There was no dementor attack thanks to Harry being at Grimmauld Place and not with his muggle relatives but Lyra had checked in on Dudley just in case but the large boy was fine, still being coddled by his weak-willed mother. She also didn't go to Malfoy Manor on regards of Dobby popping by to tell them Lucius had sent him to tell them it was no longer safe meaning Voldemort was there with them or at the very least about to be.
Speaking of elves, Winky had slotted in to their little family well, she doted on them with everything she had and she had managed to curb her need for butterbeers with the help of Lyra's magic fuelling her core. The elves at Hogwarts were allowed to fuel off the school but they were not able to take much and a depressed elf was not a healthy elf who was able to live off of that amount of magic.
"Letter for Young master" Winky popped into the room holding a letter, she smoothed down her pretty dress that her Mistress had claimed she needed to wear and once she had explained it wasn't clothing to release her, Winky was more then happy to take it.
The old elf Kreacher, had also been gifted a new set of shirts and pants as well as matching ribbons with Lyra which he tied in a bow under his collar like a bowtie to correspond with the ribbon she wore during the day. How he managed to get a spot as her Mistress' personal elf was unknown to Winky and she had never experienced jealousy before as an elf but for a while she was jealous of the ancient elf. Winky was only a young elf, merely a baby to some at 30 years, much similar in age to her friend Dobby in that way but she knew she was a good elf and she had been taught that personal elves must be the same gender as their charge.
Winky had assumed that maybe there would be a change, that she would become her Mistress' personal elf while the ancient elf went to one of the masters but no. Winky was wrong and while she had been jealous to begin with, her Mistress was a good Mistress! Always being kind, always asking Winky for help when she felt sad, it wasn't at all like her old house where she looked after her old little Master and Merlin forgive her but she found herself preferring it here much better.
"Thank you Winky" Her Mistress smiled softly at Winky, yes her Mistress was perfect!
The letter shook in Harry's hands before it hovered and started to speak "Dear Mr Potter, the ministry has received intelligence that at 6:23 this evening, you used magic...As a clear violation of the decree for the reasonable restriction of underage sorcery, you are hereby expelled from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...Hoping you are well, Mafalda Hopkirk."
The room fell silent as they stared at the letter "Harry, i must ask--" Sirius frowned but was cut off quickly.
"I did not use magic...At least not with my wand" Harry answered which didn't relieve Remus' frown.
"Harry, you are not allowed to use magic regardless of whether it's with a wand or not"
"Pish posh" Lyra scoffed "They don't care so long as they have control, they cannot trace our magic for a reason instead it's our wands they watch and even then, under wards like this they can't get a real tell which means they are only tracing muggleborns and the odd half-blood"
"And how would you know this?" her father smirked when Remus sighed not having a argument with her reasoning.
"It's obvious, they are supremacists who pretend they aren't, i know that just like i know that letter is a bunch of--"
"Language!" Remus cut her off before she could even swear which felt unfair to Lyra, she hadn't even said anything.
Harry looked pale from where he sat "They can't actually expel me can they?"
"Yes but in this case they obviously have no proof or instead of saying they were told you used magic they would have classified which spell you used just as they did with the time. Therefore, because of that reasoning we will demand a court hearing where if they have no proof, which they don't...We will press charges" Lyra fixed herself a cup of tea when Winky reappeared with a fresh pot.
"And those charges are?" Remus cocked a brow at her.
"You choose, we could do Conspiracy since we could say it is because of what Harry told them at the last task. Harassment especially of a minor, fraud under false representation if they have no evidence that means someone falsified some. We could make it a hate crime, they were the ones who wanted to slap Harry with the name 'The Chosen One' we use it against them" she took a sip of tea "If i'm in a bad mood i might even slap bribery and perjury on there if i can gather enough proof and they do in fact lie"
"Do i even want to know?" Sirius sighed but even he couldn't hold back his smirk.
"Doubt it..." she stood and wrote a note using parchment from the table in the living room, it was simple, effective, at least she hoped so and it read:
Dear Minister Fudge,
While i understand times for yourself are troublesome i would encourage you to think about what it is you are doing and who it is you are doing it too...
Hope you are well,
Lyra Black,
Heir to House Black.
"Kreacher" she called out as she dried the ink wandlessly causing Remus to sigh and shake his head while Sirius turned his head to cover his smirk.
"Yes Mistress Lyra?" Kreacher popped into the room.
"Could you please take this to the Minister of Magic, i'm afraid a bird will take too long"
Kreacher bowed slightly taking the letter "Of course Mistress Lyra" he went to leave but paused "She is doing it again"
Lyra's lip twitched as she held back a smile, since joining their family Winky had taken to following Kreacher in order to learn, multiple times she had accidentally done Kreacher's job before he got a chance and it strangely reminded her of an older dog being pestered by a new puppy but it was so sweet "Alright Kreacher i will have a word"
Kreacher huffed and popped off "Who's done what?" Harry frowned.
"Winky has completed Kreacher's tasks before he could begin them and he's put off...They will learn it's just new" Lyra smiled "Now we wait"
"Why have you sent a letter to the Minister?" she looked over watching her father refill his glass with fire whiskey.
"It was just a reminder father, merely a suggestion between friends"
He chuckled "So you are friends with the Minister?"
"I'm sure it's better then enemies father, i guess we will see which we are soon" and just like she had thought not even two hours after sending Kreacher another Ministry letter arrived and hovered as it spoke.
"Dear Mr Potter, The Minister of Magic has reviewed the evidence against you and is unsure of it's credibility. In which case we are withdrawing your expulsion but we must ask you to attend a hearing to decide if it is valid or not, one has been set for ten days time at 2pm. Hoping you are well, Mafalda Hopkirk"
The letter shredded itself and Harry snickered "I cannot believe this"
"Don't worry, you will be just fine...They have no proof but just in case stop using magic, 10 days is nothing in the grand scheme of things, now if you don't mind i want a bath" she spun and left the room leaving the three men to share glances of disbelief.
Remus watched her go and when she was out of sight he whispered "Are you also slightly-"
"Scared? Yeah" Sirius nodded whispering back.
Harry pointed at them in agreement "She's terrifying"
"But brilliant" Sirius grinned sipping his drink as the other two nodded.
~~~
A few hours later there was a knock at her door "What is it?" she called out not looking up from her journal as she wrote to Draco but another knock made her sigh "Hello?" The third knock made her growl under her breath and stand, walking over she ripped the door open but froze at who she saw.
"Wotcher cousin"
"Well i never...Nympthadora Tonks, or is it just Dora now?" She smirked and leant against her door frame as she took in the purple coloured hair of her cousin in front of her.
"Now? Always has been" Dora grinned and winked at her "Nice jammies"
Lyra looked down looking at the black short shorts she was wearing paired with one of her fathers old Rolling Stones band shirts "I know it's a tradition of ours to marry within the family but i prefer a bit of meat and veg if you catch my drift"
"Me? Catch? No chance" Dora winked again before both girls burst out in giggles "I was sent to collect you"
"Full house?"
"As full as this old place has ever seen it i bet" Dora looked around the dark corridor before walking into Lyra's room "This room is cute though, very girly"
Before Lyra could answer a quick moving form tackled her and having not expected it took a quick fall to the ground with a sharp yelp. The scent of lavender calmed her just as curls fell into her face "Oh i'm sorry!" Hermione grumbled but made no motion to move.
"So much for meat and veg...Fair warning Harry might need you" Dora snickered from the doorframe.
"What do you mean?" Lyra lifted her head as she held onto Hermione who squeezed her tightly.
"Dumbledore" Both Hermione and Dora spoke and Lyra huffed.
"DINNER!" Molly Weasleys voice rang up the staircase and the three girls left to join the others in the dining room.
"Not that i don't enjoy seeing you all but i must ask as to the reason for all of you?" Lyra grinned at the company.
"Dumbledore has asked to make Grimmauld Place head quarters for the Order" Moody, the real Moody, stated as Molly placed his plate in front of him.
"And who gave him the go ahead?"
"Sweetheart?" her father called gently and when she locked eyes with him he shook his head subtly "It's alright, i know you worry for our safety but this is good for everyone"
"Yes, of course father" she nodded pushing her annoyance back, she had made her father the secret keeper of Grimmauld place at his request. She did so because she knew he worried, not for the house but for her safety, if she'd known he was going to hand it's location out to everyone she would have kept it to herself.
"This is very peculiar" Mr Weasley stated while Lyra shoved Fred who was glaring at Crookshanks for some reason "It seems your hearing at the ministry is to be before the entire Wizenagamot"
"I don't understand, what has the Ministry got against me?" Harry frowned.
"Show him, he will find out soon enough" Moody shrugged and the room was silent.
Fred looked at her in question and she shrugged just as George lowered himself down to sit beside his twin, Shacklebolt who sat opposite her handed Harry a daily profit Harry looked at it for a few seconds before it was snatched from his hands by Lyra. She took one look at the paper and snickered "Oh boy...Defamation just got added to that list, 'The boy who lies' how original, must have sent it out before he backtracked"
"List? Backtracked?" Shacklebolt tilted his head at her.
"I guess you'll see" she shrugged and continued eating her food.
Sirius smirked at his daughter "He's been attacking Dumbledore as well. Fudge is using all his power, including his influence at the Daily Profit, to...Smear anyone who claims the Dark Lord has returned"
"Why?" Harry shook his head.
Remus sighed and held his hands up "The Minister thinks Dumbledore's after his job..."
"But that's insane--"
"Is it?" Lyra muttered.
"Fudge is not in his right mind, he is scared and fear makes people do terrible things Harry. The last time Voldemort gained power, he almost destroyed everything we hold dear...Now he's returned and i'm afraid the Minister will do almost anything to avoid facing the terrifying truth" Remus explained gently ignoring Lyra's mean mutters.
"And that is how people die"
Sirius winked at his daughter who sighed "We think Voldemort wants to build up his army again"
She rolled her eyes "No we don't think, we know"
"Yes but 14 years ago he had huge numbers at his command and not just witches and wizards but all manners of dark creatures. He's been recruiting heavily and we've been attempting to do the same but gathering followers isn't the only thing he's interested in...We believe Voldemort may be after something" Sirius looked at his daughter "Something he didn't have last time"
"No, that's enough!" Molly slapped her hand on the table "He is just a boy, you say anymore and you might as well induct him into the order straight away"
"Good, i want to join" Harry turned back to Sirius "If Voldemort's raising an army then i want to fight"
"That's enough, eat your dinner Harry" Mrs Weasley scolded the boy who looked at Sirius to have his back but his godfather just shrugged in a 'what can you do' move.
The Weasleys took to staying at Grimmauld Place with them, Hermione too but everyone else went back to their own homes and jobs. Mrs Weasley had transfigured a single bed in Lyra's room for Ginny after both Lyra and Hermione had said they didn't mind sharing her large king sized bed.
Ron had been put in Harry's room on a single bed, the twins had taken a guest bed and had been given the go ahead to do with it what they liked. Percy had actually gotten his own place closer to the Ministry for his job so he hadn't been there, Mr and Mrs Weasley had also taken a guest bed.
The house hadn't seen so much life in it, Kreacher was grouchy as normal but Winky was loving life and when the day came for Harrys hearing Mr Weasley had all but begged to go with them wanted to see the underground.
Sirius had agreed and the three of them left in the morning when Lyra had warned them of the hearing time being bumped up while the others would join them later.
~~~
"Disciplinary hearing of the 12th of August into offenses committed by Harry James Potter resident number at number 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surry...Interrogators Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister of..."
"Witness for the Defence" a loud voice called out stopping the Minister in his tracks "Albus Percival Wolfrick Brian Dumbledore"
"You got our message that the time and place had been change had you?" Fudge smile tensely.
Dumbledore shook his head "No i must have missed it but by a happy mistake i arrived at the Ministry three hours earlier...Charges?"
"The charges against the accused are as followed: That he did knowingly and in full awareness of the illegality of his actions..."
The doors to the hall opened once more Lyra waltzed in dressed in a white pencil skirt that reached just above her knees, a silk dark blue shirt that was tucked and a matching blazer jacket, a dark leather briefcase in her hand "Good morning Gentlemen and Ladies of Wizengamot...You'll have to excuse me but i have just seen a glimpse of the transcript and i'm afraid i'm going to have to ask for this hearing to be thrown out"
There was a wave of murmurs at her entrance "What are you talking about?" A woman in a bright pink suit scoffed.
Lyra turned to stare at her for a while before she answered "It reads 'Harry James Potter, residence number 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surry' Mr Potter hasn't lived at that residence since last summer...A whole year ago, Mr Potter didn't even go back for Christmas or any holiday that it wasn't compulsory to leave the castle. The fact of the matter is you don't even have the right residency let alone significant evidence to have Mr Potter expelled"
"And how would you know such things?"
"I know because since last summer Mr Potter has been living with his godfather, my father. I also know about the evidence because we received a letter that Mr Potter was to be expelled and then a following letter recanting that expulsion due to the credibility of the evidence"
"Be that as it may, there is still evidence against him" Another lady cleared her throat but the statement wasn't nasty more resigned as if she didn't want to be there any more then Harry did, that's when her face registered in Lyra's mind, this was Amelia Bones.
"Very well then, what evidence do you have?" Lyra faced the Minister who repositioned his glasses awkwardly.
"It is said Mr Potter used a Patronus charm in front of a muggle" Fudge looked at Harry "Do you deny producing the charm?"
"Yes, i haven't used that spell since i learnt it from Professor Lupin. He helped me learn it after i was attacked twice, once on the Hogwarts express and another on school grounds at a quidditch match while they searched for my godfather Sirius Black" Harry nodded as he spoke clearly to the room, Lyra had coached him on what to say and exactly how to say it.
"You are aware you are forbidden to use magic outside of school under the age of 17" Fudge asked.
"Yes i am aware which is why i didn't use magic"
Lyra turned from Harry to face all the people in attendance "You said he used said charm in front of a muggle? That there was a witness? I am going to assume you have found them"
There was a shuffling of papers "The muggles name was Dudley Dursley"
"Mr Dursley is Mr Potters cousin on his mothers side...Were there any other witness'?" Lyra asked and if you had asked anyone in that room they would have all told you the very same thing...It felt like they'd just walked into a trap, a spiders web almost.
"No, only the muggle and Mr Potter"
"And what day is it noted that Mr Potter used this spell in front of his cousin?" she smiled sweetly at Amelia.
"The second of August"
Lyra hummed "Well then that is a dying shame because i know for a fact that Mr Dursley along with his muggle parents left the country on the 26th of July for a holiday in Spain. That was a whole seven days before the evidence claims and they only came back to England three days ago seeing as they booked for two weeks"
There was spluttering from where the Minister sat "Well i never..."
What they didn't need to know was that it was a holiday that they 'won', someone had put their names forward for a free holiday and they won it. Lyra needed the boy gone that's why she'd gone to check on them all and they had been packing not even knowing she watched them.
"Is there any other evidence you have that can help prove Mr Potter casted magic outside of Hogwarts and in front of a muggle no less...Or is everything you have superficial and fraudulent?" Gasps rang through the air but no one spoke a word "Well? This is a very serious accusation seeing as he is the last living Heir and Scion of House Potter and his expulsion, along with the laws you claim he has broken, could amount to a broken wand and the end of a house"
"I am sure i must have misunderstood you Miss Black" the same squeaky voice called out and it was the pink toad "It's so silly of me but it sounded like for a moment as though you were suggesting that the Ministry made up evidence to expel this boy"
Lyra couldn't help the small chuckle that left her "You are right that is silly of you, I wasn't suggesting anything...Now we could have someone sent out to search the muggle boys memory, you could look up the details of their holiday, you could even, with Mr Potters approval, search his wand or give him veritaserum with approved questions"
"Yes" Fudge nodded tiredly "Mr Potter do you agree to have your wand searched for the date of the accusation and agree to take veritaserum?"
"I agree" Harry nodded handing his wand over to the auror who move to his side, Lyra also move to the side and started writing down on a piece of parchment.
"Do these questions satisfy you all to the accusation being made today?" she handing the paper to the woman who seemed to be on their side, her face was slightly familiar to Harry.
The woman looked them over before handing them to Fudge both of whom nodded in agreement "Very well, two drops to be administered to Mr Potter" the same auror walked forward with a phial and a dropper, Harry looked at Lyra who nodded and he tilted his head back allowing the two drops to fall onto his tongue.
"Aright then Mr Potter, could you tell us your full name?" Fudge asked.
"Harry James Potter"
"And your parents names?"
"James Fleamont Potter and Lily Potter" he answered blankly.
"And you are how old?"
"15"
Fudge nodded "Alright, let us begin: Mr Potter did you cast the Patronus charm in front of your cousin, Dudley Dursley?"
"No"
"Did you cast the Patronus charm in front of any muggle named or not?"
"No"
"Did you cast the Patronus charm on the second of August as accused?"
"No"
"Did you cast the Patronus charm outside of Hogwarts?"
"No"
"Have you used your wand outside of Hogwarts to use magic?"
"No"
"Do you have an unregistered wand in your possession that allows you to use magic?"
"No"
"Do you use anyone elses wand to use magic outside of Hogwarts?"
"No"
Fudge came to the end of the accepted questions and he was stumped, he had been given the evidence against Mr Potter and he won't lie he ran with it, of course when he looked closer at the evidence once receiving the missive from young Miss Black, he did so to make sure nothing was missing but he had not expected this.
"I won't lie when i say i am slightly concerned as to why there was a whole criminal trial over underage magic, underage magic that clearly hasn't been done" Lyra watched the auror who'd left to check on the muggle relatives come in and place his evidence in front of the Minister who sighed.
"Those in favour of conviction?" Amelia Bones called out and roughly 10 hands rose, one of them being the pink toad... "Those in favour of clearing the accused of all charges?" the rest of the room raised their hands.
"Cleared of all charges" Fudge knocked his gavel on the desk and Lyra felt Dumbledore breeze passed her, he walked at a fast rate but she ignored him in lieu of facing her father who just beamed at her brightly.
Lyra wasn't sure what she wanted to do in the future if this remained her life but at least now she had an idea of what it was like at wizarding court, she was just glad that in her previous life there had been a few lessons on court room etiquette and mannerism in her Psychology course.
~~~
Sirius was sat next to Harry "Here, i found this the other day and i wanted you to have it" he handed over the photo, the kids would need to be leaving soon for the train but Sirius wasn't quite ready to let them go just yet and Lyra was out talking to Remus about a potion "It's the original Order of the Phoenix"
His finger traced over a curly headed blonde but before he could name her Harry beat him to it "That's Lyra's mother, Marlene"
"Marlene McKinnon" Sirius nodded "She was killed two weeks after this was taken" Harry heard the emotion in Sirius' voice but said nothing "Voldemort wiped out her entire family, apart from Lyra of course" Sirius pointed to another couple "Frank and Alice Longbottom"
"Neville's parents?"
"They suffered a fate worse then death, if you ask me...It's been fourteen years and not a day goes by that i don't miss your dad"
"Do you really think there's going to be a war Sirius?" Harry looked away from his parents in the photo, this photo was the eldest one he had of them but even then they still looked young, they both were only 21 when they were killed and in six years he would be exactly at the same point of life where they were cut off...That was if he made it that long.
Sirius nodded slightly "It feels like it did before and we all know what Lyra has to say about it...I suppose you are all the young ones now"
"Lucky us" they both looked up to see Lyra stood in the doorway with her arms crossed "Now if you two ladies are done nattering, we need to be at the train station like oh i don't know, two minutes ago and i will not be late, up, up, up, come on"
~~~
"Surprised the Ministry is still letting you walk free Potter" Draco caught up to the Golden Quartet "Better enjoy it while you can, i expect there's a cell at Azkaban with your name on it"
Harry went to lunge at Draco but was caught by Ron "Woah! What the hell" Lyra frowned at Harrys response.
"What did i tell you? Complete nutter" Draco looked at his two lackies.
"Just stay away from me!"
Ron and Hermione both also looked unsettled at Harry's response, before he'd never have reacted like that he always shrugged Draco's comments off along with everyone else's "It's only Malfoy, what do you expect?" Ron frowned releasing Harry as they continued walking for the carriages.
Lyra looked up and saw Cho Chang grinning at Harry from her seat, Cho and Cedric broke up over the summer and she only knew that because Ginny had told her about it but it seemed the Ravenclaw seeker had a type "Argh" she mumbled and looked away from the girls obvious flirting.
"Hi guys" she turned and saw Neville holding a Mimbulus mimbletonia, a rare plant.
"Neville!" she grinned "What a welcome sight you are, where ever did you get a Mimbulus mimbletonia?"
The boys answering grin was so sweet "It was a gift from my uncle, have you heard of it defence mechanism?"
"Stinksap no?"
"Yes that's right, quite fascinating isn't it" Neville grinned looking at the plant in his arm "Do you want to see?"
"Maybe not right now Neville, i don't want to smell rancid for the gathering feast but when we get back to the common room sure" the Longbottom boy flushed but nodded.
"What was that?" they all turned to see Harry staring into thin air as if looking for something "I just bumped into something"
"Oh it's just a Thestrals, harmless really" Lyra got over her shock that Harry couldn't see them anymore because she saved Cedric that day.
"A Thestral?" Hermione frowned looking for something she couldn't see.
Lyra hummed "They're winged horses with a skeletal body, They're not very well liked by the Ministry but most of the time they are quite docile"
"Why can we not see them?" Ron frowned as they watched her put her hand palm out in mid air but she kept it there as a offering and soon felt something unseen press against her hand before she gently caressed the creature.
"You can only see them if you have witnessed death" Lyra shrugged and petted the Thestral once more before moving to jump into the carriage, she looked up and saw Luna sat inside already reading a book that was upside down in her hands.
"You're not going mad, they are there, i can see them...You're just as sane as i am" Luna greeted them over her book and Lyra grinned taking the seat beside her.
"Luna! How are you? Thank you for my gift, i don't go anywhere without it"
"I am quite well, i enjoyed my gift also, i have radish earrings but i never thought of strawberries but you were right i do enjoy them" the Lovegood girl smiled and Lyra laughed.
"Good, i'm so glad!"
"Everyone this is Loony...Luna Lovegood" Hermione looked sick at her fumble and that had been the first ever time Lyra looked at her in disappointment, Hermione wasn't one to bully and it had been a true mistake having heard the name too many times that it became stuck "What an interesting necklace"
"It's a charm actually, keeps away the Nargles" Luna played with the cork in her hand and turned to Lyra "Is it working for you?" Lyra pulled the butterbeer corked necklace from beneath her shirt that had been gifted to her for Christmas.
"It works perfectly Luna" Lyra smiled before tucking it back.
Luna hummed "Hungry...I hope there's pudding"
"I'm sure there will be" Lyra patted her hand gently "So how was everyone's summers? Neville?" Lyra got the conversation flowing once more, she knew Luna was an anomaly but she also knew they would each adore the girl in their own ways.
~~~
In the great hall Seamus had refused to sit beside Harry even though he always did to catch up with Lyra about the summers but he winked at the girl when she sent him a questioning glance so she shrugged it off knowing how he was quick to anger.
"Good evening children" Dumbledore called out bringing the conversations to a close "Now we have two changes in staffing this year, we're pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank who will be taking care of Magical Creatures while Professor Hagrid is on temporary leave...We also wish to welcome our defence against the dark arts teacher, Professor Delores Umbridge and i'm sure you'll all join me in wishing the Professor good luck"
"Unlikely" Lyra glared at the head table.
"As usual our caretaker Mr Filch has asked me to remind you--" Dumbledore couldn't finish as there was a throat being cleared and when he turned the woman in pink stood and moved to stand in the front by Dumbledore.
"She was at my hearing" Harry whispered to his friends "She works for Fudge"
"Thank you headmaster for those kind words of welcome, and how lovely to see all your bright happy faces smiling up at me" she started and Lyra looked around not seeing one smile but it was clear Umbridge didn't care "I'm sure we're all going to be very good friends..."
"That's likely" the twins muttered and Lyra bit back and chuckle but sent them an amused glance.
"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. Although each Headmaster has brought something new to this historic school, progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged. Let us preserve what must be preserved, prefect what can be perfected and prune practices what ought to be, prohibited..." she giggled again and walked back to her chair.
Dumbledore started to clap politely but not a lot of students followed his move "Thank you Professor Umbridge, that really was illuminating"
"Illuminating? What a load of waffle" Ron huffed and continued eating as Dumbledore started going on to explain the same old rules.
"I've never been more happier that the position is cursed" Lyra whispered sagely to her friends.
Harry looked at them all "What does it mean?"
"It means Harry that the Ministry is interfering at Hogwarts" Hermione answered as she studied the new Professor, this was not going to be a fun year she could already tell.
~~~
Lyra had walked into the common room with Harry and noticed the room fall quiet as they turned to stare at Harry "Dean, Seamus, had a good summer?" Harry asked cautiously as he passed the two boys who sat on the main sofa in the common room.
"Alright" Dean nodded once "Better the Seamus' anyway"
"Me mam didn't want me to come back this year" Seamus threw the daily profit on the table and stood up facing the two of them.
"Why not?" Harry asked in a tone that was clear he didn't actually care for the answer, the answering tension in the room attributing to his dampening mood.
"Let me see erh...Because of you, the Daily Profit has been saying a lot of things about you Harry and about Dumbledore as well"
"What and your mum believes them?"
Seamus huffed "Well no one was there the night you claim He came back"
"Well i guess you should read the Profit then like your--" Harry snapped but Lyra cut him off quickly.
"The Profit reports whatever it deems news worthy whether it is truth or not, Seamus you know what it's like, last year they said Harry was 12 and dating Hermione, they claimed my father was a murderer and he turned out to be innocent...They said i was planning on killing Hermione. I think it's safe to say we should all take what we read there with a pinch of salt"
"You weren't there Lyra" Seamus narrowed his eyes just as Ron entered the common room.
"What's going on here?"
"He's mad is what's going on" Seamus pointed to Harry who was glaring "Do you believe the rubbish he's coming out with about you-Know-Who?"
"Yeah, i do" Ron glanced around the room "Has anyone got a problem with Harry?" when no one spoke Harry turned and went towards his dorm with Ron hurrying after him.
Lyra however cocked her head at the Finnigan boy who glared at her for a moment longer before sighing, rolling his eyes and grabbing a bag of newly opened pepper imps holding it out to her. Lyra chuckled and took a small handful as she threw herself down on the sofa next to Dean "You sure know how to start problems Seamus"
"Yeah well what can i say, it's the Irish in me" the boy shrugged.
"I don't think that's a thing Seamus" Dean shook his head taking an offered pepper imp from Lyra's palm.
~~~
When classes began the first lesson Lyra had was DADA with Slytherins, she was sat beside Hermione on the table in front of Dean and Seamus while Ron and Harry sat a table to her left and back a row.
"Go on Seamus hit it" Ron goaded and Lyra looked up from her books to see Seamus slap a paper bird that was being charmed to fly around the room, the bird shook and flew higher to avoid other kids. When it did float downwards Crabbe stood and managed to hit it with a rolled up piece of paper and a slingshot. When it tried to retreat once more it was set alight where it burnt and fell from the sky onto Parvati's table which she shared with Lavender.
"Good morning children" Umbridge greeted them in another all pink outfit "Ordinary, Wizarding, Level, Examinations...O-W-L'S more commonly known as OWLS" she grinned at the class and Lyra sighed gently, this woman had no idea what she was doing and talking to them like they were all three years old was not the way to go about it.
"Study hard and you will be rewarded, fail to do so and the consequences may be severe" Umbridge shrugged with a small smile before she charmed the books on her desk to be passed around. "Your previous instruction in this subject has been disturbingly uneven but you'll be pleased to know from now on you will be following a carefully structured Ministry approved course of defensive magic...Yes?"
Hermione had raised her hand before Lyra could stop her "There's nothing in here about using defensive spells?"
"Using spells?" Umbridge giggled "Well i can't imagine why you would need to use spells in my classroom"
"We're not going to use magic?" Ronald frowned holding up his beginner book that had been given to them all.
"You will be learning about defensive spells in a secure risk free way"
Harry spoke just as Umbridge paused "Well what use is that if we're going to be attacked, it won't be risk free"
"Students will raise their hands when they speak in my class! It is the view of the ministry that a theoretical knowledge will be sufficient to get you through your examinations, which after all is what school is all about"
"And how is theory supposed to prepare us for what's out there?" Harry snapped ignoring the warning glances both Lyra and Hermione were sending him.
"There is nothing out there dear, who do you imagine would attack children, like yourself?" Umbridge asked and it was clear she didn't actually want an answer seeing as Lyra could think of at least five people in the first three seconds.
"Oh, i don't know, maybe Lord Voldemort?" Harry sassed rudely taking Lyra's first choice from her list and the room fell silent.
Umbridge looked around before starting "Now let me make this quite plain. You have been told that a certain dark wizard is at large once again. This...Is...A...Lie"
"It's not a lie! I saw him! I fought him!" Harry snapped.
"Detention Mr Potter!"
"So according to you Voldemort's sign hasn't been seen? His death eaters aren't back?"
"No! There has been no sightings of death eaters because there is no Dark Lord!"
"Well that's incorrect" Lyra chuckled "There was sightings of both Death eaters and the Dark Lords sign at the quidditch world cup"
"Enough!" Umbridge raised her voice loudly "If you do not wish to join Mr Potter in detention it would do you well to be quiet Miss Black!"
Lyra cocked a brow "Excuse me?"
"Be quiet, now open your books to chapter one, you will all be reading the chapter before copying the text four times for maximum retention" Umbridge grinned at the class.
When the day was done and Harry was getting ready for his detention with Umbridge he paused when Lyra grabbed his bicep tightly, he turned and looked at her but he frowned when she was staring at his arm so he looked down and saw nothing apart from her hand "Lyra?"
The girl startled and released him with a slowly rising blush on her cheeks "Right sorry, i erh..." she shook her head trying to shake off how strong his arm felt under her hand "Right, Umbridge is going to try getting you to use a blood quill but under no circumstances are you to use it do you understand?"
"Blood quill?"
"It's a cursed quill that instead of ink uses the blood of the person writing, whatever is written is carved into the back of the users hand...It's illegal to use especially for punishment in schools. If she tries to persist you are to warn her that if you are to pick up that fucking thing i am going straight to not only my father but the school board and the Ministry regardless of how it makes me sound like Draco throwing a tantrum"
"Alright Lyra just relax alright, everything will be fine"
"Doubtful but alright...Off you go"
"The skiving snack boxes!" Fred passed her and put down a big briefcase as Harry left the common room "Hey Lyra, come check this out" she chuckled and joined them watching as a few younger kids agreed to try the sweets.
"Puking Pastilles, Fainting Fancies, Fever Fudge, Nosebleed Nougats? These are brilliant!" she grinned.
"You like these? Well there's more where that came from" George sat down beside her as they watched a third year brake out in hives from a piece of honeycomb.
"I want some, how much?" she grinned at the ideas flowing through her head, the thought of leaving some of this for Umbridge and watching her breaking out in hives was almost too good.
"Two Galleons, we're still testing some of them" Fred grinned when she slapped five galleons in his hand "What do you want?"
"The honeycomb and the fudge, they would make some good gifts no?" she smirked and the twins nodded with their own smiles "So how's the shop searching going?"
"It's getting there but we have to wait for this year to end and take our NEWTS"
Lyra hummed with a smirk "I'm sure it will all work out" Harry had gifted the twins his Triwizard Champion money and at the last trial both twins had collared her stating they knew that she was a seer meaning they got all of her winnings from her 'good guessing' bets.
The two boys had more then enough for a building, stock and even left overs, she may have gone a little over board with her betting...
~~~
Lyra had stayed with the twins and she had quickly been joined by Ginny who insisted on sitting beside her when the twins shot her a teasing smirk, that was until Harry walked into the room and sat with Ron and Hermione who were doing homework or rather Hermione was doing Ron's homework.
She had excused herself and flopped down onto the sofa stretching herself out over the three of them seeing as there was no more space on the sofa. Lyra's head sat in Hermione's lap and her feet resting in Ron's, they all groaned but shifted to accepted the position Harry lifted the book in his hands to rest on her stomach.
"What's wrong with your hand?" Hermione asked seeing a red glimpse when Harry move.
He handed her his left hand "Nothing"
"The other hand" Hermione grabbed his right hand that he had tried to hide, she saw the scarring "You've got to tell Dumbledore"
"No" Harry shook his head taking his hand back from the girl, he refused to look down knowing Lyra was glaring at him.
"You should"
"No, Dumbledore's got enough on his mind right now" Harry went back to his book but it was taken from his hand and thrown onto the coffee table by Lyra.
"If you don't tell someone i will"
"Lyra--"
"Or maybe i'll just get my own detention" she shrugged "We can have matching scars, fighting the power" she grinned but it was tight.
Harry glared at her "You will not"
"Too late because it's not just going to stop at you Harry, there will be many others with scars on their hands including first years and it is down to us to report it"
"I don't want to give Umbridge the satisfaction" Harry shook his head.
Ron shook his head in disbelief "Blood hell Harry the woman is torturing you"
"That is her satisfaction Harry, she gets off on the power"
"Lyra's right, you have to report this, it's perfectly simple--"
Harry cut Hermione off "No it's not, Hermione whatever this is it's not simple...You don't understand" He reached down and lifted Lyra up off his lap, he twisted to the side and sat her in his previous seat before grabbing his books.
"Then help us to" Hermione asked but Harry just walked off towards his dorm room.
Lyra watched him go and sighed "Right, i think this calls for a meeting no?"
"What?" Ron frowned as she stood and faced the common room.
"Guys?" she called out and waited "Hey!" She yelled when no one really noticed but at her second call the room quietened down "Things have become increasingly apparent that the Umbitch has taken it upon herself to find new punishments, she's is in possession of a blood quill and she has already used it" The shouts of horror and questioning rang out "It is illegal but seeing as she is the Minister pet who knows what she's been given permission to do here"
"What do we do?" Dean called out from where he sat with Seamus playing chess after Seamus quickly filled him in on what a blood quill was.
"We all agree to avoid getting detentions with her for right now, we write home each and everyone of us to anyone who will listen, if she does try to get you to use a quill that doesn't require ink you refuse to use it. If any of you should use it go straight to Madam Promfrey so she can record the injuries which will be further proof down the line while also healing you of course"
"What of the other houses?" Hermione added in.
"Anyone with friendships in any other houses needs to make sure they are aware plus i'm sure the prefects can help pass information along?" Lyra turned to Hermione who nodded as she nudged Ron.
Hermione and Ron had both been picked for fifth year prefects, both had their badges front and centre of their robes "There's a meeting with all the prefects and head boy and girl this Friday, we'll tell them all there"
"Good, i will send letters home and to the school board but who knows what will happen, we just have to look out for each other...More now then ever before"
~~~
"Do you ever stop eating?" Hermione voice brought Lyra out of her thoughts, Ginny had been showing her something out of the Daily Profit, the girl had been strangely attached recently whether it be in the common room or in the great hall she had been weirdly always at her side. Not that she didn't like Ginny because she did but they had never been that close.
"What? I'm hungry" Ron twisted his face up as he spoke around a mouthful of sausages.
"Harry" Hermione sounded shocked seeing him stood there, he'd been icing them out for a while when he found out what Lyra had done.
Harry shifted for a second before gaining confidence "Can i join you?"
"Obviously" Lyra reached out grabbing his hand she started to bring him towards the seat beside her but something caught everyone's attention.
"What are you insinuating?" A loud squeaky voice called out from outside the great hall.
"I am merely requesting that when it comes to my students, you conform to the prescribed disciplinary practices" McGonagall spoke out as they all left the hall to watch this go down.
"So silly of me but it sounds as if you're questioning my authority in my own classroom, Minerva" Umbridge took a step up on the stairs to place herself higher then their transfiguration teacher.
Not being one to be stood over or intimidated McGonagall took another step upwards "Not at all Delores, merely your medieval methods"
"I...Am sorry dear but to question my practises is to question the Ministry and by extension the Minister himself. I am a tolerant woman but the one thing i will no stand for is disloyalty"
McGonagall took a step back as if she was physically wounded by the statement "Disloyalty?" Lyra felt a cold hand brush against her own and she looked over her shoulder seeing Draco stood staring at the two woman not even glancing down at her so she reached back and linked her little finger with his own, she heard him sigh softly as he tightened his grip on her finger.
"Things at Hogwarts are much worst then i feared, Cornelius will want to take immediate action" And true to her word immediate action was taken, two days later Finch was stood on a ladder hammering a frame into the stone work.
PROCLAMATION:
Educational Decree no. 23,
Delores Jane Umbridge has been appointed to the post of Hogwarts High Inquisitor.
From there it quickly spun out of control, decrees were passed one after the other anytime she saw or heard something she didn't like. Such as no music, no items she deems non educational, boys and girls are meant to stay 8 inches away from each other...Umbridge had also started her class sit ins.
Lyra just had to keep telling herself it was just for a year, just a year...