July 2nd Lyra didn't want to wait anymore so she left for Harry's in the night with the help of Kreacher "Knock knock" she whispered gently trying not to scare him but paused when she saw him under his cover, a bright light erupted from under them with him and she bit her lip trying to hold back the snicker.
Lyra crept forward before quickly grabbing the sheet she pulled it so it fell from his head, the boy underneath yelped as her hand came up to cover his mouth while she grinned "Kreacher can you put a silencing charm up please?"
"Yes Mistress Lyra" the elf turned lifting his hand.
"I knocked but you were busy" she chuckled as he just stared at her "I brought gifts, i think we can drop the nutrition potions, i know we lowered the dose but you look really healthy now so as long as you promise to eat as least three times a day you can stop taking them"
"Lyra?"
"Yes?"
"Why are you here?"
"I was bringing your basket? Why did...Oh sorry were you busy? I know i didn't ask like last time i just thought...Sorry" Lyra frowned looking at the basket in her hands "I'll just put this over here and go"
"No that's not...I meant..." Harry scratched the back of his head "Well i'm not sure what i meant but thank you for this, you don't have to go"
"What were you doing?"
"Well i remembered what you said about wandless magic so i was practicing"
Lyra nodded as she looked around the room "Harry many things are about to start changing soon" she spoke airily and saw him straighten up from the corner of her eye, in the almost three years of knowing the trio they had associated the tone with one of her 'visions'.
"In what way?"
"Many ways i suppose, There's another seer in Hogwarts, she joined last year but it was a busy one i didn't have a chance to meet her personally...But i do not think you truly meet until fifth year, time will go back and forth, a rat may be caught, a howl saves lives...Oh and Ron breaks his leg but don't tell him he will freak out!"
"I don't know what half of those things mean" Harry rubbed his forehead when she giggled.
"That's okay, you will when the time is right"
"Mistress we need to leave to get to that thing now" Kreacher moved closer reminding her gently.
"Oh thank you Kreacher, you're right" she turned and grinned at Harry "I'll see you soon Harry"
"Thank you Lyra" He hesitated before hugging her gently "Thank you really"
She turned to leave but froze "Oh and Harry?" he hummed "Your aunt is coming to your house for dinner at some point, foul women she is. When you know of the date she comes please inform me"
"Erm, sure i'll send Hedwig"
~~~
Kreacher apparated her to Little Hangleton "Is this the place?"
"It is Kreacher, you have done so well now please Kreacher stay here for me"
The elf shook his head, his large ears flopping with the movement "Kreacher doesn't like that idea Mistress"
"I know Kreacher but i don't know what spells are on that place and i don't want you getting hurt, now please stay here" she took a deep breath and allowed herself to transform into her panther form, she slowly slunk towards the ruined shack. It was mainly weeds and bushes, the door which was barely hanging on by it's hinges held a dead snake pinned to the wood by a dagger, it skeleton held together just barely but she knew the second the door opened it would probably crumble.
She felt a tingle when she passed the wards, it was one of the biggest flaws in the old wards, wizards back then didn't believe anyone would want to become an Animagus thinking it would make them a half breed, it was like they forgot about it completely so none of the old wards stopped Animagus' from crossing the wards in animal form, it was like the old magic itself couldn't distinguish the difference.
She forced the door open and strutted inside as if she belonged there, she moved towards the living room before attacking the flooring, the old wood having rotten through from several holes in the ceiling made it almost too easy, she knew it would be in this room but not where so she just made as many large holes as possible.
She only spotted the box because the metal of the box was so shiny and perfect it glinted like a diamond, she picked the box up with her fangs and the moment it left the floor boards hundreds of snakes poured up through the holes she had made, they slithered towards her and she backed up quickly sliding slightly on an old rug but she turned and hightailed it from the shack, the snakes were closing in but the second she crossed the wards and they tried to follow they disintegrated into dust once they passed the wards.
Dropping the box she stepped back and took a moment to turn back into her human form, Kreacher immediately moved to her side "Mistress Lyra are you okay?" she felt his magic brush over her as if he was searching for wounds.
"I'm okay Kreacher" she stared at the box in front of her but she made no move to open the box knowing even now she wished to talk to a few people and she knew of the curse on it "Kreacher i need you to take this from me, but you can not ever open this box...Do you swear it?"
"Kreacher swears he shall never open this box ever" he nodded as he took it from his mistress "Why do you wish for me to take it?"
"I...It has a curse on it Kreacher, if i open this box i could be cursed and it's a deadly curse but i do not trust myself not to open it but you have held onto the locket for years and you have protected it, there's no one i trust more then you"
"Kreacher will never open this box nor will he allow his Mistress to be cursed by the Dark Lord" he tapped her hand to comfort the girl who was staring at the box in his hands.
"Kreacher?"
"Yes Mistress?"
"Can you take me home please?" She whispered and his eye's softened as he took her hand more firmly and apparated them back to the Malfoy Manor, he took her straight to her room, weaving his magic through her hair he braided it quickly before laying out a nightdress.
"Kreacher is going to put this with the locket and then he will be back with some tea, get dressed for bed" he left the room leaving her to follow his orders, once dressed she got into her bed and Onyx was quick to move to lay on her lap "Kreacher has the tea, he has added half a sleeping potion for Mistress Lyra because she needs rest! You have been neglecting yourself and Kreacher now knows he needs to be stopping at Hogwarts to make sure his mistress is resting!"
Lyra took the offered cup and downed the tea before handing the cup back to her friend "Thank you Kreacher, for everything"
"Get some rest now" the old elf scolded her and actually stood by her bed until the sleeping potion took hold and sent her into dreamland, he shook his head gently "Too young, always too young"
~~~
In the morning she jogged into the dining room seeing Lucius was sat by himself waiting for her to join the table "Good morning Sweetling" she nodded in greeting and walked closer "Is something the matter?" Lucius frowned slightly as she approached the table.
"I saw my father...I also saw Peter Pettigrew but his location is still blurry" she sat and took the cup he offered.
"Would you like to talk about it?"
Lyra took a sip of her tea relaxing when she felt Onyx brush against her shins, the cat climbed into her lap not needing to leap up but he was very good at curling up small enough to fit in her lap "He was wearing a jumpsuit, he looked filthy, scared...He was so skinny, he somehow escaped from Azkaban and he knows where Peter is, he wants to kill him but if he gets to Peter before i do there will be no proof, no chance of him being found innocent"
"And you are trying to figure out how to find Peter first?"
"No, in my dreams we find him at the same time but what if my word isn't enough? What if the need to kill Peter is too much?"
Lucius hummed "Lyra i can assure you, your word will be more than enough for your father even before he learns you're a seer. To your father family is everything, you are his heir and his daughter plus if he didn't listen, you are quick with your wand i'm sure you could figure something out"
She chuckled at his smile "I suppose you are right"
"I usually am" he hummed just as the rest of his small family joined them at the table for breakfast.
~~~
Come the end of August Kreacher walked into the dining room as they were eating dinner "A letter has come from the white owl Mistress"
"Thank you Kreacher" she grinned and took the letter.
"Anything important my Love?" Narcissa cut a piece of chicken up neatly as Lyra opened the parchment.
"Yes actually, Harry's foul aunt is going to his house for dinner, the woman breeds dogs and believes Harry is the way he is due to poor breeding" Lyra answered with a mocking jilt to her voice "The woman and her kin are a breath away from being mountain trolls and yet it is Harry that's the result of 'poor breeding'."
"Lyra" Lucius scolded her gently but she simply waved him off knowing he had no love for the muggles he was only scolding her to remind her of her manners but people like that did not deserve the grace of them to begin with.
"She's simply dreadful but Harry blows her up like a balloon and is called to see Fudge but he is not thrown from Hogwarts" Draco beside her snorted before covering it up when Narcissa sent him a short look "May i be excused from the table?"
Narcissa frowned seeing the girl refold the parchment neatly "What for Lyra?"
"Well i believe Harry might see a glimpse of my father tonight and i...Well i thought"
"You are excused my love" Narcissa smiled while she was happy her cousin had escaped Azkaban and would be fine, a small part of her mourned what that would mean for her little family "You are to go with Kreacher but you do not leave his side do i make my self clear?"
"Perfectly" Lyra nodded "Thank you" Lyra stood from her chair and moved around the table to kiss Narcissa's cheek softly reciprocating it twice more for Lucius and Draco who both looked less then pleased about her leaving.
She grabbed a coat and when she moved to the door Kreacher stood waiting for her with a disapproving look on his face "Where do you think you are going?"
"Kreacher" she snickered crossing her arms slightly as she stared down at her friend "I have been doing everything you told me to for over a month now, i cannot sleep anymore. Things are picking up pace again and this year is one of the most important ones"
The elf growled "Kreacher will take you to where you need to go then he will bring you straight home"
"I might have to stay at the three broom sticks"
"I think not, get your coat on" her elf scoffed at the mere thought, once her coat was on and zipped up he took her hand "Where too?"
"Harrys house but outside this time Kreacher please" he nodded and with a light pop she glanced up to see the outside of Harry's house.
"Shut up! Shut up!" She chuckled hearing Harry's voice, Lyra skipped to the door and knocked three times but it went unanswered which was fair seeing as she believed she knew what they were all seeing but this was one thing she couldn't miss.
"Alohomora" the door opened without another objection and she quietly walked in, she peeked around the door and saw the aunt blowing up like a balloon with a giggle she turned and walked upstairs towards Harry's room she started packing his school trunk. She heard someone running up the stairs and turned to see Harry walk in and slam the door "Hello Harry"
The boy startled so violently his body hit the door "Lyra!"
"I saw what you did to that woman, nicely done, come on then get packing"
"What are you doing here?"
"Well i couldn't miss the chance of you blowing her up like a balloon could i? Also there's someone i want to see and being here would help me do that so come on"
"I'm glad you're here" Harry closed his trunk after lying the photo of his mother and father on top of his clothes, she smiled and rested her hand over his.
"I'm glad i'm here too" Harry picked the trunk up and started dragging it down the steps, Lyra followed close behind after they set Hedwig loose of her cage to fly.
"You bring her back! You bring her back now!" a large man who's face was practically purple bellowed in Harry's face "Who are you! What are you doing in my house!" he screamed at Lyra who laughed.
"Hello! I'm here to collect Harry, i'd appreciate it if you got out of our way now"
"No! Put my sister right! Bring her back!"
"No, she deserved what she got" Harry snarled in the man's face who yelled and brought his hands up looking suspiciously like he was going to strangle Harry so she pulled out her wand just as Harry did "Keep away from me"
"You can't do magic outside of school" the man simpered back away from the two wands pointed to him, while he knew Harry and didn't actually think the boy had it in him this new person was unknown and by the looks of her he wasn't sure she wouldn't hurt him.
"Oh yeah? Try me" Harry taunted while Lyra simply smirked.
"They won't let you back now, you've no where to go"
"I don't care, anywhere is better then here" Harry pushed the guy back enough that he could open the front door.
"And you're wrong, he has plenty of people who would take him, I am one of them...Have a good day and good luck getting your bitch back by yourself muggle"
"Lyra come on!" Harry called from outside the house.
"Coming!" she waved once more to the muggles just before she shut the door behind her.
"Is Kreacher going to get us?" Harry looked at her with a frown as she just stood watching him.
"Kreacher? Oh no he is terribly busy" she grinned and started walking but she had absolutely no idea where she was going "Do you have a park nearby?"
"A park?"
"Yes with the swings and sometimes there's a slide?"
Harry smiled but the small frown on his face remained "It's this way" he took her hand and lead her to the park, it was only a small one a twin set of swings, a small slide and a roundabout "Why are we here?"
"Because we need to be" she spoke airily just as the wind picked up and there was a squeak behind them as the swings started to move along with the roundabout.
A seesaw which she had missed thudded as it hit the dirt ground "Lyra" Harry's tone sounded as a warning but seconds later they both heard a small growl, turning both 13 year olds saw a black dog exit from the bushes, Harrys threw his arm out and gently moved Lyra behind him which made the animal bark and growl again.
Harry lifted his wand but Lyra knocked it upwards, the sudden movement made Harry slip on the wet pavement but she knew this song and dance so she stepped to the side "So clumsy" she rolled her eyes grabbing a small loaf of bread she had stolen from dinner from her pocket, she threw it to the 'dog' and smiled.
A honking drew her attention from the dog which was staring at her, the triple tier bus stopped in front of them both "Welcome to the Knight bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard my name is Stan Shunpike, and i will be your conductor for this evening" Stan put the small slip of paper in his pocket his smile only just polite enough to pass but it fell when he saw Harry on the ground "What's he doing down there?"
Lyra shrugged but Harry answered for her "I fell over"
"What you fell over for?"
"I didn't do it on purpose"
"Well come on then, let's not wait for the grass to grow" Stan huffed putting his hands on his hips as Harry moved around the back end of the bus to see if the beast was still there.
Stan swung himself around to look also which forced Lyra to also peek around the bus "What are you looking at?"
"Nothing" Harry waved him off seeing how the dog had left and had taken the bread with him.
"Well come on then, in." Harry moved to grab his trunk "No, no, no i got this, you two get in"
Inside the bus Lyra couldn't help but gawk, there were three beds on the bottom floor one was occupied by a snoring man. Towards the middle of the bus there was an opening showing the other two levels which held the private beds, the huge chandelier was a nice touch.
"Come on move on, move on" Stan rushed them forward when both teens were staring upwards, he faced them and rung up two tickets.
"Oh right, here" Lyra handed over one galleon and 5 sickles to cover the two tickets.
Stan nodded handing her the tickets "Take her away Ern"
"Yeah, take it away Ernie" The shrunken head attached to the rear-view mirror grinned "It's gonna be a bumpy ride" The bus took off and both Harry and Lyra were forced back landing on one of the beds which rolled backwards before rolling back to it's original position, while she'd known it was coming it still didn't prepare her for the force in which the bus had thrown her back.
"What did you say your name was?" Stan frowned looking more closely at Harry.
"I didn't"
"Well whereabouts are you headed?"
"The Leaky Cauldron. That's in London" Harry answered and Lyra snickered gently.
"Did you hear that Ern? 'The Leaky Cauldron, that's in London'." Stan mocked with a laugh as Lyra held on to the brass bed frame as it rolled back and forth.
"The Leaky Cauldron, if you have the pea soup...Make sure you eat it before it eats you" the shrunken head let loose a shrill laugh as the old man 'Ernie' took a rough left turn and her side hit Harry who was jammed into the other side of the bed frame.
"But the muggles, can't they see us?" Harry grunted softly wincing as he pushed them both away from the frame.
Stan scoffed "Muggles? They don't see nothing do they"
"If you jab them with a fork, they feel" the shrunken head snickered.
"Well that was oddly specific" Lyra locked her arms around the bed frame as she recalled what was coming.
"Ernie, little old lady at 12 o'clock!" the bus screeched to a halt, Harry went flying passed her from the bed as he smacked against the window with a loud thud "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, three and a half, two, one and three quarters, Yes!"
The bus shot off once more and Harry practically landed in her lap but the second his arse hit the bed he latched onto the frame much like she had "Who is that? That man?" Harry caught onto the newspaper Stan was reading, the screaming man on the front looked oddly familiar.
"Who is that? Who is...That is Sirius Black that is" he held the paper up and Lyra locked eyes with the screaming print of her father as he held up the Azkaban board they used for prisoners "Don't tell me you've never been hearing of Sirius Black...He's a murderer, got himself locked up in Azkaban for it"
Lyra's jaw ticked as she clenched it shut, her magic flickered at her anger "How did he escape?" Harry reached out quickly interlocking his fingers with hers for comfort, this was news for him, they were meant to help him be found innocent not for him to escape.
"Well, that's the question isn't it? He's the first one that done it, he was a big supporter of..."
"That's enough thank you" Lyra interrupted Stan shortly sounding more then a bit snobby but she couldn't find it in herself to care.
"Of course, not a pleasant conversation to have in front of a lady" Stan nodded but didn't seem very abashed at all.
"Ernie, two double-deckers at 12 o'clock...They're getting closer Ernie, Ernie they're right on top of us!" The shrunken head yelled and the bus suddenly started moving in slow motion giving the driver enough time to pull a few levers "Mind your head"
Lyra winced feeling magic squish her along with the bus and everyone else inside it to allow it to pass between the buses "Hey guys? Guys? Why the long faces?" the head laughed as they returned back to normal size as they passed through the moment the Knight bus was clear it shot off once more.
"Yeah, yeah nearly there. Nearly there" the bus stopped once more and Harry having not learnt his first lesson went flying once more hitting the glass face first.
"The Leaky Cauldron" Stan waved his hand and Lyra stood brushing her coat down.
"Thank you, Harry come along"
"Ahh Mr Potter at last." a bald man walked into the entrance of the bus "You brought a friend" He waved him out and beckoned them to follow him.
When they reached a room he opened the door and Harry walked in "Hedwig!"
"Right smart bird you have there Mr Potter, he arrived here just five minutes before yourself"
A clearing of a throat got their attention "As the minister of magic, it is my duty to inform you Mr. Potter that earlier this evening your uncles sister was located a little south of Sheffield circling a chimney stack. The accidental magic reversal department was dispatched immediately, she has been properly punctured and her memory modified. She will have no recollection of the incident whatsoever so that's that..." Fudge looked at Harry for the first time of the whole conversation and stopped cold seeing Lyra stood beside him.
"And no harm done" he finished with a forced smile "Miss Black i wasn't aware you'd be joining Mr Potter"
"I wasn't aware you'd be here either Sir, but here we both are"
"Yes, quite right...Pea soup?"
"No thank you" Harry answered for both of them and she nodded to agree with Harry "Minister?"
"Yes"
"I don't understand"
"Understand?" the Minister parroted and Lyra forced herself not to roll her eyes.
"I broke the law" Harry stated and Lyra's heart jumped while visibly startling, what the fuck was wrong with him! How the hat thought he'd be good in Slytherin was beyond her, the boy had no self preservation at all "Underage wizards can't use magic at home"
"Come now Harry, the minister doesn't send people to Azkaban for blowing up their aunts" Fudge grinned.
Lyra stared at the minister, she was going to make him eat his words, she was going to make him appear stupid in front of his peers when she had Peter Pettigrew in her hands and all the proof including the fact her father was never given a trial, her father would come out of this looking like a damn saint.
"On the other hand running away like that, given the state of things...Was very very irresponsible"
Lyra wanted conformation "The state of things sir?"
"We have a killer on the loose" the Minister lowered his voice after looking at Lyra briefly, she was going to drown him in his own stupidity and then after Umbridge she was going to bury him.
"Miss Black perhaps it is time you should be getting home, i will contact Lucius"
"No need Minister, i will contact my elf now. Harry i will owl you" she turned hugging Harry tightly kissing his cheek "I'll be back in the morning"
"Goodnight Lyra, thank you for today"
"Don't even mention it" she grinned and left the room without so much as a glance at the Minister "Kreacher?"
Her elf popped up next to her "Mistress ready to come home now?"
"Yes i am Kreacher" she grinned as he took her hand.
~~~
The next morning she stayed with the Malfoys while they shopped for their school supplies, she knew this may be the last year she stayed with them and it seemed they knew too.
Draco hadn't left her side since the papers showing her father had escaped from Azkaban, Narcissa was even more motherly then normal which was saying something. Even Lucius was spending more time from his study claiming they needed to do more lessons with wandless magic and anything that would permit him to be teaching them, It was bitter sweet.
Then came the train, Narcissa had stroked her cheeks as if this were the last time she'd ever see Lyra again, hugging her just as tightly. Lucius broke his unspoken rule of not having heartfelt goodbyes at the station and had smoothed her hair away from her face before chucking her chin gently.
"You will write to us every week do you understand?" Narcissa demanded looking at Lyra who's hand was turning white from the death grip Draco had on it.
"Yes i understand"
"You will tell us everything, you will be careful at all times if not Draco will tell me and you will be in big trouble do you hear me?"
"Yes, i hear you clearly, i swear i will be careful...This will be the year hopefully, Peter will walk right into my plan and if the cards are right i might even be able to put off you know know coming back" she whispered and Narcissa gasped.
"Lyra that is dangerous!"
"It will all be alright, i promise" she smiled and kissed both Narcissa and Lucius on the cheek "i should be getting onto the train now" Draco pouted but let her go knowing his mother had a last few minute words to have with him, this year felt much different to the two previous ones.
She caught a flash of Hermione's hair and quickened her steps "Lyra!" Hermione beamed at her happily and pulled her into a tight hug in the narrow walkway "Oh it's so good to see you, mum and dad were asking about you they heard about the news and wanted to make sure you were alright, you are alright aren't you?"
"Yes Mi, i'm fine this year will be good if i time things just right" she grinned and Granger sighed in relief.
"Harry was telling us about his aunt"
"It was wicked!" Lyra snickered and Hermione pinched her arm.
"I didn't mean to blow her up i just...I lost control" Harry tried to defend himself but blowing one up like a huge blimp was not something you blow off...Get it?
"Brilliant" Ron breathed out almost in awe which made Lyra snort and Hermione huff.
"Honestly Ron, it's not funny Harry was lucky not to be expelled"
"I think i was lucky not to be arrested actually" Harry recalled his uncles reaction.
Ron grinned "I still think it's brilliant"
"I second that!" Lyra held her hand up which Hermione batted out of the air.
Hermione pulled open a door to a carriage "Come on, everywhere else is full"
"Yeah thanks to red head here we lost our personal carriage to first years, do you know what that does to my self esteem?" she glared at Ron who blushed, he'd freaked out about not having his 'rat' and had demanded they all got up to look for the beast.
"Who do you think that is?" Ron nodded to the sleeping form of a man, the man who Lyra had been most excited to re-meet along with her father, she moved to sit beside Remus as Harry sat on the other side of her leaving the opposite bench to Ron and Hermione.
"Professor R. J. Lupin" Hermione stated cockily, Harry's head snapped to Lyra remembering the name of the man who is in a lot of the photos in his photo book and she nodded gently.
"Do you know everything? How is it she knows everything?" Ron shifted on the bench as he questioned Hermione.
"It's on his suitcase Ronald" Hermione huffed and the answering 'Oh' from Ron made Lyra laugh gently so she didn't wake Remus up who she had a suspicion was already awake.
"Do you think he's really asleep?" Harry peered around her to look at the man who he'd also been dying to meet.
"Seems to be, why?"
"I've got to tell you something" Harry answered Hermione as he shut the door for privacy, he then went on to tell them how the Minister and also Ronald's father had warned him to be careful now that Lyra's father was loose, the Minister had gone as far as to warn him about spending so much free time with Lyra.
"Let me get this straight, people including my father has told you that Sirius Black escaped Azkaban to come after you?" Ron quipped with a stunned expression.
"Yeah"
"They won't catch your father will they?" Hermione frowned deeply turning to look at her best friend.
"Not if i have a say about it"
"Sure but everyone is looking for him and they believe his a murderous raving lunatic..."
"Ronald!" Hermione snapped while Lyra glared.
"Not that he is i'm sure but that's what they think" The red head tried to back track but before anyone could reply the train stopped.
"Why are we stopping? We can't be there yet"
Harry stood to check but a thump against the train caused it to rock and Harry stumbled backwards "What's going on?" Ron's voice quaked.
"Nothing good" Lyra muttered.
"Maybe we've broken down" Harry tried to sooth his friend but the lights chose that moment to flicker out, Ron scooted over to the window accidentally kicking Hermione.
"Ouch Ron! That was my foot"
"There's something moving out there" Ron stared out the window, his palm pressed flat against the glass "I think someone's coming on board"
"They're not people" Lyra stressed as the glass started to freeze over, Remus' glass bottle of water froze solid. The air became glacial their breaths becoming visible in small puffs of condensational clouds. Beside her Harry had started rubbing his hands together hoping the friction would help warm them but nothing would warm someone around a dementor.
Something screeched in the distance "Bloody hell what is happening!" Ron yelled as the train jerked forward. The hair on her body stood up, her skin erupted with goose bumps as she shivered in her seat, she had been unintentionally shuffling towards Remus who was still huddled under his robes.
Lyra watched the glass and her shivering doubled when she saw a dark figure float by the door, it's skeletal hand lifted like a claw and all four of them watched in silent horror as the door handle lifted and the door slowly slid open. The dementor floated in a few inches and looked at each of them, Onyx hissed from his crate much like Crookshanks who had huddled behind Hermione, she heard a small squeak as Peter hid in Ron's jacket.
The dementor looked at Harry once more and Lyra saw the moment it started to feed on his soul so she roughly threw her elbow into Remus "Moony please!" she begged and she felt his body jerk as he woke with a startle, maybe he had been asleep then.
He stood and a blinding white light erupted from his wand, it wasn't a corporeal Patronus but it was very strong as it threw the dementor back and even from the train. Lyra gasped when Harry fell into her side, she brought her arm up to catch him as she gently lowered him to the bench moving to kneel on the floor removing his glasses when they started pressing against his nose.
"Harry?" Hermione tried to rouse him a moment or so later "Harry are you alright?"
Green eyes hit silver and he blinked a few times realising who was almost nose to nose with him but it wasn't Lyra's voice so he glanced up to see almost matching curls but hazel eyes, he looked back to Lyra who held his glasses out to him "Thank you"
"Here, eat this. It will help" Remus reached over her to hand him a few pieces of chocolate "It's alright, it's chocolate" he smiled when Harry looked shocked.
"What...What was that thing that came?" he glanced back at the door as if waiting to be attacked again.
"It was a dementor. One of the guards of Azkaban, it's gone now, it was searching the train for Sirius Black...If you'll excuse me i will have to have a word with the driver" Remus set the bar of chocolate in his hand down and he left quickly, Lyra guessed it was also to re-centre himself after seeing Harry and probably herself.
"What happened to me?" Harry questioned staring at the door Lyra reached over and lifted the hand holding the chocolate to his mouth indicating for him to eat.
"Well, you sort of went rigid, we thought you were having a fit or something" Ron answered rather bluntly gaining an elbow to the ribs from Hermione.
"And did any of you...You know...Pass out?"
"No, i felt weird though, like i'd never be cheerful again" Ron frowned down at his hands.
"But someone was screaming? A woman"
Hermione shook her head as she clutched Crookshanks closer to herself "No one was screaming Harry"
~~~
In the great hall Lyra was laughing with Seamus who was telling her all about his summer but the hall fell silent when Dumbledore took the stage "Welcome, welcome to another year at Hogwarts now i'd like to say a few words before we all become too befuddled by our excellent feast. First i'm pleased to welcome Professor R. J. Lupin who's kindly consented to fill the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, good luck Professor" Lyra clapped along with everyone else.
"Of course, that's why he knew to give you the chocolate Harry" Hermione grinned as she clapped along.
"Potter? Potter" Harry and Ron turned to see who was whispering only to be greeted by Draco "Is it true you fainted? I mean you actually fainted?"
"Shove off Malfoy?" Ron glared and forced Harry to face the two girls.
"Our Care of Magical Creatures teacher of many years has decided to retire in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs. Fortunately i'm delighted to announce that his place will be taken by none other then our own Rubeus Hagrid...Finally on a more disquieting note at the request of the minister of magic, Hogwarts will until further notice play host to the dementors of Azkaban until such a time as Sirius Black is captured"
At the name many turned to look at Lyra who glared darkly when she met their eyes "What are you looking at!"
"You helping your Daddy Black?" McLaggen grinned from a few seats down.
"Cormac, if you only had some brains to your looks...You'd realise that asking me if i am harbouring my father who is thought to be a murder is not a good idea...You'd be collateral to make sure he remained hidden" she smirked evilly at him watching with sick pleasure when his face fell slowly as if realisation finally clicked "But of course i am not so you're safe" she smiled prettily and he nodded quickly.
"The dementors will be stationed at every entrance to the grounds now whilst i've been assure that their presence will not disrupt our day to day activities, a word of caution...Dementors are vicious creatures. They'll not distinguish between the one they hunt and the one who get's in their way. Therefore, i must warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you it is not in the nature of a Dementor to be forgiving. But you know, happiness can be found even in the darkest of times..." he swiped his hand and a candle in front of him went out "If one only remembers to turn on the light" the candle relit itself when he brought his hand back up.
~~~
Lyra was walking towards the portrait with the others but she was talking with Neville about his Gran "Here look, she just won't let me in" Seamus drew attention to himself and she paused.
"Where's the old Portrait?" she frowned at the new portrait to the Gryffindor tower.
"Percy told me she's been retired to the teachers lounge, poor woman was apparently too old" Fred leant down to whisper into her ear.
"She's a portrait, she can not get too old, she's never aging" Lyra looked up at the twins with narrowed eyes.
"Well they retired her and they gave us another nutter" George chuckled into her other ear laughing when she batted them both back.
"Fortuna Major" Harry spoke clearly making the woman look back at them.
"No, no wait, wait" she waved them off "Watch this" she looked back at the glass in her hand, she started screaming but ended up in a scream.
"You have got to be kidding me, worse then a mandrake" Lyra whispered up to the twins who nodded with a grimace.
The portrait moved her hand back and smashed the glass on the stone building behind her as she gasped "Amazing. Just with my voice"
"Fortuna Major" Harry demanded this time and she huffed.
"Yes alright...Go in" the doorway sung open.
Lyra went straight up and started unpacking just as she did every night upon coming to Hogwarts, not being up for much conversation she went straight to bed cuddling next to Onyx like normal the cat was actually more like a big baby and refused to sleep anywhere other then in her arms under the duvet, so spoiled.
~~~
The first week back at Hogwarts was busy, finding her new classes in the huge castle, her schedule had gone from the compulsory seven classes not including flying lessons she kept studying and Ghoul Studies which she did with Hermione, to ten classes still not including flying lessons and Ghoul Studies.
Her schedule was packed and she was instantly more glad she had completed what she had to before this year had come around, day one of the year she had snuck down into the chamber of secrets, it was still stable and the parseltongue still kept most out. With her she had taken the cup of Hufflepuff and she had also came into possession of the diadem of Ravenclaw, searching the chamber had been easy and she had come to find an office, clearly Salazar Slytherin's office which had been commandeered by Tom Riddle at some point.
In the office stood an huge and overly gaudy desk which sat a throne like seat just behind it, ancient tomes were stacked around the room clearly not fitting onto the packed bookcases. It was so Slytherin it made her roll her eyes but it would do just fine, much better then the come and go room where anyone could...Come and go really.
She opened the top draw to the desk and took out any paper work, none of it was really important but she made sure to read it all before putting it away, in it's place she left the cup and diadem under stronger wards then the diary was under. Lucius had given her the diary back and it sat in her room back at Malfoy Manor, closing the draw she walked back to the dead beast that still laid in the chamber, with the help of dragon scaled gloves she carefully ripped several fangs from it's mouth placing them in the office as well when she had finished filling up a few phials with the venom.
However currently she was walking with the golden trio towards Hagrid's hut for Care Of Magical Creatures where Hagrid was probably waiting for them all "You don't think that Sirius Black has anything to do with the Grim do you?" Ron turned to look at Harry.
"Oh honestly Ron if you ask me Divination's a woolly discipline, now Ancient Rune's that's a fascinating subject" Hermione scoffed at Ron's question and Lyra snickered.
"Told you so"
"Ancient Rune's? How many classes exactly are you taking this term?" Ron frowned deeply down at the steps.
"A fair few" Hermione answered shortly but Ronald stopped walking allowing Lyra and Harry to pass him as he waited for Hermione to catch up.
"Hang on that's not possible, Ancient Runes is on the same time as Divination, you'd have to be in two classes at once"
"Don't be silly Ronald, how can anybody be in two classes at once?" Hermione chuckled and Lyra turned back staring at the time turner which was hanging outside of Hermione jumper.
"Yes Ronald how can someone be in two classes at once?" she smirked seeing Hermione scramble to tuck the time turner in out of sight as her cheeks blossomed with a thick blush but it looked like Hermione believed she'd gotten away unnoticed.
"Broaden your mind, use your inner eye to see the future!" Hermione changed the subject still feeling burnt at Trelawny's rejection.
"The woman is confused, she does have a few good predictions, one a year probably but her mind is too scrambled, her visions are not clear enough" Lyra stated "I'm sure if you boys just write about dreams you have and add in a tragedy once in a while you'll get an O"
"Wicked!" Ronald cheered and she snickered when Hermione huffed stamping down the steps with slightly more vigor then normal.
~~~
"That's it, Come on now, come closer" Hagrid waved them all forward "Less talking if you don't mind, i've got a real treat for you all today! A great lesson so follow me" the half giant lead them all through to a clearing in the forest.
"Right you lot, less chattering, form a group over there" Hagrid pointed to a section near some trees and large boulders "And open your books to page 49" Lyra who had been stroking her book the whole way there simply cracked her purring book open, the beastly thing blinked up at her before settling down to sleep.
"Exactly how do we do that?" Draco came forward holding his growling book up in the air by the buckle as he stared at Lyra in disbelief.
"Just stroke the spine of course, goodness me" Hagrid turned too look at all the students barring Lyra staring at their books in fear "Nicely done Lyra, 5 points to Gryffindor"
She beamed up at her friend, this was obviously going to be within her favourite classes and she was more then a little jealous that Harry was going to be able to fly with Buckbeak today. Screaming behind her caught her attention and she turned to see Neville fighting with the book in his hand, she moved closer and quickly pressed her knee to the large book to stop it from attacking the boy.
Lyra reached down stroking the books spine until it grumbled under her as it gave up and started to purr "Up you get Nev" she held her hand up as she stood with the book and he took it.
He nodded staring at the book in her hands once back on his feet "Thank you"
"Just stroke it Nev" she patted his shoulder with an amused smile when he hesitantly took the book back.
"I think they're funny" Hermione put her book on the large boulder beside her.
"Oh yeah terribly funny, really witty...God this place has gone to the dogs wait until my father hears that Dumbledore's got this oaf teaching classes" Draco called out from where he stood with his friends, things between Hermione and Draco had gotten more tense and the Malfoy heir was not taking this year well, the fact that he knew Lyra may not be coming home this year was putting him in a right foul mood.
"Shut up Malfoy" Harry warned the blonde boy who snickered.
Draco waltzed forward putting himself almost chest to chest with Harry before he glanced up and his face fell, he stumbled back a few paces lifting his hand up "Dementor, dementor!" he yelled and almost everyone turned around in terror.
Lyra stayed facing him frowning as he lifted his hood followed by his friends as they mimicked dementors, Hermione passed her to grab Harry making him walk away, on her way passed she grabbed Lyra hand and made her follow them.
A throat clearing got all of their attention once more, Hagrid gestured towards a large beast and Lyra's bottom jaw dropped in awe as she gawked at the Hippogriff, it was a stormy grey colour she knew he'd be large but the beast stood the same height as Hagrid. His eyes were a bright orange and his beak looked sharp like a real eagles.
"Isn't he beautiful? Say hello to Buckbeak" Hagrid threw the hippogriff a ferret which was caught in the air and quickly devoured.
"Hagrid, what exactly is that?" Ron asked not baring to raise his voice louder then a quiet mutter but given the fact it seemed the others were holding their breaths it was easily heard.
"That Ron is a Hippogriff, first thing you want to know about Hippogriffs is that they are very proud creatures, very easily offended, you do not want to offend a hippogriff it may be the last thing you ever do...Now! Who'd like to come and say hello?"
Lyra was staring at Buckbeak extremely tempted to raise her hand but Harry needed to do this bit so with a very heavy heart she took a step back with the others "Well done Harry, well done"
The boy turned to see that everyone had stepped backwards leaving him alone at the front "Come on now" Hagrid waved him forward but when he didn't move Ron leant forward and gently shoved Harry forward two steps "Now, you have to let him make the first move, it's only polite so step up, take a nice bow then you wait and see if he bows back. If he does you can go and touch him, if not...Well we'll get to that later"
They all watched on bated breath and Harry walked forward and gave a low bow, Buckbeak flapped his huge wings which a screech "Back off Harry back off" Hagrid warned and Harry took two steps back before snapping a branch loudly "Keep still" they all watched to see Buckbeak pause for a moment before bowing back nice and low.
"Oh well done Harry, well done! Here, you big brute you" Harry threw Buckbeak another ferret "Right you can go and pat him now, go on don't be shy"
Lyra looked to her left when someone moved to stand right beside her, close enough that their arms touched, Draco looked down at her seeing as he had hit puberty and had shot up like a bean stalk his mouth twitched as he held back a smile before he pulled out a shiny green apple and biting into it.
She looked back towards Harry to see Buckbeak approaching him, Harry's grin when Buckbeak pressed his beak into his hand was one she didn't see too often, Harry had many smiles but his smile of pure happiness was one that was fleeting so to see it here made her smile brightly herself.
She chuckled as she watched Hagrid lift Harry placing him on the Hippogriffs back before smacking the rump of the beast making it take off in a ran and fly off with the Potter boy, oh she had never been more envious then in this moment but she may get her own time.
They had plenty of it this year after all.