Elf magic meant instead of turning up at the apparition points they were taken right into the Hogs Head Inn, it also meant they startled the old man behind the bar "What in the bloody hell!" he snarled.
"It's just us Aberforth" Sirius shook his head moving towards the man who glared at them all, they all followed but Lyra moved to stand in front of the portrait who was watching them all, the woman smiled softly as Lyra studied her.
"That's a pretty dress" she whispered and watched the woman smooth her hands down the blue dress with a bashful grin.
"What are you doing?" a gruff voice called her attention off the portrait and Lyra locked eyes with Aberforth, she remained quiet and he huffed "You're all bloody fools coming here, it's too dangerous"
"It is time Aberforth" Sirius looked at him sternly making the man sigh and pour drinks, butterbeers for the teens and firewhiskey for the adults, Ron, Harry and Hermione lunged for the bread he brought out as well, their last meal being almost two days ago and while Lyra stomach ached she refrained from eating too quickly knowing it would make it worse.
"Does the Order know the plan?" Hermione questioned as she polished off her bread.
"The Order are done, You-Know-Who has won and anyone who says otherwise is kidding themselves" Aberforth muttered angrily.
"Ignore him, he's pessimistic" Lyra rolled her eyes turning to the old man "But you do know that's not true don't you, someone like that never wins, not for long"
He scoffed "Let me guess, you're an optimist?"
"No, i see things" she grinned "You-Know-Who doesn't win, he dies and we kill him"
"We need to get into Hogwarts, tonight" Harry joined her side "Dumbledore gave us a job to do"
"Did he now? Nice job? Easy?"
"We've been hunting horcruxes, he believes one is inside the castle"
Aberforth scoffed again, his default emotion being anger "It's not a job my brother has given you, it's a suicide mission...Do yourselves a favor, go home"
Lyra rolled her eyes turning back to the portrait "Can you tell Neville we're ready please Ariana?" the woman nodded looking very amused as she turned around.
"What in the bloody hell do you think you're doing!" Aberforth growled at her storming over but Harry cut him off.
"Dumbledore trusted us to see this through"
The Dumbledore brother glared "What makes you think you can trust him? Trust a word he said?"
"I don't, never did actually" Lyra answered airily much similar to Luna "But i trust myself, my visions...I don't need your permission nor your help, i just need your passageway" The man grabbed his drink and moved towards the door "It will end Mr Dumbledore, we will win, with or without you. What you decide to do with that is your own, i may not need your help but the children? They will need all the help they can get"
He stared at her for a moment, sad eyes studying her person looking for a lie, anything at all but he wouldn't find it, just someone who believed in what she said with everything she was and he sighed and just walked from the room.
Lyra watched him go before turning back to the portrait and the others remained silent behind her until Draco cleared his throat "How did you know about the portrait?"
"I had seen it in a vision, i didn't understand until i saw it in person" she watched as Ariana came back.
"She's coming back" Hermione moved to stand beside Lyra.
Ron frowned "Who's that with her?"
Ariana retook her position winking at Lyra as the portrait swung open "Neville!" Harry grinned "You look-"
"Like hell i reckon" Neville answered in turn grinning at them, he stepped into the room and was smashed into a hug by Lyra first off seeing how she was closer "This is nothing, Seamus is worse...It's so good to see you all!" he hugged the rest of them and saw the old man re-entering "Hey Ab, we have a few more coming through" Lyra turned to see Dumbledore nodded as he set down another glass, he locked eyes with Lyra and nodded at her once.
"Anyone want to tell me why the Malfoys are here?" Neville whispered.
"It's a long story" Lyra patted his arm, she felt bad that she'd taken his huge moment from him but really it was just trauma and Neville should know by now he is more Gryffindor then the lot of them, snake or not "Shall we?"
Neville lead them first "Don't remember this on the Marauders map?" Ron muttered looking around the passage.
"The what?" Draco frowned.
"It's a map my father and his friend made when they were at school, shows where everyone is at all times" Lyra whispered smiling up at his shocked and outraged face "Harry might show you some time"
"It never existed until now" Neville answered "The seven secret passages were sealed off before the start of the year, this is the only way in or out now, the grounds are crawling with Death Eaters and Dementors"
"How bad is it with Snape as headmaster?" Hermione asked softly.
Neville shook his head "Hardly ever see him, it's the Carrows you need to watch out for, they're in charge of discipline, they like punishment the Carrows" he pointed to his face "It was worse in the beginning but then the Slytherins started stepping in, at first we all thought they were just twisted but then the younger ones seemed better...They've been faking it Harry, strangest thing"
When the passageway stopped Neville turned back towards them "Let's have a bit of fun shall we?" he paused "They should stay towards the back, everyone's a bit tense" he pointed to the Malfoys and the group nodded before he opened the door "Hey! Listen up you lot, i brought you a surprise"
"No more of Aberforth's cooking i hope, be a surprise if we can digest it" her favourite Irish called out and she snickered, Neville moved to the side showing Harry and applause rung out along with cheers, he stepped down and turned around to help Lyra down who was pulled from him into a hug with Seamus and Dean just as the others were greeted.
"What the fuck!" Seamus pulled away as he stared at the portrait, hushed whispers rung out.
"They're with us, have been from the beginning, without them...Without them i would have died" Lyra looked back to the Malfoys "Draco's been helping from the outside with the Slytherins here"
"Dead? Truly?" Seamus whispered looking at her and she nodded.
"We got caught by Bellatrix" that was all she needed to say before Dean nodded putting a warning hand on Seamus' shoulder.
"Thanks man" Dean nodded towards Draco who shifted looking uncomfortable but he nodded back in greeting.
"Yeah, thanks" Seamus grunted and Lyra laughed.
"Always being the bigger man Finnigan"
Neville chuckled and crossed his arms "Well, what's the plan Harry?"
"Okay" Harry looked around seeing all the faces watching him "Okay, You-Know-Who thinks there's something hidden in the castle, something that would help us defeat him"
"Right, what is it?" Neville nodded looking eager to get started.
Lyra was the one who answered that "The Diadem of Ravenclaw"
"The lost diadem of Ravenclaw" Luna nodded smiling at Lyra happily "It's quite famous"
Cho sighed from beside the Lovegood girl "Yes but Luna, it's been lost for centuries now. There isn't a person alive today who's seen it"
"Actually, that's not true...I have it" Lyra put her hand up and Seamus snorted.
"Course you do" she jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow and Dean snickered when he grunted "So are we going to destroy it?"
"Yes but not just yet, You-Know-Who should be coming here for it and with him he will bring the last item that will help us destroy him" Harry shook his head "The fight will be here"
The doors to the room opened and Ginny ran in grinning at them all, Ron waved to his sister "What is it Ginny?"
"Snape knows" she shook her head "Somehow he knows Harry was in Hogsmeade" a meeting had been called, Harry was to go into the hall while the others were to stand waiting.
It was mainly made up of Weasleys but they were a formidable group, as they waited the twins moved forward "So?" Fred grinned.
"Yeah, you gonna tell us?" George cocked a brow.
"Tell you nosy gits what?"
"You heard that gred?"
"I heard it Forge, so rude...We want to know what the Malfoys are doing on our side"
"They always have been" Lyra shrugged and the twins chuckled.
"If you say so" they both parroted.
"Leave the girl alone" Fleur narrowed her eyes at the twins who held their hands up letting her in to hug Lyra tightly "I 'eard what 'appened" she cupped Lyra face "Are you well?"
"I'm fine Fleur, war happens" the blonde veela frowned and kissed Lyra's cheek before stepping back.
"'orid thing"
She sighed "It's just going to get worse" they all fell silent when they moved to get ready to enter the great hall, hearing what was being said inside.
"Many of you are surely wondering why i have summoned you at this hour" Snape's voice was calm but sure "It's come to my attention that earlier this evening Harry Potter was believed to be in Hogsmeade. Now, should anyone, student or staff, attempt to aid Mr Potter they will be punished in a manner consistent with the severity of their transgressions. Furthermore, any person found to have knowledge of these events, who fails to come forward, will be treated as, equally guilty...Now then, if anyone here has any knowledge of Mr Potters movements this evening, i invite them to step forward, now..."
Answering gasps could be heard "It seems despite your exhaustive defense strategy" Harry's voice called out and Kingsley pushed the door open to the great hall so they could all walk in "You still have a security problem Headmaster and i'm afraid it's quite extensive" Lyra could hear the whispers about the Malfoys being stood behind the Order wands up and ready.
The main difference being that there was no 'Tell them' speech, Harry while angry with Snape for killing Dumbledore had been told the why but Snape glanced back at the Carrows who were stood behind him and raised his wand at Harry only for McGonagall to step forward making Snape hesitate.
McGonagall threw spell after spell, each one Snape blocked but never once threw one back, McGonagall was forcing Snape backwards and when he drew close enough he used her spell to hit the twins behind him, when McGonagall paused he used that time to apparate away but not before taking both of the twins wands from them.
The crowd cheered but Lyra watched Harry sway on his feet and fall backwards, they all felt the change in the air and a girl started screaming, Harry was released from the hold Moldy had him under and they all saw the girl screaming was a first year who was holding her hands to her ears as she cowered into a corner. The second she stopped someone else started screaming and they all turned seeing Padma with her hands over her ears with a look of sheer terror in her eyes.
"I know that many of you will want to fight" A harsh whispered filled the room, Lyra knew he wasn't in her head for the pure fact her walls were locked tight and she felt no one trying to enter, it was an amplifying spell but the way he'd used it made it seem he was in all of there heads. He most likely got into the two girls heads but it was impossible to get that many people at once.
"Some of you may even think that to fight is wise but this is folly. Give me Harry Potter...Do this and none should be harmed. Give me Harry Potter and i shall leave Hogwarts untouched. Give me Harry Potter and you will be rewarded, you have one hour" The voice was gone but so was their good mood.
"What are you waiting for? Someone grab him" Pansy panicked pointing at Harry.
Lyra was already moving the second she spoke up, she moved to stand in front of Harry and one by one others joined as they circled Harry as if to protect him "Students out of bed! Students out of bed! Students in the corridor!" Filch came running into the hall carrying Mrs Norris in his arms.
"They are supposed to be out of bed you blithering idiot" McGonagall shook her head.
Filch frowned "Oh...Sorry ma'am"
"As it happens Mr Flich your arrival is most opportune, if you would, i would like you please to lead Miss Parkinson and the rest of Slytherin house from the Hall"
"Exactly where is it am i leading them too Ma'am?"
McGonagall narrowed her eyes slightly at the man "The dungeons will do" the crowd cheered.
"That's not fair" Draco snarled moving forward but Lyra grabbed his hand and pulled him down slightly.
"Think dragon, she is protecting them, some of their families will be killed and if they don't want to fight they could be forced or worse, killed...It seems cruel but it is for their protection" she whispered into his ear and he sighed but nodded as he watched his friends be lead from the Hall.
Lyra pulled back and faced the others, she handed Harry the diadem and dagger "Give the others a chance to get the kids out because when this is gone...We best be ready" he nodded taking the offered pieces, he hugged her tightly threading his fingers into her hair. When he pulled back she hugged Ron "After the children are out find the twins, it's incredibly important that you stay by their sides, the spell you're looking for is Protago Maxima, do you understand?" she stressed the fact and Ron nodded squeezing her in his grip.
Lastly she turned to Hermione who threw herself at Lyra the pair hugging each other fiercely "Protago Maxima, Ron will understand, i love you"
"I love you too" Hermione whimpered into her best friends shoulder "Find us after alright, find us"
And for the first time since this all started the Golden Quartet split up, Ron and Hermione had gone to help get the rest of the children out with others, Harry had gone with some of the order to ward the front while Lyra was to go with Seamus before she did so she grabbed her father and hugged him tightly "Do not leave Remus' side" she hissed "Antonin Dolohov, you know him?" her father nodded "He kills them, promise me you won't die"
He moved back cupping her face "We will be just fine, i love you baby"
"I love you too dad" she nodded hugging him once more, she was scared because Sirius Black was meant to be dead by now so him fighting here was something she had no idea how it would end plus the fact she was sending him to guard Remus, she hoped she wasn't sending him to his death. She didn't care how many she was planning on saving, she was planning on killing twice as many to make up for it.
Seamus grinned and took her hand the second she pulled back from her father "What to show you something" he had chuckled and together they ran off followed by Neville.
As they went she watched a statue jump from the castle and land with a mighty boom, dust flew into the air and Neville spluttered behind her "What the bloody hell?"
"It's a spell, they protect the school" Lyra grinned watching it along with others join up and march forward, they also were gifted with watching the shield around the school being built "Beautiful isn't it?"
"It's something for sure" Seamus nodded leading them to the bridge, he pulled something out of his pockets "Snap bangs were brilliant but after a while it wasn't enough" he joked showing her the self made explosives.
"Fucking hell" she hissed but followed him as he began sticking them to the bridge. She was stood with Neville as Seamus worked on finishing, they both watched as hundreds, if not thousands of Snatchers and low level Death Eaters came running from the forest.
She watched as three men who were faster then the rest passed the wards lines and just...They were evaporated into nothing and she huffed "Come on Seamus" she whispered and Neville squeezed her hand, it kind of felt like the pair of them were against all those men and the squeeze was selfishly more for him then her.
The men and women stopped not willing to be killed, Neville turned to look at Lyra and saw her smirking, growing a bit cock sure he chuckled "Yeah! You and whose army?" he yelled out taunting the other side.
They were there for a while when she saw the shield beginning to give way "Time to go Neville, Harry destroyed it" she tugged on his hand and they slowly began to move back, he cut it fine the first time she wasn't willing to risk it. The pair had turned tail and ran making it passed the quarter when they heard the battle cries and far too many footsteps, spells soared over their shoulders.
She threw a few expulso's back just as Neville threw a well placed incendio, the bombs sparked and they both picked up the pace "Faster Nev!" Lyra reached back grabbing his hand to make him pick up the pace. They were trying to out run explosives which were going off faster then their legs could carry, they all felt the wood giving way and Lyra was shoved forward quite harshly.
She skidded just beyond the safe point, rolling to a stop but she spun and crawled back to the edge praying he'd be there, she glanced over and sighed "You shove me again and i'll wring your neck" she reached down and began trying to pull him up "A little help here!" Seamus and a few others helped her drag Neville up and over the edge.
"Really sorry" Neville apologized to her.
"You scared the shit out of me Nev, but thank you" she patted his shoulder "We need to go, it's time" the group of them took off running to join the others in the fight, she won't lie she was shooting to kill, she didn't care, so long as she didn't cast the killing curse she could argue it off as fear. Not that she expected to be put on trial but the 'light' side would stomach self defense and fear over her outright killing people on purpose.
She froze in her step, none of the others realized she had stopped as they ran "He destroyed it...God, what have i done!" she was meant to leave the diadem until after Harry just to make sure, she had forgotten the snake was killed after Harry, well not forgotten but...Had she just killed him for good.
"Found you" she span hearing someone chuckling, she came face to face with a man who looked to be covered in dirt "Knew i would" he growled and stalked forward "Guess i should thank you for making me Alpha" he threw himself at her but she threw him backwards with a spell "Bitch!" he roared out eye flashing amber.
He grabbed her and the pair grappled but something twitched inside her, something she hadn't done for a long time being too busy, her skin itched and her gums throbbed. Flesh became fur and canines sharpened into fangs "What the...?" before he could answer she jaws closed around his throat and she clamped down, the rush of iron flooded her mouth making her snarl as she threw his body to the side so she could stand.
Fucking werewolves, she ran off not bothering to change shapes, she was faster this way, fast enough that she caught her father's scent and saw him wand locked with Antonin, she roared and jumped over her father to rip the mans throat out, he didn't even get the chance to throw out a spell. When she stood up right her father pointed his wand at her, that was until he saw the silver eyes looking back at him.
"You have go to be fucking kidding me!" he laughed clutching his stomach as she walked forward, his fingers slipping through her silken fur "You are grounded young lady for not telling me" she huffed and saw Remus stood to the side with a large gash to his torso but he was alive, she purred and moved on ignoring when her father called out for her, ripping throats out was a lot faster then spells but she knew she couldn't keep it up not if she wanted to remain unknown.
She had yet to see the trio or anyone else really but she had placed herself into the courtyard where most of the fighting was, she had killed...Well she didn't have a number but it was a lot, they were either dead or they would be soon due to their injuries. Lyra wasn't playing fair by any means, she had no problem aiming for Death Eaters distracted by others, she hit them in the backs not caring in the slightest.
She turned feeling a blast of heat, too hot for it to be comfortable and she grinned seeing Charlie on dragon back, another two dragons behind him, a group of people on brooms flew passed and she saw Oliver Wood leading them all.
There had been two giants in the court yard, Lyra along with a few others had killed one and Charlie along with his dragon friend had killed the other, it was pandemonium, you had to have eyes in the back of your head and Lyra's sixth sense was ringing off the charts every time a wand was raised. She spotted a flash of ginger and turned just in time to see Hermione grab onto her shirt and pull Lyra along with the others.
They skidded to a stop seeing a werewolf hunched over someone "NO!" Hermione yelled and when he looked up Lyra had shot an expulso at him which sent him flying out the window to his death if her spell hadn't killed him straight away, she frowned seeing Lavenders unseeing eyes, the guilt wrecked through her. The deaths would be her fault, she had warned Ron about Fred, her father about Remus but she didn't warn Lavender...
She was pulled to keep running and when they saw the entrance to Hogwarts there were hundreds of Dementors, a burst of light flew over Lyra's shoulder and she turned to see Aberforth who nodded towards her as others joined him to cast them away.
"Where are we going?"
"Boat house" Ron whispered as they slowed, her chest squeezed remembering another who she didn't get to warn, it felt like it was all her fault. Like if someone wasn't in direct contact she just handed them off to die but she didn't want anybody to die, after everything, Snape didn't deserve this, he didn't deserve to die.
"There is no wand more powerful" Snape's voice called out to them as they all crouched to listen in "Ollivander himself said it. Tonight when the boy comes the wand will not fail you i am sure of it, it answers to you and you only"
"Does it?"
"My Lord?"
"The wand, does it truly answer to me? You're a clever man Severus, surely you must know. Where does it's true loyalty lie?"
"With you, of course my Lord"
"The elder wand can not serve me properly because i am not it's true master, the elder wand belongs to the wizard who killed the last owner" Lyra shook her head at the man's words, how could he be so smart yet so stupid at the very same time "You killed Dumbledore Severus, while you live the elder wand can not truly be mine, you have been a good and loyal servant Severus but only i can live forever"
"My Lord?" they all heard a gurgling sound and then someone hit the glass they were hiding behind, it was a few seconds before they heard someone apparate and before anyone else could register Lyra was up and running to the man. Her hands clutched onto his throat, she knew Voldemort slit his throat in the films but seeing it in person was jarring.
"It's okay, it's going to be okay" she whispered as she panicked, luckily Voldemort hadn't slashed the jugular but Severus was still bleeding out.
Harry joined her side and Snape locked eyes with him, a tear falling "Take them" he rasped out, Harry turned to Hermione the pair talking as she handed him a phial while Lyra simply held him tighter as her mind spun, Harry leant over her to collect the tears from his cheek "Take them to the pensive...You have your mothers eyes"
And then a thought clicked in her mind and she gasped "It wasn't the snake! It wasn't Nagini!" she whispered more to her self then anyone else she pulled back "Vulnera Sanentur, Vulnera Sanentur, Vulnera Sanentur" she cast the spell and watched as the wound fought it but slowly, very slow began to heal, she growled under her breath "Vulnera Sanentur, Vulnera Sanentur, Vulnera Sanentur" Lyra realized the others were watching her "Go! Go to the pensive!"
"We can't leave you here alone!" Harry snarled at her shaking his head.
"I'm not leaving him here! Go!" when they didn't move she snapped "GO!" they all ran from the room and she turned back to Severus "It's going to be alright, i've got you"
"Let me go" he whispered.
"You did not just say that to me! You did not just ask me to let you die!" she hissed "You don't get to do that, you don't get to make me care, show me your good side and then ask me to let you die while i'm trying to save you!" she casted the spell once more "How could you be so selfish? Lily is gone yes and i'm so sorry you didn't get to make up with her before she did but Draco loves you! Narcissa and Lucius love you! The others..." she sobbed casting the spell again "The others care, i care! You made me care and now you want me to let you die? You might as well ask me to slit your throat myself!"
Severus grunted feeling his neck knit back together slowly, more slowly then the spell should have been, he could tell she was trying hard, her core was working against her, his hand came up to grip her wrist "It's okay"
"Shut up!" she snarled "Shut up!" she cast the spell over and over before reaching into her bag grabbing bandages and Dittany, she doused his neck in the potion and wrapped it tightly before she could do or say anything else a ringing sounded and she had to fight not to cover her ears.
"You have fought valiantly but in vain...I do not wish this. Every drop of magical blood split is a terrible waste, i therefore command my forces to retreat, in their absents dispose of your dead with dignity...Harry Potter i now speak directly to you, on this night you have allowed your friends to die for you rather then face me yourself. There is no greater dishonour, join me in the forbidden forest and confront your fate...If you do no do this i shall kill every last man, woman and child who tries to conceal you from me"
"What a prick" Lyra hissed when Voldemort's voice tapered off "Not another word unless it's to thank me do you understand?"
"Bossy" he huffed as she tried to get him to his feet.
"Please! Please, i can't do it by myself, i need you to help me!" she begged knowing she wasn't going to make it up all the fucking stairs with him but he was in no place to be helping her "I'm sorry" she whispered and grabbed him apparating him into the Great Hall which was only possible because of the wards being ruined "Help! I need help!"
Madam Pomfrey rushed towards her and gasped seeing Severus "What happened?"
"Voldemort, i tried to help but i-i can't...Healing isn't-I tried" she begged and the matron nodded as she started healing Severus up with rapid results which Lyra found insulting.
"You were doing good" Severus whispered.
Lyra shook her head stopping him "No, don't talk she's just healed you, just...Just rest alright? Rest and heal so i don't have to tell them i killed you"
"Bossy" he hissed and she glared at him before she nodded and kissed his cheek.
"Don't ever ask me to do that again, people care about you, love you, don't leave us" she whispered into his ear before she stood and turned without another word, the Great Hall was now being used as a medic ground. Bodies were bring brought in, injured people, it was home base and the tensions were low, very low. Lyra looked around trying to take note of who was here and who could be under the sheets along the wall, in the far corner she saw a group of gingers and panicked, she ran forward and Charlie saw her coming, tears streamed down his face as she wrapped her arms around him "No..."
"It's Fred, they don't know if he's going to make it" he whimpered crying into her neck.
"Make it? He's alive?" she pulled back slightly to see Pomfrey was hunched over the boy "You need to get him to St Mungos!"
"She's right, there's not much i can do here with what i've got, he needs specialist help" Pomfrey nodded "I can make a port key but it's...It won't be approved"
"I'm sure it won't matter" Lyra stressed feeling like time was slipping.
"I'll take him" Molly sobbed and George nodded from beside her, the port key had been made and placed into her hand, seconds later the twins and Molly were gone, Lyra couldn't believe it! Something had saved Fred or at least saved him long enough to get help.
"Lyra?" she turned back to see Hermione waving to her "It's Harry, come" Charlie released her and took Ginny into his burly arms as Lyra jogged over to Hermione who lead her from the Hall "He wants to go to the Forbidden Forest"
Outside Ron was moving in front of Harry trying to stop him from leaving "You can't give yourself up to him!"
"What is it Harry?" Hermione moved beside Ron "What is it you know?"
Harry sighed "There's a reason i can hear them, the horcruxes, why i can hear him, i think i've known for a while and i think you have too" he looked between Hermione and Lyra.
Hermione cried "I'll go with you"
"No" Harry shook his head "After...After me it's just him" Hermione sobbed as she moved forward wrapping her arms around Harry who held her back, when they pulled apart Lyra was already there filling the gap, she hoped she hadn't ruined anything and he would come back, prayed for it actually.
"I love you" she whispered holding onto him tightly.
Harry moved his head to rest in the space where her neck met shoulder and he just breathed her in, knowing you were going to die put things in perspective "I love you" he whispered back and pulled back just enough to kiss her, a sad kind of kiss that spoke goodbyes and longing.
"You'll be fine" she pulled back and locked eyes with his bright green ones, Harry felt his stomach twist thinking she was trying to kid herself, that she hadn't seen and for a moment he was glad she hadn't, he didn't want her to see it.
He moved back and looked at Ron who nodded and walked forward bringing both girls into his arms, a silent promise to look after them, to protect them. The three of them watched as Harry turned and walked away, the two girls in his arms crying leaning into one another as he held them.
"He's going to be fine" Lyra whispered making Hermione cry harder but none of them knew that he would be, especially now that the Malfoys weren't out there, that thought alone chilled Lyra to the core, fuck "You two go ahead, i'm just going to sit here for a moment" she whispered and the pair hesitated before nodded thinking she needed space, Lyra waited until they were in the Great Hall before she transitioned from witch to panther.
She ran from the school, staying just far enough back from Harry for him not to know he was being followed. Her form helped her stay silent as she stalked him through the forest, her padded feet not even rustling in the leaves, Lyra watched Harry stop and pull something from his pocket and bring it too his mouth.
Her head tilted when she watched two shimmery figures appear before him, the red head held her hand out and Harry moved forward but his hand went right through hers. The woman only smiled "You've been so brave sweetheart"
"Why are you here?"
"We never left" Lily Potter shook her head once staring at her son.
"Does it...Does it hurt? Dying?" Harry asked and his father took a step forward.
"Quicker then falling asleep, you're nearly there son"
"I'm sorry" Harry whispered "I didn't want you to die for me...You'll stay with me?"
James nodded "Until the end"
"And he won't be able to see you?"
"No" Lily shook her head, Harry watched her eyes shift over his shoulder to look out into the forest but when he turned he saw nothing, James chuckled shaking his head.
"I'm not surprised" the man looked out also as if both of them could see something Harry couldn't.
"What is it?"
"Nothing to be scared of sweetheart" Lily soothed with a soft smile "Nothing to fear at all"
Harry nodded and gulped "Stay close to me?"
"Always" his mother answered strongly much like the man he had just seen from the memory, the two Potters looked out into the forest once more seeing the panther low to the ground watching them, they knew who it was and they watched as when Harry moved so did she.
"Harry? No! What are you doing here?" Hagrid yelled seeing him approaching, the half giant had been captured and was being held.
"Harry Potter...The boy who lived...Come to die" Voldemort hissed quietly.
Lyra felt her heart racing as she watched him raise his wand, pointing it right at Harry, she knew she couldn't stop this, this had to happen but she hadn't completely thought this through, now she'd have to watch...
"AVADA KEDAVRA!"
The green streak of light hit Harry straight on and he fell to the ground, her eyes were pinned wide, her heart broke seeing his body crumble and hit the cold ground, she felt like she couldn't breath but if she wanted him to possibly remain alive she had to keep her head steady. From the shadows she changed back keeping her body as low to the ground as she could she called upon all her magic, she called upon all the strength she could.
She felt her magic thrum beneath her skin, like a silver snake it wound up building as she prepared to do something she'd never done before, she heard panicked whispering and saw that Voldemort had also been thrown back, the last of his separated soul being killed making him unbalanced.
While everyone was worried about their beloved Dark Lord, Lyra narrowed her eyes, a hardly noticeable flash of blue stuck a Death Eater from behind, the man straighten up just as Voldemort threw Bellatrix from him when she tried to help him to his feet. Her selected Death Eater fought her control but she buckled down latching onto his mind as she forced her will against him, he walked forward towards Harry, it was like controlling a puppet on strings.
"The boy? Is he dead Rodolphus?" Bellatrix asked trying to save face at her rejection as her husband approached the boy on the ground.
Roldolphus leant down pressing his hand on the boys throat, Lyra felt his mind rear in her control at the feeling of a heartbeat but she doubled down almost making his knees buckle as her will overpowered his, at this point Lyra was sweating, the spell taking a toll but the man raised to his feet.
"Dead" his voice trembled but it didn't seem like they cared because they all started laughing and cheering, Hagrid was commanded to pick the boy up and Lyra forced Lestrange to stay to the side letting the others pass him. When he was towards the back Lyra felt her control slipping, it was slight and she only could tell because she was in his head, she crept forward bringing a fang from her pocket she plunged it into his chest as her hand fell over his mouth. The basilisk venom working fast as she had stabbed him just above his heart which pounded, sending the venom through his body in double time.
"Thanks" she whispered letting his body fall to the ground, she waited another few minutes before she apparated back to the castle, her body tilted as the world spun.
"Lyra!" Hands grabbed her before she fell and she shook her head seeing Hermione, Hermione glared at her as Lyra straightened up "Where have you been?"
"It's done, he's coming, gather the others"
Everyone walked back out into the courtyard seeing the Death Eater approaching with Voldemort leading them "Harry Potter, is dead!"
Lyra heard a growl coming from beside her but she grabbed her fathers arm bringing him close to her, his hand came up to grip her to his side tightly, his chest rumbling with barely contained rage.
"Harry Potter is dead. From this day forth you put your faith in me" Voldemort turned back to his people and held his hands out "Harry Potter is dead!" they all cheered and laughed making him turn back to face them "And now is the time to declare yourself...Come forward and join us"
No one moved, no one spoke.
"Or die" It was silent until Neville limped forward, Lyra shifted because she knew what was to have been but there was no snake anymore "Oh well, i must say i had hoped for better" his followers laughed "And who might you be young man?"
"Neville Longbottom"
Laughter erupted and even Voldemort smiled "Well Neville, i'm sure we can find a place for you in our ranks"
"I'd like to say something" Neville spoke but not once did he make eye contact with Voldemort.
Voldemort shifted, his teeth gritted as his hand fisted in anger "Well Neville, i'm sure we'd all be fascinated to hear what you have to say"
"It doesn't matter that Harry's gone"
"Stand down Neville" Seamus hissed from their side seeing the Death Eaters shifting.
But Neville turned slight "People die everyday! Friends, family...Yeah, we lost Harry tonight but he's still with us, in here" he pointed to his chest and Lyra felt as her father trembled next to her having said something similar to Harry himself "Everyone we lost today...They didn't die in vain" he looked back to Voldemort making eye contact for the first time "But you will, because you're wrong, Harry's heart did beat for us, for all of us! This isn't over"
Neville lifted his wand but before anyone could retaliate Harry's body fell from Hagrid's arms, he stood and raised his wand "Confringo" Voldemort blocked the spell only for it to bounce off his shield and hit some of his own men.
Voldemort moved to attack and so did Lyra "Bombarda Maxima!" she yelled pointing into the crowd of Death Eaters, men and women went flying, rock exploded, dust flew up. The use of the spell included with the sheer damage the single spell had created made Death Eaters in large numbers apparate, they scattered trying to leave.
Harry Potter was alive and his side was no where near done fighting, it was a losing cause and they knew it.
~~~
It was a mess, the remaining Death Eaters had chased them into the castle, people were fighting against every wall, in every corridor, bodies dropped on both sides. Lyra threw up a shield from a cutting curse and launched one back hitting her mark perfectly, she was being followed she knew that, every time she moved she felt someone follow her, watching for a weak moment but whenever she turned around there was no one she could see.
Lyra was wand locked with Rabastan Lestrange, she hadn't known it but he was guiding her back, if it hadn't been for the fact she was more mentally and magically stronger then him she would have already been dead four times over. That had been until she felt a spell hit her in the back and her knees buckled, they clashed against the dusty stone with a vibrating shake that made her feel sick, she heard cackling behind her as her head fell forward.
But the ending curse hadn't come, she panted believing Bellatrix was simply playing with her, toying with her life like a cat does a mouse that was until she felt a bony hand on her back, her world tilted as she was apparated "Kreacher?"
Lyra turned her head seeing both her father and Remus fighting side by side battling the remaining two Lestranges "Shush" her elf held his hand up healing magic seeping into her body "Let the dog handle it"
She groaned leaning against the wall as her elf guarded her "I need to help"
"Help yourself, i can feel your core is low" he growled blocking a spell that came towards them, the wizard who had attacked them went sailing through the air until he slammed against stone, both turned seeing Draco stood there.
"You alright?"
"Fine" they both looked up in time to see her father hit Bellatrix with a spell, she appeared startled before eyes eyes glazed and she fell to the ground.
"Finally" Draco whispered as he crouched beside her, Kreacher would shield them while Draco attacked, it was working quite well actually while she gained her breath back, she wasn't sure what spell Bellatrix had hit her with but her core was slowly replenishing.
"Don't say that, she was your aunt"
Draco turned to look at her like she was crazy "After what she did...Nothing would have made up for it! Beside she was your second cousin"
Lyra grimaced "Don't remind me, makes how i feel for you slightly weird"
"Weird?" he chuckled "Lyra the Black's have been know to marry Aunts, Uncles, First cousins...I doubt anyone is going to blink at third cousins" he shook his head "Magic calls to magic, besides you're mixed with McKinnon genes and as am i with Malfoy genes, i think we're safe"
She snorted "People don't see that"
"Who cares..." he narrowed his eyes "People are trying to survive i doubt they'd look twice nor care"
Lyra shook her head "Later, we will speak about this later, Kreacher i'm alright now, we need to end this" her elf hesitated but stepped to the side letting her pass but they didn't mean he left, oh no both him and Draco were now protecting her back. The three of them moved as one either killing or tying Death Eaters up, Lyra wasn't blind to the fact that Draco was throwing harsh curses to any werewolves he saw.
They passed Hermione who was stood side by side with Ron, Lyra saw a red spell flying towards her and Lyra threw up a shield, Draco threw his own curse out and Ron nodded to the blonde who helped his new girlfriend.
They all made it out of the Great Hall and saw the point where Harry was winning his wand lock with Voldemort "He's going to do it" Draco whispered watching it with wide eyes as red started to overcome green.
A few more had come out feeling a change in the air and they saw red overtake green in it's entirety, Voldemort sank to his knees but instead of the films take he didn't turn into dust which was swept up by the wind, he died like a normal man, his body slumped to the side, eyes staring up at the sky but remained unseeing, his chest no longer taking air just like she had said second year.
"Fuck" Draco whispered the backs of his knuckles brushing her, she moved her hand and interlocked her hand with his "We won...You were right"
A few aurors had thrown up quick anti apparition shields before they worked to round up the remaining Death Eaters, the ones who got away would have to be searched for but it was a good start.
~~~
Everyone had been regathered in the Great Hall, their dead had been moved and their wounded had been healed or moved to St Mungos, hot chocolate had been handed out while people came down as their adrenaline crashed.
Her friends had caught up with her, the four of them were stood outside in the sun shine, it felt like mother nature was smiling down on them "Why didn't the Elder wand work for him?" Hermione asked seeing the wand in Harry's hand.
"It answered to somebody else...When he killed Snape, he thought the wand would become his but the thing is the wand never belonged to Snape, it was Draco who disarmed Dumbledore that night in the astronomy tower, from that moment on the wand answered to him until i disarmed Draco at Malfoy Manor when we thought he was..."
"That means..."
Harry nodded at Ron "It's mine"
"What should we do with it?" Ron asked and Lyra snickered shaking her head.
"We?" Hermione snapped round to look at him.
"I'm just saying it's the Elder wand, the most powerful wand in the world"
"Too powerful" Lyra muttered.
Ron nodded "With that we'd be invincible" they all watched as Harry took the wand and snapped it clean in half throwing both pieces over the bridge, Harry chuckled at their faces as he drew Lyra into his chest hugging her tightly.
"I think we'll be just fine without it" he smiled down at her.
"Is this a bad time to tell you Snape isn't dead?" she whispered and he chuckled shaking his head at her.