum sent me something"
Lyra's ears pricked and she glanced at the box, this was definitely going to make up for that article. Ron pulled out a vintage looking piece of cloth, it was dark and Lyra couldn't even begin to put a colour to it, one moment it looked brown but then the light would hit it and brown wouldn't fit anymore. It was hurting her brain but one thing was for sure, it was atrocious. The frills were almost a pink around all the hems, it also came with a lacy piece that was meant to sit under the waist coat.
"Mum's sent me a dress?" he held it up for them to fully see.
Harry grinned "Well it does match your eyes, is there a bonnet? Ah ha!" he grabbed the centre lacy thing, it was so old Lyra wasn't exactly sure what it was called but attached to it was a black bowtie.
"Put those down Harry" he looked to his left where his sister sat a few seats down "Ginny, these must be for you"
"I'm not wearing that, it's ghastly" Ginny grimaced staring at the fabric in his hand as if it personally insulted her, Lyra slapped her hand over her mouth to stop her laughter.
Hermione however, didn't "What?" Ron frowned walking back to them.
"They're not for Ginny, they're for you, dress robes" Hermione grinned while Lyra's shoulders shook with her silent laughter.
"Dress robes? For what?"
"Yule Ron" Lyra snickered "But we can fix it i swear!"
~~~
Gryffindor years four through seven had been called to the transfiguration class room which was empty of tables, it only held benches down either side of the room.
"The Yale Ball has been a tradition of the Triwizard Tournament" McGonagall tried to keep her composure while Filch messed with the huge gramophone making it crackle "Since it's inception, on Christmas eve night, we and our guests gather in the great hall for a night of well mannered frivolity. As representatives of the host school, i expect each and everyone of you to put your best foot forward and i mean this literally because the Yule Ball is first and foremost...A dance"
The girls side of the hall had come alive with whispers and soft giggles while the boys side was just filled with groans and whining. Hermione jostled Lyra's arm with a smile and Lyra snickered "Silence!" McGonagall cut them off "The house of Godric Gryffindor has commanded the respect of the wizard world for nearly 10 centuries. I will not have you, in the course of a single evening besmirching that name by behaving like a babbling, bumbling band of baboons"
Lyra looked up and saw the Weasley twins going back and fourth trying to see who could say that sentence faster which made her chuckle softly "Now to dance is to let the body breathe. Inside every girl is a secret swan slumbers longing to burst forth and take flight"
A small group of mean snickers came from the boys side "Inside every boy, a lordly lion prepared to prance, Mr Weasley?"
"Yes?" Ron muttered trying to look innocent.
"Will you join me please?" McGonagall indicated for him to stand and he hesitantly climbed to his feet and moved to stand with her in the centre of the hall. Lyra grinned and made sure her full focus was on this because she wanted to use this for the pensive she was sure she had in the family vault "Now, place your right hand on my waist"
"Where?" Ron looked flabbergasted as if McGonagall had just asked him to touch a breast.
"My waist" the older woman had patience of a saint for sure, Ron unwillingly took the dancing stance and a loud wolf whistle rang out making Ron try to pull away but McGonagall replaced his arm "Mr Filch if you please"
Music started to play "One, two, three" McGonagall started moving Ron around the room in a very awkward looking dance "Everybody come together" the girls stood and waited but the boys didn't move an inch "Boys, on your feet!"
Neville stood uncertainly "Neville you have just become the new favourite of the house" Lyra grinned with a wink and he smiled gently looking unsure "Knew you were more Gryffindor then all this sorry lot"
The other Gryffindor boys bristled and some begrudgingly stood walking towards a girl of there choosing which seemed so unfair so Lyra walked straight to Seamus and grabbed his hand pulling him to his feet.
"Oh come on" he whined.
She grinned "Thank you for volunteering Seamus, now take my waist"
"Why me, why not Harry?" the Irish boy frowned but took her hand and waist.
"He has one hand, i can't dance with that, do not step on my toes"
The class had been fun all the girls had a fun time and most of the boys who even danced were grinning as well.
~~~
Lyra was getting ready to go to Hogsmeade with Hermione for dresses when her name being called made them stop, the pair turned and saw Beauxbatons Beau Dupont making his way towards them.
"Mademoiselle" he bowed over her hand when she gave it to him.
"Monsieur"
"I hope i have, erh...Caught? Caught you at a good time?" he stumbled over the use of English but it was very endearing.
"Yes, this is a very good time. Is there something you needed?" she asked kindly seeing the boy keep looking back at his friend who was waiting patiently.
"I erh, i was hoping that..." he flushed ever so slightly as he kept stumbling he shook his head, he quickly switched to a language he was more confident in "j'espérais que tu m'accorderais le plaisir de me permettre de t'escorter au bal de Noël?"
(I was hoping you would grant me the pleasure of allowing me to escort you to the Yule Ball?)
Lyra's smile widened and Hermione giggled just slightly behind her "ce serait un honneur d'assister au bal avec toi"
(It would be an honour to attend the ball with you)
The pair had a polite conversation before Beau was saying his goodbyes and the two girls were back on track for Hogsmeade "I can't believe it!" Hermione squealed gently and Lyra laughed.
"Me? I can't believe you!" she grinned before putting on a manly voice "I wish to escort you to the Yule Ball, if you will have me Hermioninny"
"Oh hush!" Hermione snickered "He will get my name right eventually it was just the first time he'd said it, Viktor tried very hard"
"Of course but look at us, each having a date from a different school, i'm glad we're branching out"
"I wonder who the boys are taking?"
Lyra shrugged "Don't look at me, i haven't seen anything" the two girls shopped what seemed hours trying on dress after dress, it wasn't until they found a hidden back corner of Gladrags, a shop predominately made of merchandise and socks, that held some of the most stunning dresses.
Hermione had found a pretty periwinkle ruffled dress that fit her like a dream while Lyra found a dress that screamed Sirius and Gryffindor. It was a bold blood red mermaid style, split dress with a sweetheart neckline and off the shoulder straps, she got the split sown up a bit taking the slit from almost her pelvis to three inches above the knee to make it more appropriate.
"Wow, we look..."
"Good" Lyra looked at their reflections and Hermione chuckled.
"I was going to say different but sure good fits too"
~~~
They were in the great hall studying for an upcoming test on the last day of term, the Yule Ball was coming up and no one was talking about anything else but the ball.
"This is mad, at this rate we'll be the only one in out year without dates" Ron hissed at Harry a few seats away from Lyra who was focusing for the test, she would not...Could not fail "Ow" Ron muttered when Snape shoved his head down trying to get him to focus on his test "Well us and Neville" he whispered when Snape passed them.
"Yeah, but then again he can take himself" Harry joked back.
Hermione tutted beside her and leant towards the two nattering boys "It might interest you to know that Neville's already got someone"
"Argh, now i'm really depressed" there was a moments silence before Ron opened his big mouth once more "Oi Hermione, you're a girl"
"Very well spotted" Hermione narrowed her eyes.
"Come with one of us?" Ron asked but Snape had appeared and hit the back of his head once more with a book he was holding, he then hit Harry when he chuckled, when he left Ron sighed "Come on, it's one thing for a bloke to show up alone, for a girl it's just sad"
"I won't be going alone, because, believe it or not, someone's asked me!" Hermione hissed as she collected her things and slipped from the table, on her way back from Snape she stopped at the table "And i said yes!"
"Bloody hell, she's lying right?" Ron whispered in shock.
"No Ronald, she isn't lying" Lyra was quick to finish her sentence having completed the sheet she also collected her books "Sometimes Ron, you are a really horrid person and your night at the Yule will be miserable because of it" she walked to Snape handing in her work before she ran to catch up with a now sniffling Hermione.
"They are barmy, the pair of them!" Ron watched Lyra's hair sway side to side as she jogged from the hall, both boys grunted when Snape put a hand on either one of their heads and shoved them forward.
Later that evening after dinner Harry grabbed her wrist stopping her from walking up the steps to the girls dorms "Lyra?"
"Yes Harry?"
"Do you...I mean, would you want to go to the ball with me?"
Lyra blinked once, then again and then a third time while his question sunk in "I thought you were going to ask Cho?"
The boy flushed "Oh she's, she's going with someone else..."
"So i'm your backup choice?"
"Well...That's not..."
She held up her hand "You don't need to explain, but my answer is no. Someone asked me weeks ago"
"Weeks?" Harry frowned "Who Malfoy?"
"No, Draco asked me about six days ago, followed by Seamus, Justin Finch-Fletchley and a few others...Just so you know"
"Who's your date then?"
"Beau"
Harrys face scrunched up "Who?"
"Beau Dupont"
"I don't know that name" Harry shook his head.
"And that is a shame, now i'm off to bed. Good luck with finding another backup choice for the ball" she smiled but it was too strained and in his shock she managed to dislodge his hand from her wrist and ran up the steps.
In the room Hermione looked up at her with teary eyes "What's wrong?"
"Boys are so thick! They just don't think!"
"Who?" Hermione frowned shutting the potions book she was reading.
"Argh, Harry" Lyra slumped down onto the bed laying her head in Hermione's lap, shutting her eyes when Hermione started running her fingers through her curls "I was his backup choice but they don't even understand how hurtful that is, like we should just be grateful they'd even thought to ask us on a friendship level"
"Well it's a good thing we already got our dates huh?" Hermione smiled as she did a loose braid "You seriously have to tell me your curl routine someday"
"I use charms, i can teach you them. They're quite simple really takes barely two seconds"
"Maybe for the ball"
"Lyra! Hermione! Come quickly it's Ron!" Parvati rushed into the room and the two girls ran down the stairs to see Ron quivering on the sofa by the fire.
"What happened?" Hermione dropped to her knees by the boys feet while Lyra leant against the arm chair looking relaxed.
Ginny patted her brothers shoulder "He asked out Fleur Delacour"
"What did she say?" Harry stood behind Hermione as they all stared at Ron.
"No of course" Hermione tutted the boy behind her but Ron shook his head grimacing and Hermione gasped covering her face "She said yes?"
"Don't be silly" Ron breathed looking slightly green at that point "There she was walking by, you know how i like it when they walk" Harry nodded as if this wasn't a new thing he'd heard while Lyra cocked a brow "I couldn't help it, it just slipped out"
"Actually, he sort of screamed at her" Ginny frowned looking at Hermione "It was a bit frightening"
Lyra snickered but bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself "What did you do then?" she gritted out trying to keep her amusement out of her voice.
"What else, i ran for it" Ron looked up at them wide eyed and Lyra couldn't help it, she really couldn't but her lips trembled as they tried desperately to hold off a smile. Once it started she couldn't stop the cackle that slipped and then it just got louder.
"Lyra!" Hermione scolded her but it did nothing.
"I'm sorry!" she laughed "Honestly Ron you're fine, i'm sure she's used to it by now you know seeing as she's half veela"
Ron paled slightly more "What!"
"Half veela? Yeah so i'm sure she barely noticed" Lyra giggled "Ran...He ran" she repeated to herself as she pushed off the arm rest and started towards the stairs as she laughed to herself "Brilliant"
~~~
December 24th had been marked off of every calendar in Hogwarts in excitement, Lyra and Hermione had spent the day pampering. Lyra spent hours showing Hermione how to style her new hair when Hermione fell in love with her curl charm, they had bathed, Lyra showed Hermione her favourite hair removal spell which earned her a pinch to the arm for the pain she 'forgot' to warn Hermione about.
They'd called for Kreacher who was beside himself at being needed for something so big when there were other elves in the castle. He'd puffed up when Lyra had asked for his help but in reality she really did miss him, she'd normally be home by now and didn't want him to get lonely. When both girls when done and dressed, all of which without the use of sleekeasy they had said goodbye to Kreacher who wished them a goodnight clutching the wrapped gift Lyra had given him to open Christmas day to his chest.
"Did you help Ron with his dress robes?" Hermione asked randomly as they walked together down the many steps towards the great hall, both girls being cautious in their heels as they gripped the others arm.
"Hell no, not after what he said to you, i'm sure he figured something out" She shrugged and Hermione tightened her grip on her arm.
"Thank you" Hermione whispered so softly Lyra barely caught it.
"You and me Mi, you're my bestfriend"
"And you are mine"
Lyra smirked "Is this where we kiss?"
Hermione slapped her and laughed "Lyra! Oh my god you are..."
"I am my fathers daughter, what can i say" they made it to the last set of steps "Right then, let's get this bit over with" she took Hermione hand and together they turned the corner and walked down the last set making sure the other girl didn't fall.
"She looks beautiful" Parvati whispered the moment she saw Hermione, beside her Lyra clutched her best friends hand also looking stunning but Hermione seemed to have a huge glowup in the span of a few hours.
"Yes, she does" Harry muttered watching Cho smile up at Cedric but when he saw Parvati was looking in the opposite direction he turned and froze. Hermione and Lyra were almost down the steps to the great hall and he felt his heart lodge into his throat, she looked...Otherworldly, the red brought out the glow on her skin and made Lyra look like magic, like pure undiluted magic.
But before he could say anything his view was blocked by a head of black hair, a Beauxbatons boy stood in front of Lyra while shockingly Viktor Krum stood beside him in front of Hermione.
Both boys bowed and the girls took the hand offered to them respectively "I'll see you inside Mi" Lyra smiled, her red painted lips glistened pleasantly and kissed Hermione's cheek, leaving no mark behind before she allowed Beau to lead her inside the hall to join the others.
Harry frowned when she hadn't even looked at him, she may not have but Beau did, the boy smiled politely but Harry didn't like it either way. What kind of stupid name was Beau? Sounded too girly, too soft.
Beau lead Lyra to a spot in the crowd so they could see when their friends entered "You look magnifique" Beau whispered as he took her in.
Lyra grinned "You look very handsome yourself"
"Je suis un gars chanceux" He grinned and she chuckled (I'm a lucky guy)
"Yes, you are" she winked and he released a deep sounding laugh that made her break out in goosebumps but before he could reply the doors opened and everyone clapped as the champions walked in.
First in was Fleur and her partner who was Ravenclaw quidditch captain Roger Davis, she looked stunning in a shimmery silver dress that had lace flower detailing.
They were followed by Hermione and Viktor, the blue of her dress should have clashed with his red formal uniform but somehow they made it look endearing and cohesive.
Next to walk into the hall was Cedric and Cho who was also wearing silver but instead of a dress she was in traditional Chinese cheongsam which looked just wonderful on her.
Last into the hall was Harry who was escorting Parvati Patil, the girls dress looked so much better then the ones they wore in the films. It was still a traditional Indian Choli and Sari but it was beautiful with intricate stitching and suited her much better then the orange and pink set Lyra had seen her wear in the film.
They all gathered around to watch the champions dance, it looked wonderful, Hermione looked like she was having a wonderful time already. Beau leant down putting his mouth by her ear to speak to her quietly "Your friend erh, is not the good dancer no?"
"I think she's doing wonderfully" she frowned as she glanced his way, his icey blue eyes shocking her at how clear they were when he chuckled.
"Non, le garçon" (No, the boy)
Lyra's eyes locked onto Harry who did in fact look too stiff, he lifted Parvati by the waist along with the others but she didn't get as high as the other girls as he looked around the room "He's nervous" Harry looked one blink away from his knees buckling but she guessed this was just thrown on him.
Beau hummed as he watched the Hogwarts head walk onto the dance floor with another teacher and began dancing "Mademoiselle?" He held out his hand to his date who smiled and took the offered appendage allowing him to lead her to the dance floor where they began to dance. They were one of the first to join the champions but Beau was not one to shy under pressure so he took his date into his grasp and lead her around the dance floor.
On the lifts his hands laid respectfully on the small of her waist as he held her in the air before bringing her softly back to her feet, the whole time they laughed, twirled, just got to know each other on a deeper level. He found he quite liked it when she laughed, how her silver eyes seemed to look molten when she was happy, he found himself staring at her painted lips more often then he knew was gentlemanly.
After a few slow dances the band was invited to the stage, at that point Lyra had demanded they found her friend, he agreed readily wanting to keep the smile on her face finding it made him smile in return. Right then he was watching the two girls dance together, they took it in turns spinning the other as they laughed loudly not having a care in the world.
Viktor grinned stealing Hermione as Lyra span her outward and Beau took the girls spot but smoothly spun Lyra towards him instead. As they continued to dance the two boys moved well spinning the girls at the same time before catching the other dancing for a bit before returning the girls to their original dates. Every time they did so Lyra would laugh loudly making any in hearing range smile along at the hearty sound while Hermione would squeal and flush gently in a sweetly shy way.
But after 5 consecutive songs all four were warm and in need of a drink so the two boys bowed and as gentlemen should left them to go get them much needed refreshments. Hermione sighed her face a constant pleasant pink, she took Lyra's hand and walked towards Harry and Ron who'd sat at a table after the first dance and hadn't seemed to move. Lyra noticed Harry's date Parvati was dancing with a Durmstrang boy while Padma, who was wearing a turquoise choli and Sari, was sat slumped in her seat looking pitiful.
"Hot isn't it?" Hermione breathy voice brought Lyra back from her thoughts "Viktor and Beau have gone to get drinks, would you care to join us?"
"No, we'd not care to join you and Viktor" Ron snarled at Hermione when Harry went to agree.
Harry frowned but his face smoothed when he locked eyes with Lyra who was smirking "What's got your wand in a knot?" Hermione questioned gently.
Ron scoffed "He's a Durmstrang, you're fraternizing with the enemy"
"Wasn't it you who asked Fleur to the ball? She's another champion" Lyra cocked a brow un-phased by the glare Ron sent her way "Green is not your colour Ronald"
"I'm not wearing green" the boy looked down at his robes.
"You're the one who wanted his autograph" Hermione hissed "Besides, the whole point of the tournament is international magical cooperation...To make friends"
"I think he's got a bit more then friendship on his mind" Ron glanced back at Viktor who was stood with Beau both having a polite conversation as they watched their witches. Hermione stood at the accusation, she went to say something but choose not to instead she walked towards Krum who moved from the table to greet her with a cup of punch.
"Are you going to ask me to dance or not?" Padma spoke up turning to her date while Lyra glared at Ron.
"No" Ronald shook his head clearly sulking.
"Jealously does not suit you, i did warn you Ron. You did this to yourself" Lyra stood from the seat she had taken "Now, if you will excuse me, i have an enemy i would like to fraternise with" she brushed her dress down and moved off towards her date who welcomed her with a cup of punch and a wide grin.
After much needed refreshments they went back to the dance floor, Beau showed off his skilled moves with lifts and spins as he glided them around the hall receiving a smile or laugh in return from the witch in his arms.
As they slow danced a hand tapped Beaus shoulder making him pause and pull back from his date, in front of them was a boy with white hair "Would you mind if i stole your date for a dance?" the blonde questioned.
Beau turned to his date who greeted the white haired wizard with a happy smile "Bien sûr" (Of course) he handed Lyra's hand to the white wizard, he didn't really want to pass his date over but it was the polite thing to do.
Draco tightened his grip on Lyra moving her further onto the floor "A beauxbatons? Really Lyra?"
"He has been perfectly pleasant" she huffed softly "I see you're still leading Parkinson on"
"I am not, we came as friends"
"Did you tell her that" Lyra nodded her head backwards to where Pansy stood glaring at the two, Draco followed the movement and sighed.
"Bloody hell, witches" he rolled his eyes lifted Lyra into a lift "Have you had a good night?"
"I have, very much so, have you?"
Draco shrugged "It's been fine, would have been better if you'd have accepted my hand"
"Beau had already asked me Draco, if not i would have gone with you, you know that"
"Not like the tosser gave me a chance, he pretty much asked you the day the ball was announced!" Draco scoffed spinning her once more "When is it going to get better Lyra?"
"Well as the muggles say, the early bird gets the worm and it's going to get much worse before it get's better Dragon" she frowned and laid her head on his shoulder "Much worse"
"Will you be safe?"
"I can not promise anything but i will try to be safe as any would in war so long as you swear the same thing...But we will survive this Draco, no matter how hard things get or scary we will survive it"
"Lyra?" she hummed in question not lifting her head from his shoulder "Did you just refer to yourself as a worm?" she giggled tucking her face into his suit as he laughed with her, the melancholy mood around them lifted as they danced.
They danced until the song ended and to Draco's annoyance the poncy tosser came to collect Lyra the moment it drifted into another song, Draco lifted her hand placing a kiss to her knuckles which made her frowned gently, Draco was always proper so why the break in propriety?
Lyra was sat speaking with Beau giving her feet a well needed rest when she saw Hermione and Ron storm passed in a heated argument "Will you excuse me for a moment?"
"Of course" he nodded having clocked onto the two teens arguing, he watched Lyra leave the hall to follow them.
"Next time there's a ball pluck up the courage and ask me before somebody else does!" Hermione yelled with tears in her eyes "And not as a last resort!"
"Well that's--I mean that's just completely off the point...Harry!" Ron looked relieved to have backup and Lyra looked over her shoulder startling slightly seeing how close Harry was standing behind her, he locked eyes with her green clashing with silver and went to say something but Hermione beat him to the punch.
"Where have you been?" Hermione swung round, Harry raised a hand pointing towards the bathrooms but she cut him off before he could speak again "Never mind, off to bed both of you"
Harry passed Lyra brushing against her arm as he did so, him and Ron started walking up the steps "They get scary as they get older" Ron taunted as he went.
"Ron, you spoiled everything!" Hermione yelled as she moved towards them making them run faster up the stairs, Lyra grabbed her hand. Hermione sunk onto the steps taking off her shoes, Lyra quick to follow her as her friend sobbed into her chest.
"He's an idiot, a jealous, selfish idiot" Lyra whispered "Look at me" she moved her hand under Hermione's chin tilting it up so they locked eyes "Is this how you want the night to end? Crying on the stairs to the great hall? This dark cloud over a good night?"
"No" Hermione whispered with a sniffled.
"Then you will dry those tears, collect yourself and we will go back in there and dance until our feet cry"
"They already are" Hermione joked weakly and Lyra grabbed her wand casting a cooling charm on Hermione feet along with a fresh cushioning charm on her heels which she laid in front of Hermione with a warning glance that made Hermione sigh and slip them back on.
"Not a good enough excuse" Lyra stood and dramatically bowed holding out her hand "My lady, may i, a pitiful maiden be honoured with having your hand so i may dance the rest of this lovely night away in your presence?"
Hermione giggled as she wiped her face still sniffling slightly but her eyes no longer burned "Well i don't know...What would everyone say?"
"Who cares about everyone when there is simply you and I" Lyra bobbed her brows with a lazy wink, Hermione blushed prettily and put her hand in Lyra's.
"You and I"
"You and I Mi, always" Lyra dragged her friend back into the hall which was slowly clearing out, people either going to bed or finding a quite nook. The two girls stormed into the hall ignoring all the slow dancing couples Lyra started spinning Hermione as if the song playing was a much faster pace.
"Lyra! We can't dance like this to this song"
"It does not matter, you and I remember" Lyra grinned spinning Hermione before dipping the girl dramatically making her cackle, the dip was harder then she thought but she made sure not to drop her best friend, how the boys made it look so easy was beyond her but she was pretty proud of how effortless she made it look.
"Lyra!"
"Dance with me Mi, let us have the best fucking night of our lives right here, right now!"
"Oh for goodness sake" Hermione rolled her eyes but gave up and the pair started dancing, jumping, laughing as they had at the beginning of the night. Others watched were confused slightly concerned but some were amused like the twins who jinxed the gramophone to start playing a fast paced song.
McGonagall yelled scolding the two twins who were running around trying not to get caught, hearing the music Lyra upped the anti as she danced wildly like no one was watching forcing Hermione to do the same. She didn't stop until Hermione's tears were now elated ones where she was laughing so hard, at least now Hermione's memory was not shrouded by unhappy memories of Ronald Weasley.
~~~
Christmas break at Grimmauld Place she had waited until everyone was sleeping before she made her move "Kreacher?" she whispered and her elf popped into her room.
He noticed her clothing and coat "Where is Mistress Lyra going?"
"Do you member the cottage we went to a while ago?"
"Of course" Kreacher nodded his head remembering the night she spoke of.
"I need to go back, not to the cottage but close to it, a graveyard"
Kreacher took her hand "Is it another?"
"No Kreacher but i have seen i must do this, can you please take me?" as soon as she finished she felt herself being squeezed through a small tube as Kreacher whisked them off, when she opened her eyes they were stood in the village. She saw a older gentleman walking even though it was getting a little late "Out of sight please Kreacher" she whispered and Kreacher disappeared so she walked over to the man.
"Excuse me sir?" he looked up at her, his eyes creasing with the small smile he sent her way "Could you possibly point me in the direction of the cemetery? I wasn't going to come but i couldn't..." she made her voice crack slightly for dramatic effect.
"Of course dear" he patted her arm "If you go down this road, keep going until you come to a bend, it's on the right"
"Thank you" She whispered "Happy Christmas"
"Happy Christmas dear girl" he nodded and watched her go with a sad expression before he went about his night.
The moment the man was out of sight Kreacher reappeared by her side, the pair walked in silence as they entered the graveyard. Lyra didn't use her wand for light worried someone would be watching seeing as she could see the Riddle house off in the distance and she knew if she could see it they could definitely see her.
She knew roughly what she was looking for so it didn't take her long to find it, it was a huge ghastly thing. It looked to present death with the cloak and scythe but it had wings on it's back. Taking a deep breath she used her magic to lift the huge thing, grunting she moved it down a few spots switching the head stones.
It was rude to do so and she knew that but they were dead and if she really felt that bad about it, in a year or so she would put it all back. To make sure no one noticed the switch, she replaced the others shuffling them about accordingly.
The spell called for the bones of his father, they couldn't completely the spell if they used the wrong bones could they.
"Mistress Lyra, someone is coming! A wizard!" Kreacher grabbed her hand.
"Wait, i need a few seconds" she tried to tidy up the area, to get rid of any evidence someone tampered with it, if they noticed it would be for nothing.
"Quickly!" Kreacher hissed his head swinging back and forth.
She had just finished removing the flowers from the grave that was now meant to be Riddles when a streak of neon green flew over her shoulder. She gasped as her head snapped up, her hair smoked at how close the killing curse got, another streak of magic this time red in colour flew her way. Lyra hissed as it caught her face slicing the skin of her cheek sending her to the ground, Lyra scrambled back with her heels digging into the dirt and she raised the wand she had brought a few weeks ago secretly casting quickly "Bombarda!" she yelled and saw a black figure fly backwards when her spell hit the tombstone it stood by.
Before anything else could be done Kreacher had grabbed her hand and had apparated them out of there and straight into the Black wards.
"Where have you--WHAT THE FUCK!" her father was stood in the living room clearly having been waiting for them, he rushed towards her grabbing her chin "MOONY!"
Remus, along with Harry, had ran into the room at the yelling and saw Lyra staring wide eyed at Sirius while blood pooled down the right side of her face. A slice from temple to chin adorned her face, the blood was dripping into her eye that the cut had narrowly missed, she had blood down her front and it also clumped in her hair.
"Lyra!" Remus gasped as he went straight to the healing spells he knew.
Harry moved to her side clutching onto a dirt stained hand as if she'd been digging in soil with her bare hands "What happened!"
"They caught me, i wasn't meant to be seen...They wasn't meant to see me...All for nothing"
"Who...Who Lyra?" Sirius' face was pulled up into a snarl, he looked ready to storm after them that instance.
"I didn't see...Too dark, it had to be dark...They wasn't meant to see me" she rambled wincing when Remus made her skin re-stitch itself.
"It shouldn't scar but it will be red and itchy for a while" Remus noted but instead of Lyra nodding it was Harry who looked to be listening "I'm going to put dittany on and we'll reapply in a bit"
"What was you doing Lyra? Who caught you?" Sirius pushed Remus out of the way to recup her face trying to get her attention but she seemed dazed, that's when he noticed burnt curls.
"She's in shock Sirius" Remus warned his friend who was pushing her too hard for answers.
"I had to...I had to try, i'm sorry" it was like she finally came to as she focused on her father "I'm sorry, i had to try...I saw it, i saw them die and He came back...I had to. I had to try."
"The killing curse" Kreacher growled from where he stood behind her, it had all happened quickly, too quickly, his own heart thudded away in his chest. That blasted curse had skimmed passed his Lyra, and he'd been there, feet away, she almost died and he'd been feet away!
"I beg your fucking pardon!" Sirius growled in return his own taking on a more animal sound thanks to his Animagus form.
"They almost hit her with it"
Sirius growled turning on the elf "Why would you take her somewhere she could get hurt! Huh? After everything you put her in danger!"
"I ordered him, i had to do it and i can't apparate yet. It was entirely my fault, no one was meant to see me"
Her father swung back to look at her watching as Remus applied the potion to his daughters face who winced and tightened her grip on Harrys hand who sat all but pressed to her side "What was it? You've mentioned time and time again but not once have you told us what this thing was? What was worth so much you put your very life at risk!"
"Voldemort...I saw him come back with the help of a potion, it called for something and i had to make sure they couldn't get to it"
"Your life Lyra!" Sirius yelled "Your life is worth more then a potion ingredient!"
"Not in the grand scheme of things! If i did this successfully who knows how many people i saved!"
"And if it wasn't successful? If you had died tonight for nothing? What then?" Sirius glared as he paced "Did you think about any of us? Did you! How could you be so selfish? I am your father!"
"And where have you been!" she yelled rearing to her feet, the room fell silent. Remus and Harry had backed up watching the magic swirl around the room in response to their rage, the Black family were known for their temper but what was not well known was the fact that magic responded to that temper eagerly.
The fight was sucked from Sirius quicker then it had built "...Lyra"
"No! No! You don't get to do that!" Lyra snapped moving to stand in front of him "You made your decision, you yourself were selfish and where did that leave me? Here! I was shipped off to this house into the very hands of...And you stand here and have the nerve to call me selfish?" she raised her hand pointing to his chest "I begged you not to leave! Pleaded with you...The worst part? I knew what was going to happen, i knew you were innocent and i was fed to the wolves who believed the charges against you"
"Lyra please--"
"Everything i have done was for you! Everything! And i'm selfish? I'm trying to keep everyone alive, if i die then so be it because at the end of the day who even am i? No one, i'm just some daughter of a man people believe is a death eater...The good side wouldn't care if i died and the evil side would celebrate at my funeral so what more do you want from me? Because i'm doing everything i can!"
Sirius grabbed her shoulders not allowing her to break free from his grip when she tried, she screamed in rage into his chest as he held her there and the magic in the room became almost stifling "You are my daughter, You are mine! If you died what do i have? I...I have made many mistakes in my life but that day will always be my biggest one, i never, never should have left you and i will always try to make that up to you until my last breath but i can not allow you to put your life on the line like this" he tightened his grip on her even more as it high how close he'd come to losing her tonight, somewhere along the way she'd stopped fighting him "Nothing is worth more to me then your and Harry's lives, allow me to help you"
But that seemed to be the worst thing to say because she screeched angrily "I don't want your help!" Lyra tried to break free of his hold once more feeling a hot feeling rise in her chest but he didn't let go and he felt her start to falter "I don't...I don't need your help!"
"You may not baby but you have it anyway, you are not alone, let me do this for you"
Lyra shook her head, she was tired and her adrenaline was fading fast leaving her feeling haggard "It's too dangerous"
Sirius chuckled dryly "And that's meant to help your case? If you don't allow me i'll have to put extra wards on this house so i know when you leave it"
"That's an invasion of my privacy!"
"And i apologise that i can't find it inside myself to truly apologise for doing it" Sirius shrugged holding her tighter to his chest "Swear it to me right now that you will not doing something so dangerous again without myself, Remus or Dumbledore knowing"
"Not Dumbledore"
"What? Why not the old man?"
"I trust him to help save the world but i do not trust the price he believes is necessary to do so, i don't want him knowing i'm a seer nor do i wish to share what i know with him unless i have to" Sirius frowned but nodded respecting her wishes, that night the four of them slept in the living room, or rather Lyra slept while the other three continued to roll and periodically woke to check on the sleeping girl.
~~~
"Harry, you told us you figured the egg out weeks ago!" Hermione scolded as the three of them stood on the bridge, Ron was off with Seamus doing god knows what "The task is two days from now"
"Really? I had no idea?" Harry rolled his eyes at the girl "I suppose Viktor has already figured it out"
"Wouldn't know, we don't actually talk about the tournament...Actually we don't really talk at all, Viktor is more of a physical being" Both Harry and Lyra smirked at each other before looking at Hermione who huffed "I just mean he's not particularly loquacious"
"Mhh hmm" Harry hummed in agreement having no idea what 'loquacious' meant.
"Mostly he watches me study, it's a bit annoying actually" Hermione studied Harry for a while "You are trying to figure this egg out aren't you?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Hermione was not put off by his tense tone "It just means these tasks are designed to test you, in the most brutal way, they're almost cruel and i'm...I'm scared for you, Lyra is too she just won't admit it. You got by the dragons mostly on nerve, i'm not sure it's going to be enough this time"
"Hey Potter!" Cedric's voice broke the awkward silence that followed, Harry went to walk away but Lyra caught his wrist keeping him by her side.
"Cedric"
"How...How are you?" the Hufflepuff asked gently.
Harry frowned eyes darting to Lyra "Spectacular?"
"Look, i realised i never truly thanked you for tipping me off about the dragons"
"Forget about it, i'm sure you would have done the same"
"Exactly" Cedric stopped Harry when he went to move off again "Do you know the prefect bathrooms on the fifth floor? It's not a bad place for a bath"
Lyra bit the inside of her lip form laughing at how promiscuous that sounded but Cedric saw her and must have realised because he flushed redder then Weasleys hair and backed up a bit "Just take you egg and mull things over in the hot water...Black" he nodded in greeting as she continued to stare.
"Diggory" she smirked giving him a lazy wink which sent him walking quite briskly the other way towards his friends, his blush still firmly attached.
"What the hell was that about?" Hermione frowned watching the boy go.
"Seems to me Diggory just gave you a clue, bit too close to the next task for me but hey better late then never but this is good because all i'm getting is water" Lyra shrugged and Harry glared at her lightly, that had been her answer for the last few weeks.
Later that night Harry came back from his bath and moved straight to where Lyra was sat with Ron and Hermione "It's mermaids, in the black lake that's the task"
Hermione jolted to her feet "We have to go to the library" she had taken Lyra by the arm and the four were waltzed to the library by Hermione where they read for hours, Ron had fallen asleep an hour in. Lyra was sat on the floor cross legged reading a random book about magical vows, Harry was laid down on an open book about mermaids while Hermione paced as she read.
"Harry, tell me again" she demanded.
Harry jolted but spoke not once raising his head from the book on the table "Come seek us where our voices sound"
"The black lake, that's obvious" Hermione nodded holding the egg in her hands as she tried to studied the runes etched onto it.
"An hour long you'll have to look" Harry muttered as Hermione shook Ron awake.
"Again, obvious. Although admittedly potentially problematic"
That little sentence caught Harry's full attention "Potentially problematic? When was the last time you held your breath underwater for an hour Hermione?"
"Look harry, we can do this, the four of us can do this" Hermione put her hand on Harry shoulder as he sulked.
"There's always the bubblehead charm" Lyra lazily flicked the page of her book, regardless of what they did 'Moody' would mess with things and Neville would be a unknowing pawn in getting gillyweed.
"What?"
She looked up to see all three of them staring at her "The bubblehead charm? It creates a bubble around the head of the caster, giving them a continuous supply of oxygen"
Hermione scoffed gently "Why have you not mentioned it earlier"
"Well it's a sixth year spell" she shrugged "We have one more day, do you really feel comfortable using a spell you've just learnt to help you breath underwater? I thought it could be a backup plan"
"Do you know how?" Harry studied her closely.
Lyra shrugged "Well sure, the dungbombs around here are awful"
"Great then you can teach Harry while Ron and I look for another solution just in case!" Hermione waved them off.
"What, now?" Lyra's eyes widened.
Hermione sighed "Yes now! I know curfew is coming up but Harry has the map and cloak and he really needs to learn this spell"
"Fine, up you get Harry we have a spell to learn" the pair of them went to the common room to collect the map, cloak and swimwear before Harry lead them to the prefects bath once in Lyra flicked the water to start filling the huge tub that was more like a smallish swimming pool.
She gasped "They have cherry scented bubble bath! This is an outrage, we should all be allowed a bath" she took her robe off having already changed in her dorm and climbed into the warm water "I would like to hear the egg" she looked up at Harry who was stood wide eyed by the door still.
"Oh erh...Yeah, yeah sure!" he handed the egg to her.
"Well? Are you going to get in or not?"
Harry climbed into the water not once making eye contact with Lyra who rolled her eyes, she pushed the egg under the water and opened it quickly ducking her head under the water. The voice was beautiful but then most mermaid songs were, she glanced up feeling the water move around her and she saw Harry looking at the egg as well.
When the song ended they both moved break the waters surface, she went to speak as she pushed her curls back but aloud squeaky voice interrupted her "You're back!" Moaning Myrtle moved closer to Harry as she sunk into the water by his side "But you're not naked this time" the ghost peeked into the water.
Lyra snarled "If you do not leave at once, i am going straight to Headmaster Dumbledore!" she hissed at the ghost as she moved closer to Harry until their chests almost brushed as she tried to cut off the perverted ghosts view.
"No you won't, then he'll know you were in here together" Myrtle giggled sending Lyra a nasty look.
"I am helping Harry with his task but if that is not enough i will happily get detention whereas you will be extracted from Hogwarts at once!"
"Fine!" Myrtle cried loudly flying off towards one of the toilets to leave.
"Thanks" Harry shifted in the water as Lyra put distance between them.
She glared at where the ghost left too "I'm still going to Dumbledore, what a creep!" together they spent the next two hours trying to get Harry to perfect the charm but it was slow going and the water had gotten cold "How about we try again tomorrow" she shivered as Harry nodded helping her from the icy water.
~~~
Tomorrow was the same, they practiced over and over, Harry was now able to hold the spell for thirty minutes sometimes forty but not a second longer "I can't do it"
"You can, we just have to--"
"I can't! Lyra i haven't managed to hold it for an hour once yet...I need to find something else and fast" Harry shook his head climbing from the water "I don't know what they're taking but i only have an hour to retrieve it, if i can't find it who knows what will happen"
"Okay" she sighed, this was only meant to be a back up plan anyway "We'll find the others at the library" she took his offered hand and dried herself before she dressed in her clothes once more.
But the second they left the room they walked into Moody "You both are not prefects" he cocked a brow.
"No sir, Lyra was helping me practice for the task" Harry stuttered trying to get them out of trouble while Lyra just glared at the teacher.
"Well regardless, Professor McGonagall would like to see you in her office" Harry nodded at the man and went to grab Lyra's hand to walk towards Transfiguration "Not you Potter, just Miss Black"
Lyra frowned "I think you're mistaken sir"
"I am not, she has asked for you in her office, now i'm sure you can get there by yourself and don't need help"
Lyra glared "Yes sir" she squeezed Harrys hand before turning and walking away, there had to be a mistake.